There is something exciting about walking into a brand-new home. New finishes, modern floor plans, energy-efficient features and the possibility of choosing some of the details yourself can make new construction an attractive option.
But buying new construction isn’t exactly the same as buying an existing home.
Builders may have their own purchase agreements, registration requirements, timelines, options, incentives and processes. And when you walk into a beautifully furnished model home, it isn’t always obvious which features are included in the advertised price and which are upgrades.
You don’t need to know all of this before you start looking. But you can benefit from having your own representation and involving your REALTOR® before your first visit to a builder.
Before You Visit a New Construction Community, Contact Your REALTOR®
This is one of the most important things I want buyers to know about new construction.
If you are already working with a REALTOR®, contact your agent before you visit a builder’s model home or sales office, even if you think you’re “just looking.”
Builders establish their own policies for registering buyers who are represented by a real estate agent. Depending on the builder and community, your agent may need to accompany you on the first visit, register you in advance or be identified when you initially register with the builder.
Those requirements can vary.
If they aren’t followed, it may affect whether the builder recognizes your agent’s representation and whether the builder offers buyer-broker compensation.
Before you walk into the sales office, give me a call.
We can find out what that particular builder requires so you understand the process before you register or tour.
It’s a simple step that can prevent a much more complicated conversation later.
Who Does the Builder’s Sales Representative Represent?
The sales representative at a new construction community can be incredibly helpful.
They know the builder, available homes, floor plans, options and community.
They also represent the builder.
That’s not a criticism. It’s simply important to understand everyone’s role.
When I’m representing you as your buyer’s agent, my role is different. I’m there to represent your interests in the real estate transaction, help you evaluate your options, ask questions, explain the process and provide the information you need to make your own decisions.
You can benefit from the builder representative’s knowledge of the builder and community while also having your own real estate professional representing you as the buyer.
Those are two different roles.
Start With What You’re Looking For, Not a Model Home
Before we start touring communities, I want to understand what you’re actually looking for.
We’ll talk about your budget, preferred areas, timeline, home and lot preferences, must-haves and deal-breakers.
From there, I can create a personalized property search and identify both new construction and resale homes that may fit.
That gives you something more useful than simply driving from development to development looking at whichever model home happens to catch your attention.
Buyer Representation and Builder Compensation
Before I begin providing brokerage services, we’ll review our Buyer Brokerage Services Agreement, including my services and compensation.
Buyer-broker compensation offered by builders can vary by community and property. When we’re considering a particular home, we’ll review what the builder is offering and how it relates to our agreement.
This is another reason it’s important to establish our working relationship before you begin registering with builders or touring communities.
The Model Home Isn’t Necessarily the Home You’re Buying
Model homes are designed to show what’s possible.
They may showcase upgraded flooring, cabinetry, countertops, lighting, appliances, built-ins, landscaping and other available features.
That doesn’t mean every feature you see is included in the advertised price of the home you’re considering.
We’ll ask what is standard, what is upgraded, whether there is a lot premium, what appliances or landscaping are included, which selections are still available and what the home will actually cost with the options you’re considering.
The goal is to compare properties based on what you’re actually purchasing, not assume that the model home and advertised price represent exactly the same thing.
Builder Purchase Agreements Can Be Different
Purchasing an existing home commonly involves standardized real estate forms used throughout our market.
A builder may use its own purchase agreement and processes. Terms may address deposits, financing, construction or completion timelines, selections, inspections, warranties, closing, delays, HOA documents and other builder-specific requirements.
My role is to help you understand the real estate transaction, keep track of the information and deadlines affecting your purchase and make sure we’re asking the appropriate questions.
If something requires legal interpretation or advice, I’ll recommend that you consult an attorney.
We’re looking at the terms and process for the home you’re actually buying rather than assuming every builder or purchase works the same way.
Should You Inspect a Brand-New Home?
I recommend that buyers consider an independent home inspection even when purchasing new construction.
A home being new doesn’t mean you shouldn’t perform due diligence.
Depending on the builder, property and stage of construction, inspection opportunities and procedures can vary.
We’ll find out what applies to the particular home you’re considering so you can make an informed decision about inspections.
When an inspection is available, it gives you an opportunity to have an independent home inspector evaluate the property rather than relying solely on the fact that the home is new.
Builder Incentives and Preferred Lenders
A builder may offer incentives associated with a particular home, promotion, preferred lender or other provider.
Those incentives can change and should be evaluated as part of the overall purchase, not simply by looking at the advertised dollar amount.
Financing is the lender’s area of expertise. A lender can help you understand how the builder’s financing options or incentives compare and what they mean for your particular financial situation.
The goal is to understand how an incentive actually affects your financing and purchase rather than assuming that one option is automatically better for every buyer.
The Final Walkthrough Still Matters
Before closing, there is typically an opportunity to see the completed home and identify items that may need attention.
This isn’t the time to assume that because the home is new, everything must automatically be complete.
When appropriate, I attend the final walkthrough with my buyer and help keep the real estate side of the process organized.
The builder’s procedures for documenting or completing items can vary, so we’ll understand that particular process before closing.
It’s another opportunity to look carefully at the home you’re actually purchasing before the transaction is complete.
I’ve Been the New Construction Buyer Too
I purchased a new D.R. Horton home in Stanwood in 2008. It was one of the final model homes in the community, and I had a genuinely great experience buying it.
So I understand some of the excitement of new construction from personal experience too.
Today, I bring that perspective together with my experience as a Managing Broker, REALTOR® and Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) when helping buyers evaluate new construction.
I’m not here to convince you that new construction is better than an existing home, or that an existing home is better than new construction.
The question is which one better supports what you want.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying New Construction
Do I need a REALTOR® when buying new construction?
You aren’t required to use a buyer’s agent simply because you’re purchasing new construction.
The important distinction is representation.
The builder’s sales representative represents the builder. A buyer’s agent represents the buyer under the terms of the buyer’s representation agreement.
Having your own representation gives you a real estate professional whose role is focused on your side of the transaction.
What happens if I visit a builder without my REALTOR®?
It depends on the builder’s policies.
It may affect whether the builder recognizes your agent’s representation or whether buyer-broker compensation is offered.
That’s why I recommend contacting me before your first visit rather than trying to sort it out afterward.
Should I have a new construction home inspected?
I recommend that buyers consider an independent home inspection.
The available inspection opportunities can depend on the builder, property and stage of construction, so we’ll determine what applies to the particular purchase.
Is buying a custom-built home the same as buying in a new construction development?
No.
Hiring a builder to construct a custom home on land you own or are purchasing can involve a substantially different process from purchasing a home from a builder within a residential development.
This page focuses on buying new construction homes from builders and developers, rather than managing a custom-home construction project.
Thinking About New Construction?
You don’t have to know which builder, community or floor plan you want before we talk.
We can start with what you’re looking for, what you want to spend and where you’d like to live. Then we can determine whether new construction belongs in your search and which available communities or properties may be worth exploring.
And remember:
Before you walk into a new construction sales office or model home, call me first.
We’ll make sure we understand that builder’s current buyer-agent registration requirements before you visit.
Schedule a Buyer Consultation
About Tricia Jacobs
Tricia Jacobs is a Managing Broker and REALTOR® with RE/MAX Gateway, serving buyers and sellers throughout Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom Counties.
Originally licensed in 1992, Tricia has decades of experience in real estate and has called Stanwood home since 2001. She is a Seller Representative Specialist (SRS®), an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) and a RE/MAX Hall of Fame Managing Broker.
Her experience includes residential homes, acreage and country properties, equestrian properties, waterfront and water-view homes, ADUs and multigenerational properties, investment properties and land.
Tricia believes good real estate advice starts with understanding the person sitting across the table from her. For sellers, that means learning why they are considering a move, what they hope to accomplish and what their timeline looks like before providing information about their property and the current market.
She doesn’t believe it’s always a great time to sell, because it isn’t. Her role is to provide accurate information, answer questions and explain the options available so her clients have what they need to make the best decision for themselves.
When a client does decide to sell, Tricia takes a hands-on approach to preparing and marketing the property. She helps sellers determine what is worth addressing before going on the market and what isn’t worth spending money on, then builds the pricing and marketing strategy around the individual property.
For buyers, Tricia provides experienced guidance from the initial search through inspections, negotiations and closing. Her background is particularly helpful with the additional considerations that can come with acreage, wells, septic systems, equestrian properties, waterfront and other unique properties common throughout Northwest Washington.
Tricia was honored to be voted Best Real Estate Agent in Stanwood & Camano Island in both 2025 and 2026 and serves as President of the Stanwood Commerce Alliance, Stanwood’s Chamber of Commerce.
Outside of real estate, you’ll usually find Tricia spending time with her family, horses and dogs and enjoying the Northwest Washington lifestyle she helps her clients call home.
Tricia Jacobs | Managing Broker / REALTOR®RE/MAX Gateway360-223-1100triciajacobs@remax.nettriciajacobsrealtor.com
SECTION 2 — WEBSITE BUILD INSTRUCTIONS
DO NOT PUBLISH THIS SECTION
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/new-construction-homes-stanwood-camano-island-wa/
SEO Title
New Construction Homes | Stanwood & Camano Island WA
Meta Description
Buying new construction in Stanwood, Camano Island or Northwest Washington? Learn about builder registration, representation, inspections, pricing and what buyers should know before visiting a model home.
Important Callout Near Top of Page
Make the “Buyer Aware: Contact Your REALTOR® Before Visiting a New Construction Community” section visually prominent.
This should not use warning/danger styling.
The tone should be:
important consumer information, not beware of builders.
Primary CTA
Schedule a Buyer Consultation
Link to Tricia’s buyer consultation/contact page.
A secondary text CTA near the Buyer Aware section can be:
Contact Tricia Before Visiting a Builder
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Add contextual links to:
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Future Supporting Blog/Video Content
Add these to the Master Blog Roadmap rather than creating them now:
Do I Need a REALTOR® When Buying New Construction?
What Happens If I Visit a New Construction Model Home Without My REALTOR®?
Who Does the Sales Agent at a New Construction Community Represent?
Base Price vs. Final Price: What Does a New Construction Home Really Cost?
Should I Get a Home Inspection on a Brand-New House?
Model Home vs. What You Actually Get: Questions to Ask Before Buying New Construction
Builder Incentives: What Should Buyers Ask Before Choosing a Preferred Lender?
Buying From a Builder vs. Building a Custom Home: What’s the Difference?
And I would definitely keep that last topic. You caught an important distinction. Someone buying a Lennar/D.R. Horton-type home in a development and someone buying land and contracting for a custom home are not asking you for the same service. We shouldn’t accidentally market you as providing custom-construction project oversight when that isn’t what you do.