If you are driving around Temple or Belton right now, you see the signs everywhere. "Move-in Ready." "Rate Buy-Downs." "Closing Costs Covered."
New construction is booming in 2026, and for good reason—you get a brand new home, a warranty, and often a better interest rate than on the resale market. But builders are smart. They know how to make it look easy.
Here is the breakdown of the three biggest players in our market right now, and the one thing their sales reps hope you don't know.
1. D.R. Horton: The Volume King
Price Range: Low $200s – Mid $300s
Where They're Building: Blackland Ranch, West Temple, South Temple
The Vibe: Fast and Affordable.
The Reality Check: D.R. Horton is massive for a reason—they build efficient homes at prices people can actually afford. Their in-house lender (DHI Mortgage) often offers interest rates that resale sellers just can't compete with. The Watch-Out: Because they build at such high volume, things move fast. You need an extra set of eyes on the finish quality. Blue tape is your best friend here. Don't let the speed of the process rush you through the final walkthrough.
2. Omega Builders: The "Local Favorite"
Price Range: Mid $200s – $400s
Where They're Building: The Groves at Lakewood, Hills of Westwood
The Vibe: Design-Forward and Solid.
The Reality Check: Omega has a strong reputation in Central Texas for a reason. Their floor plans feel more custom, and their finishes (lighting, tile, cabinets) are usually a step up from the national volume builders. The Watch-Out: Even with better finishes, timelines can still slip. "Estimated Completion" is just an estimate. You need someone tracking those dates to make sure your rate lock doesn't expire while you're waiting on a backordered window.
3. Stylecraft Builders: The First-Time Buyer Specialist
Price Range: Low $200s – Mid $300s
Where They're Building: North Gate, West Temple
The Vibe: High Style, Low Friction.
The Reality Check: Stylecraft is incredible at packaging a home for first-time buyers. They make the financing easy and the homes look great on day one. The Watch-Out: Their contracts are ironclad. Understand exactly what "warranty" covers and what it doesn't before you sign. A glossy brochure is not a contract.
The "Model Home" Trap
Here is the secret: The nice person in the model home works for the builder.
Their job is to sell homes at the highest price with the fewest concessions. They are professionally trained to be helpful, friendly, and persuasive.
But when you walk in there unrepresented, you lose your leverage immediately.
The Price: Is it firm? (Rarely.)
The Incentives: Can you use your own lender? (Sometimes.)
The Repairs: Will they fix that crooked wall? (Only if you fight for it.)
How We Level the Playing Field
You don't pay for a buyer's agent—the builder does. It is already built into their marketing budget.
When you bring me with you:
We Ask the Hard Questions: I ask about drainage, future development phases, and warranty specifics that most buyers don't know to ask.
We Watch the Inspection: New homes need inspections too. I make sure the "small stuff" gets fixed before you close, not six months later.
We Handle the Friction: When dates move or communication drops, I’m the one chasing them down so you don't have to take off work.
The Bottom Line
D.R. Horton, Omega, and Stylecraft are all building great homes in Temple right now. I sell a lot of them, and my clients love them.
But do yourself a favor: Call me before you visit the model home.
If you register your name without me, you might accidentally waive your right to representation. Let's make sure you have someone in your corner from Day 1.
Text me at 254-718-4249 and I’ll send you my current list of the best "hidden" inventory not listed on Zillow.