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There is no denying that when you're house hunting, the allure of new construction in Las Vegas is undeniable. The Las Vegas Valley currently boasts dozens of builders with over 1079 floor plans to choose from. While the average price range runs in the mid $300Ks there are Las Vegas New Construction houses available in almost all price ranges.

With new construction, you get to be the first to live in the pristine home—one untouched by grimy hands or muddy shoes. It's full of brand-new appliances and the finishes and treatments that you picked to fit your aesthetic. And you won't have to worry about making any cosmetic or structural upgrades for years.

If you are interested in buying new construction in Las Vegas, the builder's agent will be ready to help you with the process. But make no mistake: You need your own Realtor from the get-go. Even if it seems like a plug and play to sign up with the builder's on-site agent, you're going to want someone representing your side of the deal.

What is a builder's agent? When you buy new construction, the home's builder is considered the seller, and the agent representing the builder is called the builder's agent.

"The builder’s agent will not have your best interests in mind. They don't represent you as their primary fiduciary,” says real estate agent Roxanne Wortham Brown with The Tonnesen Team and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices of NV. After all, the job of the builder's agent is to get the highest price for the homes the builder is selling so their agent is not going to be as eager to negotiate down.

It's a good idea to have your real estate agent accompany you on your first visit to the new construction. Why? Because the builder (aka the seller) will be responsible for paying the commission and needs to know if you'll have a real estate agent representing you. So, bringing your agent to the first visit will make it clear that the builder's agent will be on the hook for paying commission. Some builders might even refuse to pay your agent a commission if you don’t register the agent the first time you visit the home on a new construction site.

“Your real estate agent's job is to help you get the most value for your money, with the least hassle and frustration,” says Patrick Welsh, a real estate agent with Keller Williams, in Houston.

When buying new construction, here’s what your real estate agent will help you with that you might miss out on if you stick with just the builder’s agent:

Negotiating extras: Want to upgrade counters or appliances in that new home? Your agent can help you with all those extra perks, amenities, and upgrades. They can often negotiate with the builder on things like paint color or even the style of garage door, especially if the housing development is in the beginning stages.
Recommending financing: A builder typically will have a “preferred” lender that it will try to steer you to, but your real estate agent can help make sure that you’re getting the mortgage that works best for your situation. Shopping around is always wise, and you don’t want the builder’s agent pressuring you into using their suggested professional unless it’s right for you.
Overseeing a home inspection: Tempted to forgo a home inspection in new construction? Don’t do it, advises Welsh. “The number and severity of new-home defects often rival resale home problems,” he says. The builder’s agent is unlikely to push for or offer up an inspection, so it's up to you and your real estate agent to make it happen.

Everyone wants to walk away from buying a home—whether it be new Las Vegas construction or not—with peace of mind. Having a real estate agent in your corner will help facilitate that.

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