Kiplinger's Personal Finance Article - In a Market Where Negotiation Counts.... Find an Exclusive Buyer Agent The article states, "In a market in which negotiation counts, you'll do well to hire a buyer's agent to help you identify good prospects and to frame and negotiate your offer (to find an exclusive buyer's agent, go to www.naeba.org). Look for one who is knowledgeable about your area's new-home market -- its dynamics, values, builders and subdivisions." The only problem with the paragraph is that they should have put the word "exclusive" in front of - buyers agent -- when stating -- "you'll do well to hire a buyer's agent." As a buyers agent works for a company that lists property for sale and may represent the seller 99% of the time... whereas an exclusive buyer agent and their company never represent the seller. The article mentions how builders can try to make the buyer use the financing partner of the builder..... Which again - relates to some of my posts below...about lender steering.. A good agent will help you compare the lender's offerings with those of another lender, analyzing the good-faith estimate. Instead of getting extra material things thrown in - see if you can have them NOT give you the material things - and get yourself an added price reduction instead... The article also give you tips on how to select a good home builder.... All in all - it is one of the better written Real Estate articles I've seen in a long time - meaning - accurate facts.