Buying new construction?
Bring your own agent.
The onsite sales agent works for the builder. True North Realty represents you — reviewing contracts, negotiating upgrades and incentives, and protecting you through construction, inspection, and closing.
@NCNewConstructionAndrea's NC New Construction channel.
Andrea Pennell breaks down the builder playbook on YouTube — mistakes to avoid, incentive traps, phase-by-phase timelines, and model-home walkthroughs across North Carolina.
"I've sat on the builder's side of the table. I know exactly where the negotiation actually lives — and where buyers quietly leave money and protection behind."
The builder's rep is not your rep.
Bringing your own agent to a new construction purchase costs you nothing — the builder already accounts for buyer-side representation. Skipping it just means the builder keeps that portion and negotiates against you alone.
The onsite agent's job is to close for the builder. Ours is to protect you — contract terms, deposits, allowances, warranties.
Builder contracts run 40+ pages. We flag change-order clauses, delivery dates, escalation, and financing contingencies before you sign.
Pre-drywall, final, and 11-month warranty inspections — coordinated on your behalf so nothing gets missed.
Incentives, closing cost credits, upgrade packages, and lender concessions — we know what's on the table.
Andrea worked the builder side. She knows the sales scripts, the flex points, and where models quietly cut corners.
Not every new build is equal. We'll steer you toward the right builder, phase, homesite, and floor plan for how you actually live.
Andrea Pennell.
NC New Construction Specialist.
Andrea leads True North Realty's dedicated New Construction Division — a specialized team within one of North Carolina's fastest-growing boutique brokerages, focused entirely on new construction buyer representation and community guidance.
What sets Andrea apart is her background: she has worked as a new home consultant on the builder side, which means she understands how the process works from the inside — the contracts, the incentives, the timelines, and the pressure points most buyers never see coming.
Whether you're relocating from out of state, exploring 55+ communities, building on your own land, or simply trying to make sense of a builder contract — Andrea brings clarity, strategy, and genuine advocacy to every step of the process.
Someone who knows both sides of the table.
Andrea knows exactly how builder sales teams are trained, what they can and can't negotiate, and where buyers leave money and protection on the table.
Builder contracts are written to protect the builder. Andrea reviews every clause — timelines, contingencies, warranties, lot premiums, and upgrade terms — before you sign a single page.
Builders offer promotions that never appear on their websites. Andrea knows what to ask for, when to ask, and which incentives are actually worth taking versus which are marketing.
Some builders limit or discourage third-party inspections. Andrea makes sure you get your own independent inspection at the right stage — not just at final walkthrough.
New construction homes for sale
149 newly built homes across Hickory, Newton, Conover & the Lake Norman area.
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New buildComing SoonWhat to expect, from first model tour to keys in hand.
- 01Discovery call
We learn what you want — city, school district, floor plan, timeline, budget, financing.
- 02Builder shortlist
We narrow the field to the right builders, communities, phases, and homesites for you.
- 03Model home tours
We walk each model with you — register us as your agent first, or you may forfeit representation.
- 04Contract & incentives
We negotiate price, upgrades, closing cost credits, lender concessions, and delivery terms.
- 05Design center
We help prioritize which upgrades add resale value and which to skip and do yourself later.
- 06Construction walk-throughs
Pre-drywall + final walk-through. We coordinate independent inspections at each phase.
- 07Closing
Final walk, punch-list, keys. We stay with you through 11-month warranty inspection.
Before you visit the model home.
The single most important rule: bring your agent on the very first visit, or register us on the sign-in sheet before you look around. Most builders won't honor buyer representation retroactively — and you lose your advocate for the entire purchase.
- 1Register True North Realty as your agent BEFORE signing in.
- 2Don't sign anything at the sales center without us reviewing it.
- 3Don't apply with the builder's preferred lender until we compare terms.
Register through Andrea and she'll send these personally.
Lot selection through final walkthrough — every step before you sign.
17 critical clauses to review before you sign. Don't skip these.
How to negotiate upgrades, incentives, and closing cost credits.
New builds still fail inspection. Protect your investment.
Side-by-side of Hickory-area builders — pricing, HOA, incentives.
Own land already? What to know before you break ground.
Get Andrea on your side before your first tour.
One quick note and Andrea will personally send the guides below and register True North as your agent — before you ever step into a sales center.
Service area
Andrea's home base — deep builder relationships across the Catawba Valley.
Rapid new-build growth around the 40/321 corridor.
Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Denver — LKN's most active new builds.
Broader Charlotte-area builders on request.
Talk to our new construction team.
Free consult. We'll match you to the right builders and communities for your timeline, budget, and school priorities — and represent you from model home to closing.
- • Personalized new construction listing packet
- • Preferred lender vs. outside lender comparison
- • Builder incentive breakdown
- • Pre-drywall & final inspection coordination
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