New Construction Homes For Sale in Houston, TX

The builder’s sales rep works for the builder — not you

When you walk into a model home, the agent at the desk is friendly and helpful — but their job is to get the best terms for the builder. In Texas, the on-site sales agent represents the builder only, and the builder has no obligation to tell you how nearby homes are pricing, whether the lot premium is steep, or that you’re over-improving for the neighborhood. That’s my job. As your buyer’s agent, I look out for your side of the deal from day one.

Important: the model-home agent represents the builder’s interests. Your own buyer’s agent represents you — at no added cost to the base price of the home (more on how that works below).

What I do for you on a new build

• Pricing & comps: I show you what comparable new and resale homes actually sold for, so you can judge whether the base price and lot premium are fair.
• Upgrades vs. resale value: the design center is where budgets balloon. I help you spot which upgrades hold their value and which you’ll never get back when you sell.
• Incentives: I find and negotiate builder incentives — including the ones tied to the builder’s preferred lender — and weigh whether they’re actually worth taking.
• The contract: builders use their own contracts, not the standard TREC forms most resale buyers see. I walk you through what you’re signing before you sign it.
• Inspections: yes, you should still inspect a brand-new home. I’ll arrange independent inspections — including a pre-drywall and a final walkthrough — and help you get the builder’s punch list completed.

The rule that trips people up: most builders require your agent to be with you — or registered — on your first visit in order to represent you. If you tour alone and sign in first, you can lose the ability to bring an agent on board for that community. So loop me in before you go. It costs you nothing and there’s no obligation.

Save money on builder inventory and spec homes

Some of the best deals in new construction are the homes already built. Builders discount inventory homes — also called spec or quick-move-in homes — that are complete or nearing completion and haven’t sold yet. Many were custom-built for a buyer who then failed to close, which means the finishes are already chosen and the price is often negotiable. I subscribe to the Houston-area services that track this available inventory across builders, so I can point you to homes that are sometimes priced well below the builder’s advertised asking price.

How a buyer’s agent gets paid on a new build

This is the part that changed in 2024, so let me be clear about it. Builders often still offer to cover some or all of your buyer’s agent’s fee — but since the industry changes that followed the NAR settlement, that compensation is negotiated and disclosed up front in a written buyer representation agreement, not simply assumed. The base price of the home doesn’t go up because you brought your own agent. Before we tour anything, I’ll explain exactly how compensation will work for your situation in plain English — you can read more in the Houston Real Estate Buyer FAQ.

Builders I’ve represented buyers with

Over the years I’ve helped buyers purchase new construction homes from a wide range of Houston-area builders — including Trendmaker, Perry Homes, David Weekley, Highland Homes, D.R. Horton, Village Builders, and Lennar, among many others. I represent you with any builder, in any community; I’m not tied to a single one.

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Tour New Communities With Live MLS Data

The Houston Prime Realty app runs on the live Houston MLS feed — not the delayed data you get on the big national sites — so you see new listings and inventory homes as they hit the market. It also includes a built-in directory of vetted lenders, inspectors, and contractors to help you through a new build.

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Quick Answers

Does it cost more to use my own agent on a new construction home?

No — the base price of the home doesn’t go up because you bring a buyer’s agent. Builders often still contribute toward the buyer’s agent fee, and since 2024 that’s negotiated and put in writing up front. I’ll walk you through exactly how it works for your situation before you commit to anything.

Can I really negotiate on a brand-new home?

Yes, though usually not on the base price. The room to negotiate is in upgrades, lot premiums, closing-cost contributions, and builder incentives — and it’s often largest on inventory or spec homes the builder wants to move. Knowing where the give is, is most of the job.

Do I need an inspection on a home that’s never been lived in?

Absolutely. New homes have defects too — I recommend an independent inspection (and a pre-drywall inspection when the timing allows), separate from the builder’s own walkthrough, so issues get fixed before you close.

When do I need to bring you in?

Before your first visit to any model home or community. Most builders require your agent to accompany or register you on that first visit for you to be represented. One quick message to me before you go protects your representation.

More questions about building or buying new? Read the full New Home Purchase FAQ →

Last updated: June 2026 · Reflects current Texas new-construction buying practices and post-NAR-settlement compensation rules.