How do I compete with the on-site agent?
You don't compete. You partner. Here's how.
Example situation
“I have a buyer interested in a Taylor Morrison community in North Phoenix. They visited the model home without me last weekend and loved it. Now the on-site agent has been emailing them directly. My buyer says 'the builder's agent was so helpful, do I even need you?' I don't know what to say without sounding desperate.”
Judgment —
Don't compete with the on-site agent. Partner with them. They sell the builder's homes every day — you sell your buyer's interests. Different jobs, same goal: a closed deal.
Reality —
The on-site agent knows the community, the available lots, the current incentives, and the construction timeline better than you ever will. That's their job. Your job is everything they can't do: comparing this community to three others, negotiating beyond the price sheet, reviewing the contract for your buyer's protection, and managing the 90-day build process so your buyer doesn't miss deadlines. Builders want agents involved — a represented buyer closes faster and with fewer issues.
Cost —
Your buyer visited without you, which means you may not be registered as procuring cause. Most builders require agent registration on the first visit to pay co-op commission. Call the sales office now and ask about their registration policy — many builders will still register you if the buyer hasn't signed anything yet. The longer you wait, the harder this gets.
Move:
Call the on-site agent today. Introduce yourself, register your buyer, and ask what incentives are currently available. Then sit down with your buyer and show them what you bring: a lender comparison, a community comparison, and your contract review process. You're not replacing the on-site agent — you're the reason your buyer makes a confident decision instead of an emotional one.
Real OneShot output — 1 input, 1 answer, no comfort