Hi, I’m Alex Piech with Discover Dallas Texas Living. If you’re exploring new construction homes in Celina, Texas, this deep-dive guide walks you through Normandy Homes’ newest model in Cross Creek Meadows, gives you transparent, no-nonsense pricing, explains community amenities, and lays out everything you need to know about buying new construction homes in Celina, Texas. I filmed a full tour of this model and I’ll cover all of the floor plan highlights, upgrade options, taxes, commutes, and negotiation levers so you can decide whether Celina is the right move for your family.
Table of Contents
- Why Celina? Why Now for New Construction Homes in Celina, Texas
- Community Snapshot: Cross Creek Meadows (Normandy Homes)
- House Tour & Floor Plan Walkthrough
- No-BS Pricing: What You Can Realistically Expect
- Taxes, HOA, and Cost-of-ownership for New Construction Homes in Celina, Texas
- Commute, Location, and Regional Attractions
- Builder Lineup & Product Mix in Cross Creek Meadows
- Upgrades to Consider (and Ones to Delay)
- Negotiation Levers & Incentives for New Construction Homes in Celina, Texas
- Step-by-step Buying Checklist for New Construction Homes in Celina, Texas
- FAQs About New Construction Homes in Celina, Texas
- Final thoughts: Is Celina right for you?
Why Celina? Why now for new construction homes in Celina, Texas
Celina is one of the hottest suburbs north of Dallas. From 2022–2023 Celina led the state in growth—about a 27% population increase in one year—and there’s no sign of that slowing down. That explosive growth is driven by master-planned developments, major infrastructure projects (including the Dallas North Tollway extension), economic investment around Frisco and the PGA of America, and a high concentration of quality builders offering new construction homes in Celina, Texas.
If you want the combination of newer infrastructure, modern floor plans, and relative affordability versus nearby markets like Frisco, Celina is worth a serious look. One reason I keep suggesting Celina to clients is simple: you often get the same sized lot and build quality at a lower price than comparable homes in Frisco or Plano.
VIEW HOMES FOR SALE IN CELINA, TEXAS
Community Snapshot: Cross Creek Meadows (Normandy Homes)
Cross Creek Meadows is Normandy Homes’ 55- and 60-foot lot series in Celina. It’s not a sprawling 2,000-home master plan—this is a more boutique-scale neighborhood with thoughtful amenities and quick access to growing retail corridors. Here’s what to expect:
- Lot sizes: 55 ft and 60 ft (also additional 40-ft product lines elsewhere in community)
- Community amenities: amenity center with pool, grilling stations, playground, trails, community center, fire pits, and a dog park
- Builders in community: Normandy Homes plus two other builders (Trophy Signature Homes and Taylor Morrison)
- Nearby retail: shops and plazas along Preston Road and Ownsby Parkway, future Costco opening within minutes
- Schools & parks: Frontier Park and nearby athletic fields; Celina and Prosper schools accessible
Why Cross Creek Meadows is a smart buy
Being south in Celina means you’re close to existing retail and conveniences rather than being in a remote phase that is years away from basic services. You’ll also benefit as infrastructure—like the outer loop and tollway connections—comes online, which will shorten commutes to Frisco and the Dallas North Tollway.
House Tour & Floor plan Walkthrough
The model we toured is the Normandy Toulouse Floor plan. As a base, the Toulouse is a two-story, 3,359 sq ft plan with four bedrooms, four full baths, a two-car garage, a flex room, a game room, and a media room. On the model, Normandy built it out as a five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom plan with a study (home office), electric fireplace, media room, large pantry, and other structural upgrades. If you’re hunting new construction homes in Celina, Texas, this Floor plan is a great example of what modern buyers want.
Key liveability checkboxes this Floor plan hits:
- Two-story foyer and two-story family room for a dramatic entrance
- Main-level guest bedroom (increasingly essential for today's buyers)
- Dedicated home office near the center of the home—private but accessible
- Open great room / kitchen / dining layout for entertaining
- Large walk-in pantry and generous storage throughout
- Media room and oversized game/flex room upstairs
Kitchen & Main Living: Design, flow, and finishes
The kitchen is one of the “money shots” in this model: a large island with seating, a front-apron sink, full-height backsplash that extends from the countertop up the wall (a high-end design choice), custom hood niche with textured tile, and glass-front hutches that add visual interest and light. The island is wrapped in a board-and-batten style finish (not just sheetrock), which elevates the look.
One of my design pet peeves—when done right—becomes a real selling point: continuing the countertop material up as a backsplash gives a seamless, elevated look. Normandy’s design team executed that here, and the light green cabinetry paired with light floors creates a bright, contemporary palette.
Pantry, storage, and entertaining flow
This Floor plan maximizes pantry space by boxing the stairs to create a deep walk-in pantry with shelves on both sides. There’s also a powder room tucked off the main living for guests and a large storage closet by the entry. If you’re considering new construction homes in Celina, Texas, look for homes that thoughtfully place storage near the kitchen and entry—that’s day-to-day functionality you’ll appreciate every day.
Primary Suite: size, upgrades, and practical advice
The primary suite in this model is expansive—big enough for a seating area in addition to the bed. Normandy used a tongue-and-groove wood inlay on the ceiling to add warmth and texture. That look is high impact and relatively straightforward to replicate after closing with local carpenters, which is a tip I give frequently: many finishing touches in model homes can cost less when done privately after the build rather than paying the builder’s markup on those upgrades.
The primary bath as staged is an “alternate bath” featuring a freestanding tub and a large, tiled, frameless glass shower. If you don’t select the alternate, the builder will typically install a drop-in tub behind a boxed wall—both functional, but the freestanding tub creates a cleaner, higher-end feel.
Upstairs: media room, game room, and optional 5th bedroom
For families in DFW, media rooms and large upstairs flex spaces matter. This Toulouse Floor plan includes both a legitimate media room (no windows, pre-wired for surround sound and projector) and a massive game/play room with open railing overlooking the family room below. Those open rails are usually an upgrade over a half wall—and in my opinion, worth splurging for the sight lines and open feel.
The model also features the 5th bedroom / 5th bathroom structural option, turning the house into a true 5+ bedroom with five full baths and a powder room—bringing the model to nearly 3,600 sq ft. That flexibility is great for multi-generational families or buyers who need an upstairs guest suite or private home office space.
No-BS Pricing: What you can realistically expect
Transparency is everything when you’re shopping for new construction homes in Celina, Texas. Here’s the clear pricing breakdown for this Toulouse Floor plan in Cross Creek Meadows:
- Base Toulouse Floor plan (4 bed / 4 bath / 3,359 sq ft) base price range: approximately $643,000 to $663,000 depending on elevation.
- Model we toured is Elevation D (porch upgrades and trim), base listed at $662,299.
- Move-in ready inventory examples (what I call the real-world bargains):
- North-facing inventory home (5 bed / 5.5 bath, ~3,600 sq ft) originally $751,000, reduced to $696,000 — a >$55,000 savings
- South-facing inventory home (5 bed / 5.5 bath, ready June 2025) priced at $717,000
- If you build from the ground up, expect roughly $70,000–$80,000 in structural/design upgrades and finish choices beyond the base price depending on selections at the design center.
Bottom line: inventory move-in homes sometimes represent the best value because model-level finishes and builder incentives combine into a single purchase—often at a price lower than building the same package from scratch.
Taxes, HOA, and cost-of-ownership for new construction homes in Celina, Texas
Property taxes and HOA fees are real components of long-term affordability. In Cross Creek Meadows and comparable Celina developments you should expect:
- Estimated property tax rate in the area: around 2.79%(rates vary by phase and final taxing entities)
- Important tax tip: Texas homeowners qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces taxable value—talk to your agent about how that $100,000 reduction in school-applicable value works and how to estimate your real taxes after exemptions
- HOA: community HOA will cover amenities and common area maintenance—confirm current HOA dues and what’s included
Commute, location, and regional attractions
One of the common questions I get: “How long will it take to get to Frisco, Uptown Dallas, or the airports?” Here’s the practical commute breakdown from Cross Creek Meadows:
- Drive to Frisco / PGA of America / The Fields: roughly 15–20 minutes depending on route and traffic
- Drive to DFW International Airport: plan for about 1 hour in most conditions (43-minute baseline without heavy traffic; add buffer for peak times)
- Drive to Dallas Love Field: about an hour + depending on congestion
- Proximity to future attractions: Universal Studios Kids park and large-scale developments in Frisco area are roughly 15–20 minutes away
That location tradeoff is often what makes new construction homes in Celina, Texas attractive: you’re close enough to the amenities and high-end entertainment of Frisco but often pay less for newer homes and larger lots.
Builder lineup & product mix in Cross Creek Meadows
Besides Normandy, two other notable builders are active in Cross Creek Meadows:
- Trophy Signature Homes
- Taylor Morrison
Normandy offers 55- and 60-foot products (and 40-foot elsewhere in the project), giving you options across price bands. If you want to compare Floor plans and finishes, it’s worth touring multiple builders to see standard inclusions and design center allowances. I maintain up-to-date Floor plan comparisons and builder specs for Celina—reach out if you’d like a side-by-side comparison.
Upgrades to consider (and ones to delay)
Model homes showcase many builder upgrades. Some upgrades make sense to include in your build package; others are more cost-effective to add after closing. Here’s my practical guidance:
- Worth considering in the build: structural options that are hard to retrofit later—open rails (vs half wall), additional bedrooms/bathrooms, major layout changes that affect framing.
- Consider delaying until after closing: custom wood inlays, accent walls, bespoke cabinetry finishes, some flooring upgrades—local contractors can sometimes deliver the same look for less expense than the builder’s design center markup.
- High value: high-quality shower upgrades (frameless glass), expanded pantry, additional windows for natural light
Negotiation levers & incentives for new construction homes in Celina, Texas
Builders have options to make a deal happen. When negotiating, consider these levers:
- Inventory price reductions (move-in ready homes often have the biggest discounts)
- Closing cost contributions and lender credits
- Interest rate buy-downs that reduce monthly payments for the first one to two years
- Design center allowances—know what’s standard so you don’t overpay for selections
- Timing—the end of a quarter or fiscal period can produce more concessions
We keep a running list of current incentives and Floor plan availability. If you want the most recent pricing and move-in inventory in Cross Creek Meadows, reach out; incentives and availability shift week-to-week.
Step-by-step buying checklist for new construction homes in Celina, Texas
- Define must-haves and budget (bedrooms, school proximity, commute tolerance)
- Get pre-approved and confirm exactly what mortgage incentives you can access
- Tour inventory homes first—these often give the best value
- If building, review base inclusions carefully and list structural items you cannot retrofit later
- Negotiate incentives and confirm timelines for closing and move-in
- Use local contractors for after-close upgrades where it makes financial sense
FAQs About New Construction Homes in Celina, Texas
Are new construction homes in Celina, Texas more affordable than Frisco?
Generally yes—lots and base prices in Celina are often lower than comparable homes in Frisco. You frequently get similar finishes and lot sizes for less, especially if you choose builder inventory homes. However, final costs depend on elevation, upgrades, and custom selections.
How long is the commute to Frisco, Dallas, and the airports?
Expect about 15–20 minutes to Frisco/PGA/Fields, roughly 45–60+ minutes to DFW depending on traffic, and about an hour to Love Field with typical congestion. As the Dallas North Tollway is extended and connections to the outer loop are completed, commute times will improve.
What are typical property tax rates in Celina?
In this area, expect tax rates around 2.4–2.8% depending on final taxing entities. Don’t forget the homestead exemption—a key money-saver that reduces school-taxable value by $100,000 for most primary residences.
Should I buy move-in inventory or build from the ground up?
Inventory homes can offer significant savings and immediate move-in. Building allows full customization but often costs more after structural upgrades and premium finishes. If price and time are priorities, inventory is frequently the better value.
What builder upgrades are most important?
Prioritize open railings for sightlines, additional bedrooms/baths if needed, larger pantry, and high-quality shower/frameless glass. Consider doing decorative inlays and some accent finishes after closing with local tradespeople to save money.
Final thoughts: Is Celina right for you?
If you’re in the market for new construction homes in Celina, Texas, Cross Creek Meadows by Normandy is a compelling option: modern Floor plans built with high-end finishes, competitive pricing compared to neighboring markets, and a community positioned to gain from ongoing infrastructure and commercial development. Whether you want a model-level move-in ready house with discounts or the ability to customize a ground-up build, Celina's growth trajectory and relative value make it one of the top relocation choices north of Dallas.
Want help evaluating specific inventory or build options in Cross Creek Meadows (or comparing Normandy to Trophy Signature or Taylor Morrison)? I track the real-time inventory, incentives, and builder allowances and would be happy to walk you through the numbers. Reach out and we’ll make sure your move to Celina is informed and strategic.
Ready to take the next step? If you’re seriously considering new construction homes in Celina, Texas, let’s connect. Call or text me at 469-885-0435. I can send current inventory lists, incentive details, and schedule private tours so you can see each builder’s standard inclusions in person.
