We do not have basements here......Shady agents is a bit of a pop shot don't ya think? Codes are different and people vary from area to area. This buyer is looking in our area and my experience with their homes (extensive) in this area is nothing but positive.

Sorry of your experience with "shady" agents. I am a homebuyer as well as an agent.....I am also a fulltime agent not a licensed part timer.

An update from my CENTEX neighborhood.
Leaking basements have now reached 100% of the houses with basements. Next door they have just completed digging up the sides of his house to reseal. The other side of him, they are now digging out the cement pad in his basement for the second time, his house is shifting so much that none of his doors close in his house.
I would also note that those on here who support CENTEX on this website are dealers and not home buyers...that should tell you a lot about shady real estate agents now don't you think?
Sorry about your troubles Kj in Fort Collins, I feel your pain.

I have been in a new centex home for almost 2 years now, and its been nothing but a nightmare. From the start of the building process to the finished home. We have and had over 20 major repairs done and still half are not done yet. they fight you tooth and nail. Cracks in basement walls, gas leaks, electrical problems, ripped the bathroom floor up 2 times, still not right...... I could go on and on. I have been a nervous wreck from this... and its been miserable...... Buyer Beware.....its on going

Nancy:

I am not in your market, however I wanted to offer a few bits of advice. Centex built in my area for many years, so I am familiar with their product. They build a nice production home. Their customer service was always good in my experience.

Find a local buyer agent to assist you with your transaction. It should not cost you anything extra to use an agent as Centex cooperates with realtors and will pay their compensation. This agent will act on your behalf in negotiations, counsel on options that will increase your resale potential and troubleshoot when problems arise. (there will be issues that come up-as with any new build)

Secondly, hire a reputible home inspector. Preferrably ASHI conforming or an engineer that specializes in residential inspections. They can inspect through the 4 major phases of construction. Foundation, framing, at drywall installation and a final inspection. Most consumers rely on the local building inspectors which is a big mistake.

Lastly, visit the site a few times a week if able. If you notice something that looks incorrect, make note of it and inform your agent and the construction superintendent.

Best of luck with the building process,

I have been doing business with Centex for some time now and have never had an issue. My buyers have all been very happy with the construction and building of their new home. As someone said earlier, you will always be able to find something - nothing is perfect. I have not heard anything negative regarding their warranty or repair. My most recent buyer said that their was a small issue with the way his front door was installed and Centex came out immediately, He was quite impressed. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. My website is listed here and I'll be happy to help you.

Before the housing crisis, Centex was a recognized and established company which is why we purchased our home through them. However, in the Richmond Virginia area something happened resulting in a great many poorly built homes. Shortly after our home started to be built, the company began downsizing the staff here, primarily in the area of supervision. The contractors did what they wanted, cut corners and got away with it. Centex constantly put the wrong upgrades such as lighting, doors, stairs, hardwood floors, the list goes on and on. My wife and I ended up managing the project through constant complaints to get the house done correctly. Closing day resulted in a rush to finish the job, and from that day on, we've been fighting (10 months now) to get the house to the point where it should have been at closing. We are going to hire a home inspector, and I thank you Alma for the web link.

Hi Nancy,

I cannot overemphasize the importance of paying for a multi-stage home inspection should you decide to build with "any" builder. If the property is already completed it is also crucial to hire an experienced, ASHI home inspector. Go to http://www.ashi.org and you can find one that specialized in your area.

I recently sold a Centex home that actually had serious structural problems and fortunately the owner was within the 10 year structural warranty coverage. It took about 2 months and many many calls to get it corrected and my Seller lost his buyer and had to accept a lower sale price as a result. The more important reason to have an inspection is to protect your family from builder errors. Plus I believe the construction workers may pay more attention to details if they know they will have an independent inspector review their work.

Hope this helps.

Alma
Alma Rose Kee, P.A.
Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc.
813.244.9898

Nancy,

Centex is a recognized and well established company that has stood the test of time. We have sold the Centex product and find our customers to be happy with both their home and the community.

But the reality is you will always be able to find something that was a problem. It has been our experience that Centex goes out of their way to make sure their customers are satisfied.

Good luck,
The "Eckler Team"

I have been fighting Centex homes on warranty work since I moved in to my new home 10 months ago. I know I will never purchase a home from Centex again, and it seems I am joined my most of my neighbors on this sentiment. Hope you didn't buy that house!!!

Nancy,

I have sold a lot of Centex homes in Southwest Florida over the last couple of years. They are one of the better, more respected builders in the area. I actually know of some phenomial deals in the area through centex, since I have developed so many realtionships with them directly. I'd be glad to share them with you. Please feel free to contact me, my website is below.

New Home construction can be either heavenly bliss or a nightmare. It depends on the people who you are dealing with. I started out in the mortgage business doing construction to perm loans, but NOT until I took a course on how to do it. You always want to deal with knowledgable people when you go forward in any venture. I have always had very smooth closings and very happy clients, but then, I only recommend solid builders and I go with lenders I can depend on that know their business.

Centex homes are excellent builders. I have lived in this area for over 8 years and I have not heard or read anything bad about them. If you want great service, contact Denise Kramer at Centex Homes. She is awesome and very knowledgable. Her number is 239-849-2123. She can answer ANY questions you may have.
Cathryn Blair-Bennett
Lic. Realtor, Lic. Mortgage Broker
First Capital lending
239-277-9244 Ext. 212

You are very smart to do your research. My customers have had great experiences with Centex homes. They seem to be very willing to make your house just as you would like it... within reason. As with all builders you have to be on top of them and you need someone who represents you alone (remember the builders agent is working in the best interest of the builder). Hope that helps!
Terra Anderson
Southwest Florida's Family Realtor
Century 21 Sunbelt
239-590-5731 http://www.welcomehomefortmyers.com

From my experience:
a) I will not let any client sign a purchase contract for new construction without having a real estate attorney blessing that contract. New home contracts can turn into a nightmare. For the buyer of course, never for the builder.
b) Do not (!) forgo a building inspection before the final payment. Just because it's a new home doesn't mean it's in flawless condition.

All the best and good luck,
Tobias Kaiser

My experience has been very good with Centex and other builders. You can run into some snags along the way the same way you can in any other transaction but in general my experience has been positive. I have sold quite a few Centex homes recently as they have been very well priced and offer great floor plans. Let me know if you want any extra info from an outside source on any of their other communities.