
Austin Real Estate Services Guide
Everything You Need, All in One Place
13907 Yellow Bell Bend,
Bee Cave, TX 78738
512-328-2122
4201 W. Parmer Ln., Bldg. A, Ste. 150
Austin, TX 78727
512.610.7000
1048 Sanders
Kyle, TX 78640
(512) 504-9243
7670 Woodway suite 300
Houston, Texas 77063
(713) 600-7000
104 Adorno Lane
Georgetown, TX 78628
512-843-4062

Coventry Homes
7676 Woodway, Suite 104
Houston, TX 77063
(713) 952-6767
2013 National Builder of the Year
9000 Waterford Centre Blvd.
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 821-8800
1501 Sun City Blvd
Georgetown TX 78633
(877)627-9700
7300 FM 2222 Building 2, Suite 250
Austin, TX 78730
(512) 241-7100
Barton Creek Plaza III
3815 S. Capital of TX Hwy
Suite 275
Austin, TX 78704
512-330-9366
205 Wild Basin Road South
Building 1
Austin, Texas 78746
512-472-1105
4201 W. Parmer Lane
Building B, Suite 180
Austin, TX 78727
(512) 834-8429
221 Indigo Lane
Georgetown, TX 78627
Phone: 888.988.8580
Local: 512.772.4222

Jimmy Jacobs
3613 Williams Drive
Suite 204
Georgetown, Texas 78628
512-930-4041
8920 Business Park Dr Ste 200
Austin, TX 78759
(512)331-8863
2101 Colinas Verdas Rd
Leander, TX 78641
512-528-9983
9111 Jollyville Road Suite 111
Austin, TX. 78759
877- 676-9622
8920 Business Park Dr Ste 200
Austin, TX 78759
512-331-8863
20108 Algreg Street
Pflugerville, Texas 78660
(512) 251-7722 Office
(866) 581-7722 Toll Free
10415 Morado Cir Ste 1-100
Austin, TX 78759
512-342-1882
11001 Lakeline Blvd # 100
Austin, TX 78717
512-506-4000
4407 Bee Cave Rd
Austin, TX 78746
512-329-9966
11200 Lakeline Blvd. Ste. 150A
Austin, TX 78717
512-328-8866
205 Wild Basin Rd - Bldg II, Ste A
Austin, TX 78746
512.684.3881
info@treatyoakhomes.com
7676 Woodway, Suite 104
Houston, TX 77063
713-952-6767
Austin New Home Builders
Find a beautiful new home here from one of Austins great new home builders. We've been through their websites for you and pulled out the short cuts to the places you will most likely want go. For much more detailed up to the minute information regarding current inventory, sales concessions visit our Builders Update page.
How to Resolve Problems that May Arise with Your Builder
The typical house contains more than 3,000 different parts. These components must be assembled with skill to form the new product you will call home.
It would be unrealistic to expect your new home to be perfect. Even the best built homes are likely need a few corrections. Most problems are corrected routinely by the builder. However, if a non-routine problem should arise, you should follow certain procedures to correct the situation.
First, identify the exact nature of the problem. Then you should put it into writing and send it to the builder. Many builders require all complaints to be in writing and will respond to telephone complaints only in emergencies.
Use the following guidelines when you write your letter:
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Include your name, address, and home and work telephone numbers.
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Type your letter if possible. If not, use printing or handwriting that is easy to read.
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Keep your letter brief and to the point, but include all relevant details. State exactly what you want done and how soon you expect the problem to be resolved.
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Be reasonable.
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Include all relevant documents regarding the problem.
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Send copies, not originals. Keep a copy of the letter for your files.
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Before you write your letter, familiarize yourself with your warranty coverage. If a problem develops after the warranty has expired, the builder is not required to fix it under the terms of the written warranty. Some items, such as appliances, may be covered by manufacturers' warranties and are not the responsibility of the builder.
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Always go directly to the builder with your complaints. Do not send letters to lawyers, government agencies, home builders associations or any other third parties before you have given your builder a reasonable chance to correct the problem. Interference from outsiders may impede the handling of your complaint.
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Also, sending angry, sarcastic or threatening letters is not likely to expedite your case. Such letters usually do more harm than good.
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Contact outsiders only if you have reached an impasse with your builder. Try to avoid legal proceedings. Lawsuits are expensive and time consuming and should be attempted only as a last resort.
Remember that most builders are seeking customer referrals and repeat buyers. They want you to be satisfied. If a problem develops, remain calm and approach your builder in a reasonable manner. By following the procedures described above, chances are that you will be able to resolve the problems.
Helpful Tips
New homeowners with questions or concerns involving construction methods, practices, materials and techniques used to construct a home should:
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Carefully read the contract to establish how construction issues are to be handled.
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Contact the home builder through the mail and by telephone to clearly explain the situation.
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Document all contact with the home builder
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Take photos of the situation and send copies to the home builder.
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Be prepared to hire a third party inspector.
Homeowners may also want to call the enforcement jurisdiction to verify inspections were made for code compliance. Questions might include:
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Which building codes and amendments are used?
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Which inspections are performed on the home during construction.
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Will the city dispatch an inspector to examine the situation and give an opinion based on local building code requirements?
The Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers complaint mediation and arbitration services that can help solve consumer/business problems. As private non-profit organizations, however, they cannot force a solution on parties to a dispute:
BBB of Coastal, Central & Southwest Texas
http://austin.bbb.org, info@austin.bbb.org Phone: (512)445-2911, Fax: (512)445-2096
1005 La Posada Drive
Austin TX 78752
The Office of the Attorney General and Legal Assistance
Home owners with unresolved complaints may contact the Office of the Attorney General. The Attorney General’s Consumer Complaint Division has a process to submit complaints. The consumer protection hotline number is (800) 621-0508.
If the homeowner is over the age of 60 or eligible for Medicare, the Attorney General offers free legal advice and other legal services. Eligible Texans can call (800) 622-2520.
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, identity theft, and other business related issues.
The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection works to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. The Bureau conducts investigations, sues companies and people who violate the law, develops rules to protect consumers, and educates consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.
Complaints filed with the FTC helps detect patterns of wrong-doing, and lead to investigations and prosecutions. The FTC enters all complaints it receives into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database. It should be noted that the FTC does not resolve individual consumer complaints.
For more information go to www.ftc.gov or www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
Small Claims Court
If the conflict between a homeowner and home builder or home remodeling contractor involves a contract dispute or allegations of fraud, then the Texas Justice of the Peace system or Municipal Smalls Claims Court may provide relief. These courts have filing fees that are much smaller than district courts and the proceedings are less formal, with citizens representing themselves.
In these courts, consumers may present their side to the judge using any information, documents or witnesses that are relevant. Look in the blue pages of the phone book or contact the city or county for information about these courts. Information can also be found at www.courts.state.tx.us.
The Residential Construction Liability Act
For unresolved situations surrounding allegations of a construction defect, the Texas law known as the Residential Construction Liability Act (RCLA - commonly known as "Rec-la”) was established by the Texas Legislature.
Generally speaking, RCLA applies to any action to recover from a construction defect except for personal injury, wrongful death or damage to goods. Any party who files a suit under RCLA that is groundless and brought in bad faith or for purposes of harassment is for attorney’s fees and court costs.
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A summary of the RCLA process is as follows:
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To formally start the RCLA process, the homeowner must give written notice to the contractor specifying in reasonable detail the construction defects of the home 60 days before taking any legal action. On request of the contractor the homeowner must provide any evidence of the defect such as photos or inspection reports.
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The contractor shall have 35 days after receiving the notice to inspect the situation to determine any repairs necessary. A written offer of settlement must be submitted to the homeowner within 45 days of receiving, and if the offer is accepted - make the repairs within 45 days.
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The homeowner has the right to refuse the settlement offer or offer to repair, but they must provide details why the offer is being refused. If the offer is refused the contractor may make a supplemental offer. If a homeowner does not permit the contractor to inspect the property or make repairs, then certain restrictions will apply to the homeowner’s ultimate settlement offer.
Helpful Online Resources
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Attorney General – www.oag.state.tx.us
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Better Business Bureau – http://austin.bbb.org
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International Code Council – www.iccsafe.org
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Federal Trade Commission – www.ftc.gov or www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
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Justice of the Peace and Small Claims Courts – www.courts.state.tx.us
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Texas Law and Statutes – www.texasonline.com
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Texas State Agency List - www.tsl.state.tx.us
How to Choose a
Home Builder
If you're in the market for a new home, you should shop for your builder as carefully as you shop for your home. Whether you are buying a condo, a townhouse, a house in a subdivision, or a custom built house, you want to know that you are buying a good quality home from a reputable builder. Here are a couple of tips to help you choose a builder.
Make A List of Possible Builders
Once you have thought about the type of house you want, you will need to find a builder.
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Contact your local home builders' association to obtain a list of builders who construct homes in your area. You can find your local HBA t nahb.org/findanhba. You can also look on Move.com, NAHB's official new homes listing website.
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Look in the real estate section of your local newspaper for builders and projects. Looking through the ads and reading the articles can help you to learn which builders are active in your area, the types of homes they are building, and the prices you can expect to pay. Make a list of builders who build the type of home you're looking for in your price range.
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Local real estate agents may also be able to help you in your search. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Ask about builders they have dealt with directly, or ask them for names of acquaintances who have recently had a good experience with a builder.
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Do Your Homework
Once you have a list of builders, how can you find out about their reputations and the quality of their work? The best way to learn about builders is to visit homes they have built and talk with the owners.
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Ask builders on your list for the addresses of their recently built homes and subdivisions. Builders may even be able to provide names of some home owners who would be willing to talk with you.
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Drive by on a Saturday morning when home owners may be outside doing chores or errands. Introduce yourself and say you are considering buying a home from the builder who built their home. Talk to several owners, and try to get a random sample of opinions. The more people you talk with, the more accurate an impression of a builder you are likely to get. At the very least, drive by and see if the homes are visually appealing.
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When you talk to builders and home owners, take along a notebook to record the information you find and your personal impressions about specific builders and homes. Doing so will help you to make comparisons later. Some questions you can ask people include: Are you happy with your home? If you had any problems, were they fixed promptly and properly? Would you buy another home from this builder?
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Shop For Quality and Value
Look at new homes whenever you can. Home shows and open houses sponsored by builders are good opportunities to look at homes. Model homes and houses displayed in home shows are often furnished to give you ideas for using the space. You may also ask a builder to see unfurnished homes.
When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features. Inspect the quality of the cabinetry, carpeting, trimwork, and paint. Ask the builder or the builder's representative a lot of questions. Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers verbally rather than in writing, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question. What seems like an insignificant question might yield an important answer.