Lakes at Laurel Highlands in Lakeland, FL

Pros

• Nick is the best salesman DR Horton has ever met; he goes out of his way to help customers.
• Nick and the staff provide excellent service.
• The reviewer, a realtor, regards this community as among the best for its beauty, peace, and builder quality.
• The homes are beautiful and offer great options.
• The reviewer loves the community and has purchased a home there.
• The neighborhood is beautiful, with a great location close to amenities.
• The homes are well-built and of high quality.
• The neighborhood is very clean and features gorgeous lakes nearby.
• The staff are friendly and the homes are nice.
• The reviewer loves this neighborhood and believes it is a great place to raise children.
• The DR Horton sales and construction team are amazing.
• Harry provided amazing customer service and went above and beyond.

Cons

• DR Horton is accused of delivering homes with numerous defects and poor craftsmanship at closing.
• The home reportedly arrived without basic features (light fixtures, dining pendants, towel and toilet paper holders) and was not properly cleaned, with visible debris and smudges.
• The company allegedly refuses to cover water intrusion repairs caused by improper sealing, passing the burden to buyers.
• The shingles used are described as 3-tab and considered the worst choice for Florida weather, with warranty claims often ignored.
• Construction is said to be rushed, resulting in misaligned doors, improper sealing around tubs, and several leaks.
• DR Horton is alleged to provide false warranty information and to be unresponsive to warranty claims.
• Customer service is described as horrible, with difficulties reaching anyone and a lack of investigation or follow-up.
• Ongoing drainage and irrigation problems are attributed to the builder, along with high water bills and refusal to fix warrantable items.

Review

Lakes at Laurel Highlands in Lakeland, Florida is best suited for families and move-up buyers who want a fresh, modern home in a peaceful, lake-adjacent setting with easy access to Lakeland and Tampa. The community presents as a cohesive, new-construction environment where curb appeal and contemporary layouts are a clear draw. For buyers who prize a pleasant initial sales experience and a neighborhood feel that leans toward order and beauty, this development can feel right at home, especially when a sales consultant who engages proactively, like Nick, is involved.

Those considering alternatives should weigh the red flags that thread through the reviews. Prospective buyers who require a guaranteed, trouble-free post-close experience will want to look elsewhere. Recurrent concerns about water intrusion through foundations, visible cracks, and other workmanship deficiencies point to real maintenance risk and warranty headaches. In addition, the presence of only one clubhouse for hundreds of homes, the perception of inconsistent post-sale support, and reports of rushed construction and missing fixtures raise questions about long-term value and enjoyment. For buyers who expect robust amenities, responsive service after purchase, and a tightly managed HOA experience, this community may not deliver.

On the upside, the allure of the homes themselves is undeniable. Across multiple reviews, the houses are described as beautiful and well designed, with modern features that appeal to buyers seeking fresh construction and a polished exterior. The neighborhood environment is repeatedly portrayed as quiet and picturesque, with attractive lakes nearby and a sense of calm that suits families and professionals alike. Positive sentiments about the builder’s presentation during the sales phase, especially when a helpful staff member is involved, underscore a credible first impression that can translate into comfort once moving in.

The main deal-breakers, however, are substantive. Structural concerns, water intrusion, cracks on newer homes, and other signs of potentially costly repairs, consistently surface in the feedback. Coupled with reports of inconsistent or unresponsive customer service after purchase, these issues undermine the value proposition for buyers who want assurance that problems will be resolved promptly. Complaints about overcrowded amenities, limited clubhouse access, and even perceptions of unfriendly or indifferent post-sale interactions further tilt the risk–reward balance toward caution for those who value predictable service and plentiful on-site amenities.

The key pros do offset the cons only for a subset of buyers. For families who prize a tranquil setting, lake views, and a modern home that looks and feels fresh, the aesthetics and location can still hold considerable appeal. If the potential buyer is prepared to invest time and effort into ensuring a solid post-purchase experience, insisting on clear warranties, scheduling independent inspections, and pressing for timely fixes, the immediate beauty and long-term growth potential of the neighborhood may be worth navigating the hiccups. In contrast, buyers with limited tolerance for warranty disputes, ongoing repair needs, or post-closing service gaps should treat the favorable visuals and quiet streets as a careful trade-off rather than a straightforward win.

Ultimately, a practical decision hinges on appetite for risk versus reward. The Lakes at Laurel Highlands offers striking, contemporary homes in a serene setting and a welcoming initial sales narrative, with convenient access to larger metro areas. But the combination of documented construction concerns, warranty friction, and limited amenity scale warrants a disciplined approach: engage early with the builder to lock in robust warranty terms, hire an independent inspector before closing, verify drainage and foundation integrity, and confirm that the HOA and amenities meet long-term lifestyle expectations. For families who can navigate these realities and place emphasis on curb appeal and location, the community remains a compelling option. For others who demand rock-solid craftsmanship, predictable service, and expansive on-site amenities, exploring alternatives is prudent.

This part of Lakeland, Florida, is a convenient and bustling area with easy access to transportation through Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. There are several places of worship nearby for spiritual enrichment, as well as a variety of restaurants offering diverse cuisine options. For medical needs, there are numerous physicians' offices and pharmacies in the vicinity, along with hospitals and healthcare facilities such as Lakeland Regional Health Medical Group. Residents can also enjoy leisurely activities at cafes like Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro and parks such as Adair Park and Woodlake Park. Overall, this neighborhood offers a mix of amenities and services that cater to senior living needs.

Transportation

• Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) (1.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Victory Church at Lakeside Village (2.1 miles)
• Church Of The Resurrection (3.4 miles)
• The Rock Community Church (3.9 miles)
• South Florida Baptist Association (5.5 miles)
• Christ Lutheran Church (5.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Grillsmith (2.1 miles)
• Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant (2.2 miles)
• Fred's Market Lakeland (2.3 miles)
• Olive Garden (2.3 miles)
• Burger King (2.5 miles)
• Azteca D’ Oro (2.6 miles)
• Wendy's (3 miles)

Physicians

• Lakeland Orthopaedic Clinic (2.1 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Health Medical Group (3.2 miles)
• Lakeland Open Mri (3.6 miles)
• Lakeland Surgical & Diagnostic (3.8 miles)
• St Luke's regional health care (4 miles)
• Kids Neurology (4.1 miles)
• MEDI Weightloss Clinic (4.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Ariana Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Polk Community Pharmac (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Polk Starlight Sleep Labs (3.3 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Health (4.5 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Medical Center (4.6 miles)
• Radiology Department (4.6 miles)
• Endoscopy Unit (4.7 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Heal (4.7 miles)
• Central Florida Surgi-Center (5.2 miles)

Cafes

• Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Adair PARK (4.4 miles)
• Woodlake Park (4.7 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark USA (5.6 miles)