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 community, by D.R. Horton (along with a subsidiary, Emerald Homes), could ultimately contain up to 3,600 homes. A community garden, mini-golf, a sports field and two resort-style clubhouse amenity centers provide a comforting and fun-filled community environment. The community’s 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 mid-$200s to the mid-$400s. The company also offers townhomes priced from the mid-$200s. Emerald’s homes in Waterleigh are priced from the low $500s to the $600s. 

Also on Hickory Nut Lake is Overlook at Hamlin by Taylor Morrison Homes. The community’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 high $500s to more than $1.4 million.

Lennar Homes, under its CalAtlantic Homes banner, 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.

In The Landings, homes range in size from 2,697 to 3,698 square feet and are priced from the high $400s. In The Strand, homes range in size from 4,154 to 5,124 square feet and are priced from the $700s to $1.4 million. 

Meritage Homes offers single-family and bungalow homes in its Watermark community. Bungalow homes range in size from 1,641 to 2,223 square feet and are priced from the low $300s. Single-family homes, which range in size from 2,080 to 4,535 square feet, are priced from the high $300s. 

Resort-style amenities in Watermark include a clubhouse and fitness center as well as parks, a playground, a swimming pool and tennis courts. There’s even a kids’ splash pad and an outdoor amphitheater.

K. Hovnanian Homes has opened a new phase at The Highlands at Summerlake Groves with single-family homes priced from the mid-$400s. Amenities include tennis courts, a swimming pool and a tot lot. 

The company has also debuted Winding Bay, a community of single-family homes priced from the mid-$300s. Eight floorplans are offered with homes ranging in size from 2,156 to more than 4,000 square feet. Joining Winding Bay is Winding Bay Preserve, where townhomes are priced from the high $200s.

Toll Brothers is building Lakeshore, a luxury community with an amenity center, neighborhood parks, and biking and walking trails. There are two single-family home collections from which to choose, with prices starting in the mid-$400s. 

The company’s Royal Cypress Preserve offers nine different floorplans priced from the mid-$500s. Residents enjoy a private clubhouse, a resort-style swimming pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center as well as neighborhood parks and a picturesque dock for canoeing or kayaking. 

In its Hawkmoor community, Mattamy Homes offers both townhomes and single-family homes with unique architectural appointments inspired by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Townhomes, sized starting at 1,599 square feet, are priced from the high $200s. Single-family homes, which range in size from 1,682 to more than 4,000 square feet, are priced from the low $300s. 

Park Square Homes has brought its popular townhome and single-family home designs to Horizon West. In Ravenna, the company offers four townhome models priced from the mid-$200s. Single-family homes are priced from the mid-$400s in the community, which features a pool and cabana.  

Jones Homes will soon open Avalon Cove, a lakefront community nestled between Hickory Nut Lake and Avalon Road. An interest list is being compiled, or you can get more information by visiting the company’s Stanton Estates community in downtown Winter Garden.