Licensed: Florida ·Real Estate — All 67 FL Counties ·NEWListings available now
Statewide · New Construction Guide

Florida's new construction market

Florida new construction spans master-planned communities, single-builder developments, custom builds, and luxury pre-construction towers in major metros. BKRS represents buyers across the state, helping navigate the specific considerations that distinguish new-construction transactions from resale.

Statewide
All 67 counties
Master-planned
Multiple major MPCs
Pre-construction
Major metros
NEW CONSTRUCTION
New Build
Florida Statewide
Florida · All Counties County, FL · Area code —
At a Glance

New Construction Florida highlights

Florida new construction spans master-planned communities, single-builder developments, custom builds, and luxury pre-construction towers in major metros. BKRS represents buyers across the state, helping navigate the specific considerations that distinguish new-construction transactions from resale.

PulteToll BrothersDavid WeekleyTaylor MorrisonMeritageLake NonaWellen ParkHorizon WestBabcock RanchPre-construction towers
BKRS · Buy · Keep · Rent · Sell

Four ways BKRS works for you

Florida new construction spans master-planned communities, single-builder developments, custom builds, and luxury pre-construction towers. BKRS represents buyers across major Florida builders and helps navigate the unique aspects of new-construction transactions.

B
Buy
Buyer-side representation across all 67 Florida counties — primary, second-home, and investment.
K
Keep
Property management, refinance guidance, and homestead/Save-Our-Homes optimization.
R
Rent
Long-term tenant placement, vacation rental management, and lease-up coordination.
S
Sell
Listing strategy, professional photography, MLS exposure, and 1031 exchange coordination.

Florida new construction at a glance

New-construction activity in Florida includes large master-planned developments, smaller single-builder neighborhoods, custom-built homes, and luxury pre-construction condominiums in major metros. Builders, products, incentives, and timelines vary widely. Population growth and the availability of developable land have supported sustained activity, while market conditions, mortgage rates, and inventory continue to evolve. Buyers should evaluate any specific opportunity on its own merits with current information.

Master-planned communities to know

Lake Nona (Orange County) covers approximately 17 square miles in southeast Orlando and includes the Medical City employment cluster. Horizon West (Orange County, near Winter Garden) is composed of multiple themed villages. Wellen Park (Sarasota County's North Port) is anchored by the Atlanta Braves spring training facility. Babcock Ranch (Charlotte County) is a solar-powered master-planned town. Lakewood Ranch (Manatee/Sarasota) spans about 33,000 acres. Nocatee (St. Johns County) and Tradition (Port St. Lucie) are also among the larger MPCs. Each community has its own village rules, HOA structures, and CDD assessments that buyers should review carefully.

Pre-construction in Florida luxury markets

Pre-construction contracts allow buyers to purchase units in towers that are not yet completed — sometimes before construction has begun. Active Florida pre-construction includes projects in Brickell, Edgewater, Surfside, Sunny Isles, Bal Harbour, Tampa's Water Street master plan, and the Sarasota waterfront, among others. Pricing relative to comparable resale varies by project, market conditions, and timing. Florida pre-construction is governed by specific Florida statutes covering escrow, disclosure, and rescission periods. Buyers should review the offering circular in detail and may wish to engage a Florida real estate attorney before signing.

Aspects of new-construction transactions to evaluate carefully

New-construction transactions differ from resale in several practical respects: the model home shown in marketing typically reflects substantial design-center upgrades not included in the base price; the design-center price list may differ meaningfully from aftermarket renovation pricing for the same items; HOA and CDD assessments are part of total monthly housing cost and should be reviewed before contract; builder lender incentives may include closing-cost credits or rate buy-downs but should be compared against quotes from independent lenders to verify overall best terms; warranty coverage varies by builder and product; and construction timeline provisions, delay remedies, and deposit terms vary by contract. None of this is meant to discourage new-construction buyers — many transactions go smoothly — but each item rewards careful review.

How BKRS represents new-construction buyers

BKRS works with buyers across major Florida builders and master-planned communities. Our role includes helping buyers evaluate options across builders and lots, reviewing pricing and incentive offerings, identifying questions to direct to the builder or HOA regarding amenity dues and CDD schedules, accompanying showings and design-center selections, and tracking construction milestones through closing. BKRS is a licensed Florida real estate brokerage and represents buyers in the buying process. We do not provide legal, tax, lending, or insurance advice; for those matters we routinely refer clients to licensed Florida attorneys, CPAs, lenders, and insurance agents. As of August 2024, buyer-broker compensation must be disclosed in a written agreement before representation begins; BKRS provides this in writing and discusses compensation up front.

Important Disclosures

BKRS is a licensed Florida real estate brokerage. Information in this guide is provided for general educational purposes and is believed accurate at time of publication. Real estate market data, neighborhood characteristics, school zoning, tax rules, builder incentives, HOA assessments, CDD assessments, insurance availability and pricing, and pre-construction terms can change without notice. Statements regarding pricing, incentives, or market conditions reflect general observations and are not predictions or guarantees.

BKRS does not provide legal, tax, financial, lending, or insurance advice. Buyers should conduct independent due diligence and consult licensed Florida professionals (real estate attorneys, CPAs, mortgage lenders, insurance agents) for advice in their respective fields. Buyer-broker compensation arrangements, including any cooperative compensation offered by a builder or seller, are disclosed in a written buyer representation agreement before representation begins, in compliance with applicable rules.

Equal Housing Opportunity. BKRS is committed to the Fair Housing Act and Equal Opportunity in housing.

Questions & Answers

New Construction Florida FAQs

Why is new construction active in Florida?

Florida's population growth, lack of state income tax, and abundant master-planned land have supported sustained new-construction activity. Builders also generally include modern construction features required for Florida code (impact-rated windows, hurricane-resistant roofing) which can affect long-term insurance and resale considerations. Market conditions, builder incentives, and inventory all vary by metro and time period.

Who are the major builders in Florida?

National builders active in Florida include Pulte/Del Webb, Toll Brothers, David Weekley, Taylor Morrison, Meritage, K. Hovnanian, KB Home, Lennar, DR Horton, GL Homes, and Mattamy. Regional builders include ICI Homes (Northeast Florida / Lake Nona), Neal Communities (Sarasota / Manatee), and others. Each builder has its own product lines, pricing structures, and warranty terms.

What are some of Florida's major master-planned communities?

Lake Nona (Orlando), Horizon West (Winter Garden), Wellen Park (North Port), Babcock Ranch (Charlotte County), Lakewood Ranch (Manatee/Sarasota), Nocatee (St. Johns County), Tradition (Port St. Lucie), and Ave Maria (Naples-area) are among the larger and more well-known. Each has its own village rules, builder rosters, HOA structures, and CDD assessments.

What is a CDD vs an HOA?

A Community Development District (CDD) is a special-purpose district that funds infrastructure (roads, parks, utilities) in many Florida master-planned communities; CDD assessments appear on property tax bills and are a recurring obligation. An HOA is a homeowners association funding ongoing operations and amenities. Both may apply in many MPCs and meaningfully affect total monthly housing cost. Buyers should obtain the actual HOA budget, reserves, and CDD assessment schedule for any specific property and review with appropriate professional advisors.

Should I work with a buyer's agent for new construction?

Buyer representation in new construction has practical value: an experienced agent helps compare lots, reviews pricing and incentives across builders, advises on design-center decisions, helps identify questions about HOA and CDD assessments to direct to the builder or HOA, and tracks construction timelines. Compensation arrangements vary — some builders offer cooperative compensation to the buyer-broker; in other cases, the buyer may be responsible for some or all of the buyer-broker fee. As of August 2024, all buyer-broker compensation must be disclosed in a written agreement before representation begins. Discuss compensation with any prospective buyer's agent up front.

What is pre-construction?

Pre-construction means contracting to purchase a unit in a building that is not yet completed — sometimes before construction has begun. Florida pre-construction contracts typically involve staged deposits over 18–36 months. Pricing relative to comparable resale varies by project and market conditions. Florida statutes govern certain aspects of pre-construction sales (escrow requirements, condominium disclosures, rescission periods); buyers should review the offering circular carefully and may wish to consult a Florida real estate attorney.

What should I watch for in a new-construction transaction?

Key items include: base versus upgraded pricing (the model home often features substantial upgrades that are not in base price); design-center upgrade pricing; the schedule of HOA and CDD assessments; warranty terms and coverage period; builder lender incentives compared with quotes from independent lenders; construction timeline and any delay provisions; and the contract's rescission, deposit, and remedy provisions. BKRS reviews these items with buyers from a real estate perspective; for legal review of contract terms, consult a licensed Florida real estate attorney.
Talk to a BKRS Agent

Connect with a Florida specialist

Tell us what you’re looking for — we’ll respond within one business hour.

Explore More

Related BKRS guides