MOTHER NATURE'S UNBEATABLE AMENITY

In Central Florida, with its hundreds of bodies of water, most lakeview homesites have been built out for decades. To live on a natural lake in these parts, you’ve usually got to buy an older home — and in some cases, tear it down and rebuild — and settle in an older neighborhood.

Horizon West has changed all that. With dozens of lakes and clear-water ponds, buyers have a choice of numerous lakefront homesites and state-of-the-art homes in brand-new, heavily amenitized neighborhoods.

Take Waterleigh, for example. Horizon West’s biggest neighborhood, by D.R. Horton (along with a subsidiary, Emerald Homes), could ultimately contain up to 3,600 homes.

The 1,400-acre site is dotted with more than a dozen bodies of water, including Hickory Nut Lake. D.R. Horton’s homes, many of which have water views, range in size from 1,689 to 3,911 square feet and are priced from the $230s to the $380s. Emerald’s homes are priced from the low $500s to the mid-$700s. 

Also on Hickory Nut Lake is Overlook at Hamlin by Taylor Morrison Homes. The neighborhood’s 381 homes are all within walking distance of Hamlin’s planned boardwalk and retail district. 

With floorplans ranging in size from 1,600 to more than 5,100 square feet, Overlook at Hamlin certainly offers something for everyone. Amenities include a clubhouse, a family pool, a splash park, a playground, an amphitheater and even a multipurpose sports lawn. Prices range from the $260s to the $770s.

Taylor Morrison’s The Cove at Hamlin, which likewise hugs Hickory Nut Lake, has just nine water-view homesites available. Homes range in size from 2,127 to 3,064 square feet and are also priced from the $260s to the $770s. Amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center, a family pool and children’s splash deck, a playground and several pocket parks. 

CalAtlantic Homes, the mega-builder that resulted from a merger between Standard Pacific Homes and Ryland Homes, lasy year launched Waterside: The Landings, which boasts 34 homesites with private docks directly on Johns Lake. The company is also continuing in Waterside: The Strand, which features impressive luxury homes priced at seven figures.

In The Landings, homes range in size from 2,697 to 3,698 square feet and are priced from the $470s. In The Strand, homes range in size from 4,154 to 5,124 square feet and are priced starting at $1.3 million. 

Another neighborhood boasting Johns Lake frontage is Twinwaters by Meritage Homes, where homes range in size from 3,017 to 5,600 square feet and are priced from the $350s to the $640s. Amenities will include a park, a pool and cabana, and a playground. 

Pulte Homes is busy in Lakeview Point, which combines townhomes (from the low $200s) and single-family homes (from the $250s to the $640s) and offers homesites on Lake Huckleberry.