The builder's sales agent works for the builder. Your Realty Link works for you — and it costs you nothing extra. Don't walk into a model home without representation on your side.
Every year, buyers across Indianapolis and Central Indiana walk into builder model homes, get swept up in the excitement of brand-new construction, and sign purchase contracts without ever having their own representation. They assume the builder's sales agent is there to help them — or that representation isn't necessary for a new home the way it is for a resale. Both assumptions are costly mistakes. Your Realty Link provides full buyer representation for new construction purchases across Central Indiana. We work exclusively for you, not the builder. And because builders price their agent commissions into their homes regardless, our representation costs you absolutely nothing extra.
The most widespread misconception in new construction is this: "If I don't bring an agent, I'll save the commission." It sounds logical. It's wrong.
Builders price buyer agent commissions into every home they sell — it's factored into the base price of the property. Whether you bring representation or not, that cost is already built in. If you walk in without an agent, the builder's company simply keeps the full commission rather than sharing it with a buyer's agent. You receive no discount. You receive no price reduction. What you do receive is a complex, builder-written purchase contract with no one reviewing it on your behalf, no negotiation experience working in your corner, and no independent advocate watching out for your interests from lot selection through closing day.
Builder sales representatives are professional salespeople employed by the builder. They are skilled, knowledgeable, and often genuinely helpful — but their job is to sell the builder's homes at the builder's price with the builder's terms. Your job, as the buyer, is to have someone equally knowledgeable sitting on your side of the table.
Janet Giles-Schultz and the Your Realty Link team have navigated new construction transactions across Central Indiana's most active builder markets. Here is what our representation actually covers in a builder purchase:
Contract review. Builder contracts are long, detailed documents written by the builder's legal team. They typically contain provisions about construction delays, change order costs, cancellation terms, earnest money forfeiture, warranty limitations, and mandatory arbitration — all written to protect the builder. We read every page and explain what it means for you before you sign.
Incentive and upgrade negotiation. Builders have flexibility they don't always advertise — on closing cost contributions, free upgrades, lot premium reductions, and occasionally base price. We know what to ask for, when builders are most likely to say yes, and how to structure the request to get results.
Independent inspections. A builder's warranty and a city's building permit inspection are not substitutes for an independent inspector working for you. We coordinate pre-drywall inspections and final walkthrough inspections with qualified third-party inspectors who know what to look for in new construction.
Construction timeline oversight. We stay in communication throughout your build, flagging timeline concerns and keeping you informed at key milestones.
We review builder contracts for buyer-unfavorable terms before you sign. What you don't know can hurt you.
Upgrades, closing cost help, lot premiums — we know what builders can move on and we ask for it.
We coordinate pre-drywall and final inspections with inspectors who specialize in new construction quality control.
The commission is already in the price. Our representation is free to you — going unrepresented isn't.
Most builders require agent registration on your first visit. Contact us before you tour any model homes — this is the most important step.
We tour communities with you, asking the builder the questions that matter and evaluating what you're seeing with an experienced eye.
We review the purchase agreement thoroughly, explain every significant provision, and negotiate terms on your behalf before you sign.
We coordinate independent inspections at key stages and stay connected through the build so you're never left wondering.
We attend your final walkthrough, document all items that need correction, and guide you through a smooth closing.
Your Realty Link is a MIBOR member brokerage with direct experience in Central Indiana's new construction markets. Janet Giles-Schultz understands how production builders operate, what their contracts typically contain, and where buyers most commonly get surprised. We've seen the issues that arise when buyers go unrepresented — and we've helped clients avoid them. If you're considering any new construction purchase in Indianapolis or the surrounding counties, call us before you visit the first model home. That one step costs you nothing and protects everything.
Almost never. Builder pricing already incorporates the cost of buyer agent commissions. If you arrive without an agent, that money stays with the builder — you don't receive a price reduction. You're giving away representation without getting anything in return.
A buyer's agent reviews the builder contract for buyer-unfavorable terms, negotiates incentives and upgrades, advises on lot selection, arranges independent inspections at key construction stages, monitors the build timeline, attends the final walkthrough, and coordinates the closing — all while working exclusively for your interests.
Common issues include one-sided delay clauses, limited warranty language, mandatory arbitration clauses, change order processes that significantly increase your price, and earnest money terms that heavily favor the builder if you need to cancel. These provisions are standard in builder contracts — and most buyers sign without fully understanding them.
Most builders require agent registration on the buyer's first visit to the community. If you've already visited without registering an agent, the builder may refuse to honor representation. This is one of the most important reasons to contact Your Realty Link before your very first model home tour.
Registration on your first visit is required. One call to Your Realty Link ensures you have full representation from day one — at no cost.
Explore the full guide to buying new construction homes in Indianapolis and surrounding counties.
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