New Construction

Do I need my own agent to buy a new build in Las Vegas?

By Steve Lockhart

The short answer

The person who greets you at a builder's sales center is a sales agent for the builder. They are good at what they do, they know their product, and their job is to sell that builder's homes.

Full answer

The person who greets you at a builder's sales center is a sales agent for the builder. They are good at what they do, they know their product, and their job is to sell that builder's homes. A buyer's agent's job is different: to watch out for your interests, read the contract, compare communities, and negotiate on your behalf. In new construction, those are two different people.

Builder policies in Nevada and across the country treat registration as a formal step. If you walk into a model home unrepresented and register as a customer, the builder may classify you as unrepresented, and many builders will then refuse to pay a buyer's agent commission even if you hire one later. That rule usually applies to the very first visit, whether online, by phone, or in person.

The good news is that bringing your own agent does not usually change the price you pay. The buyer's agent commission is built into the builder's pricing, so an unrepresented buyer is not typically handed that amount as a discount. You gain independent advice at no added cost. Register your agent before the first visit, and you keep every option open.

Go a little deeper

Frequently asked

Questions people often follow up on

Does it cost me more to use my own agent on a new build?

Ordinarily no. Builder pricing typically already includes the buyer's agent commission, and unrepresented buyers rarely receive that amount as a discount. You are paying for representation inside the price you would pay anyway, so it makes sense to use it.

What happens if I visit a builder without my agent first?

Many builders treat that first visit as your registration point. If you register without an agent, the builder may refuse to pay a commission to an agent you bring in later, even if that agent does the real work of negotiating. Check the builder's policy before you visit, and have your agent contact the sales office first.

Does the builder's sales agent represent me?

No. The on-site sales agent represents the builder in the transaction. They can tell you about their product and process, but they are not looking out for your interests the way a buyer's agent does. In Nevada, that distinction matters in contracts, deposits, and negotiations.

The Lockhart Method

Your Home | My Strategy | Proven Results

My strategy: call me before you visit a single model home. I get you registered as a represented buyer at the first visit, then walk the contract, the incentives, and the lot and plan choices with you, so the builder's process never runs ahead of your decisions.

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