New construction
Buying or selling new construction in Staten Island or Brooklyn is a different game than a resale. Builder contracts, warranties, and upgrade lists all have their own rules. I know where the leverage lives and I make sure it works for you, not the builder.
When you walk into a model home, the friendly agent at the desk works for the builder. Their job is to protect the builder's price and move you toward a signature. That is not a knock on them, it is simply their role. What you need is someone on the other side of the table who is working only for you.
I represent Staten Island and Brooklyn buyers from the very first model home visit through final walkthrough. That timing matters, because many builders require your agent to be present at that first registration for representation to count. Bring me in early and you get an advocate on price, upgrades, timelines, and the dense builder contract, usually at no added cost to you.
New homes come with layered warranties. Workmanship is usually covered for the first year, major systems like plumbing, heating, and electrical for a couple of years, and the structure itself for up to ten. New York also backs new homes with a statutory Housing Merchant Warranty. The catch is that the terms vary by builder, and the claim process is only as good as the paperwork you signed.
The builder contract itself is written to favor the builder. Deposit schedules, allowance caps, delay clauses, and dispute language can all bite later if nobody flags them up front. I walk through every one of these with you before you sign so there are no ugly surprises when the home is finished.
Builders guard the sticker price because it sets the comps for the rest of the community. So we rarely win by chopping the number. Instead we negotiate free upgrades, closing cost credits, appliance packages, or a rate buydown through the builder's preferred lender. I know where builders have room to give and I push there hard.
Selling a newer home is its own conversation. If you bought new a few years back and want to move up or cash out, the finishes and systems are still fresh, which is a real selling point when we price and market it. If you are weighing a move, my seller strategy and a straight home value are the right place to start, and my community pages can help you pick the next neighborhood.
New construction questions
Yes, and it usually costs you nothing. The sales rep in the model home works for the builder, not for you. When you bring me in from your very first visit, I represent your interests on price, upgrades, timelines, and the fine print in the builder contract. Builders typically account for buyer agent representation, so you get an advocate without adding to your cost.
Most new homes come with a builder warranty that covers workmanship for the first year, major systems like plumbing and electrical for a couple of years, and the structure itself for up to ten years. New York also has a statutory Housing Merchant Warranty on new homes. I review the exact terms with you before you sign so you know what is covered, for how long, and how to file a claim.
You can, but the levers are different than on a resale. Builders protect the sticker price to keep the comps up, so instead of chopping the price we often negotiate free upgrades, closing cost credits, appliance packages, or a rate buydown through their lender. I know where builders have room to give and I push there.
Absolutely. New does not mean flawless. I recommend an independent inspection before closing and, ideally, a walkthrough during construction. We build a punch list of anything unfinished or done wrong and get it corrected in writing before you take the keys.
Whether you are buying from a builder or selling a home that still feels brand new, let's map the smart move before anyone signs anything.