Sonoma County real estate agent Stephanie Johnson breaks down the five things every buyer needs to know before purchasing new construction here in Sonoma County, from the inspection you still need on a brand new home to the buyer's agent you are entitled to bring along for the process.

She explains why being brand new does not mean a home is free of issues, and what a punch list is and why getting one finished before you close escrow gives you real leverage with the developer. She covers how lending works differently for new construction, including why you often cannot shop your loan to multiple lenders early in a project's sales cycle and the rate lock risk that comes with a longer construction timeline. She also walks through what it means to buy into a brand new homeowners association, how dues can rise once the developer hands the building over to residents, and what your warranty coverage actually includes under California law, including the Right to Repair Act.

If you are considering a new construction purchase in Sonoma County, you will want to listen to this episode before you sign anything.

I'm Stephanie Johnson, a Sonoma County real estate agent helping buyers make the move to wine country. If you're seriously considering relocating from the Bay Area or beyond to Sonoma County, I'd love to help you explore what that could look like. Let's talk about your goals, reach out anytime. If you're researching a move to Sonoma County, subscribe to this channel for weekly videos on real estate, neighborhoods, and the Sonoma County relocation process.

You can also watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dQBhShXWA2Y

Host: Stephanie Johnson, RealWise PropertiesRealWiseProperties.com

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