What questions to ask when buying a new construction home?

Yes, I’d approach a new build differently, especially if construction hasn’t started. Along with asking what’s included, ask what happens when things don’t go according to plan. Before paying a deposit, get the proposed contract and ask: When is each deposit due, and under what circumstances is it refundable? Can the builder change the price or substitute materials? What happens if completion runs past the estimated date? How are inspection findings and unfinished items handled before closing? Have your agent help organize those answers and a local real estate attorney explain contract language that’s unclear. A verbal assurance from the sales office isn’t enough to plan your move around. Then work through a delay scenario. If the house finishes two months late, where would you live, what would storage cost, and what would happen to your financing? The floor plan and finishes matter, but understanding who carries the cost when plans change can be just as important. Austin Moore Broker/Owner, Austin Moore & Company Real Estate Realtor in Longview, Texas

Orlando, bring your own agent, and bring them on your first visit. That single move changes more outcomes than every other question on this list. The person sitting in the model home works for the builder, not for you. They are helpful and pleasant, and they represent the seller. Most builders will still pay a buyer's agent, but many require that agent to be registered at first contact. Walk in alone once and you can give away your representation for free. Then the questions worth asking: What is included and what is an upgrade, and can I walk a base-level home in person rather than the decorated model? The model is a showroom. What is the real completion date, and what happens to my rate lock and my current rent if it slips? Is the builder incentive contingent on using their lender, and what do the rate and the costs look like if I do not? Compare the total cost, not the headline rate. What is the warranty, who actually honors it, and is there a mandatory arbitration clause in the contract? Read that one closely. Who runs the HOA, is it still builder-controlled, and what are the projected dues after transition? Are there special assessments or a community development district on top of the property tax bill? That one surprises a lot of buyers in newer subdivisions. And yes, hire your own independent inspector. Ask about a pre-drywall inspection too, if the builder allows it. New does not mean flawless. One resale caution. While the builder is still selling phases, you are competing with the builder's own incentives if you need to sell early. Plan to hold it. One update since 2023: rates have settled around the mid-6s, and builder rate buydowns became a major tool, so incentives are very negotiable. Push on them. My name is Zoltan Peresztegi and I work in Los Angeles, the South Bay and on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, so I am not your Tennessee agent. If you want an introduction to a strong buyer's agent near Memphis who knows new construction, message me and I will make one. Zoltan

New construction can be very appealing, but many buyers make the mistake of assuming that because a home is new, there are fewer things to worry about. In reality, buying new construction is simply a different process—not necessarily an easier one. In my 23+ years as a Realtor, I've worked on both sides of these transactions. I've represented many builders, and I regularly help buyers purchase new construction homes. That experience has taught me that buyers should ask a lot of questions before signing a contract. Some important questions include: What is included in the base price, and what costs extra? What warranties are provided? What is the estimated completion date? What happens if construction is delayed? Are there HOA fees or future assessments? What upgrades provide real value, and which are primarily cosmetic? What is being built around the property in the future? Who is the builder, and what is their reputation? I also recommend that buyers have their own Realtor. Many people assume they don't need representation because they're buying directly from a builder. It's important to remember that the builder's sales representative works for the builder, not the buyer. Another common misconception is that a new home doesn't need inspections. I strongly disagree. Many buyers choose to have inspections performed during construction and again before closing. New homes can and do have defects. I would also pay close attention to the neighborhood itself. A beautiful model home is one thing, but understanding future development, traffic patterns, lot sizes, schools, and resale potential is equally important. The good news is that new construction can be a great option. Just be sure you're evaluating the builder, the contract, the community, and the long-term value—not just the finishes and the model home. Mary Wassef Founder | Broker Circa Real Estate Top Producing Houston Realtor | Luxury & Historic Home Specialist Five Star Professional Award Recipient (15+ Years) | Luxury Home Marketing Guild Member | PRNEWS Award Winner Serving Houston Heights, Woodland Heights, Sunset Heights, Norhill, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & Spring Branch

Orlando, there is no specific guide but a good start would be determining the builders reputation, asking what is included and what is an upgrade, cost of upgrades, timeline for completion, inspection options, warranty coverage, HOA details (if applicable), etc. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Asking the right questions in new construction puts you in a much stronger position to evaluate what you are actually buying versus what the builder is marketing. In Hernando County and throughout Citrus County, Florida, the questions that produce the most useful answers are: What is included in the base price and what is an upgrade? What are the CDD or HOA fees and what do they cover? What is the builders standard warranty structure (typically one year on workmanship, two years on mechanical systems, ten years on structural)? How do I handle warranty claims and who is my contact after closing? What is the timeline for completion and what happens to my rate lock if the build is delayed? Additional high-value questions: Can I hire my own independent inspector for the pre-drywall and pre-closing inspections? (The answer should be yes.) Who are the preferred lender incentives tied to and what happens to those incentives if I use a different lender? Are there any deed restrictions, architectural review requirements, or rental restrictions in the community? What is the estimated completion cost of all lots in the community and when will amenities be open? The builders sales representative works for the builder. Having your own buyers agent who represents your interests exclusively is the most straightforward way to ensure you have an advocate in the room during every negotiation. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells

I would suggest exactly what Jim recommended for questions. 2 additional questions to consider: 1) Do you have a preferred lender and what benefit is there to go with? 2) What is the process to getting something fixed after closing and moving in that is under warranty? Sometimes getting things fixed can be trouble, maybe even ask others in the community to see what there experience has been.

How long have you been in business? What do you do that’s unique? How much customization can buyers do? Can you show me a home under construction so I can see what type of quality is standard in your homes? How long does it usually take for you to build a new home? Do you pay closing costs? What type of warranty do you provide?