Asking yourself “Do I need a REALTOR® for new construction?” is a very fair question! This week we’re focusing on those who are interested in building their new home from scratch vs. purchasing an existing property. For more information on the REALTOR® difference, check out one of our previous blogs here.

Planning a new build is a fun and exciting experience. It’s often very different from shopping for an existing home on the market, as you can pick and choose everything from the layout of the home to the tile for the bathroom floor. While you may not need to worry about existing problems with an older home, there are a new set of challenges with planning new construction and working with a builder. That’s where we come in to help!

Why Do I Need a REALTOR® to Build a House?

Someone in your corner to help advocate for your dream home. Working with your REALTOR® vs. a builder’s or seller’s agent is very important to ensure someone is invested in your happiness with your new home. When planning your dream build, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. For example, how choosing certain upgrades might affect the bottom line in terms of price. It’s easy to get caught up in viewing models of the builds you’re considering and not realize the difference in pricing from the base model vs. the upgrades included in the viewable model.

Additionally, negotiations with builders are often a lot smoother of a process when working with a qualified REALTOR®. This person will offer invaluable guidance to you and know how to look at a builder’s proposal objectively. Negotiating fees, warranties, and upgrades become a lot easier when your agent can help guide the conversation.

A master project planner with the knowledge needed to get the job done the right way. There are many moving parts to planning new construction. A great agent can jump in and be the perfect middleman to address what you’re looking for, coordinate with the builder and their team, and manage expectations as the project comes to life. A knowledgeable REALTOR® will know when to push back on the builder and how to keep everything on track. Confirming use of quality building materials, maintaining reasonable deadlines for completion, managing disputes and payment schedules are all things your agent can help with.

Planning for the future. When planning your brand new home, it might not occur to you to think ahead in the event you ever need to sell your property. Realistically addressing your plans for the home and how they can affect the resale value down the line is very important and can avoid a ton of headaches later. Your REALTOR® can work with you to understand if there are any parts of your home build that may make it harder to market and sell in the future.

A master of their craft, held to the highest standards. You can be confident when working with your REALTOR® that they know their stuff. From a high level, they understand current market trends and fair pricing. They know how to spot hidden fees within contracts and how to navigate negotiations in your favor. REALTORS® are held to a code of ethics that have been in place for over 100 years. This is often comforting to those who have never worked with an agent when building a new home. It is also comforting for those who may have worked with less than satisfactory agents and are looking to ensure their next experience is top notch! If you’re still thinking “do I need a REALTOR®”?, you can find more information here.

We hope the above gives you great food for thought as you’re planning your new home. The UCBR team is more than happy to assist you if you’re looking to work with a qualified REALTOR® in Ulster County, NY. You can contact us here if you have any questions. Best of luck!