Searching for a new custom Florida home can take prospective ICI Homes customers down many paths, all of which can be overwhelming even if they’ve trodden them a few times.
But, there’s one tried-and-true option for building or buying a new-construction home. Master-planned communities are an excellent choice for many reasons, incorporating lifestyle, location and resident amenities with a multitude of floor-plan choices and lot sizes.
Not only are customers buying their new custom Florida home, but they’re also acquiring the opportunity to build a sense of home. And, since ICI Homes has built new custom Florida homes all over the state for 45 years — developing our own master-planned communities and serving as preferred builders in others — we’re happy to provide some guidelines below.
Key Takeaways
Master-planned communities offer built-in amenities like resort-style pools, fitness centers, and trails that enrich daily living and support active lifestyles.
On-site lifestyle directors and resident-led activities foster instant social connections and a true sense of community.
Gated entries and monitored access points provide peace of mind with added layers of security.
Homes in well-located master-planned communities tend to maintain stable property values thanks to their planning, proximity to key services, and overall appeal.
Uniform architectural styles and professional landscaping services enhance curb appeal and neighborhood pride.
Read on for six reasons to choose a master-planned community.
Resident amenities
Master-planned communities can contain a select few, or entire menus of them. The latter is especially true at some of our signature properties like Plantation Bay Golf & Country Resident in Ormond Beach, and Amelia National Golf & Country Club in Fernandina Beach.
Most communities include residents clubs that contain gathering, meeting and social spaces, plus fitness centers. Outside, expect resort-style swimming pools, pickleball and other court sports (bocce ball, tennis and basketball), and plentiful community trails and sidewalks. Golf courses are popular too (see Amelia National and Plantation Bay).
Resident activities
Most master-planned communities feature scheduled resident activities curated by an on-site lifestyle director. Using community familiarity and resident feedback, this person compiles calendars filled with food-truck Fridays, holiday celebrations, chili cook-offs and much more.
Residents contribute too, organizing shared interests like book and wine clubs.
A sense of community
Built-in amenities provide instant, welcome structure for a community’s newest residents. And community activities are great ways to form friendships, get recommendations for everything from local school systems to pool-care companies, and to quickly feel at home.
A sense of security
Master-planned communities often include gated vehicle and pedestrian entrances. These can provide significant peace of mind, as can video-monitored accesses throughout the community.
Stable property values
Master-planned communities located near quality shopping, dining, entertainment, outdoor recreation, healthcare and other services are attractive to other buyers, thus creating demand and consistent property values for homeowners.
Architectural consistency and landscaping care
Master-planned communities almost always sport specific architecture, giving them uniqueness and continuity in appearance. You can’t randomly paint your front door purple, for example.
And, if you’d like to ditch your lawn mower, a master-planned community can help you do that! Landscaping contractors who handle mowing, trimming and edging for the entire neighborhood is another master-planned community hallmark.
A word about homeowners association fees
Master-planned communities typically are resident-run by a homeowners association which requires annual, bi-annual or monthly fees paid by all residents to keep those enjoyable amenities and facilities in tip-top shape.
Just be aware of these fees, and factor them into future household budgets.
Ready for your new custom Florida home? Talk to ICI Homes here.
But, there’s one tried-and-true option for building or buying a new-construction home. Master-planned communities are an excellent choice for many reasons, incorporating lifestyle, location and resident amenities with a multitude of floor-plan choices and lot sizes.
