BUILD A FUTURE

By Randy Noles

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. A community garden, mini-golf, sports field, and two resort-style clubhouse amenity centers provide a comforting and fun-filled community environment. 

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 $250s to the low $400s. 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 low $400s to more than $1.4 million.

Taylor Morrison’s The Cove at Hamlin, which likewise hugs Hickory Nut Lake, has just three water-view homesites available and may well be sold out by press time. Homes range in size from 2,127 to 3,064 square feet and are priced from the mid-$400s to the $700s. 

Amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center, a family pool and children’s splash deck, a playground and several pocket parks. 

Taylor Morrison is also busy in Cypress Reserve, a traditional neighborhood in which the streets are walkable and the homes have front porches. Charming one- and two-story designs are available, with plenty of personalization options.

Homes, many of which have conservation-area views, range in size from 2,200 to nearly 4,300 square feet and are priced from the $340s.

The Reserve at Hamlin, by Ashton Woods Homes, offers both townhomes and single-family homes. Townhomes range in size from 1,849 square feet and are priced starting in the high $200s. 

The community’s single-family homes are from the builder’s Signature, Traditional and Manor collections. Homes are sized starting at 1,964 square feet and are priced from the $300s. Residents enjoy a village marina, a swimming pool and a clubhouse.

Homes, many of which have conservation-area views, range in size from 2,200 to nearly 4,300 square feet and are priced from the $340s.

In Latham Park, Ashton Woods has added an Estate Home Series, in which floorplans top out at 4,020 square feet. The Classic Series is sized starting at 2,066 square feet. Prices in Latham Park range from the $300s to the high $600s. 

Amenities include a swimming pool and cabana, a playground, a seating area and fireplace, and a 1,000-foot-long boardwalk along a preservation area. 

Lennar Homes, formerly CalAtlantic Homes is building Waterside: The Landings, which boasts 34 homesites with private docks directly on Johns Lake. The company is also finding success in Waterside: The Strand, which features impressive luxury homes priced at seven figures, and Waterside: The Cove, which focuses on affordability. 

In Waterside: The Landings, homes range in size from 2,697 to 3,698 square feet and are priced from the high $400s. In Waterside: The Strand, homes range in size from 4,154 to 5,124 square feet and are priced from $1.4 million. In Waterside: The Cove, homes range in size from 1,716 to 3,189 square feet and are more modestly priced from the high $200s.

Lennar has also opened Windstone, near the popular Butler Chain of Lakes, which features elegantly appointed homes ranging in size from 2,321 to 3,769 square feet and priced from the low $400s.

Watermark, by Meritage Homes, offers both townhomes and single-family homes. Townhomes with either three or four bedrooms range in size from 1,661 to 2,321 square feet and are priced from the mid-$200s. Single-family homes, which range in size from 2,050 to 4,505 square feet, are priced ranging from the mid-$300s to the high $500s. 

Resort-style amenities enjoyed by Watermark residents include a lake, a park, a clubhouse, a fitness center, a kid’s splash pad, a playground, an outdoor amphitheater, a tennis court and swimming pools.

Pulte Homes is busy in Lakeview Point, which combines townhomes (from the high $200s) and single-family homes (from the high $300s) and offers homesites on Lake Huckleberry. The neighborhood is nearing sellout.

AV Homes is building in Black Lake Preserve, with 91 oversized homesites and a variety of floorplans from which to choose. There are two privacy-gated entries, and new middle and elementary schools are within walking or biking distance. Amenities include a well-equipped children’s playground.

Many homesites have water or conservation area views. Homes range in size from 2,575 to 5,233 square feet and are priced from the $360s. But you’ll have to hurry — the neighborhood is in final closeout. 

The Highlands at Summerlake Groves by K. Hovnanian Homes, which encompasses both townhomes and single-family homes, offers townhomes from the low $200s and single-family homes from the high $200s. Amenities include tennis courts, a swimming pool and a tot lot. A new phase is opening soon.

Toll Brothers is building Lakeshore, a luxury community with an amenity center, neighborhood parks, and biking and walking trails. Townhomes are priced from the $360s, while two single-family home collections are priced from the high $300s.

Toll’s Royal Cypress Reserve neighborhood boasts parks, a resort-style pool, a boat ramp, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a social room with a catering kitchen. Single-family homes range in size from 2,199 to 4,121 square feet and are priced from the low $500s to the low $600s.

Opened last year: Sanctuary at Hamlin by Dream Finders Homes. In this 40-acre enclave, homes range in size from 2,689 to 4,297 square feet and are priced from the mid-$300s.

At press time an affiliate of Sun Terra Communities had bought about 63 acres along Avalon Road at the western end of New Independence Parkway for a recorded $12.39 million, as part of a deal in which Dream Finders will build 177 single-family homes. Model homes are expected to be available by the second quarter of next year. Prices are expected to start in the $300s for homes, which will be similar to those the builder is now offering in its soon-to-sell-out Sanctuary at Hamlin community.