Southern Homes of Polk County
Headquartered in Auburndale · Founded 1995
About Southern Homes of Polk County
Southern Homes of Polk County has been building in Central Florida since 1995 — nearly 30 years as a family-owned and operated builder based out of Auburndale. That's not a corporate origin story. That's a local family that decided to build homes in the county where they live and work, and they've been doing it long enough to know Polk County better than most builders ever will. They're not a national brand with a regional office and a revolving door of project managers. They're a legitimate local builder that has grown steadily by staying in their lane and building what their market actually wants. Their footprint is intentionally concentrated in Polk County — think Lakeland, Auburndale, Winter Haven, Haines City, and the surrounding areas. If you're working in Tampa or St. Pete and commuting to Polk County is part of your plan, or if you're specifically targeting the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando, Southern Homes is one of the few builders in that price range with genuine deep roots in the market. They're not trying to build everywhere from Sarasota to Hernando. They know Polk County, they understand the local municipalities, and that specificity is a real advantage when it comes to permitting, lot selection, and understanding what neighborhoods are actually worth buying into. Southern Homes builds single-family homes, townhomes, and 55+ communities in the $250K to $500K range. That's the heart of the Polk County new construction market — attainable pricing without completely sacrificing finish quality. Their floor plans tend to be practical and livable rather than trend-chasing, with layouts that work for families and for buyers looking to right-size in a 55+ setting. Expect concrete block construction on the main living level, which matters in Florida for both insurance costs and hurricane resilience. Included features and finish levels vary by community, but generally speaking, they're positioned in the value-to-mid range — not entry-level builder-grade all the way through, but not Toll Brothers either. The buyer experience with a local family-owned builder like Southern Homes tends to be more personal than what you'd get with D.R. Horton or LGI. You're more likely to get direct communication with people who actually know the project and can give you a real answer. Construction timelines in Polk County still carry the same Florida variables — permitting, inspections, weather — but a builder who's been pulling permits in the same county for nearly three decades typically has relationships that help move things along. If you like the idea of working with a builder where the name on the sign is an actual person who's accountable, Southern Homes fits that profile better than most.
Barrett's Take on Southern Homes of Polk County
Here's what I tell my buyers about Southern Homes of Polk County: the fact that they're family-owned and hyper-local is genuinely meaningful, not just a marketing line. A builder that's been operating in the same county for 30 years has something to protect — their reputation in the community they live in. That tends to translate into more accountability on warranty issues and build quality than you'd get from a production builder that treats Polk County as just another market on a spreadsheet. That said, "local and accountable" doesn't mean "perfect," and you still need a buyer's agent and a thorough inspection at every stage. On negotiation, Southern Homes isn't a builder where you're going to move base price much — they're already priced competitively for what they deliver in Polk County. Where you have a better shot is on incentives: closing cost contributions, design upgrades, or lot premiums. Watch the contract carefully for deposit structure and what happens if your timeline shifts. Family-owned builders can have tighter cash flow positions than the nationals, so understand clearly what's refundable and under what conditions. Get the construction timeline language in writing and ask specifically how they handle delays — not in general, but what the contract actually says. On financing, same advice as with any builder's preferred lender: get a competing Loan Estimate from an independent lender and compare the numbers before you commit. Compared to other builders in the Polk County $250K to $500K range — you're looking at competition from D.R. Horton, LGI on the lower end, and some smaller regionals — Southern Homes sits in a reasonable spot. They're not going to have the sheer volume of floor plans or the polished design center experience that a national builder offers. What they trade that for is local knowledge, community relationships, and a level of personal accountability that's harder to find. If you're buying in Polk County and the 55+ angle is part of your search, they're worth a serious look. Just make sure you have independent representation — your own agent, your own inspector — regardless of how personable the sales team is.
Barrett Henry, REALTOR®
Broker Associate at REMAX Collective · 23+ years of real estate experience
Southern Homes of Polk County at a Glance
1995
Founded
Auburndale
Headquarters
$250K – $500K
Price Range
1
Community
1
County Served
Communities by Southern Homes of Polk County
Southern Homes of Polk County currently has 1 community listed across Tampa Bay. Click any community for full details, pricing, and incentives.
Where Southern Homes of Polk County Builds
Southern Homes of Polk County is active in 1 Tampa Bay county. Click a county to see all communities in that area.
What Southern Homes of Polk County Offers
Southern Homes of Polk County builds across 3 home types in the Tampa Bay market.
Single-Family Homes
Detached homes with private yards, typically 3-5 bedrooms with owners suites and 2-car garages.
Townhomes
Attached homes offering lower maintenance and competitive pricing — great for first-time buyers and investors.
55+ Communities
Age-restricted active adult communities with resort-style amenities and a built-in social calendar.
Specialties & What Sets Southern Homes of Polk County Apart
Key differentiators buyers should know about.
- Polk County specialist
- Family-owned and operated
- Local market expertise
- Single-family and 55+ communities
- Nearly 30 years Polk County building
New Construction Buyer Resources
Buying new construction is different from resale. These guides cover what you need to know before signing a builder contract.
Thinking About Southern Homes of Polk County? Bring Your Own Agent.
The sales team at any model home works for the builder. Their job is to sell you the home at the best price for the builder — not for you. Barrett represents buyers exclusively in new-construction transactions. He knows the incentives, the upgrade traps, and the contract clauses that catch first-time buyers off guard. His representation is free to you because the builder pays the commission. Call (813) 692-9099 or fill out the form below.
Interested in Southern Homes of Polk County? Talk to Barrett
Get the inside scoop on Southern Homes of Polk County communities, current incentives, and negotiation strategy. Free buyer representation — the builder pays.