Contracts, upgrades, inspections and incentives—with a Realtor® who has 7 years representing a builder. Des Moines metro, including West Des Moines, Clive, Johnston, Urbandale, Ankeny and Waukee.
Book a free consultationResale buying too?Builder model homes are designed to sell the builder’s homes. The salesperson on site is paid to do that job well. That is not a criticism—it is the structure of the deal. When you buy new construction with RAW, Alex McConeghey represents you: reading the purchase agreement and addenda, pressure-testing upgrades and allowances, timing inspections, and negotiating incentives. He brings 7 years of experience representing a builder, so he already knows how these files usually move.
New-construction contracts are not resale purchase agreements with a different cover page. They often lock option deadlines, deposit schedules, appraisal gaps, completion estimates and what happens if lumber or labor costs shift. We review the base agreement and every addendum before you sign, and we keep a calendar of the dates that actually matter.
Allowances look generous until you price the finishes you actually want. We compare the included package to the upgrade sheet, flag long-lead items, and help you decide what is worth spending now versus later—so the budget does not quietly double in the design center.
Homesite premiums, drainage, orientation, rear neighbors and future phases all change how the house lives and what it may resell for. We walk the plat with those questions in mind, not just the elevation rendering on the website.
Two inspections carry most of the value on a new build: a pre-drywall (pre-cover) inspection while framing, mechanicals and insulation are visible, and a final / pre-closing inspection before you take keys. Your agent helps schedule them against the builder’s construction calendar and turns findings into a clear request list.
Estimated completion dates move. Weather, trades and material lead times are normal—not a reason to skip documentation. Before closing we run a walkthrough and punch list, and we make sure warranty contacts and callback processes are in writing so you know who to call after move-in.
Builders use closing-cost credits, rate buydowns, design-center credits and deposit structures to move inventory. What is available changes with the phase and the month. We help you ask for the right incentive for your file—and we do not confuse a marketing special with a permanent price cut.
Buyer representation is often paid by the builder or seller. Terms are agreed in writing up front, before you tour with your agent. This page does not publish a buyer-fee percentage. If you are also selling a current home, RAW’s residential flat-fee listing is available separately; see Why $4,895 and Buying with RAW.
Used on your side of the table for contracts, options and punch lists.
Pre-drywall and final inspections scheduled against the build calendar.
Representation and compensation agreed before model tours.
Yes, if you want someone whose job is to represent you. The builder’s on-site sales rep works for the builder. Your own Realtor® reviews contracts and addenda, walks upgrades and allowances with you, coordinates inspections, and helps negotiate incentives—before you sign and through closing.
Buyer representation is often paid by the builder or seller. Terms are agreed in writing up front before you tour with your agent. Nothing on this page quotes a buyer-fee percentage; the written agreement controls.
Before you register at a model home or discuss a specific lot, if you can. Many builder policies treat the first agent or broker of record carefully. Call 515-314-7849 before your first model visit so registration and representation are clear.
At minimum, a pre-drywall (pre-cover) inspection and a final/pre-closing inspection. Those catch framing, mechanical, insulation and finish issues while they are still cheaper to fix. Your agent helps schedule them against the builder’s calendar.
Yes. Upgrade sheets and allowances are where budgets quietly grow. We compare options to what is already included, flag long-lead items, and help you evaluate closing-cost or rate incentives the builder may offer.
It does. That experience is why this page exists: Alex knows how builder contracts, option deadlines, draw schedules and punch lists usually work, and he uses that on the buyer’s side of the table.
Commercial · Builders · New construction · Buying with RAW · Why $4,895 · West Des Moines · Clive · Johnston · Ankeny · Urbandale · Waukee
Tell me which communities you are considering and your timing. I’ll follow up personally, usually the same day.
515-314-7849
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