When buyers start exploring new construction in Denton County, they tend to focus on the community name, the builder, and the price. Those things matter. But there is a variable most buyers overlook: the phase of development you are buying in. The development phase can affect homesite selection, construction surroundings, available inventory and resale competition.
Every master-planned community moves through a lifecycle, and each phase offers a distinct set of trade-offs. As the Real Estate Broker of Covenant Heritage Realty, I work across Denton County's major master-planned communities daily, and the framework below reflects how I help buyers align each phase's trade-offs with their goals, illustrated with current market conditions.
Quick Answers
Short, direct answers to the questions buyers ask most about new-construction phases in Denton County, based on the verified details in this article. Pricing, incentives, and inventory vary by builder and phase, so compare net costs for the specific home.
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Is it better to buy in the first phase of a new community?
Not necessarily. Early-phase buying offers broader homesite and floor-plan selection but comes with limited amenities, ongoing construction, and uncertainty about how the community will develop. The best phase depends on your timeline, tolerance for construction, and needs.
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Are new construction homes cheaper in early phases?
Not always. Developers price each phase release based on market conditions, construction costs, demand, and timing. The reliable way to evaluate pricing is to compare net price (base price minus incentives) against recent closed sales for comparable homes in the same community.
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Do builders offer better incentives in early or final phases?
Both can offer strong incentives for different reasons: early phases to generate momentum and final phases to close out inventory. Compare net pricing across multiple builders at the time you are ready to commit, since incentives depend on inventory, financing programs, and closing dates.
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What should I look for when selecting a homesite?
Evaluate orientation and sun exposure, proximity to amenities versus traffic, green space and view corridors, future development on adjacent lots, drainage and easements, and the lot premium versus comparable resale data. Do not assume a premium lot automatically pays off at resale.
Why the Phase You Buy In Matters
New construction communities are built in phases, or "sections," for practical and financial reasons. Developers release lots incrementally, builders compete for allocations in each phase, and pricing adjusts based on demand, infrastructure costs, and community maturity. For buyers, this means that the same community can offer meaningfully different experiences depending on when you enter.
Phase Comparison at a Glance
Early Phase: Broader Selection, Greater Uncertainty
Early-phase buying means entering during the first or second section release, when builders have the most lots and floor plans are fresh. The trade-off is that you are living in a construction zone: roads may be unfinished, the amenity center may not be built yet, and the community is still taking shape.
The best current example in Denton County: Landmark by Hillwood.
Landmark is a 3,200-acre master-planned community at I-35W and Robson Ranch Road in Denton. Phase 1 includes 747 single-family lots with several builders competing for sales, models are open and selling, and first move-ins began in summer 2026. Phase 1 pricing starts in the high $300,000s.
Landmark will be built out over a projected multi-decade timeline that eventually includes thousands of homes, multifamily units, commercial space, and parks. Denton's first H-E-B grocery store is planned to anchor a 45-acre retail corner, though plans and timelines are subject to change. In Phase 1, buyers are making decisions based on a long-term vision rather than a finished community.
What early-phase buying offers:
- + The widest homesite and floor-plan selection. In Phase 1 of a large community, you can often choose from dozens of homesites: corner lots, lots backing to green space, lots with specific orientations. That selection narrows as phases progress.
- + Builder competition can create incentive opportunities. When multiple builders compete for sales in a new community, some may offer more favorable terms. Incentives vary by builder, financing, available inventory, homesite, and closing date.
What to watch for:
- ! Amenity timelines are future plans. The Timberview Hilltop Amenity Center is targeted to open in late 2026, while the on-site schools (subject to future bond elections), the full commercial district, and the H-E-B remain future plans. Ask the developer for the current construction timeline and make sure the current phase meets your needs, not just the renderings.
- ! Ongoing construction is a multiyear reality. With a projected multi-decade buildout, Landmark will have active construction across the community for many years. Future phases may include multifamily units along with single-family homes.
Who early-phase buying may suit: Buyers with flexible timelines who prioritize homesite selection over immediate community maturity, and buyers who understand the trade-offs of entering a community still under development.
Mid Phase: Established Identity, Continued Choice
In the mid phase, enough residents are in place that the lifestyle is real: neighbors, an operational amenity center, and an active HOA. Meaningful lot selection may still be available, though premium homesites (greenbelt, corner, view lots) tend to sell first.
Pecan Square is a current example of an actively developing middle-stage community. Harvest is better understood as a mature, late-stage community with limited remaining new-construction pockets and an increasingly important resale market. These descriptions are current snapshots rather than permanent classifications, since every community's stage shifts as development proceeds.
Pecan Square by Hillwood is in its mid-phase buildout with an eventual total of approximately 3,100 homes. The current official builder roster at Pecan Square identifies five builders: Coventry Homes, D.R. Horton, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes, and Pulte Homes. (Trophy Signature Homes previously built in the community but is no longer listed as an active builder on the official Pecan Square website as of August 2026; any references to Trophy Signature Homes on this site should be treated as historical rather than current.) Pricing on 50-foot lots starts around $499,990, with 100-foot lots ranging from approximately $934,000 to over $1.2 million. The community's amenities, village-center design, and high-speed fiber internet are fully operational. Northwest ISD schools serve the community, and Floyd Barksdale Middle School opened near the community in August 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year. Attendance assignments are address-specific; buyers should verify the assigned campuses for the exact property with Northwest ISD.
Harvest, also developed by Hillwood, spans Northlake and Argyle. Harvest is approaching the later part of its residential buildout. It is not entirely sold out, and select builder collections, quick move-ins and build opportunities may remain. However, buyers should not expect the broad homesite and builder selection available during Harvest's earlier years. Many current Harvest buyers will be comparing a smaller number of new homes with established resale properties. Harvest's established amenities, working farm, trail systems, and retail center remain part of what gives the mature community its distinct identity.
Current Harvest opportunities should be verified through the official Harvest homefinder and directly with the applicable builder. Do not assume every builder that previously constructed homes in Harvest remains active.
What mid-phase buying offers:
- + Proven community identity. You know what the neighborhood feels like. You can walk the trails, visit the amenity center, attend a community event, and talk to current residents. The uncertainty of early-phase buying is gone.
- + Active builder competition. With multiple builders still selling, you have real choice. At Pecan Square, five builders are competing for the same buyer pool, which can create meaningful incentive leverage depending on inventory levels and sales velocity.
What to watch for:
- ! Premium lot depletion. Homesites backing to green space, on corner positions, or with superior views tend to sell first. By the mid phase, the remaining lots may have trade-offs. Evaluate each homesite individually based on its specific characteristics, not just the community as a whole.
- ! Compare net pricing, not incentives. Within Pecan Square alone, five builders are offering different incentive packages. The only way to evaluate them fairly is to compare final pricing, base price minus all incentives, side by side. Headline incentives can be misleading.
Who mid-phase buying may suit: Middle-stage development may appeal to buyers who want operational amenities and an established community identity while retaining some new-home choices.
Final Phase: More Certainty, Less New-Home Selection
When a community enters its final phase, the developer has released the last section of lots and the community is essentially complete: amenities are mature, neighbors are established, and there is a track record of resale transactions. Buyers get greater visibility into the finished neighborhood, but with fewer new-home choices and potentially limited homesite selection. Incentives depend on a given builder's inventory and financing programs rather than on the phase alone.
The best current examples: Canyon Falls and The Ridge at Northlake.
Canyon Falls, a 1,242-acre community spanning Flower Mound, Northlake, and Argyle, is approaching sellout. In January 2026, the Flower Mound Town Council approved a final 27-acre residential development comprising 65 homes. Current active builders include Chesmar Homes and Windmiller Custom Homes. Previous builders such as Drees Custom Homes and Pulte Homes are no longer actively selling. The median listing price is approximately $798,000 as of mid-2026, with homes ranging from the $400s to the mid-$900s. The community's natural setting, rolling terrain, mature trees, and creek corridors gives it a character that newer communities have not had time to develop. Buyers should note that Canyon Falls spans multiple jurisdictions: the Flower Mound section has no MUD or PID taxes, while the Northlake side may include additional assessments.
The Ridge at Northlake is also in its final phases, with Taylor Morrison as the confirmed current active builder. David Weekley Homes and Highland Homes have previously built homes in the community but are not currently selling new construction there. Homes range from approximately $560,000 to over $746,000. Buyers evaluating The Ridge should verify current builder availability directly rather than assuming all previous builders are still active.
What final-phase buying offers:
- + A complete community. There is no guessing about what the finished product will look like. The trails are established, the parks are mature, and the neighborhood has a clear identity.
- + Established resale data. When a community is near sellout, there is a track record of actual resale transactions. You can evaluate what homes have sold for, not just what they are listed for.
What to watch for:
- ! Limited lot selection. The remaining homesites may not be the ones you would have chosen first. Evaluate each lot carefully: orientation, proximity to amenities, traffic patterns, and views all matter for both livability and resale.
- ! No future new-construction phases. When the community sells out, there are no more new sections coming from the developer. Future resale competition will include existing homes and whatever new inventory may have been built in the final phase.
Who final-phase buying may suit: Buyers who prioritize community maturity over lot selection, families who want to see exactly what they are getting before they commit, and value-conscious buyers who are willing to work with remaining inventory in exchange for proven resale data.
How Builder Incentives Work Across Phases
Incentives are one of the most practical benefits of thinking in phases. Here is what buyers should know across Denton County communities:
What Incentives May Include
Incentives vary by builder, inventory or build-to-order status, financing, preferred lender requirements, buyer qualifications, and closing date. Common types include temporary or permanent rate buydowns, closing-cost assistance, price adjustments, design-center allowances, and upgrade packages. No specific range can be generalized across all builders; any dollar amount should come from a current official builder source and be dated.
Comparing Incentives Across Builders
The only reliable way to compare incentives is the net price: base price minus all incentives, plus lot premium and estimated upgrades. A larger headline credit can look attractive, but if its base price is higher, the net cost may match a competitor offering a smaller credit. I provide a complete pricing analysis for every client, including an incentive comparison across builders within the same community.
The Total Cost of Ownership Changes by Phase Too
One factor buyers overlook is total cost of ownership, including property taxes, HOA fees, and community assessments, which can differ meaningfully between communities and even between lots in the same community.
In Northlake, the town's property tax rate of $0.295 per $100 of assessed valuation is among the lowest among home-rule municipalities in North Texas. But individual communities may carry MUD (Municipal Utility District) or PID (Public Improvement District) assessments that add to the base tax rate. HOA fees also vary by community. These figures can change, and buyers should verify the specific property's current taxing jurisdictions and HOA dues before purchasing.
What I provide for every client: A complete monthly cost-of-ownership analysis that includes the base home price, estimated property taxes (including any MUD or PID), HOA dues, and insurance estimates. This analysis estimates the monthly ownership cost rather than just the sticker price, and it is one of the most important tools for making a strategic decision across communities and phases.
How to Evaluate Lot Selection Within Any Phase
Within any phase, not all lots are created equal. The homesite you choose affects your daily living experience, your home's resale competitiveness, and your satisfaction with the purchase. Here is what I evaluate when helping clients select a lot:
A Framework for Making the Decision
Rather than defaulting to one phase or another, I recommend buyers use this framework to evaluate their options:
1. Define your timeline first
If you need to move within 60 to 90 days, a quick move-in home in a mid or final phase is your most realistic option. If you have 8 to 12 months, a build-to-order home in an earlier phase gives you more customization and lot selection. Be honest about your timeline before you start touring communities.
2. Prioritize what you can't change
You can upgrade finishes. You can add a pool. You can't change your lot orientation, your school assignment, or your commute. Start with schools, commute, and lot characteristics. Then evaluate community phase, builder, and price in that order.
3. Consider resale competition, not appreciation
Every new construction purchase is also a future resale. Consider how many similar homes will compete with yours, what future phases may offer at different price points, what lot characteristics will differentiate your home, and what comparable sales tell you about the market. I help clients evaluate these factors, including taxes and incentives, before they commit.
4. Don't skip the inspections
New construction doesn't mean perfect construction. I help clients understand transaction procedures and builder timelines and coordinate important inspection milestones, including pre-drywall and pre-closing inspections, regardless of which phase you are buying in. Buyers should consult a qualified attorney when they need legal interpretation of a builder contract.
The Bottom Line
Every master-planned community in Denton County offers something different, and the phase you buy in shapes that experience just as much as the community name or the builder. Early-phase buyers get broader selection but accept more uncertainty about future development and amenity timelines. Mid-phase buyers get the balanced sweet spot of proven community and remaining options, though premium lots and pricing may differ. Final-phase buyers get mature neighborhoods and established resale data but limited remaining inventory.
The buyers who make the best decisions align their choice with their priorities: timeline, budget, lifestyle, and long-term plans. Whether you are evaluating Landmark's early-phase opportunity, comparing builders at Pecan Square, or considering a final-phase home at Canyon Falls or The Ridge, I will help you cut through the noise and make a confident decision for your family's next chapter.
Last Reviewed: September 1, 2026. Community descriptions, builder participation, available homes, prices, incentives, inventory, tax rates, HOA dues, school boundaries, and development timelines can change. Information was reviewed on September 1, 2026, using official community, municipal, school-district, and builder sources. Buyers should verify current information with the builder, developer, HOA, municipality, school district, taxing authorities, lender, title company, inspector, and appropriate professional advisers. This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal, tax, lending, construction, or investment advice. Licensed in Texas (Broker, License #807294) and Florida (License #3102580). Covenant Heritage Realty, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity.
