Buying new construction in Bellevue
What to know before you visit a sales center, reserve a pre-sale home, or sign a builder contract.
New vs. resale: the trade-offs
Why buyers choose new
- Modern layouts, systems, and energy features
- Choice of finishes or upgrades on some homes
- Builder warranty coverage
- Nobody has lived there before
What to weigh
- Construction timelines can shift
- Upgrades can add up quickly
- New associations have little operating history
- Landscaping and neighbors are still settling in
How pre-sales work
In a pre-sale, you reserve or contract to buy a home before it's finished, sometimes before construction starts. Terms vary widely by builder and project. Some begin with a refundable reservation; others go straight to a purchase contract with a deposit. Before you commit, understand:
- Whether your deposit is refundable, and under what conditions
- The estimated completion date, and what happens if it moves
- Whether the builder can change plans, materials, or specifications
- How and when the final price, upgrades, and HOA dues are set
- Your financing timeline, including rate locks for a future closing date
Washington law requires certain disclosures for new condominium sales, and builder contracts vary. Review documents carefully, and consider having a Washington real estate attorney review the contract. For a deeper walk-through, read how pre-sales work in Bellevue.
Your representation
The sales team at a new-construction community works for the builder. Having your own broker means someone is focused on your interests: comparing projects, negotiating where possible, and keeping track of deadlines. Many builders have broker registration policies tied to your first visit, so reach out before you tour.
Questions to ask any builder
- What's included in the base price?
- Which upgrades add the most cost?
- What does the warranty cover, and for how long?
- Who handles warranty requests?
- What are projected HOA dues?
- Are there incentives with a preferred lender, and what are the terms?
- Can I bring my own inspector?
- What else will be built nearby?
Comparing a new townhome to a resale home? See the townhome, loft & condo comparison and the new construction townhome buying guide.
Visiting a sales center soon?
Let me know first so you keep your options for representation.