River District New Construction Pricing: Base Price vs Lot Premium vs Options (All-In Cost)

When buyers see “starting from,” they assume it’s close to what they’ll pay. In new construction, it’s usually the entry point for a specific plan on a standard lot with minimal options — and it can change by release.

This guide explains how to estimate your real “all-in” cost.

The 3 parts of new construction pricing

1) Base price

This is the starting point for the plan itself (and can change by release).

2) Lot premium

Lot premiums are one of the biggest reasons two identical floor plans end up with very different final prices.

Lot premiums often reflect:

• Corner lots
• Greenspace/pond adjacency
• Proximity to amenities
• Scarcity in a release window

3) Options + upgrades

Options usually fall into two buckets:

• Structural options (layout changes, extra bed/bath, extended patio)
• Design selections (cabinets, flooring, countertops, lighting)

The fastest way to estimate “all-in cost”

Instead of guessing, use this simple method:

1. Start with base price (current release)
2. Add a reasonable lot premium range based on what you want
3. Add an option/upgrades range based on your expectations
4. Then compare incentives by monthly payment impact (not just the headline offer)

Example scenarios (how the same plan changes)

Note: These are examples to show how pricing works. Final pricing varies by builder, release, lot, and selections.

A quick reminder about incentives

The “best” incentive depends on your goal:

• Lower payment now → rate buydown
• Preserve cash at closing → closing cost credit
• Lower long-term cost → price reduction (when offered)

Important: Incentives often require a builder’s lender/closing partner, and terms can change.