East Plano vs Allen (West, Howe: 2013, new house, neighborhoods)

[RedApple]

Which would be a better choice in terms of schools,community and resale after 5 yrs between these 2:

1. Trails of Glenwood house in East Plano by First Texas Homes or by dr horton (schools-mc call, bowman, williams)
2. Waterford parks house in Allen by Pulte (schools-cheatam, allen high, middle ??)

Also need builder recommendations in general..
Thanks

[RedApple]

need your help here guys

[dallas_cowboy]

I am interested to see opinion on this as well......

[Obamney1]

I have not been to any of these developments so my data is mostly virtual. However, Plano has better builders and better school district. Oak Point reserve & Bob Woodruff park are close by so that's a huge plus in my opinion. You'll have more choices and bargaining power with three builders.

[gymrat]

All are sub-par builders and on the low end of the spectrum in the housing market. Especially, in any area of the metroplex like Plano or Allen (just say any suburb to the north).

Resale in 5 years from any of these is going to be minimal at best, if at all.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Resale in 5 yrs of a new house in 5 yrs is likely going to cost you money. Between commissions, closing costs, and fix-up expenses you aren't going to make much on an existing house. But a new house now will be competing with new houses from the builder then and you will lose maybe 20-25% just to sell. Why pay you what will get them a brand-new house in the area?

[gymrat]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

Resale in 5 yrs of a new house in 5 yrs is likely going to cost you money. Between commissions, closing costs, and fix-up expenses you aren't going to make much on an existing house. But a new house now will be competing with new houses from the builder then and you will lose maybe 20-25% just to sell. Why pay you what will get them a brand-new house in the area?

Not exactly. We sold both of our first 2 houses exactly 5 years after purchasing. We built both in brand new communities. We made a profit on both after all commissions were paid, closing costs, etc. Builders make a difference. Builders mentioned are sub-par and will not see a profit if at all.

[Obamney1]

Originally Posted by gymrat

All are sub-par builders and on the low end of the spectrum in the housing market. Especially, in any area of the metroplex like Plano or Allen (just say any suburb to the north).

Resale in 5 years from any of these is going to be minimal at best, if at all.

I've suggested buying older custom/semi custom in West Plano but OP has heart set on 2013 drywall.

[gymrat]

Originally Posted by Obamney1

I've suggested buying older custom/semi custom in West Plano but OP has heart set on 2013 drywall.

I would take a 1970's custom/semi-custom ranch that needs updating before I bought any of the 3 builders mentioned in a heartbeat. That 2013 drywall from those 3 will be more of a money pit than the 70's needing update.

[keribeth818]

Im in the market as well and I just dont see the value of building in that price range. You can get so much more for your money in better districts in an existing home and the depreciation is already there. Make some cosmetic upgrades and in 5 years you have a shot at making some money, not losing.

If your heart is set on those two neighborhoods, then I personally would go with Glenwood. Plano is almost completely built out and I believe this is one of the last areas with any decent amount of building going on. Timberbrook is another. There's also the issue of commutability to the City from Waterford Park. Those extra couple miles on 75 could make all the difference to someone purchasing (resale). The traffic getting to 75 is already pretty bad up there, cant imagine in 5 years.

The elementary and Middle School for Waterford are both better rated than the two elementary and middle schools zoned to Glenwood. But those ratings dont tell the whole story. I think you have to look at the caliber of student coming out of the high school. Bowman MS in particular has pretty low ratings and we have ruled out looking in Glenwood and Timberbrook (existing) for that reason. But if I had to choose between the two I might take the lower price tag and lower taxes in Plano and go private for the middle school years. I much prefer PESH to Allen HS.