New Construction Homes South Florida: Builders, Communities, and Tips

New construction homes in South Florida have attracted strong buyer interest throughout 2025 and into 2026. With modern floor plans, energy-efficient systems, builder warranties, and design centers that let buyers customize finishes, new homes offer a compelling alternative to resale properties. The challenge for buyers is navigating a process that feels straightforward but contains significant pitfalls, especially when it comes to builder contracts, incentives, and representation.

Top Builders of New Construction Homes in South Florida

Several major builders operate active communities across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Each has a distinct price point, community style, and contract process.

GL Homes

GL Homes is one of the most active builders in Palm Beach County, with a strong presence in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, and western communities near Wellington. Their communities include both active adult 55+ and family-oriented options. Price points typically range from the mid-$500,000s to $2 million, depending on the community and plan.

GL Homes is known for building in planned communities with extensive amenities: clubhouses, resort pools, pickleball and tennis courts, fitness centers, and walking trails. They maintain their own design centers in South Florida, giving buyers genuine customization options on finishes, cabinetry, flooring, and upgrades.

Lennar

Lennar operates across all three South Florida counties and covers a wide range of price points, from townhomes in the $300,000s to luxury single-family homes above $1.5 million. Lennar's "Everything's Included" model bundles many standard upgrades, including smart home technology, impact windows, and upgraded appliances, into the base price rather than treating them as add-on costs. This approach simplifies comparison shopping.

Lennar is also active in new townhome and attached villa communities, which appeal to first-time buyers and downsizing buyers who want low-maintenance living with new construction quality. Their communities tend to sell out quickly in South Florida because their pricing is competitive relative to included features.

DR Horton

DR Horton is the nation's largest homebuilder by volume and maintains a significant South Florida presence. They focus primarily on the value-oriented segment of the market, with communities in the $350,000 to $700,000 range. Broward County suburban markets and western Palm Beach County communities are their primary South Florida focus areas.

DR Horton's Express Homes brand targets entry-level buyers, while their Emerald and Homes by West Bay brands address move-up buyers seeking higher-end features. Their communities typically sell from a spec-home model, meaning most homes are built and available for purchase without a long wait, which appeals to buyers who need to move on a defined timeline.

Minto Communities

Minto is best known in South Florida for Westlake, a master-planned city they are building from the ground up in western Palm Beach County near Loxahatchee. Westlake is one of the largest new construction projects in Florida, with plans for thousands of homes across multiple price points, along with commercial, retail, and community amenity development. Homes in Westlake range from the low $400,000s to $900,000 or more depending on the product line.

Kolter Homes

Kolter focuses on the upper-middle and luxury segment of the South Florida new construction market. Their communities in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and along the Palm Beach coast target buyers in the $700,000 to $2.5 million range. Kolter builds at a notably higher finish level than volume builders, with larger lots, more architectural variation, and more included luxury features. Their communities tend to be smaller, ranging from 50 to 200 homes, which creates a quieter, less congested environment than large master-planned communities.

Active New Construction Communities in South Florida

The new construction landscape changes frequently as communities sell out and new phases open. These are among the most active areas as of 2026.

Palm Beach County

Westlake (Minto): Western Palm Beach County near Loxahatchee. Master-planned community, multiple product lines, strong growth trajectory. From $400,000.
Lotus (GL Homes): Boca Raton. Gated, luxury level, resort amenities. From the mid-$700,000s.
Sky Cove South (GL Homes): Westlake area. Family-oriented, with a 55+ section available. From $500,000.
Boca Bridges (GL Homes): Boca Raton. One of the most successful luxury communities in the county. From $1.5 million.

Broward County

Lennar communities in Pembroke Pines and Miramar: Townhomes and single-family, $350,000 to $600,000.
Resorts at Coconut Creek (Lennar): Active adult community with resort amenities. From the $400,000s.

Miami-Dade County

Homestead and Cutler Bay: DR Horton, Lennar, and smaller local builders offer new single-family homes from $350,000 to $600,000 in the southern reaches of the county.
Doral: Several builders active in the $500,000 to $900,000 range in gated communities near the Doral Golf Resort.

Builder Incentives and How to Evaluate Them

Builders regularly offer incentives to move inventory, particularly on standing spec homes or in the final phases of a community. Common incentive types include:

Rate buydowns: Builder pays points to reduce your mortgage rate for the first one to three years or for the full loan term. This can save $200 to $600 per month on a $500,000 loan. The catch: the incentive is often contingent on using the builder's preferred lender.
Closing cost assistance: Builder covers some or all closing costs if you use their lender. Closing costs on a $600,000 home run $10,000 to $15,000, so this is meaningful money.
Upgrade allowances: Builder credits you $20,000 to $50,000 toward design center upgrades. This feels like money in your pocket, but upgrades at builder design centers are often priced above what you would pay a contractor after closing.
Price reductions on standing inventory: Builders with completed homes sitting unsold will negotiate price. Standing spec homes are your best opportunity for a genuine discount.

Never evaluate an incentive in isolation. Calculate the total cost of the purchase with all incentives applied and compare it to what the same home would cost with outside financing and post-close upgrades. Sometimes the better deal is taking no incentives and using your own lender.

New Construction vs. Existing Homes

Many buyers weighing new construction against existing resale homes find the decision comes down to a few key factors.

Advantages of New Construction

Everything is new, with no deferred maintenance or surprise repairs in year one
Modern floor plans with open living areas and large primary suites
Energy efficiency: newer insulation, windows, HVAC, and appliances reduce monthly utility costs
Builder warranty: typically one year on workmanship, two years on mechanical systems, ten years on structural defects
Impact windows and modern hurricane standards throughout
Lower initial insurance costs in many cases, due to newer construction ratings

Advantages of Existing Homes

Established neighborhoods with mature landscaping and known neighbors
Faster move-in with no construction wait time
Larger lots and more outdoor space per dollar in many markets
Closer to urban cores, beaches, and employment centers in most cases
Room to negotiate on price, especially for homes with deferred updates
No HOA required, or smaller HOA fees than master-planned communities

How List & Sell FL Negotiates Builder Contracts

One of the most common mistakes buyers make with new construction is walking into a builder's sales office without their own agent. The sales agent in the model home works for the builder. Their job is to sell the builder's homes at the best possible price for the builder. They are professional, friendly, and helpful. And they are not representing your interests.

Having a buyer's agent from List & Sell FL at your side costs you nothing. Builders build co-op commissions into their pricing for all buyers, whether or not you bring an agent. If you walk in without representation, the builder simply keeps that commission. You gain nothing by going in alone.

With our agents representing you in new construction homes in South Florida, we provide:

Independent analysis of whether the builder's pricing is competitive versus resale comparables in the same area
Evaluation of builder incentives and whether the preferred lender offer is genuinely competitive
Review of the builder's contract, which is heavily weighted toward the builder and often requires negotiation
Guidance on which upgrades are worth buying through the design center versus completing after closing
Inspection coordination at key construction milestones, including pre-drywall and final walkthrough
Negotiation on standing spec inventory where price reductions are most achievable

Register your agent before your first visit to a builder's community. Most builders require that an agent be present at the first visit to pay a co-op commission. If you visit first and then bring an agent later, the builder may deny the commission, effectively removing your representation at no savings to you.

New Construction Contract Considerations

Builder contracts differ fundamentally from standard Florida Realtors contracts. Key differences to understand:

Deposits are typically larger: Builders often require 10% to 20% down at contract, not the 1% to 3% typical in resale transactions. These deposits may be non-refundable if you cancel.
Contingencies are limited: Most builder contracts have no financing contingency, or a very short one. If you cannot close, you may forfeit your deposit.
Timeline is builder-controlled: Closing dates are estimates, not guarantees. Construction delays happen. Budget for flexibility in your move planning.
Change orders accumulate: Upgrades selected during the design center process add up quickly. Set a hard budget and stick to it. Design center upgrades typically cost 50% more than comparable contractor work after closing.

Get Expert Help with New Construction in South Florida

The National Association of Home Builders publishes national new home sales data that provides useful context on builder market conditions and inventory levels nationwide.

For South Florida-specific guidance on new construction communities, contract review, and builder negotiations, contact List & Sell FL at (561) 835-5400. You can also browse current new construction listings available through MLS at listsellfl.com/new-construction. Our representation costs you nothing, and it gives you an independent expert in your corner throughout every phase of the build process.

For personalized guidance on buying or selling in South Florida, contact the team at Pure Equity Realty. We serve Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, St. Lucie, and Highlands counties with expert representation and a 1% listing fee.