Send us Fan Mail Are you considering buying a new-construction home in Northeast Florida? Before you walk into a model home, register online, or schedule a builder tour, there is something every homebuyer needs to understand: the onsite builder sales representative works for the builder—not for you. In Episode 49 of Real Estate UnRaked, Northeast Florida Realtors Eric Rakers and Dane Coussens reveal what buyers need to know before purchasing a new-construction home in Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs, Lake Asbury, Clay County, St. Johns County, or anywhere across Northeast Florida. The model home may be beautiful, the incentives may sound incredible, and the onsite representative may be extremely helpful—but who is protecting your interests during the transaction? Eric and Dane explain why contacting your own Realtor before your first builder visit can make a major difference. They also break down the real cost of buying a new home, including base prices, homesite premiums, design-center upgrades, builder closing-cost incentives, preferred-lender promotions, HOA fees, CDD assessments, property taxes, inspections, and expenses that may not be included in the advertised price. In this episode, you’ll discover: • Who the onsite builder sales representative actually represents • Why buyers should contact their Realtor before visiting a model home • How builder registration policies can affect buyer representation • What a buyer’s Realtor does during a new-construction purchase • How to compare builders, floor plans, communities, and homesites • Why the advertised base price may not be the final purchase price • How to evaluate builder incentives and preferred-lender offers • What to investigate before selecting a homesite • Why brand-new homes still need independent inspections • The importance of pre-drywall, final, reinspection, and 11-month warranty inspections • How builder contracts differ from traditional resale contracts • What buyers should know about HOA fees, CDD assessments, future development, commute times, school zoning, and resale potential Eric and Dane also explore several growing new-construction communities in Green Cove Springs and Lake Asbury, including Rookery by D.R. Horton, Anabelle Island by KB Home, Lakes at Bella Lago, Hyland Trail, Granary Park, The Preserve at Laurelton, Saratoga Springs, and Edenbrooke at Hyland Trail. The community spotlight takes a closer look at The Preserve at Laurelton by David Weekley Homes, including its Canopy and Haven collections, available home styles, larger garage options, and planned lifestyle amenities. The episode also examines Northeast Florida’s growing 55-plus and active-adult real estate market. Eric and Dane discuss downsizing, aging in place, single-story homes, lower-maintenance living, active-adult amenities, and the financial questions buyers should answer before making their next move. Buying a new-construction home can be exciting—but new does not always mean simple. Before signing a builder contract, make sure someone is evaluating the homesite, incentives, lender, inspections, HOA, CDD, construction process, future development, and long-term resale value from your side of the transaction. Thinking about buying a new home in Northeast Florida? Contact The Rakers Home Group before your first builder visit. Call, text, or message us with the words NEW HOME, and we’ll help you compare communities, builders, incentives, inventory homes, and floor plans. Subscribe to Real Estate UnRaked for honest conversations about Northeast Florida real estate, new construction, home buying, home selling, relocation, market trends, and the information buyers and sellers need before making their next move. Hosted by Eric Rakers—Your Local Neighborhood Realtor—and Dane Coussens of The Rakers Home Group. Support the show That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market. If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines. For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on: 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup 🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com Call us at: Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589 Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275 Jaycee Crawford (904) 250-8795 Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode. And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group. *The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*
