Updated November 4, 2026
New construction is a different kind of purchase
Buying a brand-new home in Tampa Bay is not the same as buying a resale. You sign the builder's contract, not a standard form. You may pay deposits months before you can move in. You may also agree to extra charges, such as community development district (CDD) assessments, that do not show up on an ordinary listing.
This site explains the main pieces in plain English so you can ask better questions. It is general information, not legal or financial advice. For anything involving a contract, talk to a Florida real estate attorney.
Why bring your own buyer's agent
The sales representative at a builder's model home works for the builder. Their job is to sell the builder's homes on the builder's terms. That is a normal part of the business, but it means nobody in the room is working for you.
A buyer's agent represents you. They can help you compare communities and builders, read the contract, ask about incentives, and keep track of dates during construction.
Register your agent on your first visit. Many builders require a buyer's agent to be registered with the sales office on the buyer's first visit, and may not recognize an agent who shows up later. Policies differ, so ask each builder what theirs is and get it in writing. If you have already visited without an agent, ask the builder what your options are.
What this site covers
Our guides walk through the new-construction process step by step, explain CDD fees, show how to weigh builder incentives and preferred lenders, cover inspections on a new home, explain deposits, contracts and delays, and compare spec homes with to-be-built homes.
Everything here is meant to help you ask better questions. Rules differ by builder, county and community, so always confirm details in your own contract and with a Florida attorney, lender or insurance agent.
We do not name or rank builders. The goal is to help you understand the process wherever you choose to buy across Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties.
The contract: builder forms vs. FAR/BAR
Resale deals in Florida commonly use the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar (FR/BAR) forms. Builders usually use their own contract, written by the builder's attorneys. Terms often cover deposits, completion dates, price adjustments, substitutions, dispute resolution and what happens if you cancel.
Read every page, including addenda. Ask what is negotiable. A real estate attorney can review a builder contract before you sign, and it is usually much easier to ask questions before signing than after.
Deposits and escrow
Florida law gives buyers certain rights over deposits on new homes. Under section 501.1375 of the Florida Statutes, a builder or developer that sells new one- or two-family homes must give you the right to have your deposit held in escrow, up to 10 percent of the purchase price, unless you waive that right in writing. The statute does not apply to builders that sell or build fewer than 10 units a year in the state.
The contract must tell you about this right. Do not waive it without understanding what you are giving up. The statute also has detailed rules about when escrowed money can be released or used for construction. Ask where your deposit will be held and who can release it.
Incentives and preferred lenders
Builders often advertise incentives such as closing-cost help, rate buydowns or upgrades, and many tie them to using the builder's preferred or affiliated lender. Get the offer in writing and ask exactly what condition applies.
Federal law (RESPA) specifically bars a seller from requiring you to buy title insurance from a particular company as a condition of the sale. Lender incentives are treated differently. They are commonly offered as optional, so ask whether the incentive is conditional and what you lose if you use another lender. Compare the preferred lender's loan estimate with at least one other lender's, looking at the whole cost and not only the incentive.
CDD fees, HOA dues and impact fees
Many new communities sit inside a community development district under Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes. A CDD is a special-purpose unit of local government that can finance roads, drainage, water and sewer and similar infrastructure, often through bonds. Homeowners repay through assessments that normally appear on the annual property tax bill.
Florida law requires the initial sales contract in a CDD to include a bold disclosure that the district may levy taxes or assessments on the property. These are in addition to HOA dues. Ask for the current annual CDD amounts, how long they last, and what the HOA covers.
Impact fees, which help local governments pay for growth, may also be part of the builder's costs. Ask how the builder treats them in your price.
Flood zones and inspections
New does not mean flood-proof. Check the flood zone for the specific lot and ask for the elevation certificate, a FEMA form that documents a building's elevation, once it is available. Your insurance agent can use it to quote flood coverage.
Hire your own licensed inspector. Typical stops are a pre-drywall inspection, a final inspection before closing, and a warranty walk-through shortly before the first-year warranty ends. If a serious defect appears, Florida's Chapter 558 sets out a notice-and-repair process that comes before most lawsuits. Our guides explain each step.
Get matched with a local agent
TheBayPros offers a free matching form. Tell us where you are looking and what you want, and we will introduce you to a local agent with new-construction experience. There is no obligation.
Disclosure: TheBayPros' owner is related to Krystal Crichlow (eXp Realty), who may be among the agents introduced to you. You are free to choose any agent.
Guides
Areas we cover
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own agent when buying from a builder?
You are not required to have one, but the builder's sales representative works for the builder. A buyer's agent works for you. Many builders require your agent to be registered on your first visit, so decide before you tour.
Does it cost extra to bring an agent?
Compensation arrangements vary by builder and by agreement, so ask the builder and your agent how it works before you sign anything. Get the answer in writing.
Can the builder require me to use its lender?
Federal law bars a seller from requiring a particular title company. Builders commonly offer incentives for using a preferred lender instead. Ask whether any incentive is conditional and compare loan estimates.
Is my deposit protected?
Florida law (s. 501.1375) gives buyers of new one- and two-family homes from covered builders the right to have deposits of up to 10 percent held in escrow, unless waived in writing. Ask where yours is held.
What is a CDD fee?
It is an assessment from a community development district, a special local government set up under Chapter 190 to finance community infrastructure. It usually appears on your property tax bill and is separate from HOA dues.
Do I need a flood elevation certificate on a new home?
Not always required by the seller, but it is useful. It documents the building's elevation and helps insurers price flood coverage. Ask the builder or your insurance agent about it.
Should I hire an inspector on a brand-new home?
Many buyers do. An independent inspector can check the home at key stages, such as before drywall goes up and before closing.
What if I find defects after closing?
Check your builder warranty first. Florida's Chapter 558 also requires a written notice of claim before most construction defect lawsuits. An attorney can explain your deadlines.