If you're even remotely thinking about buying a new construction home in Greater Cincinnati, the FIRST thing you need to do is find an agent to help you!
You're welcome to look around on the Internet and scout possible builders and communities, but BEFORE you make your first contact with a builder, you really need to find an experienced real estate agent to help guide you through the process.
First, no reputable builder in Cincinnati will charge you a dime more for having an agent. And they also won't give you a cheaper price for going solo. Agent fees are distributed across the overhead price of ALL homes, so you're already paying for help, so might as well use it!
Secondly, some builders are pretty strict about the conditions under which an agent can help a buyer. Primary among those requirements is having the agent introduce the buyer to the builder, and sometimes even to a specific community!
That's correct! If I introduce you to Community X and take you across the threshold to meet the builder's rep, that introduction MAY cover me and you for that community only! We've got to repeat the process for Communities Y&Z too!
Other builders, it's register you once at introduction and we're good to go no matter where we go.
Care to guess which type of builder seems to be more welcoming of agents and respecting the relationship agents have with their clients?
Recently a buyer and I met a potential builder and their registration process was pretty strict. They took MY driver's license and added a photo of it to the registration, along with having both me and the buyer sign a form that laid out the conditions. No questions answered for the buyer UNTIL that paperwork was completed. Most builders in the area consider a copy of our business card and a signature sufficient to go with the buyer "claiming" us as their agent.
Now most builder's reps are friendly enough. Frankly it's NOT a job for sourpuss personality. These folks are the face of the builder, right? But the bottom line is the builder's rep works FOR the builder and no one else. And that is EXACTLY why you should have a real estate agent helping you.
A builder will NOT tell you:
1. The community you're checking out is NOT the best fit for you
2. That you can get better value from another builder
3. That their reputation isn't as good an another builder
4. That they're downwind of the municipal sewage treatment plant
5. That floorplan you're picking out is a REALLY tough resale
6. That the builder's contract is HEAVILY in favor of the builder (but we'll give on that one, there's NOTHING you can change about that contract if you want to build a home with them)
Get the drift? Having a skilled agent who knows real estate can save you from some major regrets. But Step 1, you've got to hire us!
Step 1: Contact Bill at 513-520-5305 or email Liz@LizSpear.com. We are NOT the builder's rep, we work for you and ONLY you!
Step 2: The rest of the process, and guiding you through it is why you hired us! We work with ALL Greater Cincinnati home builders! And since Bill is licensed in BOTH Ohio and Kentucky, he can help you with ANY area home community.
We look forward to helping you with your new home needs!
Liz and Bill aka BLiz
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