Home / New Construction
New construction homes, buyer side.
Houston builders aren’t on your side — but you can have someone who is. Builder contracts decoded, what’s actually negotiable, which incentives matter, and how to use your own representation without paying out of pocket.
The short answer
What do new-construction homes cost in Houston right now?
I’m Eddie Weir, a REALTOR® with REMAX Signature. There is no single Houston new-construction price. The table on this page gives the 10th to 90th percentile of active new-construction listings on September 24, 2026 for eight named builders, from the Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS.
Updated September 2026 · Data: Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS
The saved September 24 listing sample includes records marked Coming Soon where returned by the active-status query. Counts and asking-price bands are historical; confirm today’s availability for the specific home.
Houston Builders, Side by Side
Selected Houston builders, one table.
Start here. Find the price band you are actually shopping, then read the guide for the two or three builders that land in it. Ordered entry to luxury — this is a map of who builds what and where, not a ranking.
Swipe to compare all columns. With a keyboard, focus the table and use the arrow keys.
| Builder | Price band | Where it sits | What it is known for in Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starlight Homes | $220,000 to $330,000 | Entry · first-time buyers | Ashton Woods’ entry brand, launched 2017. Smart-home package standard. Lender partnerships for down payment assistance. |
| D.R. Horton | $246,000 to $410,000 | Entry through entry-luxury | America’s largest builder by volume since 2002. Three Houston tiers: Express Homes, D.R. Horton, and Emerald Homes. The price column is the combined active list, not a separate band for each brand. |
| K. Hovnanian | $295,000 to $542,000 | Mid-tier · 55+ active adult | Compare the available plans, included features and total price for the community and home you are considering. |
| Coventry Homes | Check current listings | Entry through estate — widest active span | Building in Texas since 1988, 55,000+ homes, part of the Dream Finders family. Heaviest in Richmond. Will build on a lot you already own. |
| Chesmar Homes | Check current listings | Mid-tier · widely spread | Unusually distributed for a production builder — active in nine cities from Mont Belvieu east to Katy and Fulshear west, with no single dominant market. |
| Meritage Homes | $244,000 to $439,000 | Mid-tier · energy package | Standard energy package: spray foam, ENERGY STAR, fresh-air HVAC, low-E windows, tankless water heating. |
| Perry Homes | $406,000 to $750,000 | Compare plans and locations | Compare the available plans, included features and total price for the community and home you are considering. |
| Westin Homes | Check current listings | Move-up | Sugar Land headquarters, Houston and Austin only. The plans run large. |
| David Weekley Homes | $376,000 to $657,000 | Move-up | Compare the available plans, included features and total price for the community and home you are considering. |
| Highland Homes | $394,000 to $750,000 | Move-up · finish-forward | Compare the available plans, included features and total price for the community and home you are considering. |
| Toll Brothers | $469,000 to $989,000 | Luxury · build-to-order | Sienna is one of the larger groups of active Toll Brothers new-construction listings (14 on September 24, 2026, a count, not a price). Cross Creek Ranch is not still selling new homes. Johnson Development said the last newly built home sold on May 4, 2026. Build time depends on the plan. |
The eight numbered bands are the 10th to 90th percentile of active new-construction asking prices on September 24, 2026, from the Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. Coventry, Chesmar and Westin are linked without a price band. These are saved listing samples, not today’s inventory or builder base prices. For an inventory home, confirm which lot and installed options are already included. For a build-to-order home, itemize the base plan, lot premium and selected options. Do not add the same cost twice.
Why New Construction Is Different
The on-site sales representative doesn’t represent you.
Every new-construction Houston deal involves three parties: the buyer, the builder, and the on-site sales representative. The on-site sales rep works for the builder — typically as an employee without a real estate license, not your agent. In Texas, the custom is that the buyer brings their own agent on day one. If you don’t, you walk in unrepresented across the negotiation table from someone whose paycheck depends on the builder’s outcome.
In practically every case, the builder pays my compensation — I confirm it with the builder before our first visit.
Who the On-Site Sales Rep Works For
The on-site sales representative at any Houston builder model home (Perry Homes, David Weekley, Highland Homes, Toll Brothers, Lennar, Westin, Trendmaker, M/I, etc.) is a builder employee — typically not a licensed real estate agent. They work for the builder, not for you, and they cannot negotiate against the builder on the buyer’s behalf.
What a Buyer’s Agent Does
As your buyer’s agent in a Houston new-construction transaction, I negotiate base price, lot premium, builder incentives, rate buy-downs, closing-cost credits, upgrade pricing, inspection findings, and timeline-protection clauses. I negotiate for the builder to cover the buyer-agency fee as part of the deal.
When You Have to Bring Me
The Texas custom is that the buyer’s agent must be registered on the buyer’s first model-home visit — before the sales rep’s name is on the ticket. Walking in alone first and trying to add an agent later usually doesn’t work. If you’re touring Houston new-construction model homes, bring me on day one.
What’s Actually Negotiable
Builder · Lender · Lot · Upgrades.
Houston builders publish base prices and standard incentive packages, but the actual transacted price after negotiation can run 4–7% below sticker. The negotiation isn’t always on base price — often it’s on rate buy-downs, closing-cost credits, lot premiums, or included upgrades. Knowing which lever the specific builder responds to matters more than asking for everything at once.
Builder Incentives
Compare the current price and incentive offer for the specific home. Ask about loan conditions, expiration dates and whether credits can be combined; evaluate the full cost rather than the size of one advertised incentive.
Lender Lever
Most Houston builders have an affiliated lender that offers more aggressive rates and credits than the builder will give for cash deals. The “use our lender” rate is often the largest single concession available. Compare against an independent lender quote before deciding.
Upgrade Pricing
Builder design-center upgrade pricing is materially higher than after-close third-party pricing for many items (counters, flooring upgrades, lighting, fixtures). Some upgrades are worth doing pre-close (anything inside a wall: structural, plumbing, electrical); others are not (paint, finishes, landscaping). I walk every buyer through the line-item math before design-center day.
Current Climate
Buyer-favorable.
Compare the available plans, included features and total price for the community and home you are considering.
Houston new-construction incentives change regularly. What’s described above is the general shape of the market, not a quote. Before any contract, I’ll pull the current incentive sheet directly from the builder for the specific community and inventory home you’re considering. Verify current incentives at the model home, not from any website (including this one).
Active Houston Master-Planned Communities
Eight communities, plain orientation.
Compare the available plans, included features and total price for the community and home you are considering.
Cypress · CFISD
Bridgeland
11,400 acres in northwest Houston. Top CFISD elementary feeders. Active builders include Perry Homes, David Weekley, Highland Homes, Trendmaker.
Closed median: $530,000 (224 single-family sales, June 1 to August 31, 2026). Active list: $390,000 to $895,000 (352 homes on September 24, 2026, 10th to 90th percentile). Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. These are all single-family homes in the area, not one builder’s base price.
Read the Bridgeland guideMissouri City · FBISD
Sienna
10,800-acre master-planned community in southwest Missouri City. Top FBISD feeders. Active builders include Perry Homes, David Weekley, Highland Homes, Toll Brothers.
Price range: $360s–$1.2M
Read the Sienna guideFulshear / Katy · LCISD/KISD
Cross Creek Ranch
3,200 acres on the Katy edge in Fulshear. Lamar CISD or Katy ISD depending on section. Cross Creek Ranch is not still selling new homes. Johnson Development said the last newly built home sold on May 4, 2026.
Not a current new-home price. Single-family sales that closed June 1 to August 31, 2026 had a median of $570,000 (109 sales). Active listings on September 24, 2026 ran from $409,000 to $954,000 (138 homes, 10th to 90th percentile). Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. These figures mix resale and any listing still flagged new construction. They are not a builder base price.
Read the Cross Creek Ranch guidePorter · New Caney ISD
The Highlands
Golf-course master-planned community in Porter with on-site New Caney ISD schools. Lennar, Beazer, and Chesmar at entry; Perry, Highland, and David Weekley mid-range; custom builders at the top.
Closed median: $504,000 (54 single-family sales, June 1 to August 31, 2026). Active list: $411,000 to $734,000 (108 homes on September 24, 2026, 10th to 90th percentile). Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. These are all single-family homes in the area, not one builder’s base price.
Read The Highlands guideKaty · KISD
Cane Island
Newer master-planned community on Katy’s western edge along I-10. Top KISD elementary feeders. Active builders include Perry Homes, David Weekley, Highland Homes.
Closed median: $600,000 (25 single-family sales, June 1 to August 31, 2026). Active list: $450,000 to $931,000 (110 homes on September 24, 2026, 10th to 90th percentile). Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. These are all single-family homes in the area, not one builder’s base price.
Read the Cane Island guideKaty · Katy ISD / Royal ISD
Sunterra
Lagoon-anchored master-planned community on Katy’s west side — one of Houston’s busiest new-construction markets. A dozen-plus active builders, from Centex and LGI through Perry, Highland, and Westin.
Closed median: $318,000 (234 single-family sales, June 1 to August 31, 2026). Active list: $271,000 to $469,000 (408 homes on September 24, 2026, 10th to 90th percentile). Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. These are all single-family homes in the area, not one builder’s base price.
Read the Sunterra guideRichmond · LCISD
Harvest Green
Agrihood master-planned community in Richmond, anchored by a working community farm. Lamar CISD. Active builders include David Weekley, Perry Homes, Highland Homes.
Closed median: $560,000 (49 single-family sales, June 1 to August 31, 2026). Active list: $454,000 to $1,275,000 (114 homes on September 24, 2026, 10th to 90th percentile). Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. These are all single-family homes in the area, not one builder’s base price.
Read the Harvest Green guideManvel · AISD
Meridiana
Master-planned community south of Pearland in Manvel. Alvin ISD. Active builders include Perry Homes, David Weekley, Highland Homes, Lennar.
Price range: $320s–$550s
Read the Meridiana guideHouston’s New Construction Builders
Eleven builders, plain language.
There is no single new-construction price. Cross Creek Ranch is not still selling new homes. Johnson Development said the last newly built home sold on May 4, 2026. No new homes are for sale there. Use the builder table for the measured active-list bands.
Entry-tier · First-time buyers
Starlight Homes Houston
On September 24, 2026, 104 active Starlight Homes new-construction listings had a 10th to 90th percentile asking-price band of $220,000 to $330,000. Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. Compare current plans, included features and availability in the builder guide.
Read the Starlight Homes guideNational · America’s #1 by volume
DR Horton Houston
On September 24, 2026, 801 active D.R. Horton new-construction listings had a 10th to 90th percentile asking-price band of $246,000 to $410,000. Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. Compare current plans, included features and availability in the builder guide.
Read the DR Horton guideNational · Mid-tier + 55+ active adult
K. Hovnanian Homes Houston
On September 24, 2026, 121 active K. Hovnanian new-construction listings had a 10th to 90th percentile asking-price band of $295,000 to $542,000. Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. Compare current plans, included features and availability in the builder guide.
Read the K. Hovnanian guideCompare plans and locations
Coventry Homes Houston
Compare the available plans, included features and total price for the community and home you are considering.
Read the Coventry Homes guideMid-tier · Widely spread
Chesmar Homes Houston
Unusually distributed for a production builder: active inventory runs from Mont Belvieu in the east through Montgomery, Magnolia and Tomball in the north to Katy, Fulshear and Manvel in the west and south — nine cities, none dominant. Family-sized plans.
Read the Chesmar Homes guideNational · Energy efficiency
Meritage Homes Houston
On September 24, 2026, 188 active Meritage Homes new-construction listings had a 10th to 90th percentile asking-price band of $244,000 to $439,000. Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. Compare current plans, included features and availability in the builder guide.
Read the Meritage Homes guideTexas-headquartered · Volume builder
Perry Homes Houston
On September 24, 2026, 615 active Perry Homes new-construction listings had a 10th to 90th percentile asking-price band of $406,000 to $750,000. Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. Compare current plans, included features and availability in the builder guide.
Read the Perry Homes guideCompare the available plans, included features and total price for the community and home you are considering.
Westin Homes Houston
Sugar Land headquarters, building in Houston and Austin only for thirty-plus years. Its Houston listings are concentrated in the western and northern master-planned communities. Plans run large.
Read the Westin Homes guideHouston-headquartered · Customer service
David Weekley Homes Houston
On September 24, 2026, 460 active David Weekley Homes new-construction listings had a 10th to 90th percentile asking-price band of $376,000 to $657,000. Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. Compare current plans, included features and availability in the builder guide.
Read the David Weekley guideTexas-only · Finish-forward
Highland Homes Houston
On September 24, 2026, 197 active Highland Homes new-construction listings had a 10th to 90th percentile asking-price band of $394,000 to $750,000. Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. Compare current plans, included features and availability in the builder guide.
Read the Highland Homes guideNational · Luxury production
Toll Brothers Houston
On September 24, 2026, 115 active Toll Brothers new-construction listings had a 10th to 90th percentile asking-price band of $469,000 to $989,000. Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS. Compare current plans, included features and availability in the builder guide.
Read the Toll Brothers guideThe Buyer’s Process
Four buyer-side deep dives.
Beyond the community and the builder, four topic spokes cover the buyer-side mechanics that decide whether a Houston new-construction deal closes well: the buyer-agent advantage, the current incentive climate, which upgrades are worth paying for, and the inspection scope new construction actually warrants.
Representation
Why Use a Buyer’s Agent on Houston New Construction
The on-site sales representative works for the builder, not for you. The buyer needs their own agent at the table. Here’s why bringing your agent on day one matters and what they actually do during the deal.
Read the buyer-agent guideThe current cycle
Houston New Construction Incentives
Builder rate buy-downs, closing-cost credits, free upgrades, lot-premium waivers. The current incentive climate by community and by builder, with the levers that respond best to negotiation.
Read the incentives guideDesign Center
Builder Upgrades Worth Paying For in Houston
Which upgrades pay back and which don’t. The “do it pre-close vs. after-close” framework. Structural and inside-the-wall upgrades vs. cosmetic ones. Where Houston builders’ design-center pricing is fair and where it isn’t.
Read the upgrades guideInspection Scope
New Construction Inspections in Houston
Why a third-party inspection is non-negotiable on new construction (the builder’s QA isn’t yours). Pre-pour, pre-drywall, and final walk-through inspections. What Texas inspectors find on Houston builds.
Read the inspections guideHouston New Construction FAQ
The questions Houston new-construction buyers actually ask.
Do I need a REALTOR® for new construction in Houston?
Yes. The on-site sales representative at any Houston builder model home works for the builder, not you. A buyer’s agent negotiates incentives, rate buy-downs, lot premiums, upgrade pricing, inspection findings, and timeline-protection clauses on your behalf. I negotiate for the builder to cover the buyer-agency fee as part of the deal. The custom is that the buyer’s agent must be registered on the buyer’s first model-home visit; walking in alone and adding an agent later usually doesn’t work.
What’s negotiable on a Houston new-construction home?
Compare the current price and incentive offer for the specific home. Ask about loan conditions, expiration dates and whether credits can be combined; evaluate the full cost rather than the size of one advertised incentive.
What are Houston new-construction incentives like right now?
Compare the available plans, included features and total price for the community and home you are considering.
What’s the price range for Houston new construction?
There is no single metro-wide new-construction range. The builder table is the 10th to 90th percentile of active new-construction listings on September 24, 2026 for the builders in that count. Cross Creek Ranch is not still selling new homes. Johnson Development said the last newly built home sold on May 4, 2026. Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS.
Do I need a third-party inspection on new construction?
Yes — non-negotiable. The builder’s QA is the builder’s QA, not yours. A third-party Texas-licensed inspector should run a pre-pour foundation inspection, a pre-drywall inspection (electrical, plumbing, framing), and a final walk-through inspection. Inspectors regularly find items the builder missed: roof penetrations, plumbing routing errors, missing insulation, electrical compliance issues, and HVAC ducting. The inspection cost ($400–$800 typically) pays back many times in builder corrections.
Are Houston new-construction homes more expensive than resale?
Compare the specific new and resale homes on price, condition, inspections, insurance, property taxes, HOA or MUD charges, warranty coverage and expected maintenance. Age alone does not establish the better value.
How long does Houston new-construction build take?
Houston new-construction build timelines run roughly 4–8 months from start to closing on a dirt-start home. Inventory homes (already started or completed) close in 30–45 days like resale. Build timelines depend on builder, community, weather, supply chain, and labor — the COVID-era backlog has mostly cleared but isolated supply issues still pop up. Texas summer heat and hurricane season can both slow framing and concrete pours.
Which Houston builder is best?
“Best” depends on price tier, design preference, and which community. Perry Homes generally leads on base-price value and consistent volume builds. David Weekley leads on customer service and floor-plan flexibility. Highland Homes leads on mid-tier-plus finish levels and larger floor plans. Toll Brothers leads on luxury per-square-foot and premium tracts. None of them is universally best; the right builder for a specific deal depends on the community, the lot, the price tier, and the buyer’s priorities.
Touring Houston new-construction model homes? Bring me on day one.
I’ll meet you at the Houston model home, walk the community with you, register as your buyer’s agent with the sales office before the on-site team has a chance to claim the lead, and start negotiating the incentive package — including any current Perry Homes, Toll Brothers, David Weekley, or Highland Homes builder promotions. As your REMAX REALTOR®, my commission comes out of the builder’s marketing budget — you typically pay nothing extra. No pressure, no obligation, no auto-drip.
Book a 30-minute call
Decision framework
New construction or resale — which fits?
Both can be great. They’re also very different commitments. Where new construction wins, where resale wins, and the five questions to answer before you pick:
More from the Houston new construction guide
Why a buyer’s agent matters — Builder’s sales rep represents the builder. Bring your own representation.
Builder incentives — What’s actually negotiable: rate buy-downs, design center credits, lot premiums.
Smart upgrades vs the design center trap — Where build upgrades pay back and where they don’t.
New construction inspections — Pre-drywall, pre-close, and 11-month — the three inspections every NC buyer needs.
Houston builder incentive guide — Active programs across Houston’s major master-planned community builders.
New construction vs resale — When to buy new, when to buy resale, and how to weigh the trade-offs.
Do you need a REALTOR® for new construction? In practically every case, the builder pays my compensation — I confirm it with the builder before our first visit.
New construction under $300K — Where to actually find it in 2026 — Hockley, Cypress Green, Decker Farms — and the MUD-tax trade-off.
New-construction home maintenance — Your first-year warranty walk-throughs and what to watch in a brand-new Houston build.
