New construction in Baldwin County means something different depending on where you’re looking and what you’re buying. A D.R. Horton production home in a Foley community, a semi-custom build in Fairhope, a spec home near the coast in Gulf Shores — each involves a different price structure, different builder contract, different timeline, and different set of things that can go wrong. The guides here cover the full picture.

One thing is consistent across all of them: the builder’s sales agent works for the builder. Having your own agent costs you nothing in a new construction transaction — the builder pays that commission — and makes a material difference during contract negotiation, design center decisions, and the closing process. Most builders require agent registration on your first visit. Get in touch before you visit a model home and we’ll make sure you’re covered from day one.

Start Here Based on Where You Are

Haven’t decided between new and resale? New Construction vs. Resale walks through the real cost comparison, timeline differences, negotiating dynamics, and the clearer calls for each situation. Many buyers run both searches simultaneously — it’s the only way to know what each path actually delivers at your price point.

Know you want new construction — where is it? New Construction Communities in Baldwin County covers where building is active: Eastern Shore (Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort), south Baldwin (Foley, Loxley, Robertsdale), and the Gulf Coast (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach). Includes the major production builders currently active in the county.

Ready to sign or already in the process? Buying From a Builder in Baldwin County is the contract-through-closing guide — what to watch for in the purchase agreement, how to approach the design center without going over budget, construction timeline realities, builder incentives, warranties, and the pre-closing walkthrough.

Figuring out financing? New Construction Financing covers builder-tied lenders vs. outside lenders, extended rate locks, construction-to-permanent loans, temporary buydowns, and how to evaluate whether the builder’s incentive package is actually a good deal.

Want a stage-by-stage reference? The New Construction Buyer Checklist covers every stage from pre-contract through post-closing — what to do, what to verify, and what not to skip.

What Makes New Construction Different in This Market

Caveat emptor does not apply. Alabama’s “buyer beware” doctrine — which puts the disclosure burden on buyers in resale transactions — does not apply to newly built, never-occupied homes. Builders carry an implied warranty of habitability, and the Alabama New Home Warranty Act sets minimum coverage: 1 year workmanship, 2 years mechanical systems, 10 years major structural. Your legal protections as a new-home buyer are stronger than in a resale transaction.

Independent inspections still matter. A warranty doesn’t prevent problems — it provides recourse after they surface. A pre-drywall inspection (after framing and rough-in, before walls close) and a pre-closing inspection catch issues while they’re still fixable at the builder’s cost, not yours.

Builder incentives are real but conditional. Closing cost credits and rate buydowns tied to the builder’s preferred lender are frequently worth thousands of dollars. They don’t automatically mean the preferred lender is the best deal — compare the full loan cost, not just the incentive amount.

Timing is the most common first-time new construction mistake. Builder contracts give the builder timeline flexibility. Rate locks, lease expirations, and moving logistics all need buffer built in. A builder quoting “7 months” should be treated as a best-case scenario.

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Why a Local Agent Changes the New Construction Experience

I work regularly with buyers in Baldwin County’s new construction market across all price points and builders. What that means in practice:

I know which communities have incentives right now. Builder incentive programs change monthly. I know where closing cost credits and rate buydowns are currently active, where spec homes are sitting and negotiable, and where inventory is tight and moving fast.

I know the builders’ patterns. Construction quality, subcontractor relationships, timeline reliability, and how punch list items get handled after closing vary by builder. That knowledge comes from being in these communities repeatedly, not from the builder’s marketing materials.

I protect your earnest money. Builder contracts are written to favor the builder. I review them with you before you sign and flag terms — earnest money refundability, escalation clauses, timeline extension provisions — that matter if something goes sideways.

I cost you nothing. The builder pays buyer agent commission. You get full representation at no additional cost to you.

Get in touch before your first model home visit — I’ll respond the same business day.

Milton Christ, REALTOR® | naf Cash Certified | Keller Williams Alabama Gulf Coast | AL License #172097