Advice · Process · Money · Inspections
The buyer's guide to new construction.
Sixteen guides that cover the whole process end to end: how to buy, how to compare new versus resale, how to judge builder financing and incentives, how rate locks and extensions work on a long build, what to do if you are selling your current home to buy new, what the build timeline really looks like, how the design center works, what deposits and closing costs look like, what builder warranties cover, how to research schools, what to inspect at every phase, what the final walkthrough and closing day involve, what CDD fees mean for your monthly costs, and how investors can evaluate a new build. Written for Central Florida buyers by Tyler Gibson of the GPG Team.
Start here · Process · 8 min read
Buying new construction in Central Florida: the step-by-step
From choosing a community and a lot to negotiating the contract and closing, here is the sequence most Central Florida new-build buyers actually follow.
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16 guides · 12 topics · updated 2026-10-22
Compare 7 min read
New construction vs. resale in Central Florida: which one fits your plan
New builds trade customization and years of low-maintenance living against resale's established neighborhoods and immediate closings. Here is how to weigh them.
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Financing 6 min read
Builder financing vs. a traditional mortgage
Builders can offer rate buydowns and closing cost credits, but an incentive is only worth something if the rate beats a real quote. Here is how to compare.
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Timeline 6 min read
From contract to closing: the Central Florida new build timeline
Permits, foundation, framing, drywall, finishes, and the punch list. The phases every new build goes through, and where delays usually sneak in.
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Money 5 min read
New construction incentives: rates, upgrades, and closing costs, explained
Rate buydowns, closing cost credits, upgrade allowances, and referral offers. What each one is worth and where the fine print hides.
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Inspections 7 min read
The new construction inspection checklist
A pre-drywall inspection, a third-party inspection before closing, and a careful final walk save buyers from costly surprises. Here is what to check at each stage.
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Money 7 min read
What is a CDD in Florida? Community Development Districts, explained
A Community Development District (CDD) is how many Central Florida master-planned communities pay for roads, water, sewer, and parks up front. Here is how the fees work, where they show up on your tax bill, and what to ask before you sign.
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Design Center 9 min read
The new home design center: what to expect, what it costs, and how to budget
The design center appointment is where you pick the finishes for your home. Here is what happens, when it happens, how options and upgrades are priced, and how to walk in with a budget instead of guessing.
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Money 10 min read
Deposits and closing costs on new construction in Central Florida
Earnest money deposits, lender and title fees, prepaids, and builder transaction costs: how they work on a new build, what is typical, and the questions that keep the total cash needed at closing from surprising you.
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Warranty 9 min read
New home builder warranties in Florida: what is covered, for how long
Workmanship, systems, and structural coverage: how typical new-home warranties are structured in Florida, what is usually excluded, how claims work, and the role of inspections before coverage ends.
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Schools 8 min read
Schools and new construction in Central Florida: how to research before you buy
School zones follow the address, not the community name, and they can change. Here is how to verify which schools serve a specific new home, how growing areas get new schools, and how to research on your own.
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Financing 13 min read
Rate locks and new build timelines: how mortgage rate locks really work
A rate lock holds your mortgage rate while your home is being built, but a new build stretches the lock in ways a resale does not. Here is how locks, extensions, float-downs, and builder lender incentives actually work.
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Selling 14 min read
Selling your home to buy new construction: timing, contingencies, and bridge financing
Coordinating the sale of your current home with a build completion date is one of the hardest puzzles in new construction. Here is how sale contingencies, bridge loans, and lease-backs actually work.
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Closing 12 min read
The final walkthrough and closing day on a new build
The walkthrough is your last structured chance to catch problems before you own the house. Here is when it happens, what to check, how punch lists work, and what closing day actually looks like.
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Investing 15 min read
New construction for investors: what to evaluate before buying a new build as a rental
New construction rentals trade lower early maintenance and strong tenant appeal against higher fees and financing complexity. Here is a neutral framework for running the numbers on a new build in Central Florida.
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Money 11 min read
Current builder incentives in Central Florida: the live list by community
Verified builder incentives, promotions, and quick move-in inventory across Sunbridge, EverBe, Horizon West, St. Cloud, and the ChampionsGate corridor, updated on October 29, 2026.
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New-construction areas · Lake Nona · Clermont · Winter Garden
Area guides beyond the community files
Three of Central Florida's other big new-construction addresses, covered the same way: where they sit, who is building there, what homes cost, and how the commute works.
Southeast Orlando · Orange County
Lake Nona
Medical City, Laureate Park, and a full lineup of national builders inside a Tavistock master plan by the airport.
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South Lake County · west of Orlando
Clermont
Lakes, rolling hills, and an active SR 50 corridor of new communities from Lennar, Mattamy, Pulte, and more.
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West Orange County · below SR 429
Winter Garden
Historic downtown, the West Orange Trail, and a Horizon West corridor of new communities from D.R. Horton, Toll Brothers, and more.
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Reading is good. Picking a lot is better.
Ask your new-construction questions directly, or start with the community files.