Working With Thom Montrois When Buying New Construction

Advantages Of Working With Thom Montrois

You'll Want Thom Montrois, Realtor, Looking Out For YOUR Best Interests.

Buyers are working with Thom Montrois when buying new construction because he has extensive experience helping buyers who are building new construction homes. He works for you during the whole process from beginning to end. Buyers mistakenly believe that the builder’s salesperson is representing them when actually, they work for and represent the builder and their best interests. By having your own Realtor, not only do you have someone looking out for YOUR best interests but your Realtor can show you ALL the new construction home communities and help you decide which community will best fit your lifestyle and desired goals.

Thom also knows the pros and cons of each community and which ones have hidden community fees. The key is to make sure he is signed in as your Realtor when you first go to visit ANY new construction community. Once you sign a registration form without a representative, you lose the opportunity to have me advocate for you.

New Construction Consultation Services From Thom Montrois Are Complementary.

Your builder pays Realtor commissions and has already accounted for that in the cost of your home sale. Some buyers incorrectly believe that if they don’t have a Realtor representing them, they can deduct a Realtor’s commission cost from the purchase price. In almost all cases, this is not the case. If you don’t use a Realtor, the builder keeps the money they already set aside, and again, you have no one representing you.

Thom Montrois Is Your “Boots On The Ground” If Buying From Outside The Area. 

Your builder’s rep is with you until you sign the contract. Then what? They’re working with the next buyer and getting them to contract. As your Realtor, Thom is your eyes and ears if you are not living near the community you are building in. As your representative, he provides you with regular progress updates (including photos and video) during the entire building process and attends all walkthrough inspections. He also requests builders to copy him on all building correspondence with you so everyone is on the same page throughout the entire process. 

Thom Understands The Hidden Costs And Terms In Your Builder’s Contract. 

Builders’ models are designed to entice you to “want what you see” and they do a great job of selling you the best they have to offer. But what you see in the models is not necessarily what is in the contract. Your contract base price is the cost of the very lowest options in terms of size, quality, and selections.

Thom will walk with you through your builder’s model home and help you understand what is, and is not, included in your home’s base price so that you understand exactly what your options are. He will also help you determine if there are costly CDD (Community Development District) fees that can increase your annual taxes. CDD fees are a type of special assessment used to finance the construction and maintenance of infrastructure improvements in newly developed communities.

Thom Montrois Will guide You In Managing And Prioritizing Your Budget. 

Knowing how much money you have to work with for upgrades and how much money you will put down on the purchase is key! It’s very common for upgrades to start creeping up by tens of thousands of dollars once you start putting all your wish-list upgrades into the contract. Thom will sit down with you and have a conversation about your budget and priorities. Structural upgrades like higher ceilings, expanding the garage, patio, bedroom, or a larger closet space can quickly eat up the budget. He’ll help you decide what upgrades and finishes you should have the builder do during the construction process and which ones can be done after closing at a lesser cost by an outside reliable contractor (which he has an extensive list). He’ll also help you focus on upgrades and options that are going to bring you the best return on your investment and fit your priorities. Specifically, the most significant option to consider is lot location and if there are lot premiums and considerations for possible future resale. 

Thom Helps You At The Design Center Make Smart Budget-Conscious Choices.

Being in the design center can be overwhelming with all the options and decisions, but he helps you take it step by step. This is why it is important to have already thoroughly reviewed your contract and to have your budget clearly defined in advance. Thom offers the additional benefit of being at your design-center appointments along with a design center specialist helping you in making selections that meet your lifestyle, align with current design trends, and stay within budget.

Thom Montrois Will Help You Manage Critical Deadlines. 

Every builder will have different expectations for when earnest money deposits, upgrade deposits, and down payment funds are due as well as the time you have to cancel a contract with a full or partial refund. Thom will guide you through all of this. He’ll also let you know when should you put your house on the market (if you are selling a home) and when to apply for a mortgage (if you are getting a loan). He will work with your mortgage lender (if you have one) to make sure you stay on track and meet all of these deadlines.

Thom Will Help Mediate Construction Disputes.

Sometimes during the construction process “unknown issues” arise even with the most diligent builders. Thom is there with you if this happens. Dealing with these issues can take an emotional toll on you so it’s great to have an expert helping you resolve any of these issues.

Thom has gone through the new construction home process himself and is a resident of Riverland in Port St Lucie!

“I was so impressed with the community and the builder that I built a home in Valencia At Riverland and have been through all of the stages of contract signing and options/upgrades appointments, walkthrough inspections, and closing. I know the process and can help walk you through it.  I’m also a member of many Riverland groups connected to many other residents in the community who have been through the process. I have an extensive list of reliable post-closing contractors to assist you after closing with any additional upgrades or maintenance items”.