Any recommendations for someone looking to (possibly) build a house in the greater Houston area? Simialrly, which builders should I avoid? I should add that I wouldn't want to spend more than $200,000 on the house. Thnx
I bought a 60 year old house in an older neighborhood, but I have friends who have gone through what you are about to go through. The one thing they all said was to avoid Perry Homes. I've heard nothing but horror stories about this company from many people.
I would recommend not buying any upgrades from home builders and to do them afterwards via aftermarket (i.e. granite countertops, bathroom shower upgrades, vanity countertops, hardwood floors, etc.). Home builders work a lot like car dealerships, they will up charge you on upgrades to be done through them, but it is cheaper to get those same upgrade (if not better) for cheaper via a car audio/accessories shop. Stay basic on through the home builders and then upgrade afterwards. Just my 2 cents though
I wouldn't recommend Fox and Jacobs - I grew up in one of those homes. I'm in a Choice home now and its okay - not great, but okay. That being said - I'll never move into another "Starter Neighborhood" again. Someone once told me that starter neighborhoods are nothing but trailer parks without wheels - I believe it now. Only about half the people care about how their house/yard looks, and as the original homeowners move out, the less people care about their homes. My next house will be in an established neighborhood - it may cost a little more, but you can already see what the neighbors are like. Another thing - I really would encourage you to have a 15yr mortgage instead of a 30yr - I may cost a little more each month, but it will save a LOT in the long run, and you'll have the house paid off sooner (we'll have ours paid off before the kids go to college).
Where are you looking to build? There are a million builders building in Houston but most new neighborhoods are limited to 2 or 3. To each his own, but I would recommend the exact opposite. Why would you want to buy a house and then start totally remodeling it the day after you close? Plus none of your after-closing upgrades are going to be covered under your home warranty. And why not add the cost of upgrades to your mortgage? Too lazy to do the math, but a $5K upgrade only ends up adding a few dollars to you monthly payment on a 30-year mortgage. And finally, most people never get around to upgrading the things they say they're going to upgrade after closing. I sure haven't. Why not take a 30-year and pay it like a 15? That gives you some breathing room if something bad happens like a layoff or a huge medical expense, etc.
As someone who has done business with Trendmaker for years and years, this statement is baffling. Trendmaker (along with David Weekley) always leads the pack in terms of customer service, and quality of product.
I don't have too specific a place picked out yet. I work in the energy corridor and would like to have a commute of 30 minutes or less. I looked in Richmond yesterday at neighborhoods Westheimer Lakes and Lakes of Tierra Bella (or something like that). I like a small-town feel (due to my years in Huntsville) and that's why I looked at Richmond. Ideally, I'd have a big ass piece of land with a ~15-20 minute commute to work, but that doesn't seem realistic. So I have to settle for something else. So I guess Richmond, Katy, and Fulshear (if that isn't too crappy; I've never been out there). In a JD Power Associates study in 2010 of Houston area builders, Trendmaker was voted the very best. But I think they're out of my price range.
I agree all around. Particularly about the 30 year mortgage and pay it like a 15. As long as you are disciplined to do it this is a great strategy.
Whichever builder you choose, hire an inspection company to inspect the home as it's being built. I think before they pour the slab, before the drywall goes in, and while they are working on the roof are the optimal times to get it checked out. That way you are making sure the house is built correctly as it's going up. Might be costly to send someone out 3 times, but worth it in the end. As far as which builder...if you look for complaints about any builder online, you'll find some. No matter the builder, there is some people out there pissed off at them enough to post about it online. A good example is the argument in here about Trendmaker...they have a reputation as a high-quality, expensive builder, but someone in here doesn't like them. Take it with a grain of salt. I'd just get to know the construction manager for whoever you choose very well and work closely with him during the build. The more you follow it while it's built, the better chance you'll have at having a quality home.
as someone who did business with them this statement is baffling too. FWIW my mothers dying wish to anyone that would listen was to 'not buy from trendmaker'. There were just a few things at that moment that were important to her, and that was one of them. Think about that for a second... another one was to 'never buy a buick' but that wasnt a deathbed wish. So very shoddy work and lies. The house was a piece of crap. Lord knows since I lived in it and dealt with the disaster after she died. Go ahead and call mine anecdotal ,and I will call yours the same. They LIED about adjacent property at time of sale too, all very slimey stuff. If I cared more I might get into it more but the OP was asking a question calm down trendmaker fanboys. So yeah OP please take my moms dying words and do yourself a favor and avoid trendmaker... or not.. just relaying my story. When you are sitting in dog **** in your trendmaker home that's falling apart, just remember the ghost of my mother in your ear 'DONT BUY TRENDMAKER !! ARRGGH'. I'm joking ..just saying why go there when there are other options? my 2 cents
good call. Might cost $150 each visit but 3 or 4 visits through the cycle might be the best $1000 you'll spend.
I built with Chesmar in Hunter's Creek. Good builder, good neighborhood.. Offer 1/2 acre lots if you want them.. Good drive about 20-25 morning drive to Downtown. Downside people are ignorant and look at you weird when you say you live in Baytown.
Good post. I've gone both routes (upgrades done by builder vs. have them done later) and the amount I have come out of my pocket has been painful doing the latter. I would rather roll it in with the more payment next time.
I also don't feel the need to get too deeply into this, but I do feel the need to let you know that 1) I am not a fanboy and 2) my experience is FAR from anecdotal. I deal with them (along with about 75% of all the major builders in the city) on a daily basis. There are quite a few posters on this board who can corroborate what I do for a living, and I think it's safe to say that I am probably one of the more (if not the most) knowledgeable posters on the board when it comes to home builders in Houston. However, I am very sorry to hear about your bad experience with Trendmaker. It's always interesting to hear both sides of the coin, and it's unfortunate that your relationship with them is on the not-so-good side.
Hi there. Can you please tell me about KB homes? They look like they make affordable homes for people who don't have much. The floor plans look spacious for the prices in some of their neighborhoods. We're looking at homes around 130s.
