Understanding how many new home communities are actively selling can give buyers an early sense of how much choice they might have in their search. More communities often means more floor plans, more price points, and more neighborhoods to consider. As 2026 gets underway, the national picture shows modest but meaningful growth, with a few standout markets leading the way.
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A Gradual National Rise in New Home Options
January 2026 wrapped up with just over 17,000 actively selling new home communities nationwide, up slightly from the year before. While still below pre pandemic levels, this increase suggests that more builders are bringing new neighborhoods to market and expanding opportunities for home shoppers.
For families who felt limited by low inventory over the past few years, even modest growth can make a noticeable difference. It means more chances to compare homes, explore different parts of town, and find the right fit without feeling rushed.
But while the national trend is steady, the real story lies in how individual markets are shifting.
Markets Seeing the Biggest Growth
Several metros across the country posted impressive jumps in their number of selling communities. These increases highlight where buyers may find expanding choices and fresh development activity.
San Diego topped the list with a significant year-over-year gain. Although San Diego still sits far below its 2019 levels, the recent increase suggests a slow rebuilding of inventory in a market known for tight supply.
See also: From Atlanta to San Diego: 14 Cities Where First-Time Buyers Can Still Break Into the Market
Greenville, SC, came next, posting strong growth while nearly matching its pre pandemic community count. The area continues to attract both local and out-of-state buyers looking for affordability, paired with a growing job market.
See also: 5 Reasons South Carolina Is Becoming One of the Hottest Housing Markets in America
Greensboro also showed steady progress. Its community count jumped compared to last year and now aligns with its pre-pandemic normal. For buyers, this signals a stable market with more choices returning.
Rounding out the top five were Sarasota and Stockton. Both metros saw double digit increases and, unlike the others, now exceed their 2019 community counts. This means buyers today may actually have more options than they did before the pandemic housing boom.
What This Means for Buyers in 2026
These shifts in community counts offer helpful clues about the year ahead. Year-over-year gains show where momentum is building right now, while comparisons to 2019 help you understand how today’s options stack up relative to a “typical” market.
If you are home shopping this spring, keep an eye on markets with expanding community counts. More active neighborhoods often mean more competitive pricing, a wider range of home styles, and increased flexibility when it comes to timing. Even if your local market is not on the top five list, the national upward trend suggests that new opportunities could be emerging near you.
As always, staying informed about where development is increasing can make your search smoother and more successful. A growing community count is a small but encouraging sign that more choices are returning to the market in 2026.
The insights in this article were taken from the Zonda Market Ranking published in Zonda's National Outlook.
