Best New Construction Near Baylor Scott & White Temple
What Are the Best New Construction Neighborhoods Near Baylor Scott & White Temple?
The three strongest new construction communities near BSW Temple in 2026 are Pecan Creek by D.R. Horton (from $216,990, permanent 3.99% fixed rate on FHA/VA), 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 3.99% fixed FHA rate via DHI Mortgage, 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.
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 3.99% fixed (FHA/VA) | ARM or temp buydown (3.75%) | 2/1 buydown (3.99% → 4.99%) |
| 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 March 2026 — verify current availability 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 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 3.99% permanent fixed rate is real. DHI Mortgage applies the builder incentive as heavy discount points upfront, permanently buying down your rate for 30 years. On a $240,000 FHA loan, that locks your P&I at ~$1,104/month forever. Lennar and Stylecraft cannot match this because their rates either adjust or step up. For a BSW nurse or resident who needs payment certainty, this is the safest financial structure in the market.
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?
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.
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
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.
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.
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
What School District Are These Neighborhoods In?
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 3.99% 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
The three strongest options in 2026 are Pecan Creek by D.R. Horton (from $216,990, permanent 3.99% fixed rate), Atascosa Estates by Lennar (from $223,990, Everything's Included + Base Power battery), and South Pointe by Stylecraft (from $224,900, largest plans up to 2,577 sqft). All three are Temple ISD, 76504, no MUD/PID, and 10–12 minutes from BSW Main Campus.
Approximately 4.5–6 miles, or 10–12 minutes during the morning commute via Loop 363 to S 31st Street. Evening commute extends to 12–16 minutes. Night shift reverse commute drops to 7–8 minutes. Atascosa Estates and South Pointe have similar commute times from the same west Temple corridor.
DR Horton's 3.99% through DHI Mortgage is a permanent 30-year fixed rate on FHA, VA, and USDA loans. The builder applies heavy discount points upfront to permanently buy down the rate. Conventional loans get approximately 4.99%. Important: DR Horton also runs separate campaigns advertising 1–2% teaser rates — those are temporary buydowns that reset. Always confirm which product you're signing.
No. Lennar's 3.75% is typically structured as either a 5/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (fixed for 5 years, then adjusts annually) or a temporary buydown (3.75% Year 1, fixing at approximately 4.75% from Year 2). Read the fine print carefully. If you plan to sell within 5 years, the ARM risk may be acceptable. For long-term holds, understand that your payment could increase significantly in Year 6.
Base Power is a home backup battery system (20–50 kWh, 11kW inverter) included standard at Atascosa Estates. During outages, it automatically powers your entire home. Free hardware with enrollment in Base Power's electricity plan (~$19/month + ~8¢/kWh). 15-year lifespan, fully maintained, solar-compatible. A Tesla Powerwall retrofit costs $15,000+. This comes at no additional cost.
Effectively, yes. DR Horton's 3.99% and $10K–$20K closing credits require DHI Mortgage. Lennar's 3.75% and SmartBuy forgivable DPA require Lennar Mortgage. Stylecraft's buydown requires their preferred lender. Using an outside lender forfeits most or all incentives. Always pull dual Loan Estimates and compare total cost over 5 years before deciding.
All three are Temple ISD. Assigned schools include Hector P. Garcia or Raye-Allen Elementary, Travis Science Academy or Lamar Middle, and Temple High School. GreatSchools ratings range 3/10 to 4/10. Temple HS has an 89% graduation rate. Families prioritizing higher-rated schools should consider Belton ISD neighborhoods.
No. Bell County Appraisal District records confirm all three are free of Municipal Utility District and Public Improvement District surtaxes. The combined property tax rate is approximately 2.35%. On a $240,000 home, annual property taxes are approximately $5,643 before homestead exemptions.
Yes, with conditions. FHA loans require at least 1 year of owner-occupancy. After that, your existing loan terms remain intact — the promotional rate does not change when you convert to rental. 3-bedroom new construction in 76504 rents for $1,550–$1,895/month. Verify HOA rental restrictions with each community's management company before purchasing.
Pecan Creek by D.R. Horton at $216,990 (The Atlanta, 1,156 sqft, 3 bed/2 bath). With DHI Mortgage's permanent 3.99% FHA rate and up to $20,000 in closing cost credits, the effective out-of-pocket cost beyond the 3.5% down payment can approach zero. Pecan Creek typically has 18+ move-in ready homes available at any given time for 30-day closings.