Carothers Homes
Temple & Belton TX Review
Compare the two local Carothers companies, their communities, included features and recorded sale prices. Then work out which home—and which offer—fits your move.
Is Carothers a Good Builder in Temple and Belton, TX?
Carothers may fit if the community, plan and home match your budget. Start by confirming which company is selling the home: Carothers Executive Homes serves the Temple–Belton area, while Carothers Homes, LLC has separate Killeen-area communities. In the October 17, 2026 CTXMLS snapshot, the Executive-attributed recent-build cohort had 34 active listings asking $369,000–$869,000 (median $481,500); the Killeen-attributed cohort had 21 asking $319,999–$646,000. These records include homes built in 2024 or later and may include resales. Compare the individual home’s features, construction stage and written offer, then use the closed-sale evidence below to frame your questions.
- Confirm which Carothers company is the seller named in your contract.
- Get the address-specific price, feature sheet, incentive terms and warranty documents in writing.
Which Carothers Company Builds Where?
This guide compares two companies using the Carothers name around Temple, Belton and Killeen. Carothers Executive Homes, which says it was founded in 2004 by Jason and Jamie Carothers and based at 50 S Wheat Rd in Belton, lists 12 communities in Temple, Belton, Salado, Troy, Morgan’s Point Resort and Lorena in its official directory checked October 18, 2026. Eleven local community pages were rechecked that day; Lorena detail remains the September 25 observation. Carothers Homes, LLC, a separate company whose BBB-listed business start date is April 2, 1979, advertised four Killeen-area communities on carothershomes.com when checked September 25, 2026. Their plans, prices, feature sheets and warranty paperwork are not interchangeable, so confirm which company is the seller named in your contract.
Carothers Executive Homes Communities
| Community | City | Advertised from | Sq ft range | School district named by the builder | Savings advertisement / checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bella Terra | Temple | $449s | 1,751–2,892 | Temple ISD (Phases 1–2); Belton ISD (Phase 3) | Up to $10,000 October 18, 2026 |
| Blackland Ranch | Temple | $349s | 1,509–2,394 | Temple ISD | Up to $10,000 October 18, 2026 |
| Eagle Heights | Salado | $409s | 1,509–3,533 | Not named on the page | Up to $10,000 October 18, 2026 |
| Hartrick Valley | Temple | $439s | 1,780–2,840 | Academy ISD | Up to $10,000 October 18, 2026 |
| Mesa Ridge | Temple | $349s | 1,509–3,533 | Belton ISD | Up to $10,000 October 18, 2026 |
| Rancho Del Lago | Morgan’s Point Resort | $869s | 2,379–3,960 | Belton ISD | Up to $10,000 October 18, 2026 |
| Rosenthal Estates | Lorena | $443s | 1,780–2,840 | Not named on the page | Up to $10,000 September 25, 2026 |
| Stinnett Mill | Salado | $699s | 2,379–3,467 | Not named on the page | Up to $10,000 October 18, 2026 |
| Three Creeks | Belton | $464s | 2,120–2,655 | Belton ISD | Up to $20,000 October 18, 2026 |
| Turtle Creek | Troy | $379s | 1,610–3,121 | Troy ISD | Up to $20,000 (all inventory) October 18, 2026 |
| Wildflower Country Club | Temple | $549s | 1,904–2,892 | Temple ISD | Up to $10,000 October 18, 2026 |
| Wilma’s Way | Temple | $585s | 1,954–2,892 | Belton ISD | Up to $20,000 October 18, 2026 |
Source: official community directory, checked October 18, 2026, still lists all 12 communities. Savings banners on 11 non-Lorena pages were rechecked October 18; Rosenthal’s savings and all size/school details above retain the September 25 observation. Advertised starting prices matched the directory on October 18. These advertisements are not available-home quotes or qualified offers; no deadline or address-specific terms were established. Confirm the exact address with the Texas Education Agency school district locator and the district’s attendance-zone lookup.
Carothers community context: Bella Terra
A separate builder, Keith Carothers Homes, is based in Kempner and serves Central Texas. This page’s two company cohorts do not cover that business.
Do Not Confuse the Hartrick Names
In the October 3, 2026 CTXMLS export, Carothers listings use the subdivision name Hartrick Valley; the Bell County Appraisal District’s legal description for a sampled lot with a Carothers listing there reads Hartrick Ranch Estates Phase II. Listings named Hartrick Crossing carry Hodges Eagle Ridge as builder, Hartrick Ranch listings name Stylecraft, Omega and Kiella among others, and Hartrick Valley Estates is a different subdivision with other builders. Check the legal description and builder on the specific listing. For those builders, see the Eagle Ridge and Stylecraft guides.
What Have Carothers Homes Listed and Sold For? (CTXMLS, October 2026)
Current asking prices and past closing prices answer different questions. The October 17 snapshot shows what the two Carothers-attributed cohorts were asking then. The separate annual table shows recorded closed sales from October 3, 2025 through October 2, 2026. Neither gives the value of a particular home.
Current Active Listings
| Measure | Executive-attributed · Temple, Belton, Salado, Troy | Killeen-company-attributed · Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Active records | 34 | 21 |
| Asking range | $369,000–$869,000 | $319,999–$646,000 |
| Median asking price | $481,500 | $420,000 |
| Median asking price per sq ft | $218 | $204 |
| Median MLS days on market | 220 | 137 |
| Listed 90 days or more | 27 of 34 | 12 of 21 |
| Asking below original list price | 17 of 34 (median reduction $20,000; 4.6%) | 1 of 21 |
| Separate statuses, not included in Active | 3 Active Under Contract; 6 Pending | 0 Active Under Contract; 1 Pending |
Source: CTXMLS Bell County residential export observed October 17, 2026 at 9:43 a.m. Central. These are active asking prices, not sold prices. “Recent-build” means YearBuilt 2024 or later and can include resales. MLS days on market measure listing time, not time a finished home has sat unsold.
Historical Closed Records
| Measure | Executive-attributed · four cities plus Morgan’s Point Resort | Killeen-company-attributed · Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Closed records | 72 | 33 |
| Median closing price | $467,500 | $499,000 |
| Median closing price per sq ft | $208 | $205 |
| Median closing price ÷ original asking | 97.3% | 100.0% |
| Closed below original asking | 51 of 72 | 5 of 33 |
| Median closing price ÷ final asking | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Closed below final asking | 31 of 72 | 2 of 33 |
| Median MLS days on market at closing | 145 | 89 (10 entered at 0–1 days) |
Based on information from the Central Texas MLS for the period October 3, 2025 through October 2, 2026. Active listing snapshot observed October 17, 2026. Historical sources: September 2 and October 3, 2026 CTXMLS exports. The 72 Executive-attributed records include 71 in Temple, Belton, Salado and Troy and one in Morgan’s Point Resort; the 33 Killeen-company-attributed records are separate. BuilderName contains “Carothers” and YearBuilt is 2024 or later; geography provides company attribution, not proof of the legal seller. These are raw filtered records without deduplication; no duplicate event keys were found in these two cohorts. Records may include resales, and MLS is not a complete census of builder-direct transactions. Price per square foot is the median of each record’s price divided by its square footage. The older export supplies closings through April 30; the October 3 export supplies May 1–October 2 and late-reported earlier events absent from the first segment. MLS data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Past sales describe past homes, not a current quote.
What the Numbers Mean for an Offer
Start with comparable closed sales, then decide what you want the offer to accomplish: a lower price, help with closing costs or a rate buydown. Compare the plan, size, lot, included features and construction stage—not just the builder’s median. Builders can list homes before they are finished, so days on market alone do not tell you how long a completed home has been available. Taylor can review the available sold comparisons and help you put together an offer you are comfortable making.
The export does not report seller concessions or completion dates; MLS records are not a complete census of the builder’s sales.
What Does Carothers Include as Standard?
Carothers Executive Homes publishes a feature sheet for each of its 12 communities, and the sheets checked September 25, 2026 agree on the basics: foam insulation, Low-E vinyl windows, an automatic sprinkler system with a rain sensor, a privacy fence and a ten-year StrucSure warranty. They differ on exterior materials, countertops, backyard sod and water heaters, and none states the foundation type. Every sheet also says features “may vary and are subject to change without notice.” Ask for the exact home’s inclusions in writing and confirm how the feature sheet is incorporated into your contract.
| Feature | What all 12 sheets list | What to confirm for your home |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation | “Energy-saving foam insulation” on all 12 sheets | No sheet states foam type, thickness or R-value. Ask for the insulation certificate for your home. |
| Windows | Low-E vinyl windows on all 12 sheets | Confirm the window schedule for your plan. |
| Irrigation and fence | Automatic sprinkler system with rain sensor and a privacy fence (most sheets say “per lot”) | Confirm the fence type and length for your lot; Wildflower lists “privacy fence or iron.” |
| Warranty lines | “One year full homebuilders warranty” and “Ten year Warranty from StrucSure Home Warranty” on all 12 sheets | Get the builder’s C-13 warranty document and the StrucSure document for your address. |
| Foundation | Not stated on any of the 12 sheets | For a completed or spec home, request available plans and inspection records. For a to-be-built home, ask about the engineering process, expected plan delivery and inspection access before committing. |
Decorative Ceilings Depend on the Community and Plan
Stinnett Mill’s posted sheet lists custom-designed ceilings in two rooms; Turtle Creek’s Executive Series sheet lists three. Both say “per plan.” Ask which rooms and designs are included for the home you are considering; the sheets do not promise a choice of any rooms.
Sources rechecked October 18, 2026: Stinnett Mill sheet, revised March 4, 2025; Turtle Creek Executive Series sheet, revised June 27, 2025. The other ten feature sheets retain the September 25 check date.
What Changes from One Community to the Next
| Feature | Community differences on the September 25, 2026 sheets |
|---|---|
| Exterior | 4-sided brick with rock accents on 9 sheets; Hartrick and Rosenthal say “4-sided brick with rock accents & or hardi”; Blackland Ranch lists a combination of rock, brick and Hardie siding. |
| Kitchen counters | 3cm granite on 11 sheets; 3cm quartz at Rosenthal Estates. |
| Bath vanity tops | Granite on 10 sheets; cultured marble at Blackland Ranch and Rosenthal Estates. |
| Backyard sod | Fully sodded backyard (per lot) at Bella Terra Phase 3, Eagle Heights, Mesa Ridge, Three Creeks and Wildflower; 30 feet at Hartrick and Rosenthal; up to 30 feet at Turtle Creek; 35 feet at Stinnett Mill and Wilma’s Way; up to 45 feet at Rancho Del Lago. The Blackland Ranch sheet does not state a sod extent. |
| Water heater | Gas tankless at Rancho Del Lago; a 50-gallon tank on the other 11 sheets (gas at Bella Terra Phase 3, electric at Blackland Ranch). |
| Sheet date | Each sheet carries its own “Last Updated” date, from 7/20/2022 (Eagle Heights, Hartrick, Mesa Ridge, Three Creeks) to 8/21/2026 (Bella Terra Phase 3). |
Source: the 12 community feature sheets linked from each carotherstx.com community page, checked September 25, 2026. The Killeen company, Carothers Homes, LLC, publishes its own materials; do not assume these sheets apply to its homes.
What the sheets do not tell you
No sheet states the foundation type, the insulation’s R-value or the finished home’s energy performance. For a completed or spec home, request available foundation plans, inspection records and the insulation certificate. For a to-be-built home, ask when the engineered plans will be available and arrange inspection access before the relevant work. The builder’s official construction process, checked October 18, 2026, says foundation engineering begins after contract. Do not assume a lot-specific plan exists before signing. The posted builder warranty disclaims an energy-efficiency warranty.
Which Carothers Floor Plans Can You Build?
The floor-plan sitemap on carotherstx.com listed 96 plan pages on September 25, 2026, from the 1,509-square-foot Bandera to 3,960-square-foot Dominion bonus versions, counting garage and bonus variants of the same plan. Several core plans have a larger bonus version that adds a room or a fifth bedroom. Listing feeds tend to show the base version, so if you need the extra room, ask the builder to price the exact plan, lot and completion path in writing.
Browse the official Carothers Executive Homes floor-plan library for the exact design and variant.
Square footage from the plan pages on carotherstx.com, checked September 25, 2026. The Hondo 5BR adds a fifth bedroom inside the same 2,183 square feet. The Aria Bonus lists five bedrooms on its 3-car and side-entry pages and four on its 2-car page, so check the exact plan page.
| Base plan | Base sq ft | Larger version | Sq ft | Beds / baths listed | Added sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aria | 2,394 | Aria Bonus (2-car / 3-car and side-entry) | 2,840 | 4 / 3.5 (2-car); 5 / 3.5 (3-car, side entry) | +446 |
| Wimberley | 2,128 | Wimberley Bonus | 2,598 | 5 / 3 | +470 |
| Hondo 4BR | 2,183 | Hondo 5BR | 2,183 | 5 / 2 | same footprint |
| Bartlett II | 1,954 | Bartlett II Bonus | 2,422 | 4 / 3 (2-car and 3-car pages) | +468 |
| Andice | 1,610 | Andice 2 Story | 2,240 | 4 / 3 | +630 |
| Clinton (side entry) | 2,762 | Clinton Bonus Side Entry | 3,467 | 4 / 3.5 | +705 |
| Jackson (2-car FE) | 2,647 | Jackson Bonus | 3,242 | 4 / 3.5 | +595 |
| Castell (side entry) | 2,847 | Castell Bonus Side Entry | 3,533 | 4 / 3.5 | +686 |
| Eisenhower | 3,170 | Eisenhower Bonus | 3,737 | 4 / 3.5 | +567 |
| Dominion 4BR | 3,334 | Dominion 5BR Bonus Side Entry | 3,960 | 5 / 4 | +626 |
Source: individual plan pages on carotherstx.com, checked September 25, 2026. Most plan pages say “Call For Price.” Some variant pages list different bedroom counts for the same square footage, so confirm the plan sheet for the home you would build. The site also lists separate “CH” plans with similar names (CH – Aria is 2,377 square feet; Aria is 2,394), so match the exact plan name.
Neighborhood guides: Bella Terra · Mesa Ridge · Three Creeks · Temple new construction guide.
How Does the Carothers Warranty Work?
Carothers Executive Homes’ warranty page links the Texas Association of Builders C-13 Express Limited Home Warranty, filled in with the builder’s name and Belton address. As posted when checked September 25, 2026, it covers workmanship and materials for one year, plumbing, electrical, heating and air-conditioning delivery systems for two years, and major structural components for six years, starting at the earlier of move-in or title transfer. The builder is responsible only for defects it receives written notice of no later than 30 days after the applicable period ends. The validated documents for your address govern.
| Coverage (TAB C-13 as posted) | Period | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Workmanship and materials | 1 year | Components measured against the booklet’s performance standards |
| Delivery systems | 2 years | Plumbing, electrical, heating and air-conditioning delivery systems |
| Major structural components | 6 years | Load-bearing parts such as footings and foundations, beams, load-bearing walls and roof framing; brick, stone, drywall, flooring, shingles and cabinets are excluded |
| Third-party warranty | 10 years (StrucSure, per the feature sheets) | Terms were not published on the pages checked; get the StrucSure document for your address. The C-13 requires third-party warranty and insurance claims first. |
Source: carotherstx.com warranty page and its linked C-13 Express Limited Home Warranty (TAB form dated 09/01/2023), checked September 25, 2026. Warranty requests: 254-939-5100, extension 660, or the builder’s online request form.
Limits in the Warranty Document Worth Knowing Before You Buy
- Sale to another owner: the posted C-13 says it transfers to subsequent homeowners named on the recorded title (sections 1(c)(10)–(11)). A sale does not restart the coverage periods or restore cancelled coverage. Get the validated documents for the address.
- Rental use: the builder’s posted C-13 warranty does not apply to a property used for rental (short or long term), leasing or occupancy by anyone other than the owners named on the deed, and it is cancelled on the first such use (section 1(c)(2)).
- Other coverage first: claims go to the third-party warranty company and your homeowner’s insurer before the builder (sections 1(c)(4) and 1(c)(6)).
- Appliances and other manufactured products: the builder assigns the manufacturers’ warranties to you and says it has no responsibility for manufactured products (section 2(c)(2)), but it must install them to the manufacturer’s instructions (section 2(a)(5)), and it will coordinate with the manufacturer and, if the manufacturer does not honor its warranty within a reasonable time, make the condition meet the performance standard (section 3(b)).
- Repairs: repaired areas are matched “as closely as practical but not necessarily to a like-new condition” (section 2(a)(3)–(4)).
- No energy or landscaping warranty: the form disclaims energy efficiency (section 1(c)(3)) and excludes landscaping (section 2(b)(1)(T)).
- Access: refusing or delaying the builder’s access for more than 10 calendar days after a request can void its responsibility (section 1(c)(7)).
- Disputes: mediation, then binding arbitration that is private and confidential, with a jury-trial waiver; implied warranties are disclaimed and habitability is waived “to the fullest extent allowed under law” (sections 1(c)(13), 1(c)(15) and 1(c)(20)).
This is a summary of the builder’s posted form, not legal advice. Ask a Texas real estate attorney what it means for your contract.
Plan your inspections and warranty notices
Hire a licensed professional inspector for the stages you want, such as before the foundation pour, before drywall, before the final walk-through and before the one-year period ends, and get the builder’s inspection-access terms in writing before you sign. Send warranty requests in writing, keep copies and calendar the 30-day notice window after each period ends.
What Do BBB Records Show About the Two Carothers Companies?
The public record is small for both companies. On September 25, 2026, the Better Business Bureau profile for Carothers Executive Homes (Belton) showed an A rating, no BBB accreditation and one complaint in the last three years, unresolved. The profile for Carothers Homes, LLC (Harker Heights address, Killeen-area communities) showed an A+ rating, accreditation since January 16, 2012, no complaints and one customer review.
| Company | BBB rating | Accreditation | Complaints | Customer reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carothers Executive Homes BBB profile | A (reason listed: 1 complaint not resolved) | Not accredited | 1 in the last 3 years (filed 12/05/2023, “Service or Repair Issues,” unresolved); 0 closed in the last 12 months | 0 |
| Carothers Homes, LLC BBB profile | A+ | Accredited since 1/16/2012 | 0 | 1 (1 star, 08/30/2025) |
Source: BBB profile, complaint and review pages for each company, viewed September 25, 2026. BBB profiles generally cover a three-year period.
The Executive Homes complaint, filed by an owner of a home completed in July 2022, reported moisture collecting on the over-the-range microwave and upper cabinets when the cooktop was used, after the cabinet door and microwave had been replaced. The company responded three times, saying the design met industry standards, that the requested change went beyond standard warranty service and that the third-party warranty offered an independent inspection; the owner rejected each response. The single Killeen-company review, from August 30, 2025, says agreed contract amendments were not honored.
How to read this: BBB lists the unresolved complaint as the reason for the Executive Homes A, says customer reviews are not used in its letter grades, and advises weighing complaint counts against a company’s size and volume. One complaint in three years is a public record, not a measured defect rate, and neither grade rates construction quality. The practical lesson from both records is the same: get every agreed change and repair commitment in writing.
What Will a Carothers Home Cost Beyond the Price?
Property tax varies the most of the ownership costs this guide could document. In 2025 Bell County tax records for one lot with a current Carothers listing in each of ten communities, the combined rate ranged from 2.00413 to 2.399877 per $100 of value before exemptions, depending on the school district and whether the lot is inside a city, a municipal utility district (MUD) or an emergency services district. On the same $450,000 taxable value, that is $9,019 to $10,799 a year before exemptions.
| Community (sampled lot with a Carothers listing) | Bell CAD property ID | School district unit | City unit | Other special units | 2025 rate per $100 | On $450,000, before exemptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bella Terra (Phase III lot) | 534199 | Belton ISD | City of Temple | Temple College; Temple Health & Bioscience | 2.399877 | $10,799 |
| Mesa Ridge (Phase I lot) | 509778 | Belton ISD | City of Temple | Temple College; Temple Health & Bioscience | 2.399877 | $10,799 |
| Wilma’s Way | 528814 | Belton ISD | City of Temple | Temple College; Temple Health & Bioscience | 2.399877 | $10,799 |
| Hartrick Valley (legal description: Hartrick Ranch Estates Phase II) | 501715 | Academy ISD | City of Temple | Temple College; Temple Health & Bioscience | 2.399377 | $10,797 |
| Blackland Ranch (Addition Phase 1 lot) | 524126 | Temple ISD | City of Temple | Temple College; Temple Health & Bioscience | 2.387677 | $10,745 |
| Wildflower Country Club (Phase 12 lot) | 153033 | Temple ISD | City of Temple | Temple College; Temple Health & Bioscience | 2.387677 | $10,745 |
| Three Creeks (Phase VIII lot) | 512009 | Belton ISD | None | Bell County MUD No. 1 (0.783) | 2.26733 | $10,203 |
| Rancho Del Lago (Phase IV lot) | 506501 | Belton ISD | Morgan’s Point Resort | None | 2.12413 | $9,559 |
| Eagle Heights | 514547 | Salado ISD | Village of Salado | Bell County ESD No. 1 | 2.02493 | $9,112 |
| Levy Crossing (Killeen company) | 515434 | Killeen ISD | City of Killeen | Central Texas College | 2.00413 | $9,019 |
Source: Bell County Appraisal District property pages (tax year 2025), found through the Bell County Truth in Taxation search and checked September 25, 2026. Every row also includes Bell County, Bell County Road and Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District. These are historical 2025 rates for the sampled lots, not community-wide rates, 2026 rates (being adopted in fall 2026) or tax bills. Taxing units can differ within a community, so check the exact parcel on Bell CAD’s property search. In Three Creeks, MUD No. 1 alone (0.783 per $100) is $3,523.50 a year on $450,000. The Temple property tax guide explains exemptions.
New-construction tax timing
Texas appraisal districts value property as of January 1 each year, according to the Texas Comptroller. A home that was a lot or partly built on January 1 can carry a lower value that year than the finished house will the next, so ask your lender how it estimated the tax escrow and plan for the bill on the completed home.
HOA dues and rules were not stated on the builder pages checked September 25, 2026; request the HOA documents and current dues before you sign. Get an insurance quote for the specific address, and price options and any lot premium in writing.
What Savings Does Carothers Advertise, and How Do Builder Lender Incentives Work?
Checked October 18, 2026: Carothers advertises savings of up to $20,000 at Three Creeks, Turtle Creek and Wilma’s Way, and up to $10,000 at the other eight non-Lorena communities checked in this guide. Three Creeks and Wilma’s Way say current inventory; Turtle Creek says all inventory. Five of the $10,000 pages say current inventory; Eagle Heights, Rancho Del Lago and Wildflower state savings in the community. The pages do not supply deadlines, lender/title conditions, loan eligibility or address-specific benefit allocation. Ask for the exact home’s written offer. The builder incentives page has its own verified-terms standard; these banners are not qualified offers.
Get the Offer in Writing
- The dollar amount for the specific address and how it is applied: price, closing costs or options.
- The expiration date and any contract or closing deadline.
- Whether it requires a particular lender, title company or loan type.
- Whether it applies to a finished home, a home under construction or a to-be-built plan.
- The agreed amount and conditions, written into the signed contract or an addendum.
Builder Lender Incentives Versus a Required Lender
Under the federal RESPA rule known as Regulation X, a package or discount offered for using particular settlement services must be optional to the buyer and a true discount that is not made up by higher costs elsewhere, and an affiliated-business referral cannot require you to use a particular provider, apart from narrow exceptions such as a lender’s own appraiser, credit-reporting agency or attorney. The practical test: ask for the price and credits with and without the builder’s preferred lender, then compare Loan Estimates from more than one lender for the same home, including origination charges and the services you can and cannot shop for. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do You Need Your Own Agent to Buy a Carothers Home?
A builder’s sales team represents the builder. Having your own agent gives you someone focused on comparing homes and helping you decide what to offer. Taylor can review the available sold comparisons, current local inventory, included features and the written incentive terms, then help you weigh price, closing costs and financing choices.
Talk with Taylor before your first visit so you can check the builder’s agent-registration policy and agree on the help you want.
Taylor is an agent with EG Realty, not a Carothers sales agent. He can help you compare the written price, included features and incentive terms of the homes you are considering, review a listing’s price history, and help schedule the inspections you choose.
Have a Carothers home or community in mind—or just a question? Text Taylor at 254-718-4249 or book a call.
How to Buy a Carothers Home, Step by Step
- Set your inputs first: budget, the rooms and lot you need, the school district for the exact address (checked on the official lookup), your daily drive tested at the hours you would travel, and whether you might ever rent the home.
- Pick the company and community: use the community table above, then confirm which Carothers company will be the seller. If none fits your budget or plan, compare Temple home builders or resale homes in the same school district.
- Decide on representation before the first visit: sign a written agreement with an agent if you want one, and ask for the builder’s registration policy in writing.
- Get one address-specific package in writing: price, lot premium, options, the community feature sheet, incentive terms and the completion stage.
- Compare loans: get Loan Estimates from more than one lender for the same home and ask whether any incentive depends on the lender.
- Review the contract with an attorney: deposits, termination rights, dates, change orders, the walk-through and dispute terms. Builder contracts can differ from TREC forms; agents cannot give legal advice.
- Inspect in stages: arrange access for your licensed inspector in writing before you sign.
- Collect the warranty documents: the C-13 and StrucSure documents for your address, with every notice deadline on your calendar.
- Budget the full monthly cost: principal and interest, the parcel’s tax units, HOA dues, insurance and any MUD or special district.
Representation and contract sources: TREC’s 2026 buyer representation guidance (written agreement before a showing; compensation is negotiable) and 22 TAC §537.11 (owner-required forms and the limits on agents giving legal advice). Agree on services and compensation with your agent and check the builder’s registration policy.
Is Carothers Worth a Closer Look?
Your budget fits the current listings
Executive-attributed recent-build listings asked $369,000–$869,000 and Killeen-company-attributed listings $319,999–$646,000 in CTXMLS on October 17, 2026.
A published plan already fits your room count
The plan library runs from 1,509 to 3,960 square feet, with bonus versions of several plans.
You want to compare the whole offer
Use comparable closed sales and the home’s construction stage to weigh price, closing-cost help and financing choices. Listing age alone does not establish leverage.
You may rent the home out
The builder’s posted C-13 cancels on rental use. Separate StrucSure terms must be checked in the address-specific policy.
You want a fully sodded backyard everywhere
Several community sheets sod only 30 to 45 feet behind the house.
You need engineering certainty before committing
For a spec home, request available plans and inspection records. For a to-be-built home, ask about the engineering timeline and inspection access; the builder describes engineering after contract.
Carothers Homes FAQ
Video: A 2025 Carothers Castell Plan Tour
“What $750,000 Gets You in Temple/Belton TX | Castell Plan by Carothers Homes” was published August 1, 2025 on Taylor’s Living in Temple YouTube channel. The $750,000 in the title reflects that 2025 home; it is not a current price or a quote.
Thinking About a Carothers Home?
Start with a home, a community or a question. Taylor can help you compare your options and work out what to check next. You do not need a finished shortlist or a stack of documents before you call.
Taylor Dasch • EG Realty • Temple, TX
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