Pulte Homes (Houston, Katy, Cinco Ranch: sales, appliances, home builder)

[redraidersrule]

Im looking to possibly buy something in the Katy Cinco Ranch area and a floorplan I really like is a Pulte. Ive visited several places and asked them how long will it take to build. Pretty much everyone has said 4-5 except Pulte. They say about 3 months. They say they will have your closing date exactly and they wont miss it. And if they do miss it, there is no penalty for them. Seems to me they may try to rush it. Whats your take on Pulte homes?

Also any info on Lennar, Ryland, or Chesmar would be appreciated. Thanks.

[westres1]

I would check into Pulte's current status. I thought they were going to file bankrupcy. Lennar is a good builder IMO.

[City Love]

I few years ago, Pulte would consistently rank in the top 3 among home builder quality. I haven't checked recently.

[chris_ut]

Pulte is not the best builder. Also any builder who says they can have a house up in 3 months...well lets just say I would be skeptical. make sure there is no fine print on that time line, i.e. 3 months after the foundation is pored vs. 3 months from the time you sign on the dotted line. 6 months is a more typical time from from signing to built.

[Redrover]

I know nothing about Pulte but in this housing market I should think you would be able to negotiate a really great deal on a builder's inventory. If it was me, I would take more time to see if you can live with an existing house that a builder is anxious to unload. In addition to a better price than on a new-build, you could likely get some significant upgrades such as higher end appliances, maybe fencing or a sprinkler system. If you aren't working with a realtor you might want to consider doing that. They can negotiate on your behalf and get some goodies you might not be able to get on your own.

[desertsun41]

Perhaps I know about Pulte better then most. They buy my product and have to by contract for the next 16 years till the contract expires. I been working directly with the Supers as well as their Customer Service and nearly all their home buyers for the past 8 years.

Pulte is not in bankruptcy and not likely to even in this economic depression. They been around for 55 years since Bill Pulte built his first home in Michigan. They win the JD Powers award almost every single year which rates customer satisfaction. In fact they won more JD power awards then any other builder. You will see proof of this at the front door of any Pulte Home where you will find a 4" brass emblem put into the cement sidewalk. Pulte is also recognized as an Energy Star Builder which is not an easy award to win. Yet they been winning it every year that I worked with them.

About 8 months ago Pulte bought out Centex outright for $1.3 billion and now is the largest Builder in the USA. They are not as big in the Houston area as they are in some other large cities. For example Pulte owns Las Vegas with little strong competition.....Pheonix and Miami being huge markets too.

I would not be afraid to buy a Pulte Home but I can not figure out why they told you 3 months. During the heyday years during the boom they were building average homes in 3-4 weeks just like everyone else except the KB Builder and the Beezer Builder type cheaply built homes which I was seeing closing in 2 weeks. A custom home? Yea 3 months but not a stock plan cookie cutter in a subdivision.

[descovy]

Huh...

Pulte bought Centex?

In 2007 we visited a Centex model. The sales rep said Centex could build a house in 3 months. They were cheap but BIG houses (over by Barker Cypress/Clay)

So hey, maybe Pulte is doing it the Centex way now

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by descovy

Huh...

Pulte bought Centex?

In 2007 we visited a Centex model. The sales rep said Centex could build a house in 3 months. They were cheap but BIG houses (over by Barker Cypress/Clay)

So hey, maybe Pulte is doing it the Centex way now

Noooo Pulte is doing it there way. Pulte bought them.

Builder Pulte Homes to buy Centex - Los Angeles Times

[westres1]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

During the heyday years during the boom they were building average homes in 3-4 weeks just like everyone else except the KB Builder and the Beezer Builder type cheaply built homes which I was seeing closing in 2 weeks. A custom home? Yea 3 months but not a stock plan cookie cutter in a subdivision.

A home built in 3-4 weeks is ok but a house built in 2weeks is cheaply built?

[ssgmun5000]

Highland Homes told me around 3 months to build a 2100 sq ft home. After everything I have read including here I still do not know if that is too quick or not.