New Construction Homes in Sarasota

If you want first pick of new construction homes in Sarasota, the best move is to get on the VIP list before a community opens. Sam Rodgers Homes has lists open now for Arbour Lake Preserve in Sarasota East and Stonebridge on Palmer Ranch. Both are coming soon.

A list only gets you in the room early. What you do with that early look is up to you, so this article covers what the list is, how to prepare, and what to ask before you choose a homesite and a plan.

What should you know about new construction homes in Sarasota right now?

Sarasota new construction looks different from a resale search. In a resale, you tour what is already built and decide. In a new community, you decide from a site plan, a floor plan and a conversation. That is a real advantage, because the home can be shaped around you. It also means the early choices matter more.

The homesite is the first of those choices. It affects the view, how the home sits, where the lanai faces, and how much privacy you have. The plan is the second. Once a lot is taken, it is taken, and a few of the most appealing sites in any community tend to draw attention first.

That is why people who are serious about new construction in Sarasota, FL, often start the conversation well before sales open. A VIP list is how a builder keeps in touch with those people.

What does a VIP list actually do?

In plain terms, it puts your name and your interests in front of the team early. For a coming-soon community, that usually means you hear about news before the general public does, and the team knows what you are looking for when the details are ready.

What a list does not do is lock in a lot or a price. Nothing is reserved by signing up, and we would not want you to think otherwise. The exact way each list works is best answered by the team, because it can differ from one community to the next. Ask them directly.

Here is what joining a list is good for:

• Hearing about the community as details are ready, rather than finding out later.
• Telling the team what matters to you, such as a single-story plan, a three-car garage, or room for a pool.
• Starting a relationship with a builder you can ask real questions.
• Having time to think before decisions come quickly.

How do you choose a homesite and plan before you are asked to?

The buyers who feel the most comfortable at that moment are the ones who have already done their thinking. You don't need every answer, but a clear sense of your priorities helps a great deal.

Start with how you live

Write down how you actually spend a day. Do you cook for a crowd? Work from home? Host family for weeks at a time? Those answers point toward certain plans. Some of our plans offer options such as a den, an office, a bonus room or an in-law suite, so a lot of this can be settled by choosing the right starting point.

Sam Rodgers builds luxury custom homes, roughly 2,200 to 3,400 square feet. You begin with one of our floor plans and customize it. You can browse the catalogue on the Our Homes page. If you are not sure how to read one, our guide on how to read a floor plan like a builder is a good place to begin.

Think about the lot as part of the home

A plan that works beautifully on one site may need a different approach on another. Think about:

• Where you want the lanai and outdoor living space to face.
• How much privacy matters to you.
• Whether you would like a water, preserve or open view, if the community offers them.
• How the garage, driveway and entry will sit on the lot.

You don't need to settle all of this now. But if you can say, "I care most about privacy and a covered outdoor space," the team can point you to the right options when the time comes.

Understand what custom means here

The word gets used loosely. If you want to know what you can truly change, read what makes a home custom. It will help you ask better questions about the plan you like.

What should you ask new home builders in Sarasota?

When you compare new home builders in Sarasota, the questions that matter most are about how they work, not just how their homes look. A few to bring with you:

1. How much can I change in the floor plan, and what is fixed?
2. How do selections work, and where do I make them?
3. Who will I talk to during the build?
4. How is communication handled when something changes?
5. What does the process look like from the first conversation to move-in?

On pricing and timing, be wary of anyone who gives you a firm number before they know your plan, your lot and your selections. These things depend on the choices you make, and the honest answer is that they vary. Ask the team about your own situation.

Sam Rodgers Homes has been family-owned since 1968, with three generations in the business and more than 6,700 homes built. The company is a Florida Certified Building Contractor, license CBC056962. You can read what homeowners say on the Reviews page, and it is always worth reading what past clients say about any builder you consider.

What should you have ready before a community opens?

A little preparation takes the pressure off. None of this is complicated, and you can do it at your own pace.

• Your finances. Talk with your lender or advisor so you know what you are comfortable with before you start touring.
• Your current home. If you plan to sell, think about how that fits with your plans.
• Your must-haves. Keep a short list of what you cannot live without and a second list of what would be nice.
• Your questions. Write them down as you think of them, and bring them to your first conversation.
• Your style. Collect a few photos of homes, kitchens and outdoor spaces you love. The Gallery of built homes is a good place to start.

If you would rather not wait for a new community, ask the team about current move-in ready availability. That can be a different route to the same goal.

How do you get on the list?

The simplest way is to reach out. Tell the team which community interests you, either Arbour Lake Preserve or Stonebridge, or both, and share a little about what you are hoping to build. They can add you to the list and answer questions about what is coming and how it works.

If you would like to see where else we build, the Where We Build page shows every current community. If you are still deciding between areas, ask us about Sarasota, Palmer Ranch, Venice and Bradenton as well, since each has its own feel.

New construction rewards the buyer who is curious early and asks plenty of questions. You do not need to have it all figured out, only to start the conversation.

If you would like to join a VIP list, or just talk through what you want to build, talk to our team. You can also call 941.747.4131, and we will take it from there.