Do I Need a Realtor for New Construction?
Short answer: You don't need one. But you probably want one — and if you wait too long to decide, you may lose the option entirely.
Here's what most buyers don't realize until it's too late.
The Builder Already Has Representation
When you walk into a model home, you're greeted by friendly, knowledgeable people who are happy to answer your questions. They'll walk you through floor plans, explain upgrades, and talk you through the buying process.
They work for the builder.
Their job is to sell homes at the best possible price and terms — for the builder. They're not evaluating whether this home is right for you. They're not advising you on what to negotiate. They're not reviewing the contract to flag terms that favor the builder.
The question isn't whether you need representation. It's whether you're okay being the only party at the table without it.
New Construction Isn't Like Buying a Resale Home
When you buy an existing home, you tour properties, make an offer, negotiate, and close. Your agent helps you through that process — but you can see and touch what you're buying before you commit.
New construction is different. You're buying something that doesn't fully exist yet. You're signing a contract written by the builder. You're making decisions about upgrades, options, and selections on a timeline set by the builder. You're trusting that what gets built matches what you were promised.
The process is longer, more complex, and has more decision points where things can go wrong. That's why experienced new construction agents do more than show homes — they guide buyers through a months-long process with real financial stakes.
What a Buyer's Agent Actually Does in New Construction
A good agent — one with specific new construction experience — adds value at every phase:
Before contract:
Advises on builder reputation, community comparisons, and incentive evaluation
Ensures you're registered properly to protect your right to representation
Reviews the contract before you sign (builder contracts are long, dense, and one-sided)
During construction:
Attends key milestones like pre-drywall walkthrough and final inspection
Tracks builder timelines and flags delays
Advocates when issues arise — incorrect finishes, construction defects, missed specs
After closing:
Supports you through the warranty period
Helps document and escalate warranty claims
Stays in your corner during the critical first year of ownership
This isn't hand-holding. It's protection during a process designed to favor the builder.
"But the Builder Has Their Own Agents"
Some buyers think they'll get a better deal by going directly to the builder — no agent, no commission, lower price.
That's not how it works.
Builders set their prices based on market conditions, not commission structures. The sales rep at the model home is getting paid whether you bring an agent or not. If you don't bring one, the builder simply keeps the savings.
You're not reducing the price. You're just giving up representation.
The Timing Trap
Here's where buyers get burned.
Many builders have registration policies. If you visit a model home, call the sales office, or submit a form online without an agent, you may be "registered" to that community. Once registered, the builder can refuse to pay an agent's commission — even if you hire one later.
That means you either:
Pay your agent out of pocket
Proceed without representation
Walk away from the home you wanted
Timing matters. The window to secure representation is before you make contact — not after.
So, Do You Need a Realtor for New Construction?
Legally, no. You can buy a new construction home without one.
Strategically, it's risky. You're entering a builder-controlled process with builder-written contracts, builder-set timelines, and builder-employed sales staff. Having someone on your side — someone who's done this before and knows what to look for — changes the dynamic.
The real question isn't whether you need a realtor. It's whether you want to be the only one at the table without an advocate.
New Home Hero connects buyers with experienced agents who specialize in new construction — providing independent representation from contract through the critical first year after move-in.
Disclaimer: Builder registration policies, agent compensation structures, and contract terms vary by builder, community, and market. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Buyers should verify current policies directly with builders and their chosen representation.
