NEW CONSTRUCTION REALTOR GUIDE
Do you need a realtor for new construction in Frisco and North Dallas?
By Hilda Avila, REALTOR®, Ebby Halliday Real Estate, LLC. Updated November 2026.
You are not required to hire a realtor to buy a new-construction home in Frisco or the rest of North Dallas, but the person in the model home works for the builder, not for you. A new construction realtor — a buyer’s agent you hire — represents you on registration, the contract, incentives, inspections, and closing.
The safer time is before the first model visit, phone inquiry, or online form. Many builders treat that first contact as the moment they decide whether they will recognize your agent, and the rule can differ by builder and by community, so confirm it for the community you plan to tour.
Not automatically. Buyer-agent compensation is addressed in the transaction paperwork and in any written agreement you sign. It is not set by law and is negotiable, and builder policies vary. Hilda Avila, a bilingual REALTOR® with Ebby Halliday Real Estate, LLC, will explain how compensation would work in your situation in writing before you move forward. Call (469) 802-8711 or use the contact page before you register at a model.
She works with buyers in Frisco, Prosper, McKinney, Allen, Celina, Plano, and nearby North Dallas builder communities. Her roots are in El Paso, Texas, and she has lived in Dallas for 15 years. TREC #803801; broker #257740.
What a new construction realtor does (and what the builder’s sales counselor does)
A “new construction realtor” here means a buyer’s agent who represents you in a purchase from a builder — not the salesperson in the model home. The two roles are easy to mix up because you may meet both on the same visit.
The builder’s sales counselor
- Works for the builder.
- Shows the community, floor plans, and current incentives.
- Prepares the builder’s contract and addenda.
Your new construction realtor (buyer’s agent)
- Works for you, with a duty to put your interests first.
- Helps you review the contract and addenda before you sign.
- Helps you think through lot, plan, and option decisions.
- Helps you see how incentives and any preferred-lender ties are documented.
- Helps you plan for an independent inspection and a final walkthrough. Buyers can have their own independent inspection and final walkthrough and should confirm timing and details with the builder.
- Helps keep the calendar with your lender and the title company.
None of this is a promise of a lower price or a particular incentive. Outcomes vary by builder, community, and timing.
Do I need a realtor for new construction in Frisco or Collin County?
Texas law does not require a buyer to hire a realtor to purchase a new-construction home in Frisco, Collin County, or the rest of North Dallas. The person in the model home still works for the builder. If you want advice, negotiation help, and someone obligated to put your interests first, you need your own buyer’s agent — ideally before the first visit or form.
As of January 1, 2026, Texas law requires a license holder to have a written agreement with a prospective residential buyer before showing residential property, or, if no property will be shown, before presenting an offer (TRELA §1101.563, as explained by the Texas Real Estate Commission). The agreement can be a representation agreement or a limited non-representation showing agreement (non-exclusive, no more than 14 days, and the license holder may not give opinions, advice, or other brokerage services). A limited showing agreement is not the same as buyer representation. Compensation must be stated, is not set by law, and is fully negotiable.
For general hiring questions, see how to choose a realtor in North Dallas. For how the relationship works in practice, see working with Hilda.
Register before the first model visit
First-visit or first-contact registration is a common builder policy, not a universal rule. Confirm it for that builder and that community. Policies differ, and a visit to one community may not cover another community, even under the same builder. “First contact” can include a model visit, a sales-office conversation, a website or chat form, a phone inquiry, or a self-guided tour — confirm what that builder counts.
Use these questions as a checklist before you walk in or submit a form:
- Does this builder require my agent to be registered on the first visit or first inquiry for this community?
- What is the accepted registration method (agent present, pre-registration, a specific form or addendum)?
- What deadline, if any, applies after a visit or after a contract?
- Does a registration expire, and does it have to be repeated for a different community?
- What should I avoid doing alone (signing in as “no agent,” submitting an interest form, touring a self-guided model) until that is confirmed?
- If I already visited or submitted a form, what information should I bring to Hilda (what I signed, the date, the community, and names)?
For the step-by-step walkthrough, see how builder registration works when you bring your own agent. Spanish-speaking readers can also use the Spanish registration companion.
What if I already visited or filled out a form?
Tell Hilda right away what you signed, registered, or discussed. Earlier is better. A conversation after a visit is still worthwhile, but representation cannot always be added after a first contact — that depends on the builder and what already happened. Bring whatever you can: the community name, the date, who you spoke with, and any form or sign-in you completed. The builder registration guide covers this path in more detail.
How the process works with Hilda
From first conversation to closing, Hilda keeps the path organized. Her past work as a mortgage officer informs better questions for lenders — it is guidance, not lending advice or a loan offer. She also works with buyers in English and Spanish; the Spanish new-construction guide is the companion to this page.
- Goals: Budget range, must-haves, commute, any school-campus preference you already have, and move timing.
- Community shortlist: Narrow North Dallas builder communities that fit your criteria — Frisco, Prosper, McKinney, Allen, Celina, Plano, and nearby.
- Model visits: Tour with clarity on what to ask, what to note, and how registration works when you already have an agent.
- Contract and options: Review builder paperwork, deposits, and design selections with guidance focused on your interests.
- Financing questions: Hilda draws on past work in the mortgage industry to help you ask stronger questions of lenders — guidance, not lending. Loan decisions belong to your lender.
- Inspections and walkthroughs: Buyers can have their own independent inspection and a final walkthrough, and should confirm timing and details with the builder.
- Closing: Coordinate the final steps toward keys and move-in.
Incentives, buydowns, and what to compare before you sign
Builders may offer a price reduction, a temporary (including 2-1) buydown, a permanent buydown, closing-cost help, design credits, or some mix. Availability changes by community and timing. Confirm every offer in writing. Some incentives are tied to a preferred lender and some are not; compare the full picture (rate, fees, credits, and flexibility). Hilda can help you organize the questions; the lender makes the loan decision.
For a closer look at that tradeoff, see 2-1 buydown vs. a price cut on new construction in Collin County. For broader price-and-terms questions, there is also a short guide on how to negotiate house price in Collin County.
New construction vs. resale (short)
New construction and resale homes solve different needs. Neither is automatically “better” — the right fit depends on timeline, customization, and how much uncertainty you’re comfortable managing.
- Timeline: Resale can close on a more predictable calendar once under contract. New builds often involve construction schedules, phase releases, and move-in dates that can shift.
- Customization: Builders may offer floor plans, finishes, and structural options early. Resale means evaluating what’s already there (and what you’d renovate later).
- Warranties: New homes typically include builder warranties for a defined period. Resale warranties (if any) vary and often come through separate policies or seller concessions.
- Lot premiums: Corner lots, larger yards, cul-de-sacs, or premium views can carry extra cost. Ask what is included versus what is a premium before you settle on a specific lot.
- Incentives: Builders sometimes offer rate buydowns, closing-cost help, or design credits. Availability changes by community and timing — treat every incentive as something to confirm in writing, not a guarantee.
For a deeper comparison, see the full resale vs. new construction guide. If you need to sell your current home first, read about home-sale contingencies on new construction in Collin County. For document questions such as MUD or PID notices, see questions to ask when buying a house in North Dallas.
North Dallas areas buyers ask about
New construction in North Dallas is spread across several cities. These are short notes only — then use each area page for more context. If you are still choosing a city, start with the North Dallas suburbs comparison. For broader browsing, use the Neighborhood hub.
Frisco: Master-planned communities and builder neighborhoods, with new construction in several parts of the city. Homes in Frisco →
Prosper: Builder communities and continued development north of Frisco. Homes in Prosper →
McKinney: A historic downtown plus expanding residential areas and builder communities. Homes in McKinney →
Allen: Established city services with builder activity nearby. Homes in Allen →
Celina: North of Prosper, with active builder communities. Homes in Celina →
Plano: Often part of the same North Dallas search, with a mix of resale homes and some new construction. Homes in Plano →
New construction FAQs
You are not required to hire a realtor to buy a new-construction home in Frisco or the rest of North Dallas, but the person in the model home works for the builder, not for you. A new construction realtor — a buyer’s agent you hire — represents you on registration, the contract, incentives, inspections, and closing. Involve that agent before the first visit or form when you can.
Not automatically. Buyer-agent compensation is addressed in the transaction paperwork and in any written agreement you sign. Bringing your own realtor is not automatically an extra fee. Compensation is agreed in writing; it is not set by law and is negotiable, and builder policies vary. Hilda will explain how compensation would work in your situation in writing before you move forward.
Yes. As of January 1, 2026, a license holder must have a written agreement with a prospective residential buyer before showing residential property, or, if no property will be shown, before presenting an offer, as explained by the Texas Real Estate Commission. The agreement can be a representation agreement or a limited non-representation showing agreement (non-exclusive, no more than 14 days, and the license holder may not give opinions, advice, or other brokerage services). A limited showing agreement is not the same as buyer representation. Compensation must be stated, is not set by law, and is fully negotiable.
Hilda can represent buyers across many North Dallas builder communities. Some builders have registration rules or preferred processes — contacting her before your first model visit helps protect your representation and reduces confusion at the sales office.
Tell Hilda right away what you signed, registered, or discussed. Some builders treat first contact carefully. She can help you understand what was already done and the practical next steps. Earlier involvement is ideal, but a conversation after a visit is still worthwhile. Representation cannot always be added after a first contact.
It depends on your priorities. New construction can offer warranties and customization; resale can offer established neighborhoods and a clearer move-in timeline. Hilda helps you weigh tradeoffs for your goals — without claiming one path is always superior.
Timelines vary widely by community stage: inventory homes may close sooner, while to-be-built homes can take many months. Construction schedules can change. Hilda helps you plan around realistic ranges and milestones rather than fixed promises.
Yes. Hilda works with buyers in English and Spanish. Start with the Spanish new-construction guide, or see the Spanish home-buying hub.
You can compare options. Builder incentives are sometimes tied to a preferred lender — and sometimes not. Review the full picture (rate, fees, credits, and contingency flexibility) before deciding. Hilda can help you ask organized questions; your lender makes the loan decision.
As early as you’re curious — ideally before registering at a model. A short call to (469) 802-8711 or a note to [email protected] is enough to get oriented without pressure, or use the contact page.
Talk with Hilda about a new-construction purchase
Hilda Avila, REALTOR®, Ebby Halliday Real Estate, LLC
(469) 802-8711 · [email protected]
TREC #803801; broker #257740
The safer time to talk is before the first model visit or online form. Use the contact page or the short form below.
Explore more: Buyer’s guide · Guía de obra nueva · Working with Hilda · Moving to Dallas