Posted on Houston board as well.

https://texags.com/forums/38/topics/3046955



We're getting ready to build a new home and would like for an attorney to review the contract before signing. I imagine this would just be a flat fee.

Thanks!

I'd be happy to help. PM me for my email address.

Interested in this as well. Looking at a new build, and I believe the builder is going to incentivize us to not use a realtor to save them the 3% buyer's agent fee. Since it's a new build, we don't need the full services of a real estate agent in terms of all the background work and search process. But, we still need a professional to help us with contract review and transactional due diligence / assurance. Is it reasonable to expect to be able to find someone who would do that for a flat fee or less than the usual 3%? Should I be looking to talk to a RE attorney vs a real estate agent? Or should I just bring in a buyer's agent and not over-think it?

I've lurked on the board for a while, and I've seen a few heated interactions on this board regarding opinions on "appropriate" fees for various services rendered, so please know I'm not trying to cheap out or not pay market rate for services. Mainly just trying to understand my options and asking for opinions.

Yes, I would suggest engaging a real estate attorney, and I would would venture to guess (without knowing more details) that their fees would be equal to or less than the 3% real estate agent commission.

If you're actually going to hire a builder to build you a house (as opposed to buying an already constructed spec home directly from the builder), you're going to have a construction contract that will need to be reviewed by an attorney. A real estate agent won't be able to help you with that aspect.

I live in a rural area and handle quite a few "off market" real estate transactions where no real estate agents are involved. My fees are generally less than the standard commission the parties would pay real estate brokers if they were involved.

Thanks for the response. The situation is as such - the builder is building out a subdivision. We would be buying a yet-to-be constructed house. Predetermined floorplan (mostly), we select all finishes. There will be a construction contract.