Looking to build a new home

[DigiSLR]

This post is just more of a speak my mind post, but I'm sure I'll have a few questions that some of you might be able to answer... so, here goes.

I work in Frisco (North of Dallas) and have been looking to buy a new home. I'm currently leasing a home and can stay as long (or as short) as I'd like. After speaking to my girlfriend (hopefully finace' sometime soon) she prefers to stay away from the city and enjoys the country setting.

We've looked at a lot of model homes in MAster Planned communities in Prosper and Aubrey, and Little ELm, but I'm now looking at the country option. I'm anal and I want to have a NEW home. We want to pick out the carpet, the paint, the cabinets, and do a few custom upgrades, so buying an existing home isn't in the plans. I'm also not knowledgable enough, nor do I have the free time available to build my own home.

I'm looking into buying some land north of Celina or Aubrey that would still provide me with a 30 minute or less commute to Frisco. The only problem I see is that I am having a difficult time finding any custom builders that produce a home in the 200 - 250k price range I am looking to spend. All the custome home builders are advertising 400k - 3+ million dollar homes...

Are the days of, buy some land and build a moderately priced home long gone? Has anyone used a "cookie cutter" home builder to "build on your lot"?

Anyone have any opinions or feedback?

Thanks!

[L Stegall]

I know David Weekley has (at least had) a build on your own lot plan. At our previous house, someone on the next street over scraped their little cottage from their current, already owned lot and used Weekley to build a new house.

[kenw]

there are some SERIOUS bargains on existing NEW homes. There may be a few that can be customized a bit depending on where they are in the completion.

[toverman]

One thing to note about your desired commute is that you and half the world in DFW want the same thing, so you'll soon be surrounded by more traffic than you could imagine.

Totally understand wanting a new home, but realize they don't build them like they used to. We bought a solid old house and have gutted parts of it to bring it into this century and our tastes. But that's a ton of work, so your way is probably better in your case.

[srwatters]

I think the custom builders you're seeing are on crack. There are more of them dying for work than you can imagine. First step is to find your location, then look for builders that have done work that you like in that area. Interview them hard and work several to get the price where you want it. You are totally in the drivers seat in the current economic setting. My brother-in-law is building a custom in Lakewood Village on the lake. His construction costs have actually declined somewhat. He will be finished sometime early 2009. The drywall went up a couple weeks ago and it finally looks like a house.

[Digigeek]

Forget what the builders are advertising. Find the ones that are building the style of house you like and then go talk to them about building a house in the price range you are considering. See what they say. A lot are looking for work.

The problem may be your expectations. We built a 2600' house in 2000 for $205,00, exclusive of land, landscaping, fencing, and other stuff. That was about as low as it would go then on a per foot basis. Land costs, material costs, and labor costs have all gone up. You won't get near what we got then today for the same money.

[bondarnes]

Matt, I know Scott Moore is a custom builder that has homes in the Aubrey area if you are interested. We are planning on purchasing one of his homes in Denton. He could build on your lot.