Best Active Adult Resort Home Builders
Customer Ratings of Top 55+ Builders in the 2025 America's Most Trusted Study
When it comes to purchasing a new home, particularly for those in the 55+ age group, choosing the right home builder is a decision that extends beyond just aesthetics or location. The builder’s reputation, the quality of their craftsmanship, and the reliability of their homes are paramount. For consumers seeking a new home in an active adult community, the builder's specific features—such as energy-efficient designs, low-maintenance materials, and thoughtfully crafted floor plans—hold significant value. These features not only impact daily comfort and long-term savings but also shape the overall living experience. In this market, where many buyers are looking for both practicality and leisure, the builder’s offerings are crucial in ensuring that their new home aligns with their lifestyle aspirations.
However, it’s not just the physical features of a home that influence a buyer’s decision. Brand trust plays an equally vital role, especially in the context of active adult communities. For many consumers, a home is one of the largest investments of their lifetime, and trust in the builder’s brand can significantly sway purchasing decisions. Buyers often seek brands with a proven track record of reliability, transparent communication, and post-purchase support. The emotional connection to a trusted brand can provide peace of mind, knowing that their new home is built to last and that the builder will stand behind their product. In a market where buyers are not just purchasing a house but investing in a future, this trust becomes the foundation for making informed and confident choices.
To explore the importance of brand trust in this unique real estate sector, we turn to the findings of America’s Most Trusted® study.
The 2025 America’s Most Trusted Study
The America’s Most Trusted® study started over 13 years ago with a simple goal: to understand how trust influences what consumers buy. Since then, it has become a go-to resource for measuring brand trust, with people eagerly anticipating the updated results released every January.
The Lifestory Research ratings, reviews, and awards come from surveys, capturing real people’s opinions and trust ratings. These surveys follow strict standards to ensure the results reflect the views of homebuyers, the study’s target audience. Unlike other research, this study doesn’t rely on third-party reviews, industry experts, or editorial committees. Instead, it’s all based on the feedback of people who independently participate in the America’s Most Trusted® research.
At its core, the America’s Most Trusted® Home Builder study answers one important question: which home builders do people trust the most?
2025 America’s Most Trusted Active Adult Resort Builder
The Lifestory Research 2025 study on America’s Most Trusted® Active Adult Resort Builder has identified Trilogy by Shea Homes as the most trusted brand for people looking to buy a home in a 55-plus active adult community. With a Net Trust Quotient Score of 108.2, Trilogy by Shea Homes topped the rankings, earning the highest level of trust among leading brands in the active adult housing market.
This ranking is based on feedback from 19,781 people across the U.S. who were surveyed over the past year. These individuals were actively looking for a new home within a 55+ community, making their opinions highly relevant to anyone considering a similar move.
For the 13th consecutive year, Trilogy by Shea Homes has claimed the top spot in the America’s Most Trusted® Active Adult Resort Builder study, a record that no other builder has matched. Other top brands in the 55+ community space include Four Seasons by K. Hovnanian, Toll Brothers, Del Webb, Esplanade by Taylor Morrison, Lennar, and The Villages of Florida.
The full list of the top 55+ brands ranked in the 2025 study are shown below.
TOP 7 Ranked Active Adult Resort Builders – 2025 Consumer Ratings
| 1 | Trilogy by Shea Homes | 108.2 | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Four Seasons by K. Hovnanian | 106.5 | ☆☆☆☆ |
| 3 | Toll Brothers | 106.4 | ☆☆☆☆ |
| 4 | Del Webb | 104.6 | ☆☆☆ |
| 5 | Esplanade by Taylor Morrison | 103.6 | ☆☆☆ |
| 6 | Lennar | 99.5 | ☆☆ |
| 7 | The Villages of Florida | 95.6 | ☆☆ |
No promotional use or advertising can be made of America's Most Trusted® survey results without the express prior written consent of Lifestory Research. America's Most Trusted® is a registered trademark of Lifestory with all rights reserved. Study results are based on survey responses and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Your experiences may vary.
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Brands Ranked in Study
The Lifestory Research America’s Most Trusted® research study actively surveys new home shoppers searching for an age qualified (i.e., 55 plus, active adult) community throughout the year in the largest housing markets in the United States. The study is focused on measuring consumers' opinions of the largest active adult builders operating in each of the markets in the study. In the study, consumers rate the quality of the 55 plus home builder, their likelihood to recommend the active adult builder, how favorable they feel about the age qualified builder, how they rate their reputation, positive and negative comments they have heard about the active adult builder, and trust in the 55+ builder.
The annual America’s Most Trusted® study ranks the largest active adult home builders in the United States based on the thousands of consumers who rated their trust in the home 55 plus builder. While the study collects ratings on many age-qualified builders, the America’s Most Trusted® ranking only examines the brands most recognized by shoppers. The national ranking includes only active adult brands operating in multiple housing markets. Active adult brands that have a single retirement community or only have communities in a single housing market are typically excluded from the national rankings.
Here, we provide information on the age-qualified builders in the 2025 America’s Most Trusted® study. The active adult builders are presented in the order they ranked in the 2025 America’s Most Trusted® Home Builder study.
Trilogy by Shea Homes
Trilogy is a brand of 55+ active lifestyle communities developed by Shea Homes, an American homebuilding company. Headquartered in Walnut, California, Shea Homes was founded in 1968. Trilogy communities are designed for residents aged 55 and older, offering amenities and activities to support an active and social lifestyle. Trilogy by Shea Homes has been rated as the most trusted active adult resort home builder for 13 consecutive years (2013-2025), an achievement unmatched in any of the America’s Most Trusted studies. Trilogy has communities across the United States, concentrating in Arizona (Phoenix), California, Idaho (Boise), Washington (Seattle), Nevada (Las Vegas), North Carolina (Charlotte), Florida (Orlando), and Virginia. Trilogy locations include Trilogy at Encanterra, Trilogy at Bickford Ranch, Trilogy at Lake Frederick, Trilogy at Lake Norman, Trilogy at Polo Club, Trilogy Valor, and Trilogy at Wickenburg Ranch.
Four Seasons by K. Hovnanian
Four Seasons is a brand of active lifestyle communities developed by K. Hovnanian Homes, an American homebuilding company. Headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey, K. Hovnanian was founded in 1959. Four Seasons communities are designed for residents aged 55 and older, featuring amenities and services to support an active retirement lifestyle. Four Seasons by K. Hovnanian communities are active adult (55+) developments located in various states, offering homes designed for an active lifestyle. Some of the key locations include New Jersey (e.g., Four Seasons at South Brunswick and Four Seasons at Mirage), Delaware (e.g., Four Seasons at Belle Terre), Florida (e.g., Four Seasons at Orlando), Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. These communities feature a range of home styles and amenities like golf courses, clubhouses, and recreational facilities, catering to retirees and active adults seeking a low-maintenance, enjoyable living environment.
Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers is a luxury homebuilding company based in Horsham, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1967, Toll Brothers is known for constructing upscale residential communities and custom homes. While not exclusively focused on the 55-plus demographic, Toll Brothers offers a variety of home designs to suit different preferences and lifestyles. Toll Brothers offers active adult (55+) communities in several states, focusing on locations ideal for retirees and older adults. Some key markets include New Jersey (e.g., The Hills at Tinton Falls), Pennsylvania (e.g., Regency at Yardley), Florida (e.g., St. Lucie West), Delaware (e.g., The Peninsula), Virginia (e.g., Regency at Ashburn), and Nevada (e.g., Summerlin in Las Vegas). These communities feature a variety of home styles and resort-style amenities such as golf courses, fitness centers, and social activities, catering to an active, low-maintenance lifestyle.
Del Webb
Del Webb is a brand of active adult communities that was acquired by PulteGroup, an American homebuilding company. PulteGroup, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1950. Del Webb communities, which originated in 1960, cater to residents aged 55 and older, offering a range of amenities and social activities. There are about 60 Del Webb communities open for sale in 20 states. Del Webb originally used the brand name of Sun City to signify the large scale active adult developments. Today, PulteGroup offers many active adult communities, of which many use the brand name of Del Webb to convey the active adult offering.
Del Webb operates active adult communities in a range of locations across the United States, providing options for retirees in both urban and suburban areas. In Arizona, communities are located in Phoenix and Tucson. In California, Del Webb offers options in the Bay Area, Palm Springs, and Riverside County. Colorado has a community near Denver. Florida locations include Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Naples, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, and the Treasure Coast. In Georgia, Del Webb operates communities in Atlanta and Savannah. The company also has locations in Illinois (Chicago area), Indiana (Indianapolis), Maryland (DC Metro and Baltimore), Massachusetts (Greater Boston), Michigan (Detroit), and Minnesota (Minneapolis). Nevada has communities in Las Vegas and Mesquite. New Jersey's communities are in the Newark area. North Carolina has locations in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington. Ohio communities are in Columbus and Cleveland, and Pennsylvania has a community near Philadelphia. South Carolina offers communities in Charleston, Greenville, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach. Tennessee has a location in Nashville, while Texas has communities in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Finally, Virginia offers active adult communities in Northern Virginia. These locations provide access to a range of amenities and are designed for retirees seeking an active lifestyle.
Esplanade by Taylor Morrison
Esplanade is a brand of age-qualified communities developed by Taylor Morrison, an American homebuilding company. Taylor Morrison, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, was founded in 2007. Esplanade communities are tailored for residents aged 55 and older, providing a range of amenities and recreational facilities. Esplanade by Taylor Morrison currently has active adult communities in California, Florida, and North Carolina.
Lennar
Lennar Corporation is an American homebuilding company headquartered in Miami, Florida. Founded in 1954, Lennar is one of the largest homebuilders in the United States. While not exclusively focused on the 55-plus demographic, Lennar offers a variety of home designs across different types of communities to meet various lifestyle preferences. Lennar has many age-qualified 55+ communities throughout the US.
The Villages of Florida
The Villages is a large retirement community in Florida. Developed by The Villages, Inc., this community is unique because it is a self-contained town designed for active senior living. The Villages is located in Central Florida and spans three counties – Marion County in the north, Sumter County in the southwest, and Lake County in the east. It's one of the world's largest 55+ communities, with over 50,000 homes and many squares. It's a master-planned, age-restricted community about an hour north of Orlando. The Villages offers a wide range of amenities, recreational activities, and services within its boundaries, creating a vibrant and inclusive environment for residents aged 55 and older.
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Foundational Principles
At Lifestory Research, we pride ourselves on being an independent research company committed to delivering unbiased and accurate insights into consumer behavior. Unlike many studies that lean on expert opinions or committees, our approach is rooted firmly in the voices of consumers themselves. This commitment ensures that our findings seek to reflect public sentiment.
By prioritizing consumer opinions, we effectively eliminate the biases that can come from personal agendas or industry affiliations. Our research methodology captures a wide array of perspectives, allowing our results to be representative of the broader population.
Core Principles of Quality Research
We uphold several foundational principles that define top-tier consumer research:
Reliability: We ensure our research consistently produces accurate results.
Validity: Our methods guarantee we measure what we intend to measure.
Objectivity: We take great care to avoid bias throughout the research process.
Generalizability: Our findings can be applied to the larger population.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Lifestory Research adheres to these principles through a series of rigorous practices:
Rigorous Sampling Methods: We carefully select representative samples to generalize our findings to the broader population.
Standardized Survey Instruments: These ensure consistency and reliability in data collection.
Quality Control Measures: Our team meticulously reviews and analyzes data to identify and rectify inconsistencies.
Ethical Standards: We prioritize the well-being of our participants and uphold their privacy throughout the research process.
When you explore our findings, you can trust that they are grounded in the authentic opinions of real people. This dedication to integrity makes our research a valuable resource for businesses and consumers.
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Rating Methodology
What Is the America’s Most Trusted® Study?
The America’s Most Trusted® study focuses on evaluating brands that offer products or services to consumers in their homes, particularly in the residential new home industry. Instead of attempting to survey every brand, the study specifically targets the largest and most impactful brands in this sector.
How Does the Survey Work?
Conducted throughout the year, the America’s Most Trusted® survey aims to gather consumer opinions while minimizing biases that might arise from external events or trends. This year-long approach helps capture a more accurate snapshot of consumer sentiments.
Participants are surveyed based on specific criteria, such as whether they are actively considering a purchase in a relevant category—like buying a home, faucet, HVAC. Only those who express familiarity with a brand are invited to share their opinions on its trustworthiness, ensuring that the study reflects genuine consumer insights.
The Importance of Brand Awareness
An essential component of the study is brand awareness. Participants are first asked to identify brands they recognize. Only those who are familiar with a brand proceed to answer questions about it. This criterion ensures that only brands with sufficient public recognition are included in the final trust rankings.
Sampling Methodology
The study employs a non-probability sampling design, relying on online panels to recruit participants. Online panels are organizations that have an established relationship with consumers who agree to complete opinion surveys. Lifestory randomly ask consumers questions that identify consumers shopping for a specific product. Qualified consumers complete an online survey in which they are asked a set of questions about specific product brands.
The number of people completing a survey is referred to as the sample size. Each of the America’s Most Trusted studies seek to obtain a sample size that is large enough to be representative. The sample size is also designed to collect a large number of consumer opinions to minimize error and to assure the study results reflect the majority of consumers sentiment about a brand.
Calculating Trust Scores
At the heart of the America’s Most Trusted® study is the Net Trust Quotient Score. Participants evaluate brands based on their trustworthiness through a series of targeted questions. The responses are then categorized into three groups:
Advocates: Consumers who express strong trust in the brand.
Neutrals: Those who trust the brand but do not consider it superior to others.
Antagonists: Consumers with little to no trust in the brand.
These evaluations are quantified using a statistical method called a z-score, which standardizes the responses, allowing for easy comparison across brands. The results are ultimately transformed into T scores, which are more intuitive for understanding how each brand ranks relative to the mean score of all brands surveyed.
Additional information about the study can be found on the survey methodology page of this website.
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Active adult communities today are designed to cater to retirees and those aged 55 and older, offering a range of features aimed at promoting a fulfilling and social lifestyle. These communities typically include the following:
Age Restrictions: Residents must generally be 55 or older, with a certain percentage of homes reserved for this age group. This creates a community of like-minded individuals at similar life stages.
Low-Maintenance Homes: Homes in active adult communities are often single-story or smaller in size, reducing maintenance needs. These homes may feature open floor plans, energy-efficient designs, and outdoor spaces that are easy to care for.
Clubhouses: A central gathering place for social events, fitness programs, and meetings. Many clubhouses feature amenities such as game rooms, lounges, and spaces for classes or workshops.
Fitness and Wellness Centers: Many communities have fully equipped fitness centers, offering exercise equipment, swimming pools, and group fitness classes like yoga or aerobics. These spaces are designed to promote health and well-being.
Recreational Facilities: Common amenities include walking and biking trails, golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, and community gardens. These activities encourage an active lifestyle and help residents stay physically fit.
Social Events and Clubs: Active adult communities often offer a wide variety of organized activities and clubs for residents, such as book clubs, gardening groups, and hobby workshops. Social events, outings, and seasonal celebrations help foster a strong sense of community.
Security and Safety: Gated entrances, security patrols, and 24/7 surveillance are common features to ensure a safe environment. Many communities also offer low-speed streets and pedestrian-friendly designs.
On-Site Services: Some communities provide convenient services like housekeeping, lawn care, and maintenance, allowing residents to focus on enjoying their retirement without worrying about home upkeep.
Proximity to Amenities: Active adult communities are often located near essential services such as medical facilities, shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment options. This provides convenience while maintaining a peaceful living environment.
Transportation: Some communities offer shuttle services or have easily accessible public transportation options, especially if the community is located in an urban or suburban area.
Pet-Friendly Policies: Many active adult communities are pet-friendly, allowing residents to bring their pets with them and enjoy designated dog parks or walking areas.
These features are designed to provide a balanced lifestyle with a focus on social interaction, health, and convenience, offering retirees a vibrant and independent living environment.
Additional insights and questions about the America’s Most Trusted® study can be found in the frequently asked questions section of this website.