Although the broader real estate landscape is constantly shifting, the Sun Belt region creates a consistent hot streak for new home sales in 2025. Buyers are aggressively targeting master-planned communities in Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and the Carolinas, reflecting deep shifts in job growth and migration. Recent industry data confirms that Southern metros dominate the top rankings, holding seven of the ten spots for new construction markets driven by competitive prices and volume. Leading this charge for the 11th straight year is The Villages in Florida, a massive powerhouse that recorded an impressive 1,759 new-home sales through mid-2025. Retirees clearly cannot resist the pull of over 56 golf courses and nightly entertainment, proving that the demand for a self-contained, active-adult lifestyle remains robust.
Florida continues to dominate the charts, with Lakewood Ranch securing 985 year-to-date sales and Wellen Park notching 535 sales. Wellen Park is particularly ambitious, planning 30,000 homes and over 3 million square feet of commercial space to keep residents busy.
In Texas, amenities are the main attraction. Sunterra manages to hold the state’s top position by utilizing a Crystal Lagoons amenity, while Sun City Texas in Georgetown captured 410 sales, supported by 86,000 square feet of indoor amenities. It appears that distinct lifestyle features, such as extensive trails or championship golf, are non-negotiable for today’s buyers.
Value remains a critical factor in the West, where price points can often dictate velocity. The Cadence community in Henderson, Nevada, achieved 702 sales largely because its mid-$300,000s pricing undercuts many coastal markets. This aligns with the broader national shift from coastal and expensive markets to more affordable areas. The recent interest rate cuts have further fueled demand in these value-driven luxury markets, despite borrowing costs remaining relatively high overall.
Similarly, families in Arizona are flocking to energy-efficient homes within the $300,000s to $600,000s range. These communities often feature smart-home packages and diverse product types, from low-$200,000s starter homes to luxury options exceeding $1 million.
For the 55+ crowd, the focus shifts slightly to low-maintenance single-story plans with HOA-managed exteriors, often located near healthcare and spring-training facilities. Whether driven by the desire for pickleball courts or attainability, the 2025 rankings confirm that well-amenitized communities in warmer climates are successfully drawing buyers from every income bracket.
