I have included an interesting Article from the Wall Sreet Journal about new home Builders. I typically do see builders "tie in" their incentives with using their lender; however, I've not seen them "require" that you use their lender. They just hold that bait out there for you and what do you decide to do? You choose the incentives. A good idea would be to have your own lender run the numbers to make sure you're getting as good a deal as you think. If the incentive is $10,000, then it might be less money for you to use your lender.

My thinking is that the builders really like to streamline their business. So many people just walk in without the services of a Realtor who has them "ready to go," that the new home agents (who do not represent the buyer - they represent the builder) is faced with who knows what!!  The smart thing for anyone wanting to purchase a new home or a resale home is to use the services of a good Realtor. They have your back and your interests are important to them.

Many of my buyers I've taken to new home sites have told me how different everything is when I was there. You see, I know the questions to ask. Just this week I took a buyer to a community that had a house that worked perfectly for them. Since they expressed a concern about the surrounding area, I asked the onsite agent for a copy of the Public Report so my buyers could review them on their own without feeling pressured. They decided to go elsewhere after spending hours pouring over the Report during the evening. IF they had gone in without me, they would not have even known to ask for a Public Report, AND perhaps the onsite agent wouldn't have given it to them if they did ask.  They certainly don't have to.

Since buying a home is one of the most important expenditures you will ever make in your life, why would you think you could or should do it on your own? Do you know the builders? Do you know their reputation for customer service? Do you know the areas? Even Realtors without awareness of these issues will take buyers to builders that I wouldn't consider purchasing.  They have no awareness of what's going on or anything about the areas.  I will tell my buyers: "If we pass right by some models, know two things: (1) They are either out of your price range, or (2) I wouldn't live in one." Just some thoughts.........

Oh, and today we have 47,050 active listings!!

Daily Real Estate News  |  November 8, 2006

Builders Seek Greater Share of Financing Pie