The Villages has sold an “estimated” 1,515 new homes at the halfway point of 2024 according to real estate consulting firm RCLCO. The figure is only an estimate because The Villages does not release official mid-year sales numbers.
Last year The Villages sold a total of 3,029 new homes.
13 Florida communities made the mid-year Top 50 list, and they accounted for approximately 36% of the total sales among the top 50. Like The Villages, a handful of the other Florida communities are also 55+ communities themselves or contain neighborhoods within them that are 55+.
While you should not base your decision on what community you ultimately end up in based on how many homes they sell, the data is useful in that you know if they're selling this many new homes, they've got something to offer that a lot of people…maybe even you…are interested in.
Here's a look at the other Florida communities that made the list.
#2 Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch in the Sarasota area is not all 55+ but there are a few neighborhoods that are 55+ like Del Webb Lakewood Ranch and Cresswind Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch as a whole though came in at #2 on the list with 1,238 new home sales so far this year.
Just minutes from the beaches of Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is the #1 best-selling multigenerational master-planned community in the country.
With everything from low-maintenance condominiums to single-family houses starting in the $400k's, Lakewood Ranch offers a neighborhood option for just about every type of family and budget. There are also a few 55+ community options available, including Del Webb Lakewood Ranch and Cresswind Lakewood Ranch.
#6 Wellen Park
Coming in at #6, Wellen Park is just minutes from the beaches of Venice on Florida's West Coast. Wellen Park features boutique shops and restaurants, a number of 18-hole championship golf courses, and it is the home of Atlanta Braves Spring Training. So far this year they've had 573 new home sales, and a brand new 55+ community recently opened there:
Discover a new brighter 55+ lifestyle at Brightmore at Wellen Park in Venice, Florida. This new gated community is nestled within popular Wellen Park, one the nation's premier master-planned communities. Brightmore will feature a rich array of resort-style amenities, including 2 pools, 8 pickleball courts and a competition court, and a 21,000 square foot clubhouse with gathering areas, bar/grill, fitness center, paw park and much more. A full activities and events calendar provides fun and social connections. Choose from 11 thoughtfully designed home plans, including villas and single-family residences.
#9 (Tie) Silverleaf and Mirada
Silverleaf in St. Augustine and Mirada in San Antonio (Tampa area) tied for the #9 spot with 473 new home sales so far in 2024.
#12 Babcock Ranch
Babcock Ranch in the Punta Gorda area in Southwest Florida took the #12 spot with 446 new home sales.
Located in Southwest Florida, Babcock Ranch has been designed to help residents live their happiest, healthiest life. Situated on 18,000 acres, adjacent to an extensive wilderness preserve, Babcock Ranch features hiking and biking paths, greenways, and lakes perfect for outdoor adventures.
America’s first solar-powered town, Babcock Ranch houses an 870-acre solar farm operated by Florida Power & Light, and the entire town is outfitted with fiber optic internet for a fully connected lifestyle.
Babcock Ranch features a variety of neighborhoods and home builders, and prices range from the $300's to over $2M.
#17 Tradition
Tradition in Port St. Lucie is home to a handful of 55+ communities and several all-ages neighborhoods. Collectively they accounted for 377 new home sales so far in 2024, good enough for the 17th spot.
Tradition is a master-planned community in Port St. Lucie. The Town Center creates a natural community hub for residents to meet and socialize, where events like a weekly farmers market invite one and all to gather. The extensive Tradition Trail winds through the community connected to over 300 acres of parks, inviting residents to explore the outdoors, meet up with friends, or enjoy a casual stroll and visit the Town Center.
Tradition is comprised of several different neighborhoods. While some neighborhoods are open to residents of all ages, Tradition also includes several 55+ neighborhoods from developers like Del Webb, Mattamy Homes, and Minto. Prices here generally start in the $300k's.
#19 Ave Maria
Ave Maria in the Naples area recorded 343 new home sales so far this year, a tie for 19th with a community in Texas. Ave Maria is home to Del Webb Naples.
Located about 30 miles east of Naples in the master-planned community of Ave Maria, Del Webb Naples is a fairly large community of around 2,000 condos, townhouses, and single-family homes. This community has an (optional to join) 18-hole championship golf course, sports courts, resort and lap pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and 2 large clubhouses with a full-time Lifestyle Director. Homes start in the $300k's.
#24 Westlake
Westlake is located in Palm Beach County, between Wellington and Palm Beach Gardens, and it is home to the 55+ community Cresswind Palm Beach at Westlake. So far this year 317 homes have sold in Westlake.
#28 Viera
Viera in the Melbourne area on Florida's east coast was #28 with 293 new home sales so far in 2024, powered in large part by the 55+ Del Webb at Viera community:
Situated on over 500 acres, with plans for approximately 1,300 homes, Del Webb at Viera offers retirement living in an acclaimed master-planned community known for its robust amenities and proximity to beautiful beaches, fine dining and shopping.
Del Webb at Viera offers single-family homes similar to those available in other Del Webb communities. Prices start in the $300k's.
#34 Latitude Margaritaville Watersound
Latitude Margaritaville Watersound has sold 265 new homes so far this year.
Located on Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast between Pensacola & Panama City, Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is the 2nd Jimmy Buffett-inspired 55+ community in Florida, and the 3rd one overall when you include Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head.
Amenities in place or coming soon include a Latitude Town Square with Bandshell, Latitude Bar & Chill Restaurant, 2nd Floor Overlook Bar with panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Paradise Pool with Beach Entry Cabanas, Tiki Huts, Fins Up! Fitness Center, Barkaritaville Dog Park, Tennis & Pickleball Courts, Port of Indecision Kayak Launch, Walking Trails, and more.
Home prices start in the $300k's.
#36 Nocatee
Nocatee, located about 25 miles southeast of Jacksonville is where you will find Del Webb Nocatee, and the community as a whole sold 263 new homes in the first half of this year.
Del Webb Nocatee is a new 55+ gated community in Ponte Vedra, which is in Northeast Florida, just minutes from Jacksonville and St. Augustine, and about 4 miles from pristine beaches.
The Canopy Club offers luxury amenities just a golf cart's drive away, including a zero-entry pool, pickleball courts, fitness studio, and even an onsite Tavern & Grill with private wine lockers.
#37 Riverland
Riverland is home to the 55+ communities Valencia Cay, Valencia Grove, Valencia Walk, and now Valencia Parc at Riverland. Riverland came in at number 37 on the list with 262 new home sales so far this year.
Valencia Parc at Riverland is one of the newest 55+ communities on Florida's East Coast. Located in Port St. Lucie, Valencia Parc at Riverland brings together GL Homes' famous 55+ resort-style living within the amazing 4,000-acre master-planned community of Riverland to create a Florida lifestyle that's second to none! In this new community, you'll find a million ways to have fun with everything connected through miles of eco-friendly greenways without ever having to get in your car. Walk or ride your golf cart to all the amenities right within your own neighborhood and to nearby shops and restaurants or enjoy a car ride to spend the perfect day at the beach.
If you are interested in communities outside of Florida, you can check out the full report here.
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