Why Having Your Own Real Estate Agent Matters When Buying a New Construction Home in Suffolk County

It’s no secret that today’s housing market poses challenges for many home buyers. While interest rates have moderated in the past several months, they remain high enough to serve as a roadblock to buyers reliant on mortgage financing. The supply of homes – here in Suffolk County, New York and across the nation – is still low, while demand remains high, keeping home prices high.

There is, however, some good news for buyers. In the past several years, builders have accelerated the production of newly built homes, and many of these homes are now becoming available. According to a recent report from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), “newly built homes now account for 31 percent of total homes available” – that’s a bit uptick from their 12 percent historical average.

But buying a new construction home on Long Island involves a process that’s different – and a bit more complex – than buying an existing home from a homeowner. Here, you’ll be dealing with the builder’s agent (often called an “on-site agent”), not an independent agent like Team Rita.

A builder’s agent is employed by the builder and represents the builder’s interests. While these people are licensed real estate agents whose professional code requires them to deal honestly and fairly, they naturally will negotiate to get the

best deal for the builder. That’s why it’s a wise move to bring in your own agent to represent you in the new home buying transaction.

Here are some other reasons why having your own agent is important:

A Local Agent Will Know What’s Happening in Your Area A local independent real estate agent will be familiar with significant real estate developments in your chosen area that may influence your buying decision. He or she can cast an experienced eye on the builder’s site plan to evaluate its fitness. This agent will also be aware of any non-private developments that may affect your property. For example, is the County planning to build a highway, drainage ditch, or electrical line behind your prospective back yard? A good local agent will know things like that.

A Local Agent Will Assist You with Customizations and Upgrades One of the wonderful things about buying a new construction home is that you’re not locked into the configuration decisions made in the past. Instead, you have freedom to customize your new build home to your liking. A good local agent will guide you through the customization process and share advice on the upgrades most likely to add long-term value to your home. Doing this will add to the pleasure of living in your home and give you the greatest return on your investment if you ever sell it.

You’ll Have a Second Set of Eyes at the Negotiation Table It’s valuable to have a skilled negotiator on your side who can act as both a navigator and interpreter in the new home buying process. Contracts for new build homes can be complicated. Your agent can help you navigate the language in these contracts to make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions. He or she will advocate for you and make sure you aren’t unwittingly agreeing to terms that only benefit the builder.

Bottom Line Having a trusted, independent real estate agent by your side can make a big difference when buying a new construction home. He or she will represent your interests, negotiate on your behalf, help you customize your home to maximize its present and future value, and keep you from making mistakes you’ll regret.

Want to learn more about buying a new construction home in Suffolk County, New York? Connect with Team Rita!