Do I Need My Own Agent for New Construction in Denton County?

You do not have to have your own agent to buy new construction in Denton County, but we strongly suggest it. The friendly salesperson in the model home works for the builder, not for you. Your own agent is there to negotiate, read the builder's contract with you and keep the inspections and deadlines on track, and in many cases the builder offers to cover that agent's fee. The catch: many builders only work with your agent if you bring them on your very first visit.

With builders pushing to close out homes before year end, we are hearing this question a lot. Here is how it works in plain English.

Who the model home salesperson works for

The onsite sales team is there to sell the builder's homes at the best terms for the builder. Most are great people who know their floor plans inside out. But their job is to represent the seller, and Texas law treats it that way.

Since January 1, 2026, Texas has added clear rules about who represents whom. According to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), an agent who shows you a home without representing you cannot give you opinions or advice about the property or the deal. They can tell you the size, price and terms, and that is about it.

That matters when you are deciding which lot to choose, whether an upgrade is worth it, or how much room there is to negotiate. Those are exactly the questions you want answered by someone on your side.

Do I have to bring my agent on the first visit?

Often, yes. Many builders have a registration policy: if you walk in and sign the guest card on your own, they may decline to work with an agent you bring in later, or decline to pay that agent. Every builder sets its own policy, so check before you go.

• Call your agent before you tour. Even a quick text works. We can register you or meet you there.
• Be careful with the sign-in sheet. If you have an agent, write their name on the card.
• Browsing online is fine. Looking at floor plans and quick move-in homes online is not the same as registering in person.

What it costs you, and the 2026 written agreement

Here is the part that changed. Under Texas law effective January 1, 2026, an agent must have a written agreement with a residential buyer before showing that buyer a home. TREC says the agreement must spell out the services, an end date, whether it is exclusive, and the amount or rate of the agent's pay, plus a clear statement that "broker compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable."

So who pays? It is negotiable. Many builders offer to pay the buyer's agent as part of the sale, and the National Association of REALTORS® settlement FAQ confirms a seller may still agree to compensate your agent. We put the details in writing before we tour, so you know up front what, if anything, comes out of your pocket.

The builder's contract is not the usual contract

When you buy a resale home in Texas, agents use standard TREC contract forms. TREC also has two new home forms, the New Home Contract (Incomplete Construction) and a completed construction version. But state rules allow a property owner to require its own attorney-prepared contract (22 Texas Administrative Code 537.11), and many builders do just that.

Builder contracts are usually written to protect the builder. Things we read closely with our buyers:

• Earnest money: how much, and whether any of it is refundable.
• Completion dates: what happens if the home is late, and whether you can do anything about it.
• Inspections: whether you can bring your own inspector, and when.
• Changes and upgrades: deposits on design selections are often non-refundable.
• Warranty and disputes: what the builder's written warranty covers and how disagreements are handled.

We are not attorneys, and we cannot give legal advice. For a contract you are unsure about, a real estate attorney can review it before you sign.

Yes, get a new home inspected

City inspections check that a home meets minimum code. A TREC-licensed inspector you hire works for you and looks for workmanship problems too. For a home that is still being built, we usually suggest three visits:

1. Pre-drywall: while framing, wiring, plumbing and insulation are still visible.
2. Final: before closing, so items go on the builder's punch list.
3. Before the warranty runs out: many buyers schedule one shortly before the first-year warranty ends.

If you are buying a finished home, the timing is a lot like a resale. Our post on how the Texas option period works explains the inspection window on standard contracts.

Incentives and the "preferred lender" catch

Year-end incentives can be real money: closing cost help, upgrades or a rate buydown. Often the best incentive is tied to using the builder's affiliated lender or title company. That can be a good deal, but compare it.

• Get a Loan Estimate from the builder's lender and at least one outside lender on the same day.
• Compare the rate, the points and the total cash to close, not just the monthly payment.
• Ask whether the incentive could go toward a lower price instead. Our post on price cuts versus rate buydowns walks through the math.

For context, the 30-year fixed rate averaged 7.18% the week of November 5, 2026, according to Freddie Mac. A lender can tell you what that means for your own payment.

One more check: many new communities sit in a MUD or PID, which adds to your tax bill. Read what MUD and PID taxes cost on a Denton County home before you compare two builders.

New construction in Corinth and Denton County: what this looks like

As of November 10, 2026, our site's MLS search showed about 1,390 new construction homes for sale in Denton County, with an average list price near $646,000. About 840 of them were still under construction, which is where pre-drywall inspections and builder change orders come into play.

Closer to home, Corinth had 47 new construction homes listed, from about $338,000 to $699,000, averaging around $492,000. Corinth buyers are often weighing a brand-new build against an established neighborhood like Oakmont Country Club Estates, where you get mature trees and no construction timeline. We are happy to help you compare both. You can also search new construction homes in Denton County any time.

Frequently asked questions

Does the builder's salesperson represent me?

No. The onsite sales team works for the builder. Under Texas rules in effect since January 1, 2026, an agent who does not represent you cannot give you advice about the property or the deal.

Does it cost more to use my own agent on a new build?

It depends on what you negotiate. Many builders offer to pay the buyer's agent, and agent pay is always negotiable. Texas now requires a written agreement that spells out the agent's pay before any showing.

Can I bring an agent in after my first visit?

Sometimes, but many builders require your agent to be with you, or registered, on the first visit. Policies vary, so contact your agent before you tour any model home.

Should I get an inspection on a brand-new home?

Yes. A TREC-licensed inspector you hire can check the home before drywall, before closing and before the first-year warranty ends. City inspections only check minimum code.

Have a question you want us to answer? Send it to us.

This post explains how buying new construction generally works in Texas and is not legal, tax or lending advice. Builder policies, incentives and contracts vary; confirm details with the builder, your lender and a real estate attorney. Listing figures are from our site's MLS search on November 10, 2026, and change daily. Photo credits: hero photo by D Goug on Pexels; inline photo by Samuel Cruz on Unsplash.

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