Northwest Arkansas (NWA) is already home to some of America’s largest companies. However, many more big names have been attracted to the area lately.
The company, D. R. Horton (Horton for short), has acquired a subdivision home builder called Riggins Custom Homes in Fayetteville. It’s a big news story because Horton is the most prominent home builder in the country. Everything’s out of the bag, and they reportedly purchased it for $107 million.
In this article, I’ll discuss what this development means for other builders and residents in NWA. You’ll also get a few tips on how to invest in the area.
Video:
What Horton’s Entry into NWA Means for Local Builders
Regarding Horton moving to NWA to start building homes, we should first talk about the resident builders who may feel a little nervous because of the company’s prominence.
Interestingly, Horton isn’t necessarily the cheapest home builder. Since Riggins’s standard pricing was around $315,000, I believe Horton will also carry that.
They’ll continue that tradition because, from my research and prior knowledge about them, they’re not affordable home builders who always throw up stuff. They’re a good solid home builder that has their affairs in order. They know how to operate, get material in, and move the projects along the whole area.
Hence, Horton’s entry is nerve-wracking for local home builders trying to scale up, diversify, and grow in the area because the “big kahuna” is coming into the region.
There are home builders that are more custom and will remain at a higher level than Horton, but there are others that are at a lower level than Horton.
A significant section of NWA falls in that 300 to 450 mark, so they’re directly taking on the players at that level. They’re likely to start sweating because the market will become much more competitive.
Not a business owner? Here are a few tips to find the perfect job for you in NWA
What Horton’s Entry Into NWA Means for Housing
Horton, known for being a reliable home builder, will raise the quality of the home for a reasonable price.
Horton is the world’s biggest home builder, and they’re likely to leverage that to bring more quality into the area. Some of the cards that Horton has up their sleeves include:
- A wide range of products
- A reliable workforce
- Good managers who know the ins and outs of the industry
Their presence in the market will raise the expectations and standards of homes here because they know what they’re doing.
The cool thing is that NWA is unique because it is different from Dallas, Austin, or other sprawling areas with millions of inhabitants. Thankfully, the region has a standard for housing as we want a good living area. We don’t like taking down trees, as we enjoy a lot of greenery.
Those standards are upheld as much as possible throughout the whole area. Hence, if Horton wants to enter the market to build here, it must meet expectations.
I have yet to learn about Dallas and all the other areas they build across America. Still, at least in NWA, they have standards to meet because we have the quality of living we want here, whether outdoor recreation or trail systems.
It’ll be exciting to see how Horton works with all the different standards we have here.
Talking about workplaces: here are the Best Places To Work Remotely in Bentonville and Fayetteville
What Horton’s Presence in the NWA Housing Market Means for Residents
Horton’s entry into NWA will create more job opportunities. The prominent home builder will need more plumbers, electricians, concrete laborers, carpenters, roofers, and other possible workers involved in homebuilding.
Horton’s big plans made national news, so there’ll be an influx of people to the area because of the job opportunities. The growth will be long-term, unlike a six-month project where they’ll leave after its completion.
It’s a long-term venture of building homes in Northwest Arkansas and will likely start another boom in the area because there’ll be so much more opportunity when they set up shop here.
There’s a lot of high-tech stuff happening in NWA. Consequently, there’s high demand for professionals in the medical field, NASA and aerospace, universities, tech startups, web 3.0, and so on.
However, we need more people skilled in labor, construction, concrete, woodwork, framing, roofing, and other similar fields. With Horton’s entry, the demand for such skills can only go higher. Hence, if you’ve ever been on the fence about moving here because you’re not sure there are job opportunities, rest assured that there’s enough work.
Keep that in mind as you’re thinking about moving to Northwest Arkansas. There is more and more need for people with solid construction abilities, so if that’s your field, NWA should definitely be on your radar.
Even if that isn’t your forte, there are many other benefits of moving to NWA.
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
Where Horton Is Building
This “bonus round” is more from an investment standpoint, especially for people looking to invest in some land or buy into a home. Buying a home will take a couple of years because some things are involved here.
However, one of the first places that Horton has been buying land in is Gentry and Siloam Springs. They’re starting to plan developments here, so add it to your list of up-and-coming areas, as I see this area developing the fastest. (5 – 10 years)
You can watch my video about investment areas in Northwest Arkansas here:
Horton is likely to start developments in Gentry and Siloam in a year. Maybe it’ll take a little longer because there must be plans put into place, subdivisions, trail systems, walking paths, and any other necessary preparations.
It’s also exciting that they bought quite a bit of land in Hiwassee, a tiny town attached to the XNA airport and located between Oklahoma and NWA. They bought several acres out there, and I’m guessing they’re planning extensive development near the XNA because the airport is growing exponentially.
Hence, if you want that easy-in, easy-out location when flying around Northwest Arkansas, that’s potentially a big area to invest. It’s a commercial and residential space.
Also, they’ve purchased a decent amount of land in Rogers, so developments will soon commence there too.
Final Thoughts
Finally, D. R. Horton, America’s biggest home builder, is coming to Northwest Arkansas after acquiring all of Riggins’s homes in Fayetteville, Farmington, and Rogers.
As I’ve shared above, it will significantly affect housing and residents in the region, but ultimately for good.
