Buying New Construction Homes in Scottsdale and Greater Phoenix
Bringing your own agent to the builder, so someone at the table is looking out for you.
What buying new construction homes in Scottsdale involves
Walking through a new construction model home in Scottsdale or Greater Phoenix is exciting. Everything is fresh, the design choices are yours, and there is no previous owner's wear and tear. It is also a different kind of purchase from buying a resale home, with its own contract, its own pricing structure and its own people.
The salesperson in the model home works for the builder. Their job is to represent the builder's interests, not yours, and many are very good at it. Bringing your own agent means someone at the table is looking out for you: comparing the options, reading the contract with you and keeping your interests at the center of the decision.
Talk with me before your first model-home visit
Most builders require your agent to be with you, or registered, at your very first visit. If you tour a community on your own first, you may not be able to bring your own agent into that purchase later. Each builder sets its own rules, so the safest move is to talk with me before you walk in.
If you already visited a community, that is fine too. Tell me which one, and we can find out what the builder's policy allows.
How I help new construction buyers
I am an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Realty and an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), licensed since 2003. With new construction, I use the same four steps as any purchase, applied to the questions a builder sale raises. The full process is on my page about how I help you buy.
- Base price versus the home you actually want. Lot premiums, structural options and design-center upgrades can add up quickly. We price the home with the upgrades you want, not the base model.
- Which upgrades to choose now and which to add later. Some are much easier to do during construction. Others cost less afterward.
- The builder's contract. Builder contracts are written by the builder. We go through deposits, timelines, what happens if construction is delayed and what the warranty covers.
- Builder incentives and your own lender. Incentives can be valuable. We compare them with what your own lender offers, so you choose with the full picture.
- New versus resale nearby. Sometimes a resale home a few streets away is a better fit. It is worth seeing both before you decide.
Inspections and walkthroughs on a new home
A new home can still have issues. Many buyers hire an independent inspector at key points during construction and again before closing, because problems are far easier to fix before drywall goes up or before you move in. We also plan the builder's walkthrough together, so items are documented and on the builder's list before closing.
After you move in, the builder's warranty covers certain items for certain periods. Knowing what is covered, and writing down issues as they appear, helps you use it well.
New construction across the areas I serve
Builder activity is concentrated in some parts of the Valley, including the North Phoenix area around 85024. These pages look at buying new construction in specific areas:
Planning to visit a community soon? Tell me which one before you go, and I can help you make the most of the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost more to use my own agent with a builder?
How agents are compensated is set by agreement, and the terms vary by builder. I explain how it works for the specific community before you commit to anything.
Do I need an inspection on a brand new home?
It is a good idea. Independent inspections during construction and before closing can catch issues while they are still easy for the builder to fix.
Can I use my own lender instead of the builder's?
Usually, yes. Builder incentives may be tied to their preferred lender, so we compare both options to see which gives you the better overall result.
New Construction by neighborhood
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Ready to make your move with Polly Blackwell?