Two real estate consulting powerhouses, RCLCO and John Burns Real Estate Consulting, regularly release their lists of the country's 50 top-selling master-planned communities.
It should come as no surprise that many of these top-selling communities are located in or near some of Florida's best places to retire.
2024 Fast Facts:
- The Villages was #1 top-selling in the country with 3,208 new home sales
- Half of the Top 10 selling communities are in Florida
- 14 Florida communities in the top 50
- According to RCLCO, Florida represented 38% of sales among all ranked communities, followed by Texas with 35%
There always seem to be a few discrepancies between the two lists. For example, some communities appear on one list but not the other. Also, some communities that appear on both lists have different sales numbers attributed to them.
I don't know which list is the most accurate, but for the most part, they're pretty similar. Below I've listed all of the Florida communities that appear on either list and went with the higher sales number listed. They usually weren't off by much.
Keep in mind that some of these communities are 55+, some are all ages, and some are a combination of the two.
The Villages – 3,208 new home sales
The Villages is once again the best-selling community, 55+ or otherwise, in the nation. I've been tracking new home sales in The Villages since 2003, and this is the ninth-highest sales year on record for them since that time.
Just fill out this form to learn more about The Villages:
Lakewood Ranch – 2,210 new home sales
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, Cresswind Lakewood Ranch:
Cresswind Lakewood Ranch is a 55+ new home community in Lakewood Ranch, located east of Sarasota and Bradenton and named the #1 multigenerational neighborhood in the nation.
Cresswind Lakewood Ranch offers a variety of amenities including a fitness center, art studio, tennis and pickleball courts, resort-style swimming pool, resistance pool and more. Residents also have quick access to Lakewood Ranch’s golf courses, polo club, 75-acre sports campus, schools, shops, restaurants and hospital. Plus, the white sand beaches and cultural attractions of Sarasota are within a 30-minute drive.
Homebuyers can choose from nineteen spacious home plans, specifically designed for active adults and offering open floorplans and energy-efficient designs.
Wellen Park – 960 new home sales
For retirees seeking an active lifestyle on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Wellen Park in the Venice area is a next-generation community made up of friendly neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown.
The wide range of community amenities, and proximity to great Venice area beaches, great restaurants, and Braves Spring Training baseball make Wellen Park a great place to retire, and there's a brand new 55+ community 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.
Silverleaf – 905 new home sales
Silverleaf is a master-planned community in St. Augustine, which also has a 55+ neighborhood inside of it.
Reverie at Silverleaf is a gated, 55+ neighborhood with amenities that are slated to include a lakeside clubhouse, resort-style swimming pool, pickleball courts, fitness center, event lawn, and more.
Reverie at Silverleaf offers both attached villas and single-family homes ranging in size from roughly 1,400 to 3,100 sq. ft. and prices start in the $400k’s.
Get more information about Reverie at Silverleaf
Mirada – 853 new home sales
Located about 30 miles N/NE of Tampa, Medley has a number of neighborhoods within, but the 55+ part is Medley at Mirada, a gated community of 858 attached and single-family homes. Residents here have access to their own private amenities like a community clubhouse, fitness center, and resort-style pool. Then they can also enjoy the impressive selection of amenities in the larger Mirada community.
Babcock Ranch – 797 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.
Tradition – 617 new home sales
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.
Ave Maria – 600 new home sales
Located in the Naples area, Ave Maria is home to Del Webb Naples, 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.
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.
Westlake – 581 new home sales
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:
Cresswind Palm Beach at Westlake is an active adult, new home community between Wellington and Palm Beach Gardens. This 55+ community is designed for active adults with resort-style amenities and convenient access to beaches, shopping, dining, healthcare and the attractions of downtown West Palm Beach.
The resident-exclusive Club Cresswind includes a resort-style pool and spa, fitness center, yoga studio, art studio with ceramics, multipurpose event room, and a variety of social clubs. A full-time Lifestyle Director organizes year-round events and activities for all interests. Additional amenities include tennis and pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, walking and biking trails plus a large and small dog park.
Kolter Homes offers 12 different floorplans specifically designed for active adults.
Viera – 555 new home sales
Located near Melbourne on Florida's east coast, Viera has always been pretty popular, and 55+ neighborhoods already exist there, but the opening of a new Del Webb community here in 2023 really put them on the map among retirees.
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.
Riverland – 491 new home sales
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.
Nocatee – 420 new home sales
Just minutes from Jacksonville and St. Augustine, and about 4 miles from pristine beaches, there are a handful of neighborhoods in Nocatee to choose from.
Del Webb Nocatee is a new 55+ gated community here. 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.
Get more information about Del Webb Nocatee here.
Latitude Margaritaville Watersound – 417 new home sales
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.
It is located near the famed State Road 30A, a scenic stretch of road in the Florida Panhandle, between Panama City Beach and Destin.
Learn more about Latitude Margaritaville Watersound here.
On Top of the World – 380 new home sales
At On Top of the World Communities, active adults will find all they dream about and so much more. Located in beautiful Ocala Florida, On Top of the World residents can enjoy any schedule that suits their tastes – from activity-packed to unhurried.
Amenities include 54 holes of golf on three courses, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a 14-acre R/C flying field, bocce, racquetball and basketball courts, fitness center, health club and spa, restaurants, cultural venues, and much more. Residents can also participate in over 175 clubs, leagues, hobbies, and lifelong learning opportunities.
There are around 20 different floor plans available with prices ranging to suit every budget starting in the $200k's.
If you'd like to see the full lists you can see the RCLCO list here and the John Burns Real Estate Consulting list here.
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