The 9 Best-Selling Florida Communities for 2012

Nine communities in Florida made the 2012 Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities list put out by John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

Communities are ranked by their 2012 net sales.

No surprise at #1 is The Villages with 2,851 sales. This is their best year since the housing bubble burst in 2006, and they beat out the 2nd place national competitor Irvine Ranch located in Orange County California by 1,417 sales.

The closest Florida competition was Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota which recorded 573 sales.

Let's take a little closer look at all of the Florida communities that made the list.

1. The Villages – The Villages, FL
No surprise here that The Villages has retained its position at the top of this list. In fact, they increased sales by 23.6% when compared to 2011.

2012 marked the opening of several new golf courses and recreation centers in the community, as well as the opening of the third (and final) town square to be constructed.

While the sales volume at most communities tends to slow down towards the end of development, with just a few short years left before build-out The Villages is proving that it is simply not like most communities.

Despite the lingering cloud of the IRS issue, you can expect sales to increase even more this year as people start to realize now more than ever that time is short if they want to have a new home built here.

2. Lakewood Ranch – Sarasota, FL
Lakewood Ranch moves up to #8 on the list, having occupied the 9th position last year. 2012 sales increased 46.5% to 573 sales up from a 2011 total of 391.

3. Nocatee – Ponte Vedra, FL
Located in Northeast Florida near Jacksonville, Nocatee tied for the 10th spot (up from 14 last year) with 508 homes sold. Several communities actually make-up Nocatee, one being the 55+ community Del Webb Ponte Vedra.

4. Lake Nona – Orlando, FL
Lake Nona is a 7,000 acre master-planned community in southeast Orlando. With 441 homes sold last year, the community holds down the 16th spot, a huge improvement from being ranked 43 last year.

Lake Nona had the highest percentage sales increase out of all the Florida communities, with sales increasing a whopping 167.3%.

Golf fans may be familiar with Lake Nona as one of the four clubs featured in the team golf event the Tavistock Cup.

5. FishHawk Ranch – Lithia, FL
FishHawk Ranch on the west coast of Florida near Tampa sold 362 homes in 2012, up from 229 the year before, earning them a tie for the 19th spot.

6. Monterra – Cooper City, FL
Monterra dropped from being in 12th last year with 359 sales to the 21st position this year with 337 homes sold.

Monterra spans over 500 acres in Southwest Broward County.

7. Valencia Reserve – Palm Beach, FL
Even though they sold 11 more homes than last year, Valencia Reserve dropped from 16th down to a tie for 29th.

Valencia Reserve is designed with the active 55-and-up set in mind. With a compelling mix of exciting activities, inviting features and exquisite homes, this gated community is a popular choice for people who are accustomed to the very best. It’s located in Palm Beach County, so it’s just a short distance away from some of the finest dining, shopping and entertainment in the entire region.

8. The Bridges – Delray Beach, FL
New to the list (it just opened in 2012) The Bridges is a luxury community developed by the same company as Valencia Reserve, GL Homes.

The community is surrounded by some of the most prestigious communities in the Boca/Delray area and makes its debut on the list with 245 homes sold.

9. Independence – Orlando, FL
Also new to the list with 230 homes sold is Independence, located in Orlando only about 5 minutes from Walt Disney World Resort.

Independence spans 1,300 acres and fronts two lakes – Lake Hancock and Lake Speer. There are two clubhouses and a wealth of other amenities, and home buyers have a handful of builders to choose from.