Our Florida communities
| Community | Area | Home types | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterset | Apollo Beach, Tampa Bay area | Townhomes, single-story and two-story single-family | Community page |
| Southwind | Plant City | Single-story and two-story single-family | Community page |
| Fieldstone | Plant City | Single-story and two-story single-family | Community page |
| North River Ranch | Parrish, Manatee County | Paired homes, single-story and two-story single-family | Community page |
| SeaFlower | Manatee County | Single-story and two-story single-family | Community page |
| Coasterra | Manatee County | Single-story and two-story single-family | Community page |
| Prairie Oaks | Orlando area | Single-story single-family | Community page |
| Rye Ranch | Orlando area | Single-story single-family | Community page |
Which communities and home types are selling changes over time, and so do prices. The community pages carry the current homes, model home hours and starting prices. [to confirm: active communities, areas and home types at launch; Rye Ranch and Prairie Oaks details were taken from the live site in Oct 2026 and need regional confirmation]
Source: cardelhomes.com/florida (checked October 2026)
Three home types, three different trade-offs
- Townhomes share walls with neighbors on one or both sides. They usually have the least outside upkeep and, within a community, often the lowest entry price. The trade is yard space and privacy.
- Paired homes share one wall with the home next door. Each side has its own entrance and a private yard, with less outside upkeep than a detached home.
- Single-family homes stand alone, with the most space and the most yard. They also carry the most upkeep, and usually the highest price in a community.
None of these is the default first home. Which fits depends on your budget, how you live, and how long you plan to stay. Plenty of first-time buyers choose a single-family home from the start, and plenty choose a townhome so they can move sooner.
How to narrow it down
- Start with the area. Where do you work, and how far are you willing to drive? That alone usually rules a few communities in or out.
- Pick a home type, or two you are open to, using the trade-offs above.
- Get pre-approved, so you are comparing homes you can buy. What to ask a lender.
- Visit two communities, not one. Walk the model homes and the amenities, and drive the commute at the time you would actually make it.
- Ask about quick move-in homes if you need to move within a few months. See what is available now.
- Ask us for the community fees on the specific home you like, and give them to your lender for a full monthly estimate. Why that matters.
Moving to Florida from elsewhere
If you are moving from another state, or from Canada, the steps above still apply. Two things help. Work with a lender who regularly handles relocating buyers, and visit in person before you decide on an area. Florida's regions feel different from one another, and the commute matters as much here as anywhere.
If you are moving from Alberta or Ontario, we build in both. Our Alberta and Ontario first-time buyer hubs cover those markets.
Questions first-time buyers ask
Which community is best for a first-time buyer?
There is no single answer, and we would rather not pretend there is. The right community depends on your commute, the home type you want and your budget. Pick two that fit on area and home type, visit both, and let your lender's estimate settle the rest.
Do you have homes I can move into soon?
Yes. Quick move-in homes are built, or nearly built, in several communities. The finishes are chosen, so you take the home as finished, and you close in weeks rather than months. See current quick move-in homes.
Do townhomes have HOA fees?
Usually, yes, and the fee often covers more than it does for a single-family home, such as exterior maintenance and lawn care. Ask us what the fee covers for the specific community. It is part of the monthly picture your lender needs.
Can I see the homes before I decide?
Yes. Every community has model homes you can walk through, and the sales team can show you quick move-in homes as well. Visiting is the fastest way to tell which home type suits you.
Pick two communities and visit both
Walk the model homes, drive the commute, and ask the sales team what is selling now.
Internal review notes — what must be confirmed before this page publishes
- [to confirm] Active communities, areas and home types at launch. The table was built from the live Florida page in October 2026, which listed eight communities. Rye Ranch and Prairie Oaks are newer than the August 2026 research and need regional confirmation of area and product.
- No starting prices appear on this page, by design. The live community pages are the source of truth for price, per the Aug 31, 2026 feedback.
- The former 'most first-time buyers start with a paired villa at North River Ranch' positioning has been removed from this page, the hub and the meta descriptions.
- Confirm ../alberta/index.html and ../ontario/index.html resolve once those regions are rebuilt.