Infographic: A Breakdown of the Top-Selling Communities in the Hottest MPC Markets in the Country [Year-End 2019]

Every year since 1994, RCLCO has conducted a national survey identifying the top-selling Master-Planned Communities (MPCs) through a rigorous search of high-performing communities in each state. This initiative exists not only to commend the most successful communities in the country, but also as a tool for monitoring the overall health of the for-sale housing industry, a means of locating markets with the most significant residential momentum, a process for highlighting the trends affecting communities large and small, and a medium through which to learn development best practices and pass along lessons learned from the MPCs that have pioneered their way into the top ranks.

As a follow-up to our recent Advisory highlighting the national rankings in The Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities of 2019 and Best of the Decade, RCLCO has conducted detailed surveys within 11 of the hottest MPC markets across the nation. These 11 markets represent almost 65% of total sales among the 50 top-selling communities in the nation and include Austin, Dallas, and Houston in Texas; Sarasota, Punta Gorda, Tampa, and Orlando in Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Denver and Greeley in Colorado.

In the detailed infographic below, RCLCO has profiled the five Top-Selling MPCs within each of the hottest MPC markets in the country. While not all of the top communities within each market were a part of the national Top-Selling list, they all represent examples of MPCs that have created successful strategies that seek to fill multiple market niches. What’s more, these communities seek to be proactive in identifying the needs and wants of consumers in the market and seek to fill those needs ahead of the rest of the industry, as evidenced by their faster sales paces than other communities in their local markets.

To learn more about RCLCO’s research into the top-selling master-planned communities in the country, as well as the strategies that lead to successful developments, visit https://www.rclco.com/publications/ to see our latest publications.

Note: All communities listed above have been identified as top-selling communities in their respective MSAs through surveys conducted as part of RCLCO’s Top-Selling Master-Planned Community Initiative. Communities that have chosen not to participate in RCLCO’s semi-annual survey have not been included in the rankings above. Not all communities ranked within the top five of their local markets have a sales pace that would place them within the national Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities Report.

The ranking of 2019’s 50 top-selling communities is based on total net new home sales as reported by each individual community. Preliminary sales numbers were provided by communities and annualized in order to arrive at estimated year-end sales, with final sales figures being updated periodically during the first months of 2020. To be included in our ranking, MPCs must have a number of features. True MPCs are developed from a comprehensive plan by a master developer, and incorporate a variety of housing types, sizes, and prices, with shared common space, amenities, and a vital public realm. The best examples of MPCs are developed with a strong vision and comprehensive plan that guide development and unify the community through distinctive signage, wayfinding, entry features, landscaping, and architectural/design standards. Beyond the built environment, MPCs differentiate themselves from typical suburban subdivisions in that they provide a means for interaction among neighbors in the sense of the word “community.” They foster an environment within which generations can live better in terms of housing and the community environment, and many offer educational opportunities, neighborhood shopping and services, and even employment centers to complement the residential neighborhoods. Although rooted in a vision, the most resilient MPCs have flexible master plans that are environmentally sensitive, market responsive, and nurture the lifestyles of their residents.

Given the above criteria, we do not include the collective sales of multiple, separate communities that are unified only through marketing efforts rather than a preconceived community vision, nor do we include communities that are a collection of subdivisions that have few unifying elements other than consistent signage and name.

Article and research prepared by Gregg Logan, Managing Director, and Karl Pischke, Vice President.

Additional research support was provided by Sevan Douzdjian, Ryan Guerdan, Sarah Oechsle, Cameron Pawelek, Lorren Royston, Eric Whinnen, and Jordan Yashari.

Disclaimer: Reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the data contained in this Advisory reflect accurate and timely information, and the data is believed to be reliable and comprehensive. The Advisory is based on estimates, assumptions, and other information developed by RCLCO from its independent research effort and general knowledge of the industry. This Advisory contains opinions that represent our view of reasonable expectations at this particular time, but our opinions are not offered as predictions or assurances that particular events will occur.