Metro Phoenix, AZ | New Construction Home Update: What’s Opening and Where Builders Are Betting
If you’re living in Phoenix or moving to Arizona, a new build or new construction home is something to consider. Despite a softening housing market, new home builders are opening communities from Buckeye (near the White Tank Mountains), to Scottsdale, Ahwatukee and San Tan Valley. And with mortgage rates still high, new build incentives are all the rage.
Upper Canyon, Ahwatukee — New Construction 2025
Upper Canyon is a large master-planned build in Phoenix, AZ’s Ahwatukee Foothills. The site runs along Chandler Boulevard between 19th and 27th avenues on ~373 acres. The plan calls for about 1,050 single-family homes plus 150 semi-detached and 329 multifamily units. Construction is projected to begin in late 2025 into early 2026, pending final timelines.
Builders marketing homes here include D.R. Horton and Pulte Homes, with community pages live and “coming soon” status. Expect single- and two-story options, mountain views, and quick Loop 202 access for Tempe and Chandler commutes. If you’re living in Phoenix or moving to Arizona, this is a rare new-build pocket in Ahwatukee.
- Product mix: single-family, semi-detached, and multifamily
- Timeline: late-2025 start targeted; phased releases to follow
- Access: Loop 202, South Mountain trail network, Phoenix city services
Fulton Homes — Enclave (White Tank area)
Fulton Homes is launching Enclave, a master-planned community of 675 homes on the east side of the White Tank Mountains. Located at the northwest corner of Indian School and Perryville roads, just east of Verrado. There are 29 floor plans from 1,340 to 3,905 square feet, with pricing from $398,900 to $744,900. “We have cautious optimism for the market,” said Norm Nicholls, president of Fulton Homes. “We see Phoenix as a highly attractive area for businesses and families from around the country to settle here.” With 21 active communities across the metro, Fulton reports increased interest on its site and at model homes.
David Weekley Homes — Verrado and San Tan Valley
David Weekley Homes is kicking off sales at The Ridge at Victory within Verrado in Buckeye. While spring was softer, the builder hit its sales budgets in June and July. “Oddly enough, we still experience good sales activity in the summer,” said Mark Weber, the company’s Phoenix division president. “Last year, July was our second highest month of sales in 2024. We’re continuing to have good success this summer.” The Ridge plans range from 2,500 to 3,300 square feet for 82 homes starting in the low $800,000s. “When the streets are paved we will start a model and we will open for sales whenever that time frame allows,” Weber said.
David Weekley is also starting sales at Artesa at Soleo in San Tan Valley: 108 homes from 1,081 to 2,974 square feet, priced from the mid $400,000s. “For a long time, we’ve been successful building in the southeast Valley and this is just a continuance of our presence in the southeast Valley,” Weber said. With mortgage rates near 7%, builders are using incentives and rate buy-downs to help buyers. Some buy-downs can bring rates to below 5%. “Our buyers will utilize that as a reduction in the price of the home,” Weber said. “We provide flexibility to use incentives that best suit them.”
Toll Brothers — Ladera Trails and Storyrock
In San Tan Valley, Toll Brothers at Ladera Trails brings 93 single-level homes on quarter-acre sites inside a gated neighborhood with resort-style amenities. Homes start at 3,124 square feet and are priced from the mid $800,000s. “The San Tan Valley area is a great location with stunning views and access to plentiful recreation opportunities,” said Bob Flaherty, group president of Toll Brothers in Arizona. “Our Ladera Trails community is located at the base of the San Tan Foothills, among the naturally beautiful setting of the surrounding Sonoran Desert.”
In North Scottsdale, Toll Brothers will kick off sales at Storyrock in the fall. In March 2022, the company bought the last 81 lots for $24.7 million at Storyrock, which has 2.5 miles of frontage on the 30,000-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Homes range from 3,665 to more than 5,000 square feet and are expected to be priced from $2 million.
Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities (RCLCO midyear)
RCLCO’s midyear report put three Phoenix-area master-planned communities among the nation’s top sellers:
- D.R. Horton’s Radiance at Superstition Vistas in Apache Junction ranked No. 19 with 307 sales in the first half of 2025, up 6% from 289 in the first half of 2024.
- DMB’s Verrado in Buckeye ranked No. 48 with 184 sales.
- El Dorado’s Bella Vista Farms in San Tan Valley ranked No. 50 with 183 sales.
For one state to place three communities is notable. The last time more than three Arizona MPCs were in the top 50 was 2019, when eight metro communities made the list. Since then, many sold out.
Verrado: Next 12 Months and Retail Momentum
Verrado is also expanding supply. The Buckeye master-planned community is on pace to bring more than 1,000 additional lots within the next 12 months.
Spanning 8,800 acres with capacity for 12,500 homes at buildout, Verrado has 7,800 homes completed. It now has five commercial districts with more than 50 merchants across groceries, dining, shopping, arts, and entertainment. “Most recently, we celebrated the grand opening of Sunrise Market just off Main Street,” Kelly said. “This expanded offering has become a popular gathering space in the heart of Verrado, strengthening the walkable downtown our residents are drawn to.” DMB’s $125 million Verrado Marketplace is slated to open in 2026 with more than 500,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment.San Tan Valley: Bella Vista Farms and Silver Cross Ranch
In San Tan Valley, Bella Vista Farms made the RCLCO list for the first time with 183 sales in the first half of 2025. In April 2024, El Dorado sold 447 lots to homebuilders at the $2.1 billion project, with more than 750 acres still to develop within the 1,500-acre community. El Dorado is also developing Silver Cross Ranch, planned for 1,195 homes on 389 acres. In January, the developer sold 129 lots to Brightland Homes for $2.79 million, 110 lots to William Ryan Homes for $2.6 million, and 124 lots to Century Communities for $2.7 million, according to Vizzda.
Context for Buyers and Sellers in Phoenix, AZ Real Estate
Even with a softening backdrop, builders aren’t pausing. Incentives and buydowns are doing the heavy lifting. That matters if you want a new build home in Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale, Buckeye, Apache Junction, or San Tan Valley. For buyers, choice plus concessions can offset rate pressure. For sellers, new construction remains a real competitor in certain price bands and submarkets.
Before You Sign
Compare HOA structures, taxes, schools, commute lines, build timelines, lot premiums, and the builder’s true total cost (closing fees, options, landscaping, appliances, and any rate buydowns).
Bring Your Own Representation
New-build sales reps work for the builder. They can be charming and helpful but they DO NOT represent you. They work for the builder. New construction is not resale—contracts, warranties, inspections and timelines are VERY different and are geared towards helping the builder, not you. Don’t go in blind. Call me today for my custom new build guide.
How New Construction Buyer's Agent Compensation Works
In most cases, the builder—not you—compensates me (as your agent/REALTOR) IF I register you BEFORE or ON your FIRST visit to the community. If you tour alone first, the builder WILL NOT allow you to have representation.
Next Step
Reach out to get my custom new-construction buying guide and a clear plan for your target area.
Contact: Contact Andrea Today! Click Here!
Moving to Arizona soon or wondering what it's like living in Phoenix? 🌵
Looking to buy or sell real estate in the greater Phoenix area? 🏡
REACH OUT!
As a Phoenix native and top, Arizona REALTOR®, from luxury to entry level, I love chatting the market with you. ☺️
Thank you.
📲 602-326-1098
🌎 Azandrea.Com
Andrea Scheppe
Homesmart Elite, Valley Solutions Team
