Save money when purchasing new construction

It's key to have a savvy agent as your partner when shopping for new construction, and is here to help you navigate through your options in the Grand Prairie area.

Buyers of brand new homes in a neighborhood aren't happy when the homes that sell after theirs fetch a lesser price, so builders aren't as apt to bend on price. (You'll appreciate this behavior after you've bought a home in a development of new construction!) Regardless, depending on the market and the status of the project, there's sometimes room for negotiation.

For example, if a property has been on the market a long time and the builder is deeply invested, then you have some room. The same goes for show or model homes that have been sitting for a while. However, if a home was recently completed, it's unlikely you'll get a deal.

In situations where a builder won't budge, ask for assistance in other areas. Ask for help with the closing costs, or additional amenities, like appliance upgrades, a garage door opener, a sprinkler system or landscaping, or an extended home warranty. Or take the contrary route. If a home is nearing completion, you can often save money by passing on suggested upgrades from the builder and installing things yourself.

While you should always negotiate a home warranty so problems can be fixed, it's also imperative you get a home inspection before closing. Inevitable problems can be repaired (by the builder) before you move in and larger problems identified before it's too late. Since an inspection is relatively inexpensive, some new home buyers get an inspection after being in the home for 10 or 11 months - that way, the builder can make the repairs before a 1 year warranty expires.