"I'm Zak Schmidt, your expert in new construction homes in the heart of DFW. With hands-on tours of properties, detailed builder reviews, how to guides, and deep insights into community living, I make navigating the real estate process as engaging as possible. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, my channel is your gateway to all things new construction in the DFW area. I'm here to make your home buying journey both informative and enjoyable. I'm committed to providing the tools and resources to make your new home a winning choice. Together, we'll turn home buying into a smooth and rewarding adventure."
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Zak & Megan what would be your top 3 or 4 home builders you'd recommend...let's say to a family member and they are looking for the following 1) Quality build & least likely to need a major warranty fix. 2) Given any issues a reputable home builder that will be prompt to fix it 3) Has good equity growth & resale value 4) Beautiful home designs yet practical with functionality. Let's also say good value, doesn't have to be cheapest and maybe mid to upper entry $650k to $1M. Various realtors are covering top 5 home builders and interested to hear your perspective.
I would say if those are the things you are looking for I would go. 1. Highland- they have a clear style its evident in their quality. They service warranty in house when needed. Texas local. 2. Pacesetter- new to the scene here in texas within the last 6 years or so. But i think their executive level plans in that price point offer a lot for the price, and quality is there. the top 2 here are truly some of my favorite builders to work with and have clients work with. Customer service is great. 3. Perry- Carries a great design. Has one of my ultimate favorite one story floor plans. Lots of options in customization without being full custom. Texas Local. 4. If i was going to the southern part of the metroplex J. houston homes would be on my list. I have looked at those recently with some clients and have been impressed with what they are putting out. 5. Honorable mention would probably be coventry homes. Similar to perry with designs and styling, but a little larger builder. has lost a little of their uniquness after being bought out though by dream built homes.
Hello Zak, I noticed Mi Homes was not on your top buy for 2024. They are building new homes with good incentives. I checked the BBB reviews and they have not responded to any of their clients concerns. Any advice would be very helpful before before making a purchase. Thanks!
They are alright. I would say right around the middle. At the price point and the incentives they do it’s good. I think some of the big concerns come from warranty and getting things like that taken care of. If it’s them or a lesser builder. The challenge is always price vs value vs quality
What people fail to realize is that the increase in property taxes and investors buying single family homes is NOT an accident! Property taxes are a huge part of state revenues and families have limits to how much property taxes they can afford and if foreclosed on then the state looses revenue. Large scale investors, in theory, can pay higher property taxes and can weather the economic storms better than families so less risk of foreclosures. The increase in property taxes is the government trying to force existing homeowners to sell their home to an investment firm.
As a spec home builder, solid discussions. I would also ask for pre drywall pest control. Either have the builder or put in yourself. Borax is non toxic and awesome
I’m buying a Lennar home in the last phase. It’s in Orange County, so weather doesn’t usually cause delays. They were framing even before they released those models for sale. I wonder if I will close on time. Do those experience closing delays too??
I just closed on my Tripointe home in Riverside County on 7/8/24. Original closing was 7/31/24 at purchase contract. I think it really depends on the area and which stage the home is when you go into contract. My home was already framed prior to going into contract. Wishing you the best on this journey!
Zak, I’ve been watching your videos and learning a lot. I have a question for you. I am not the First Time home buyer you often refer to, but I have never bought new construction. I am seriously considering moving from WI to Gulfport MS, where I don’t have connections. I would like to purchase new construction, to avoid some of the perils of existing homes and will likely go with a smaller home similar to first time buyers. Can you give me some hints on how to find my own buyer rep? Should they accompany me when I go look at builds, etc? Will the builder likely still pay their commission or will I need to? Thanks!😊
The way I'm doing it outside of Houston, and I'm not sure Zak would recommend this, but I announced the realtor who is helping me sell my current home here as my realtor to the builder rep just outside of the Houston area 20 min away. He's experienced with selling but not a specialized "new construction realtor". I knew where I wanted to build/buy already though so I didn't need help with that part and he knows the process well both ways.
Regarding the fee, Zak covers this I believe in another video briefly, but the builders have a marketing budget set aside to pay realtors. It's not a buyer paid commission. I noted this in my buyers agreement. So it doesn't cost me anything and my realtor reviewed the contract with me and helped me find a couple of items I needed to ask the builder to confirm. The realtors can get incentives that increase if they sell more for certain developments . Think of it like a 500 dollar fee your car dealer will pay you for a referral. I guess that would be the only possible thing to consider - if a realtor is guiding people to the same builder over and over because it's good builder... or because they give better incentives? On the flip side, maybe the best builder in town can be a hassle for them to deal with and gives the smallest incentives or commission because their product sells by word of mouth vs needing realtors to bring customers in. I don't know just tossing some ideas for Zak and Megan to discuss 😅
@@coppermutant I saw that video. I didn’t know if that was likely nationwide, and how to find out. I will be buying out of state so will need to find a local rep. I imagine when I find my rep they can refer me to a couple of good inspectors.
Love the content! Can you please do a video on typical warranties provided (landscape, appliances, AC units, plumbing etc.) as well as which *EXTENDED* warranties are worth spending on? Would really appreciate color on it.
Wow, these guys are phenomenal! So glad we’re working with both of you on our build in Sonoma. I highly suggest reaching out to the team and they will take good care of you and your family.
We built a Coventry home in San Antonio in 2014. We customized a lot on the home - moved walls, added and moved doors, shifted the kitchen island, added outlets, and more. We knew the exact cost of all of it before we left the design center. Great experience and the house is super solid.
It's now July 2024. I'm not seeing the flood of buyers you're alluding to. Is the market bracing for a big downturn? It seems to be a buyer's market for a few months now in TX.
Dr. Horton has already figured into their budgets to cover lawsuits. It is cheaper for them to settle, than to build them correctly from the start!!SCARY!!! They build junk! Lower than KMART quality!!
Would love to see more specific details on the construction. I.e. Wind ratings, energy ratings vs competition, etc. Other than quick builds, is there anything to highlight about their design, materials, etc.
My girlfriend just purchased in a community with 4 builders, homes ranging from $400K to $900K, townhomes, single family & “luxury apartments”. She purchased a very nice $700K townhouse-across the street from the apartments. I thought ‘big mistake!’ There is NO WAY I would want my near million home across from apartments, even if they have a sign up that reads “Luxury”.
How do I pick a good inspection company on a new build to make sure I get everything covered? My inventory home should be completed in three weeks and closing soon after
Homeowners insurance isn’t needed until about 30’days before closing. You’ll be required to have that in place before we can get to the closing table but not until that point.
Lennar kept my deposit of $6k even after pushing out my date so many times and I no longer qualified. Also my home sat in chicken wire for months while the rest of the neighborhood progressed. I’m pretty sure I became less of a priority when I switched mortgage companies because their rates were high. Buyer beware.
Would you go for a townhome or a single home? Currently deciding between the Pacesetter TH & Trophy home in Elevon. Both four bedroom. Mainly for the price.
Both are good options. If I was single with no kids I’d go townhome. If kids I’d probably want the yard. From a quality standpoint both are good but I would give the edge to pacesetter. If you need help with that let me know I’ve sold with both of those teams out there so let’s make sure you get the best deal possible
It’s crazy, for basically the same product. I try and be positive about new homes but in some spaces in can kind of feel greedy on their part. I know things go up but still.
Depends on the builder. Some will cut the incentives off completely. Some will give you half. Just depends on that builders policy. 90% of the time those incentives are tied within the preferred lending company.
I haven’t seen the entire video but i wanted to see if you could point me in the direction of any videos you might have done that highlights incentives, tricks, and tips for cash buyers. Thank you.
I don’t have a ton in terms of cash buyers, but I can definitely talk you through it. At that point, you’re basically just asking them to remove incentives on the price and making sure all of your closing cost for title and things like that are covered. You can add a little bit more on top of those incentives off of the price if you are a full cash buyer.
Is it me or do these houses look exactly the same but are just subtlety different. I had an art teacher in highschool she hated dr horton houses and so i put a whole collage together with typical texas houses and with police cars but no people. 😁
My neighborhood went from dead home builder killed by dr horton by a lawsuit to bigger nicer dr horton houses to cheaper express homes to duplexes! Dr horton is Americas builder but all over the place. The hoa has cameras by my house but who knows where they stream to. And our local police chief was generous enough to give us tornado sirens gotta say thanks where its necessary. The thing is your in dallas and im outside of austin and the landscape is exactly the same. 😁 edit to say these houses are really architecturally sound and this house has gone thru multiple storms!!
Me and my family are looking at Dr Horton in the Orlando we heard a lot of things about the Horton builders how is your experience with dr Horton is the home worth it we are looking at the Hayden plan
@@b.noble2124 its a really good barebones house probably one of the better builders imo. thing is, you are going to want to replace the flooring, paint the walls and fix it up a little then just regular maintenance. i personally find these houses incredibly depressing looking compared to older neighborhoods, its just the aesthetic but it messes with my head. lol. if i was you i would look for a place that feels like "home" cause these houses are soulless and mental health matters. atleast add personal touches. but yeah these houses will easily weather winds over 120+ mph in a storm no problem though. people who complain about these houses it is usually not structural issues but cosmetic ones. hope it helped
What do you think is a better deal from your perspective 1. In the desoto area, a dr horton home for around 480k at 3k sqft 2. A Bloomfield home in gleen heights but in a phase 1 community. Similar home in size but a bit more expensive. 3. A Bloomfield home in the desoto area that is a bit less expensive, smaller size as well but is in a more established community?
I would toss out the Horton. Bloomfield quality is superior. My choice would be the Glenn heights in phase 1, especially if it gets the red oak side isd zoning. Phase one of a neighborhood that they are going to continue to build out is going to give you more appreciation. The price you pay today will be significantly lower than what they price at in deeper phases. So if you can buy phase 1 and wait the builder out till the are done to sell you will most likely come out ahead. And Bloomfield builds a solid quality home.
4:57pm. I’m buying a new construction home in a subdivision. Can I request any upgrades while the home being built. Example, can add a ceiling fan even if it’s not standard?
Depends on the builder. There is a certain point you reach when no changes can be made. And often times they will charge a change fee. In the case of a ceiling fan I wouldn’t do it. You can do it cheaper and better post closing.
But what if they did. Could you imagine taking the weekly Sunday ad and clipping home coupons and then stacking them on top of one another. It would be like extreme coupons but for homes.
