Longoria Real Estate — Jahda Longoria, REALTOR®, San Antonio, Texas

New Construction


The agent in the model home works for the builder.

They're often lovely. They're also paid by the person on the other side of your transaction. Bringing your own representation costs you nothing — and it changes almost everything.

Text me before you visit a model homeBrowse new construction homes
Editor's note — not visible to visitors The client review below is the strongest proof on the whole site, because it names the blue tape walk-through and says you caught things they'd have missed — which is exactly what the section above it claims. I trimmed two sentences for length; nothing was reworded, and I can put the full version back if you'd rather. Confirm the attribution and add a year if you're comfortable.

Register me on your first visit

This is the one thing I need you to remember, because it can't be undone.

Most builders require your agent to be present or named on your first visit to a community. Walk in alone, sign the visitor sheet, and you may have given up your right to representation on that property — permanently.

It costs you nothing to bring me. The builder has already accounted for it. So before you tour a single model home, text me where you're going.

What I actually do on a new build

Lot selection

Not all lots in a community are equal, and the difference follows you to resale. Backing to a greenbelt versus a road, the direction your back patio faces in a Texas summer, drainage, future phases, what's going in behind you. Builders sell lot premiums; I'll tell you which ones are worth paying.

Upgrades that hold value

The design center is where budgets go to die. Some upgrades come back to you at resale and many don't. Structural changes usually matter more than finishes, because you can change finishes later and you can't move a wall. I'll help you spend where it counts.

Contracts

Builder contracts are written by the builder's attorneys and they are not neutral. I'll walk you through what you're signing, what's actually negotiable — often incentives and closing costs rather than price — and what the delay language really means.

Inspections

Yes, you should inspect a brand-new house. Independently, not just the municipal inspection. I recommend two: one before the drywall goes up, and one before closing. New construction defects are common and the warranty period is finite.

Timelines

Build delays are normal. What matters is having a plan for your lease or your current home when the date moves — and it usually moves.

The warranty year

Most builders offer a one-year warranty window. Put a reminder in your calendar at month ten and walk the house with fresh eyes. I'll remind you too.

From the beginning of our journey until the very end at closing, Jahda was always on our side and in our corner. I am a very nervous buyer but having Jahda on our side always helped soothe the tension. Jahda was like our own personal guardian angel.

During our blue tape walk-through, she was like a third set of very discriminating eyes and she found things that I would not have noticed.

Do yourself a favor, get Jahda in your corner. You will not regret it. She is the best of the best.

New construction buyer, San Antonio

Start the search the smart way

You can browse every new construction community in the San Antonio area through my search portal — floor plans, pricing, and availability, updated by the builders themselves.

Searching there does one thing the big portals can't: it connects your search to me from day one, so your representation is protected before you ever walk into a model home.

Browse new construction homes

Questions people ask me

Does using an agent cost me more?
No. The builder's marketing budget already includes agent representation.
Will I get a worse deal because I brought an agent?
No. And you'll usually get a better one, because I know what incentives that builder has offered recently and what other communities are giving.
Should I use the builder's preferred lender?
Sometimes — the incentives can be real and substantial. But get at least one outside quote so you know what you're comparing. Sometimes the incentive is worth more than the rate difference; sometimes it isn't.
New construction or resale?
Depends on your timeline, your tolerance for decisions, and whether you want a mature yard. I'll give you the honest tradeoffs for your specific situation rather than a blanket answer.

Text me before you tour.

Even if you're just curious. One text now protects your representation on every community you visit.