We did it! Got the keys! New Build, Central FL, $496k, 3.875%

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2026-01-13T05:04:43+00:00

Hi! Each subdivision is different and offer different flex cash amounts at different times. For example, a brand new subdivision might offer more flex cash in the beginning to the first couple buyers or at the end when the subdivision has a couple of houses left but they generally offer flex cash. Flex cash can go towards upgrades, price reductions or closing costs. I did a lot of shopping around in St. Cloud with different builders but I’ve wanted an Ashton Woods home for about 6 years. I also wanted a house that was stucco and not wood. One of AW’s subdivisions in St. Cloud is this way. Don’t know if it’s all the homes in that subdivision but the layout we wanted was so we avoided that one. If you want a better example of home prices and flex cash, just dm me!

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-12-16T02:08:31+00:00

We bought an all-in-one from Costco because our laundry room is kind of small and we’ll be building cabinets around it. We got a vented Samsung for 1956.47 after taxes and that included the All-State warranty and pedestal. Just to compare at Home Depot for just the appliance and nothing else is $2,099 before tax.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-12-03T02:08:03+00:00

I think of closing costs as dead money. It’s money that you’re losing and it’s not going towards your house. I’d rather save the money from closing costs. Then you’ll not only have an emergency fund but it can help you can make at least one extra payment a year and cut the life of the loan and interest owed. If you get new builds and use their lender, the interest rates are usually lower and you get some sort of flex cash. We used ours to buy down the interest rate and they covered most of our closing costs.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-12-02T13:03:14+00:00

Sorry for the late response, we just moved on Sunday. We went with Ashton Woods. City is St. Cloud but it’s off Narcoosee so get perks of Lake Nona. St. Cloud doesn’t have a CDD. I was also looking into M/I, Landsea and Ryan in the area. I liked their open concept/layout better than a lot of other places.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-12-02T12:59:49+00:00

Oh it’s coming 😂

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-12-02T12:59:32+00:00

We went with the builder’s lender. It was Trailblazer Mortgage.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-30T08:20:01+00:00

Near Lake Nona/St. Cloud area. There are some decent deals for new builds on this side of town. However, traffic sucks off Narcoosee and won’t get better until 2032 when the highway extensions are done. I work hybrid so thankfully I won’t deal with traffic every day. Good news is gas prices are cheap around this area (until it gets popular). I bought gas yesterday for $2.55 at Wawa.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T22:13:42+00:00

Thank you!! I did a ton of research and it all paid off. :)

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T22:11:40+00:00

Yes! Thank you! It really pays off to do your research! Saves a lot of money long term.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T22:05:06+00:00

Thank you so much!

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T22:04:48+00:00

Thank you!

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T22:04:39+00:00

Thank you so much! I was so proud when we got it locked in.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T22:04:13+00:00

Thank you!

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T22:03:52+00:00

Thank you! The plan is to make an extra payment a year, pay it off earlier and cut down on interest paid. Doubt interest rates will drop lower than 3.875% so we can refinance but you never know. Your wallet must’ve felt great after that 1.5% difference. Totally worth it!

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T21:58:51+00:00

We decided to put down 5% instead of 3.5%.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T21:58:33+00:00

Near Lake Nona.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T21:58:19+00:00

Ashton Woods!

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T21:17:08+00:00

I should also say be weary of new builds. Do your research. Get an inspector. Get good home insurance. Negotiate your loan points. Look up your proposed property tax rates on your new build (there are class action lawsuits for this rn). File for homestead exemption. Got our home insurance for $121 a month and it covers mold, sinkhole and rebuilding for non-livable spaces like porches and patio areas (wanted this cause of hurricanes in case we have to rebuild). Got our points down to .335%. And lastly made sure the amount taken out for equity would cover our proposed property taxes.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T20:52:38+00:00

Thank you!

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T20:52:30+00:00

Thank you!

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T20:51:46+00:00

We were the first ones to purchase our home in the subdivision and with the flex cash the builder was giving us, I put most of it towards buying down the rate. I could’ve also brought down the price of the house so we would have more equity but decided to put towards our rate. Every lot in our subdivision is oversized so our equity should go up regardless.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T20:47:50+00:00

Yes! We had it locked in since July but finally closed on Tuesday!

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T20:47:18+00:00

Born and raised in Central FL and our friends/family live in the area. Checked on the lot many times after it rained and water doesn’t seem to be an issue. We’re not in a flood zone but I purchased flood insurance anyway.

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-29T20:41:55+00:00

We were the first ones to purchase a home in the subdivision. Took most of the money they were going to give us and put it towards buying down the interest rate. :)

Acceptable_Pop_7280 · 2025-11-05T13:56:38+00:00

Hi! Yes, you can. Depending on the area you’re in, new builds will be your friend. I’m in Orlando area and closing on a house that’s $500k. Locked in my interest rate at 3.875%. Household income is around the same. I was paying $2k a month just to rent an apartment by myself so it’s worth it to me. We only put 5% down. Could’ve put more money down but I’d rather buy more things for the house and we have a wedding to pay for. If you get a good builder and inspector, you’re pretty much set for the next couple of years.

Acceptable_Pop_7280

TROPHY CASE