Crestview is the newest section of Sommers Bend — one of Temecula's newest master-planned communities — built by Richmond American Homes. It offers five floor plans (three are decorated models) ranging from about 1,800 to 2,400 square feet, with pricing that starts just under $800,000; the lowest home right now is around $781,000. The headline for buyers is the builder's rate buydown: a 30-year fixed mortgage at 4.875%, well below the roughly 6.5% you'd get on a resale home. Solar is included by California law (but not in the base price), and every home comes with high ceilings, tankless water heaters, and a two-car garage.

By Justin Short | September 11, 2026

Sommers Bend is actually my own community — I live here — so I get to give you the inside scoop on its newest section, Crestview. I walked all three model homes and pulled together the pricing, floor plans, and incentives so you know what it's really like before you ever set foot in the sales office. Watch the full tour below, or read on for the details.

Pricing and the big incentive: a 4.875% rate buydown

Let's start with the numbers, because they're the reason to pay attention. Crestview starts just under $800,000, with the lowest available home around $781,000. As with any new-construction community, expect prices to step up a bit with each monthly phase release, and remember that base pricing doesn't include upgrades or solar.

The real hook, though, is the financing. Right now the builder is offering a 30-year fixed rate buydown at 4.875% (based on roughly 10% down). I break down the pricing and rate at 1:32. Compare that to about 6.5% on a typical conventional loan for a resale home and you're saving nearly 2% a year — which pencils out to roughly $700 to $900 a month depending on your down payment. The builder says it costs them around $40,000 to buy that rate down, and because it's fixed for the full 30 years, it's a genuinely meaningful long-term incentive. More on the buydown at 2:30. This is exactly the kind of incentive builders are leaning on while the market is slower — worth taking seriously.

The three model homes

Crestview offers five plans total; here are the three you can walk today.

Plan 1 — the Lindsay. Just over 1,800 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, plus a loft, starting around $781,000. It's the entry point — an open-concept great room, all-electric kitchen (no island on this one, to fit the footprint), and a good-size upstairs loft that lives almost like a bonus room. Tour the Lindsay at 3:28.

Plan 2 — the largest model. Just under 2,400 square feet with a big, open kitchen island and the most upgraded finishes of the three. About 500 square feet larger than the Lindsay, it's the top of the size range here (and priced accordingly). Standouts are the tall ceilings and the open-railing staircase that make it feel even bigger. Walk Plan 2 at 9:23.

Plan 3 — the Lauren. Just under 2,200 square feet but laid out as 4 bedrooms plus a study and 2.5 baths, starting around $820,000. It's a touch smaller than Plan 2 but feels grand thanks to the high ceilings, and it includes a California room off the back — a nice shaded outdoor space, especially in Temecula summers. See the Lauren at 14:48.

Thinking about one of these floor plans, or new construction anywhere in Temecula? I'd love to help — and since I live in Sommers Bend, I know this community inside and out. Reach out at TheShortRealEstateTeam.com or call/text (951) 634-9322.

What every Crestview home includes

Across the community, the homes share a consistent, modern spec:

• High ceilings and open-railing staircases — genuinely uncommon in today's energy-efficient new builds, and they make even the smaller plans feel spacious.

• Solar on every home. California law requires solar on new construction, so each home comes with it — as a lease or a purchase. Just note it's not included in the base price. I explain the solar requirement at 12:16.

• All-electric kitchens and laundry (220V), tankless water heaters, and two-car drywalled garages.

• Indoor laundry, often upstairs, plus generous walk-in closets and pantry space.

One budgeting tip: the model homes are loaded with upgrades — upgraded tile, cabinetry, countertops, and backsplashes — and none of that is in the base price. New construction lets you personalize finishes, but it's easy to get carried away, so go in with a clear budget.

The one thing to do before you tour: register your agent

This is the most important practical tip in the whole video. If you want a real estate agent to represent you on a new-construction purchase, the agent has to be with you on your very first visit to the community. I explain the first-visit rule at 21:53. Builders are strict about this — if you walk in alone first, you generally forfeit the right to bring your own representation later. So whether it's me or another agent, set up the appointment and go in together the first time. Having your own agent costs you nothing as the buyer and means someone is looking out for your interests, not the builder's, when you negotiate incentives and upgrades.

If you're moving here from out of the area, my guide on moving to Temecula from another state covers the bigger picture, and my latest Temecula Valley market update explains why builders are pushing rate buydowns right now. If you're still weighing where to land, my Murrieta versus Menifee comparison is a helpful next read.

Frequently asked questions

How much do homes at Crestview at Sommers Bend cost?

They start just under $800,000, with the lowest home around $781,000 (the Plan 1 Lindsay). Larger plans run higher, prices tend to rise with each phase release, and base prices exclude upgrades and solar.

Who is the builder?

Richmond American Homes. Crestview is the newest section of Sommers Bend, a master-planned Temecula community with parks, trails, and amenities near shopping, schools, wineries, and Old Town.

Do I need an agent to buy new construction?

If you want your own representation, yes — and the agent must be with you on your first visit to the community. Builders register your agent up front, so set an appointment before you tour.

The bottom line: Crestview at Sommers Bend is a strong new-construction option in Temecula right now — modern homes from the high $700,000s, a genuinely valuable 4.875% rate buydown, and a location inside one of the area's best new master-plans. The keys are to budget for upgrades and solar, and to bring your agent on that first visit.

I live in Sommers Bend and I've helped dozens of clients buy new construction across Temecula. If you want a walkthrough of Crestview's incentives or help comparing it to other new communities, call or text me at (951) 634-9322, or reach out at TheShortRealEstateTeam.com. Thank you!

About Justin Short

Justin Short is a local real estate agent who has lived in the Temecula Valley for over 25 years — currently in the Sommers Bend community. A long-time top agent in the area, he has earned hundreds of 5-star reviews online helping buyers and sellers across Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, and Winchester navigate the market with confidence. Connect with Justin at TheShortRealEstateTeam.com.