Buying a home is a significant milestone in anyone’s life. There are so many factors that come into play when you’re looking to make that first major purchase. One of the more important decisions to be made is whether to buy an older home someone has already lived in or one that is brand new. For those who are opting for the latter choice, it can be exhilarating to know you are the very first person to live in the dwelling. But there are some things to consider before you pull the trigger.

Find a Good Real Estate Agent

One thing that most first time buyers don’t know is that builders are the responsible party for paying the real estate agent’s commission. So taking advantage of this opportunity to hire the right real estate agent to help you through the process is a smart decision. Educating yourself on all of the things that a real estate agent can do for you when buying a new construction home is the first step to take. Your real estate agent will help you negotiate with builders on getting you the best price on your new home.

Know Your Builder

Educating yourself as to the best contractors who are working in the neighborhood where you want to live is important. You can do this any number of ways: start with an online search, ask around to friends and neighbors who went through the same process and see who they recommend, or talk to local realtors. When you identify one or two builders whose style and reputation you like, then the next step is to ask the builder any and all questions about the home. Don’t worry about asking too many questions either – there’s no such thing.

Model Homes vs. Real Homes

When you’re walking through a model home, it can give you a great idea of what your home will look like in the end. But keep in mind, it’s not THE home you’ll receive unless that’s the one you want. The model home is not always the best indication of what your home is going to look like. Be sure to ask about amenities and upgrades for your dwelling, especially if they are featured in the model home and you’d like those in your house as well. Go over everything your home will and won’t have with your real estate broker and your builder so that you’re not surprised by anything later on.

Get Everything in Writing

This one is a no-brainer. The best realtor will make sure every i is dotted and every t is crossed to ensure everything from what’s in the house to how much it will all cost is agreed upon up front.

Protect Yourself

Make sure your agreement also includes things like a final home inspection and a warranty so that if anything is defective or inoperable when construction is finished, these things can and will be repaired by the builder at no additional cost to you.

If you are buying or selling a house and are looking to hire a successful real estate agent to help you through the process, take a look at AgentHarvest's list of top-ranking local Realtors in your area. We found these agents by examining their sales track records, awards, rankings, client testimonials and by conducting personal interviews.