Building to Sell or Rent in McAllen: The Path, Step by Step

An investor who wants to build townhomes to rent or a house to sell in McAllen has a different list of questions from a family building a home. If you have never built in Texas, whether you live here in the Valley or in Mexico, most of those questions come down to the order of things and to how you keep up with a build from far away.

This is the whole path for that investor, in the order we take it with you, from the first call to the day the building is sold or rented.

What does Sisu do for an investor?

We take the project from the design and the permits to the finished building, and then we help you sell it or rent it. You work with one company the whole way, in English or Spanish.

Along the way we help with the parts that worry a first time investor most. We help you get the financing. We walk you through the steps of doing business here, such as opening a bank account and setting up your accounting. Daniel Estrada, our founder, runs the job as general contractor.

What you can build with us: townhomes and homes to sell or to rent, renovations, and small communities where the land work comes first. Sisu developed 900 South and Pecan Heights here in McAllen. For steel framed commercial buildings, our partner is KSI Cold Formed Steel.

Where does the path start?

With a 20 minute call with Daniel. You tell him what you want to build, where, and whether you plan to sell it or rent it. He tells you plainly what it takes.

Bring what you have. A lot, a sketch, a photo of a building you like, a rough idea of how many units. If all you have is the idea, that is enough for the first call.

Do I need land before I call?

No. If you already own a lot, we check it. If you are looking at one, send it to us before you buy. Our lot check is free: you send us the lot and we tell you what it takes to build on it.

A lot for rentals or for several units has more to check than a lot for one house. Our lot checklist for Hidalgo County covers what we look at.

If you would rather buy with the land included, at Pecan Heights we also sell townhomes with the lot.

How long until the first pour?

For one home, design and permits take 1 to 2 months. We draw the project with you, then we pull the permits with the city or the county that has jurisdiction over the lot. Our post on building permits in Hidalgo County explains what the offices ask for.

Construction of one home then takes 6 to 10 months from contract to keys, depending on its size. A project with several units has its own schedule, and Daniel lays it out with you on a call. If you want to see where the months go on a single house, read our month by month timeline.

What will it cost, and does the price hold?

Our prices begin at $115 per square foot. Every project is different.

Before you sign, you get a written price for your project, line by line. The price on the signed contract holds through the build, also when lumber or steel goes up. For an investor that matters, because the number you planned with does not move when material prices do.

How do I pay for the build?

We help you get the financing for the project and prepare what the loan asks for. Daniel explains how it works on a call, because the right path depends on the project and on you.

One real project shows how this works. Today Sisu is the project manager for an investor who is building eight townhomes. The project is in preparation. We work with the investor on everything it needs before the first pour, the construction loan included. When it is ready, we build it.

I have never done business in Texas. Where do I start with the bank and the paperwork?

With the same call. We walk you through the steps here, such as opening a bank account and setting up your accounting, and we tell you which questions to take to whom.

Anything about your company or your taxes is advice that comes from your own attorney and your own accountant. We help you find the steps and keep the project moving while they do their part.

Daniel studied International Business at the Tecnológico de Monterrey and has run businesses in Mexico, in heavy machinery, hardware and building materials. He can walk you through the steps here in Spanish or in English.

How do I follow the build if I live in Mexico?

You do not have to be in the Valley while we build. Every week you get photos and a message on where the project stands. You can also follow the project online from wherever you are.

Daniel is the general contractor on every job and he is on every jobsite every week. Sisu is insured, with builder's risk on every build. When you are in town, come walk the site with him.

What happens when the building is finished?

We help you sell it or rent it. The building comes with a written warranty: 1 year workmanship, 2 years systems, 6 years structural.

On earnings, we give you the cost in writing and walk you through the schedule. With those two, you and your advisers run your numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to live in McAllen to build with Sisu?

No. Every week you get photos and a message from the job, and you can follow the project online. Come see the site whenever you are in town.

Can you help me get a construction loan?

Yes. We help you get the financing for the project and prepare what the loan asks for. Daniel explains the options on a call.

Will you tell me what the project will earn?

We give you the cost in writing, line by line, and walk you through the schedule. You and your advisers use those to run your numbers.

Where do you build?

In McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, Weslaco, Harlingen and Brownsville.

What kind of projects do you take for investors?

Townhomes and homes to sell or to rent, renovations, and small communities where the land work comes first. For steel framed commercial buildings we work with our partner, KSI Cold Formed Steel.

See every step on our investor page, then book a 20 minute call with Daniel and bring your lot, your idea and whether you plan to sell or rent.