Do I Need an Agent to Buy New Construction in Utah, and Who Pays Them?
In Utah, the builder pays the buyer’s agent commission. It is built into the home’s price whether you bring an agent or not, and builders do not give better pricing or incentives to a buyer who comes in unrepresented. The commission is usually a little less than what an agent would earn on a resale, since the builder manages much of the process, and most agents are fine with that. Several builders include a contract clause barring the buyer from paying any commission above what the builder offers, and most agents do not ask for extra on a new build anyway. A few builders occasionally trim the agent commission on starter homes, disclosed to the buyer and agent up front, but that is rare. Important: register your agent before you tour. If you walk in alone and then try to bring an agent in, it is not guaranteed – it depends on that agent’s reputation and relationship with the builder. Have your agent talk to the builder before you go in, and ideally have them there with you the first visit.
Related: Can the Builder’s Sales Rep Represent You in Utah? · Switching Away From a Utah Builder’s Preferred Lender · New Construction Homes in Utah