New Construction Homes in Richmond Hill, GA | Builders & Communities

Richmond Hill, Georgia, isn’t the same community it was ten years ago. And if you think we’ve already experienced significant growth, wait until you see what’s planned for the next twenty years.

I’ve watched Richmond Hill continue to evolve into one of coastal Georgia’s most desirable places to call home. From established neighborhoods and beautiful waterfront properties to large-scale master-planned communities and custom homes on acreage, buyers have more choices than ever.

I’m Cathleen Barela, a local real estate professional, business owner, and investor. I live in Richmond Hill, and my team and I help buyers navigate everything from traditional new construction to semi-custom and fully custom homes throughout the Savannah area.

Let’s talk about where Richmond Hill has been, where it’s going, and who’s building here.

Richmond Hill’s Growth Over the Past Decade

To understand Richmond Hill’s future, it’s helpful to look at how much the community has already changed.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data and the city’s historical planning documents:

• 2015: Approximately 10,872 residents
• 2020: 16,633 residents
• 2025: Approximately 20,022 residents

That’s approximately 84% population growth over ten years.

What was once a smaller coastal community has developed into a significant residential market within the greater Savannah region.

And the growth hasn’t been limited to housing.

Richmond Hill has seen investments in schools, infrastructure, commercial development, healthcare access, and recreational amenities.

Proximity to Savannah, Hunter Army Airfield, Fort Stewart, Interstate 95, and major regional employers continues to make Richmond Hill attractive to military families, professionals, retirees, and people looking for a coastal Georgia lifestyle.

But here’s what I find especially interesting: Richmond Hill isn’t just expanding outward. We’re seeing communities designed around an entirely different way of living.

The Future of Richmond Hill: More Than 10,000 Homes Planned

One of the most significant developments shaping Richmond Hill’s future is Heartwood, located near the new Interstate 95 Exit 82 at Belfast Keller Road.

Heartwood is a massive master-planned development by Raydient Places + Properties, envisioned as a community where residential neighborhoods, schools, healthcare, employment, shopping, and outdoor recreation come together.

The Heartwood master plan includes development entitlements for:

• 10,600 residential homes
• 3.15 million square feet of commercial space
• 15.8 million square feet of industrial space

These numbers represent long-term development capacity, not homes already permitted or guaranteed to be constructed.

Heartwood is expected to develop over multiple decades, with residential neighborhoods and commercial amenities arriving in phases.

For buyers considering Richmond Hill, this is significant.

We’re not simply talking about another subdivision. We’re talking about an evolving area that could substantially influence the future of the community.

Of course, growth also raises important questions about traffic, infrastructure, school capacity, construction activity, and long-term property values.

Those are conversations worth having before you purchase.

Heartwood: A New Chapter for Richmond Hill

Heartwood is already attracting attention from buyers looking for modern homes, neighborhood amenities, and convenient access to Interstate 95.

Current and planned residential neighborhoods include Loblolly, Tupelo, Willis Field, Covey, and future development in the Wayline District.

Several well-known national builders are involved.

Pulte Homes at Heartwood

Pulte Homes offers single-family new construction in Heartwood, including neighborhoods such as Loblolly, Tupelo, and Willis Field.

Pulte is known for offering a variety of floor plans, flexible living spaces, and options designed for modern households.

Buyers may find completed inventory, homes under construction, and opportunities to personalize a home, depending on availability.

Centex Homes at Heartwood

Centex, part of PulteGroup, focuses on practical floor plans and value-oriented new construction.

Its initial homes in Loblolly have sold out, with additional homes planned for Heartwood’s Wayline District in 2027.

For buyers who aren’t relocating immediately, upcoming construction phases may create additional opportunities.

Del Webb Savannah at Heartwood

Richmond Hill is also expanding its options for active adults.

Del Webb Savannah at Heartwood is a 55+ community offering single-family homes and an amenity-focused lifestyle.

The community is planned around opportunities for recreation, wellness, and social connection, with amenities and programming tailored to active-adult living.

For buyers considering retirement or their next chapter, this is an important addition to the Richmond Hill housing market.

Toll Brothers at Heartwood

Luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers is scheduled to enter Heartwood in spring 2027.

Its planned Covey neighborhood will feature single-family homes on larger wooded homesites.

This brings another housing option to buyers seeking more space, distinctive architecture, and a higher-end new construction experience.

Waterways: Coastal Living and Custom Construction

If you’re looking for a community that embraces the natural beauty of coastal Georgia, Waterways deserves your attention.

Waterways is a gated, master-planned community in Richmond Hill known for its lagoons, waterways, trails, marina access, and outdoor lifestyle.

What I particularly appreciate about Waterways is the variety of homes and building opportunities.

Buyers can explore production new construction, larger homesites, and custom building options.

Pulte Homes at Waterways

Pulte offers new construction within Waterways, with established floor plans and available homesites.

This can be an appealing option for buyers who want the Waterways lifestyle without navigating every detail of a fully custom construction project.

Custom Builders at Waterways

For buyers interested in a more personalized home, Waterways maintains a list of approved builders.

A couple of those builders include:

Howard Premier Homes: A luxury custom builder offering personalized residential construction, with an emphasis on design and craftsmanship.

Fabré Custom Homes: Known for custom construction, architectural details, and owner involvement throughout the building process.

Waterways offers a compelling opportunity for buyers who want a beautiful community while retaining the flexibility to create something more individualized.

Other New Construction Communities in Richmond Hill

Heartwood and Waterways may be two of the most recognizable names, but they certainly aren’t the only options.

McAllister Pointe — Smith Family Homes

Smith Family Homes is a locally based, family-owned builder offering new construction in McAllister Pointe.

The community features one- and two-story floor plans, with options for larger households, flexible living spaces, and modern finishes.

Community amenities include a pool, playground, picnic area, and bocce ball court.

Buyers may choose from available homes or explore building from the ground up, depending on inventory and homesite availability.

Smith Family Homes also operates a design center in Richmond Hill, providing opportunities to personalize selections.

Wexford — Ernest Homes and Landmark 24 Homes

Wexford is another Richmond Hill community offering new construction opportunities.

Ernest Homes and Landmark 24 Homes have both been associated with new-home offerings in Wexford.

These builders offer a range of single-family floor plans, making Wexford worth comparing for buyers who want modern construction within an established residential setting.

Ernest Homes also offers new construction in Dunham Marsh – The Villas.

Because builder inventory and construction phases change, we can help verify which builder has homes available at the time you’re ready to purchase.

Camellia Row — Lennar

Lennar offers new construction in Camellia Row, a Richmond Hill neighborhood with convenient access to Interstate 95.

The community features single-family homes and amenities such as a trail, playground, and picnic area.

Lennar is known nationally for its Everything’s Included approach, which incorporates many popular features into its home offerings, although inclusions vary by community and floor plan.

The Harbor — D.R. Horton

D.R. Horton has new-home offerings listed at The Harbor in Richmond Hill.

The Harbor represents another option for buyers considering larger homes and a higher price point.

As with any new development, available inventory, construction phases, and pricing should be confirmed before making purchasing decisions.

More Homebuilders Serving Richmond Hill and Coastal Georgia

In addition to the builders associated with specific communities, Richmond Hill buyers have access to a variety of regional and custom builders.

Michael Roberts Custom Homes: A Richmond Hill-based custom builder serving buyers seeking a personalized construction experience.

Singleton Custom Homes: Offers custom residential construction throughout Richmond Hill, Savannah, and surrounding coastal communities.

Endeavor Homes: A local custom builder offering residential construction and assistance with planning and finish selections.

Cornerstone Homes: Builds custom and semi-custom homes in the Richmond Hill area.

Bedford Falls Builders: A Richmond Hill-based construction company offering custom residential building and related construction services.

Tidal Construction: A local builder associated with custom residential construction in coastal Georgia.

Mungo Homes: A regional homebuilder expanding its presence across the greater Savannah market, with communities in surrounding areas including Effingham and Bulloch counties. Although Mungo is worth knowing about, its currently advertised communities should not be confused with confirmed active developments inside Richmond Hill.

Horizon Home Builders: Offers new construction in the greater Richmond Hill market, including townhome opportunities at Ogeechee Station.

There are also additional custom and build-on-your-lot contractors serving Bryan County, including builders whose available projects may not appear in traditional subdivision searches.

This is why working with a knowledgeable local real estate team can be so valuable. Not every new construction opportunity is marketed the same way.

Should You Buy a Move-In-Ready Home or Build From the Ground Up?

This depends on your priorities.

If you’re relocating on military orders, moving for employment, or simply ready for a change, a completed or nearly completed home may make the most sense.

Builders sometimes offer competitive incentives on available inventory, including closing cost assistance, interest rate buydowns, and upgrades.

If you have more flexibility, selecting a homesite and building from the ground up can provide greater control over your floor plan and finishes.

And if you’ve dreamed of a custom home on acreage, we can help you evaluate land, connect with builders, and navigate the additional considerations involved in building outside a traditional subdivision.

We work with buyers using conventional, FHA, and VA financing, subject to property and lender requirements.

What Does Richmond Hill’s Growth Mean for Property Values?

It’s natural to wonder whether buying in a growing community is a smart long-term investment.

Population growth, expanding employment opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and new amenities can support housing demand.

But growth alone does not guarantee appreciation.

New construction inventory, interest rates, competition between builders, future development, property taxes, insurance costs, and neighborhood-specific demand all influence real estate values.

I encourage buyers to look beyond today’s purchase price.

Consider the location, lot, builder, floor plan, community fees, construction quality, resale competition, and long-term ownership costs.

The right purchase is one that supports both your lifestyle and your financial goals.

Why Work With Our Team When Purchasing New Construction?

Whether you’re considering Heartwood, Waterways, McAllister Pointe, Wexford, or building on your own land, having experienced representation matters.

The sales representative in a builder’s model home typically represents the builder.

Our role is to represent your interests.

We can help you compare builders, evaluate available incentives, understand contract terms, coordinate inspections, review financing options, and navigate construction timelines.

We also have relationships with builders throughout the region, including those offering semi-custom and fully custom construction.

And because I live in Richmond Hill, this isn’t simply another market I work in. It’s my community.

I care about how it grows, how it changes, and the opportunities it creates for the people who choose to call it home.

Thinking About Building or Buying in Richmond Hill?

Richmond Hill has changed dramatically over the past decade, and the next chapter is already underway.

Whether you’re looking for an available new construction home, researching Heartwood, exploring the coastal lifestyle in Waterways, or considering a custom home on acreage, I’d love to help you understand your options.

You don’t need to know which builder you want or even which community is the right fit.

That’s where we come in.

Let’s start with your vision, your timeline, and your budget. Then we’ll explore what’s possible.

Cathleen Barela | Richmond Hill & Savannah, GA Real Estate

New Construction • Custom Homes • Military Relocation • Luxury Real Estate

Contact our team to explore available homes, upcoming communities, builder incentives, and custom construction opportunities in Richmond Hill, Georgia.

 

 

Who Is the Best Real Estate Agent for New Construction Homes in Richmond Hill, GA? Homebuyers in Richmond Hill, GA are increasingly drawn to new construction as the area continues to grow. Many need help understanding available communities, builder options, and how to make the right decisions during the building process. Barela Real Estate Group brings strong local knowledge and a strategy-first approach to new construction in Richmond Hill. The business helps buyers evaluate different builders, compare resale versus new construction, and choose communities that align with their long-term goals. Clients are guided through lot selection, contract review, upgrade decisions, and construction timelines. The focus is on helping buyers avoid costly mistakes and fully understand what they are committing to. Throughout the process, the team provides clear direction and steady communication, ensuring buyers feel confident in every decision they make. For buyers exploring new construction in Richmond Hill, GA, Barela Real Estate Group provides local expertise and structured support throughout the process.