Buying a New Home in Austin Texas
If you are considering the purchase of a new home in the Austin, Texas area, you might want to consider having an informed Realtor represent you.
Here are a couple of good reasons why:
The builder's sales agents always seek the best deal for the builder. They represent the builder, not you.
Not all new home sales are recorded in the Austin area MLS. Those that are listed and sold through the MLS tell at least a partial story of what is happening with home sales in new home neighborhoods. Your Realtor can research new home sales in the neighborhood for you, and can tell you what reductions in sales price and other concessions (closing costs, for example) have been granted by a builder. This kind of information can help you as you negotiate a deal on your new home.
Here is an example: While researching sales data for a new home neighborhood web page for HeartofAustinHomes.com, I found one sale that troubled me. Why? The buyer paid the full list price on this home purchase. The other new home sales in the same general price and size range showed sold prices that were $10k-$45k below the list price. While I do not know all the details of this purchase, I wonder if the buyer could have gotten a lower price. In the current Austin Texas area real estate market, getting a lower price from most builders is a difinite possibility.
Check out If you are considering the purchase of a new (or resale) home in the Austin area, I would like to assist you. You can reach me at (512) 913-1557. 
Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell real estate in Texas.
4501 Spicewood Springs Rd., #1029
Austin, TX 78759 (512) 342-8744