New Construction Guide

Building from the ground up,
the right way.

New construction has its own playbook. Different timelines, different negotiation levers, different inspections. Walk in unrepresented and you can lose tens of thousands. Walk in with the right agent and you get incentives the builder reserves for the buyer who knows the game.

TS
Prepared by
Tim Sherman · Your New Construction Agent
$16M+
Career Volume
50+
Deals Closed
100+
Families Served
6+
NE FL Counties

Northeast Florida is one of the fastest-growing new construction markets in the country. From Nocatee to World Golf Village to Oakleaf, builders are delivering homes at every price point. The buyer who knows how to navigate it ends up with more house, more options, and less stress.

Critical: The First Visit Rule

Tell me before you walk into a model home.

This is the single most important rule of new construction. If you walk into a builder's sales office without me, you may lose your right to representation entirely.

Why This Matters

Most builders have a "procuring cause" rule. The agent who registers you on your first visit is the one who can represent you. If you visit alone, the builder's onsite agent — who works for the builder, not you — can claim that registration. From that point on, you have nobody negotiating on your behalf. The price, the incentives, the warranty terms, the upgrades — all of it is set by the builder, for the builder.

The fix is simple: text me before you visit any new construction community. I'll either accompany you or register you ahead of time. It takes five minutes and it preserves tens of thousands in negotiation power. There is no cost to you — builders pay buyer's agent commissions out of their marketing budget, not your purchase price.

What Builders Actually Negotiate

The list price is just the start.

Builders rarely cut sticker price — but they have ten other levers they pull all the time. Knowing which lever to ask for makes the difference.

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Closing Cost Credits

Often $5,000–$25,000 in concessions for using the builder's preferred lender. Sometimes negotiable on top of that.

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Rate Buy-Downs

Builders frequently subsidize permanent rate reductions or 2-1 buy-downs. Real money on your monthly payment.

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Design Studio Credits

Free upgrades at the design center. We push for specific upgrades that add resale value, not cosmetic ones.

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Included Upgrades

Bumping standard finishes to higher-tier. Hardwood instead of laminate, granite instead of laminate, etc.

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Pool or Lanai Allowance

Builders sometimes include pool credits or extended lanais on inventory homes they need to move.

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Quick-Move Inventory

Spec homes nearing completion get aggressive incentives at month-end and quarter-end. We time these conversations strategically.

Tim's Read

Builders rarely advertise their best deals. The publicly posted incentive is the floor, not the ceiling. We come to the table with specific asks — and the timing matters as much as the ask itself.

The Process

From contract to closing day.

New construction timelines range from 4 weeks (inventory) to 12+ months (build-from-scratch). Here's what we manage at every stage.

01
Community Tour
I accompany or register you. We compare builders, communities, lot premiums, and incentive packages.
02
Lot & Plan Selection
Lot premium negotiation, floor plan optimization, and the contract structure that protects you.
03
Contract & Deposits
Builder contracts are written for the builder. We review every clause and negotiate buyer protections.
04
Design Center
I attend with you. We push back on the wallet-draining upcharges and focus on resale-value upgrades.
05
Construction Walks
Pre-drywall, pre-close, and final walks. Documented punch lists at every stage.
06
Independent Inspections
Yes — new homes still need inspections. I bring in a third-party inspector before final closing.
07
Closing & Warranty
Final walk, warranty review, keys, builder warranty registration. Then I'm still on call.
Where the Building Is Happening

NE Florida's build corridors.

Each corridor has its own builders, school zones, and price points. Here's the map.

Master-Planned Premium
Nocatee · Silverleaf
World Golf Village
St. Johns County. Top schools. Full amenities. $500K to $2M+. Premier builders and the strongest resale story in the region.
Value Family
Oakleaf · Eagle Harbor
Cross Creek
Clay County. Strong family communities at attainable prices. $350K to $700K. National builders, good schools, and quick access to NAS Jax.
Coastal & Beach
Nassau Beach
Atlantic Beach Country Club
Walk-to-beach new construction. Limited inventory, premium pricing. Strong resale and second-home demand from out-of-state.
Growth Corridor
Macclenny · Glen St. Mary
Northern Clay
Newest development corridors. Lower entry prices, larger lots, rural feel with urban access growing. Underrated value.
My Commitment to You

I keep the builder honest.

Builders are good companies — but they're not on your side. That's the job I do.

Honest Guidance

When something isn't right for you, I'll tell you — even if you love it. That's the job.

Boots on the Ground

I work this market every day. You get local knowledge no website or out-of-state agent can match.

Military Precision

Six years in the Navy taught me to track every detail. Your deadlines, paperwork, and follow-ups don't slip.

Always Reachable

Phone, text, or email. You'll never wonder where your agent is.

Let's pick the right build for you.

Whether you've already toured a model or you're still researching online, the call is free. We'll talk through which communities fit your timeline and budget, and I'll register you correctly so you don't lose your negotiation leverage.

Schedule a Call Email Tim