Expert advice on new construction purchases

Having the right agent on board is key when shopping for new construction, and is here to help you navigate through your options in the Cary area.

Buyers of brand new homes in a development don't like to see houses sold after theirs go for less money, so builders aren't as apt to bend on price. (You'll appreciate this behavior after you've bought a home in a development of new construction!) Regardless, depending on the market and the status of the project, there's sometimes room for negotiation.

Say a home has been on the market a long time and the builder is deeply invested, then you have some room. The same goes for show or model homes that have been sitting for a while. However, if a home was just finished, don't count on being able to get a deal.

In situations where a builder won't budge, ask for assistance with other aspects of the transaction. Ask for help with the closing costs, or additional amenities, like appliance upgrades, a garage door opener, a fence or landscaping, or an extended home warranty. Or take the contrary route. If a home is nearing completion, you can often save money by passing on suggested upgrades from the builder and installing things yourself.

Just because a house is brand new, it doesn't mean that it is immune from needing repairs. Be sure to get a home inspection before purchase so that issues are handled and also negotiate a home warranty. Then, about 10 or 11 months after purchase it's worth it to pay for an inspection and get anything else repaired before the warranty expires.