Does one usually hire a realtor when buying a new construction home?

[ElectricMayhem]

It's not clear to me whether people normally hire a real estate agent when buying a new construction home. Is a lawyer sufficient to protect one's interests?

[patrob]

We have purchased 2 new homes & never used an agent, did not see a need for it.

[bluejeans]

No need for a real estate agent when buying a new construction home unless you don't have the time to look around and visit all the sales offices, or you are moving to an area that you are not familiar with and may need someone local who can advise you on good neighbourhoods/builders.

[aulikh]

No need to hire an agent...u can do wihtout them...coz no one can guarantee the closing date or frame work/ material they be using...agents do get paid from builder though...so its matter of choice..if u have friend who is an agent ..than least u can do for friend as a favour is get him 500-1000 cheque from builder ...lollllllllll...than u be freinds 4 ever.....otherwise it not necessary...

Ash

[Joseph]

Having a RE agent is not mandatory. If you do bring one, they usually get paid by the builder (sale commission).

A RE agent can be helpful in choosing a neighbourhood, helping you with a selection of a floor plan (getting you to talk/think about what is important now, and in the future), choosing a good lot (for resale, kids, access, etc - again getting you to talk/think things thru). Assist you thru the sale process and asking questions like seeing the site plan (to know where hydro boxes, cable boxes, sidewalks, etc are to be located), etc

It all depends how comfortable you are with the process of buying a new home and whether you know of a good RE agent who can help you thru it (some RE agent are not helpful at all!)

[GTAbestHOMES]

Most of the builders for new homes do not even co-operate with agents
I am an agent and from Starlane in Aurora I got a 1000$ referal fee for the purchase of our house , however when we went to Aspen Ridge they were not offering anything
Most of the agents rather deal with new condos , because condo builders offer 3% or 4 % commission

[whitby54]

Most new home builders in the GTA use licensed real estate agents on their sites, so you are dealing with a real estate agent. You are more than welcome to bring a licensed agent with you if it makes you more comfortable. The new home sales agent is more than willing to explain the Agreement of Purchase and Sale together with the new home buying experience to both you and your agent.

[gill2k]

We didn't use an agent for our new home either. We just dealt directly with the builder's agent that was in their office. He's been very helpful too in walking us through the whole build process.