Plain-English answers to the most common questions from Texas new construction home buyers.
The register-first rule, builder contracts, design center upgrades, inspection rights, and how your closing credit is calculated — all before you tour a model home.
Read the guide →The NAR settlement changed buyer representation across all of real estate — including new construction. Here's what Texas new-build buyers need to understand about builder agents, buyer agreements, and commission structures.
Read the guide →A practical decision framework for DFW buyers: compare price per sqft, move-in timelines, condition risks, builder warranties, and negotiation dynamics for both paths.
Read the guide →Spec homes close faster and cost less to customize; to-be-built homes take longer but let you design from scratch. Here is how to choose.
Read the guide →Structural options, appliance packages, lot premiums, and closing credits — here's what DFW builders will actually flex on at the design center, and what to save for later.
Read the guide →Builders rarely discount base price, but closing costs, upgrades, lot premiums, and incentive packages are often negotiable. Here is how.
Read the guide →Completion timeline, earnest money refunds, third-party inspection rights, outside agent registration — what to ask before you put money down.
Read the guide →1-year workmanship, 2-year systems, 10-year structural — what each warranty tier covers and how to use it before it expires.
Read the guide →How up-to-2% outside-agent closing credits work in Texas new builds, who is eligible, and what lender approval actually means.
Read the guide →Upgrades are financed differently from your base loan — here is how to add them without triggering a loan requalification or approval gap.
Read the guide →Structural changes must come from the builder; cosmetic upgrades often cost less post-closing. Here is how to sort the two and spend wisely.
Read the guide →Rate buydowns, closing cost credits, and design center allowances — how to convert each to a dollar value and compare them accurately.
Read the guide →MUD taxes, PID assessments, and HOA dues can add hundreds per month beyond your mortgage — here is what each one is and how to look it up.
Read the guide →Three inspection windows, one chance each — here is when to schedule them and what each one covers in a Texas new build.
Read the guide →Supply chain issues, permit delays, and inspection holdups — what causes new construction delays in Texas and how to build flexibility into your plans.
Read the guide →Cost overruns can quietly erode returns on new construction deals. Learn how they cascade from contingency to equity — and what to ask before investing.
Read the guide →A construction contingency is your first line of defense against cost overruns. Learn how to spot deals that are built to handle surprises — and which ones aren't.
Read the guide →DFW new construction delays — permits, utilities, weather, labor — can add months to timelines and real carry costs. Here's what investors and buyers need to understand.
Read the guide →Compare the top 8 DFW cities for new construction — median prices, active builders, commute times, master-planned communities, and what to know about MUD and PID districts.
Read the guide →Frisco is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. Here's what buyers need to know — home prices, school districts, master-planned communities, and new construction tips.
Read the guide →Prosper is one of DFW's fastest-growing suburbs — large lots, top-rated schools, and new master-planned communities. Here's what serious buyers need to know before shopping.
Read the guide →Celina is booming with new construction from $420K–$700K — some of the most affordable new homes in North Texas. Here's what every buyer needs to know before signing.
Read the guide →Lavon offers new construction from $300K–$450K in Collin County with USDA 0% down eligibility, Lake Lavon views, and Wylie ISD schools. One of DFW's last affordable new-build markets.
Read the guide →