Hire Your Own Berkeley California Real Estate Agent to Represent YOUR Best Interest! The vast majority of the time the home builder's sales agents are paid to represent the home builder. Many use high pressure tactics in an attempt to make a sale. Due to the high volume nature of new home sales, most builder's agents are paid less than a traditional real estate agents; some earn a salary plus incentives, so volume is important to their livelihood. Hire a local Berkeley California Realtor who is a Buyers Agent and a member of the California MLS to represent you. A good negotiating buyer's agent could save you thousands on your Berkeley new home purchase. Your own agent will represent you, be your fiduciary and is required to disclose the positives as well as the negatives about the transaction.

Don't Automatically Use the Builder's Lender! Ask for a copy of your credit report and FICO scores. You can order your own free credit report before shopping for a new home. It's really a good idea. Consider alternate sources to find a Berkeley lender. Your own credit union or bank may offer you attractive rates and terms, based on your banking history with them. Your real estate agent may even refer you to his or her private list of qualified and reputable lenders. Builders often prefer to use their own lender because the builder will be kept fully informed of your personal progress; it's one-stop shopping for the new home builder. But a builder's lender might not offer you the best rate. In many cases the builder may even own the lending company or at least have strong financial ties to it. Shop around and interview your lender. Find a banker or mortgage broker that you feel you can trust and whom you feel comfortable working with. Ask your lender to guarantee its Good Faith Estimate. If the lender makes excuses, go elsewhere, because reputable lenders always honor this request.

Obtain Legal Advice Before Buying a Brand New Home! Find out if any of the materials used by the Berkeley builder contain chemicals that may be hazardous to your health. If your purchase contract contains any warnings about health issues, it's may be because it's a valid concern and quite possibly other home buyers have gone to court over it. Before you sign a purchase contract, talk to a real estate attorney. The standard purchase agreements that Berkeley California builders like to use are designed to keep everyone out of court, especially them. However, they don't necessarily contain language that fully protects the new home buyer. Ask questions about removal of any contingencies and about your cancellation rights. Make sure that you fully understand your commitments and liabilities.

If you're just starting out in the home buying process, bookmark us with the "Bookmark Us" button at the upper right of this page. We provide you with links to the people and services crucial in making your home buying journey a successful one. Every important step is covered and fact-finding is free! Begin this journey as an educated home buyer, knowledge is power! The smartest new construction home buyers are the most successful new construction home buyers! If you're searching for new construction homes for sale in Berkeley, CA, we'll help guide each step of the way.