Negotiations with a builder ? (real estate, house, neighborhood)

[jaylivg]

Hi ,

This is our first time building a house , i was just wondering , in negotiations with the builder , what can you ask for ?

And also if we're paying our own closing , can we ask for a rebate for after closing ?


Thank you .

[smuggy_mba]

You can ask for anything depending on supply and demand; just don't hurry up.

1.) brick all around
2.) Blinds
3.) extra recessed cans & other small stuff
4.) Big one's like extra media room or patio or a balcony
5.) upgraded granite, cabinets, double doors, granite is secondary baths, tile bath instead of a shower pan


be ready to sign and once you're ready, ask for extra stuff I was too lazy to do that

[a_guerrajr]

Builders usually give you an incentive amount and you do what you please with it.

Inventory homes will get a bigger discount.

I don't haven't dealt with any that give certain items, but who knows, until you get down to it you'll find out.

[smuggy_mba]

Depends on builder from builder. We're building with a builder who didn't give us much discount/option money while the other keeps calling us and offer upto 50K in options..depends on supply and demand and the neighborhood.

Once you're ready to sign - ask for more stuff. At the time the builder has a potential customer and would not want to lose him for 2-4K. Remember builder over prices the options by a huge percentage so when he offers you 25K in options, he is basically offering you somewhat like 10K in discount.

Always focus on structural stuff - patio, media room, brick that is hard to add later. Cosmetic stuff can always be added later.

[Houston321]

A builder can't give you a rebate after closing. If you are being represented by a real estate agent, sometimes they give rebates. The builder can contribute to closing costs, include free items, and discount the home. As previous posters stated, you can usually get a bit more discount on an inventory home.

But please...find a home or two that you love first, then discover the best deal for you and your family.

[jasonamd]

When we built our house in 2010, the easiest things the builder seemed to be willing to work on were contributions towards closing and money towards upgrades.

[jaylivg]

Thank you for the responses ,

they don't really have that many inventory homes left in the area that we want to buy . And , reason for asking for rebate , because we're relocating , and the company is paying our closing cost . That's why i was wondering if they're flexible with the rebate , and yes , we're using realtor , our realtor said that if we ask for rebate , the builder usually gets really mad easily .. so .. i guess he's saying that no we can't ask for rebate .

[Houston321]

It's not that the builder gets "mad". By law the builder can't rebate anything to the buyer. Can you imagine how many homes would be sold if the builder could pay your downpayment AND closing costs? You have to have some skin in the game.

If the relo company is paying your closing costs, then ask for more discount on the home.