When it comes to buying a new construction home in the Fort Hood, Texas area, there are many Killeen home builders and several new home subdivisions in Central Texas from which to choose. Some of the considerations when preparing to select a new Killeen home are cost, location and amenities, but when deciding on a Killeen home builder you will also want to consider the builder's financial stabillity, history and reputation in the community and their customer satisfaction record including and concessions that they may be offering.

Let's talk about the new home you want to buy. Are you wanting to purchase a newly constructed home in the builder's inventory (a spec home) or do you want to have a home custom built to your exact specifications (a custom home)? There are pros and cons to each. One benefit to buying a Killeen home builder's spec home is the home is ready, or near ready for move in. Spec homes are generally priced lower than custom built homes because the Killeen home builder is able to build several very similar homes in close proximity to one another to keep the costs down. In some cases, you can get the benefit of a spec home while still getting some custom built home features. Depending on how early in the process you contract for the new home, you might be able to make some slight structural changes, choose your amenities, colors, etc. A full blown custom home would be a home built by a Killeen home builder designed by you and like no other built on your lot, or a lot of your choice. You will pay significantly more for a custom home but you will get EXACTLY what you want in a new home.

The next thing to consider is whether you want to use a local Killeen home builder or one of the national home builders in the Killeen home market. The differences are basically price and choices. In the case of a national home builder, you will probably be restricted to their subdivisions and the plans that they are building in those subdivisions. You may lack the individuality you desire since a subdivision may be limited to ten or so floorplans and they will not make changes to the floorplans they build. You may live in a house that looks slightly different than your neighbor's from the outside, but once inside it is all too familiar. The issue of price is the one that troubles me. Many times they will get you in with what seem like extraordinary pricing and then they will nickel and dime you until you're paying the same or more than other local Killeen home builders. Some examples of “upgrades” are a larger than 8' x 8' and/or covered patio, fireplace, second vanity sink in the master bath, additional half bath downstairs, ceramic tile flooring instead of rolled vinyl, carpet higher than builder grade, two-tone paint, and the list goes on and on. So basically you get a stripped down home for the advertised price or you pay oh so much more for a decent home with what would be standard features from most local Killeen home builders.

In the end, whether you choose a local Killeen home builder of a large national home builder, there are a number of things to consider. You'll want to do your “home” work and you'll want to find a real estate professional to guide, advise and assist you. When it is time for you to purchase your new home from a Killeen home builder, give me a call or send me an email and I will be happy to provide you with information, advice and opinions.