Every homebuyer needs an advocate.
Ellen Zetmeir is well-known to be an old home expert; her experience makes her a top professional when it comes to inspecting, selling or buying historic homes. But don’t be fooled. Old-home connoisseur Ellen also has amazing expertise in the new build real estate market. Her strong and feisty personality makes her the perfect go-between when customers are buying a new build. What does that process even look like? Let’s dive in!
What is a New Build?
A “new build” is a brand new, freshly constructed house, as opposed to a previously existing building. However, a new build is absolutely not the same thing as a custom build. In a new build, a designer and a builder have already drawn up plans to build the house; the homeowner who purchases the new build can make selections but will not have free reign over the floor plan or most architectural points.
In many ways, a new build is similar to a remodel. “In a full remodel, the house is taken down to the studs and the homeowners make decisions,” Ellen explains. “Those are the very same decisions you’d be making in a new build. The difference is using a new versus an existing structure.”
In order to make as many selections as possible, Ellen recommends purchasing the new build before or at least during the framing process. This way, you can include extra cabinets, adding a sink, choosing flooring and countertops, and even deciding on bathroom tiling. Apart from these larger changes, the choices you make in a new build apply to paint colors, lighting fixtures, curtain rods, door knobs, etc.
Do You Need A Realtor For A New Build?
In short, yes. Absolutely. A realtor will help walk you through the process, and most importantly, will be your advocate. Without a realtor, you’ll still be paying for the home and all your selections, but the extra money goes to the designer, builder, and the home’s realtor.
By including your own realtor, you might save money thanks to someone being on your side. Plus, it’s essential to have an advocate making sure the project is running on time and your choices are being respected in the house you’re buying.
Ellen Advocates in New Builds 
“I will be as involved as the homeowner wants,” Ellen remarks. “My goal is simply to make sure the homebuyer has a successful project.” Experienced in both the manufacturing and the marketing side of things, Ellen Zetmeir is the perfect bridge between the builder and the homeowner.
An amazing realtor, Ellen is also a talented interior designer. “My mother taught me color theory from a young age…cools and warms, all of it,” she reflects. “I can help with furniture selection if the customers want, making sure things are ordered ahead so they’ll be there in time.” Even better, Ellen helps homeowners understand the cost of the build. “Also, I help the buyers understand where to put their money to get the most bang for their buck. I don’t let my clients overspend in places they don’t need to.”
With a background in manufacturing, Ellen can walk the homeowner through each inspection easily. “Before you even start, before you buy the house, you’ve got to check your builder’s references. Know what kind of work they do, how the experience of working with them went, everything.” Ellen shares. With an almost famous list of trusted contractors up her sleeve, Ellen knows a thing or two about hiring the right people. These incredible connections plus her years in the real estate industry give her perfect insight to deal with foundations, sewer lines, HVAC, electrical and even cabinetry installations. “That’s the easy part,” Ellen laughs.
“The biggest issue is matching the homeowner’s and the builder’s expectations, right?” Ellen continues. “My job is to walk the homeowner through the process – and it’s a long process! Some don’t understand that the new build will probably take at least 8-10 months. And at the end of that project, you want happy homeowners and a happy builder. We achieve that with clear communication, financial clarity, and balanced expectations.” 
Homeownership Made EZ
Making real estate changes of any kind can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re purchasing an older home or looking to build your home from the ground up, Ellen Zetmeir has the experience and knowledge to best support your decisions.
Looking to buy, sell, or renovate your home? Call Ellen now or contact her online today!
