Enhanced Options for Residents as PulteGroup Plans Future Expansion in Polk County
PulteGroup, the third-largest U.S. homebuilder, has entered Polk County, currently constructing homes in the Silverlake community in Lake Alfred. It expects to add more communities to that portfolio in the next year or two.
Bill Pulte started his company with a single home in 1950. Now, after 75 years, Pulte has constructed more than 750,000 homes in more than 40 major cities in 26 states, said Brian Reves, Division Director of Land Acquisition: West Florida Division. It is currently the third-largest homebuilder in the nation.
The PulteGroup envelopes a handful of brands alongside PulteGroup, Inc. A few of these include well-known names such as DiVosta, Centex, American West, and Del Webb.
In Polk, Pulte is currently “building under our Pulte brand. We recently closed out a Centex community- Riverstone in Lakeland,” he said. “As we look toward the future, our goal is to build under all three brands — Pulte, Centex and Del Webb — in Polk County.”
PulteGroup’s Philosophy
With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, PulteGroup builds under all of their brands following the company’s mission statement: To “Be Considered the Most Respected Homebuilder in America.”
That follows along with Pulte’s philosophy of “building incredible places where people can live out their dreams,” Reves said.
The PulteGroup designs and builds everything from entry level to luxury homes. “They create master-planned communities that offer amenities and a sense of community, with a focus on active adult living through the Del Webb brand,” its website says. Simultaneously, they emphasize providing “excellent customer service throughout the home buying and building process.”
Reves’ Role
Reves focuses on land acquisition in his job, which he started in May. He works with Kelli Bailey, the Vice President of Sales and Market Manager, and Scott Himelhoch, the Vice President of Land Acquisition. Their goal is to expand “Pulte’s footprint in Polk County and grow our brand within Polk. We currently work out of the West Florida Division in Riverview, which is comprised of 245 employees,” he said.
Reves said he likes working with Pulte “because of our guiding principles, which are do the right thing and have compassion for the customer. We care about quality, and our employees have a team-first mentality.”
He also enjoys living and working in Polk County, where he and Bailey raise their families. “We have many fond memories of the things Polk County can offer. As Pulte continues to grow within the county, we are committed to giving back and impacting this great community as it has certainly impacted us.”
Giving Back
PulteGroup gives back to the community in many ways. A primary focus of theirs is honoring disabled military veterans through their Built to Honor program. This program started in 2013- 12 years later in 2025, it built its 100th home for veterans. Recipients are selected for the program based on their financial need and other requirements.
“PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program provides mortgage-free homes to veterans living with disabilities as a result of their military service,” Reves said. “In gratitude for their patriotism and sacrifice, our Built to Honor program has given more than 100 military families a new home. Our last dedication was in our recent Plant City community. Polk County will be a future opportunity within the next two to three years.”
The company also supports youth and sports teams, he said. It has provided sponsorships to a variety of teams, including Florida Tropics Youth Academy, No Limits, Victory Christian and George Jenkins High School.
As Pulte Homes continues to build upon the standard in residential development in Polk County, their work underscores a broader industry need: the diversification of housing options. Creating a mix of attainable, high-quality homes is not just a market opportunity—it’s a workforce imperative. To attract and retain talent across all sectors, our communities must offer housing that meets the needs of today’s diverse workforce. Builders, planners, and policymakers alike must rise to the challenge.
