Orlando Home Builders Ranked

New Homes in Orlando represent a large majority of the home sales in Central Florida. Knowing what you're getting for the money is a huge part of the process. Some builders offer teaser pricing, poor quality, and a useless home warranty. Others offer state of the art construction with phenomenal customer service. Today I'm ranking the builders in Orlando into 4 tiers. Stay tuned to the 2nd portion of the video where I'll break down 4-5 things to know before getting into a new build project!
Thinking of making a move to Orlando? My team and I would love to help! Email me at [e-mail] to start the conversation.
#MovingtoOrlando #NewHome #OrlandoHomeBuilders
Ken Pozek is a licensed agent with Keller Williams Classic Realty. License number 3313335 - 6900 Turkey Lake Road Suite 1-3 Orlando, FL 34787

[@jblboys6189]

What happened with Taylor Morrison and toll brothers I didn’t hear their names

[@kenpozek]

I'd typically put Taylor morrison and MI homes high tier 2, low tier 3, area/neighborhood dependant. Toll brothers, Ashton Woods, and David Weekley are my tier 3 builders.

[@helencousins2911]

@@kenpozek Don't you mean tier 1 TB, AW & DW. Also how about DreamFinders?

[@BetaOp9]

@@helencousins2911 he labels his lowest tier the first tier and goes up so he means 3rd tier from the bottom. He didn't mention any of them in the video though. Kind of annoying because that's the tier I'm in the market for.

[@kenpozek]

I clarified in this pinned comment ⬆️

[@jodyandjamesturcer4348]

@@kenpozek dream finders? Thx so much

[@sarahw-k]

This was one of the most helpful videos you have done!! Thank you for your professionalism and experience!

[@kenpozek]

That makes my day! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@helencousins2911]

Hi Ken, great video! Learned a lot and you make excellent points regarding inspections between a new and existing home. Thanks!

[@movingtoatlanta311]

This is brilliant insight - so much knowledge, experience and things to consider with new construction. Great video!

[@joelvogt2355]

Ken your videos are so good! You and your team are the best in this space and it's not even close! I love it!

[@kenpozek]

My dude! thank you sir. Super lucky to have such a great team

[@AdeleWDWdreamer]

We purchased an Ashton Woods townhome in Windermere in December. We love the quality and are very pleased with it.

[@inyoungchoung]

This is exactly what I wanted to see! Thank you

[@JosephHoolihan]

Great insight… and appreciate the unbiased info!

[@MyBackyardScience]

Thanks for the input on the builders, Ken :-)

[@IdeaMusicKen]

I need to get on the 3rd tier list . I must be able to put my touch on the house. If they want my money definitely need to inspect before drywall & after. Strongly considering Orlando.

[@samgolovey]

Great video and breakdown on new builds

[@georgeoberdorster2439]

Another great video man!

[@MattAndAlexVlogs]

Great video, as always, Ken! You're a real asset to the Orlando community. We just closed on our new build home last week in Clermont and boy....what a journey it was 🤣

[@kenpozek]

Hey thanks! This market is quite wild! Congrats on finding home! Excited for you.

[@wndrss99]

You are definitely top tier with your content. Thank you, I may build in S.C, but your info is priceless. Trying to convince my family to purchase an investment property in Florida❗️

[@kenpozek]

Appreciate this a bunch. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@cruzsupply]

Loving the videos!!! its helping me and my wife alot as we are looking to move this yr to the area. I may have to reach out to you for your service! - thanks

[@HALCYONphoto]

Thanks for the awesome video. Have had this on my mind a lot looking through homes here. Kind of related question: Why are the homes in Orlando so close together? Are there any neighborhoods you can recommend where homes have more space between them?

[@iamgregorydicaprio]

very helpful videos!

[@mtebor]

Regal Park wasn't mentioned. I know they are semi customed (to a point per pandemic). When I asked other builders we were considering about them, they all said that Regal Park was a step up from them. So we are happy. Will be happier once we close!

[@guy_land_designer]

Great video. As a minor correction and/or addition to your comments, most homes in the U.S. are not designed by architects. They are designed by licensed home designers certified by the American Institute of Home Design, of which I am a member. The general vernacular is most people refer to us as architects, but we are not. Florida has some of the best home designers in the business as a matter of fact.

[@SunnyDevils]

Epic content Ken! Keep up the great work. How would you rank Jones Homes USA Eagle Creek by Lake Nona current new build? Thank you!!

[@mamasann7636]

Toll Brothers is my dream home builder. 😍

[@kenpozek]

They build a fantastic home

[@inyoungchoung]

*David weekly, Ashton woods* Top tier: (customized) cons during supply chain issue, 2nd tier: 3:55 Lower tier: 1:38 Resale value? 6:30 4 tips to know when buying a new construction: 7:30

[@kenpozek]

Thanks for the timestamps my friend

[@bigorange8715]

Good morning Ken! Checking in from St Charles IL

[@brendabehrends1615]

I'm also checking in from St. Charles, IL

[@MrShawn-vy4nv]

My Dad has always said you can learn a lot about Home Builders by two things: Check out the Attic and how they treat the job site.

[@bently629]

This video is spot on. We bought a Dr. Horton Express series home last year. Yeah, I think the builders were drunk when they worked on our home.

[@Penncrest69]

I was hoping to hear a review with K. Hovnanian, as I live in a Four Seasons development, and Del Webb.

[@TheMsjenna]

My gf right outside of Orlando, bought a DR Horton home. It’s bad. She can’t close doors, counters are not straight, floors not straight, plus tons more. They’ve spent a year fighting to get things repaired. I bought a DR Horton home in Hawaii, Central air went out and the one year warranty was no good. Soon as he finished the homes in our community he went out of business. They didn’t want to help with it. Never buying a new build from them again.

[@looneyville3]

We had problems in them St. Louis 25 years ago. They are the worst. I don't know how they stay in business.

[@TheVintageGamer]

I need to watch this. Drees on there? Guessing DR Horton didn't make the list

[@soupdancer17]

Be great to know which builders aren't putting in escalation clauses into their contracts, things like that

[@angelicamaez2017]

Hi Ken, thanks for the Info an updates. What do you think about Rockwell Homes. What do you think of their community Windy Bay?

[@debbiec9526]

Is there a similar video for Tampa? Excellent info

[@ThaRaiZe]

Love your videos but you should have mentioned the escalation clause as something to lookout for. As a buyer, I would never choose a builder with an escalation clause. Imagine wait 12+ months, another 20% in missed appreciation, another 1% is raised interest rates, only to find out the builder is raising their price or cancelling your contract.

[@kenpozek]

Yeah like I said at the end, there's probably a dozen tips I could've given. Didn't want it to be a 20 minute video though haha. Great points on the escalation clause. I've talked about this a bunch on my Lives

[@josearturo2011]

Great Video!!! My family and I live in Eagle Creek and would like to know where would you place Jones Homes USA?

[@jonathansnow21]

Looking at Meritage right now. Where would you put them, Ken? In that Second tier? The Mid-production level?

[@donjuan914]

Did you give the names of the top tier builders? I don’t think I caught that part. I heard every tier except for the top

[@richardsrj64]

Great video. Where would you put Meritage? I suspect with Ashton Woods tier?

[@kenpozek]

Very similar builders. Meritage has a range of quality, neighborhood dependent. I would say they’re again top two tier. Very close to an Ashton woods yes.

[@BruceMusto]

For what it's worth, I've seen custom built million dollar homes in Winter Park that started falling apart after a few years.

[@jonathenvelez2457]

Great video i wanted i lil help if i already have a lot what builder do you recommend that is on the budget??

[@D71219ONE]

Any thoughts or experience with Highland Homes? As far as area, how does Davenport, Haines City, Poinciana, and Winter Haven all compare? It seems there a large price difference for these places all being reasonably close to each other. Is there a sweet spot location in that area?

[@onemandeep201]

What are your thoughts on Landsea Homes??

[@pipito113]

Lennar is good or not ? Thank you

[@carloscollazo2042]

What about KHovnanian or Beazer?

[@jannelysaviles4714]

Beazer homes? They sounds similar to Ashton woods... Any takes?

[@guilabaya]

What are your thoughts on Ocoee, FL?

[@Armandoacappella]

What about Meritage Home? In which tier are they? Thx

[@maxblagodar5187]

Moving to central Florida (looking near DeLand and Orlando,) from NY, any tips on places to check out/etc for daily living. Coming down in July to deal with the heat on purpose.

[@jenniferh1416]

If you are living and working in Deland, look in that area. If you are working in Orlando, live in Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, or Altamonte Springs to avoid the commute pinch via I-4 or 17-92. If a toll road helps you avoid I-4, that will help and you can add Oviedo, Winter Springs, or Apopka, Mount Dora.

[@maxgotit]

Anyone ever heard of Minto communities? I am having a home built with them and wonder where they would rank on this scale.

[@rubenduran86]

Is Craft homes a good builder? Looking at a house build by them in sunbridge

[@jill3621]

Can you do an updated video like this (process/strategy) now that the market has cooled down?

[@kenpozek]

Ooo very good idea. Will do!

[@ladycny]

Maybe you can add an on-screen list of builders (and their tiers) not verbally mentioned.

[@Z-0-8]

What listings do you know of by Esrose construction?

[@captbanana4934]

Thanks Ken! In your opinion where is Toll Brothers rank?

[@blackknight597]

Although not mentioned in the video. In the comments he listed J&J, Ashton Woods and Toll Brothers in his highest tier for quality build. Ashton and Toll are great products that I’m familiar with but J&J sounds interesting.

[@jaremy511]

What do you think of the build quality on a Beazer home from 2006? Where does Beazer fit into your ranking?

[@kenpozek]

2006 was a tight window of bad build and improved build. The worse the market got, the better theses builders did (to attract more clients). Beazer is a good mid-grade builder.

[@mikemiville3009]

Is it possible to find a flipper to work with that would be willing to work with you on a home they are currently flipping instead of working with a builder from scratch?

[@pauloiannone7073]

What about DR Horton Emerald?

[@aleshiacatherine]

What about Richmond American Homes???

[@remie48]

How about GL homes or Beazer?

[@leannkidactivities2373]

Watch out for Dreamfinders (nightmarefinders). Worst experience ever. We have crooked walls, etc....

[@adamnevis7636]

Good video thank you! Your thoughts on Del Web?

[@kenpozek]

That’s Pulte’s 55+ brand - they do a good job

[@adamnevis7636]

@@kenpozek thank you!

[@Boxersportsracing]

What's your thoughts on Jones Homes? Really set on a single story 2300+ and there really is only Jones, or TM which always seems to do "resort style" communities which I want to steer clear from. Your thoughts?

[@kenpozek]

Like any Builder they’ve had some ups and downs on the supply chain, but overall I think your quality could be considered a top three tier.

[@Boxersportsracing]

@@kenpozek thank you!

[@varunmenon474]

You didn't mention Park Square Homes, they are local to Orlando

[@Worship4LifeGuitar]

How about Maronda homes?

[@robertc1471]

Great Video. Just wanted to ask if having a photography business at home would be a problem in a H.O.A community?

[@kenpozek]

As in bringing clients to your home? Some HOA’s won’t allow that, because it would be considered commercial use, but if you were just shooting photography elsewhere and editing at home, they can’t stop me from doing that.

[@robertc1471]

@@kenpozek Thank you for the reply

[@abc2662]

That's a brave video, considering that L uses to threat people who don't praise them (I know of 2 real state agents who had to take down videos similar to this one). That said, I missed the top tier: which builders would you recommend to someone who wants to buy land and build a custom home? Cheers

[@kenpozek]

If truth is illegal, we all lose. L has the ability to turn it around and be an amazing builder. I hear other areas of the country they’re great 🤷🏻‍♂️ My favorite production builder is Toll brothers. David Weekley is top tier on many of their communities. From there you move into Custom builder territory

[@noriegarichards3541]

Hi, Ken I was browsing You Tube and I came across your channel that was full of so much information ''love it'' Unfortunately I've been looking for several companies meaning new construction to build on my lot in Howey in the Hills I would love for you to help please reach out to me thanks

[@manaftergodsheart]

Where does a builder like KB Homes rank?

[@hatishachase5691]

Why don’t the builders buy windows & other materials they need in bulk. Many of them build the same homes in many different neighborhoods. Just like ppl who hoarded toilet paper. The builders need to order multiple items early in the process. So frustrating. I’m building in Clermont. Ridgeview community. I signed contracts on 10-4-21. Permits didn’t come in till February. Pics sent 2 weeks ago. Only foundation is in. I don’t think this home will be completed by August so my son can start school in Florida. So frustrating.

[@nemotemo3539]

What do you think about Drean finders and Craft ?

[@kenpozek]

Final product is usually pretty great. Supply chain issues hit them pretty hard like many builders. I know a lot of their neighborhoods are a bit behind.

[@kenpozek]

I built an investment townhome with them (dream finders owns craft) in Lake Nona last year. The final product was great. The delays were brutal. But again, that’s a lot of builders right now.

[@Peter-ok9bj]

You never mentioned the 3 and 4 tier builders.

[@larrybradshaw992]

Did I miss the top tier list? where is MI Homes?

[@kenpozek]

Solid middle grade builder.

[@unbreakablebuffy8150]

Hi Ken, how would you rank MI?

[@kenpozek]

Lots of land. Solid top of tier 2 for quality and warranty. Many of their neighborhoods are going to spec only.

[@darkflame41692]

What are your thoughts on Meritage?

[@kenpozek]

Solid middle builder. Good value for the money.

[@gwillacey]

you said who was in the lower and mid but you never named companies in the high tier

[@mr.marbles4707]

Hey you didn’t name the top tier line builder.

[@robertbonefant8271]

Who are the top higher end builders ?

[@SamSingh-df6px]

Only 2 local high end builders I'd go with are Dave Brewer and Phil Kean Design Group

[@kenpozek]

J&J (which is semi-custom/custom), Ashton Woods, and Toll Brothers are my three favorite Tier 3 builders. There's 5-6 custom builders I've really liked working with. Jones Clayton, ISSA, Cahill, Kean, Z Properies, and Lundev name a few (there's more lol)

[@noriegarichards3541]

Hi, I was

[@aristillus101]

Where is the rank Ken? 💁

[@julieianello7106]

Do you work in the Clermont area?

[@kenpozek]

All the time!

[@tonypapas9854]

Disappointed you left out something VERY important regarding the price of many "new build" homes. There is a Lot Premium, and also Upgrades to the base price. Many people see a price and think that's the bottom line......FAR from it. Add in an inflated "Lot Premium" that lines the pockets of greedy builders, and then if you want a house that actually looks nice, you have to play a LOT of money to get respectable fixtures, hardware, etc. Even the exterior elevations have options where the builder gouges buyers. What a racket. In good conscience, you really need to do a separate video for potential buyers on factoring in these costs, which can really add up......and fast.

[@Chris-or1qz]

Top Tier: Builders with windows.

[@kenpozek]

And garage doors. It’s a clutch move these days

[@kbunky69]

What happen to the rest of the rankings? You stopped at mid tier

[@kenpozek]

I'd typically put Taylor morrison and dream finders high tier 2, low tier 3, area/neighborhood dependant. So many other builders in Orlando. There's 20+

[@christheflex3184]

Dont use Mattemy, I was a new home buyer until they decided to ignore my call's and text. I decided to just buy an existing home. ( thanks mattemy )

[@kenpozek]

Eek. What community?

[@christheflex3184]

@@kenpozek Island Village

[@johnp4584]

I absolutely can't stand Lennar. Horrible experience with them lol

[@scientchahming5]

Those builders are good if you want a cookie cutter tract house of low quality construction. If you want a home of better quality, look elsewhere.

[@tmendoza6]

is Landsea crap

[@slkfjariao]

This guy lives in a 500K house. What does he know about high end houses LOL

[@kenpozek]

Hah! What did you look me up, troll? I own several homes in central Florida. Most of them rentals. You have no idea what my personal house is worth. That aside, I’ve sold some of the most expensive homes in Orlando. But yes, let’s listen to lb5 with no profile pic ✌🏼

[@farmergeorge6885]

Defamation lawsuits incoming!🙂

[@kenpozek]

Easy with that lol