BUYING A NEW CONSTRUCTION IN EL DORADO HILLS? WHY YOU NEED YOUR OWN REAL ESTATE AGENT
When you’re house hunting, the allure of new construction in El Dorado Hills is undeniable. You get to be the first to live in the pristine home—one untouched by other families. Its shiny-new appliances and the finishes and treatments are the ones you picked to fit your aesthetic. And, you won’t have to worry about making any upgrades for years!
If you are interested in buying a new construction in El Dorado Hills, the builder’s agent will be ready to help you with the process. But make no mistake: You need your own real estate agent from the get-go. Even if it seems like plug and play to sign up with the builder’s on-site agent, you’re going to want someone representing your side of the deal.
What is a builder’s agent?
When you buy new construction in El Dorado Hills, the home’s builder is considered the seller, and the agent representing the builder is called the builder’s agent.
The builder’s agent is an employee of the builder. They do not work for you and they are typically incentivized to sell as many homes and upgrades as possible. After all, the job of the builder’s agent is to get the highest price for the homes the builder is selling so the agent is not going to easy to negoiate with.
Why you should hire your own real estate agent for new construction in El Dorado Hills
It’s a good idea to have your real estate agent accompany you on your first visit to the new construction in El Dorado Hills. Why? First, the builder (aka the seller) will be responsible for paying the commission, so you don’t have worry about the cost of an agent. Second, if the builder knows you’ll have a professional real estate agent representing you, they know they are dealing with someone who understands the ins and outs of the business. To show how much some builders would prefer you NOT have an agent, many will even refuse to pay your agent a commission if you don’t register the agent the first time you visit the home on a new construction site.
Your real estate agent's job is to help you get the most value for your money, with the least hassle and frustration
When buying new construction in El Dorado Hills, here’s what your real estate agent will help you with that you might miss out on if you choose to work only with the builder’s agent:
- Negotiating extras: Want upgraded counters or appliances in that new home? Your agent can help you understand the cost and value of all those extra perks, amenities, and upgrades. Your agent can help you understand which upgrades will deliver the most value when the day comes to sell your home. Agents can also often negotiate with the builder on things like paint color or even the style of garage door, especially if the housing development is in the early stages.
- Recommending financing:A builder typically will have a “preferred” lender that it will try to steer you to, sometimes it is even a lender owned by the builder. Your real estate agent can help make sure that you’re getting the mortgage that works best for your situation. Shopping around is always wise, and you don’t want the builder’s agent pressuring you into using their suggested professional unless it’s right for you.
- Overseeing a home inspection:Tempted to forgo a home inspection in El Dorado Hills new construction? Don’t do it! Just because the home is new doesn’t mean it is without defects! Your agent will ahve relationships with inspectors who can help represent your side during the escrow process.
How the builder’s agent can help you
All that said, the builder’s agent can be a valuable resource for learning about your potential new home.
“They are knowledgeable about the construction and available amenities, as well as the housing development and general community vibe,” says Walgrave. You can rely on the builder’s agent for background information—just don’t make this individual your sole point of contact on the buying and selling process.
Everyone wants to walk away from buying a home—whether it be a new construction or not—with peace of mind. Having a real estate agent in your corner will help facilitate that.
