Clermont · South Lake County
New Homes in Clermont, FL: Buying New Construction
Several national builders are selling new homes in and around Clermont, in Clermont, Minneola, Groveland and Montverde. The builder's sales agent works for the builder, so many buyers bring their own agent, and builders such as Lennar require that agent to be registered or present at your first visit. Ask about inspections, the warranty and any CDD assessment before you sign.
Kris Persaud · Watson Realty Corp. · 1390 N Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL 34711
October 2026
Builders Selling Around Clermont
These communities were listed as selling on the builders' own websites on October 9, 2026. Many have Clermont mailing addresses but sit in unincorporated Lake County or a neighboring city. Availability changes quickly.
| Builder | Community | Listed city |
|---|---|---|
| Lennar | Wellness Ridge; Sanctuary at Wellness Ridge | Clermont |
| KB Home | The Sanctuary I and II | Clermont |
| Ryan Homes | Lake Nellie Crossing | Clermont |
| Meritage Homes | Cyrene at Minneola (from $440,000) | Minneola |
| Dream Finders Homes | Hills of Minneola | Minneola |
| KB Home | Cypress Bluff II and III | Groveland |
| Toll Brothers | Toll Brothers at Cypress Reserve | Groveland |
| Taylor Morrison | Waterstone and Waterstone Townhomes | Groveland |
| Toll Brothers | Bella Collina, Lago and Vista Collections (Lago from $1,246,995) | Montverde |
Source: each builder's website, read October 9, 2026. Prices are the builder's advertised starting prices and change often. D.R. Horton, Pulte and M/I Homes also list Clermont pages; ask Kris which of their Clermont communities are selling now.
Before you walk in
Bring Your Own Agent on the First Visit
The friendly person in the model home is the builder's sales agent. They work for the builder, and the contract you sign is the builder's contract. A buyer's agent works for you: comparing communities and lot premiums, reading the contract and addenda, and keeping track of deadlines through closing.
Many builders only work with your agent if the agent is involved from the start. Lennar's published broker policy says the agent must register the buyer during their first contact with Lennar and join them on the first visit to the sales center. If you visit alone first, you may not be able to add an agent later.
Since August 2024, Realtors must have a written agreement with a buyer before touring homes together, and what the agent is paid is negotiable. Some builders offer to pay part or all of it; ask before you sign either agreement (National Association of Realtors).
New doesn't mean perfect
Inspections and Warranty
Pre-drywall inspection
After the framing, plumbing and wiring are in but before the drywall goes up. It's the only time an inspector can see inside the walls. Ask the builder in writing whether they allow it.
Final inspection
Before your final walk-through, hire your own licensed home inspector, even though the city or county has signed off. Code inspections check minimum standards, not workmanship.
Before the first-year warranty ends
Book an inspection around month 11 and send the builder a written list of anything still wrong while the first-year coverage still applies.
Get the builder's warranty booklet before you sign and read what is covered and for how long. Many builders offer short coverage for workmanship, longer coverage for systems such as plumbing and electrical, and the longest for structure, but the terms are set by each builder.
If a serious defect comes up, Florida's construction defect law (Chapter 558) requires a written notice of claim to the builder at least 60 days before filing a lawsuit, and gives the builder time to inspect and respond. For most claims there's a 4-year time limit and an outer limit of 7 years (Fla. Stat. 558.004 and 95.11). An attorney can tell you how these apply to you.
Read the whole bill
CDD and HOA Fees
Many new Central Florida communities are inside a Community Development District (CDD), a special district that funds roads, water lines, ponds and amenities. CDD assessments usually appear on your property tax bill, on top of county and city taxes, and can run for many years.
Florida law requires the builder's contract to carry a bold notice, just above your signature, that the CDD may levy taxes or assessments on the property (Fla. Stat. 190.048). The notice does not have to state an amount, so ask the builder for the yearly CDD figure in writing, plus the HOA dues and what they cover.
Put those numbers into the mortgage calculator with your insurance and property tax to see the real monthly cost.
South Lake growth
Why So Much Is Being Built
Lake County's population grew from about 386,000 in 2020 to about 456,000 in 2025, roughly 18% in five years (US Census estimates via the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis). Much of that growth has come around Clermont, Minneola and Groveland, along the US 27 and SR 50 corridors and the Florida Turnpike.
Growth brings choice, but also construction traffic and change near where you buy. Drive the area at rush hour, and look up planned roads and developments with the city or Lake County before you choose a lot.
Weighing it up
New Build or Resale?
| New construction | Resale | |
|---|---|---|
| Price talks | Builders often prefer incentives (closing costs, rate buydowns, upgrades) to price cuts | Price and repairs negotiated with the seller |
| Timing | Built-to-order homes can take months; quick move-in homes are faster | Usually 30 to 60 days to close |
| Condition | New systems and a builder warranty | Inspection and repair requests; may need updates |
| Lot and trees | Newer neighborhoods; trees take years to grow | Established landscaping and known neighbors |
| Ongoing costs | Possible CDD assessment plus HOA | HOA varies; CDDs less common in older areas |
Kris's Zillow reviews include a 2023 new-build purchase in Mount Dora, alongside resale purchases across the area.
Treating us like family and considering us as friends.the3bakers33 · Bought a new build in Mount Dora · Zillow · 2023
Questions
New construction questions
Which builders are building new homes in Clermont, FL?
On October 9, 2026, builder websites listed Clermont communities from Lennar (Wellness Ridge), KB Home (The Sanctuary) and Ryan Homes (Lake Nellie Crossing), with more from Meritage and Dream Finders in Minneola and from KB Home, Toll Brothers and Taylor Morrison in Groveland.
Do I need a real estate agent to buy new construction?
No, but the builder's sales agent works for the builder. A buyer's agent works for you, and builders such as Lennar require the agent to register you or come with you on your first visit.
Should I get a home inspection on a new build?
Yes. Many buyers get a pre-drywall inspection and a final inspection before closing, and another before the first-year warranty ends.
What is a CDD fee?
An assessment from a Community Development District that pays for roads, utilities and amenities in the community. It usually appears on your property tax bill, and the contract must include a bold notice that the CDD may levy it (Fla. Stat. 190.048).
Can I negotiate with a builder?
Often, though many builders prefer incentives such as closing cost help, rate buydowns or upgrades to cutting the price. What's on offer changes by community and month.
Keep reading
Related pages
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Kris Persaud · Watson Realty Corp. · 1390 N Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL 34711