All Posts

Buying a newly built home is exciting—but the contract you sign is very different from a typical resale contract. New-construction purchase agreements are written by builders, for builders, and many of the provisions are standard across the industry . That doesn’t mean they’re unfair—but it does mean buyers should understand what they’re agreeing to before  they sign. Below are the most common new-home contract provisions buyers should be aware of, why they exist, and what th

If you’re considering a newly built home—or many resale homes—you’re likely to encounter a homeowners association, commonly known as an HOA . For some buyers, HOAs are a welcome source of order and convenience. For others, they represent unwanted rules and recurring costs. Like most things in real estate, HOAs are neither inherently good nor bad. They are a trade-off. Understanding how they work—and where they add value or create friction—can help you decide whether an HOA co

When buying a newly built home, the purchase price on the flyer is rarely the whole story. Builders often use incentives  to attract buyers, manage sales pace, and move inventory—especially in competitive or slowing markets. These incentives can take many forms, some obvious and some less so. Understanding how they work helps buyers compare offers accurately and negotiate for the incentives that actually matter most. Why Builders Use Incentives Instead of Cutting Price Builde

When shopping for a newly built home, many buyers focus on the base price of the home and the cost of upgrades. Then they notice another line item on the price sheet: lot premium . Lot premiums can range from a few thousand dollars to six figures—and they often raise an obvious question: Is this lot actually worth more, or is the builder just charging more because they can? The answer is: sometimes both . Understanding what goes into a lot premium—and which attributes truly a

When buying a newly built home, many buyers assume they don’t need a real estate agent or broker. After all, there’s a sales office on site, the prices are posted, and the process seems straightforward. What many buyers don’t realize is that the sales representative in a new-construction community works for the builder , not for you. And in most cases, bringing your own broker adds value— without increasing your purchase price . Why It Usually Costs the Buyer Nothing In most

When buying a newly built home, the timing of your buy can be critical to getting the best deal possible. Unlike resale homes, new construction is sold by businesses that actively manage pricing, incentives, and inventory throughout the year. Understanding seasonality  and builder financial calendars  can significantly improve your chances of negotiating a better deal. 1. Seasonality: Why Spring Is the Hardest Time to Negotiate In a typical housing market, demand for new home

When buyers ask whether a builder will negotiate, the honest answer is: it depends . Builders don’t discount homes randomly. Like any business, they make decisions based on performance—and one of the clearest indicators of whether you have leverage is how well a specific community is selling . The good news is that you don’t need inside access or complex data to get a strong read on this. With a few simple questions and some basic math, you can often tell whether a project is

How to Tell if a Homebuilder Is Reputable in Your  Local Market   Buying a newly built home is one of the biggest purchases most people will ever make. Yet compared to buying a car or even a major appliance, it can be surprisingly hard to figure out whether a homebuilder will actually deliver a good product and a good experience. The information just isn’t very easy to find.   Why New-Home Buyers Often Feel Like They’re Flying Blind   In many industries, buyers have access to