FWIW, I have a relative that has built a few homes, new, from lot up, and moved on after 2-5 years.
Their logic:
1. They have a life in trades and do all the plumbing, general contracting, and finishing work themselves. (Hire out basic construction, architectural, electrical, drywall to various sub trades).
2. There is a tax on new homes sold as new. If you are an owner/builder and live there for at least 2 years, and then sell, you do not charge the tax, and get a better price in your pocket. The interest on the mortgage is your rent during that time.
3. Plus, 2 years after construction, most of the homes around are already built and the area looks a lot more attractive to buyers who don't need to live though neighbor construction mess.
4. Housing always* increases in value over time.
* according to my relative. doh! In actual fact, some areas, once built, have brand new developments agressively being sold adjacent, which keeps the resale prices depressed, but don't tell him that.
So, think of it kind of like a long flip, or a business for him.