Additional 2025 rankings from U.S. News & World Report, summarized by Florida for Boomers, highlight several Florida metros among the Best Cities to Retire, including Sarasota (#4), Jacksonville (#7), Tampa (#18), and Fort Myers (#24). These locations continue to attract both full-time and seasonal home buyers seeking lifestyle-driven communities. 

For luxury buyers, these trends have a direct implication: time is now a defining advantage. With elevated demand and limited inventory in desirable areas, a Move-In-Ready home provides immediate access to the Florida lifestyle without navigating construction timelines or availability constraints. 

AR Homes® builders across the state continue to deliver homes that meet this need. From the Emerald Coast to Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Northeast Florida, and Southwest Florida, Move-In-Ready opportunities give buyers a clear path to making Florida their home. Each home reflects the craftsmanship, design standards, and level of finish expected in the luxury market, giving buyers a way to secure a newly constructed home while avoiding the wait associated with building. 

Check out these featured Move-In-Ready Homes available now in top-ranked Florida markets:  

Sarasota: 

• Talise at Wild Blue 

• 3 beds · 3.5 baths · 3,222 sq ft 

• Home Details: vaulted ceilings with decorative beams, 90-degree sliding glass doors, large island kitchen with walk-in pantry, private owner’s suite, expanded lanai and cabana 

St. Augustine / Jacksonville: 

• Solera Model at Madeira 

• 4 beds, 4.5 baths, 4,310 sq ft. 

• Home Details: two-story foyer, vaulted ceiling, walls of sliding glass, first-floor owner’s suite, bonus room and loft with wet bars 

Tampa: 

• Custom Home at Southern Hills Plantation 

• 4 beds, 3 baths, 2,749 sq ft  

• Home Details: recessed ceilings, pocket sliding doors, Monogram appliances, walk-in pantry, quartz countertops, designer tile and finishes 

• Custom Aberdeen at Southern Hills Plantation 

• 4 beds, 3 baths, 2,749 sq ft. 

• Home Details: open living design, large island kitchen, luxury owner’s suite, covered outdoor living, upgraded finishes 

Fort Myers: 

• Tesoro Model at San Lorenzo 

• 3 beds, 4 baths, 4,410 sq ft.  

• Home Details: fully furnished interior, soaring ceilings, VIP suite with private entry, den, outdoor kitchen, pool and spa overlooking the lake 

• Costa Rio Model at Messina 

• 3 beds, 3.5 baths, 3,598 sq ft. 

• Home Details: pocket sliding doors, upstairs bonus room with balcony, private owner’s suite, guest suites plus den 

These Move-In-Ready homes offer certainty, immediacy, and the ability to step into a completed home designed with the same attention to detail found across the AR Homes® network. 

To see additional Move-In-Ready opportunities across Florida, explore the full collection here.  

The post Why Move-In-Ready Homes Matter in Florida’s Fast-Growing Luxury Market  appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.

The Builder’s Daily feature reinforces the AR Theatre as an innovative resource for customers exploring AR Homes® plans and for sales teams supporting buyers in locations where viewing a model home may not be immediately possible. 

Read the full article in The Builder’s Daily. 

The first in-market AR Theatre is open now and located within Tesoro Club in Port St. Lucie. To learn more and schedule an appointment to view the AR Theatre to inspire your custom home journey, click here.  

The post AR Theatre Featured in The Builder’s Daily for Advancing the Luxury Homebuyer Experience   appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.

A home’s first impression begins long before one steps inside. The front door sets the tone, its scale, material, and craftsmanship offering a preview of the experience within. Once an exercise in grandeur and ornamentation, luxury entryways have evolved into architectural statements defined by restraint, proportion, and material integrity. 

Today, design is less about excess and more about precision. The most compelling doors do not compete for attention; they command it through composition. This evolution reflects a larger shift in luxury design, from traditional opulence to refined simplicity. 

From Ornament to Intent 

In earlier decades, a luxury front door often signified status through elaborate carvings, bold colors, and decorative glass. While these details celebrated craftsmanship, they also anchored homes to a specific era or style. The modern luxury homeowner seeks something more nuanced, an entryway that feels timeless, sculptural, and seamlessly integrated into the architecture. 

AR Homes® designers approach the entry as both an aesthetic and experiential element. Each design considers the approach, the reveal, and the light that greets you at the threshold. Clean lines and measured proportions replace ornate detailing, creating a quiet sense of sophistication. The beauty lies in balance. The door becomes a transition between home and landscape, between privacy and welcome. 

Materials Defining the Next Decade 

Natural wood remains a cornerstone for its warmth and authenticity, yet modern interpretations often pair it with glass, metal, or stone to create contrast and depth.  

Pivot doors anchored by concealed hardware introduce a sense of architectural drama, offering fluid movement and uninterrupted sightlines. Glass inserts, once purely decorative, now serve both structural and emotional purposes. They draw natural light into the entryway and create transparency between indoors and outdoors. 

In many AR Homes® designs, full-glass or grid-pattern doors create luminous transitions from exterior to interior. Others pair solid wood with half-lite glass for a more traditional warmth. Each reflects a deep understanding of proportion, light, and craftsmanship, the hallmarks of architectural longevity.  

Every detail, from grain direction to glazing type, is considered not as decoration but as design. These materials are chosen for longevity as much as beauty, ensuring that today’s statement entryways remain timeless tomorrow. 

Wynhurst – A double arched entry door made of wood with divided-lite glass panels, combining traditional craftsmanship with a classic curved profile. 

Atwater – A pivot door constructed with full-height glass panels, designed to rotate on a central hinge for a modern, streamlined entry. 

Radiance – A modern door featuring a metal frame with a multi-pane grid design and clear glass inserts, offering a clean, contemporary look. 

Designing with Integrity 

The Director of Interior Design at AR Franchising, Inc., Colleen Roach, describes the entry as the home’s first and most intentional moment, noting: 

“The front door of any home sets the tone for what’s inside. It should feel intentional, inviting, and aligned with the story the architecture is telling.”  

The best designs balance visual innovation with contextual sensitivity, creating doors that harmonize with their surroundings rather than overshadow them. 

Our designers curate entryways that elevate curb appeal while maintaining architectural integrity. They consider how a door’s vertical rhythm aligns with window lines, how light filters through adjacent glass panels, and how materials weather gracefully over time. The result is an entry that feels both current and enduring, rooted in craftsmanship and guided by design principles that outlast any single trend. 

A Statement That Endures 

As architectural styles continue to evolve, so does AR Homes®, redefining the meaning of modern luxury with every design. 

Explore our collection of award-winning designs or discover how architectural details can redefine the way your home welcomes you. 

The post Beyond the Threshold: The Evolution of Luxury Front Door Design  appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.

AR Homes® is proud to announce that The Tesoro model by AR Homes® Fort Myers (Lyons Housing, LLC) has received a Grand Award at the 2025 Aurora Awards. Presented by the Florida Home Builders Association in conjunction with the Southeast Building Conference, the Aurora Awards honor excellence in design, marketing, and innovation across the Southeast’s building industry. 

Best Interior Design of a Custom/Spec Home Over $1 Million 
Grand Award Winner: Tesoro Model 

AR Homes® Fort Myers (Lyons Housing, LLC) 

The Tesoro model home was recognized for its elevated design, showcasing intentional choices in layout, material selection, and interior detailing. This award signals more than aesthetic excellence. It represents a custom home designed to support comfort, functionality, and long-term value. The Tesoro reflects the craftsmanship and design continuity that define an AR Homes® custom home. 

Recognized for its award-winning design, the Tesoro model is now available in San Lorenzo at Miromar Lakes. Discover the opportunity to own a home that defines luxury. Learn more. 

The post The Tesoro Model Home Wins Grand Award at the 2025 Aurora Awards  appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.

With a strong legacy of custom homebuilding throughout Florida, the team at CNC Homes, Inc. brings deep industry expertise and a reputation for delivering both large-scale commercial developments and exquisite custom beach homes. With Chuck Neel at the helm, AR Homes® Emerald Coast continues that tradition while focusing on elevating the custom home experience for residents of Okaloosa and Walton counties. 

“We’re excited to welcome Chuck and his family to the AR Homes® network of custom homebuilders,” said Don Whetro, CEO of AR Franchising, Inc. “Chuck’s deep experience, family leadership, and commitment to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction are a perfect match for our brand. His team will be a trusted resource for homebuyers seeking exceptional custom homes along Florida’s Emerald Coast.” 

As owner and operator of AR Homes® Emerald Coast, Chuck Neel leads with a blend of technical expertise and personal dedication. “Joining the AR Homes® network is a pivotal next step for our family business,” said Neel. “We’re proud to bring our clients a higher level of design sophistication, proven plans, and construction excellence, all rooted in the values we’ve built our business on from the beginning.” 

Neel was drawn to AR Homes® not only for its reputation for innovative design and quality, but also because it is a family-founded business. With his sons joining him in the venture, Chuck saw an opportunity to build something enduring—not just for clients, but for his own family. “This isn’t just about homes,” he shared. “It’s about legacy. AR Homes® gives us the platform to create something lasting together, something we can be proud of for generations.” 

Whether you own a homesite or are just beginning your search, AR Homes® Emerald Coast (CNC Homes, Inc.) offers personalized design, transparent communication, and unmatched local insight to help you build the custom home you’ve always imagined. 

Start your custom home journey with Emerald Coast’s trusted builders today: 
www.arhomes.com/builder/cnc-homes-inc 

The post AR Homes® Welcomes New Franchise on Florida’s Emerald Coast  appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.

Located in Tesoro Club, one of Florida’s premier private residential communities, the AR Theatre offers homebuyers and real estate professionals a new way to interact with AR Homes® designs through a fully immersive experience. Visitors step into a state-of-the-art showroom where photorealistic renderings are projected onto three walls, creating a 360-degree environment that showcases various floor plans, finishes, and room layouts in lifelike detail, allowing guests to virtually “walk through” multiple AR Homes® models and home plans without ever stepping inside a traditional physical home. 

This Tesoro Club installation marks the first AR Theatre available in-market, following the successful launch of the original prototype at the AR Homes® headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. 

“We see this as more than a tool – we see it as a catalyst for meaningful change in our industry,” said Don Whetro, CEO of AR Franchising, Inc. “We’re equipping our franchise builders with something powerful: the ability to bring the customer’s dream to life before the foundation is even poured.” 

Tesoro Club was selected as the first community-based location for the AR Theatre because it presents a unique opportunity. In this setting, AR Homes® will not build a traditional brick-and-mortar model, making the AR Theatre the perfect solution to deliver the full design experience without the physical footprint. 

“This experience meets the customer where they are—in the dreaming and decision phase,” said Mitzi Hatori, Chief Marketing Officer of AR Franchising, Inc. “It brings the vision to life in a way that’s tangible, emotional, and memorable. That kind of connection delivers an experience that builds trust and excitement.” 

Powered by touchless, motion-sensing technology, the experience is guided by a sales consultant who can swipe between rooms, showcase unique designs, and move fluidly through models using simple hand gestures. It’s innovative, interactive, and engineered to support faster, more confident decision-making. 

Now Open for Tours – Realtors and Homebuyers Welcome 

Serving custom homebuyers in Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie, The AR Theatre at Tesoro Club is open and available for tours now. Whether you’re a homebuyer beginning your journey or a real estate agent looking to deliver an unforgettable experience to your clients, the AR Theatre offers a glimpse into the future of home buying—today. 

To schedule your appointment, visit https://www.arhomes.com/ar-theatre-vero-beach/.  

The post AR Homes® Unveils Market-First AR Theatre Experience at Tesoro Club  appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.

Best Interior Design of a Custom/Spec Home Over $1 Million 

Tesoro Model by AR Homes® Fort Myers (Lyons Housing, LLC) 

The Tesoro model home features state-of-the-art interior detailing throughout the entirety of the home. The home features layered wood, stone, and custom finishes that add depth and visual interest while preserving a strong sense of flow throughout. From the bold media wall in the great room to the sculptural features in the owner’s bath, every detail was chosen to elevate how the home looks, feels, and functions for everyday living. The Tesoro reflects the level of craftsmanship, planning, and design continuity that defines an AR Homes® custom home. 

This award-winning model home is now available in San Lorenzo at Miromar Lakes. Experience the design, craftsmanship, and comfort AR Homes® is known for while it’s still available. Learn more. 

Recognition in the Aurora Awards reflects the continued commitment to design excellence found in every AR Homes® custom home. 

The post AR Homes® Named Finalist for Interior Design in the 2025 Aurora Awards  appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.

About Avid Ratings and the Awards 

Avid Ratings is a leader in measuring homebuyer satisfaction. Their awards are based on surveys completed after move-in and evaluate areas such as communication, responsiveness, and overall experience. Categories include: 

• AvidCX Cup – Top overall customer experience score in North America 

• Avid Diamond Award – Highest scores nationally in Custom, Production, or Small Volume categories 

• Avid Gold Award – Highest regional scores 

• Avid Benchmark Award – Top 25% of builders nationally 

2025 AR Homes® Avid Award Winners 

AvidCX Cup 

AR Homes® Gainesville (Barry Rutenberg and Associates, Inc.) received the highest recognition from Avid Ratings this year. With more than 50 years in business and over 1,200 custom homes built, their reputation in Gainesville and surrounding areas is built on trust, attention to detail, and a fully integrated design-build approach. This is their third Avid Award and their first time earning this top honor—an outstanding reflection of their consistent service. 

Avid Diamond Award 

AR Homes® Charlotte (Paragon Homes of Charlotte, Inc.) earned the Avid Diamond Award for achieving the top national score in the Custom category. Known for delivering luxury homes across the Charlotte metro area since 2008, they’ve built their reputation on a transparent process and a focus on long-term homeowner relationships. This is their second consecutive Avid Award and first Diamond-level recognition. 

Avid Gold Award 

AR Homes® Punta Gorda (SandStar Homes, LLC) brings more than four decades of experience in Southwest Florida and has earned a loyal following for their personalized service and deep understanding of local market needs. Winning the Avid Gold Award affirms their ability to deliver not only high-quality homes, but also a client experience that is clear, collaborative, and responsive at every stage. This is their fifth Avid Award. 

Avid Benchmark Awards 

AR Homes® Jacksonville (Marcus Allen Homes, Inc.) has earned multiple Avid Awards in recent years, with this year’s Benchmark Award adding to their growing list of honors. With a presence in many of Palm Coast’s most sought-after communities, they are known for quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and a process that prioritizes client goals. This is their fifth Avid Award overall, including three Benchmark recognitions. 

AR Homes® Vero Beach (Beachland Homes Corp.) has quickly earned recognition for their dedication to customer satisfaction. In their first year being recognized by Avid Ratings, they’ve placed among the top 25% of builders nationally—an impressive milestone that reflects the standard of excellence they bring to Vero Beach and surrounding communities. This is their first Avid Award. 

This marks the ninth consecutive year AR Homes® builders have been recognized by Avid Ratings, reinforcing our builders shared commitment to quality, service, and homeowner satisfaction. 

The post AR Homes® Builders Recognized in 22nd Annual Avid Awards  appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.

This milestone reflects Moen’s long-standing commitment to innovation, quality, and service. Selected through survey responses from franchise builders, the AR Homes® Vendor of the Year is awarded to the partner with the highest combined ratings in product quality, service, and model program support. Moen earned top marks for their well-made, durable products that require minimal maintenance, proactive and responsive service, and a model home program that’s easy to request and consistently delivers value. 

As one of our founding vendors, Moen was featured in the very first home built by Arthur Rutenberg and has remained a trusted partner ever since – contributing to the design and functionality of our custom homes for decades. 

“Moen represents what long-term partnership looks like—consistent, innovative, and deeply aligned with our commitment to quality. Their continued contributions are valued across our entire network.” 
—Jason Cassidy, Vice President of Vendor Programs, AR Franchising, Inc. 

We’re proud to celebrate Moen’s ongoing impact and the vital role they play in helping franchisees deliver exceptional homes nationwide. 

To learn more about our vendor partnerships, visit arhomes.com/partners. 

The post Moen Named AR Homes® 2025 Vendor of the Year   appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.

Backed by over a decade of award-winning homebuilding experience, the team at New Leaf Builders is known for delivering finely crafted homes across the Lowcountry. Now entering the true custom home market as AR Homes® Charleston (New Leaf Custom, LLC), they bring local knowledge and client-first values to the AR Homes® network. Homebuyers can expect a seamless, high-touch experience—one that offers personalized design, transparent communication, and access to nationally recognized floor plans and cutting-edge technologies.  

“Awarding this franchise was an easy decision,” said Don Whetro, CEO of AR Franchising, Inc. “Their established position as experts with deep roots in Charleston as well as their alignment with our values of quality and integrity made them a perfect match for AR Homes®. We’re excited to see the impact their team will make as they elevate the custom homebuilding experience in this vibrant region.”  

Founder and CEO Adam Baslow, who leads both New Leaf Builders and AR Homes® Charleston (New Leaf Custom, LLC) noted, “Our years of experience have prepared us to offer exceptional craftsmanship at every stage. We’re thrilled to help clients bring their dream homes to life.” 

Brett Miller, Building Company President, will lead daily operations, bringing his artisan-level attention to detail, industry leadership, and long-standing commitment to customer satisfaction. 

Whether you already own a homesite or need help finding the perfect one, AR Homes® Charleston (New Leaf Custom, LLC) brings unmatched local knowledge, a deep commitment to customer service, and the flexibility to design a truly custom home tailored to your lifestyle and vision. 

Start your custom home journey with Charleston’s local experts today: www.arhomes.com/builder/new-leaf-custom-llc 

The post AR Franchising, Inc. Welcomes New Franchise in Charleston, SC  appeared first on AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg.