If you’re like many people who want to buy a new construction home in Scottsdale, you know that your process is going to be different from someone who buys an existing home – and if you’ve never purchased new construction before, this guide is here to help.

5 Essential Tips for Buying a New Construction Home in Scottsdale

Before you buy new construction, you should know that there are three types of newly built homes:

  • Spec or production homes. These homes are pre-designed. You choose from one of a variety of floor plans and design models that the builder offers, purchase a lot and choose a few finishes and add-ons.
  • Semi-custom homes. Semi-custom homes are generally in neighborhoods that a developer owns, and you’ll be able to make changes to pre-existing designs.
  • Custom homes. Custom homes give you a say in nearly every aspect of planning. Generally, you hire a builder and architect, consult with everyone involved to make plans, and wait for your dream home to take shape.

When you buy a new construction home, you’ll need to keep these five tips in mind:

  1. Work with a REALTOR® of your choosing
  2. Do in-depth research on neighborhoods and builders
  3. Review all your options
  4. Negotiate with the builder and make your final choices
  5. Hire a home inspector

Here’s a closer look at each.

Tip 1 for Buying New Construction - Work With a REALTOR

Tip #1 for Buying a New Construction Home: Work with a REALTOR® of your choosing

You don’t have to work with the builder’s agent, who typically waits in one of a community’s model homes to talk to interested buyers. You can – and should – bring your own buyer’s agent to discuss your options with the builder’s agent. That’s because a buyer’s agent has a fiduciary duty to you (as the buyer) and will be there to negotiate on your behalf while working in your best interests. The builder’s agent has a fiduciary duty to the builder, and because of that, is there to ensure the builder makes as much as possible on each sale.

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Tip 2 for Buying New Construction - Do In-Depth Research

Tip #2 for Buying a New Construction Home: Do in-depth research on neighborhoods and builders

Before you settle on a neighborhood or a builder, you have a homework assignment. Builders in Scottsdale range from locally owned companies to huge national corporations, and what’s right for someone else may not be a good choice for you. Check online reviews, search for Better Business Bureau ratings, and avoid builders with a history of name-changes, which can indicate that they’re running from poor reviews.

Tip 3 for Buying New Construction - Review All Your Options

Tip #3 for Buying a New Construction Home: Review all your options

Different types of new construction homes (spec homes, semi-custom homes and custom homes) will offer you different levels of choice when you build. Whether you’re buying a spec home or creating something from the ground up, it’s incredibly important that you think about the long-term. We suggest thinking about what you’ll want in five or ten years – not just now – before you make decisions about your new construction home (including floor plan, size and number of rooms).

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Tip 4 for Buying New Construction - Negotiate

Tip #4 for Buying a New Construction Home: Negotiate with the builder and make your final choices

Your Scottsdale REALTOR® will negotiate with the builder for you as you make your final choices on the home’s layout, upgrades, features and more. Remember, every decision you make in your new home’s construction impacts the final price – and as with any other home purchase, new construction is negotiable.

Tip 5 for Buying New Construction - Hire a Home Inspector

Tip #5 for Buying a New Construction Home: Hire a home inspector

Although the builder will inspect the home throughout construction, you need an inspector of your own when construction is complete. Even new homes have issues, and when your inspector discovers them, you’ll be able to ask the builder to correct them before you finalize the deal and move in. You’ll also want to review your warranty and other guarantees from the builder.

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Scottsdale?

If you’re selling a luxury home in Scottsdale, we can help. You can use our home value calculator to get a ballpark idea on what your home may be worth – and you can call us at 480-351-5359 to talk to a REALTOR® about how we can market your home to all the right buyers.

If you’re also looking for a new home, we’ll be happy to show you the homes that interest you most. While you’re here, explore all our Scottsdale real estate listings or look in specific communities:

Don Matheson
REALTOR® | Founder
The Matheson Team
RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-351-5359
don@scottsdalerealestate.com


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