If you are looking for a slice of South Brevard with actual breathing room, the Eagle Crest development in Grant-Valkaria might be what you’re searching for.
For anyone moving into the area, there’s no shortage of living choices: luxury apartments and subdivisions with community pools, lounge areas, and exercise rooms, or planned mini-cities offering all-inclusive living with walkable “downtown” shopping. New developments are popping up in every direction.
Today, I decided to take a look at something a little more country.
Eagle Crest is all about acreage. We’re talking half-acre to full-acre wooded lots. Walking the site brought me back decades to a time when half-acre lots were common for new homes.
Maronda Homes has taken the reins here, with floor plans ranging from roughly 2,000 to over 3,500 square feet. It’s quiet, and there’s a dedicated Eagle Conservation Area right in the center of the neighborhood.
My thoughts? The starting prices sit in the low $500s, but realistically, I’d expect something higher once you factor in lot premiums and finishes. The higher-end models reach into the $700s. Their price sheet shows the Verona A model at 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and over 4,800 square feet. That sounds like fun, except everyone I know would want to move in.
The prices here might not fit the starter home category for local young families. However, for anyone familiar with real estate across much of the country—especially the Northeast or Southern California—you’re likely looking at twice the home for half the price. And you’re still a short ride to ocean beaches, boat ramps, nature trails, and shopping. My favorite feature with Eagle Crest? Actual, usable yards.
You can get more information by visiting their model home.
Based on the amount of active construction I saw today, buyers are moving fast. The on-site agent mentioned they are already down to about 30 available lots. Now I’m wondering where I can find other developments like this.
Mini-City vs. Country Lots
The “Mini-City” Trend (Viera, West Melbourne, Palm Bay megaprojects): The convenience of walkable town centers, integrated parks, and golf cart paths is undeniably attractive for busy families or retirees wanting low outdoor maintenance and instant community access.
The Estate & Rural Pocket Trend (Grant-Valkaria, Malabar, North Brevard): Grant-Valkaria was incorporated specifically to protect low-density, rural living from suburban sprawl. Eagle Crest hits a sweet spot because finding half-acre to full-acre wooded lots from a production builder is increasingly rare in South Brevard unless you buy raw land and build custom.
The Verdict: Having a genuine yard where you aren’t staring at your neighbor’s fence line—plus the privacy of mature trees and conservation space—is worth the extra 10-minute drive to town every single time. For buyers relocating from high-cost markets, that combination of open space, square footage, and proximity to the water is almost impossible to beat.
— Nathan
What's your take on the current Brevard building boom? Do you prefer the convenience and amenities of the new "mini-cities" with walkable shopping, or do you still value having an actual yard and some breathing room?