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The power of negotiation

Negotiating With Home Builders: Why You Want Your Own Agent

Builders are professionals at selling homes. They negotiate every day. Most buyers negotiate a home purchase a few times in their life. Having me on your side levels the playing field, and in most cases it costs you nothing extra.

Walking in alone

  • The sales agent represents the builder
  • You sign the builder's contract as written
  • You hear the advertised incentive and that is it
  • The commission stays with the builder, not with you
  • No one checks the deposits, deadlines or fine print for you

With me in your corner

  • I represent you, not the builder
  • I review the contract and timelines with you
  • I ask for credits, upgrades and lot premium changes
  • I know which homes have been sitting and when goals reset
  • I stay with you through inspections, walkthrough and warranty
Interactive

What could you ask for?

Enter a home price and check the levers that matter to you. The total is an illustration only, so you can see how small asks add up. Every builder, community and month is different, and nothing here is a promise of any concession.

Illustration of value on the table
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0 levers selected
Ask me what this builder will do

When builders negotiate the most

  • End of month, quarter and year. Builders report sales to their companies and investors. A home that closes before a deadline matters to them.
  • Finished homes that have been sitting. Every month a finished home sits costs the builder money.
  • The last homes in a phase or community. Builders want to close out and move their sales team.
  • Slow traffic weeks. I keep track of how a community is selling.

What builders usually protect

Builders often avoid cutting the posted base price because it affects the appraisals and the value of every other home in the community. That is why the best deals usually come as credits, upgrades and incentives. I know how to ask for value in a way the builder can say yes to.

The incentive fine print

Many advertised incentives only apply if you use the builder's preferred lender, escrow or title company. Sometimes that is a great deal. Sometimes the incentive is offset somewhere else. I compare the total cost with you so you can decide with real numbers.

The one rule

Register your agent before your first visit. Most builders require your agent to be present or registered on your first visit or first contact. If you sign in alone, you may lose the right to representation for that community. Call or text me at 805.404.3369 before you go and I will set it up or meet you there.

Let me negotiate for you

Tell me the community and I will tell you what to ask for.

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Frequently asked questions

Does it cost more to use an agent with a builder?

In most cases no. Builders typically budget for a buyer's agent commission. Walking in alone usually does not get you a lower price.

What can you negotiate on a new build?

Price on homes that have been sitting, closing cost credits, design center upgrades, lot premiums, appliances, window coverings, landscaping and contract terms like deposit amounts and timelines.

When do builders negotiate the most?

End of month, end of quarter and end of year, the last homes in a phase, and finished homes that have been sitting for a while.

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