2026 Smart Start Sales Event landing page header graphic
Need to move now?

Rates starting at 3.49% (6.578% APR) your first year!*

For a limited time, the Smart Start Savings Event brings together beautiful homes and big savings! Qualified buyers could take advantage of a great special rate on a 3-2-1 buydown option when financing a quick move-in home with First Equity Mortgage.

How does a 3-2-1 buydown work?

• Year 1:  Enjoy payments based on an interest rate 3% lower, 3.49% (6.578% APR) than your locked-in rate.
• Year 2:  Your rate is 2% lower, 4.49% (6.578% APR) helping you save on your mortgage payment.
• Year 3:  Your rate is 1% lower, 5.49% (6.578% APR) keeping your mortgage payments low. 
• Years 4–30: Continue with your locked-in rate of 6.49% (6.578% APR), ensuring predictable payments.

Start living in a home with elevated finishes, a stylish floorplan and expert craftsmanship; all while taking advantage of special savings this month. Hurry, this promotion ends August 31, 2026!
Planning to build?

Save 1% off Your Interest Rate When You Build**

Right now, you may qualify to receive 1% off your interest rate when you contract to build with Drees Custom Homes and finance through First Equity Mortgage by August 31, 2026!

This incentive could mean thousands in savings - money you can use to pay down your loan faster or keep in your pocket for what matters most. Maybe it’s stylish structural upgrades, designer finishes, or maybe you just want the extra space... the choice is yours! When you meet with a Drees Custom Homes Market Manager to choose your floorplan, be sure to ask about this limited-time promotion.
*Advertised interest rate of 3.49% (6.578% APR) is valid only on firm, non-contingent purchase agreements for eligible, owner-occupied quick move-in homes accepted by Drees Custom Homes in the Austin area, August 1-31, 2026, and close by September 30, 2026, with First Equity Mortgage Inc. With the advertised rate, borrower payments for the first year will be based on an interest rate of 3% below the current market rate. The second year’s payments will be based on an interest rate 2% below the current market rate. The third year's payments will be based on an interest rate 1% below the current market. In years 4-30, payments will be based on the original locked-in rate. For example, in the first year, borrower payments will be based on a 3.49% interest rate (6.578% APR), second year 4.49% interest rate (6.578% APR), third year 5.49% interest rate (6.578% APR), then 6.49% interest rate (6.578% APR) for the remaining 27 years. The APR does not consider any other loan specific finance charges buyer may be required to pay. Example shows a 30-year conventional loan for an owner-occupied home with a sales price of $700,000, 760 credit score and 20% down payment. Subject to standard qualifications and credit approval. Government and adjustable-rate mortgages are not eligible. The 3-2-1 buydown option is available on Jumbo loans but at a different interest rate.

**1% off Interest Rate Incentive provides a 1% discount off the current interest rate offered by First Equity Mortgage Inc. on a standard 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan after all required adjustments for any loan level, credit score, loan-to-value, or other factors (known as the “Adjusted Base Rate”) calculated at the time the buyer initially locks their interest rate. Incentive is valid only on firm, non-contingent purchase agreements for owner-occupied, build-to-order single family homes accepted by Drees Custom Homes between August 1-31, 2026, when the buyer finances with First Equity Mortgage Inc. To qualify, buyer must select a 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan with a down payment of 10% or more of the home's purchase price. Buyers will lock their rate between 60 and 15 days before closing. The 1% rate reduction is based on the seller paying the incentive in an amount equal to the discount points required to reduce the Adjusted Base Rate by 1%, calculated at the time that Buyer initially locks their interest rate. Buyers must apply all seller incentives toward discount points to buy down the interest rate. The incentive will not exceed 4.00% of the total purchase price of the home even if this amount does not ultimately result in an interest rate reduction of 1% below the Adjusted Base Rate. This incentive may not be combined with any other Drees incentive or discounts, unless otherwise noted. Incentive is subject to change or withdrawal without notice.

First Equity Mortgage Inc. is an Equal Housing Lender licensed by the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage, License #SML; NMLS #21157 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), and is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Drees Company located at 211 Grandview Drive, Suite 102, Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017. Buyer is not required to finance through First Equity Mortgage Inc. to purchase a Drees Custom Home; however, buyer must use First Equity Mortgage Inc. to take advantage of advertised incentives. Consumers wishing to file a complaint against a mortgage banker or a licensed mortgage banker residential mortgage loan originator should complete and send a complaint form to the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, 2601 North Lamar, Suite 201, Austin, Texas 78705. Complaint forms and instructions may be obtained from the department's website at www.sml.texas.gov. A toll-free consumer hotline is available at (877) 276-5550.
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