Benefit of a realtor vs going direct to a builder

[4king]

I used a realtor who knew builders. I was able to better build the house I wanted than if I was just browsing communities. Most builders will try to push the deal on you where as our realtor was able to get in before the builder saw dollar signs to get me the lot I wanted

[Ruffdaddy]

Nevermind me, I'm on Redfin every other night looking for our next home, so I'm a self-certified expert on the market now. Don't get me wrong, the realtor was invaluable when I bought my first house, simply due to lack of experience, but to do it again I'd test the waters by myself.

This go 'round we'll be selling a house at the same time, so I may very well still get a realtor involved to make sure that we get the best price possible. It's still very much a seller's market though, with not a lot of options, so I'm not convinced that I need to have a realtor, as seller's are still getting over their asking price thanks to the competitive market.

Only benefit you may get is a 1% listing from the realtor as long as theyre on the purchase of the new home. If they dont agree to that then i suggest you dont even use them for the new home.

[Broncojohnny]

Don't worry, as soon as you talk to a realtor they'll give you a whole list of reasons why you need to pay them 3%.

[Big A]

Nevermind me, I'm on Redfin every other night looking for our next home, so I'm a self-certified expert on the market now. Don't get me wrong, the realtor was invaluable when I bought my first house, simply due to lack of experience, but to do it again I'd test the waters by myself.

This go 'round we'll be selling a house at the same time, so I may very well still get a realtor involved to make sure that we get the best price possible. It's still very much a seller's market though, with not a lot of options, so I'm not convinced that I need to have a realtor, as seller's are still getting over their asking price thanks to the competitive market.

[ceyko]

That makes no sense. Why get a realtor, when their sole purpose is finding your next home, yet you've already found it? Rhetorical question, somebody just wanted to get paid for doing nothing.

This person swore she could get us a better price. Since it was family we gave it a shot for all the usual reasons.

When that did not pan out, we were just happy the sales office was willing to honor the initial discount - since it was a fast selling development.

The realtor was only brought in for the pricing portion in our particular case. IMHO, for a new home in a development - it's easier just to drive around, look and buy the one you like the most.

If the realtors could actually magically get you a better price...they'd be worth it. No so much in these scenarios though.

When we bought our place in Van Alstyne, the realtor we used was extremely useful - in the traditional role you're describing. (Along with the financing process and so forth)


Edit: Just read your whole post...to include the part where you noted you knew the answer.

[Big A]

The realtor's commission has to be paid for somehow and likely it'll just be included in the price of your home.

I only bought one new home and they offered us a nice discount w/o realtor. We had a family member pressure my wife a little into using her as a realtor. As soon as that happened the discount went away and a better price was not negotiated.

We ended up ditching the realtor in favor of the discount.

That makes no sense. Why get a realtor, when their sole purpose is finding your next home, yet you've already found it? Rhetorical question, somebody just wanted to get paid for doing nothing.

[ceyko]

The realtor's commission has to be paid for somehow and likely it'll just be included in the price of your home.

I only bought one new home and they offered us a nice discount w/o realtor. We had a family member pressure my wife a little into using her as a realtor. As soon as that happened the discount went away and a better price was not negotiated.

We ended up ditching the realtor in favor of the discount.

[Ruffdaddy]

Realtor doesnt cost you anything as a buyer. And hell yes negotiate with the builder. The realtor can pull the CMA on the neighborhood and help get you the best deal.

Yes, in a lot of ways they can cost you money.

Go to 10 different builders and ask them if they give a discount for purchasing without a realtor. At least half will say yes if not more.

[mk5.0]

Realtor doesnt cost you anything as a buyer. And hell yes negotiate with the builder. The realtor can pull the CMA on the neighborhood and help get you the best deal.

[Ruffdaddy]

All good information and it all makes sense.

Do you all feel that buying ( contract/earnest) at the end of the year is better ?
Can we save more money ?

IM guessing that larger builders do not negotiate. Is this a fair assumption ?

Everybody negotiates.

Weve gotten a lot of the price dropped on the past 2 houses weve built.

Now is a good time to lowball offer before spring. But i also think the market is slowing or inventory had caught up.

[Broncojohnny]

Most realtors are full of shit and don't have a clue. There are some good ones out there though. I would say the answer depends on how good you are at negotiating. Realtors will do little when it comes to the construction process.

[HECDOGGIE]

All good information and it all makes sense.

Do you all feel that buying ( contract/earnest) at the end of the year is better ?
Can we save more money ?

IM guessing that larger builders do not negotiate. Is this a fair assumption ?

[abecx]

A realtor wants to negotiate the highest price because they get more commission as it is percentage based. I dont like realtors.

[snacksnack]

No, most builders will give you a price break if you DO NOT use a realtor. Realtors will cost them a few ten grand.

I suggest being direct with the builder about this early in the process.

I talked to all my neighbors when we built and several did not use a Realtor and I happen to come out better then them. Its probably a hit and miss thing but after hearing there storys I would use a Realtor.

[svauto-erotic855]

I would deal directly with the builder. In general realtor's have experience dealing with transactions that most people do not deal with all that often but what they bring to the table is nowhere near being worth the fees that they charge. The claim that the buyer doesn't pay the realtors fees is absurd.