Realtor's Advice on Buying New Construction Homes 🏠 | MELANIE ❤️ TAMPA BAY

Have you fallen in love with one of those perfect model homes in a new construction neighborhood? I love them, too. In this edition of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay, I'm sharing tips on how to be a smart buyer for new houses. Buying a resale house versus new construction are very different processes.

#1 - WORK WITH A REALTOR

Yes, real estate agents represent buyers all the time on new construction purchases. It can be confusing for you when you go into a model home and sales representatives provide all of the information and answer your questions, but they work for the builder and you should want someone representing you. Many Realtors like myself are familiar and specialize in new construction, and our input is valuable.

#2 - UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT COSTS OF NEW CONSTRUCTION

You may see that roadside sign that says "Houses Start in the 200s!" Then when you go into the model home, everything available is priced closer to $300,000? That's because the advertised price is for the cheapest model, with no upgrades or lot premium.

CONSTRUCTION OPTIONS - Does your builder offer a bonus room option or the option to change a living room to a den, or that extended master bathroom?

COSMETIC OPTIONS - These are the fun ones! Going to that design center to pick out your floors and cabinets can be the highlight of the building process, but you can also get a big dose of sticker shock.

#3 - NEGOTIATING WITH BUILDERS

Builders don't like to negotiate their base prices, they have to keep them similar because they are selling lots of the same models. As long as people are buying their homes, they have no reason to negotiate the price. However, builders are more receptive to negotiating "things" or "credits." Instead of asking for a $10,000 reduction in the price of the house, have your agent ask for a $10,000 credit at the design center that you can use for picking out that gorgeous kitchen. You can also ask for a closing cost contribution. Not every builder is going to give you credits. It depends on how popular their product is, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask.

#4 - CLOSING COSTS

Every builder is different, but no matter which one you go with - pay very close attention to the closing costs. Most large builders in Florida push all of the closing costs (except for the real estate fees and a few others) over to the buyer's side. This can be thousands of dollars in extra closing costs that you wouldn't be paying if you were purchasing a resale house.

#5 - CONSTRUCTION TIME EXPECTATIONS

Say your builder estimates that it will take four months to build your house. That is their goal, but in reality, they can never be entirely sure when that house will be completed. Builders have to deal with weather issues, materials being supplied in a timely manner, contractors doing work correctly, permits, inspections, and so much more. It is a lot to manage and everything doesn't always move along smoothly.

I hope this information helps all of you out there thinking about buying a new construction home. Give me a call if you're in the Tampa Bay area, and I'd love to help you!

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Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates. She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.616.2427

The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

[MelanieLovesTampaBay]

I hope this information helps all of you out there thinking about buying a new construction home. Give me a call if you're in the Tampa Bay area, and I'd love to help you! Feel free to leave any questions or comments here.

[aurorablast]

Just signed contract for a new home. My realtor was extremely helpful and informative during the process. Very glad I had him.

[somebodyonhere]

I would never buy in a HOA community and these new constructions always are but I like watching any realtor videos 🙂

[Rkg]

FINALLY!!!! A video that explains in detail the actual process on new build homes! Thank you much for this 🙏🏽❤️

[franduras]

Couldn't have found this video at a more perfect time! Thank you for the tips! Glad I found someone that is local, I am from Lakeland!

[sharnetteraye-brown]

This was a VERY informative and detailed video. Thank you!

[edwollen]

Great Video Melanie, I'm in the process of buying an inventory home and this was extremely informative!

[kokesjohn]

WOW!!! You have absolutely the very best real estate YouTube video I have seen in quite a while. You are honest, sincere, experienced, professional and the whole entire 11:45 was POWER PACKED not to be missed by ANYONE interested in new home construction!!! YES!!! My favorite part about your presentation was your attention to detail in your dress, make up, background, quality of audio, video quality, and just the right amount of inserted slides. I think Google should give you a special YouTube Award for "JOB WELL DONE" because you are that good!!!! Your 48, 000 views and 1, 400 likes speak for themselves !!! My humble suggestion is that you should consider being a trainer on YouTube videos. Thank you for your wonderful and amazingly informative new construction video Melanie 🙏

[JohnWilliamDomingo]

Super helpful insight about closing costs and credits, thank you!

[EastCoastReefer]

Very clear and concise advices. Thank you 🙏

[r.pinheiro]

Brilliant! Just bought a new home and this is 100% spot on! I got a steal for mine with only 13K extra on a premium lot!!!

[juliaquinones]

I was looking for an investment property in Tampa Fl and watching some videos on Youtube I saw the Melanie Love Tampa Bay. I sent her a text explaining what I was looking for and my price range. Melanie was so efficient and at the end of the day she emailed me around 80 properties available in the area that I was interested in. The next day she sent me a video of the house I was interested in. In four days I signed the contract and in three weeks I did the closing of the property. Melanie is very nice and friendly, she went out of her way to help me with the paperwork and finding a manager for the new property. If anybody is interested to buy or rent in Tampa Fl, I highly recommend Melanie.

Thank you,
Julia,

[mtebor]

some good advice. The house we are building in Clermont had a builder that did something different. Their first model home had what is standard and the second showed all the upgrade. Our realtor kept reminding us when we were in other model homes, what would be considered an option and cost more

[efraincorpus]

Efrain LOVES Melanie....liked and subscribed!

[pamelarachil]

Hey Melanie, love your videos! One of the things I wish you would have touched on in the video is the fact that the buyer doesn't have to pay the Realtor a commission to work with them on the purchase of a new build. And secondly, WHY a buyer should always work with a Realtor in any purchase transaction, including a new build...because the buyer's Realtor is looking out for the best interested of the BUYER. The builder's agent is ultimately looking out for the best interest of the BUILDER (because that's who writes their paycheck!) So many buyers will just work with the builder's agent and don't think it's necessary to have their own agent. In fact, my own brother was told that he didn't need to have his own agent because he only needed to work with the builder's agent. So, they will never encourage working with a buyer's agent to the buyer. Keep up the good work! Hope to meet you one of these day (I'm in Clearwater) Pamela Rachil, Nexa Mortgage NMLS#1873388 727-314-2726

[angelaedwards]

I enjoyed your video. Can you explain the benefits of having your own realtor for a new construction? I dont see how that would save me money. Would your comission be added to the home price or closing costs?

[slugerknot]

We are currently looking to buy new in the Pensacola/Panama City area and this was very helpful. Thanks!

[joshuafequiere]

This is was a great information. Thank you very much!!

[pink]

very helpful information. For clarification when does a buyer begin to pay the mortgage on the house? When the construction begins or when it ends?

[jadan]

Really love your videos. They really helped us and we just went into contract in Tampa.