Falling in love with a brand-new home is easy—everything is shiny and new, and the modern designs are hard to resist. But with building costs on the rise, you might wonder if there’s any wiggle room on the price. The good news? Yes, you can negotiate on a new construction home, but it’s different from negotiating on a resale property.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
1. Know What You Can Negotiate.
You might not get a lower sticker price, but you can often negotiate on upgrades, closing costs, or even the floor plan (if the home’s still under construction). You can also use the builder's preferred lender to your advantage—sometimes, they’ll throw in incentives to sweeten the deal.
2. Timing Is Everything.
Builders are more likely to negotiate when they need to close out a development or sell a model home. If you’re flexible with timing, you can use this to your advantage.
3. Get Creative With Your Offers.
Can’t get the price down? Ask for upgraded appliances, premium flooring, or landscaping improvements instead. Builders often have deals with suppliers and can get better prices than you could on your own.
4. Work With an Experienced Agent.
Having a real estate agent who knows new construction can be a game-changer. They’ll know what’s reasonable to ask for and when to push back.
5. Know the Limits.
While it never hurts to ask, some things are less flexible—like the lot price or the timeline for completion. Builders usually stick to their guns on these because it impacts their bottom line and future sales.
The bottom lines is you absolutely can negotiate when buying a new construction home. However, you need to know what’s negotiable and how to play the game. If you’re thinking about buying new construction, reach out—I’d be happy to help you negotiate the best deal and get all the bells and whistles available!
