If you are trying to buy your first home or keep your budget under control, Troy deserves a serious look. This small Bell County community gives you a mix that can be hard to find in Central Texas: entry-level new construction, lower-priced resale homes, and even some larger lots or acreage options. Whether you want a move-in-ready builder home or an older home with a lower starting price, Troy offers real choices. Let’s dive in.
Why Troy stands out
Troy sits along I-35 between Temple and Waco, and the City of Troy describes it as a bedroom community with access to major employers and medical services in the Temple area. That location matters if you want a smaller-town setting while staying connected to everyday work, shopping, and healthcare needs.
The area is also growing. According to U.S. Census QuickFacts for Bell County, Bell County’s population reached 399,578 in July 2024, up 7.8% from April 2020. For buyers, that helps explain why demand has remained active in communities like Troy.
If schools are part of your home search, Troy ISD says it serves about 1,700 students across four campuses, and the district highlights programs such as CTE, AP, dual-credit, and STEM opportunities on its district website. That structure is one reason Troy often comes up for buyers looking for a practical long-term location.
Starter home prices in Troy
One of Troy’s biggest selling points is simple: you can still find homes under $300,000. That includes both resale homes and some new-construction options, which is not always easy to find in growing Central Texas markets.
Realtor.com currently shows a wide pool of homes under $300K in Troy, including examples like 17 Ellis Avenue at $144,500, 205 S College Street at $205,000, and 314 State Loop at $275,000. The exact inventory will change, of course, but the bigger takeaway is that Troy still offers a meaningful starter-home range.
Recent pricing data supports that picture. Homes.com reports a 12-month median sale price of $259,900, which keeps Troy in a range that many first-time and price-sensitive buyers are still targeting. In other words, this is still a market where resale starter homes and entry-level new construction can overlap.
New construction in Troy
If you like the idea of a newer floor plan, lower maintenance, and builder warranties, Troy has some strong options to explore.
Village at Elm Creek
The clearest entry-level new-construction option in Troy right now is Stylecraft’s Village at Elm Creek. This community is priced from $229,900 to $289,900 and offers 3- to 4-bedroom plans ranging from 1,266 to 2,036 square feet.
Stylecraft also shows active Troy listings in the mid-$200Ks, including homes like 422 University Avenue at $234,100 and 310 University Avenue at $294,300. For buyers who thought new construction might be out of reach, that pricing makes Troy worth a closer look.
Enclave of Troy
Lennar announced that Enclave of Troy entered the market in March 2025 with homes starting in the mid-$200Ks. The community also features oversized homesites, which may appeal to buyers who want more outdoor space without stepping all the way into acreage living.
This gives you another builder option in the same general starter-home price band. That kind of competition can be helpful when you are comparing features, timelines, and monthly payments.
Turtle Creek
At a higher price point, Carothers’ Turtle Creek shows what the move-up side of Troy looks like. Lennar’s market update notes this community starts around $379K and up, with 3- to 5-bedroom homes from 1,610 to 3,121 square feet.
Carothers also highlights features like foam insulation, energy-saving heating and cooling, Low-E vinyl windows, a one-year full builder warranty, and a 10-year StrucSure Home Warranty in its Turtle Creek features sheet. While this is not the starter-home segment, it helps show the full range available in Troy if you need more space later.
Resale homes still matter
New homes get a lot of attention, but resale homes are still a big part of the Troy starter-home story. In fact, they may be the better fit if your top goal is keeping your purchase price as low as possible.
The under-$300K inventory in Troy includes older homes on established lots, smaller homes with lower entry prices, and properties with more immediate move-in potential. Depending on the listing, you may also find larger lots in town than what is common in newer subdivisions.
Resale homes usually come with trade-offs. You may not get the same open-concept layout, finish selections, or warranty coverage that comes with a new build. On the other hand, you may gain a lower price point, faster closing timeline, and a more established setting.
Build versus buy in Troy
If you are deciding between new construction and resale, the best choice usually comes down to your timeline, payment comfort, and how much flexibility you want.
When new construction may fit best
New construction often works well if you want:
- modern layouts
- newer systems and materials
- less immediate maintenance
- builder warranty coverage
- possible move-in-ready or to-be-built options
Builder communities in Troy reflect many of those benefits. Carothers, for example, emphasizes energy-efficient features and warranty coverage, and current Stylecraft inventory shows there are homes that may already be under construction or near completion.
That said, buying a home that is not yet built can come with extra planning. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes that buyers may be asked for an upfront builder deposit, are not required to use the builder’s affiliated lender, and should expect closing costs that often run about 2% to 5% of the purchase price.
When resale may fit best
Resale may be the better route if you want:
- the lowest possible starting price
- a faster move
- an established lot or older neighborhood feel
- more room to negotiate repairs or terms
With a resale home, inspections become especially important. You may need to budget for repairs, updates, or maintenance that would not usually come up with a brand-new home.
Compare more than sticker price
It is easy to focus only on the list price, but that does not always tell you which home is more affordable month to month. A lower-priced resale home could still need repairs soon, while a slightly more expensive new build may offer lower maintenance in the early years.
You should also compare taxes, insurance, closing costs, and commute needs. In Troy, taxes are part of the affordability conversation.
According to the 2025 Bell CAD tax-rate chart, the combined rates for Bell County, the road district, the City of Troy, and Troy ISD total about 1.58 per $100 of assessed value. That can be a useful comparison point for budget-conscious buyers, especially since the same table shows higher city and school rates in nearby Temple. Actual tax bills will depend on exemptions and the specific property, but Troy can offer a meaningful edge when you compare monthly ownership costs.
Acreage and rural-feel options
Not every starter-home buyer wants a subdivision lot. One of Troy’s advantages is that you may also find homes with a more rural feel while staying close to town.
Homes.com reports 30 homes for sale with acreage in the Troy area, including examples on 2-plus, 12-plus, and even 26.5-acre tracts. The same source also notes some listings that offer a country feel within Troy city limits and still have city utilities.
That can open the door for buyers who want space for projects, animals, equipment, or simply a little more privacy. It also makes Troy different from some nearby markets where smaller suburban lots dominate the lower price ranges.
What first-time buyers should watch
If you are shopping Troy for your first home, keep these points in mind:
Check your timeline first
Some buyers need to move quickly because of a lease ending, job change, or relocation. Others can wait for a home to be completed. Stylecraft’s available homes page shows that timelines can vary, so it helps to confirm whether a home is move-in ready, under construction, or still to be built.
Budget for all upfront costs
Down payment is only part of the story. Closing costs, inspections, deposits, and moving expenses all affect your cash needed at closing.
Think about your next few years
Your first home does not have to be your forever home. It should simply fit your life now while giving you room to move forward if your needs change.
Stay open to both new and resale
In Troy, you do not have to choose one category too early. Since there are legitimate options in both groups, you may find the best value by comparing several property types side by side.
Why Troy remains a smart market to watch
Troy offers something many buyers are still searching for: choice at a relatively approachable price point. You can look at a resale home in the mid-$100Ks to low-$200Ks, a new builder home in the mid-$200Ks, or a larger property if you want more land and room to grow.
That range matters in a county that continues to add population. While no one can promise future appreciation, ongoing growth, active building, and developing communities can make buying in a market like Troy appealing for buyers who want to plant roots early.
If you want help comparing Troy new construction against resale homes, or you want a local guide who can help you weigh budget, timeline, and neighborhood fit, Amy Kirk is here to help you sort through the options and make a confident move.
FAQs
Are there true starter homes in Troy, Texas?
- Yes. Troy currently offers resale homes in the mid-$100Ks and new-construction homes in the mid-$200Ks, which gives buyers several starter-home paths within the same market.
Are there new construction homes under $300K in Troy, Texas?
- Yes. Stylecraft’s Village at Elm Creek is priced from $229,900 to $289,900, and Lennar’s Enclave of Troy starts in the mid-$200Ks.
Is Troy, Texas a good place to compare new construction and resale homes?
- Yes. Troy has both active builder communities and a broad resale pool under $300K, which makes it easier to compare price, features, and move-in timelines in one location.
What should buyers know about property taxes in Troy, Texas?
- Bell CAD’s 2025 tax-rate chart shows a combined rate of about 1.58 per $100 of assessed value for Troy-related taxing entities, though your actual bill depends on the property and any exemptions.
Does Troy, Texas offer homes with land or a rural feel?
- Yes. Troy includes acreage listings and some homes that offer a country feel while still being close to town, giving buyers more flexibility than a standard subdivision-only market.
What schools serve homebuyers in Troy, Texas?
- Troy ISD says it serves about 1,700 students across four campuses: Edna Bigham Mays Elementary, Troy Elementary, Raymond Mays Middle, and Troy High School.
