Do I Need a Realtor to Buy a New Construction Home?

If you’re considering building or buying a new construction home in Birmingham, there’s a good chance your first stop will be a builder’s website, a model home or one of the beautiful new communities popping up around town.

And somewhere along the way, you may wonder:

If I’m buying directly from the builder, do I really need my own Realtor?

It’s a question we hear often—and one we’re actually navigating with a buyer right now.

She’s preparing to build a custom home in the Birmingham area, and our involvement started well before there was a house to walk through.

We’ve been helping with everything from the lot and floor plan to builder specifications, allowances, design considerations, budget and timeline.

Because buying new construction may look different from buying an existing home, but one thing doesn’t change:

It helps to have someone in the process whose focus is you.

The Builder Has a Team. You Can Have One, Too.

When you walk into a model home or builder sales center, you’ll usually meet knowledgeable people who can tell you all about the community, available lots, floor plans, finishes and construction process.

We work with builder representatives regularly, and good relationships between agents and builders can make the process much smoother.

But there’s an important distinction to understand.

The builder’s sales team works for the builder. Your buyer’s agent works with you and represents your interests in the transaction.

Those roles aren't adversarial—they're simply different.

Having your own representation means you have someone helping you evaluate the decisions from your side of the table.

Birmingham Has More New Construction Options Than You Might Realize

Across the Birmingham metro, buyers can find everything from move-in-ready new homes to homes where they select a floor plan and finishes, all the way to fully custom construction.

We work with buyers considering communities and homes from Birmingham-area builders such as Harris Doyle Homes and Signature Homes, along with other local and custom builders throughout Central Alabama.

And this is something buyers don't always realize:

You can often have your own Realtor represent you when purchasing directly from a builder.

The process and compensation can vary by builder and community, which is also why we recommend talking with your agent before your first visit to a model home or sales center.

Representation Starts Before You Sign a Contract

This is probably the biggest misconception about using a Realtor for new construction.

Our job isn't simply showing up when there's a contract to sign.

With the buyer we're currently helping, some of our most important conversations are happening before construction has even started.

Right now, she's deciding between two floor plans.

And we're not just comparing square footage.

We're asking:

How will she actually live in each space?

Where will people gather?

Does the kitchen function the way she wants it to?

Is there enough storage?

Where are the laundry room and everyday drop zones?

How will guests use the home?

Will the layout that works today still work several years from now?

After years of walking through homes with buyers and hearing what homeowners love about their houses—and what they wish they had done differently—we notice things that can be easy to miss when you're looking at a floor plan on paper.

That's experience we get to bring to the table.

Then Come the Specifications, Allowances and Upgrades

Floor plan selected. Great.

Now the decisions really begin.

Depending on the builder and type of construction, buyers may need to work through selections and allowances for flooring, tile, countertops, cabinetry, lighting, appliances, paint and other finishes.

And an “allowance” doesn't necessarily mean every option you have in mind will fall within that number.

We help our buyers understand what the builder is including, what may be considered an upgrade and where it may make sense to ask more questions before decisions are finalized.

Sometimes we're looking at the exciting stuff.

Sometimes we're asking decidedly less exciting questions about timelines, specifications and contract language.

Both matter.

What Does a Buyer's Agent Actually Do During New Construction?

Every builder and transaction is different, but our role may include helping our buyers:

• Compare builders, communities, lots and floor plans

• Think through layout and design decisions

• Review builder-provided specifications and allowances

• Understand what's included versus an upgrade

• Ask questions about timelines and construction milestones

• Communicate and coordinate with the builder's representatives

• Review transaction documents and help identify questions for the appropriate professionals

• Attend walkthroughs and key appointments when appropriate

• Keep track of the many moving pieces between contract and closing

• Think about future resale while making highly personal design decisions

And sometimes our job is simply being the person our client calls and says:

“Okay…am I overthinking this?”

That's part of it, too.

Should I Use the Builder's Agent or Have My Own Realtor?

Rather than thinking of it as choosing against the builder, we think it's more helpful to understand who each person represents.

The builder has people looking after the builder's side of the transaction.

Having your own buyer representation gives you someone focused on yours.

We can have an excellent relationship with the builder and their representatives while still advocating for our client. In fact, that's exactly how we prefer to work.

The goal isn't to make the process contentious.

The goal is to help our buyer make informed decisions and enjoy building their home.

Talk to Your Realtor Before You Visit the Model Home

If you're thinking about new construction in Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Mountain Brook or another Central Alabama community, don't feel like you need to have a builder, floor plan or even a neighborhood selected before reaching out.

Actually, we'd rather have the conversation earlier.

Some builders have specific procedures regarding buyer-agent registration and representation, so involving your Realtor from the beginning can help everyone understand their roles before you get too far into the process.

And if all you know right now is:

“I think we want to build.”

That's enough of a place to start.

We can help you figure out what comes next.

Chad & Macey Franklin
Franklins of Bham Real Estate Team
LAH Sotheby's International Realty
Birmingham, Alabama

Every Chapter. Every Season. We're with you.