Disney's Cotino: Comparing Davidson Communities with Other Builders

I'm sure by now you have seen the recent email from Disney regarding Davidson Communities' home designs. Davidson will be releasing their Grand Collection homes in Longtable Park (the 55+ area) and in the multi-generational section of Cotino.

 

You might be wondering, as I am, about the differences between Davidson Communities as a builder versus Shea Homes or Woodbridge Pacific Group. My approach is to rely on the data available to us, minimizing speculation. However, there will be a bit of speculation since it remains to be seen what the homes will actually be like.

 

Shea Homes released their Grand Collection homes starting in the low $2 millions. Woodbridge Pacific Group has announced their Estate Collection homes will be released in the mid $2 millions. Why is Davidson Communities releasing their Grand Collection homes in the mid $2 millions? This pricing is higher than Shea Homes' Grand Collection and seems to be on par with Woodbridge Pacific Group's Estate homes. To preface, I'd like to say that whichever choice you make, you really can't go wrong with any of these builders. However, the difference in pricing warrants a closer look.

 

Davidson describes themselves as a boutique builder, emphasizing their commitment to providing homeowners with the flexibility to personalize their homes through a wide array of options and upgrades. This leads me to believe their homes will offer more customization and include higher-end finishes. For example, in the kitchen, I anticipate options for premium appliances such as Wolf or Viking, rather than the current standard choice of JennAir. I believe finishes such as this will set their homes apart and justify the increased price point.

 

Based on my firsthand experience with the buyers I have assisted at Shea Homes' Grand Collection, where the additions of detached casitas typically push the price to around $2.5 million, I expect Davidson's Grand homes to start in the low $3 millions once similar options are added. I anticipate Davidson Communities will release their Estate Collection in the range of $4-5$ million.

 

My goal with this article is to help you navigate the different collections offered by Disney. I understand that Disney might not outright state that one product is superior to another. By providing you with this information, I hope to assist you in determining which builder and price point best suit your family's needs.