New construction homes are more affordable relative to existing homes than they have been in years. In addition to be priced competitively, factors like incentives, lower maintenance costs and energy efficiency, the total cost of homeownership often favors new construction more than buyers expect.
This guide walks through the benefits of buying a new construction home, what the real costs look like compared to a resale and how to decide which type of home fits your situation.
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Buyers are choosing new construction in growing numbers, drawn by lower long-term costs, modern features and the predictability of a new home. Here is what is driving that preference:
Whether you need to move in 30 days or have nine months to plan, new construction offers inventory that matches your schedule. Move-in ready homes can also allow buyers to close quickly. Homes under construction give you a longer runway and a chance to make your selections.
Visiting a community is the easiest way to see which construction stages are available in any community. Learn the differences in the new construction subtypes section below.
Lennar builds new construction homes to the most recent building, electrical and energy codes. This generally translates to better insulation, modern wiring and safer materials than what is common in older homes. Our deeper guide on how homes are built today vs the past walks through the specific differences.
Because every major system in a Lennar home is new, buyers typically face very little maintenance in the early years of ownership. Roofs, HVAC, water heaters, appliances,and plumbing all have full lifespans ahead of them. Our warranties cover defects during that early window, which means no guessing about what a previous owner did or did not fix.
Every appliance, finish and fixture is brand new and unused. With Lennar's Everything's Included® program, features that other builders charge extra for come standard. This includes smart home technology, energy-efficient design, modern appliances, quartz or granite countertops and designer-selected finishes.
Modern appliances, programmable thermostats, smart locks, video doorbells and high-efficiency HVAC systems are increasingly built into new homes rather than added later. In Lennar communities, many of these features are part of the Everything's Included® base package.
New construction homes typically do not carry the deferred-maintenance discount that affects older properties. Modern features, current building codes and updated finishes can support resale value over time, particularly in growing markets. As with any home, long-term value depends on location, school districts and community development.
Energy efficiency in new homes shows up in real places: insulation, double or triple-pane windows, modern HVAC systems, programmable thermostats and Energy Star-rated appliances. The result for many buyers is lower utility bills compared to an older home with aging systems.
Regional features extend this further. Lennar communities in California often include solar packages, and homes in Florida and other warm-weather markets are typically designed with climate-specific features that improve year-round efficiency.
New developments are planned end-to-end. That means pools, trails, fitness centers, parks and green spaces are built into the development timeline. Many Lennar communities include resort-style amenities accessible to residents at no additional cost. Our Lennar Lifestyle communities, designed with active adults ages 55+ in mind, also take the meaning of resort-style living to the next level.
A new Lennar home is backed by Lennar’sbuilder's warranty across structural, systems, and appliance categories. There’s no guessing about what a previous owner did or did not fix.
New construction can be the right fit for most buyers. Lennar's range of markets, home types and inventory phases is designed to keep new homes affordable and competitive. The Everything's Included® program also helps here, as it results in a professionally designed interior with updated appliances at no extra cost.
Lennar is one of the nation's leading homebuilders, with new home communities across 30 states and 90+ markets. Every Lennar home is built around the Everything's Included® program, which provides a high level of desirable features at no extra cost to the buyer.
Available home types include single-family homes, townhomes, Next Gen® multigenerational floorplans and Lifestyle communities for active adults ages 55 and up.
Whether you are ready to buy tomorrow or still researching, here is where to start:
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1. Is the price of a new construction home justified compared to what I would pay for a resale home?
In today's market, the gap between new and existing home prices has narrowed significantly, and in some cases, evens out or reverses. Overall, once you factor in possible incentives, lower maintenance costs, modern energy efficiency and warranty protection, many buyers find new construction's total cost of ownership competitive with or below a comparable resale, particularly over the first several years of ownership.
2. Do new homes appreciate the way resale homes do, or is there a risk of depreciation?
New construction homes typically do not carry the deferred-maintenance discount that affects older properties. In growing markets, modern features, current building codes and updated finishes can support resale value over time. Like all real estate, long-term appreciation depends on location, school districts, builder reputation and community development.
3. What happens to my timeline if my home is still under construction when I need to move?
Lennar offers homes at different phases of construction, so timeline flexibility depends on what is available in your market. Move-in ready homes can close quickly. Under construction homes follow a longer schedule with completion estimates updated throughout the build. If your timeline is fixed, prioritizing completed or near-complete inventory is the safer path, and a Lennar consultant can help match you to homes that fit your move date.
4. What sets a Lennar home apart from other new construction options?
Lennar's Everything's Included® program is the most visible difference. Features that other builders quote as upgrades are included in the price of a Lennar home, including smart home technology, energy-efficient features, modern appliances, quartz countertops and designer-selected finishes. Beyond that, Lennar can coordinate mortgage, insurance, title and closing through affiliated companies, which simplifies the process compared to working with separate independent providers.
5. What kind of support does Lennar provide after I move in?
Every Lennar community is supported by a local customer care team that handles post-move-in questions, warranty requests and home concerns. Lennar's customer care associates work directly with new homeowners through the warranty period to resolve issues quickly. Contact information for your local team is provided at closing and you can reach Lennar Customer Care at any time.
6. How do Lennar communities develop over time?
Most Lennar communities are master-planned, which means amenities, landscaping, retail access and infrastructure are built into the development timeline rather than added piecemeal. Pools, trails, parks, fitness centers and community gathering spaces are often complete by the time the community matures. The specific amenity mix varies by community and region.
7. Can I use my own real estate agent when buying with Lennar?
Yes. Lennar works with outside real estate agents and brokers. Most communities require the agent to accompany the buyer on the first community visit to qualify for cooperating broker compensation. Specific policies vary by market.
8. What does the outdoor space and landscaping look like in a new Lennar community?
Landscaping standards vary by region and home type. Some markets include front, back or both landscaping—while some may offer minimal included landscaping, varying by community. Beyond minimum standards, Lennar associates across many divisions invest meaningfully in beautifying community entryway monuments, shared green space and exterior architectural styles.
9. Am I able to compare Lennar Mortgage rates with other lenders before committing?
Yes. Buyers are welcome to compare Lennar Mortgage, LLC rates with outside lenders at any point in the process. Financing through Lennar Mortgage, LLC is often paired with the strongest incentive packages, including potential rate buydowns and closing cost assistance, so it is worth requesting quotes from both Lennar Mortgage, LLC and outside lenders to see the full picture before deciding.*
*Current offers and promotions vary by homesite and community. See a New Home Consultant for additional information. Financing is available through seller's affiliate Lennar Mortgage, LLC, but use of Lennar Mortgage, LLC is not required to purchase a home (See Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure). Lennar Mortgage, LLC – NMLS # 1058. For complete licensing information: Licensing & Additional Disclaimers | Lennar Mortgage.
Statements made are based on currently available information from https://www.fema.gov/case-study/role-floridas-building-codes-2018-hurricane-michael#:~:text=While%20buildings%20constructed%20to%20the,were%20embedded%20to%2040%20feet. Information provided is based on current building codes. Energy efficiency and structural integrity will vary due to many variables, including but not limited to, weather conditions, actual construction, floor plan, occupancy, appliance usage, actual utility rates and fees, thermostat settings, number of individuals occupying and orientation of the home. Lennar provides no guarantee of resiliency, savings or efficiency that will be achieved by each homeowner. Lennar makes no guarantee of present or future climate and market conditions. You should consult your own accounting, legal and tax advisors to evaluate the risks, consequences and suitability of any real estate transaction. Features, amenities, floorplans, elevations, and designs vary and are subject to changes or substitution without notice. Items shown are artist’s renderings and may contain options that are not standard on all models or not included in the purchase price. Availability may vary. Please see a New Home Consultant and/or home purchase agreement for actual features designated as an Everything’s Included feature. This is not an offer in states where prior registration is required. Void where prohibited by law. Copyright © 2026 Lennar Corporation and Lennar Mortgage, LLC. All rights reserved. Lennar, the Lennar logo, Lennar Mortgage, the Lennar Mortgage logo, Everything’s Included, Next Gen and Lennar Lifestyle logo are U.S. registered service marks or service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. Alabama – Lennar Homes Coastal Realty, LLC. / Arizona – Lennar Sales Corp.; HSP Arizona, Inc. ROC 242267B-2; ROC 138431B; ROC 144869A; Lennar Arizona Construction, Inc. ROC 228129B; Lennar Arizona, Inc. d/b/a Lennar Homes ROC 232731B; Lennar Communities Development, Inc. ROC 137295KA / California – CalAtlantic Group, Inc. (Responsible Broker: Joanna Duke) #02058246; BMR Construction, Inc. 830955; Lennar Sales Corp. (Responsible Broker: Joanna Duke) #01252753; CalAtlantic Group, Inc. 1037780; Lennar Communities, Inc. 66241; Lennar Homes of California, Inc. 728102 / Florida – Lennar Realty, Inc.; Lennar Homes, LLC CBC038894; CGC062343, CGC1518166, CBC1257529, CGC1523282, CBC1260831, CGC1526578, CBC051237; Standard Pacific of Florida GP, Inc. CGC1506052, CGC1517342; U.S. Home Corporation CGC1518911; WCI Communities, LLC CGC031523 / Idaho – RCE - 57241 / Maryland – CalAtlantic Group, Inc. MHBR No. 128; U.S. Home Corporation MHBR No. 316 / Minnesota – Lennar Sales Corp; CalAtlantic Group, LLC, BC736565; U.S. Home, LLC, BC001413 U.S. Home, LLC / Nevada – Lennar Sales Corp.; Greystone Nevada, LLC 48844; Ryland Homes Nevada, LLC; Lennar Reno, LLC 64226; Ryland Homes Nevada, LLC 56652 / New Jersey – Lennar Sales Corp. / North Carolina – Lennar Sales Corp. / Oregon – Lennar Sales Corp. #201206464; Lennar Northwest, Inc. CCB #195307 / Pennsylvania – Lennar Sales Corp. / South Carolina – Lennar Carolinas, LLC / Tennessee – Lennar Sales Corp. ph. 615-465-4328 / Utah – Lennar Homes of Utah, Inc. / Washington – Lennar Sales Corp.; CalAtlantic Homes of Washington, Inc. CALATHW836LR; Lennar Northwest, Inc.LENNAN1893QG / West Virginia – US Home Corporation d/b/a Lennar; #WV060106. Date 06/26
