Myth or Fact? A better deal on New Construction without an agent.

Oh, this post is certainly timely as I just had a 6-repeat client DUPED by a builder when, after looking into re-sales, drove around one weekend and stopped in a showroom.  When my CLIENTS (not a lead, again a 6-repeat client of mine) handed them MY business card, the builder rep said that because I didn't bring them in, they couldn't use me!  My clients SIGNED the Contract and then told me what had happened.  Needless to say, I was livid!

At my clients' request, I am not breathing a word of this to the NC Real Estate Commission until AFTER they Close.  My client was suspect and said that they knew better but, just are 'so trusting' of people.  They were afraid that if I reported this builder while the home was being built, that since they had lied to them about their agent, they would sabbatoge their new home.  I agreed to wait...

I have seen this new construction issue from both sides--representing a builder AND having had buyers who originally did NOT want new construction, drive around and decide that they were willing to wait for a new build.  There is a national company who has cheated me out of my commission TWICE and I now tell my buyers of that experience.  It's the buyers' option as to whether or not they want to visit those showrooms or not but, most of them feel that if the developer/builder was 'stiffing' a top selling real estate agent, they will surely not get the customer service which they expect or deserve.  

I have another client now that is working with that same builder and guess what?  It's been a nightmare for them. The sad part about this one for the builder/developer is that this particular client is a physician who comes in contact with numerous DIFFERENT people every day and he is surely letting them know to stay away from this particular builder.  Oddly enough, they continue to practice this way, as they've done for years.  It makes no sense--I know I'm not the only agent who has had this experience in my area so, their poor reputation is only getting worse by the day.  But, they have the national 'brand' keeping them alive.  Something has to change at some point!

From a builder's rep perspective--I have represented builders and always went out of my WAY to 'romance' the Realtors® in the area.  If they brought us a buyer, they received flowers and the promise of my being available for any part of the process so they could go out and work new business.  We made their life blissful!  We were incredibly grateful for them bringing us business and we would NEVER, in a million years, as some of these builders do to floating buyers, suggest that they will save money without an agent!