Should I use the builder's on-site agent for new construction?

We strongly recommend you don't. The builder's on-site agent represents the BUILDER's interests, not yours — they're a seller's agent who works for the builder full-time. The contract is the builder's contract. The warranty terms, deposit structure, change-order pricing, and dispute process all favor the builder. Bringing your own agent costs you little or nothing (the builder usually pays the commission), and protects you on the terms that actually matter.

Does it cost anything extra to use my own agent for new construction in Nashville?

In most Nashville new-construction transactions the builder pays our commission as part of their standard sales budget, so our representation is often little or no cost to you. It isn't guaranteed, though: a few builders pay a reduced flat fee, in which case a buyer-representation fee may apply unless the builder absorbs it at closing. We disclose all of this up front in the buyer rep agreement and tell you exactly where you stand before you commit.

Which Nashville areas have the most new construction inventory?

Williamson County (Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville, Spring Hill) currently leads in new-construction volume, followed by Mount Juliet, Hendersonville, and Gallatin. There's also infill new construction across East Nashville, The Nations, and select Davidson County neighborhoods. Each builder community has different floorplans, upgrade options, and HOA structures — we'll match you to communities that fit your criteria.

What are common mistakes buyers make with new construction in Nashville?

The biggest ones: signing the builder's standard contract without amendments, accepting the builder's preferred lender without comparing rates, skipping the third-party inspection at the pre-drywall and final stages, paying premium prices for low-ROI upgrades (lighting, paint) and skipping high-ROI upgrades (floors, structured wiring), and not understanding the warranty terms. We walk you through all of these before you write an offer.

Can my agent negotiate with the builder?

Yes — though new-construction negotiations look different from resale. List prices on standing inventory rarely come down significantly, but builders often negotiate on closing costs, upgrade packages, lender credits, and rate buydowns. The leverage shifts depending on inventory level, end-of-quarter sales pressure, and the builder's specific situation. We've watched our buyers save $15K–$50K in upgrades and closing credits that builders won't offer to unrepresented buyers.

How many new-construction communities has The Will Johnson Team toured firsthand?

Will Johnson has personally toured 80-plus new-construction communities across Sumner County — Hendersonville, Gallatin, White House, and Portland — plus active builder communities throughout greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Because we walk these communities in person, we can match you to the floorplans, incentives, and builders that fit your budget rather than relying on listing-aggregator data. The team has sold roughly $27.7 million in homes over the past year (as of 2026) and closes 60 to 100 homes annually.

Who is The Will Johnson Team and why use them for new construction in Nashville?

The Will Johnson Team operates at eXp Realty in Tennessee, led by Will Johnson, a licensed REALTOR® since 2013 (lic. #330494). Before real estate, Will served 14 years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Major, and worked as an ICU nurse and CRNA. He is RealTrends Verified for 2026 and has been featured as an expert source in CBS MoneyWatch and Bottom Line Personal. The team focuses on Hendersonville, Gallatin, and Sumner County first, plus greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee, and specializes in representing new-construction buyers — at little or no cost, since the builder usually pays the commission.

New Construction Homes

Build Smart.Negotiate Smarter.

Buying new construction without your own agent is one of the most common — and expensive — mistakes Middle Tennessee buyers make. We represent you, not the builder — and the builder usually pays our commission, so our representation is often at little or no cost to you. As of 2026, The Will Johnson Team has personally toured 80-plus new-construction communities across Sumner County and Middle Tennessee and sold roughly $27.7 million in homes over the past year — RealTrends Verified for 2026.

Get Builder Representation Compare with Resale

80+

Sumner New-Construction Communities Toured Firsthand

$27.7M

In Homes Sold Last Year

Since 2013

Licensed TN REALTOR® (lic. #330494)

2026

RealTrends Verified

The Builder Agent Myth

The On-Site Agent Works for the Builder.

When you walk into a model home, the friendly agent meeting you is paid by the builder to protect the builder's interests. That's not a scam — it's just their job. But too many buyers assume that person represents them and sign contracts that leave six figures on the table.

1
Builders reserve commission for your agent — you aren't 'saving' anything by skipping representation.
2
Your agent negotiates price, upgrades, incentives, and closing cost credits you wouldn't know to ask for.
3
Your agent protects you on contract terms — escalators, change orders, warranties, and completion timelines.
4
Your agent coordinates independent inspections at pre-drywall and final walkthrough — the builder's inspection isn't enough.
5
Your agent ensures your earnest money is protected if the build is delayed or defective.

Important

Talk to Us Before You Sign

Already walked into a model home? You can still bring us in — but do not sign anythinguntil you do. Once you sign, you've locked yourself out of representation on that builder.

Call Before You Sign

Middle Tennessee Communities

Active New Construction Markets

A snapshot of the most active new construction communities we're representing clients in right now.

Sumner County communities Williamson County communities Wilson County communities Davidson County communities Rutherford County communities Maury County communities Builder incentives tracker Get your own new-construction agent Montgomery County communities

Community-by-community guides — Hendersonville, Gallatin, White House & Portland (Sumner); Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville & Spring Hill (Williamson); Mount Juliet & Lebanon (Wilson); Murfreesboro & Smyrna (Rutherford); Spring Hill, Columbia & Mount Pleasant (Maury); Clarksville & Sango (Montgomery) — each with a quiz and comparison tool.

Westhaven

Franklin

$900K – $3M+

Various

Classic Southern, traditional

Berry Farms

Franklin

$700K – $1.5M

Various

Mixed-use village

Bent Creek

Nolensville

$550K – $900K

Drees

Walkable, amenity-rich

Taramore

Brentwood

$1.2M – $3M+

Various

Luxury executive

Tollgate Village

Thompson's Station

$650K – $1.2M

Various

Traditional neighborhood

Wade's Grove

Spring Hill

$400K – $700K

Multiple

Value-priced new builds

Durham Farms

Hendersonville

$450K – $800K

Freehold

Resort amenities

Bridgemore Village

Mount Juliet

$500K – $900K

Various

Master-planned community

Don't see a community you're considering? We cover every active builder in Middle Tennessee — call to ask about any development.

Your Pre-Tour Checklist

Before You Tour Model Homes

Follow this checklist and you'll avoid the biggest mistakes new-construction buyers make.

01.Call us before your first model home visit — even a phone call establishes representation.

02.Bring us to the first appointment, or register our name with the builder in advance.

03.Never sign anything — even a 'registration card' — without clarifying it's not a purchase contract.

04.Ask about builder incentives, closing cost credits, and lot premiums before negotiating price.

05.Get your financing pre-approved with a lender independent of the builder's preferred lender.

06.Plan for a pre-drywall inspection — the single most valuable inspection in new construction.

07.Review the builder's warranty carefully — most issues show up in year one.

08.Document every upgrade and change order in writing, with price and delivery timeline.

Call Before You Sign

“Bring your own agent to new construction before you sign, and the builder usually still pays the commission. A represented buyer routinely lands upgrades, closing credits, and contract protections an unrepresented buyer never thinks to ask for — at little or no cost to you.”

Will Johnson

The Will Johnson Team · New-Construction Representation

Guides & Data

What new construction actually costs — and how to buy it right

Dated, sourced research from our own community-by-community datasets. No forecasts — just what the numbers say right now, and how buyer representation changes the outcome.

Cost of new construction by county

Starting prices vs. county medians across Middle Tennessee — the biggest driver is which county you build in.

Read the guide

New construction vs. resale

The real trade-offs and numbers: price per square foot, 2026 builder incentives, warranty, speed, and location.

Read the guide

Why you need your own agent

The on-site rep works for the builder. Here's what builder contracts say — and why your own agent costs little or no cost.

Read the guide

Looking at Resale Too?

Compare New Construction Against Resale.

Many buyers compare new construction side-by-side with resale. We run that comparison for you honestly — sometimes resale wins, sometimes new does. Let's talk through the math.

Buyer Services Explore Neighborhoods

Builder Representation

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Tell us which builder or community you're considering — we'll be in touch before you sign anything.

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