Your Guide to Buying New Construction
New homes are moving fast in Southwest Riverside County. Here's how to shop them with confidence.
New construction can be exciting and a little confusing, with model homes, builder incentives, and upgrade decisions all at once. This guide walks you through how new-home purchases differ from resale, the questions worth asking, and how to make sure you're comparing fairly. Laura and Cheryl work with buyers in Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, and Winchester, including new-build purchases.
Book a new-build consultation
What's different about new construction
You're buying from the builder's team, not a private seller. The sales representative works for the builder, so having your own broker representing you matters.
The price is the base price. Upgrades, lot premiums, and options add up, so ask for the full picture before comparing.
Timelines are estimates, not guarantees. New-home closing dates shift, so plan with flexibility.
Incentives vary by community and month. Ask what's available now, in writing.
Questions to ask any builder
- What's included in the base price?
- What are the HOA fees and what do they cover?
- What's the estimated timeline to completion?
- What warranties apply to the home and the systems?
- How are upgrades priced, and what's the upgrade deadline?
- What are the property taxes estimated to be, since new builds are often reassessed?
How we help
We represent you, not the builder. We review the contract before you sign, compare communities with you, and help you understand what's a good deal and what's a trade-off.
In most new-home purchases, the builder pays our compensation as your buyer's brokers. Compensation terms are confirmed in writing, and your buyer-broker agreement (BRBC) spells out exactly how it works before you're asked to sign anything.
Plan your first visit with us. Builders require buyers to be registered with their agent on the first tour. If you stop by a model home without us first, the builder's policy may prevent us from representing you or receiving compensation, so bring us along from day one.
What to know
A new-construction purchase has unique timelines and documents. Builder terms, incentives, and warranties vary and should be reviewed in writing before you sign. Laura and Cheryl are real estate brokers, not attorneys, tax advisors, CPAs, or appraisers.