TAMPA – AR Homes by Custom Craft is expanding its presence in Tampa Bay.
The custom homebuilder is taking a different approach to sales through a series of model and inventory homes designed to meet demand for high-end luxury homes. Included in the projects is a model storm-ready home in South Tampa that is designed for coastal and flood-prone areas.
The projects are being financed by American Momentum Bank. The bank has provided over $3.27 million in loans to finance the projects, which include a 4,068-square-foot inventory home in Odessa, a 3,824-square-foot inventory home in Lutz and a 4,785-square-foot model home in Tampa.
“Despite what’s happening in the overall market, the luxury home market in Tampa is strong,” said Adam Smith, president of Custom Craft Homes. “While it’s not common for custom homebuilders to be investing in inventory and model homes, it’s part of our overall growth strategy and will allow us to cater to our high-end clientele and deliver luxury homes quickly.”
Custom Craft Homes specializes in “on-your-lot” custom luxury homes in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. It has built homes in the Avila Golf & Country Club subdivision in North Tampa, and the Skylake and Victoria Lakes communities in Lutz and Odessa, respectively.
Model homes are uncommon among custom builders, but leaders at Custom Craft Homes believe they play an important role in helping luxury buyers understand a home’s design, finishes, sight lines and livability before making a purchase decision.
“We believe that when people can see and touch a home and get a sense of your architectural style, they become more comfortable in their buying decisions,” Smith said. “This has been proven by the bigger builders, and it’s the reason we feel strongly about building a model luxury home.”
Custom Craft Homes was founded in 1988 and self-funded all projects, until it established a relationship with American Momentum Bank in 2025. The first loan was to build a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Odessa – the “Grandview” model in Victoria Lakes – which now serves as a model home open to the public seven days a week between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“American Momentum Bank has deep experience working with homebuilders in the Tampa Bay area, having financed the construction of hundreds of new homes across West Central Florida, including townhome, infill spec homes, and horizontal and vertical construction within small to mid-sized subdivisions,” said Valerie Girrens, senior vice president, senior commercial relationship manager at American Momentum Bank. “We remain committed to residential construction throughout various market cycles.”
The storm-ready model home, located at 210 S. Occident Street in Tampa’s Beach Park neighborhood, will be an elevated three-story residence that combines AR Homes’ architectural style with enhanced protection from potential flood risks. The first floor will feature a six-plus-car garage, with living spaces on the second and third floors.
The “Westshore” model is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with an elevator, a gourmet kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, 90-degree sliding glass doors that open to the outdoor living space, a pool, a sunken fire pit and a floating staircase. The home features impact windows and doors and a whole-home generator. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed in spring 2027.
Construction is also underway on the “Grayton” model in the Skylake community in Lutz. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom home includes a club room that can be used for recreation or a media room. The outdoor space also includes a custom-designed outdoor kitchen, pool and spa and a 659-square-foot cabana providing covered outdoor space for indoor-outdoor living. The home is available for purchase and expected to be completed in February 2027.
“What we are finding is that people want something they can move into within 90 days, whether they are relocating or just looking to upgrade their home,” Smith said. “Custom homes have a lengthy planning and completion process, so having inventory available gives buyers a faster path to ownership while still delivering the design, quality and craftsmanship they expect from us.”
