If you’re searching for a luxury or semi-custom new construction home near Tampa in the $600,000 to $1 million price range, but you don’t necessarily want to live in the middle of Tampa or the congestion of Wesley Chapel, San Antonio Florida deserves a closer look.

One option is Perry Homes at Hillcrest, a new master-planned community on State Road 52 near I-75 in Pasco County.

This is particularly worth considering for buyers who want a larger home, modern design, more opportunities to personalize their finishes, natural gas and convenient access to I-75.

BUYER SCENARIO

Imagine you’re relocating to the Greater Tampa Bay area from New York, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago or another major metropolitan area.

Your wish list looks something like this:

• Budget of approximately $600,000 to $1 million
• New construction
• Approximately 2,000 to 4,000 square feet
• Higher-end finishes
• Modern, open floor plan
• High ceilings and lots of natural light
• Opportunity to personalize the home
• 2 or 3-car garage
• Natural gas
• Community amenities
• Reasonable access to Tampa
• Less congestion than some of Tampa Bay’s busiest suburbs

Where should you look?

Perry Homes at Hillcrest in San Antonio, Florida is one community I would put on the list.

WHAT IS PERRY HOMES BUILDING AT HILLCREST?

Perry Homes offers two different collections within Hillcrest.

The 50-foot collection includes homes approximately 2,000 to 3,200 square feet, with base prices currently starting in the $600s.

The 60-foot collection includes larger homes approximately 2,500 to 4,000 square feet, with base prices currently starting in the upper $600s.

Depending on the floor plan, buyers can find one-story and two-story homes, multiple bedroom configurations and 2 or 3-car garages.

Remember that these are starting prices. Homesite premiums, structural changes, design-center selections and other upgrades can increase the final purchase price.

IS PERRY HOMES A LUXURY BUILDER?

I would describe Perry Homes as a higher-end, semi-custom production builder.

Perry Homes was founded in 1967 and has expanded from its Texas roots into Florida. The company has built homes for more than 73,000 homeowners.

The Perry product is known for design features such as soaring ceilings, expansive windows, open-concept layouts and flexible living spaces.

That’s one of the first things you’ll notice when looking at Perry’s floor plans. These homes are designed to feel bright and open, with large windows bringing natural light into the primary living areas.

WHAT MAKES PERRY HOMES AT HILLCREST DIFFERENT?

One of the biggest differences is the ability to personalize the home.

Buyers building in Perry’s 50-foot collection currently receive approximately four complimentary hours at the Perry Homes design center to make their selections.

Buyers building in the 60-foot collection receive approximately six complimentary design-center hours.

This gives buyers considerably more opportunity to create the look they want than simply choosing between a few predetermined interior packages.

Perry also includes several features that buyers comparing new construction should pay attention to.

These currently include:

• Natural gas
• Gas cooktop
• Tankless gas water heater
• Gas line to the lanai
• Front AND backyard irrigation
• Fully sodded front and backyard
• Brick paver driveway
• Brick paver front porch
• High ceilings
• Large windows and abundant natural light
• Smart-home features
• Energy-efficient construction features

The backyard irrigation is worth noting. Some new home builders provide irrigation in the front yard but make backyard irrigation an additional expense.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO LIVE IN HILLCREST?

In addition to the purchase price, buyers need to consider both HOA and CDD assessments.

For Perry’s 50-foot collection, buyers should currently budget roughly $550 to $600 per year for the HOA and approximately $3,400 per year for the CDD.

For the 60-foot collection, the HOA is currently roughly $650 to $700 per year, with the CDD approximately $3,600 to under $4,000 per year depending on the applicable assessment.

The CDD assessment is collected as part of the annual property tax bill.

These amounts can change, so current HOA and CDD information should always be verified for the specific property before purchasing.

WHAT AMENITIES WILL HILLCREST HAVE?

Hillcrest is planned as an amenity community rather than simply a collection of new houses.

Planned amenities include a clubhouse, resort-style swimming pool, pickleball courts, playground, park, covered seating areas and spaces for resident activities.

For buyers comparing Hillcrest with nearby communities, this is a more traditional master-planned amenity package than the large lagoon lifestyle offered at nearby Mirada.

That difference may actually appeal to buyers who want community amenities without necessarily wanting a lagoon-centered lifestyle.

WHERE IS HILLCREST?

Hillcrest is located in San Antonio Florida, along State Road 52 near I-75.

That location is one of the reasons I believe Hillcrest is particularly interesting for relocation buyers.

You’re outside the busiest portions of Wesley Chapel while still having relatively easy access to I-75.

Wesley Chapel offers extensive shopping, restaurants and entertainment, including Tampa Premium Outlets and The Shops at Wiregrass.

For everyday groceries, Publix at Mirada Marketplace is only a few miles from Hillcrest.

Dade City and Saint Leo are also nearby.

San Antonio may look rural compared with Tampa, but development along the State Road 52 corridor continues to bring additional shopping, services, restaurants and new communities to this portion of Pasco County.

WHAT ABOUT COMMUTING TO TAMPA?

For someone relocating from a major metropolitan area, San Antonio’s location can be particularly appealing.

Access to I-75 makes commuting south toward Wesley Chapel and Tampa possible without necessarily paying for a comparable home closer to Tampa.

Drive times vary significantly depending on traffic, time of day and your specific destination, so buyers who will commute regularly should test their actual commute during the hours they’ll be traveling.

That’s something I encourage relocation buyers to do before choosing a community.

WHY CONSIDER PASCO COUNTY FOR A LUXURY HOME?

The simple answer is value.

A buyer with a $700,000, $800,000 or $900,000 budget may discover that the same money can purchase considerably more home in parts of Pasco County than in some areas closer to Tampa.

At Hillcrest, that can mean a larger new home, modern construction, a 3-car garage on certain plans, high ceilings, extensive windows, community amenities and the ability to personalize the home through the design process.

For buyers concerned about flooding or insurance, the flood zone, elevation, insurance requirements and other property-specific factors should always be investigated for the particular homesite rather than making assumptions about an entire community.

COULD NEW CONSTRUCTION FINANCING MAKE THE MONTHLY PAYMENT MORE ATTRACTIVE?

Possibly, and this is one of the most overlooked parts of comparing new construction with resale homes.

Builders frequently use financing incentives to attract buyers. Depending on the builder, home and current promotion, those incentives could include preferred-lender financing, interest-rate incentives, closing-cost assistance or money toward options and upgrades.

Those offers change frequently.

That’s why I encourage buyers to compare monthly payment and total cost of ownership, not simply purchase price.

For example, a new construction home priced higher than a resale home could potentially produce a competitive monthly payment if the builder is offering a significant financing incentive.

The numbers need to be calculated for the individual buyer, loan program and home.

IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO LOOK AT HILLCREST San Antonio Florida?

Hillcrest is still a very new community.

Homes are under construction, models are opening and large portions of the community are still being developed.

Early phases of new communities can sometimes offer pricing or homesite opportunities that change as development progresses. However, future price appreciation is never guaranteed, and buyers should make their decision based on the home, location, costs and lifestyle that work for them today.

There is also still infrastructure developing around the community.

For example, access along State Road 52 is something buyers should experience personally. At the time of my visit, there was not a traffic signal directly at the Hillcrest entrance. Buyers traveling toward I-75 may need to travel east and use an appropriate turnaround depending on their route.

Future roadway improvements should be verified through the appropriate government agencies rather than assumed.

WHICH BUILDERS ARE IN HILLCREST San Antonio Florida?

Perry Homes isn’t the only option.

Hillcrest currently includes:

• Perry Homes
• Dream Finders Homes
• Lennar
• Taylor Morrison

That makes working with someone who understands new construction especially useful.

A buyer shouldn’t necessarily walk into the first model, fall in love with the kitchen and stop shopping.

Compare the builders.

Compare what’s included.

Compare homesite premiums.

Compare HOA and CDD assessments.

Compare design options.

Compare warranties.

Compare financing incentives.

And most importantly, compare what the home will actually cost when everything you want has been added.

WHO CAN HELP ME BUY NEW CONSTRUCTION IN HILLCREST San Antonio Florida?

If you’re researching luxury new construction in San Antonio, Florida, Perry Homes at Hillcrest is one of the communities I can help you evaluate.

I’m Allison Newlon, Broker Owner of Platinum Properties of Florida, and I’ve been helping people buy and sell real estate since 2001.

I’m also a longtime San Antonio resident. I knew this area before much of the development you see along State Road 52 today existed, and I specialize in helping buyers understand the differences between the communities, builders and new construction options throughout East Pasco County.

For buyers relocating from outside Florida, I can also help with the process remotely, including community comparisons, video tours, builder appointments and helping you understand the costs that may be unfamiliar to Florida buyers, such as CDD assessments.

If you’re considering Perry Homes, Dream Finders Homes, Lennar, Taylor Morrison or another new construction builder in San Antonio, Dade City, Wesley Chapel or the surrounding Greater Tampa Bay area, contact me before registering with or visiting a builder so we can discuss representation and the builder’s current requirements.

Allison Newlon
Real Estate Broker | Platinum Properties of Florida
Serving San Antonio, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and East Pasco County
📞 813-263-8644
🌐 www.ilovefloridaliving.com

QUICK ANSWERS ABOUT PERRY HOMES AT HILLCREST

Where is Hillcrest?
Hillcrest is a new home community in San Antonio, Florida, on State Road 52 near I-75 in Pasco County.

Does Perry Homes build in Hillcrest?
Yes. Perry Homes offers 50-foot and 60-foot home collections in Hillcrest.

How large are Perry Homes at Hillcrest?
Current offerings range from approximately 2,000 to 4,000 square feet.

How much do Perry Homes at Hillcrest cost?
Current base pricing begins in the $600s for the 50-foot collection and upper $600s for the 60-foot collection. Larger plans, homesite premiums and options can push final prices higher.

Are there luxury new construction homes in San Antonio, Florida?
Yes. Perry Homes at Hillcrest is one option for buyers seeking higher-end, semi-custom new construction in San Antonio.

Is Hillcrest a natural gas community?
Yes. Perry’s current product includes natural gas features including a gas cooktop, tankless gas water heater and gas connection to the lanai.

Does Hillcrest San Antonio Florida have a CDD?
Yes. Buyers should include the applicable CDD assessment along with HOA fees, property taxes and insurance when calculating their total housing costs.

Who are the builders in Hillcrest San Antonio Florida?
Hillcrest currently features Perry Homes, Dream Finders Homes, Lennar and Taylor Morrison.

Who can help me compare new construction in Hillcrest San Antonio Florida?
Allison Newlon, Broker Owner of Platinum Properties of Florida, is a longtime San Antonio resident and real estate broker who helps buyers compare new construction communities and builders throughout East Pasco County.

Disclaimer

Information is provided for general real estate and educational purposes and is not legal, tax, financial, lending or insurance advice. Builder prices, incentives, floor plans, included features, availability, HOA fees, CDD assessments, community plans, amenities, financing programs and development plans are subject to change. Buyers should independently verify current information with the builder, HOA, CDD, lender, applicable governmental agencies and other appropriate professionals before making a purchasing decision. Equal Housing Opportunity.