If you feel uneasy about the contract and the settlement, hire a good real estate attorney. He or she will be able to represent you and will know the contract at settlement. I know a number of good ones that you could use. Please feel free to contact me if you would like some names in northern Va.

Good luck!
Rachel Carter, ESRES, AREP
Coldwell Banker
rcarter@cbmove.com

Yes, you can, but the builder is under no obligation to pay them a commission. So if you want to pay them or they want to do it because they love you, its all good.

At this point, I am afraid it is too late to get much input from a Realtor, and yes, using one now would come out of your pocket, not from the sale transaction. However, I think you would be better served to have a Real Estate Attorney look over a contract after you signed it. There are plenty of horror stories around about contracts from builders, however, the Commonwealth of Virginia is a well regulated state when it comes to real estate transactions. I doubt there is anything too onerous in your contract, and since it is already signed, there is probably little you can do to change it. I can recommend several very qualified attorneys should you wish. I hope this helps, and good luck with your new home purchase! Jim

good afternoon...the time to do that would have been before you signed the pa..some builders are famous for sliding things under their buyer's nose in fine print on either an addendum or on the back of the p.a......that raises the amount needed to close.sometimes a lot...many times these extras are not caught until the hud-1 is comleted just before closing........if you have read every word of the pa front and back.you may be okay.....best of luck with your deal......best regards...bob mcclure- success mortgage partners- plymouth, michigan......

Hello New Home Buyer and all New Construction New Home buyers in all locations:

I sell new contstruction and new home communities with builders/developers of New Construction and New Home Developments and have so for years like many real estate professionals doing so. The rules for us to be compensated by the New Home Development builder for bringing in a potential buyer who may purchase in that particular new home community neighborhood are that we as real estate professionals bring in the interested buyer to preview the very first time to the community of subject interest for the potential buyer and register the would be potential buyer at first visit as professional licensed agent/broker client on First visit noting on registration card for new visitor agent/broker representation. This must be done with broker/agent and potential buyer on the very first visit in the Sales office with Sales Representative for the new home development on floor during time of walk in to preview models of the new home community. Afater first initital registration, the would be buyer can go back a number of times with their friends and family to preview models again in consideration of their purchase in that community once already registered with their agent representing them. No money is out of pocket with the buyer. The commission earned to the buyers agent/broker is paid by the New Home Developer to the broker and broekr/agent representing the buyer and the buyer is allowed to have his own agent represent him in the purchase of the new home development. The new home builder developer of that community represents then the seller which is the Builder of the new home development, and the agent/broker represents the new home community buyer for that developer. Many times the on site mortgagae lender for that developer has a very attractive interest rates and loan package to offer the buyer for their mortgage and incentives with other attractive options for their purchase in that new home community if the buyer uses the new development mortgage broker, but sometimes the lender that has preapproved the buyer prior to previewing the new home development has a loan program that better meets the buyers needs for their new home purchase in the new home community and buyer has that option to decide their mortgage lender too! If new home, new construction is the buyers interest and they choose to have their own outside real estate professional represent their interest and needs in a new home, new construction development please remember to bring your agent/broker representative with you when you go out driving around and previewing these new home/ new construction site for your very first visit. That will ensure your own agent/broker representation, and guarantee your agent/broker the buyer's agent compensation from the broker cooperating new home development because you have registered with your agent/broker and the sales person on floor of the new home development your very first vist. Remember too, when you do register with your agent/broker the first visit the costs for representation will not come from the buyers' pocket but from the cooperating new home developer. You are not making a commitment to purchase with them during your first initial preview, you are only establishing your proper buyer agent/broker representation and rights to have your own agent/ broker represent your interests and needs in the future you should decide to purchase in the new home development. You must do this with each individual new home development of your interest separately. Many times the days for guarantee for your agent/broker are limited to a specific time period and the agent/broker has to continually updtate your interest to be uptodate for your representation. So if you do not buyer within the specified period of time the developer allows for agent it is the agents responsibilty to folowup with your interest in this community and you just like the new home developer will continually follow up with you too. I have enjoyed many succeswful sales with new home communities in the Bay Area and Sacramento locations and compensated directly from the new home developer to my broker and paid my commissions for bringing happy satisfied buyers to their new home communities. That is my reward. The greater reward are the referrals I receive from the happy and satisfied buyers for me introducing them them to such wonderful new home communitiesw that met all their purchase needs and desires! I love selling new home communities. Todays new home construction and first time home buyer stimulus tax incentives and help from new home communities make the new construction purchase very attractive for all new home buyers! My advice is for all the new home new construction buyers to jump on board and let me and other real estate professionals help with your representation, take advantage of all the extra stimulus savings you can while it last before end date!

This is great question and one other buyers should think about.

When you signed the registration form and then the contract you gave up the right for representation on that offer. Danilo is correct, you can hire a Realtor to help guide you through the process at your expense.

I used to work New Homes for a decade. Keep in mind when you a prospective buyer enters the Sales Office of a new home commuity and you are asked to fill out and sign the little registration card, that is so the builder knows how the buyer came to the community. Builders have a formula they use to figure out the pricing of a community. Using historical information, they budget in the price the number of homes that will be sold with Realtor representation and if the advertising campaigns work well,and the road signage works well, sometimes they make out better with more buyers wandering in without representation. It's business. They are trying to sell and make a profit. My advice for others out looking, if you have a Realtor or feel you want Realtor representation, just write on the card you have a Realtor. That way you will have that option at a later date if you feel you need it.

Remember Builders are no different than glorified For Sale By Owner situations. The person onsite works for the builder. Period. There responsiblity is to sell the homes on that site.

Peggy James-Buyers Agent
Exit 1st Choice Realty
Woodbridge VA 22192
703-851-3085

Yes, you can hire a Realtor to represent you at any time. But you will have to pay them out of your own pocket. The builder will not pay your Realtor any commission because you did not have them with you at the very beginning of the process and the transaction.

I'd be happy to chat with you more about this, but it's a better phone call than an email or comment. What's the best number to reach you on?

On a related note, you may want to read this post regarding a new home builder taking home buyers to the cleaners (to the tune of $50 million) - http://loudounscene.com/2009/07/beazer-homes-to-pay-50m-to-v…

Danilo