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Old 03-14-2011, 11:12 PM
 
Location: Arlington, VA
3 posts, read 7,715 times
Reputation: 10

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Hi!

I am Houston bound in just a few more weeks moving down from Washington DC. I will be working in downtown Houston, but also traveling quite a bit for work. I am hoping to buy my very first home and it is exciting to see new homes in the 100-150k price range which is what I want to spend. Just wondered if there are any recommendations on builders in this price range? The biggest one seems to be KB, then there is also pride builders, foxwood, Hovnenian, or Lennar. They are also all over town, from S, N, E and W. I am a young single professional guy, and would like to be not more than 20-30 minutes from work/downtown....

Thanks a lot!!
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Old 03-14-2011, 11:19 PM
 
Location: The Greater Houston Metro Area
9,053 posts, read 17,107,745 times
Reputation: 15226
K. Hovnanian and Lennar over KB Homes. The other two are not that prolific in Houston. In fact, I would take a crew of crazed beavers on LSD before KB. Google KB - and read the results (not their web site).
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Old 03-14-2011, 11:46 PM
 
1,042 posts, read 3,247,396 times
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Lennar for sure over KB by far. I am not aware of Hovanian.
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Old 03-15-2011, 08:42 AM
 
Location: Houston, TX (Bellaire)
4,900 posts, read 13,662,468 times
Reputation: 4186
Hovanian is the same as Brighton I believe. KB should be avoided at all costs.
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Old 03-15-2011, 11:23 AM
 
Location: Houston/Brenham
5,819 posts, read 7,170,875 times
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I would add Postwood/Foxwood (same builder--different names). And Pioneer Homes, the less expensive little brother to Plantation Homes. Also, InTown Homes builds some close to the city townhomes that are a good value.
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Old 03-15-2011, 12:23 PM
FDO
 
105 posts, read 313,877 times
Reputation: 59
How about builders in Cinco Ranch and Sugarland? Are they good or bad?
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Old 03-15-2011, 12:41 PM
 
Location: Cypress, TX
1,975 posts, read 3,470,983 times
Reputation: 2108
I owned a Centex home for about 10 years and found the quality to be very good. The problem is in this price range the neighborhoods tend to go downhill pretty quickly. I'd probably just rent rather than buy at that price range, depending on the area you may end up losing a good bit on it when you eventually sell. If you are going to have one built I'd recommend having an inspection done before the drywall is installed and again before you close.
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Old 03-15-2011, 01:00 PM
 
1,416 posts, read 4,415,294 times
Reputation: 1128
Quote:
Originally Posted by kreeyax View Post
I owned a Centex home for about 10 years and found the quality to be very good. The problem is in this price range the neighborhoods tend to go downhill pretty quickly. I'd probably just rent rather than buy at that price range, depending on the area you may end up losing a good bit on it when you eventually sell. If you are going to have one built I'd recommend having an inspection done before the drywall is installed and again before you close.
x2. I have a friend that "just had to buy new" but had a pretty small budget ($160k). Ended up buying out in Pearland in a starter home community. Then the market went south, and now he is surrounded by foreclosures, and less-than-desireable neighbors who paid a lot less than he did. And deed restrictions are only as strong as the HOA that enforces them, so he is pretty miserable now.

I would get over the "have to buy a new home" (or frankly buying a home at all) in that price range, unless it is one with some potential for appreciation (which is based on the land, not the structure). Pick the wrong suburban neighborhood, and you will lose money on the deal.
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Old 03-15-2011, 05:07 PM
 
2,277 posts, read 3,938,922 times
Reputation: 1920
Buying a new car and a new home involves the same rationale and similar pitfalls, except you can move the car.
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Old 03-15-2011, 06:08 PM
 
1,534 posts, read 3,476,549 times
Reputation: 1296
Not to sound discouraging, but I doubt you'll find a nice and safe neighborhood that'll hold value, with nice well built new houses for 100-150k that is within 20-30 commute to downtown center during rush hour. Unless by downtown you mean just inside of looop 610.
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