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WHAT IS A NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMEBUYER REBATE?

A. The internet has simply changed the way people buy homes. As a buyer, you have probably done a ton of research on your own, zoning in on the communities and even the homes you like. So, why hire an agent? Well, even if you are a great negotiator (which many of my clients are), having a realtor who shares the commission with you is a great reason to do so.  In addition, it’s always good to have a professional on your team in the event that issues arise with the builder.  That’s what I do. I work to negotiate on your behalf, review contracts, run interference if ever there is an issue with the builder and then share a large percentage of my commission with you, the buyer. You’ve done a lot of the work already so I truly feel that my buyers deserve it!

Rebates are legal and allowable in Texas by the Texas Real Estate Commission as well as the Department of Justice – and can be used to cover closing costs, pay for upgrades, lot premiums or even to buy down the price of the home.  We can even cut you a check after closing which you can use for anything you like!

BELOW IS AN EXCERPT DIRECTLY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WEBSITE

Live Link from the DOJ concerning Rebates and how they can be applied

https://www.justice.gov/atr/rebates-make-buying-home-less-expensive

HOW MUCH IS THE REBATE ON NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME PURCHASES?

A. When a new Construction home is sold in Texas, the realtor who represents the buyer typically makes a commission of 3% of the sales price of the home. However, when you work with Texas Homes, I offer you a rebate of 2.5% of the total sale price on new construction homes – through any Texas homebuilder – so basically, I keep only ½% on any new construction home purchase! I credit my buyers the remaining portion of the commission paid by the builder to represent you. The credit can either be applied to the buyer’s closing costs, pre-paids, lot premiums, appliance packages, lowering the price of the home, upgrades, or,  I can cut you a check after closing, whichever you prefer. This rebate comes from my commission and does not interfere with any incentives offered by the builder to the buyer. It is simply money that would remain in the builder’s pocket; if you weren’t using a Realtor. It’s a way for you, the buyer, to tap into money you would not otherwise have access to when buying a home. Any bonuses paid to the Broker or any commissions in excess of 3% from the builder or seller are not a part of the rebate to the buyer. Rebates are based on the sale price of the home purchased by the buyer.

HOW MUCH IS THE REBATE ON PRE-OWNED HOMES?

If you’re in the market for a pre-owned home, we can still save you thousands of dollars!  The rebate on pre-owned homes is 1% for homes priced up to $349K and 1.5% from $350-399K. We offer a 2% rebate for pre-owned homes $400K and above.

HOW MUCH CAN I SAVE IF I LIST MY HOME WITH YOU?

Traditional Realtors charge 6% to sell a home. 3% goes to them and 3% goes to the agent who brings the buyer (Typically, that’s how it plays out…seldom does the agent who lists your home also bring the buyer, but it can happen). What I do differently is charge the seller only 2% to list any home priced up to $400k (a savings of 1% compared to what most agents charge) For homes priced OVER $400k, I will only charge 1.5% commission to sell your home. That’s a savings of 1.5% total! For homes priced $700K and up I only charge 1% to list your home, a 2% savings –  If you buy AND sell with me, think of all the money you’ll save. Most of my clients who buy and sell save an average of about $18,000 total by using my rebate program. That’s a NICE savings!

HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT I’LL RECEIVE THE REBATE? IS IT GUARANTEED?

Yes, you can feel comfortable that you will receive the rebate from me. Before you sign a contract with a builder, you and I will enter into a Buyer’s Representation Agreement, which spells out the terms of the rebate. This is a binding contract and holds me responsible to provide you with the rebate, as promised. This is absolutely legal in the State of Texas.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER AGENTS WHO SAY THEY OFFER A 3% REBATE OR EVEN 5%? OR HIGHER?

A. Be careful when dealing with agents that make outrageous claims. 99% of all builders pay the realtor a 3% commission. There may be rare, higher payouts, but the vast majority only pays 3%. Other agents may make the claim that they will pay you up to 3% and some even advertise up to 5%, but they are simply trying to pull you in with this ploy. At the end of the day, they will all try to keep a full 1% and give you back 2%, because the builders are only offering a standard 3% to the agent. With my program, I only keep a half a percent and genuinely give you back 2.5%. This is actually the highest rebate offered in the industry. So, whenever you hear about rebates that are very misleading – you need to ask yourself – do you really want to work with someone who makes it their business practice to deceive people with their advertising? My advice is to be sure to read the fine print and check the credentials and reviews of the agent you’re working with.

DOES THE BUILDER GIVE ME THE SAME PRICE AND INCENTIVES IF I USE A REALTOR THAT THEY WOULD OFFER IF I REPRESENTED MYSELF?

A. Yes, the pricing and incentives are the same whether you use a Realtor or not. This is another misconception people have about rebates. The builder must offer someone with an agent the same price they would offer someone without an agent. Otherwise, it would be discriminatory. They would be setting themselves up for a lawsuit. Also, how many Realtors do you think would refer business to a builder if they found out that their clients were paying higher pricing for doing so? None! Builders allocate 3% to pay a Realtor on every home they build. This comes from their marketing budget. Therefore, if a buyer is not represented by an agent, the extra 3% merely stays in their pocket. Wouldn’t you rather it be given back to you?

WHAT ARE THE STEPS I NEED TO TAKE TO MAKE SURE I RECEIVE THE REBATE?

1. Contact me and let me know which home/builder you’re interested in.
2. Enter into a Buyers Rep Agreement with me that spell out the terms of the rebate.
3. Be sure to let the builder’s salesperson know that you’re represented by a Realtor, from the first communication with them.
4. Share my details with the builder’s representative “Brandell Flores at Equity First Realty Partners, LLC”
5. Speak with your lender and find out how much of the rebate can be credited to closing costs on your particular loan.
6. If we can’t credit the rebate to closing costs we will simply wire the funds to you after closing. Most of our clients receive the rebate wire within 2-3 days of closing.

That’s really all you have to do. I handle the rest! It is very simple and straightforward.

WHY DO I OFFER THIS REBATE?

The Internet has drastically changed the way real estate is bought and sold. Today’s consumers have nearly limitless information at their fingertips and are more educated and informed about their areas of interest, including, schools, communities, builders and even homes of interest. All of the research the buyer does saves the broker time and money, so I pass those savings along to you by sharing my commission. Don’t you think you deserve a part in the commission, since you’ve done so much of the work? Of course! I know how expensive it can be moving into a new home. This is a win-win-win program. My clients benefit from the 2.5% cash back rebate, I benefit from gaining your business and making 0.5% on each transaction, and hopefully, you’ll tell EVERYONE you know about my awesome program! The builder also benefits by selling my clients homes!

When you buy a new construction home through a builder, the builder’s on-site sales team handles the showings and the paperwork. This reduces my time, so I am able to pass that savings on to you! I am here to help you with the details, make sure you are getting a good price, negotiate on your behalf if you want me to, review all of the contracts and make sure that you are well represented and that your best interests are protected.

ARE REBATES LEGAL?

Good Question! YES, rebates are perfectly LEGAL! Lots of people incorrectly assume that there is something illegal about Realtors sharing their commission. No one knows where the rumor started, but rebates are actually 100% legal in Texas. Although this is not the case in all 50 states, Texas does allow it. Read what the Department of Justice has to say about Realtor Rebates. Not only do they ENCOURAGE them, the DOJ is fighting to make them legal in ALL states! If you’re fortunate enough to live in a state that allows rebates, take advantage of it! You would be remiss if you didn’t…

WHY USE TEXAS HOMES? THERE ARE OTHER REBATE COMPANIES OUT THERE, RIGHT?

Yes, there are other companies out there, for sure. The majority of them offer a considerably smaller rebate than I do. My rebate is the best in the industry and I have been in business since 1997, offering rebates before anyone else. I was one of the early disrupters to the industry and have been trying to educate people for years because it’s such a great savings – sadly many still don’t know about this program. I have thousands of satisfied buyers and sellers whom have bought and sold multiple homes with me through the years. They have saved thousands and thousands of dollars and referred friends, family members and co-workers time and time again. I’m a real person, not some big conglomerate. I answer my phone all the time and am always available to my clients when they call. I believe in the personal touch. As a consumer, I appreciate good customer service and I think my clients do, too.

CALL OR EMAIL ME TODAY – I’LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE!

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