Best New Construction Near Baylor Scott & White Temple
Three builders. Three financing structures. One 10-minute commute.
Pecan Creek · Atascosa Estates · South Pointe — 76504
The three strongest new construction communities near BSW Temple in 2026 are Pecan Creek by D.R. Horton (from $216,990, permanent fixed promo rates via DHI Mortgage — 4.99% FHA/VA as of July 2026), Atascosa Estates by Lennar (from $223,990, Everything’s Included with Base Power battery backup), and South Pointe by Stylecraft (from $224,900, plans up to 2,577 sqft). All three are in Temple ISD within the 76504 ZIP code, carry no MUD/PID taxes, and sit 10–12 minutes from the hospital via Loop 363.
- Pecan Creek: Lowest entry ($216,990), 13 plans, 18+ move-in ready homes, permanent fixed FHA/VA promo rate via DHI Mortgage (4.99%, July 2026), Qolsys smart home
- Atascosa Estates: Everything’s Included (no design center), Base Power battery (grid backup post-Uri), SmartBuy forgivable DPA (3.5% down forgiven after 3 years), $80/yr HOA
- South Pointe: Largest plans (up to 2,577 sqft), $11/mo HOA, regional builder flexibility, 9 floor plans from Stylecraft
- Combined tax rate ~2.35% · No MUD/PID · All Temple ISD · Insurance est. $1,209–$1,480/yr
- Financing catch: All three builders tie incentives to their preferred lender. Outside lender = forfeit $10K–$25K in credits.
Video coming soon — filming in progress.
How Do Pecan Creek, Atascosa Estates, and South Pointe Compare?
| Factor | Pecan Creek D.R. Horton |
Atascosa Estates Lennar |
South Pointe Stylecraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Price | $216,990 | $223,990 | $224,900 |
| Max Price | ~$298,000 | ~$290,990 | $299,900 |
| Sqft Range | 1,156–1,952 | 1,269–1,922 | 1,262–2,577 |
| Floor Plans | 13 | 5 | 9 |
| Rate Type | Permanent fixed FHA/VA — 4.99% (July 2026) | ARM or temp buydown — 3.375% 5/1 ARM (June window) | 4.99% 30-yr fixed FHA (July 2026) |
| HOA | $169/yr | $80/yr | $132/yr ($11/mo) |
| Smart Home | Qolsys IQ4, smart lock, doorbell | Ring Alarm, Schlage, Base Power battery | None standard |
| Battery Backup | No | Yes (20–50 kWh) | No |
| Blinds Included | No | All windows | No |
| Closing Cost Credit | $10K–$20K | Up to $25K price cut + SmartBuy DPA | Varies |
| Customization | None | None | Limited options |
| BSW Commute | 10–12 min | 10–12 min | ~7–12 min |
| Move-In Ready | 18+ homes | Multiple | Fewer (more build-to-order) |
| Best For | Lowest payment, fast close | Tech-forward, zero decisions | Most space, regional quality |
| Biggest Risk | Warranty speed | Rate adjusts (ARM) or jumps (buydown) | Weaker financing vs nationals |
Data sourced from builder websites, DHI Mortgage, Lennar Mortgage, Bell CAD, and MLS records. Pricing as of spring 2026; promo rates re-verified against builder offer pages July 13, 2026 — incentives change monthly, confirm current offers with Taylor. All promo rates require owner-occupancy and preferred lender.
What Does $240,000 Actually Buy You at Each Builder?
Is Pecan Creek a Good Neighborhood for BSW Employees?
Pecan Creek is the math play. D.R. Horton’s permanent fixed promo rate on FHA/VA loans through DHI Mortgage is the only genuinely permanent builder-subsidized rate structure in Temple’s new construction market — advertised at 4.99% FHA/VA as of July 2026 (the spring cycle ran 3.99%). Entry at $216,990 with up to $20,000 in closing cost credits. 13 floor plans. 18+ move-in ready homes at any time. 400+ total lots planned. 10–12 minute commute to BSW Main via Loop 363. If monthly payment is your #1 priority, this is the answer.
Pecan Creek is D.R. Horton‘s Express Series — the nation’s largest volume builder running their most streamlined product line. No design center. No custom options. You pick a floor plan and a lot, and they build it the same way they’ve built the 17 homes before yours. That consistency is both the strength and the weakness.
The strength: the permanent fixed structure is real. DHI Mortgage applies the builder incentive as heavy discount points upfront, permanently buying down your rate for 30 years. At the spring-cycle 3.99%, a $240,000 FHA purchase locked P&I at ~$1,104/month forever; at July’s advertised 4.99% the same loan pencils at ~$1,242 — either way, the number never moves. Lennar cannot match this because their promo rates adjust or step up. For a BSW nurse or resident who needs payment certainty, this is the safest financial structure in the market.
The Qolsys Smart Home Advantage
Every Pecan Creek home comes standard with the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 — a 7-inch touchscreen hub integrating Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and cellular. Kwikset Smartcode 888 deadbolt, SkyBell video doorbell, Honeywell T6 thermostat, and Chamberlain MyQ garage. D.R. Horton covers Alarm.com interactive services for the first 36 months. If you later convert to a rental, you can manage locks, thermostat, and cameras remotely — a genuine landlord advantage.
The Teaser Rate Trap
DR Horton also runs separate campaigns advertising rates starting at 1% or 2%. Those are true temporary buydowns (3-2-1 or 2-1 structure) that reset to the standard promo rate after the introductory years. When you sit with the sales rep, ask one question: “Is this a permanent fixed rate or a temporary buydown?” If they hesitate, you’re looking at the wrong product. The permanent fixed product exists — but so do the teaser traps. They look identical on the flyer.
Honest Negatives
- Post-close warranty: Reddit and BBB complaints consistently flag slow warranty resolution. Drywall pops, paint touch-ups, minor fence issues can take weeks to schedule. The construction manager is managing too many homes simultaneously.
- Zero customization: Express Series means you cannot change a single structural or cosmetic element. If the floor plan puts the laundry room where you want a pantry, that’s the floor plan.
- Compressed lots: Production-level lot sizes. Your fence (included) helps, but side-yard setbacks are minimal.
- Not BBB accredited. Nor is Lennar. This is standard for national builders closing tens of thousands of units annually — not a unique red flag.
Is Atascosa Estates Worth the Premium Over Pecan Creek?
Atascosa Estates is the technology play. Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” model bakes granite, smart home, faux-wood blinds, and a Base Power home battery system into the base price — no design center, no surprise upcharges. The SmartBuy forgivable DPA (3.5% down at 0% interest, forgiven after 3 years) is the most innovative financial product in Temple’s market. The catch: Lennar’s promo rates are never a 30-year fixed — the June 2026 Temple window advertised a 3.375% FHA 5/1 ARM, and windows open and close monthly.
Lennar solves the problem most first-time buyers don’t know they have: design center shock. At other builders, you walk in at $230K and walk out at $265K after selecting the granite upgrade, the LVP upgrade, the irrigation upgrade, and the fence. Lennar eliminates this by including everything at the advertised price. What you see is what you pay.
The Base Power Battery — This Changes Everything
After Winter Storm Uri knocked out power for millions of Texans, grid resilience went from luxury to necessity. Every Lennar home at Atascosa includes a Base Power battery system (20–50 kWh, 11kW inverter) that automatically powers your entire home during outages. No generator. No extension cords. No frozen pipes. The hardware is free with enrollment in Base Power’s electricity plan (~$19/month + ~8¢/kWh). It has a 15-year lifespan, is fully maintained by Base Power, and integrates with rooftop solar. A Tesla Powerwall retrofit costs $15,000+. This comes standard. For BSW staff who cannot miss shifts during weather events, this is a genuine safety feature.
SmartBuy Forgivable DPA — Your Down Payment Disappears
Lennar Mortgage’s SmartBuy program provides 3.5% down payment assistance as a 0% interest second lien against the property. On a $240,000 home, that’s $8,400 in down payment that requires zero monthly payments and is fully forgiven after 3 years of on-time first mortgage payments. No other builder in Temple offers anything like this. For a BSW PGY-1 resident preserving cash for student loans, this product is transformative.
The Sub-4% Lennar Rate Is NOT What You Think
Lennar’s promotional sub-4% rates are never a permanent 30-year fixed. Read the fine print. The June 2026 greater Temple/Killeen window advertised a 3.375% FHA 5/1 ARM (6.618% APR) plus up to $20K in price reductions — fixed for 5 years, then adjusting annually on a market index. If rates rise, your payment could jump $200–$400/month in Year 6. Their promos also rotate temporary buydowns — a teaser rate in Year 1 that steps up from Year 2 onward. Ask your loan officer which product you’re signing, and whether the window is even open — these offers carry sign-by and close-by dates measured in weeks. If you plan to sell or refinance within 5 years (common for BSW residents finishing training), the ARM may work in your favor. If you’re staying long-term, the risk is real.
Other builders in Atascosa: Dunhill Homes (Cornerstone Series) and Ameritex Homes also build in the broader Atascosa master plan. Dunhill offers an alternative product if Lennar’s rigidity doesn’t work for you. Worth touring both before committing.
Why South Pointe Is the Dark Horse Pick Near BSW
South Pointe is the space play. Stylecraft — the largest private homebuilder in Central Texas — offers 9 floor plans from 1,262 to 2,577 sqft, making this the only BSW-area community where you can get a true 4–5 bedroom family home under $300K. The $11/month HOA is the lowest in this comparison. The trade-off: Stylecraft cannot match the national builders’ financing firepower. No captive mortgage arm means no permanent sub-4% rates.
Here’s the fundamental trade-off in Temple’s new construction market: national builders win on financing, regional builders win on product. D.R. Horton and Lennar can subsidize sub-4% rates because they own billion-dollar mortgage companies. Stylecraft builds a more personalized home with more design flexibility and better post-close customer service — but they can’t manufacture money the way publicly-traded giants can. To see how these three communities stack up against every other builder lane in the city, browse all new construction homes in Temple TX.
Where South Pointe genuinely shines: the 2,577 sqft plan for $299,900 is impossible to find at Pecan Creek or Atascosa, where the largest plans top out at 1,952 sqft. If you’re a dual-income household with kids and you need 4–5 bedrooms, South Pointe is the only option in this corridor that delivers it under $300K.
$11/Month HOA — Best in Class
South Pointe’s $132 annual HOA ($11/month) is the lowest in this comparison and among the lowest in all of Temple’s new construction. For cash-flow-conscious buyers or future landlords, every dollar matters. Compare: Pecan Creek is $169/yr, Atascosa is $80/yr. The difference is small but compounds over a 30-year hold.
Honest Negatives
- Financing gap: Stylecraft’s spring 2/1 buydown (3.99% Y1–2 stepping to 4.99%) jumped payments ~$137/month in Year 3 while DR Horton’s permanent rate never moved — a $49,320 difference over 30 years. As of July 2026 both builders’ headline FHA offers sit at 4.99% fixed, so pull both current sheets; the thing to watch is whichever promo Stylecraft rotates in next.
- No smart home: No integrated security, no smart lock, no video doorbell at base price. Budget $500–$1,500 to add these yourself.
- Industrial corridor: South Pointe sits closer to Temple’s commercial/industrial zone than the other two. Drive the specific lot you’re considering and check for noise or visual concerns from nearby commercial activity.
- Fewer standing homes: Stylecraft operates more build-to-order than spec-heavy. Timeline from contract to close is typically longer than DR Horton’s 30-day close on standing inventory.
The Preferred Lender Trap: What Every Buyer Needs to Know
All three builders tie their best incentives to their preferred lender. Use an outside lender (USAA, Navy Federal, local credit union) and you forfeit $10,000–$25,000 in rate buydowns and closing cost credits. This isn’t a suggestion — it’s the business model. Understanding the exact product each lender is offering is the difference between a smart purchase and a $50,000 mistake.
Builder Incentive Decoder — What You Get vs. What You Risk
Decoder re-verified against DHI Mortgage, Lennar, and Stylecraft/Kangaroo offer pages on July 13, 2026. These promos carry sign-by and close-by windows — treat every number as perishable.
Owner-Occupancy Required — No Exceptions
All three builders’ promotional rates strictly require owner-occupancy. Investors purchasing rental properties do not qualify for the promotional rates. Non-owner-occupied investment loans are subject to standard market rates (currently 6.5%–7.5%). If you’re buying as an investment from Day 1, set expectations accordingly — the payment math changes dramatically.
What School District Are These Neighborhoods In?
All three neighborhoods are in Temple ISD (76504). GreatSchools ratings for Temple ISD feeders range from 3/10 to 4/10. Temple High School has an 89% graduation rate and a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. If school ratings are your top priority, these are not the right neighborhoods — look at Belton ISD communities like Lake Pointe, Bella Terra, or Legacy Ranch.
Temple ISD bond alert: The district passed a $122.45M bond in late 2025 alongside a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election. With Pecan Creek (400+ lots) and Atascosa (146+ lots) adding 500+ new homes to the west corridor, anticipate future school redistricting as the district manages capacity. This is not a crisis — but it means your elementary school assignment today may not be your assignment in 3 years.
BSW Commute Data
| Destination | Distance | AM (6:30) | PM (5:00) | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSW Main Campus | ~4.5–6 mi | 10–12 min | 12–16 min | Loop 363 → S 31st St |
| VA Medical Center | ~3.5–5 mi | 8–10 min | 10–14 min | Surface streets → Loop 363 |
| Temple College | ~5–6 mi | 10–12 min | 12–15 min | S 31st St corridor |
| H-E-B (Adams) | ~2.5 mi | 5–7 min | West Adams Ave | |
| I-35 On-Ramp | ~3 mi | 5–8 min | Loop 363 / S 31st | |
Night shift (10pm–6am): all times drop to 7–8 min. No traffic. BSW shuttle operates Blue route 6:30 AM–5:30 PM, Yellow route 6:30 AM–2:30 PM (campus-only, no residential pickup).
Here’s how I’d break it down depending on your situation:
- If your budget is under $230K and you need to move next month: Pecan Creek. Not even close. DR Horton has 18+ standing homes ready to close in 30 days, and the permanent 3.99% fixed rate is the only guaranteed payment in the market. You’ll never wonder what your mortgage will be in Year 3 or Year 6. That peace of mind is worth the trade-off of no customization.
- If you want the best technology and lowest move-in friction: Atascosa Estates. The Base Power battery alone would cost $15,000 to retrofit. The blinds on every window, the Ring security system, the Everything’s Included model — you literally show up with furniture and you’re done. But go in with your eyes open about the rate structure. If you’re planning to sell or refinance within 5 years (which most BSW residents do), the ARM risk is manageable. If you’re staying 10+ years, make sure you understand what happens in Year 6.
- If you need the most space for the money: South Pointe. The 2,577 sqft plan at $299,900 doesn’t exist anywhere else in this corridor. Stylecraft builds a more personal home with better post-close service than the nationals. The financing is the weakest — that 4.99% permanent rate in Year 3 adds up — but if square footage is the priority and you have slightly more budget flexibility, this is your answer.
- If you might rent it out later: All three work, but Pecan Creek has the edge. The permanent fixed promo rate means your carry cost never rises, and the Qolsys smart home package lets you manage locks and thermostat remotely as a landlord. Verify HOA rental restrictions before buying — I’ll pull the docs for you.
Bottom line: don’t walk into any of these model homes without your own agent. The sales rep works for the builder. I work for you. Text me before you tour →
New Construction Near BSW — Questions Buyers Actually Ask
What are the best new construction neighborhoods near BSW Temple?
How far is Pecan Creek from Baylor Scott & White Temple?
Is DR Horton’s 3.99% rate permanent or temporary?
Is Lennar’s 3.75% rate a 30-year fixed?
What is the Base Power battery in Lennar homes?
Do I have to use the builder’s lender to get the incentives?
What school district are these neighborhoods in?
Are there MUD or PID taxes in these neighborhoods?
Can I rent out my new construction home later?
What is the cheapest new construction home near BSW?
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