New Construction Homes in Jacksonville, FL
Keneshia Haye represents new-construction buyers across Jacksonville, from North Jacksonville and the Westside to master-planned communities in Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties. As a U.S. Army veteran and Broker/Owner of Florida Gateway Realty, she helps VA and first-time buyers compare builders, incentives and fees before they sign.
Now, here's the one thing to do first: call me before your first model-home visit. Trust me on this one.
Why bring your own agent to a new build?
Because the builder already has someone looking out for the builder. Builders here usually pay a buyer's agent fee, and that goes toward mine. Before you sign anything, I'll show you in writing exactly what your builder covers.
Someone on your side
The sales rep in the model home is great at their job, and their job is the builder. My job is you.
Incentives, side by side
A rate buydown, a closing-cost credit and a price cut are not the same money. I line them up so you can see which one actually saves you the most.
Your lender, if you want it
Many incentives require the builder's lender. I ask the builder whether they'll honor the incentive with your lender too, and sometimes they say yes.
Contract and inspections
Builder contracts are written by the builder. I walk you through yours and push for independent inspections before drywall and before closing.
Where is Jacksonville building new homes?
Most new homes in Northeast Florida are going up in six areas. Each one trades price, commute and schools a little differently, right? Builders open and close phases fast, so ask me for this month's list before you fall in love with a floor plan.
North Jacksonville
Duval County
Production builders and some of the lowest new-home prices in Duval. It's where a lot of my VA buyers are closing right now.
Building now: D.R. Horton, KB Home (Seaton Hollow), Dream Finders Homes
Westside & Southwest
Duval County
Close to NAS Jacksonville and Cecil, with new communities going up off Normandy Boulevard, like D.R. Horton's Diamond Springs.
Building now: D.R. Horton and other production builders
Southeast Jacksonville
Duval County
Newer master-planned living near the JTB and SR 9B corridors, with shopping still being built around it.
Building now: Seven Pines (ICI Homes, David Weekley), eTown
Clay County
Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Middleburg
Room to spread out, faster trips since the First Coast Expressway opened, and Camp Blanding nearby.
Building now: Hyland Trail (Dream Finders, Pulte), Laurelton (Richmond American), Cross Creek Landing
Yulee
Nassau County
Two big master-planned communities north of the airport, with a mix of starter homes and 55+ options.
Building now: Tributary (David Weekley, Lennar, Dream Finders), Wildlight (Toll Brothers, David Weekley, Pulte, Del Webb)
St. Johns County
Nocatee, SilverLeaf, RiverTown
Higher price points and top-rated schools. SilverLeaf, RiverTown and Nocatee were all among the country's best-selling master-planned communities in 2025.
Building now: Mattamy (RiverTown), plus many builders in SilverLeaf and Nocatee
Community and builder list checked October 2026. Best-seller ranking: John Burns Research and Consulting, 2025.
In the past year, my buyers have closed on new homes from D.R. Horton, Dream Finders Homes, KB Home, Lennar, Pulte, Century Communities and Meritage Homes. I know their sales teams, their lenders and how their contracts work.
Can you use a VA loan on new construction?
Yes. A VA loan can buy a brand-new home from a builder, as long as the builder meets the VA's requirements and the home appraises at or above the contract price.
Let me break this down for you a little further:
- ✓Incentives and lenders. The best builder deals often require the builder's own lender. I compare that offer side by side with your VA lender's, and I ask the builder to honor the incentive with your lender when it's the better loan.
- ✓The appraisal. If a new home appraises below the contract price, we go back to the builder before you bring extra cash.
- ✓The funding fee. If you receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability, you're exempt from the VA funding fee on a new home too.
More on VA benefits and buying as a veteran in Jacksonville.
What are CDD fees, and do they go away?
A CDD, or Community Development District, pays for a community's roads, ponds and amenities. You repay it through an assessment on your property tax bill. The bond portion ends when the bonds are paid off. The operations portion keeps going.
So what does that mean for you? Two homes at the same price can have very different monthly costs. I put the HOA and CDD numbers side by side before you choose, so the payment you plan for is the payment you get.
For 100% P&T disabled veterans: Florida's exemption can take your property taxes off the table, but it doesn't cover CDD assessments or HOA dues. That one surprises a lot of folks, so budget for both.
How do you buy a new construction home with an agent?
Six steps, and the first one matters most.
- 1
Call me before your first model visit
Many builders only work with a buyer's agent who's registered at your very first visit. Walking in alone can cost you representation on that home.
- 2
Get preapproved
We compare the builder's lender offer with your own lender, including Veterans United for VA buyers, before you commit to either one.
- 3
Tour models and quick move-in homes
I'll send you the communities that fit your budget, commute and timeline, plus any homes that can close in 30 to 60 days.
- 4
Review the contract together
We go through deposits, upgrade costs, closing timelines and what happens if the build runs late.
- 5
Inspect it, twice
An independent inspector checks the framing before drywall and the finished home before closing. The county inspection only checks code minimums.
- 6
Close, then check the warranty
After the final walkthrough and closing, we note anything that needs fixing before your one-year builder warranty runs out.
I tour these communities myself
I walk the models, film the floor plans and ask the builders the questions you'd want asked. If you're PCSing in and can't visit yet, I'll do a live video walkthrough for you.
Let's Find Your Dream Home
Tell me what you're looking for and I'll start the search.
Request Received!
I'll reach out within 24 hours to start your home search.
New Construction Questions
You don't have to have one, but you should. The builder's sales team represents the builder. Builders here usually pay a buyer's agent fee that goes toward mine, and many only pay it if your agent was registered at your first visit, so call me before you tour.
Yes. A VA loan can buy a brand-new home from a builder, as long as the builder meets the VA's requirements and the home appraises at or above the contract price. Most of my new-construction buyers use VA loans.
Often, yes, but many incentives require the builder's own lender. I compare the builder's offer against your lender's, and I ask builders whether they'll honor the incentive with your lender instead.
A Community Development District pays for a community's roads, ponds and amenities, and you repay it through an assessment on your property tax bill. The bond portion ends when the bonds are paid off. The operations portion continues.
No. Florida's property tax exemption for veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled covers property taxes, not CDD assessments or HOA dues. Budget for those separately.
Yes. The county inspection checks code minimums, not workmanship. I recommend an independent inspection before the drywall goes up and again before closing.
Ready to Make Your Move?
Whether you're buying, selling, or exploring options, let's start the conversation today.