Diamond Energy certified homes in Canyon Falls (Argyle) and Waxahachie, from the mid-$400s to estate-scale lots over $1M. An honest guide for families relocating to North Texas.
Chesmar Homes was founded in Houston in 2005 by Don Klein as a Texas-focused production builder with an emphasis on energy efficiency and value. Over the following decade, the company expanded into Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas–Fort Worth, becoming one of the top 40 homebuilders by volume in the country. In 2022, Japanese homebuilding conglomerate Sekisui House acquired Chesmar for approximately $514 million, one of the largest builder acquisitions in Texas history. Chesmar continues to operate under its own brand name with the same management team that built it, now with the backing of Sekisui House's global resources and the M.D.C. Holdings network.
In the Dallas–Fort Worth market, Chesmar entered in 2013 and currently builds in two distinct corridors: the Argyle area at Canyon Falls, a 1,199-acre master-planned community near Northwest ISD, and Waxahachie south of downtown Dallas. Both product lines are built to Chesmar's Environments for Living Diamond energy certification standard, which includes dual-pane low-E argon windows, high-efficiency HVAC, and continuous insulated sheathing. Chesmar's full-service affiliated ecosystem (CLM Mortgage, Entitled Insurance, N Title) is part of the Sekisui House group and streamlines closing for relocating families who prefer a single-vendor transaction.
Chesmar competes in the move-up and estate new construction space in DFW. A few specific, verifiable differentiators stand out for relocating families evaluating this builder.
Every Chesmar home is built to the Environments for Living Diamond standard, which includes continuous insulated sheathing on exterior walls, dual-pane vinyl windows with Low-E glass and argon gas fill, high-efficiency HVAC with eco-friendly coolant, and LED lighting throughout. These features come standard, not as upgrades, and are backed by a 3-year limited performance guarantee on heating and cooling costs. This is a meaningful differentiator over builders who offer energy upgrades at additional cost.
Chesmar builds in Canyon Falls, a 1,199-acre master-planned community in the Argyle/Northlake area zoned to Northwest ISD. The community features resort-style pools, miles of hiking and biking trails, parks, and an active lifestyle programming calendar. Canyon Falls is a multi-builder community, Highland Homes, David Weekley, and others also build here, giving buyers the opportunity to compare products side by side within the same neighborhood infrastructure.
Chesmar's Lakeway Estates community in Waxahachie offers one-acre lots starting from $724,990. One-acre production lots at this price point are genuinely rare in DFW, comparable lot sizes in Collin County would command $300,000–$500,000 more. For families whose priority is land, space, and a quieter setting over urban proximity, Lakeway Estates is a product category worth knowing about.
As of May 2026, Chesmar has three active communities across two DFW suburbs: Canyon Falls in Argyle (Northwest ISD) and two communities in Waxahachie. Chesmar does not currently build in Collin County suburbs (Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina) or the established Tarrant County suburbs (Southlake, Colleyville, Keller). Click any suburb to read the full family profile, or search current listings directly.
The table below is generated from Kristen's ShowingNew portal data and refreshed each month. Chesmar opens and closes communities as lots sell out, always verify current availability at chesmar.com/dallas or browse the portal below.
Showing 3 communities, sourced from ShowingNew and last updated 2026-05-26. Additional communities may be available; browse the full portal for current listings.
| Suburb | Community | Price Range | Beds | Baths | Sq Ft | Avail. | Promo | Portal |
|---|
Opens Kristen's NewHomeSource portal, listings update daily
Texas law (RCLA) sets a floor for new home warranties: 1 year for workmanship, 2 years for distribution systems, and 10 years for structural defects. Chesmar provides exactly that, a standard 1-2-10 warranty administered by 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, an independent third-party warranty company. The warranty does not exceed the Texas minimum on workmanship or systems coverage. Because claims go through 2-10 HBW rather than directly to Chesmar, the response timeline and process are governed by 2-10 HBW's procedures. The warranty document is publicly available at chesmar.com/warranty/, reviewing it before closing is recommended.
| Coverage | Texas Legal Minimum | Chesmar | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workmanship | 1 year | 1 year ✓ | Fit and finish defects, how components come together and the completeness of construction work |
| Systems | 2 years | 2 years ✓ | Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC distribution systems |
| Structural | 10 years | 10 years ✓ | Foundation and load-bearing structural elements |
Chesmar's warranty is administered by 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW), a third-party warranty provider. Warranty claims are submitted through the 2-10 HBW portal, where they are reviewed and assigned. Because the process runs through an independent company rather than directly through Chesmar's service team, response timelines can vary. Chesmar also provides its own customer care contact process, details are in the warranty documentation at chesmar.com/warranty/. The 1-year workmanship window is your most active period for identifying and documenting finish issues; scheduling an independent third-party inspection before that window closes (at approximately month 10 or 11) is strongly advisable.
The 2-10 HBW warranty excludes items covered by manufacturer warranties (appliances, fixtures), normal wear and tear, damage caused by the homeowner, and cosmetic issues that don't affect habitability. Settlement cracks in drywall, minor paint touch-ups, and grout gaps are generally considered normal and fall outside coverage. Texas law also limits how warranty claims are handled, the builder has the right to repair rather than replace or compensate. Chesmar's 3-year Environments for Living comfort guarantee is a separate limited performance guarantee on heating and cooling energy usage, not a general warranty extension.
Chesmar Homes scores a 79 (B+) on our 100-point builder index. Here's what drives that score, and where relocating families should pay close attention.
Chesmar's current DFW promotions include 50% off upgrades up to $20,000 on to-be-built homes, closing cost assistance through CLM Mortgage and N Title, and the "Imagine Happier Bonus", a package of exterior and interior enhancements on select ready homes. These offers were listed as valid on new contracts through June 2026. Incentives at individual communities may differ, verify directly at chesmar.com/dallas-incentives or with the on-site sales representative before making decisions.
50% off upgrades up to $20,000 on to-be-built homes. Combine with design center selections for best value. Requires using CLM Mortgage and N Title for full benefit.
Available on select ready homes and homesites: smart garage opener, epoxy garage floors, extended paver patio with walkway, outdoor ceiling fan, enhanced interior and exterior lighting, and upgraded landscaping.
$1,500 toward upgrades and options for teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, healthcare workers, and veterans. Requires use of Chesmar's preferred lender (CLM Mortgage). Confirm at point of contract.
Important: Builder incentives are almost always tied to using their preferred lender. CLM Mortgage is affiliated with Chesmar's parent company (Sekisui House group), that's not inherently a problem, but you should always get a competing quote from an independent lender before signing. A buyer's agent can help you compare the true net cost of the deal across lenders and make sure the incentive math actually works in your favor.
As a DFW relocation specialist, Kristen regularly checks in with Chesmar sales teams at Canyon Falls and Waxahachie to stay current on what's being offered, rate buydowns, closing cost credits, upgrade packages, and end-of-phase deals. Before you set foot in a model home, a quick call with Kristen will tell you exactly what Chesmar is running right now in the communities that fit your budget and school zone. That's information the sales agent won't volunteer unless you ask the right questions.
Important, register before your first visit: If you walk into a Chesmar model home without registering a Realtor's name, you may permanently lose the ability to have buyer's representation for that community. Chesmar's sales agent works for Chesmar. Call or text Kristen at (602) 405-4115 before your first visit and she'll make sure her name is registered so you have independent representation at no cost to you.
Chesmar's DFW portfolio spans a wide price range, from 2,108-square-foot three-bedroom plans at Oaks of North Grove (Waxahachie, from the high $400s) to 4,000+ square-foot estate plans at Lakeway Estates and Canyon Falls (starting from $703,990 and topping out above $1 million with lot and option selections). Canyon Falls specifically offers 70-foot-wide and 90-foot-wide lot product lines, each with distinct plan collections ranging from approximately 2,600 to 3,900 square feet. The plan range is genuine, not a single-product builder.
Chesmar builds from a defined set of production floor plans, structural layouts are fixed before foundation pour, but buyers have meaningful selection flexibility at the design center. Options include flooring materials, cabinetry style and finish, countertop material, fixture packages, exterior elevations, and smart home upgrades. The structural option window closes early in the build process, so relocating buyers who haven't yet visited in person should confirm the timeline for design selections before signing a contract remotely.
Chesmar operates in-house design centers where buyers work with a design consultant to finalize interior selections. Virtual design consultations are available for remote buyers who haven't yet relocated to DFW, a practical advantage for families coordinating a long-distance move. Chesmar's full ownership of CLM Mortgage, Entitled Insurance, and N Title means buyers who use all three affiliated services handle mortgage, title, and insurance paperwork through a single coordinated process, which typically reduces the friction of a new-construction closing.
Verified standard inclusions at base price in Chesmar DFW homes include: granite or quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, tile flooring in wet areas, LED lighting throughout all fixtures, smart home technology package, high-efficiency HVAC with eco-friendly coolant, dual-pane vinyl windows with Low-E glass and argon gas fill, and continuous insulated sheathing on exterior walls (Diamond Energy Certification). These Energy features are not upgrades, they are standard on every home.
"Chesmar is a builder where location does a lot of the heavy lifting. Canyon Falls is genuinely one of the best-planned communities in northwest DFW, and if that neighborhood fits your school zone and commute, Chesmar's Diamond energy package and design center selection experience are real positives. Where I'd want every buyer to slow down is the warranty: it's at the Texas floor, it runs through a third-party company, and the documented complaint pattern around insulation and roofing finish means you should not rely on the warranty to catch problems, you should catch them yourself with a third-party inspector before closing."
For families looking at Canyon Falls specifically, Chesmar competes directly with Highland Homes and David Weekley in that community. All three build on the same streets, which makes side-by-side comparison genuinely useful. Chesmar's energy certification and standard features hold up well in that comparison. The variable is build quality consistency, and the best way to stress-test that is a pre-drywall inspection and a final walkthrough inspection by an independent inspector, not just the builder's own walkthrough. If insulation in rooms above the garage is a documented complaint theme, put that on your inspection checklist explicitly.
For Waxahachie buyers, Lakeway Estates is a differentiated product, one-acre lots, estate-scale plans, and a price point that compresses significantly compared to Collin County. It is worth the drive to visit if space and land are high priorities and your employment is in south or central DFW. That said, Waxahachie's school districts and infrastructure context are different from the Collin County corridor, I'd want to walk through the school comparison carefully before committing, especially for families with school-age children driving the suburb decision.
Bottom line: Chesmar is the right fit for families who have identified Canyon Falls (Argyle/Northwest ISD) or Waxahachie as their target and want an energy-certified production home with solid design options, it's not the builder to call if you're still deciding between North Collin County suburbs. Call or text me at (602) 405-4115 before your first model home visit, I'll register my name so you have independent representation, brief you on current Chesmar incentives, and make sure you're looking at the right communities for your family's school zone and commute.
Chesmar scores 79 (B+) on our 100-point builder index, reflecting a competitive energy certification standard, a well-established Texas presence since 2005, and strong community locations in Canyon Falls (Argyle) and Waxahachie. The honest caveats are real: the DFW BBB entity (Chesmar Homes DFW LTD) is "Not Rated" with 21 documented complaints over 3 years, and the recurring complaint themes, insulation issues in rooms above garages, roofing shingle degradation, and closing delays, suggest that active third-party inspection and attentive warranty follow-through matter more with Chesmar than with higher-rated builders. The warranty meets but doesn't exceed Texas minimums and is administered by a third-party company (2-10 HBW). For buyers who do their due diligence, schedule independent inspections, and engage the warranty process proactively in year one, Chesmar can deliver a well-designed, energy-efficient home in a desirable community. Independent representation throughout the process is strongly recommended.
In the Dallas–Fort Worth market as of May 2026, Chesmar's active communities range from approximately $412,990 at Oaks of North Grove in Waxahachie to over $1,000,000 at Canyon Falls in Argyle with lot and option selections. Lakeway Estates (Waxahachie one-acre estates) starts from $724,990. Canyon Falls 70-foot-lot homes start from approximately $698,990 to $813,990; 90-foot-lot plans push higher. Base prices do not include lot premiums, option upgrades, or design center selections, those additions typically add $30,000–$100,000+ to the final price depending on plan and community. Incentives such as the upgrade credit (50% off up to $20,000) can offset some of that, but they require using the preferred lender.
As of May 2026, Chesmar has three active DFW communities in two suburbs: Canyon Falls in Argyle (zip 76226, Northwest ISD, two product lines, 70-foot and 90-foot lots), Oaks of North Grove in Waxahachie, and Lakeway Estates in Waxahachie. Canyon Falls is a multi-builder master-planned community where Highland Homes, David Weekley, and others also build. Chesmar does not currently have active communities in Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, Celina, Plano, Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, or most other Collin and Tarrant County suburbs that families in the DFW relocation market typically prioritize. If your suburb shortlist centers on Collin County, Chesmar is not a match for the current build cycle.
Chesmar provides a standard 1-2-10 warranty administered by 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: 1 year for workmanship, 2 years for distribution systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC), and 10 years for structural defects. This matches the Texas legal minimum precisely, it does not exceed it on any tier. Because claims are processed through 2-10 HBW rather than directly through Chesmar, response timelines vary. Chesmar also provides a separate 3-year Environments for Living comfort guarantee covering heating and cooling energy performance, this is not a warranty extension, but a limited performance guarantee specific to energy costs. The full warranty documentation is publicly available at chesmar.com/warranty/. The 1-year workmanship window is your primary period for catching and documenting finish defects, scheduling an independent inspection at month 10 or 11 before it expires is strongly advisable.
You don't need one, but you should have one, and it costs you nothing extra. Chesmar pays the buyer's agent commission; the builder price is the same whether you bring a Realtor or not. The builder's sales agent works for Chesmar, not for you. A buyer's agent reviews the contract, explains upgrade pricing relative to market value, advises on lot selection, recommends independent inspectors, and represents your interests at the pre-closing walkthrough. If you visit a Chesmar model home without registering a Realtor on your first visit, you may lose the ability to have that Realtor represent you for that community, register before you go in.
Chesmar to-be-built homes in DFW typically take 10–14 months from contract to close, depending on plan complexity, community, and current build volume. Chesmar also maintains a selection of inventory (spec) homes at various stages of completion, these can close in 30–90 days depending on where they are in the build cycle. Closing delays have appeared in documented buyer complaints, so if your relocation timeline is fixed (corporate transfer deadline, school enrollment window), build a realistic buffer into your schedule and get the projected completion date confirmed in writing by the sales team before signing. Ask specifically whether the completion date is estimated or contractually committed.
Yes. Chesmar's Heroes program offers $1,500 toward upgrades and options for qualifying buyers: teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, healthcare workers, and veterans. The incentive requires using Chesmar's preferred lender, CLM Mortgage (NMLS #215239). CLM Mortgage is affiliated with Chesmar through the Sekisui House group, using an affiliated lender is not inherently a problem, but you should compare the CLM rate and total loan cost with at least one independent lender before committing, to verify the combined benefit (Heroes credit + preferred lender rate/credits) is genuinely better than an independent financing path. A buyer's agent can help you run that comparison before you sign.
Kristen has helped relocating families navigate Chesmar communities across DFW, from suburb shortlisting to contract review to closing day. Her representation costs you nothing on new construction, and the builder's sales agent works for Chesmar, not for you.
