HawthorneVillager.com

The sales offices of most builders are populated with real estate agents in the first place.

As for getting a reduction by using a different one.. you might want to get clarification from that agent who told you along with some numbers.

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Professional - Audio - Video - Data - Security - Central Vac - Insured - Trained - Certified
http://www.phand.ca/

Here are my thoughts...

1. Each builder is different as to if they pay a commission to a real estate agent, some do and some don't.

2. It can be a good idea to have a professional help you through the purchase of any home, new or otherwise... there are many areas that they can bring value to the transaction other then just price

3. I would be wary of someone whom is trying to buy your business.

the situation you are speaking of is usually with smaller builders at the very end of the project. They build houses to fill lots that haven't sold, and then they enlist the services of real estate agents to sell those "inventory" homes for them, so that they don't have to keep their sales staff and office open. It is somewhat similar to purchasing a resale home in some senses.

You will never find this scenario in most of the builders in this area, as there is no need for an agent to be involved...why would the builder enlist the services and pay a commission to a real estate agent when they can sell the homes just fine on their own??......(with Mattamy in particular with the crazy's camping out!!) (no offense to the crazies!!)

Jessica

That's not all entirely true- you CAN get a commission as a real estate agent- assisting your client with a new home sale-
Example: in Rockwood they pay a % ( usually very small like 1%) So technically- if your agent wanted to split that 1% with you, yes, you could save some money- but very little- however the service and knowledge that you would gain by having an expert guide you through your purchase would be fantastic.

I have never done this myself- but i have purchased a new home of builder plans....and I can see why someone would want someone on their side, and assisting them- even if its' just for the best re-sale value purposes.

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Real Estate Sales Representative with the
AMY FLOWERS TEAM
Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty
michelle@amyflowers.ca
http://www.amyflowersteam.ca

Michelle is right.
I'm a real estate agent and more often than not, new home builders will cooperate with agents. They look at it this way. When you go to purchase a house from a new builder, you're one person and one sale. When a buyer with an agent goes to purchase a house from a new home builder, the builder is potentially selling to that client, all the agents other clients, all the clients at the agent's office and all other real estate agent's clients in Ontario (sorry for the confusion).It comes down to the value of networking.
In reality the builder will try to sway you away from using an agent for 2 reasons. 1) the commission, 2) agents are experienced in home transactions and won't fall for some of the typical sales tricks used by builders.
That's not to say that some builders will simply say no to agents if they feel they have a particularly hot area on their hands. Get your agent to call them. You have nothing to lose and maybe a lot to gain.
Hope this helps.

Thanks,
Cliff Barron
www.callcliff.ca