The Builder’s Representative
Explains the builder’s homes, lots, options, contracts, preferred providers, policies, and available promotions while representing the seller’s interests.
Buy new with someone representing you
Do You Need a Real Estate Agent for New Construction?
A newly built home can offer modern finishes, energy-efficient features, builder warranties, and fewer immediate updates. The process can also involve builder contracts, construction timelines, upgrade decisions, inspections, financing incentives, and deadlines that deserve careful attention.
Before your first model-home visit: Contact your agent first and ask them to accompany you. Builder registration and representation policies vary. Waiting until after you register or tour may limit your ability to involve your chosen agent or affect any compensation the builder may offer.
Representation matters
The Builder’s Representative Works for the Builder
The on-site sales representative is a valuable source of information about the community, homes, upgrades, and construction process. That representative works for the builder. Your buyer’s agent represents your interests under the terms of your written agreement and helps you evaluate the purchase beyond the sales presentation.
Your Buyer’s Agent
Helps you compare communities, review market information, understand choices, track deadlines, coordinate inspections, and negotiate where the builder allows.
More than opening doors
How Your Agent Helps With a New Build
Compare Builders and Communities
Evaluate location, reputation, amenities, fees, lot choices, timelines, included features, and resale considerations.
Review Pricing and Incentives
Separate the base price from lot premiums, design upgrades, closing costs, lender incentives, and optional features.
Understand the Contract
Builder agreements differ from standard resale contracts and may contain unique deposit, delay, inspection, financing, and cancellation terms.
Protect Your Upgrade Budget
Prioritize selections that fit your lifestyle and budget while considering which improvements may matter for future resale.
Coordinate Independent Inspections
Discuss available inspection opportunities, including pre-drywall, final, and warranty-period inspections when permitted.
Track Construction and Closing
Stay focused on milestone dates, walkthrough items, financing deadlines, closing preparation, and unanswered questions.
Ask before you commit
Important Questions for the Builder
Your agent can help you gather complete answers and compare them across communities.
What is included in the advertised price?Confirm standard features, lot premiums, upgrades, landscaping, appliances, and community fees.
Which incentives are currently available?Ask whether incentives depend on a preferred lender, closing attorney, specific home, or closing date.
What deposits are required?Understand when deposits are due and whether any portion may become nonrefundable.
What happens if construction is delayed?Review estimated completion dates, extensions, and the contract provisions governing delays.
Can I hire my own inspector?Confirm the builder’s policies and access requirements for each potential inspection stage.
What does the warranty cover?Ask about workmanship, systems, structural coverage, exclusions, claim procedures, and deadlines.
Are future phases planned?Learn what may be built nearby and how future construction could affect traffic, views, amenities, and resale.
What are the HOA or regime obligations?Review fees, transfer charges, rules, amenities, assessments, and documents before committing.
From search to closing
Your New Construction Buying Roadmap
Plan and Prepare
Define your budget, timing, preferred areas, home needs, financing strategy, and representation.
Tour and Compare
Visit communities with your agent and compare homes, lots, incentives, amenities, and total costs.
Contract and Build
Review documents carefully, make selections, monitor milestones, and coordinate permitted inspections.
Walk Through and Close
Document completion items, review warranty procedures, complete financing, and prepare for closing.
Local new-home knowledge
New Construction Across the Charleston Area
BHGRE Palmetto agents help buyers explore new homes, planned communities, available inventory, and build-to-order opportunities throughout the Lowcountry and beyond.
CharlestonSummervilleNextonCane BayCarnes CrossroadsSummers CornerGoose CreekMoncks CornerMount PleasantJohns IslandNorth CharlestonBerkeley CountyDorchester CountyCharleston County
Start before you visit the model home
Let a BHGRE Palmetto Agent Help You Buy New
We can help you identify communities, compare builder offerings, prepare for your first visit, and navigate the process from registration through closing.
Common buyer questions
New Construction FAQ
Should my agent attend my first builder visit?
Yes, contact your agent before visiting and ask them to attend. Builder registration and representation policies vary, and your first visit can affect how your agent may participate.
Does the builder pay my agent?
A builder may offer buyer-agent compensation, but it is not automatic and the amount and terms vary. Review your written buyer agreement and the builder’s current offering with your agent before touring or signing.
Do I need an inspection on a brand-new home?
New homes can still have incomplete work, installation problems, or items needing correction. Discuss independent pre-drywall, final, and warranty-period inspections with your agent and inspector, subject to builder access and contract terms.
Should I use the builder’s preferred lender?
Preferred lenders may offer incentives, but compare the full loan terms, rate, fees, credits, and cash required with other qualified lenders before deciding.
Can my agent negotiate the price?
Possibly. Some builders hold firm on base prices but may offer closing-cost assistance, financing incentives, upgrades, appliances, lot premiums, or other terms. Availability depends on the builder, home, community, inventory, and market.
