Breaking Ground: All Things New Construction

Introducing the New Home Collective: Bringing Experience, Collaboration, and a Personal Touch to New Construction on the South Shore Building a brand-new home is an exciting opportunity. From choosing the perfect floor plan to selecting cabinets, countertops, and finishes, there's something special about watching a home take shape from the ground up. But behind the excitement is a process that requires careful planning, communication, experience, and an understanding of how new construction differs from purchasing an existing home. At Boston Connect Real Estate, we've spent years helping buyers navigate that process throughout the South Shore of Massachusetts. And now, we're bringing together the experience, strengths, and perspectives of four dedicated real estate professionals through an exciting new venture. Meet the New Home Collective. On a recent episode of Talk Real Estate Roundtable, broker-owner Sharon McNamara was joined by Boston Connect Real Estate agents Mary Horton, Kristen Howlett, and Faith Bermingham to introduce their newly formed new construction team. The conversation went beyond announcing a new partnership. It offered a behind-the-scenes look at what buyers should know about building a home, why experience matters, and how collaboration can create a better experience for everyone involved. Four Professionals. Different Strengths. One Shared Vision. The New Home Collective brings together four experienced real estate professionals who share a passion for new construction and helping people find homes they love. Sharon McNamara, Mary Horton, Kristen Howlett, and Faith Bermingham each bring something different to the table. For Sharon and Mary, the decision to expand their longtime new construction partnership came from recognizing that their lives and professional priorities were evolving. Sharon, who has spent approximately 25 years in real estate, wanted more flexibility to balance her brokerage responsibilities, existing clients, marketing initiatives, and personal life. Mary, who began her real estate career working alongside Sharon, has experienced significant changes of her own, including becoming a mother of two young children. Rather than stepping away from a part of real estate they both love, they saw an opportunity to grow. By bringing Kristen and Faith into the partnership, they could continue building on their experience while creating a team with complementary skills and a shared commitment to client service. As Sharon explained during the show, the four agents operate collectively in their new construction business while maintaining their individual resale real estate businesses. It's a partnership built around the belief that working together allows each person to contribute their strengths while providing clients with a more connected experience. Why Experience Matters When Buying New Construction Purchasing a newly constructed home is not the same as buying an existing property. The process can involve selecting a homesite, understanding floor plans, reviewing builder specifications, choosing finishes, coordinating financing, and navigating construction timelines. And depending on the builder and development, the experience can look very different from one property to another. Mary Horton, who has approximately 15 years of experience in new construction, emphasized the importance of working with a real estate professional who understands these differences. Over the years, she has helped buyers navigate the many decisions that arise throughout construction, from understanding what is included in the purchase to managing expectations as the home progresses. One of her greatest strengths is helping buyers understand the process before challenges arise. Rather than simply reacting to situations, Mary believes in establishing a clear roadmap, communicating expectations, and helping clients understand what comes next. That experience can be especially valuable for buyers who have never built a home before. The more you understand the process before you begin, the more confidently you can navigate the decisions along the way. From a Floor Plan to a Finished Home One of the most rewarding parts of new construction is watching a vision become reality. Mary shared that she particularly enjoys the design process and seeing buyers' excitement as the home they imagined begins to take shape. Sometimes buyers arrive with inspiration photos, ideas from Pinterest, or a wish list they've been developing for years. But turning those ideas into a finished home also requires understanding budgets, construction options, and what makes sense to complete during the building process versus after moving in. Kristen Howlett described the excitement of working with buyers from their first visit through