Do I need my own agent to buy new construction?

A buyer is not required to hire an agent for new construction, but going without one means negotiating directly against a sales representative whose job is to protect the builder's numbers. Independent representation typically costs a buyer nothing extra to bring to the table, and adds a second set of eyes on the contract and closing timeline. Joel Boss recommends registering with a buyer's agent on the very first visit to a builder's model home, since some builders require that registration before touring.