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Choosing the Right Lot in McKinney: 6 Things Your Builder Won’t Warn You About

  • Writer: Nitin Gupta, CRS, REALTOR
    Nitin Gupta, CRS, REALTOR
  • May 31
  • 4 min read





For McKinney New Construction Home Buyers – Expert Insights by Nitin Gupta, CRS, GRI, REALTOR®

Buying new construction in McKinney is exciting—but choosing the wrong lot can lead to long-term regrets. Builders won’t always disclose what truly impacts privacy, usability, or resale. Here are six key lot selection risks—and how Nitin Gupta helps you avoid them.


1. Sun Exposure and Orientation Affect Energy Costs and Livability

Lot orientation impacts your home’s natural light, interior temperature, and outdoor comfort—but most builders won't explain the pros and cons.

  • West-facing homes get punishing sun exposure, especially in summer

  • East- or north-facing lots provide cooler, more consistent lighting

  • South-facing backyards are ideal for year-round entertaining

How Nitin Helps:Nitin evaluates the orientation of each lot in context of how you’ll live in the home—considering comfort, resale appeal, and energy savings.


2. Easements and Setbacks Reduce Usable Space

What looks like a large yard on paper might be significantly reduced once easements, setbacks, and utility boxes are accounted for.

  • Drainage easements often can’t be built on or fenced in

  • Side yard encroachments may limit future expansion

  • Builder site plans may not reflect usable square footage

How Nitin Helps:He reviews lot surveys and builder plats with a fine-tooth comb—flagging any restrictions that could limit future plans like pools, patios, or sheds.


3. Not All Corner Lots Are Created Equal

Corner lots may seem more spacious or private, but there are trade-offs you won’t hear about in the builder’s brochure.

  • Increased noise and street visibility

  • More landscaping responsibility and higher fencing costs

  • Can attract through traffic or be adjacent to school zones

How Nitin Helps:Nitin helps weigh privacy, value, and daily life impact of corner lots versus interior ones—so you don’t overpay for a layout that doesn’t match your lifestyle.


4. Improper Drainage or Grading Can Lead to Water Problems

McKinney's terrain varies, and builders don’t always fix grading issues unless pressed.

  • Pooling water in backyards after rain

  • Lots that slope toward the home, risking foundation damage

  • Poorly graded lots may affect fencing, landscaping, or driveway placement

How Nitin Helps:Nitin inspects slope and drainage flow before contract and recommends trusted inspectors who can detect issues builders often gloss over.


5. “Greenbelt Views” May Disappear

What your builder sells as a premium greenbelt or open view today may not be permanent.

  • Future development may block your view

  • Greenbelts might be part of future zoning changes or infrastructure projects

  • Noise or traffic from nearby future roads could emerge later

How Nitin Helps:He checks local zoning maps, builder development plans, and the city’s long-range growth strategy to confirm what will stay—and what might change.


6. Lot Premiums Aren’t Always Worth the Price Tag

Builders often charge thousands more for cul-de-sac, oversized, or greenbelt lots. But not every premium adds real-world value.

  • Buyers may overpay for location perks that don't impact future resale

  • Some premium lots come with hidden costs, like custom fencing or drainage solutions

  • Not all premiums are negotiated transparently

How Nitin Helps:Nitin evaluates each lot premium based on market comps and resale potential. He also negotiates on your behalf—sometimes securing credits or alternative lots for better value.


Why McKinney Buyers Trust Nitin Gupta for New Construction Guidance

Nitin Gupta, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, CRS, GRI, is a leading McKinney new construction expert with hands-on experience in communities like Painted Tree, Trinity Falls, Bloomridge, Wilmeth Ridge, and Erwin Farms. He understands both builder processes and buyer pitfalls—and helps you navigate every step with confidence.


With Nitin, You Get:

  • Lot selection guidance based on privacy, orientation, and resale potential

  • Builder contract review and premium evaluation

  • Access to third-party inspections during construction

  • Protection from overpaying for features that won’t retain value

  • Support through design, construction, walkthrough, and post-close warranty


Ready to Pick the Right Lot in McKinney?


Call us at 469-269-6541 for more information about Celina real estate!

 

About us: How We Help You Buy Your First Home in Celina - Celina Real Estate Agent

 

You need a top Celina real estate agent & team to work hard for you and guide you through the home buying process. Our Realtors are devoted to helping our clients find the right home, at the best price, and with a minimal amount of stress and disruption to their lives. Our goal is to find the home in Celina that will make you happy and successful in real estate ownership.

 

When you hire us to help you buy your first home in Celina area, we want to know what you want and how much you can afford. Your Top Celina Real Estate Agent will find a way to merge these two priorities and find a residence you will enjoy owning for years. Starting with the first interview determining your requirements to the moment we present the keys to your first home, your Realtor will walk you through the complicated home-buying process. We will share our expertise to educate you on the market and the process of buying a home, so you will be prepared to make the best choices and feel comfortable with all of your decisions. Please contact us to find out more about how we can make the home buying process easier for you.



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