To all of the realtors who state how necessary their involvement is:
Can you walk through how you are incentived to save me money? Use my example scenario here:

If Lennar is asking $375,000...Say I go it alone without a realtor, and let's say I get them down to $370,000.

Where is the relator's incentive to get me a lower price?
What does the realtor make if I do use a realtor and I pay $370,000?
What does the realtor make if he/she can get my price down to $350,000?

Thanks in advance for the explanations, realtors.

You should be represented by a buyers agent through a wrtten buyers representation agreement. This will allow the agent to place the interest of you first. The builder or builders sales rep does not represent you and is not bound by law to full disclosure. Most builder sales reps do not have a real estate license and are not bound by regulatory law. You will not save any money by going to the builder directly, in fact that strategy could very well cost you money in the short an long term. Do yourself a favor get a Realtor to work for you.

Oh you guys. I wear your "thumbs down" on my posts as a badge of honor. I think I struck a nerve comparing Realtors™ to car salesmen.

Sorry car salesmen!

Frances....

Many home builders are negotiating as they are sitting on properties that are built and no takes. Lennar is one of them. They will easily give you upgrades before they will reduce the price. They also pay a commission if you are represented by a broker. If you are not being represented that mean there is more fluff. They have made HOA payments for a year, buydowns on loans and upgrades up the wazoo. Price is the last place they will negotiate. Without getting a TD here I would highly recommend you are represented. Good luck.

Depends if the home is on the ground or if the home needs to be built. They probably will negotiate more on a home that is done vs. one they have not built yet. Let me know if you need any help.
J.

Ditto to Lynn's asnswer. Builders in Houston and surrounding areas prefer buyers to be represented in a transaction. They do everything they can to keep us informed of their specials weekly and make sure we are familiar with their product and specials. Lennar is a reputable builder and the sales people enjoy working with builders. You simply won't get a better deal without a realtor. What do you have to lose getting a professional realtor to beat up the builder and get them down even further? As far as a percent amount there is not a set amount. Every builder prices in different ways. Some seem to reduce more then others because they inflate the price to start with. Please let me know if I can help.....

WOW, never purchase car unless you have a professional car salesman involved. We field so many emails, and calls a week when a car buyer purchased a car without a car salesman involved.

Many times car salesman have inside scoop from other car salesman if that car dealer is offering additional deals and etc. that they may not offer too a car buyer

WOW, never purchase home unless you have a professiona realtor involved. We field so many emails, and calls a week when a home buyer purchased a home without a realtor involved.

Many times realtors have inside scoop from other realtors if that builder is offering additional deals and etc. that they may not offer too a home buyer