Building a custom home is an exciting journey for every new homeowner. However, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget about logistical details — like whether or not you need a realtor. If you’re already working with a builder, is a real estate agent really necessary?
While you can certainly build your dream home without a realtor, there are some situations where a realtor’s expertise can be a game-changer. Realtors can guide you through land purchases, contracts, and even budgeting decisions to avoid potential pitfalls.
At RHS Custom Homes, we’ve been part of countless custom home-building projects. With over forty years of home building experience, we’re here to ensure your dream home becomes a reality. Let’s get into the pros and cons of hiring a realtor while you’re building:
Do You Need a Realtor to Build Your Own Home?
The short answer is no, you don’t “need” a realtor when building a custom home. However, working with one can streamline the process and save you from common headaches. Realtors are especially useful if you’re purchasing land, if you’re not familiar with builder contracts, or if you would just feel better with an expert negotiating on your behalf.
A realtor could help you with:
- Navigating land purchases and understanding zoning laws.
- Finding the best location for resale value and suiting your lifestyle preferences.
- Negotiating terms with builders to ensure you get the best deal.
They’ll also take care of details like ensuring your home inspection goes smoothly. Worried about keeping an eye on everything? A realtor could be a smart addition to your team.
What Kind of Real Estate Agent Works With Custom Homes?
Not every real estate agent specializes in custom home building. When selecting a realtor, you’ll want to look for someone experienced in land acquisition, new construction, or luxury homes. These agents are familiar with builder processes and can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Make sure to ask about their track record with custom homes. We also recommend getting someone familiar with your local market, who can partner with your builder to ensure your location, land and design are suitable for the weather, climate and terrain.
How Are Real Estate Agents Paid?
Realtors typically earn a commission based on the property’s purchase price. For custom home builds, this could include land acquisition or the sale of your current home. Commissions are generally paid by the seller, but if you’re buying land or working with a builder, the cost may be factored into your agreement.
Understanding how your realtor is compensated ensures transparency and helps you budget for their services. We recommend talking to a few realtors with custom home building experience before settling on one. Some might be willing to share example pricing or previous project prices, to give you an idea of how the expenses will work.
Reasons to Consider a Realtor
From managing deadlines to mediating disputes, a real estate agent might be just what you need to feel confident in the home building process. Some of the top benefits of a realtor include:
You’ve Got Someone in Your Corner
While building custom generally means that you don’t have to worry about your vision getting pushed aside in favor of a cookie-cutter design, there are still countless variables to consider. Fixtures, finishes and other details can get lost in the planning.
Craft a home-building wishlist together with your agent, and they’ll be able to make sure every box on the list gets checked off. A realtor can advocate for your best interests to stay on track with your goals. Not only will it keep things simple for you, but it’ll simplify key priorities for your builder, too.
Wondering what goes into building a custom home? Explore the process with us.
Expertise in Understanding Builders’ Contracts
Builder contracts can be overwhelming. Understanding what’s included in the base price for your home and what’s an additional cost is often confusing, especially if this is your first time building a home. Realtors can break down any unclear verbiage so that you understand every section of your contract.
If you’re worried about your choice in builder, a realtor can help there, too. Realtors are skilled at spotting any potential red flags and negotiating terms that protect your investment.
They Can Identify Top Priorities in Your Design
Realtors know which features add value. Whether it’s an open-concept layout or energy-efficient upgrades, they can guide you in prioritizing design elements.
While a custom home should ideally end as your dream home, sometimes your wallet won’t agree with your imagination. Realtors can also help you identify ways to make future projects more feasible. Think you might want to finish the basement one day? A realtor can assist your builder in setting up the right layout to simplify future work.
Stay on Budget With a Realtor
A realtor helps you align your dream home vision with realistic costs, preventing overspending or unnecessary upgrades. Realtors can also assist with navigating the world of financing a new home. There are several ways you can choose to pay for your new home, and a realtor can help you narrow down to your best individual options.
Curious how it works? Learn more about some of the most common construction financing options with RHS Custom Homes.
They Can Attend Walkthroughs for You
As your home is being built, you’ll be invited to tour the in-progress home for any changes, questions or concerns. But, hey – you’re an adult, and it’s pretty likely you have a busy schedule. If you can’t find time to take a look in person, a realtor can step in to attend walkthroughs for you, ensuring that everything in your custom home meets your expectations.
Start Building With RHS Custom Homes Today
At RHS Custom Homes, we understand that custom home building is both a significant investment and a deeply personal journey. Whether or not you choose to work with a realtor, our goal is to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Our team has years of experience bringing dream homes to life on the Florida-Alabama Gulf Coast. From initial designs to the final walk-through, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Ready to start building your custom home? Contact us today to create a space that’s uniquely yours.
