Do I Need My Own Agent to Buy New Construction in Erie, Colorado?

Do you need your own agent to buy new construction in Erie, Colorado? You are not required to have one, but it is worth having one. The agent in the builder's model home works for the builder, and your own agent works for you. I'll explain the difference in plain words so you can decide what fits you.

New construction feels simple at first. The model home is beautiful, the sales agent is friendly and the paperwork looks ready to go. That is exactly why so many buyers wonder whether a second person is needed. It is a fair question, and I would rather you ask it now than after you have signed something.

I'm Carol, and Homes by Carol is my real estate practice here in Erie. Carol Vanlandingham is a REALTOR® with eXp Realty and a buyer's and seller's agent in Erie, Colorado, with about 80 homes closed for buyers and sellers and a 5.0 rating on Google. She helps people through life transitions, downsizing, first homes and relocation across Erie, Boulder County and Northern Colorado. I have lived in this area for over 31 years and been licensed for 10. Before that I fixed and flipped houses, so I look at a new home the way someone who has seen what goes wrong behind the walls does.

The sales agent at a builder's office works for the builder. Their job is to sell the builder's homes and to protect the builder's interests. That is not a bad thing, and many of them are kind and knowledgeable. It simply means that nobody in that room is working only for you.

Your own agent has a different job. A buyer's agent works for the buyer. That means I help you understand what you are signing, what to ask, what to compare and what to do next, and I do it on your side of the table.

Here is what I do for buyers, whether the home is a resale or brand new.

• I help you get ready first. I ask every buyer to be pre-approved by a lender before we look at homes, so you know your real budget.
• I explain the contract before you sign. A builder's contract is usually the builder's own form. I go through what it says in plain words, and I tell you which questions to bring to the builder or your attorney.
• I tell you what I see. Before I was licensed I fixed and flipped houses, so I notice things like how a lot is graded, how a finish was done and what looks rushed. I am not a home inspector, and I always recommend a professional inspection, but I will point out what I would want looked at.
• I help you compare. A new build is not the only choice. A resale home down the street may fit you better. I can show you both side by side, so you are choosing and not just following the first model home you toured.
• I keep track of the dates. There are steps and deadlines from the day you sign to the day you close. I tell you what is needed from you and when.
• I am there after closing. If you have a question about your home a month or a year later, call me.

If you want to see the whole path, my page on how I help you buy lays it out from the first meeting to closing day.

The order matters here. A few simple steps can protect you.

Step 1: Get pre-approved first

Talk to a lender before you tour. Pre-approval tells you what you can comfortably spend. If you need a lender, I have a list I recommend, and you are free to use anyone you choose. I am not a lender, so loan questions go to your lender.

Step 2: Choose your agent before your first visit

Builders have their own rules about agents. Many ask at your first visit whether you are working with one. Ask the sales office what their policy is before you go, and if you already have an agent, bring them along or tell the office their name at the door. Do not assume you can add an agent later.

Step 3: Sign a written buyer agreement and read it

Before our first showing, we sign a written buyer agreement. It spells out what I will do for you and how we will work together. I go through it with you line by line. Ask any agent, me included, how they are paid, and get the answer in writing before you sign anything.

Step 4: Learn the costs that come with the lot

Some Erie neighborhoods have a metro district. Erie Commons and Erie Highlands, for example, have metro districts, which add a property tax on top of the county bill. That cost is listed on the county assessor's record, so you can look it up. Erie also sits in two counties, Boulder County and Weld County, so the county and your tax bill depend on the parcel. Ask about both before you fall in love with a floor plan.

Step 5: Compare the new build with resale homes

Put a new home next to a few resale homes in the same price range. I will help you with that. A new home is new, and you can ask the builder what warranty comes with it and what it covers. A resale home may have a finished yard, a mature street and a shorter wait. You decide which matters more.

Step 6: Get your own inspection

A brand-new home can still have problems. A professional inspector works for you, and nobody else does. If you want to know how it works, I wrote about how a home inspection works.

These are the ones I see most.

• Walking in without an agent and assuming you can add one later. Many builders have rules about when an agent must be involved. Ask first.
• Treating the sales agent as your advisor. They are friendly, and they work for the builder.
• Signing before reading the contract. Take it home. Ask what each page means.
• Looking only at the base price. Upgrades, lot choices and added costs can change the total. Ask for the full picture in writing.
• Skipping the metro district question. It changes what you pay every year.
• Forgetting about the yard. Erie asks residents to limit watering days, so ask what the yard will need.
• Skipping your own inspection. New does not mean perfect.
• Not comparing resale homes. You may find a better fit in a home that is already built.

You do not have to have one. If you have bought new homes before, you know the process and you are comfortable reading a builder's contract, you may be fine on your own. If this is your first home, or your first new build, or you are moving here from somewhere else, I think having someone on your side is worth it. You can learn more about me on my about page, and I have more for first-time buyers on my first-time buyers page.

I will not compare myself to anyone else. I will tell you how I work. I listen before I advise. I explain before I recommend. You make the decision, and my job is to make sure you understand every option well enough to make it with confidence. Sometimes the right advice is "not yet," and I will tell you that too.

Can I bring my own agent to a builder's model home?

Often yes, but builders have their own rules about when your agent must be involved. Ask the sales office before your first visit, and tell them your agent's name at the door.

Who does the builder's sales agent work for?

The builder. They sell the builder's homes and look after the builder's interests. A buyer's agent works for you.

Do I still need an inspection on a new home?

I recommend one. A professional inspector works for you and can find problems before you close. I am not a home inspector, but I will tell you what I would want looked at.

What is a metro district?

It is an added property tax on top of your county bill. Some Erie neighborhoods have one, including Erie Commons and Erie Highlands. You can find it on the county assessor's record for the property.

What should I ask my agent before I sign a buyer agreement?

Ask what they will do for you, how they are paid and what happens if you change your mind. Get the answers in writing, and ask them to go through the agreement line by line. I do that with every buyer.

If you are thinking about a new build in Erie, I would be glad to talk it through before you visit a model home. See how I work on my page for buying a home, learn about the town on my Erie page, or send me a note. You can also call me at (303) 522-3130. No question is too basic, and you can ask as many times as you need.