What to Know Before Buying a New-Construction Home in Dallas-Fort Worth

What should you know before buying a new-construction home in Dallas-Fort Worth?

You need to look beyond the base price and model home. Evaluate the builder, lot premiums, contract terms, incentives, construction timeline, and community infrastructure before signing anything.

Why New-Construction Guidance in Dallas-Fort Worth Matters Right Now

The Dallas-Fort Worth new-construction landscape is shifting in ways that directly affect your buying decisions. On October 8, 2026, Century Communities acquired substantially all assets of HistoryMaker Homes, a builder founded in Fort Worth in 1949 with a history of approximately 25,000 homes built over 75-plus years, per the Century Communities announcement. The combined DFW division is expected to operate from Grapevine, Texas.

What does that mean for you? According to HousingWire reporting from October 2026, this acquisition is projected to triple Century Communities’ DFW community count, with annual closings targeting a path from roughly 200 to 300 homes toward 800 and potentially 1,000.

At the same time, Texas statewide active listings rose 7.4% year-over-year in Q1 2026 and months of inventory reached approximately 5 months, per the Texas REALTORS Q1 2026 Quarterly Housing Report. More supply means more leverage for you, but only if you know how to use it. As a certified New Home Sales Agent and Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) who has helped close over 148 transactions across DFW, we see buyers make preventable mistakes in new construction every month. This guide is designed to help you avoid them.

Understanding the Difference Between a Homebuilder and a Land Developer in DFW

Here is something most buyers never think about: the company building your home and the company that prepared the land underneath it may be two completely different businesses. This distinction matters more than you might expect.

The Mitchell family’s decision to sell HistoryMaker Homes to Century Communities while retaining Jabez Development (their land company) and ONM Living (their build-to-rent operation) is a perfect illustration, per Century Communities’ October 2026 announcement about keeping land. Jabez Development will continue developing selected communities for Century Communities and expects to pursue additional DFW land opportunities with the builder.

Why This Matters to You as a Buyer

A homebuilder constructs and sells houses. A land developer handles the heavy lifting before construction can even begin: entitlements, roads, utilities, drainage, and grading. When you visit a model home in a North Texas community, you are seeing the finished product of both businesses working together.

So what should you ask? Before committing to a new-construction home anywhere in Dallas-Fort Worth, find out:

• Who developed the land? Is the infrastructure complete, or are phases still under construction?
• What is the community’s development timeline? Will there be ongoing construction around your home for months or years after you move in?
• Are roads, drainage, and utilities fully installed in your section? Partially developed lots can mean construction traffic, dust, and delays.

These are questions that many first-time buyers and relocating households do not think to ask. In our experience working with buyers across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, understanding the relationship between the land and the builder helps you set realistic expectations about your community’s timeline and finished appearance.

What Is and Is Not Included in a DFW New-Construction Base Price

This is where we see the biggest surprises for buyers, and it happens constantly. The base price you see advertised for a new-construction home in Dallas-Fort Worth is rarely the number you will pay at closing. Sometimes the gap is significant.

Costs That Often Sit Outside the Base Price

• Lot premiums: Corner lots, cul-de-sac positions, greenbelt views, and larger homesites typically carry additional charges
• Structural upgrades: Extended patios, additional bedrooms, garage expansions, and elevation changes
• Design-center selections: Countertops, flooring, cabinets, fixtures, and appliances beyond the standard package
• Builder-required closing costs: Some builders require you to pay specific fees that would otherwise be negotiable in a resale transaction

Builder Incentives: Read the Fine Print

Century Communities ran incentives averaging 12.5% of sales price nationally in Q1 2026, down from the prior quarter, according to HousingWire. For perspective, on a $400,000 base price, a 12.5% incentive pool would equal $50,000. But that pool may be applied to rate buydowns, closing costs, or upgrades rather than a straight price reduction. The exact form varies by community, floor plan, and closing date.

What we tell our clients is this: always ask the builder’s sales team exactly how the incentive is structured and whether it is contingent on using the builder’s preferred lender. You are not required to use a builder’s in-house financing. You can shop outside lenders, and in many cases, doing so is worth the comparison even if you ultimately choose the builder’s option.

Spec Homes vs. To-Be-Built Homes Across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Not all new-construction purchases look the same, and the type of home you choose affects everything from your timeline to your design options. This is a decision point you should understand before you start visiting model homes.

What Is a Spec Home?

A spec (speculative) home is built by the builder without a signed buyer contract. Century Communities delivered 98% of its Q1 2026 homes nationally as spec, according to HousingWire. That is a significant number, reflecting both builder strategy and the competitive environment buyers are navigating.

Advantages of a spec home:

• You can see the finished product (or near-finished product) before committing
• Closing timelines are often faster than a to-be-built contract
• Less uncertainty about construction delays

Trade-offs:

• Design choices are already made; you cannot customize finishes, floor plan modifications, or structural options
• Inventory may be limited to what the builder has available in a given community

What About a To-Be-Built Contract?

A to-be-built home offers customization, but it carries construction-timeline risk. Delays happen for a variety of reasons: material availability, weather, permitting, and labor scheduling. Before signing a to-be-built contract in DFW, confirm what the contract says about completion-date delays and what remedies, if any, you have if the builder misses the target.

With 6 years in DFW real estate and a certification as a New Home Sales Agent, we walk our clients through both options before they ever sit down with a builder’s sales representative. The right choice depends on your timeline, your flexibility on design, and your tolerance for uncertainty.

Updated TREC New-Home Contracts You Need to Know About in 2026

If you are buying a new-construction home in Dallas-Fort Worth after July 1, 2026, you are signing a different contract than buyers used even six months earlier. Texas updated its mandatory New Home Contract forms, both the Incomplete Construction form (TREC 23-20) and the Completed Construction form (TREC 24-20), effective July 1, 2026, per Texas REALTORS and TREC.

Key Changes to Be Aware Of

• Reorganized paragraphs: The structure of the contract has changed, which can affect how you reference specific provisions during negotiation or dispute
• Updated brokerage-compensation provisions: How your agent’s compensation is addressed in the contract has been revised
• New governmental-reporting requirements: Additional reporting obligations are now part of the standard forms

Why does this matter to you? Because a builder’s sales representative works for the builder, not for you. Having a REALTOR who understands the new TREC forms can help you identify provisions that need clarification before you sign. This is one of the reasons we recommend every new-construction buyer in Dallas-Fort Worth work with an independent agent, someone whose job is to represent your interests specifically.

With 84 five-star reviews from past clients and recognition as a D Magazine Best Real Estate Agent since 2020, our team at Unlocking DFW has built a reputation on exactly this kind of detailed, buyer-first advocacy.

Comparing New Construction vs. Resale Homes in Dallas-Fort Worth

Should you buy new or buy resale? There is no universal answer, but there is a practical framework you can use to compare your options side by side.

Factors to Weigh

• Total cost: A new home’s base price does not include lot premiums, upgrades, and design selections. A resale home may need immediate repairs, updates, or renovations. Compare the full cost of each path.
• Move-in timeline: A completed spec home or a resale home can close relatively quickly. A to-be-built contract may take several months or longer.
• Condition: New construction comes with modern building codes, current energy-efficiency standards, and a builder warranty. Resale homes may offer character, mature landscaping, and established neighborhoods, but may also need mechanical or cosmetic updates.
• Warranty coverage: Most new homes include a builder warranty covering structural elements and major systems for a defined period. Resale homes typically do not, although you can purchase a separate home warranty.
• Negotiating leverage: With Texas statewide inventory at roughly 5 months and average days on market at 80 days in Q1 2026 per Texas REALTORS, you may have more room to negotiate on both new and resale homes than in recent years.

The mistake we watch buyers make in Dallas-Fort Worth is committing to a new-construction contract without first understanding what resale options exist in the same area and price range. A 30-minute conversation with your agent about comparable resale homes can save you from overpaying or choosing the wrong path.

What the Century Communities and HistoryMaker Acquisition Means for DFW Buyers

You may have heard about the October 2026 acquisition and wondered whether it changes anything for you. Here is the practical summary.

Century Communities, a publicly traded national homebuilder, acquired substantially all assets of HistoryMaker Homes, per the company announcement on October 8, 2026. HistoryMaker was founded in Fort Worth in 1949 and was headquartered in Grapevine, Texas at the time of the acquisition. The combined DFW division is expected to be based in Grapevine, with HistoryMaker’s division leadership and team members joining Century Communities.

If You Are Already Under Contract with HistoryMaker

The announcement stated that construction, sales, and closings would continue as scheduled, and buyers already under contract were told construction, sales, and closings would continue as scheduled, per the Century Communities announcement. However, we encourage every buyer in this situation to independently verify their specific contract, closing timeline, and point of contact in writing. A company statement is not the same as a guarantee about your individual home’s completion date.

If You Are Shopping New Construction Generally

A larger builder footprint in Dallas-Fort Worth means more communities to explore on paper, but it does not automatically mean better availability, more floor plans, or lower prices in a given location. Each community has its own lot inventory, completion schedule, and pricing. Compare specific homesites, not just builder brand names.

Frequently Asked Questions

What costs are not included in a new-construction home’s base price in DFW?

Lot premiums, structural upgrades, design-center selections, and builder-required closing costs are commonly excluded from the advertised base price. You should request a full cost breakdown from the builder’s sales team before making any decisions. The gap between the base price and total contract price can be meaningful, so always compare the complete numbers.

Do I need my own real estate agent when buying new construction in Dallas-Fort Worth?

Having your own REALTOR is one of the most important decisions you can make. A builder’s sales representative works for the builder, not for you. Your agent reviews the contract, negotiates on your behalf, and helps you understand provisions in the updated TREC new-home forms that took effect July 1, 2026.

What is the difference between a spec home and a to-be-built home?

A spec home is built without a signed buyer contract and is ready (or nearly ready) for purchase. A to-be-built home lets you customize the floor plan and finishes but involves a longer timeline and carries construction-delay risk. Century Communities delivered 98% of its Q1 2026 homes nationally as spec, according to HousingWire.

What should I verify if my homebuilder is acquired by another company?

Confirm your contract terms, closing timeline, warranty coverage, and primary point of contact in writing. While Century Communities’ announcement stated that HistoryMaker construction and closings would continue as scheduled, individual buyers should verify their own situation directly with the builder or through their agent.

How do builder incentives work in the DFW new-construction market?

Builder incentives can take several forms, including rate buydowns, closing cost credits, or upgrade packages. Century Communities averaged incentives of 12.5% of sales price nationally in Q1 2026, per HousingWire. The form, availability, and conditions of incentives vary by community, floor plan, and sometimes by whether you use the builder’s preferred lender.

Am I required to use a builder’s in-house lender?

No. You can shop outside lenders and compare rates, fees, and terms independently. Some builder incentives may be contingent on using the in-house lender, so ask the sales team to clarify this before you begin the application process. Comparing at least two lending options is a step we always recommend.

What changed in the TREC new-home contracts effective July 2026?

Texas updated both the Incomplete Construction (TREC 23-20) and Completed Construction (TREC 24-20) forms effective July 1, 2026, per Texas REALTORS. Changes include reorganized paragraphs, updated brokerage-compensation provisions, and new governmental-reporting requirements. A REALTOR familiar with these forms can walk you through the key differences.

What is a land developer, and why does it matter to me as a buyer?

A land developer prepares raw land for construction by handling entitlements, roads, utilities, and drainage. This is different from the homebuilder, who constructs and sells the house. The Mitchell family retained Jabez Development (their land company) while selling HistoryMaker Homes, illustrating that these are separate businesses. Knowing who developed the land helps you understand the community’s infrastructure status.

Is it better to buy new construction or a resale home in Dallas-Fort Worth?

Neither option is universally better. Compare total cost (including upgrades and lot premiums for new, or repairs for resale), move-in timeline, warranty coverage, condition, and negotiating leverage. With Texas statewide inventory at roughly 5 months in Q1 2026 per Texas REALTORS, you may have negotiating room on both paths.

How do I compare new-home builders in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex?

Look beyond the brand name. Compare base prices with all additional costs included, available floor plans in your target community, estimated completion dates, warranty coverage, incentive structures, and contract terms. Visit the actual homesite, not just the model home, and ask about the status of community infrastructure and remaining phases.

The Bottom Line

Buying a new-construction home in Dallas-Fort Worth is exciting, but it requires a different kind of preparation than purchasing a resale property. You need to understand the true total cost beyond the base price, know whether you are buying a spec or to-be-built home, review the updated 2026 TREC contract forms, and evaluate the builder and community infrastructure independently.

The recent Century Communities acquisition of HistoryMaker Homes is a reminder that the builder landscape in DFW is always evolving. More communities may be coming online, but your decision should always be grounded in the specifics of your homesite, your contract, and your budget.

At Unlocking DFW Realty, we have been guiding buyers through new-construction purchases across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex since 2019, backed by 148 closed transactions, a certified New Home Sales Agent designation, and recognition as a D Magazine Best Real Estate Agent and MetroTex 40 Under 40 honoree. If you are considering new construction, reach out to Jamie Simpson at 214-509-8094 or visit Unlocking DFW Realty. We are here to make sure you walk into that builder’s sales office with the knowledge and representation you deserve.