Spec Homes vs. Custom Builds: How to Choose the Right New Home

Mortgage Research Network Podcast · Feb 23, 2026 · 3m

Buying a newly built home comes with a major decision—is it better to buy a spec home or a custom build? In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore whether buyers are better off choosing a spec home built by a community developer or going all-in on a fully custom build, breaking down the real-world trade-offs that affect cost, timelines, resale value, and day-to-day satisfaction.In this episode you’ll learn:What a spec home really is: Homes built “on speculation” by developers based on what they believe buyers want.How spec homes have evolved: Modern spec homes offer multiple designs…