Do You Need Your Own Agent to Buy a New Construction Home?
Mark Leavitt, Northern Colorado Real Estate Broker3:06Published November 2, 2026
The friendly sales agent in the model home works for the builder. Many are great people doing exactly what they're hired to do, but their job is to sell that builder's homes on that builder's terms.
You don't legally need your own agent to buy a new build. In this video, Mark Leavitt explains what you'd be handling on your own: comparing builders, a contract written by the builder's attorneys, negotiating, the costs that aren't on the sign, and keeping an eye on the build itself.
He also covers who usually pays the buyer's agent, and why many builders only work with your agent if they're registered at your very first visit.
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Key takeaways
- The builder's sales agent represents the builder, not you.
- You can compare every builder, not just the one whose model you're standing in.
- Builder contracts are written by the builder's attorneys and usually aren't the standard Colorado contract.
- There's often room to negotiate lot premiums, upgrades and closing costs, even when the base price is firm.
- In most new construction purchases the builder pays the buyer's agent, but policies vary, so confirm it in writing up front.
- Many builders only work with your agent if they're registered at your first visit, so call before you tour.
Chapters
Related guides
Common questions
Who does the sales agent at a model home work for?
The builder. The on-site sales agent's job is to sell that builder's homes on the builder's terms. They can be helpful, but they don't represent you.
Do I need my own agent to buy a new construction home in Colorado?
You're not required to have one, and you can buy directly from a builder. Your own agent can compare builders, review a contract written by the builder's attorneys, negotiate, flag costs that aren't in the base price, and push for independent inspections during the build.
Who pays the buyer's agent on a new construction home?
In most new construction purchases the builder pays the buyer's agent, but it depends on each builder's policy. Your agreement with your agent is in writing, so confirm how compensation works with that builder before you start.
Do I have to bring my agent to my first visit at a model home?
Many builders only work with a buyer's agent who registers you at your first visit, and some allow a call ahead. If you sign in on your own first, you may lose the chance to have your own representation with that builder, so contact your agent before you tour.
Full transcript
You walk into a beautiful model home. A friendly sales agent greets you, answers your questions, and offers to help you through the whole process. So do you really need your own agent?
I'm Mark Leavitt. Let's start with the question most buyers never think to ask: who does that friendly person work for?
They work for the builder. That isn't a knock on them. Many are great people, and they're doing exactly what they're hired to do. But their job is to sell that builder's homes, on that builder's terms. They aren't going to tell you the builder down the road is a better fit, or that the lot you love is overpriced.
So, do you legally need your own agent? No. You can buy directly from a builder. But here's what you'd be doing on your own.
One: comparing builders. A sales agent can only show you one builder's homes. Your own agent can compare them all, and tell you which ones actually fit your budget and how you want to live.
Two: the contract. Builder contracts are written by the builder's attorneys, to protect the builder. They're usually not the standard Colorado contract, and things like deadlines, deposits and delays can work very differently than you'd expect.
Three: negotiating. Builders may hold firm on the base price, but there's often room on other parts of the deal. Lot premiums, upgrades, closing costs, and what the incentive is really worth. It helps to have someone who does this all the time.
Four: the money you don't see on the sign. Lot premiums, design center upgrades, metro district taxes, and HOA rules. And whether the builder's lender is truly the best deal, or just the most convenient.
And five: the build itself. This is where my background comes in. I renovated homes and flipped houses before focusing on new construction. So I know what to look for, and I'll push to get an independent inspector in before the drywall goes up, and again before you close. Then I'll stay on your punch list until it's done.
So what does it cost you? In most new construction purchases, the builder pays the buyer's agent. But that's up to each builder's policy, and you and I would put our arrangement in a written agreement before we get started. So we'll confirm how it works with that builder up front, in writing, so there are no surprises.
Now here's the part that catches people off guard. Many builders will only work with your agent if that agent is registered at your very first visit. So if you stop by a model home on a Saturday, just to look around, and you sign in at the front desk, you may have just lost your chance to have your own representation with that builder.
So if you're even thinking about touring new homes, make one call first. Before your first model home visit, reach out to me. It takes a few minutes, and it keeps your options open.
I'm Mark Leavitt with NoCo New Builds and RE/MAX Alliance. The builder's agent works for the builder. I work for you.