Tract, Spec, or Custom Home: Which Should You Choose?
Tract, spec, and custom: each come with significant benefits and drawbacks, all dependent on what a homebuyer is looking for in their home.
When it comes to the new home market, there are three prominent options for residential home building: tract, spec, and custom. Each of these options come with significant benefits and drawbacks, all dependent on what an individual home buyer is looking for in their new home. Here are three common paths to consider when looking to purchase a brand new home.
Tract Builders
Tract builders, also known as “production builders,” build dozens or even hundreds of homes in each neighborhood they’re contracted to work in. These builders will typically work off similar floor plans and features without much flexibility.
Tract homes are also built whether there are buyers in place already or not, but families can move into completed homes even as the remainder of the neighborhood is still being built. There is often a fully staged model home in each neighborhood so potential buyers can get an understanding of what a completed property will look like. Tract homes typically fulfill the needs of most buyers and can be built in a shorter period of time than a spec or custom home. However, they aren’t always the best short-term investment opportunity and they don't allow for buyer choice or customization.
Spec Builders
A spec home, or speculative home, is a brand-new home that is either close to being fully built or completed. These homes come with pre-customized features and amenities depending on what finishing touches the buyer would like in their new home.
Homebuyers can select the model they like and then modify them according to their tastes, within reason. There are some building factors that may not be customizable, but options like finishes, countertops, flooring, and cabinets are often decided on by the new homeowner. Spec homes are a great investment since they are made with balanced amenities, built in a promising neighborhood, and typically marketable.
Custom Builders
Custom homes are constructed specifically for one individual homebuyer, which means the buyer is responsible for purchasing the lot before the build process. The construction of this home will be decided entirely by the purchaser, who contracts the builder to bring their vision to life. This includes total control of the floor plan, materials, features, amenities, and much more.
Custom home buyers are often a part of the construction process, watching for daily updates and actively participating in the decisions that come about during the build. This becomes a partnership between the builder and the home buyer, working hand in hand to finalize this dream home. Although the process can seem longer and more intensive, the benefits of selecting every piece that will comprise your new, dream home is such a rewarding experience!
Fortunately, Atmos smooths out many of the common issues with custom building, like the time-consuming nature of the process and the lengthy build time. With a dedicated project manager on your side to field questions and handle the back-and-forth of building, you retain your control over the home without sacrificing too much of your time and energy.
See how Atmos takes the guesswork out of the custom home building process by connecting you with top local experts who will work to make your dreams come true. Find out how to get started, today!
