Opinions on J.Kyle , Trendmaker, Highland and Taylor Morrison homes (Howe: sales, new home)

[Hollywood Hogan]

We're looking in Cinco and these builders have caught our attention. How would you rate these builders and what are the pros and cons of each. Thanks.

[chris_ut]

Never heard a bad thing about Trendmaker and their homes have good resale value. Can't comment on the others

[RazorRamon]

Originally Posted by elroberto

All those homes will crumble apart in 20 years, good luck on your investment.

YouTube - ‪KEEP TROLLING‬‏

[cheryjohns]

Trendmaker, then Highland.

[a_guerrajr]

J.Kyle is a custom builder. I'm sure they do good work, at least they reflect that in their price. However those are risky at times, a lot of custom builders go bankrupt. I've seen Trendmaker and Highland, both have nice quality. I haven't dealt with Taylor Morrison, but i see they have a few cheap neighborhoods, which to me seems like they aren't quality 100%. Highland and Trendmaker focus on homes with luxury and if you are spending that kind of money I would go with someone like them.

[3a's]

We just built with Trendmaker here in Cinco, they were a great company to deal with. This is our third house built not here in TX but other states 2 other houses we renovated. I can say it was very relaxing while with other builders it has been not a joy. Jill in Cinco is great to work with, the builders in the higher end were great to work with, also. They believe truly in standing behind their product and they listen to the consumer which is why we went with them. You can walk into their model and everything is standard no upgrades so you know what you are getting when you walk in and then if there is anything you want to change you talk to the sales representative and the supervisor and they will get back to you if they can change that or make your wishes true usually for a fee.

[Hollywood Hogan]

Thanks everyone. The consensus seems to be that Taylor Morrison and to a certain extend J.Kyle are not on the same level as Trendmaker and Highland. How are they able to sell houses in the same 300-400k range as Trendmaker and Highland?

[a_guerrajr]

Originally Posted by Hollywood Hogan

Thanks everyone. The consensus seems to be that Taylor Morrison and to a certain extend J.Kyle are not on the same level as Trendmaker and Highland. How are they able to sell houses in the same 300-400k range as Trendmaker and Highland?

Different tier of product. Bright Homes has houses for sell at 120K and then you go to a different neighborhood and they are 300K , just a level of product.

I wouldn't rule out J.Klye, i would just be worried that a custom builder would be gone, but then again they usually build nice homes and great detail. I guess as long as they can honor any warranty I wouldn't mind. Not like a bigger builder can't bust either.

[chris_ut]

Originally Posted by Hollywood Hogan

Thanks everyone. The consensus seems to be that Taylor Morrison and to a certain extend J.Kyle are not on the same level as Trendmaker and Highland. How are they able to sell houses in the same 300-400k range as Trendmaker and Highland?

You would be amazed at how little research most people do before they plunk down 3 years salary for a house.

[HoustonBornNRaised]

Originally Posted by a_guerrajr

J.Kyle is a custom builder. I'm sure they do good work, at least they reflect that in their price. However those are risky at times, a lot of custom builders go bankrupt. I've seen Trendmaker and Highland, both have nice quality. I haven't dealt with Taylor Morrison, but i see they have a few cheap neighborhoods, which to me seems like they aren't quality 100%. Highland and Trendmaker focus on homes with luxury and if you are spending that kind of money I would go with someone like them.

Taylor Morrison builds several different 'classes' of homes, from starter, to semi-custom. The ones built in my subdivision were around $450k - definitely not cheap by any stretch of the imagination - not in material, or workmanship. Lots of homebuilders work in the same fashion. I'm in a Ryland - same thing. I'm in one of their Concerto class homes (I think they have four levels of homes?). We did phase inspections on it, and it's very well built.

FWIW, I sold a Trendmaker that was the biggest piece of crap I've ever lived in. Back when my house was built, they built homes slightly over the starter-home level. Now you'd be hard-pressed to find a Trendmaker under $250k.

Highland is newer to our area, but I would put them on par with Darling. I used to sell new homes for Perry, and when Highland came into town, Perry was nervous - and Perry is a good builder.

ETA: I don't think you'd find the same type of workmanship in a Trendmaker today, that I had in mine. Whatever you do, get a new home inspected, no matter who your builder is. Get a one-year warranty inspection as well, before your one-year warranty runs out. No builder is perfect. I don't care if you're spending $125k, or $1.2m.