Sunrise Hills is a new 1,100 acre community in Brooksville, Florida, where crews broke ground on October 14, 2026 on a plan for nearly 4,000 homes. The developer is Metro Development Group, and three national builders are on the project: DRB Homes, D.R. Horton, and Lennar. The site sits along Cortez Boulevard in Hernando County, close to Interstate 75, Sherman Hills Golf Course, and the Withlacoochee State Trail.
That is a lot of new homes coming to one part of Tampa Bay. Buyers want to know what the homes will cost, what the community will offer, and how soon they can move in. Owners of nearby homes want to know how a project this size could change the local market.
We are grateful to follow new growth around Tampa Bay, and this guide gathers what is public so far. It covers the plan, the location, the sister community called Sandal Key, the Hernando County market, the costs that come with a new build, and the questions we suggest every buyer ask early. Where a fact has not been announced yet, we say so plainly.
What Is Sunrise Hills?
Sunrise Hills is a master planned community on about 1,100 acres in Brooksville, planned for nearly 4,000 homes. Patch reported the groundbreaking on October 14, 2026. The developer says the name nods to Brooksville's reputation as one of the first places in Hernando County to see the sunrise.
The amenities announced so far are a 2.5 acre lagoon, miles of trails, and green space. The entry monument will have silo style features inspired by the Brooksville Silo Project, which gives the front door of the community a local look. The developer's project page also mentions smart home technology and high speed internet. It notes that renderings and amenities are conceptual and may change.
Lisa Gibbings, the developer's vice president of corporate affairs, said the company has listened to buyers and builders who want more than homes. That sums up the plan. The lagoon, the trails, and the open space are meant to be part of daily life, not extras.
Who is building the homes
Three builders are named for Sunrise Hills. Each one has its own floor plans, finishes, and pricing, so buyers will likely see a range of styles in one community.
- DRB Homes: one of the three builders announced for the community.
- D.R. Horton: a national builder that is also named at the sister community, Sandal Key, in an April 2026 developer release.
- Lennar: the third builder announced for Sunrise Hills.
The developer's project page lists new homes and townhomes. That means buyers with different budgets and different stages of life may find something to tour.
What has not been announced yet
As of October 20, 2026, the public sources we reviewed do not list prices, home sizes, floor plans, model home dates, or first closing dates. They also do not say whether the community will carry a community development district assessment. The developer's page offers an interest list for people who want updates.
One more detail is worth a question. An April 2026 developer release described 1,678 single family homes at Sunrise Hills, while the October reports say nearly 4,000 homes in all. The sources do not explain the difference, so ask the sales team how the total breaks down between single family homes and townhomes.
Where Is Sunrise Hills?
The community is on Cortez Boulevard, which is State Road 50, next to Interstate 75 in Brooksville. The reported address area is Sunrise Hills Boulevard and Moonlit Path Road in the 34602 ZIP code. The developer's page says downtown Tampa is about 30 minutes away. That is the developer's own estimate, and real drive times change with traffic, so test the route at the hours you would actually drive it.
The developer's page also points to Weeki Wachee as a nearby draw. Here are the local places named in the announcements.
- Sherman Hills Golf Club: a public 18 hole, par 72 course designed by Ted McAnlis that opened in 1993.
- Withlacoochee State Trail: a paved trail of about 46 miles that runs through Citrus, Hernando, Marion, and Pasco counties. The sources we found do not say how Sunrise Hills will connect to it, so ask about trail access if that matters to you.
- Downtown Brooksville: the historic center of the county seat, where Brooksville Main Street held its first Tangerine Festival in February 2025 with food, live music, and crafts. We could not confirm 2026 dates.
- Interstate 75: the main route toward Tampa to the south and Ocala to the north.
Roads in the area
A state study has looked at widening State Road 50 near the community. It covers the stretch west of I-75 and the stretch between U.S. 98 and U.S. 301. The page we found had no schedule, so there is no confirmed construction date. Growth around the community will likely keep road planning in the news, and it is worth checking with the county before you buy.
How Does Sandal Key Fit In?
Sandal Key is Metro Development Group's second Hernando County community, and the two together cover nearly 2,000 acres and more than 7,200 planned homes. Sandal Key spans 872 acres with more than 3,000 homes planned. Groundbreaking is expected in December 2026, and it will include the company's first lazy river within a lagoon setting.
The company also builds in other Tampa Bay communities, including Mirada, Epperson, Angeline, Southshore Bay, and Seaire. Here is how the two Hernando communities compare on what is public.
Detail | Sunrise Hills | Sandal Key |
|---|---|---|
Location | Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville | Near U.S. 19, Hernando County |
Size | About 1,100 acres | 872 acres |
Planned homes | Nearly 4,000 | More than 3,000 |
Groundbreaking | October 14, 2026 | Expected December 2026 |
Signature feature | 2.5 acre lagoon and trails | Lazy river within a lagoon |
Builders named | DRB Homes, D.R. Horton, Lennar | D.R. Horton and KB Home, per an April 2026 release |
The builder list for Sandal Key comes from the developer's April release, so it may change as the project moves forward.
What Is the Hernando County Market Like Right Now?
Hernando County's median sale price was about $314,000 in September 2026, down 6.1 percent from a year earlier, according to Redfin. Homes took a median of 64 days to sell, up five days from last year, and 337 homes sold in the month, down 4.2 percent.
The Brooksville ZIP code, 34602, tells a similar story. MLS based market data refreshed on October 18, 2026 shows a 12 month median sale price near $299,000, down 1.4 percent. Homes took a median of 87 days to sell in that ZIP, compared with 56 days across the county. New construction made up about 59 percent of sales there, up about eight points from a year earlier.
Where new homes are priced nearby
No Sunrise Hills prices are public. Nearby new communities give a rough guide. An April 2026 report on Hernando growth said new build base prices were often in the low to mid $300,000s across the county. June 2026 MLS data showed these median sale prices in nearby new home communities.
- Benton Hills: about $316,000.
- Sherman Oaks: about $308,000.
- Sandal Key: about $305,000.
- Trilby Crossing: about $300,000.
These are guides, not quotes. Sunrise Hills could price above or below them once the builders release their plans.
What Will It Cost to Own a Home There?
The price of the home is only part of the monthly picture, so we suggest looking at taxes, community fees, and insurance together. The numbers below are planning figures from 2026 sources, and each buyer should confirm them for a specific address.
Property taxes
One market data source puts the typical combined millage in Hernando County at about 18.64 mills. On a $305,000 home with the $50,000 homestead exemption, that works out to roughly $4,750 a year. The county commission set its maximum rate in July 2026 with a final hearing in September, so the rate may have moved. The Hernando County Property Appraiser can give the exact figure for any parcel.
Community development district fees
Many new Florida communities carry a community development district assessment on the tax bill. It pays for roads, ponds, and shared amenities, and it can last for decades. We found nothing public on whether Sunrise Hills will have one. Ask the builder for the annual amount and the number of years remaining, in writing, before you sign.
Insurance and flood coverage
One 2026 estimate puts the average homeowners premium in Brooksville near $2,040 a year. Roof age, wind features, and construction year can move that number, and a new home often helps. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood. News reports from 2025 said Citizens Property Insurance planned to require flood coverage for most of its policyholders starting in 2027, so it is smart to ask an insurance agent about flood coverage during your inspection period. We did not find a published flood zone map for the Sunrise Hills site, so check FEMA's map for the exact lot.
How Do You Compare a New Build With a Resale Home?
The fairest way to compare is to look at the full monthly cost and the full list of what is included, not just the price on the sign. A new home and a resale home at the same price can feel very different once you add up the details.
What a new build offers
A new home usually has a new roof, new systems, and a floor plan that fits how many families live today. Buyers often choose it to avoid early repairs and to pick their own finishes. Builders may also offer incentives, such as help with closing costs, and the terms change from one community to the next.
What a resale home offers
A resale home may have a larger lot, mature trees, a finished yard, and a fence or pool already in place. It can also be ready sooner, since there is no wait for construction. Depending on the street, a resale home can offer more land for the same money.
Questions that level the comparison
Ask both sides the same set of questions. What is the monthly HOA or district fee? How old are the roof and air conditioner? What does the insurance quote look like? How long until you can move in? What does the lot size give you in the yard? Writing the answers side by side makes the right choice much easier to see, and it keeps the decision calm and clear.
What Should Buyers Do Now?
The best move for an interested buyer is to start asking questions early, while the builders are still setting plans and prices. Lots are expected to reach builders by the end of 2026, according to the developer's April release, which suggests the first homes will take time to build and close.
- Join the interest list on the developer's page so you hear about model homes and price releases first.
- Ask each builder for base prices, lot sizes, and the home sizes they plan to offer.
- Ask for the HOA dues and any community development district amount, in writing.
- Ask what incentives each builder offers and when they end.
- Get a homeowners and flood insurance quote before you choose a plan.
- Compare each new home with resale homes at the same price nearby.
A word on timing
A community of this size is built in phases over several years. That gives buyers time to plan. It also means the first neighborhoods will look different from the finished community, so ask to see the phase map and the schedule for the lagoon and trails.
What Does It Mean for Owners of Nearby Homes?
A new community gives buyers more choice, and that makes a good presentation and a fair price matter even more for nearby sellers. This section is our own reading of the public numbers, not a forecast.
New construction is already a large share of Brooksville sales, and the county median price has softened over the past year. New homes priced from the $300,000s will sit near many existing homes in price. Buyers touring both will compare finishes, ages of roofs and systems, and any builder incentives.
The good news for owners is that a thoughtful plan goes a long way. A clean home, strong photos, a fair price, and clear information about updates help a resale home stand beside a new one. We are honored to talk through that plan with any owner who is curious, whether you are listing now or just watching the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sunrise Hills in Brooksville?
Sunrise Hills is a new master planned community on about 1,100 acres along Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville. Metro Development Group broke ground on October 14, 2026, and plans nearly 4,000 homes.
Who is building homes in Sunrise Hills?
The announced builders are DRB Homes, D.R. Horton, and Lennar. The developer's page lists new homes and townhomes.
How much will homes cost in Sunrise Hills?
Prices have not been announced. New build base prices across Hernando County are often in the low to mid $300,000s, and nearby new communities showed medians from about $300,000 to $316,000 in June 2026.
What amenities are planned?
The announced amenities are a 2.5 acre lagoon, miles of trails, green space, and an entry monument with silo style features. The developer says renderings and amenities may change.
When can people move in?
No first closing date has been published. The developer said in April 2026 that Sunrise Hills would deliver finished lots to builders by the end of 2026, so homes would follow after that.
How far is Sunrise Hills from Tampa?
The developer says downtown Tampa is about 30 minutes away. Drive times vary with traffic, so try the route during the hours you would use it.
What is Sandal Key?
Sandal Key is the developer's second Hernando County community. It covers 872 acres, plans more than 3,000 homes, expects a December 2026 groundbreaking, and will include a lazy river within a lagoon setting.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
New communities are exciting, and they raise good questions for buyers and owners alike. We are honored to help families around Tampa Bay compare their options with clear, honest information.
If you are curious about new construction, thinking about a move, or wondering how new growth could affect your own home, reach out to Rocks Realty. We would be glad to talk through your goals and help you decide with confidence.
