I am thinking about buying a new home from a builder in the Santa Barbara or Montecito area, can I negotiate the price of the home?
It can be difficult to negotiate the sales price with a developer because they may claim their prices are based on fixed construction costs. But it doesn’t hurt to try. Experts say builders are more likely to be flexible on price at the very beginning and the very end of a development project. Early on, most developers want to move people in quickly so the project picks up momentum. Later, developers may be more inclined to accept lower offers when only a few units remain. If negotiating the price doesn’t work, buyers commonly negotiate for better amenities (upgrade carpet, light fixtures, etc.) or lot location. Experts say a developer will rarely pass up a deal over a couple hundred dollars’ worth of carpeting, for example.
