Sharon Stevens, Accredited Buyer's Representative

Oh yes indeed! Builders are happy to give upgrades and help with closing costs in order to close the deal. You can usually get your best deals by purchasing a home that has already been built (usually called a spec home).

I recently assisted a customer of mine to purchase a "spec" home. The builder was asking $184,000 for it-- but I negotiated down to $155,000 with $24,000 of upgrades and 3% in closing costs! Even I was amazed that the builder accepted it!! Be sure to get yourself a good buyer's agent to assist you in your dealings with the builders. They will be able to assist you in negotiating the best deals.

"Buyers purchasing New Construction average a 5% savings when represented by a Buyer's agent, rather than using an on-site sales agent.---Money Magazine

WHY YOU NEED A REALTOR WHEN YOU BUY FROM A BUILDER-----

Q: What is a Buyer's Agent?

A: A Realtor who represents you and your interests EXCLUSIVELY when you are purchasing real estate.

Q: What does it cost me to have a Buyer's Agent represent me?

A: Absolutely nothing! Zero! But I can save you thousands in negotiating your base price and upgrades.

Q: How does a Buyer's Agent get compensated?

A: From the Builder

Q: If I walk into a sales office for a new community being built, can I negotiate a discount because I don't have a Buyer's Agent.

A: No. Each builder has contracted to pay a set fee to the marketing company (sales office) on each house sold, irrespective of the number of agents involved (even if you should negotiate directly with the builder, he still has to pay the same fee to the marketing company.)

Good luck in your home-hunting! If you do not have a Realtor yet--- visit my website research communities and builders. Give me a call and we can go "home-hunting" !! - Thu Jul 31 2008, 17:48

Days on market for Jacksonville as a whole are around 160. If your house is in excellent showing condition, is easy to show, and is priced to be the "best deal in the neighborhood" it should sell hopefully sell quicker.

It is important in this type of market to make sure that your Realtor keeps up to date on the market. If you go 2 weeks and have no showing... then it is vital to take quick action and re-evaluate the pricing, ease of showing, condition, and marketing.

ANother good option is to hire a "home stager". This has been shown to help you sell your home more quickly and for more money. - Mon Jul 14 2008, 11:01

The most important piece of advice is DO NOT GO IT ALONE!

The home-buying process is complicated, even for experienced home buyers, and as a first-time homebuyer, you will need extra advice and assistance.

Ask other recent first-time buyers who their agent was and if they had a good experience. Otherwise, go online and search local Realtor websites. You can often get a good idea of how much they cater to buyers and what type of information that they provide.

Be sure to personally speak with several different agents and ask them questions and see how knowledgable they are. Ask them questions regarding taxes, insurance, neighborhoods, schools, and anything else that is important to you. When you find the right agent.... you will just know it. You will be working with this person quite a bit and will be trusting them to guide you through this complicated and expensive process....so it is important that you feel comfortable with them and trust them. - Mon Jul 14 2008, 08:58

I believe you have the wrong area or name. I have never head of Village Square by Summerhill. Are you sure it is in the San Jose area? - Sun Jul 13 2008, 05:56

Any Realtor in the area would be able to look up this information for you from the MLS. Feel free to give me a call or send me an email with the address and I will get the information to you. - Sun Jul 13 2008, 05:52