Seeking Advice as a First Time Builder

[Adolfo Herrera]

I recently bought a piece of land(cash) in my hometown in Texas and I am looking to start building a home to sell.

The lot sits in a new neighborhood and is in the more affordable side of the Rio Grande Valley. Homes currently up for sale in the area are about $250,000 for a 3beds/2bath and roughly 1300 SQFT. Lots of small builders with their standard spec home. 

My plan is to build along the same type of home, but of course with some of my design inputs.

I want to get a really solid foundation before any actual building happens and I would truly appreciate any advice that anyone has to offer of some preliminary items I should know and take care of beforehand. Basically anything that I should have before the construction starts.

Currently in the step of figuring out how to get home plans and how to work with architects so I have the following questions:

1. Should I work with a local Architect to design from scratch? Or should I grab plans from a local builder and work with their architect to modify the plans to more of my style? Reason I ask is because after buying the lot, the seller was also a builder and mentioned he could sell me his plans and connect me with his Architect.

3. How much should an architect cost me for a 1300sqft design? In terms, of Great Price, Fair Price, Overpaid.

2. Do you have any experience using a piece of land as collateral for a construction loan? And is it a route that you would recommend?