Well, let's consider how most people start looking at new homes. In most cases you are simply out on a nice weekend day and you stop in on a whim or a new model home just opened and you decide to just take a look. I can't tell you how many people just go for decorating idea's, fall in love and eventually wind up buying a new home. 
Once the New Home Bug Bites...you're hooked!
When you enter a new home, everything is perfection, you're eyes are darting from one room to another and all your senses awaken from the gorgeous furnishings and decor. Then the builders representative begins to tell you about all the incentives the builder is offering. She is really nice and talkative and she answers all your questions. You begin to think...wow...I wonder if I can sell my current home?
She casually asks you to fill out a little card, with your name and phone number on it. The traffic form ( actually this is a registration form). "You have just unknowingly given away your right to representation! "
Don't Do That....call me for a stack of my New Home Cards. That way if you are out and about and you stop into a Builders Model, just hand them this card, give them you name and go look. The sales person will now realize that you are an educated consumer and you have a Realtor who is helping you. If you see something that peaks your interest, let's talk about your options.
Potential Stressful Situation Averted....
You may be asking. "Peggy, do I really need a Realtor to represent me?" Here are a few reasons why you would want to consider having a Realtor represent you with a New Construction purchase:
- Realtors know how to negotiate-especially in the case of standing inventory is a situaton where a builders sales are slow. Realtors can help you get the best price and terms.
- Keep in mind the Builders Representative works for the Builder. Most are not licensed Realtors, they essentially are working For Sale By Owner. Their job is to make money for the builder.
- A Realtor can help you understand the contract and make sure that you understand your rights in a new home contract. It's a big step..with a huge deposit at risk. Are you willing to risk thousands?
- If you are relocating to the area, the Realtor who is helping you can photograph the construction at every turn, they can keep you informed of progress.
- We can help you save money by assisting you with option choices. Remember builders make the most money options.( deck, flooring, islands,appliances etc..) A good Realtor can assist you with these decisions
- Most important a builder in Virginia has by law two years to complete your home. Yes, two years. Important questions need to be asked.
- If you have a home to sell, coordination is key. If you have a Realtor assisting you with the purchase of the New Home and the selling (or renting) of your current home, chances are very good you will have a stress free sale and purchase.
- When the wheels fall off the cart and things are delayed or there is a problem and emotions run high, it is always best to have an advocate working for what you want.
Where most people make a huge mistake is, they go looking at New Homes fall in love, sign a contract thinking they will easily be able to sell or rent their current home. Nothing could be further from the truth. All the rules of buying a move-up have changed. Mortgages are more difficult to get when you are holding onto your current home with intentions of renting it. Then the quality of renters has diminished with the current economy. I truly believe buying a new home is a smart way to buy in today's market. My only concern is that you understand how that decision can impact you overall. There is no cost to you to have me represent you as your Buyer Agent. Builders expect buyers will have Realtors helping them and they pay us not you.
Give me a call when your ready at 703-851-3085
Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office).If you are a homeowner who has a home to sell, we have buyers ready and waiting for nice homes to come on the market. Give us a call and we can "GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST" to list your property for sale we service Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle area's .
Curious what homes are selling for in the Woodbridge area? Take a look
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Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085(Peggy)703-590-2252 (Office).Give us a call and we can "GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST"to list your property for sale we service Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas,Gainesville, Garrisonville and Triangle area's.Basically all of Prince William County Virginia. Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Quantico, Fort Belvior, Occoquan, Dale City.
Wow, just shows you how things are different from state to state.
1. When a visitor to a model home "registers," they are giving up their right to representation. Wow. Just wow. Here, in Alabama, the only time a Buyer has representation, whether they register at a model home or not, is when they sign an Agency Agreement. All buyers here, and sellers, too, have a right to decide what kind of representation they want, and when they wish to engage in and Agency relationship.
2. Individuals in model homes work for the builder and may not be a licensed real estate agent. Another wow. Here, every individual engaging in Real Estate Sales at work for a builder, must be a real estate licensee. If they can get a looker to sign an agency agreement, then they can represent the buyer and seller in the transaction
Wow. I do adore reading about differences from state to state. These two just jumped out at me.
Hi Debra,
Thank you for commenting. I too love reading and learning about the rules from State to State. This is exactly why it is so critical for relocating Buyers to have Realtor representation when buying a home.
Now I'm saying Wow! So in Alabama , every individual engaging in Real Estate Sales at work for a builder, must be a real estate licensee . Here in Virginia, if you are a licensed Realtor, many builders require you hang your license in referral.
Keep me in mind if you have anyone transferring to Northern Virginia, I'll do the same for Alabama! Have a nice holiday...
Peggy-sorry we didn't get a chance to chat when we were passing at Office Depot. I've encountered more builder reps with real estate licenses than without in our area. Perhaps a change by builders to deal with some of the representation issues that have come up in the past. Who knows but it is an interesting shift.
Hi Cindy, that said, when the sales representative sitting on the new home site is a licensed Realtor, they still work for the builder." I truly believe it is always in the purchasers best interest to have a Buyers Agent help them with the purchase." It doesn't cost a home buyer a penny to have a Buyers Agent help them and coach then throughout the process.