I RANKED The Best And Worst Builders Under $400,000

[@EzzeldienMohammed]

Thank you so much this is helpful!

[@WendyPannell]

I’m so glad to hear it was helpful!

[@olgahubbard1496]

What about Beazer homes ?

[@SumithDevulapally]

Great video Wendy! This is an awesome series with helpful info! I don't think I've seen another channel talk about this, thank you! Would also love to hear your take on new construction townhome builders like CB JENI. Thanks!

[@WendyPannell]

Hi Sumith! You bet! I like CB Jeni. They're probably one of the best townhome builders out there in terms of quality of construction.

[@SumithDevulapally]

Thanks Wendy!

[@mariusashorgbor4755]

Great Video. Wendy! Can't wait to the see the ranking on the Midrange builders.

[@WendyPannell]

Thank you so much! I just released it!

[@Bryan-yq9pz]

A lot of great insightful information Wendy, thank you so much for all you do that brings wise insight into these builders.

[@WendyPannell]

Thank you so much!

[@omkarkesavan]

Thanks for the great video. How abt trophy signature homes?

[@WendyPannell]

We are in the process of helping a client purchase a Trophy. I like the uniqueness of their designs but we have had some issues with communication.

[@Possum-smile]

Wow! This is what I was waiting for. Can't wait for more. Please disclose sheathing type for all reviews. THANK YOU!!!❤❤❤

[@WendyPannell]

I am so glad you said this! Sometimes I wonder if viewers will be interested in sheathing type. I will definitely include it.

[@rowlandramos4188]

I purchased Lennar, idk if I slipped through the cracks, but they have been a pleasant experience. Been living there since June 2023. :)

[@WendyPannell]

Yea for a good experience! I love hearing that!

[@lloydtoussaint8307]

Any reviews on first Texas?

[@WendyPannell]

Yes indeed! This video focused on builders in the under 400k range. My next best/worst video will be on the midrange pricing and will include First Texas homes.

[@lloydtoussaint8307]

@WendyPannell thank you

[@mamborena]

Impressive. You are so knowledgeable but gotta admit hearing the truth is scary about new builds. Not pleasant.

[@soreg310]

Purchased a William Ryan Homes, glad at least they were not the worst on the list! Haha. But I do agree with the comments. There was not much information I could find about the company related reviews (a lot of mix with Ryan Homes), and communications were not the best. The homeowner's warranty does have error although it was a minor issue and didn't bother me. Sales rep was very nice, but others were not necessarily. There were several occasions where I was told one thing but was done different ways and I was not informed.

[@WendyPannell]

Interesting! Was it a community other than Devonshire? If so that definitely develops a trend. I was so unimpressed with William Ryan homes!

First comment about William Ryan Homes I see. They are building beautiful homes for a VERY good price in Wildflower, but I'm afraid as I can't see any information about them. The good thing is that they use foam for insulation as insulated garage doors, and assure energy expenses average for two years. If you spend more than the amount they say, they refund you.

[@Possum-smile]

I hope Riverside, Doug Parr and Kenmark make the review list

[@WendyPannell]

Homes on acreage! Yes! I could include Couto, Elmwood, Canyon Creek and Mystic Oaks. I love it!

[@sabrinahartz2053]

Beazer homes?

[@VINEETBHARGAVA-v1u]

Central homes ?

[@WendyPannell]

Do you mean Centre Living?

[@aaronanderson9534]

Highland homes?

[@WendyPannell]

Coming up next! I’m doing the best and worst in three installments. This first one was for the under $400,000 price point. Next will be midrange, up to the million dollar price point - and Highland will be there. Then the third one will be the 1 mill+ luxury price range. These are so much fun to research I may go on to do the best and worst builders on acreage as well. It’s a researcher’s dream! ☺️

[@aaronanderson9534]

Thanks for the reply. I just went under contract for a highland homes inventory home at Cambridge Crossing. I got a smoking deal because I can close before end of year. I couldn’t find anything wrong with the builder, community, deal, or house layout, and other real estate agents/realtors on KZbin in TX place them high on their builder lists. I suppose that I am just looking for confirmation bias that I made a “good” decision, as I am first time buyer and am spending $100K for my 20% down payment in order to get a locked in low rate.

[@WendyPannell]

@@aaronanderson9534 That's awesome! I'm still working on their review. I do know 1 in 237 buyers filed a complaint with the BBB which isn't great, they service their own warranty which I like, and 60% of their local google reviews are 4.5 stars or higher. That's not bad, but Perry homes blows them out of the water with a 90% 4.5 stars or higher review. I am wondering this, if you were to not have taken anything the sales consultant quoted into consideration about value, how would you know it was a smoking deal?

[@aaronanderson9534]

For me, The deal is in the price, buy down or fixed interest rate, location, size, interior features, amenities, personal preferences, HERS rating, standard equipment, and upgraded equipment given with a discount with spec/inventory homes. I was shopping 3/2.5 (1800-2100sqft). My location is dictated by my job at Omni pga in Frisco. Valencia on the lake was my primary search location. In that area there is Beazer, First Texas homes, and Mattamy. It seemed that in order to get a powder room, which is a must for me, I had to pay $500K+ for any builder in that area or in any secondary area, which I looked at Spiritas ranch (little elm), La Terra (Celina). I’m in at 498 in the house I’m buying, which is in line with the other builders I mentioned, as well as pacesetter in the two other neighborhoods. I got a promotional rate of buy down to 4.25 1st yr/5.25 fixed for full term. For similar price, I could have gotten a better HERS with beazer in a 4/2.5 (less desirable floor plan) or a three car garage with mattamy. The sales reps at first Texas seemed obnoxious to me, and their plans were essentially all 4/3+ and hovering $600K+. These builders had no budget plans, and they had a weird policy of up charging north facing houses/lots. I potentially could have got a built home from pacesetter at either of the other neighborhoods for slightly cheaper and similar layout/features; however, La Terra is just a little too far north, and Spiritas ranch requires me to drive in 380(the worst road in Texas, other than i35E at waco). Lakeside at Spiritas ranch was highly desirable for me, as it featured 1/3 acre lots split in half by a retainer wall and forested area leading up to corps of engineer land, but to get the house I wanted, I was looking at $560K+ with no rate deal. I overlooked Tri pointe at Aubrey because I’ve always associated that area with Savannah, which I view as trash. I did not consider anything from lennar or any other “budget brands” Pulte and Perry homes at Spiritas ranch looked nice, but they are in the opposite end of the neighborhood, and my daily commute looks like 30+ minutes with that area. If I could afford 800K, I would have went with one of the three Taylor Morrison houses at the north end of brookside, essentially next to my job. Also there is Normandy homes at hollyhock, next to my job and expensive. I did not consider preowned homes at any price because I wanted a new home for my first home. I see highland homes as a premium builder, and the specific house is at similar price to what I view as mid tier builders. Cambridge crossings amenities smokes the amenities of any other neighborhood that I looked at with houses that I could feasibly afford. Information I didn’t mention yet: I’m single, my yearly is between 95-125K, I spent 2 years saving 100K, so 500K is essentially the max I can reasonably afford.