New Construction in Palm Beach County: Where Builders Are Building in 2026

If you are shopping for new construction Palm Beach County has more of it than many buyers expect, but most of it sits far from the beach. The large master-planned communities are mostly in the western and northern parts of the county, on land that was once farms or open space. This guide covers where builders are active in 2026, what published starting prices look like, the fees that tend to come with a new community, and how a brand-new home stacks up against a resale.

Key takeaways

• Most new building in Palm Beach County is in the west and north, including Westlake, Loxahatchee, western areas with a Lake Worth mailing address and Palm Beach Gardens.
• Published starting prices range widely. Minto listed the first phase of The Oaks at Westlake from the high $300s, while DiVosta lists Amara, west of Lake Worth, from the $1.2 millions.
• Many new communities carry HOA dues, and some sit in a community development district (CDD) with its own yearly assessments.
• Florida law requires a CDD to disclose its financing and maintenance costs to buyers, so ask for that document early.
• Compare any new home with resale sales nearby. In August 2026 the county's single-family median price was $650,000, per Miami Realtors.

Why new construction in Palm Beach sits in the west and north

The coast of Palm Beach County was built out long ago. As a result, the big blocks of land left for new neighborhoods are mostly west of the Turnpike and in the north county. That is where master-planned communities with hundreds or thousands of homes have taken shape.

For buyers, the trade-off is simple. You get a new home, new systems and modern design. In return, you may drive farther to the beach, to the I-95 corridor or to downtown West Palm Beach. So map your daily drive before you fall for a model home.

Where builders of new construction in Palm Beach County are active

Builder activity changes month to month as phases sell out and new ones open. The areas below had active, publicly listed new home sales in 2026. Treat the details as a starting point and confirm them with the builder before you visit.

Westlake

Westlake is a master-planned community and city in central western Palm Beach County, developed by Minto Communities. In December 2025, Minto opened a new neighborhood called The Oaks. According to Minto's 2026 release, the first phase of The Oaks includes 266 single-family homes, with pricing that started in the high $300s.

Minto also opened two new model homes at a public model tour that ran from February 28 through March 8, 2026. Visitors could tour 13 furnished models across the community. Pricing has moved since launch, so ask for a current price sheet. You can learn more on our Westlake page.

Loxahatchee

Loxahatchee is known for larger lots and a rural feel. Arden, a master-planned community there, has been one of the county's busier spots for new homes. In 2026, Lennar was listed as an active builder in Arden on NewHomeSource. Other builders have sold homes in Arden in past phases, so ask which builders are selling when you go.

Arden sits farther west than many buyers are used to. For that reason, test the commute at rush hour. Outside planned communities, the wider Loxahatchee area also has acreage homes on larger lots.

West of Lake Worth

Many new communities in the unincorporated area west of Lake Worth Beach use a Lake Worth mailing address. One example is Amara by DiVosta, which the builder describes as an estate-style community in western Palm Beach County. DiVosta lists 145 single-family homes there, starting from the $1.2 millions, on oversized homesites. The builder also states that Amara has no CDD.

Other builders have smaller communities in this area too, often townhomes and single-family homes at lower prices. Inventory changes fast, so check current listings. Our Lake Worth page explains the difference between the city of Lake Worth Beach and the wider Lake Worth area.

Palm Beach Gardens

In Palm Beach Gardens, most new home activity centers on Avenir, a large master-planned community in the northwest part of the city. Avenir is split into villages, and each one is led by a different builder, such as Toll Brothers, GL Homes, Kolter Homes or DiVosta. Prices there tend to sit well above the county median. Our guide to Avenir builders breaks down who builds which village.

What new construction in Palm Beach County costs

New home prices in the county cover a wide band. At one end, Minto's Westlake townhomes and entry single-family homes have started in the high $300s to $400s. At the other end, estate homes in Amara and the pricier Avenir villages start well above $1 million.

Keep in mind that a builder's starting price is a base price. It covers a standard floor plan on a standard lot. Upgrades, premium lots and options can add a lot. For example, a lake view, an extended patio or a pool may each add to the final number. So ask for a sample contract showing a typical buyer's total, not just the base.

For context, the median single-family sale price in Palm Beach County was $650,000 in August 2026, and the condo and townhouse median was $300,000, according to Miami Realtors. Those figures include resale homes of every age.

Fees that come with new communities

The price on the sign is only part of what you pay. New communities often add recurring costs that older neighborhoods may not have.

HOA dues

Most master-planned communities have a homeowners association. Dues pay for things like the clubhouse, pools, gates, landscaping and lakes. Ask for the current budget and what dues cover. Also ask when the developer plans to hand control of the HOA to residents, since dues can change after that.

Community development districts

Some new communities sit in a community development district, or CDD. A CDD is a local special district that can finance roads, water lines and other infrastructure. Homeowners then repay that cost through yearly assessments, which often appear on the property tax bill.

Florida law requires each CDD to take steps to fully disclose the public financing and maintenance of its improvements. Under section 190.009 of the Florida Statutes, the district must give developers copies of that disclosure for each first buyer. So ask for it before you sign, and add the yearly amount to your budget.

Builder deposits

Builders set their own deposit rules, and they often differ from a resale contract. Some ask for more money down as you add upgrades. Read the builder's contract closely, since it is written by the builder, not on the standard Florida Realtors forms.

Builder incentives in 2026

Builders often offer incentives to move homes, especially homes that are already built or close to it. These can include help with closing costs, upgrade credits or a lower mortgage rate. Many are tied to the builder's own lender or title company.

Incentives can be worth a lot. Still, compare the full cost. A rate buydown through the builder's lender may come with higher fees elsewhere. In addition, you can usually choose your own lender, though you may give up that incentive. So get a loan estimate from an outside lender too, and compare them side by side.

New construction in Palm Beach vs. resale homes

A new home and a resale home each have clear strengths. Here is how they tend to compare.

• Condition. A new home has a new roof, new systems and builder warranties. A resale home may need updates, but you can see exactly what you are buying.
• Location. Resale homes are spread across the whole county, including near the coast. New homes cluster in the west and north.
• Timing. A resale home can close in weeks. A to-be-built home can take months.
• Price per square foot. Compare both. A new home with high HOA and CDD costs may cost more each month than a resale home with a higher price.
• Insurance. Newer homes built to current Florida code may cost less to insure than older homes. Ask an agent for quotes on both.

Also look at resale prices inside the new community. Once a phase sells out, homes in it start to trade as resales. Those sales show what buyers will pay for that home later. Our guide to buying a new home vs. an old home covers more of these trade-offs.

Tips for buying new construction in Palm Beach County

1. Bring your own agent on the first visit. Many builders require that your agent register you at your first visit. Check the builder's rules before you walk in.
2. Get an independent inspection. Even a new home can have defects. Many buyers inspect before drywall and again before closing.
3. Read the warranty. Know what is covered, for how long and how to file a claim.
4. Know your rights. Florida's Chapter 558 sets a notice process for construction defects. A buyer generally must send written notice to the builder at least 60 days before filing a lawsuit.
5. Plan for change. Nearby land may still be under construction for years. Ask what is planned next door.

Frequently asked questions

Where is most new construction in Palm Beach County?

Most of it is in the western and northern parts of the county. Westlake, Loxahatchee, the area west of Lake Worth Beach and Palm Beach Gardens all had active new home sales in 2026.

Are new construction homes in Palm Beach more expensive than resale?

Not always. Some new townhomes and single-family homes have started below the county's single-family median. However, HOA dues and CDD assessments can raise the monthly cost, so compare the full picture.

What is a CDD and how do I know if a home has one?

A CDD is a special district that finances community infrastructure. Owners repay it through yearly assessments. Ask the builder for the CDD disclosure, and check the property tax bill for a non-ad valorem assessment.

Do I need my own agent to buy from a builder?

You don't have to have one, but it helps. The builder's sales staff work for the builder. Your own agent can compare the deal with resale homes and help you read the contract.

Sources

• Town-Crier, Minto unveils two new model homes at Westlake (March 2026)
• Town-Crier, Minto announces new Westlake neighborhood (December 2025)
• Minto Communities, Westlake
• NewHomeSource, Arden in Loxahatchee
• DiVosta, Amara in Lake Worth
• Florida Statutes, section 190.009
• Florida Statutes, section 558.004
• Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 market report

Own a home in Palm Beach County and thinking of moving up to new construction? We can tell you what your current home will sell for and help you time both moves. Get a free home value report. Buying? Get a new construction vs. resale comparison from a Pure Equity agent before you sign with a builder.