Just a quick story about other clients of mine, Connie & Frank. When I was selling their home, they were receiving mls printouts. They would go out on the weekends, do some touring around and specifically went into a builder's model home.

There is an UNWRITTEN RULE that you may not be aware of! Here's what happened. After I sold their home, Connie said she wanted to go back to the model home they had been through a couple of times. Now, keep in mind, they NEVER SIGNED ANYTHING, NOR DID THEY GIVE THEIR NAME TO ANY SALES REP. When I called the builder's rep to set up an appointment for all of us to return...she told me I couldn't come!

I explained that I was their "Buyer Agent" and they wanted me to represent them. THAT DIDN'T MATTER! The sales rep. said that since I hadn't brought them in the FIRST TIME through, they would not co-operate with me and I could not represent Connie & Frank. In essence, the builder's rep. was CLAIMING Connie & Frank as THEIR CLIENTS. Keep in mind, the builders's rep. was working for the builder and owed all their duties to the builder. Therefore, NO ONE WOULD BE REPRESENTING CONNIE & FRANK!

I phoned Connie & relayed what I had been told. I explained to her that their choices were now:

1) buy the home from the builder, with NO representation
2) look at other resale homes with me
3) look at other builders with me More & more builders are using this rule today!

It seems bizzare that the builders made up this rule, yet they make no effort to advertise, publicize or inform the general public UNTIL you have innocently fallen into their trap! Perhaps this is what they intended! So don't be lured by low prices, fancy designs & features. PROTECT YOURSELF FIRST! Otherwise they will rip your "rights" away in one swoop! Don't think that you are bothering me or just want to "preview" a few things to get a "feel" for the market. Call me!

Remember, it is the FIRST TIME THROUGH that counts!!! SO BEWARE!!!!

If you are planning on going open housing this weekend, here are some tips that will help: BUILDER MODEL HOMES...You need to take your Buyer Agent with you the FIRST TIME THROUGH!!!! DON'T GO IN WITHOUT ME!
1) Don't go in! If you are interested in new homes, I will gladly arrange to tour every new home in your price range WITH YOU! When we go in, I will register you as my client. That way, if you do develop a serious interest in any builder, I can represent you as your buyer agent. Please keep in mind, you will not pay any more for the house if I am involved. There is always a commission or flat fee alloted, so that would be split between myself and the other agent. If I am not with you, that fee goes to the builders rep. who is representing the builder & not you! If you go in without me...the agent there will be representing the builder and YOU will have NO representation! You will be on your own! You won't know if you are overpaying for items commpared to other builders in today's market. Recently one builder was charging $1200 MORE for the same items in his contracts, compared to other bulders!
2) DO NOT SIGN ANY REGISTRATION or information card. If you are in a builder's home, and you ask for the "brochure package" with all the different designs and prices, they will ask you to sign for them! THEY GOTTCHA!!! Now they have your name & the date you were in! They use that form to "register" you...whether you want to be registered with them or not! This is a very sneaky practise and more & more builders are using it! DON'T SIGN ANYTHING ANYWHERE!
3) DO NOT GIVE YOUR NAME OR PHONE NUMBER to anyone! Always give them MY name. **Note** I have had over 20 years experience in dealing with new homes and their contracts. Many times the builder's rep. does not even read through the contract with the buyers. THIS MAY COST YOU DEARLY! Each builder's contract is written by the builder's lawyer, in favour of the builder. If you are not familiar with these contracts you could easily be paying for something that you don't have to! You need a Buyer Agent to represent YOU. The price of the home is no more, or no less when I am involved. The builder pays my commission, just as if he was paying his own repersentative. However, you get the benefit of my years of experience of new homes. (which by the way, is often more than the rep. on the site).

RESALE HOMES: You can go in!
1) As soon as you go in, tell the agent you are represented by Carol Hammer, Broker as your buyer agent. A buyer agency agreement is just like an owner selling a home. If another agent tries to interfere with that agreement, then they may see themselves in front of our local Real Estate Board.
2) DO NOT GIVE YOUR NAME & PHONE NUMBER. (If you give your name to 5 differnt agents while you are out, I guarantee you, that you will receive 5 phone calls by supper to see if they can help you. If you don't want to be hassled...don't give your name.) Since we have not had our buyer chat yet, there is no way of you knowing the above information. Therefore, I provide this story for your own protection. Many agents sit in open houses...NOT to sell the house...but rather to "PICK UP" buyers! **

If you have been into any builder's model homes lately, please send a return email to me with the names of the builders and the locations. Also indicate if you think that buying a new home is something that you want to consider seriously. ** Tidbits like this are discussed at our Buyer Chats. If you haven't arranged for your "Buyer Chat" please do so within the next 2 weeks. This is the type of stuff you must know BEFORE you get in over your head! If you take the time for a "Buyer Chat" before you start to view any homes, it will save you a lot of headaches. I'm trying to educate you the best way I can, so your buying experience will be as hassle-free as possible. Hope this info is helpful.

Carol Hammer, Broker

Keller Williams Golden Triangle Realty, Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated
Office: 519-570-4447 Direct: 519-772-3759