Ryland in Long Meadow Farms vs Villiage Builders in Cinco Ranch (The Woodlands: HOA fees, home builder)

[descovy]

We are very interested in these 2 communities and homebuilders and looking to spend $220k for similiar floorplans with similar features.

Looking for any info on either homebuilders and these communities. Also we know very little about Lamar CISD (Long Meadow Farms) the schools would be Frost elem Brisco Jr and Foster HS

thanks!

[Guerilla]

Village Builders in Cinco Ranch would be better. VB is a better home builder, and it is in a better school district.

[HonieB]

Hi,

There's a website called HADD.com (Homeowners Against Defective Dwellings) that can provide you info on if specific homebuilders have had any serious claims against them. I personally checked out Village Builders (who built the home we just purchased in The Woodlands) and found (at that time) that there were NO claims registered on the site...most every other major builder had something going. This doesn't mean there can't be individual defects in any of their homes, just that there aren't any major defects being reported affecting their homes in general. BTW, Village Builders is owned or is a subsidiary of Lennar Homes, which DOES pop up on the site, just to be fair.

Anyway, go check out the site to see if it can give you better insight.

Good luck!

[Rema Deys]

[SIZE=3]I’m looking in the area too. I heard of a neighborhood called Lakes of Bella Terra. They have David Powers Homes around the $200’s.[/SIZE]
Lakes of Bella Terra (broken link)

[FalconRanch1]

Whatever you do , if you can move AWAY from the Long Meadow Farms/Bella Terra/Richmond area, it is getting worse, and if your budget allows your way better off in katy. The schools ARE WAY BETTER. I had a friend move to Long Meadows Farms, and the second day she moved into her new house her air-conditioning was ripped form its foundation and took by bandits! Plus their is a new Wal-Mart going in which usually makes house values go down, please dont do something that you might regret later!!!

[descovy]

Well I am the OP... we did choose Cinco Ranch over Long Meadow Farms. Our Village Builders house ended up being the same price as the Ryland house, after all options were considered and is much nicer. HOA fees were the same in each neighborhood. In Long Meadow Farms there was one large rec center... in Cinco there are 7. School... we liked near Long Meadow Farms the elementary, but were leary about driving so far (8mi ) to Jr Hi and High School.

Just something to keep in mind in all of Katy, it is a fast growing district... which means new schools go up and neighborhoods zone and rezone to different schools. All I can say is if you are going to move into a growing area, expect a little school bouncing and roll with the punches. We just got through the rezoning for Katy's 31st elementary and it was crazy.

[jewds]

We've lived in Long Meadow Farms for 3 years. We were one of the first homes built-Cinco Ranch does have better aminities. The reason we stay and like it, is because we've got a fantastic group of neighbors and love the peace and quiet. The subdivision is only 3 years into a 7 year plan and we havent been invaded by retail shops yet. I read the post about someones friend having their AC stolen, that happens in every new neighborhood, my sister in law built in SugarLand and had her entire house graffittied-we've never had a problem out here. There have been days when we've left for work and our garage door stays open from 8 in the morning until 5:30 at night. Days when our dog has gotten out and friendly neighbors walk him home and make sure hes secure. We like it, Cinco Ranch is nice as well so good luck. The only advice I can give is to buy on this side of the freeway-the other side Waterview side doesn't seem to hold the same value. Check out HAR.com or FBCAD.org.