Having the right agent with you is essential when shopping for new construction, and is here to help you navigate through your options in the Branson area.

Buyers of new construction in a development don't like to see houses sold after theirs go for less money, so builders aren't as apt to bend on price. (You'll appreciate this behavior after you've bought a home in a development of new construction!) Regardless, depending on the market and the status of the project, there's sometimes room for negotiation.

Say a home has been on the market a long time and the builder has a lot sunk into it, then you have some room. The same goes for show or model homes that have been sitting for a while. However, if a home was just finished, it's unlikely you'll get a deal.

You can always ask for assistance in other ways when purchasing new construction. For example, closing costs are one way for you to save without lowering the price of the house. The same goes for amenities - ask for things appliance upgrades, a garage door opener, a sprinkler system or landscaping, or an extended home warranty. That can go the other way around, too. If upgrades are already in the plan, see if you can get the builder to omit them - you might be able to install them later yourself at a savings anyway.

While you should always negotiate a home warranty so problems can be fixed, get a home inspection before your purchase regardless. Inevitable problems can be repaired (by the builder) before you move in and larger problems identified before they become your problem. Since an inspection is relatively inexpensive, some new home buyers get an inspection after being in the home for 10 or 11 months - that way, the builder can make the repairs before a 1 year warranty expires.