From Anna and Melissa to Princeton and Celina, Collin County has more new construction than almost anywhere in Texas. That gives buyers a real choice between new and resale homes.
Why buyers choose new construction
- Modern floor plans and energy efficiency
- Builder warranties
- Incentives such as rate buy-downs or closing-cost help
- Choosing your own finishes
Why buyers choose resale
- Mature trees and established neighborhoods
- Often lower tax rates outside MUD and PID districts
- More room to negotiate on price and repairs
- Faster move-in timelines
Compare the total cost
Look past the list price. Compare tax rates, HOA dues, the cost of window coverings, fencing and landscaping a new home may need, and the value of any builder incentives.
A quick resale vs. new construction cost check
- Price per square foot, including the upgrades you would add to a new build
- Total tax rate — city, county, school and any MUD or PID
- HOA dues and what they cover
- Blinds, fencing, landscaping and appliances a new home may not include
- Builder incentives versus the room to negotiate on a resale home
The Texas Comptroller explains how MUD and PID rates are added to your tax bill.
When a resale home is the better buy
A resale home often wins when you want a bigger yard, mature trees, a shorter commute or a lower tax rate outside a MUD. You can negotiate repairs after the inspection, and you are not waiting months for a build to finish. In established parts of McKinney, Allen and Plano, an existing home may be the only way to get the location you want.
When new construction is the better buy
New construction shines when a builder is offering a strong rate buy-down, when you want a specific floor plan, or when you would rather not take on an older roof and HVAC system. I read builder contracts carefully — they are written for the builder, not for you — and I come to the walkthroughs before drywall and at the end.
Questions I ask about every resale home
- How old are the roof, the HVAC and the water heater?
- Has the foundation been repaired, and is there a transferable warranty?
- Is it in a MUD, PID or HOA, and what are the dues?
- What sold nearby in the last six months — and how fast?
Whichever way you lean, have your own agent from the first visit. With a resale home, I negotiate price and repairs; with a new build, I negotiate incentives, upgrades and the closing date. The Texas Real Estate Commission requires agents to explain who they represent, so ask the builder’s sales rep who they work for.
Bring me on your first model-home visit — many builders require it for me to represent you. Get in touch →
Shayla Eadler
Native Texan, wife, boy mom and the broker and owner of Ten Twenty Realty — helping North Texas families buy and sell homes, land and ranches since 2020.
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