You need a real estate involved to assist you never purchase a home from a builder unless you are represented or direct from a seller.
a) If all is true the energy efficient house that could be a better deal but with a real estate agent representing you they could probably work on comping other homes in the area to determine if has all the market value OR having an appraiser involved with a real estate agent representing.
b) If the other house across the street is less how much would it take include all the energy efficent products offered.

WOW... I would not purchase unless you had a professional real estate agent involved assisting you with all these situations. GOOD LUCK... builders have quite of bit of mark up in some of these products,

Some good answers here - I did notice that no one addressed the square footage. Depending on what the cost per square foot is in the neighborhood, this can be a big reason for an increase.

If sales average $100/sq ft, the extra 130 square feet is worth $13,000.

If average is $125/sq ft, the extra 130 square ft is worth $16,250.

To find average sq ft price for the neighborhood, look at 4-5 recent sales and divide the sales price by the number of square feet in the home.

Based on the additional square footage plus all of the other items you mentioned, it does sound like the price difference may be justified.

Well, I have never heard of Gold Star Homes. The BBB of Fort Worth opened a file for them in 1998 but they are not members. I would recommend that you speak to other owners that are living in a Gold Star Home in that community and get their feedback about how the service and if they have had any issues with the house. It sounds like they may be more custom builders from the finish out which explains their prices being higher. Ask them if they are building in other communities in DFW and check those out too.

The half bath is typically an upgrade of $2500 but you usually lose a closet someplace.
The granite in 2.5 bathrooms I'd say is about 3K
Iron stairs depending on how many run between 700-1300 (this is worth the upgrade)
Second oven in the kitchen about 500 (a plus for resale)
Sound proofing the walls as well as the doors should be standard in any media room.

Every builder in DFW builds homes with low E windows... this is a building code NOT an upgrade. Don't let them make you think that you're getting it for free.

Glenn is right on the money about the radiant barrier... max 1500 installed.

Looks like they are still on the high side, is the lot size the same?

Meritage is from the Landstar family of builders and is a reputable local builder that has been around a while. They usually build a real good product.

I would say go with the house that has the best floorplan that works for you and negotiate on the price until you are comfortable.

Do you have a realtor that is representing you? because these are answers they should be answering for you as well. They can tell you which floorplan would sell best too.

More information - the 25K more home is gold star home, and the less expensive one is Meritage. I should also add that the gold star home is 130 sq.ft larger and has an extra 1/2 bath, other upgrades by gold star homes are glazed antique finished dual fire place, wrought iron stairs, granite countertops in all the bathrooms, sound proofing the doors in the media room, dual oven in the kitchen, tankless water heater. Is all this add up to 25K?

I find it hard to believe that have to offer. Which builders are they... that it's the only difference between the 2? . How is one builder selling homes if that is the only difference? which builders are they? that may answer a lot.

I think you are saying the only difference is the tankless water heater (about $500 difference), radiant sheilding (about $1000-$1500 difference) and the garage is not insulated (in Burleson I wouldn't care about that- I might want my garage to be a little drafty).

I would say buy the cheaper one and pay to upgrade the water heater and radiant sheilding. You will still come out way ahead,

All other things being equal, ie., floorplans you like, lots similar, bedroom count, construction quality, etc., the one with the energy upgrades would be a no-brainer. Of course, I am in MN, but I do find it hard to believe in todays day and age, that a builder would even be building a home without Lo-E windows. That alone would put it over the top for me.

Best Wishes, Todd Norsted