Quality new homes near Garland/Sachse (Richardson: real estate, home builders, new construction)

[New2TX2010]

Recently my husband and I have been looking at some new builds just Northeast of Richardson. There seems to be a good variety of companies building these homes, but I am finding less than favorable reviews and several nightmarish situations about long-term quality and service after the sale. How do you assess quality homes without shelling out the cash for home inspection and structural engineers? Is there a Consumer Reports of sorts for home builders apart from anecdotes?

[Rakin]

An experienced real estate agent who works a lot of new construction can give you the advice you need. There are only about 3-4 builders IMO under about $250k that I would recommend.

[New2TX2010]

Originally Posted by Rakin

An experienced real estate agent who works a lot of new construction can give you the advice you need. There are only about 3-4 builders IMO under about $250k that I would recommend.

Can you pm me your list?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Rakin is a RE agent who gets paid for his time and expertise.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

Rakin is a RE agent who gets paid for his time and expertise.

Yeah, there is nothing written just years of dealing with the builders.

I will say to go to JP Powers website for home builder rankings. It's not always accurate since the builders can sway the results but it's about 70% accurate.

Just pay attention to the very bottom of JDP. It's fairly accurate.

[jsafstrom]

Originally Posted by New2TX2010

Recently my husband and I have been looking at some new builds just Northeast of Richardson. There seems to be a good variety of companies building these homes, but I am finding less than favorable reviews and several nightmarish situations about long-term quality and service after the sale. How do you assess quality homes without shelling out the cash for home inspection and structural engineers? Is there a Consumer Reports of sorts for home builders apart from anecdotes?

Good luck in your home search. I just want to ask, though, is the $250-$500 for a home inspection really not worth it to you when you are likely going to spend at least $150,000 on a home? I wouldn't trust a consumer report or any other list for home builders ratings in general. Every home is different, even from the highest-rated company. Mistakes happen and things are overlooked during construction all the time.

You may want to look at existing homes as well, it can also depend on your price point as to what to expect - new or existing.

[carroll4628]

"How do you assess quality homes without shelling out the cash for home inspection and structural engineers?"

I would never cut a corner here while building a home, I don't care what the builder's "reputation" is. AND I wouldn't have the inspector come out only when the home is complete and you're doing a 'final' walk-through. I would have them out there a couple of times "during" construction. That being said, if you're only planning on living in the house for a few years < 3 or so, you could probably skip it as your house will be under warrenty for the first year anyway.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by carroll4628

"How do you assess quality homes without shelling out the cash for home inspection and structural engineers?"

I would never cut a corner here while building a home, I don't care what the builder's "reputation" is. AND I wouldn't have the inspector come out only when the home is complete and you're doing a 'final' walk-through. I would have them out there a couple of times "during" construction. That being said, if you're only planning on living in the house for a few years < 3 or so, you could probably skip it as your house will be under warrenty for the first year anyway.

I've seen a lot of issues that cost a home seller $$ when they sell that if they would have had an inspection, would have been found and covered by the builder at no cost.

Because they did not catch it at the beginning, they had to pay out of their pocket when it was resold since it was out of warranty.

[CREW747]

Check out Woodbridge in Sachse...a golf course community with New builds