New construction activity across Fenton, Linden, and the Genesee & Livingston County corridor is building steadily through fall 2026. This report captures mid-September market data: where the 30-year mortgage rate landed in the first full week of the month, how new-home pricing and valuations compare today, and which communities are actively building right now. If you are planning a new construction start in Fenton, Linden, or Tyrone Township before winter, this is your update.
Market Snapshot: Mid-September 2026
The national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.71 percent for the week ending September 3, 2026, per Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That is up slightly from 6.66 percent the week before and 6.50 percent a year earlier. Michigan lenders quoted 30-year fixed rates from the mid-6s into the low 7s depending on program and points, with NerdWallet listing a Michigan 30-year APR near 6.63 percent in early September and Zillow showing about 6.99 percent. Fifteen-year rates sit near 6.05 percent APR in NerdWallet's Michigan roundup.
On the resale side, the numbers new buyers will compare against their build budget: Fenton's median sold price remains near $397,000, with Zillow's average home value for Fenton around $366,570, up roughly 3.8 percent year over year. Linden runs tighter: Redfin shows a median near $320,000 with homes turning in about 25 days, and Zillow's average for Linden is closer to $344,000. Grand Blanc tracks near $295,000 list on roughly 333 active listings as of September 3. New construction in the corridor starts at a higher price point because the product is new: expect entry pricing in the low $400s at accessible communities and custom pricing well past $600,000 for premium homesites.
What Changed in the Last 30 Days
The headline for new construction buyers is stability in rates and material costs. Rates have held in a narrow band for a full month, framing lumber posted a third consecutive weekly decline to about $521 per 1,000 board feet (Madison's Index, August 28) before futures ticked higher. On the calendar, Fenton's water main and trail projects keep moving, and the 187-unit townhome project planned for Silver Lake Road stayed on track for a build start around mid-2027, pending the township's water system.
What Is Building Now: Active Communities
Nine communities are actively selling or under construction in the Fenton-Linden-Tyrone corridor this month:
- Fairways of Spring Meadows (Fenton Township): Big Sky Development's custom craftsman homes on roughly half-acre to three-quarter-acre lots, priced from the low $500s. Linden Community Schools district.
- Oaks of Tyrone (Tyrone Township): Big Sky Development's luxury community on 34 one-acre homesites began construction in March 2026 and houses are actively being framed along the corridor. Custom packages start around $629,900 within the Hartland Consolidated Schools district.
- West Winds by Mitchell Building Co (Fenton Township): single-family subdivision off Lahring Road in Fenton Township, Linden Community Schools, on track for a winter 2026 completion target.
- Fenton Acres by Allen Edwin Homes (near Linden): quick move-in and to-be-built homes from approximately $395,900, including plans from 1,252 square feet to more than 2,400 square feet, in Linden Community Schools.
- The Glades of Fenton (Fenton Township): Lake & Land Custom Homes detached condos on Ivy Lane, craftsman plans from approximately $428,885.
- Whispering Pines (Fenton, 48430): Clearview Homes new construction with three-bedroom listings around $349,900.
- Oakwood (Fenton): Mitchell Building Co ranch-style condominiums blocks from downtown Fenton, two-bedroom units in the $335,000 to $340,000 range as the project's summer buildout completes.
- Liberty Shores by Lombardo Homes (Fenton Township): ranch and colonial plans from about 1,533 to over 3,180 square feet, built to be built in roughly 8 to 10 months.
- Redwood Living, 187-unit townhome project (Silver Lake Road): two- and three-bedroom rentals from about 1,294 to 1,620 square feet, final site plan approved July 2026, construction expected to begin near mid-2027 pending Fenton Township's first municipal water system.
New construction neighborhoods across the Fenton-Linden corridor keep filling in through fall. Photo for illustration.
New Construction Pricing: What Moved in September
Construction costs per square foot in Genesee County have not moved materially since the late-summer build season: expect $200 to $275 per square foot for builder-grade production homes, $275 to $350 for semi-custom, and $350 to $500 or more for full custom. Lumber is the input worth watching. Madison's framing lumber index fell for a third straight week to about $521.35 per 1,000 board feet on August 28, a welcome reprieve for fall starts, while lumber remains roughly 178 percent above its pre-2020 level, so deep discounts are not the story in material yards.
Look beyond lumber when you budget your site. Steel and cement tariffs have pushed some material categories higher through 2026, Michigan labor rates run 3.5 to 4.5 percent above last year, and a national labor shortage keeps schedules usable. For typical builds in this corridor, plan an all-in budget of $450,000 to $750,000 for a mid-range custom home; entry-level product at places like Fenton Acres and The Glades lands in the $395,000 to $430,000 range. For a line-by-line breakdown, our 2026 cost guide walks through lots, square-foot costs, financing, and hidden expenses.
Home Financing Notes for Fall Builds
Construction financing is available at workable numbers this fall. Big Sky Development partners with Dart Bank for construction-to-permanent loans to just a 5 percent down payment, fixed rates, and interest-only payments during construction. Builder credits and buydowns at Fairways of Spring Meadows are effectively rate relief for buyers who lock in a lot now, and a credit score of 720 or better typically opens construction-to-permanent pricing in the mid-6s. Get pre-qualified with a construction loan specialist before you select your lot, since lot selection, not the sticker price, is what locks your total budget.
Infrastructure and Community Update
The biggest infrastructure story in the corridor is Fenton Township's first municipal water system, which is nearing completion. That system unlocks future subdivisions and keeps the approved 187-unit townhome project viable. The ChoiceOne Bank Trail, stretching 1.88 miles between Fenton and Linden, is undergoing asphalt paving and on track for a fall 2026 opening, and Linden's Perry Road Trail work continues as part of the Iron Belle Trail network. The $56.2 million Fenton Food and Beverage plant-based milk facility is advancing with at least 96 new jobs, and Tyrone Township is drafting a new Master Plan (its current one dates to 2012) to manage development pressure along US-23.
The Bottom Line for Buyers This Winter
From here to year-end, the fundamentals are quiet and in the buyer's favor. Rates are flat and lumber costs have eased. The communities that will be picked over (Oaks of Tyrone, Fairways of Spring Meadows, West Winds) close out their best homesites first. If a new home in the Fenton-Linden-Tyrone corridor is on your 2027 plan, the fall is the season to lock a lot, a plan, and a rate.
Want a tour of what is building now? I have walked every community in this report this year. Contact me at (810) 691-0019 or through our contact page, and I will show you the lots that fit your budget and your school district. For the resale side of this market, our new construction vs. resale comparison and the summer 2026 market report stay current in our blog archive.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Construction in Fenton & Linden
What new construction communities are active in Fenton & Linden in fall 2026?
Nine communities are actively selling or under construction: Fairways of Spring Meadows (from the low $500s), Oaks of Tyrone (custom packages from roughly $629,900), West Winds (winter 2026 completion), Fenton Acres (from about $395,900), The Glades of Fenton (from about $428,885), Whispering Pines (around $349,900), Oakwood (from the mid-$300s), Liberty Shores by Lombardo Homes, and the 187-unit townhome project that received final site plan approval in July 2026. Visit our new construction page for the full current list.
How much do new construction homes cost in Fenton and Linden in fall 2026?
Entry-level new construction starts around $349,900 to $395,900 (Whispering Pines, Fenton Acres), mid-range builds run $500,000 to $700,000 (Fairways of Spring Meadows, The Glades of Fenton in the $428,000 range as a detached-condo option), and custom luxury homes at Oaks of Tyrone run from $629,000 to nearly $900,000. Budget an additional 10 to 15 percent above the build contract for site work, landscaping, and finishes when you plan totals.
What are mortgage rates and construction loan rates in Michigan right now?
As of the first week of September 2026, the national 30-year fixed average was 6.71 percent (Freddie Mac), and Michigan lenders were quoting from the mid-6s to the low 7s. Fifteen-year rates sit near 6.05 percent APR. Construction-to-permanent loans are available with as little as 5 percent down through Dart Bank at Big Sky Development communities, with construction-phase rates commonly 6.25 to 7.5 percent.
Is now a good time to build new construction in Fenton or Linden?
For most buyers, yes. Rates are flat after weeks of movement, framing lumber posted its third straight weekly decline, inventory is balanced, and premium homesites in the strongest developments are still available. A fall contract can set a winter or early-spring closing. Call Rob Moen at (810) 691-0019 for a current briefing.
What new developments are coming to Fenton Township?
The headline is the approved 187-unit rental townhome project on Silver Lake Road (two- and three-bedroom units from 1,294 to 1,620 square feet), with construction expected to start around mid-2027 pending Fenton Township's first municipal water system, which is nearing completion. Fenton Township is also seeing the West Winds subdivision complete toward the end of 2026, and the new municipal water system is expected to unlock future subdivisions across the township.
How long does it take to build a new home in this area?
Most new construction in Fenton, Linden and Tyrone Township takes 8 to 12 months from foundation to final walkthrough. To-be-built programs like Liberty Shores by Lombardo Homes target roughly 8 to 10 months. Winter months can add a week of weather delay, so buyers who review lots and plans now set the season correctly.
Related Resources
Rob Moen
By Rob Moen, Principal Broker of The Moen Group at Keller Williams First, and a past president of the East Central Association of REALTORS. Rob represents both the Fairways of Spring Meadows and Oaks of Tyrone communities for Big Sky Development.