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New Homes / Home Builders

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INTRO:

San Antonio has a variety of builders to suit most budgets and tastes. In recent years the builders sell primarily "out of the ground" homes, keeping little or no inventory. A new home buyer typically selects a lot from the builder's inventory, a floorplan, colors and amenities. Many builders will have one or more model homes available for viewing and will allow prospective buyers to walk through other plans that are under construction. Completion time for building will typically be from 4 to 6 months depending on the builder and the time required to get financing.

At any given time there will be available a small number of "spec" homes from different builders. These are homes that were either built for inventory, to get a new neighborhood started, or were previously under contract to another customer but fell out of escrow before closing. Spec homes may be partially completed or "finaled".

Financing for new homes on the builder's lot is typically invisible to the buyer with the builder arranging the "interim" or construction financing. However, most builders request that you use their "preferred" lender to speed up the process.. Where buyers choose to go and purchase land and have a builder construct a home, the customer will sometimes have to arrange the interim financing. Buying a lot and independently having a home built is typically more expensive than having a home built on the builder's lot.

The role of the real estate agent in a new home purchase is somewhat different from a pre-owned home purchase since most builders do not negotiate price. Virtually all builders in San Antonio pay the commission for you to have an agent, so, you might as well have the service. While I cannot speak for other agents I typically direct my efforts to assisting buyers in the areas of neighborhood, builder, and lot selection and the relative merits of upgrade purchases. I try to maintain the longer-term perspective: "What will I say to you in 5 years when you want to move up and ask me to list this home?" Beyond this, I am an excellent expediter and experienced in solving financing problems.

Since there is no one-stop information source for "spec" homes, an agent who is knowledgeable in both the MLS (multi-list) data system and the individual builders is almost indispensable. Ferreting out specs is an arduous task.

The following list of builders represents the larger, more established operations, here. The information was provided by the builders. It is believed accurate, but not guaranteed, and is subject to change without notice. Because builders often change or add neighborhoods on short notice and smaller builders sometimes form joint ventures for a new series of homes, it would be very difficult to keep this list totally updated.

BUILDERS:

BENCHMARK HOMES,15600 San Pedro #207, San Antonio, TX 78232;
Phone: (210) 545-4655; Fax: (210) 545-6019

Building base: Local

Currently building in major areas: 3,14,18 (see area map)

Preferred lenders: Norwest and Home Loan Corp.; Other lenders accepted.

Product Lines/Prices:

Builder's Comments: "We are a locally owned and operated home town builder with over 40 years combined experience in principals Tom Chapman and Mike Bufler. No other builder in the city offers the level of customer serice and full customization that we do in our price range. That is our market niche! Honesty, integrity, and a sincere desire to offer the best home value in the city and to treat our customers as we would like to be treated."

JAPHET CUSTOM HOMES, 15144 Jones Maltzberger, San Antonio,TX 78247;
Phone: (210) 490-3990; Fax: (210) 494-2038

Building base: Local

Currently building in major areas: 6,14,18,27 (see area map)

Preferred Lenders: Compas Bank and First Texas Mortgage; Others on individual basis

Product Lines/Prices:

Builder's Comments: "(We are) A local custom home builder who has been building in the San Antonio market for more than 20 years. We specialize in the price range from $150,000 to $250,000 and primarily in the north central corridor. In addition we have a "build on your lot" program that allows even more customizing. Our product mix includes furnished model homes for viewing and "spec" homes available for immediate move-in."

SITTERLE HOMES, 3520 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78248
Phone: (210) 494-9192; Fax: (210) 494-5301

Building base: Local

Currently building in major areas: 10,18,25,26 (see area map)

Builder's plans on builder owned lots in multiple builder subdivisions

Preferred lenders: Partners Mortgage, Jefferson State Bank; other lenders accepted

Product Lines/Prices:

Builder's comments: "The first thing you'll notice about a Sitterle Custom Home is that there is a distinct difference. The comfortable and functional environment, strong architecture & design, impressive craftsmanship, and attention to detail are all part of the legendary Sitterle reputation for excellence and consumer satisfaction. The quality of these homes is such that many San Antonio homeowners will live nowhere else. Come see our models in Sitterle developed Emerald Forest and The Villages of Big Springs. Experience the difference!"

CONNELL BARRON Custom Builders, 5150 N. Loop 1604 W. San Antonio, TX 78249; Phone: (210) 493-3095; Fax: (210) 493-7161

Building base: Local

Currently building in major areas: all plus outside San Antonio

Preferred Lenders: 5 available; Others on individual basis

Product Lines/Prices:

Builder's Comments: "Custom, Quality, Home Grown in San Antonio. Building (with) over 46 years experience. Our lot or yours."

WILSHIRE HOMES, 14650 Triple Crown, San Antonio, TX 78248;
Phone: (210) 492-5595; Fax: (210) 492-7589

Building base: Regional

Corporate Headquarters: Austin, TX

Currently building in major areas: 4, 6, 15, 27 (see area map)

Preferred Lenders: McAfee Mortgage; Others on an individual basis

Product Lines/Prices:

Builder's Comments: Through years of experience and listening, Wilshire Homes has built a reputation for designing homes that combine uniquely innovative architecture with exceptionally livable floor plans. We talk to experts in the field, but we also talk to the most knowledgeable expert: homebuyers and families in search of their dream.

Through extensive research, we understand what families want in a home, and we use this research to combine comfort with elegance and sophistication. Open the front door to any of our homes. Prepare to be dazzled by the passionate quality and distinct beauty of a Wilshire home--a home where contruction, design and craftsmanship have been elevatted to a fine art and one of the many reasons Wishire Homes was selected 1996 Builder of the Year by the Texas Association of Realtors.

DOVER HOMES, 13300 Old Blanco Rd. #307, San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone: (210) 493-2494; Fax: (210) 293-2483

Building base: Local

Corporate Headquarters: Houston, Texas

Currently building in major areas: 2,14,15,27 (see area map)

Preferred Lenders: Columbia National and Broadstreet Mortgage; Others

Product Lines/Prices:

Builder's Comments: Our mission is to provide the customer with the home of their dreams, at an affordable price. From the marketing department, to the vice-president, we take every home we build personally. We strive to know every customer so that we can insure we match their new home with the home of their dreams. Quality, at an affordable price.

DESTINY HOMES LC, 12915 Jones-Maltsberger, San Antonio, TX 78247
Phone: (210) 545-2149; Fax: (210) 545-0669

Building base: Local

Currently building in major areas: 6,10,13,14,15,18,20,23,25,26 (see area map)

Preferred lenders: Dimensions Mortgages (Mike Hermes); other lenders accepted.

Product Lines/Prices:

Builder's Comments: "(We offer) quality home building at an affordable price. (We are) able to modify and change plans reasonably."

ACCLAIM HOMES, 12255 West Ave., Ste. 1, San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone: (210) 377-2266; Fax: (210) 377-2288

Building base: Local

Currently building in major areas: 16,18,27 (see area map)

Preferred Lender: Partner's Mortgage

Product Lines/Prices:

Builder's Comments: "Acclaim Homes is committed to making new home ownership a satisfying and rewarding experience. The Acclaim Homes team realizes that the experience is not complete upon move-in, but with the continual reassurance that your purchase resulted in the best value obtainable. To achieve long lasting value, Acclaim Homes uses only the finest materials and professional tradesmen. Moreover, countless hours are spent designing plans to meet your family's needs. This means optimum space utilization, good floor patterns, and timeless front elevations. Acclaim Homes is committed to your future contentment and comfort, and for this reason our motto stands: 'Building today for a better tomorrow.' We look forward to the opportunity to serve you."

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