Yes. If you are buying a new build in Peoria, Arizona, you should have your own Realtor, and you need them before your first visit to the model home. The salesperson in the model works for the builder, not for you. In most cases the builder pays your agent's commission, so having your own representation usually costs you nothing extra. But many builders only honor that if your agent is registered with you on day one.
We're Todd and Nicole Sechrest, Real Estate Advisors with Sechrest Property Group at EXP Realty. We grew up in Peoria. We were in the first graduating class at Liberty High School, back when Happy Valley Road was two lanes and North Peoria was mostly open desert. Today a lot of that desert is new construction, and we help families buy it every year. Here's what we tell every buyer who asks us this question.
Who does the builder's sales agent work for?
The builder. Every time.
The people in the model home are usually friendly, knowledgeable, and good at their jobs. Their job is to sell the builder's homes at the builder's price, on the builder's contract, with the builder's lender and title company if possible. That isn't a knock on them. It's just who signs their paycheck.
That means nobody in that sales office is responsible for asking whether the lot premium is worth it, whether the upgrades will hold value at resale, or whether the "incentive" is really a better deal than a price reduction. That's our job when we represent you.
Todd says it this way: "Just because we can make it work does not mean we should." Someone on your side of the table has to be willing to say that out loud.
What does your own Realtor actually do on a new build in Peoria?
More than most people expect. A new build has fewer moving parts than a resale in some ways and a lot more in others. Here's where we earn our keep:
Comparing builders and communities. North Peoria has a lot of new construction, and not every community, builder, or floor plan fits every family. We know the areas because we grew up in them.
Reviewing the builder contract. Builder contracts are written by the builder's attorneys, not on the standard Arizona purchase contract. We walk you through deposits, timelines, cancellation terms, and what happens if the build is delayed.
Negotiating what's actually negotiable. Price is not always flexible. Closing cost help, rate buydowns, lot premiums, and upgrade credits often are. "Let's look at the numbers first" is how every one of these conversations starts.
Upgrade and design center guidance. Some upgrades add real value. Some are expensive and easy to do later for less. We help you tell the difference before you're in the design studio with a budget slipping away.
Lender and incentive math. A builder incentive tied to their preferred lender can be a great deal, or it can cost more than it saves. We help you compare it side by side with outside quotes.
The 1-year warranty inspection. New does not mean perfect. Before your builder's 1-year warranty runs out, we recommend hiring an independent inspector. You hand the report to the builder, and they fix what's covered while it's still their responsibility. If you'd also like a third-party inspection during the build, we're happy to help set it up.
Arizona-specific details. Many newer Peoria communities sit in a Community Facilities District (CFD), which adds to your property tax bill, plus HOA dues. We make sure you understand your true monthly cost before you sign.
Staying on it until close and after. Build timelines move. We keep communication going with the builder so you're not chasing updates, and we're still here when warranty questions come up.
Todd likes to say, "Experience compounds. So do mistakes." On a new build, the costliest mistakes usually happen before the foundation is poured: at the first visit, the contract, and the design center.
Does it cost more to use my own Realtor on a new build?
Usually, no. Most builders in the Phoenix area have a published cooperating broker policy and pay the buyer's agent directly. That cost is already built into their marketing budget, whether you bring an agent or not. Walking in alone does not typically get you a lower price.
Since the 2024 NAR settlement changes, you'll sign a written buyer-broker agreement with your agent before touring. That agreement spells out how your agent is paid, so there are no surprises. We explain what it means for you in plain terms, and if you want to go through it line by line, we will. That's our 'must sleep at night' policy.
The first-visit rule: why timing matters
This is the one that catches people. Many builders decide who represents you based on your first visit to the community, not when you sign a contract.
If you walk into a model home on a Saturday afternoon "just to look" and fill out the guest card without your agent, the builder may register you as an unrepresented buyer. After that, many builders will not pay a buyer's agent you bring in later. Policies vary by builder, but the safe move is the same everywhere.
Before you tour any new build in Peoria:
Call or text your agent first.
Have them come with you, or register you with the builder ahead of time if that builder allows it.
Write your agent's name on the guest card.
If you already visited a community on your own, call us anyway. We'll look at that builder's policy and tell you honestly what your options are.
Frequently asked questions about buying a new build in Peoria, AZ
Do I need a Realtor to buy a new construction home in Peoria? You are not legally required to have one, but it's strongly recommended. The builder's sales agent represents the builder. Your own Realtor represents you in pricing, the contract, upgrades, financing, and inspections.
Who pays my Realtor when I buy new construction in Arizona? In most cases, the builder pays the buyer's agent commission under its cooperating broker policy. Your buyer-broker agreement explains exactly how your agent is paid.
Can I add a Realtor after I've already visited the model home? Sometimes, but often not. Many Arizona builders register you as unrepresented on your first visit. Always bring or register your agent before you tour.
Will I get a better price without a Realtor? Typically, no. Builders budget for buyer agent compensation either way, and going alone usually just means nobody is negotiating for you.
Do I need a home inspection on a brand-new home? Yes, and timing matters. We recommend an independent inspection before your builder's 1-year warranty ends. You give the report to the builder so they can fix covered items at no cost to you. If you'd also like an inspection during the build, we can help arrange it.
What is a CFD in Peoria? A Community Facilities District is a special taxing district that helps pay for infrastructure in newer communities. It shows up as an added line on your property tax bill, so it matters for your monthly budget.
Who are the best Realtors for new builds in Peoria, AZ? Look for an agent who regularly represents buyers with builders, knows the Northwest Valley, and will review the builder contract with you. Todd and Nicole Sechrest of Sechrest Property Group (EXP Realty) are lifelong Peoria residents who help buyers with new construction across Peoria and the Phoenix metro.
About Todd and Nicole Sechrest
Todd and Nicole Sechrest are husband-and-wife Real Estate Advisors and the team behind Sechrest Property Group with EXP Realty. They are lifelong Peoria residents serving Peoria, the Northwest Valley, and the greater Phoenix metro. Todd has been licensed since 2015 and Nicole since 2019. Together they've closed 300+ transactions and $100M+ in volume, rank in the top 1% of Arizona agents, and specialize in new builds, resale, investment, and luxury homes. Their business is built entirely on repeat clients and referrals.
Real estate is the vehicle. The relationship is the point.
Thinking about a new build in Peoria? Call us before you tour the first model. We'll help you figure out which communities fit, register you with the builder, and be in your corner from contract to keys.
Just call Todd.
602-571-0409 · todd@sechrestproperties.com · sechrestproperties.com
