The caveat though, is that buyers don't always like new home subdivisions.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say something like, "We want a newer home but we don't want a neighborhood where the houses all look the same and there are no trees to speak of."
And then there is always the question of quality. Buyers want a quality home and, as with everything else, I usually tell them you get what you pay for. Seeing a home during the building process will help a buyer understand how it is constructed and what materials are being used for things like flooring, plumbing, walls, trim, etc. Often if the subdivision offers reasonable costs but builds homes with lesser materials, people still get the home they really want and can work on the upgrades later. But take a look at the neighborhood.
If everyone else in the subdivision just squeaked in at those lower prices to be able to afford the home they wanted, there won't be a lot of money left over for the repairs, upkeep, maintenance and improvements common to many appreciating neighborhoods that help improve property values. Take a look at a 5-10 year old subdivision by the same builder, how does it shape up on a lot by lot by lot comparison?
Most builders will co-op (meaning that they will pay the real estate agent working with you the same way a seller will pay them upon completion of the transaction) and I think it is essential that all new home buyers be represented by a Realtor, in Columbus, in the burbs, everywhere. The builder is not necessarily looking out for your best interests.
Of course they probably also aren't out to rip you off or substitute shoddy materials for the nicer ones you picked out but having a Realtor represent you is practically free. It is good to have someone watching your back and advocating for your best interests who has been there before and understands the building process.
While it's true that I prefer working in Columbus' historic neighborhoods and usually inside I-270, I'm also hyper aware of what is going on beyond the outerbelt and I can help you chart a course through the new home buying waters.
As for the tiny trees and new sod, there is really no way around it. Almost new is usually good too. Also, Spec homes can sometimes be gotten for great discounts and they often have the upgraded packages.
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