Itzhak Ezratti is a big name in Florida’s home-building world. He started a company called GL Homes in 1976. It began small but grew huge. Today, his wealth is about $1.9 billion. He earned this by building homes people love and creating neighborhoods where they feel happy. It shows how he changed Florida’s housing market. I’m Carrie S. Johnson, and I’ve written about money and success for seven years. My goal is to make this story easy to read and full of facts.
Florida’s home market is busy. Many people want to live there. Ezratti’s story shows how one person’s big ideas can make a difference. Let’s see how he built his wealth and helped people, step by step.
Who Is Itzhak Ezratti?
Itzhak Ezratti, sometimes called Itchko, was born in Israel on October 14, 1952. He moved to the United States in the 1970s to find a better life. His mom, Rosa, lived through tough times in the Holocaust. She taught him to be strong and never give up. Ezratti started working as a bank teller in Washington, D.C. He learned about money there. But he didn’t like the cold winters. So, he moved to Florida, where the warm weather and growing home market gave him a big chance.
In 1976, Ezratti started GL Homes with his father-in-law, Joseph Hanin. The name “GL” means “Good Luck.” They began with one small home in Hollywood, Florida. Ezratti wanted to build homes that were strong and nice. He also wanted neighborhoods where people could be happy. This idea helped GL Homes grow big.
How GL Homes Began
Ezratti’s first home was a duplex. It was small, but he made it with care. He used good materials and planned it well. People liked his homes, and they trusted him. By the 1980s, GL Homes built bigger homes in Palm Beach County. Ezratti saw that more people were moving to Florida. Families and older people wanted nice places to live. He made neighborhoods with parks, schools, and places to meet friends.
In 1992, a big storm called Hurricane Andrew hit Florida. It broke many homes. GL Homes helped by building about 1,000 new homes for people who needed them. This made GL Homes famous. People knew they could trust Ezratti to build fast and well.
Growing a Big Business
GL Homes became a leader by building special neighborhoods. These places have clubhouses, pools, and walking paths. Projects like Valencia Sound, Boca Bridges, and Lotus Palm are fancy and fun. Ezratti’s plan was to buy land before it cost too much. This saved money and helped GL Homes earn more.
By 2025, GL Homes had built over 75,000 homes in Florida. In 2023, the company made $1.9 billion in sales. Its total value was $3.758 billion. GL Homes stayed a private company, so Ezratti could make his own choices. He didn’t have to listen to outside investors. This let him focus on making great homes. His son, Misha Ezratti, became president in 2016. Misha added new ideas but kept his dad’s dreams alive.
How Ezratti Got $1.9 Billion
Ezratti’s wealth is about $1.9 billion in 2025, says Forbes and other trusted places. Here’s how he made his money:
- Owning GL Homes: Ezratti owns a big part of GL Homes. The company is worth over $4 billion since it went public in 2013.
- Buying Land: GL Homes bought lots of land long ago when it was cheap. As Florida grew, the land got very valuable.
- Fancy Homes: Neighborhoods like The Bridges and Valencia Lakes are for rich people. These homes make big money.
- Other Money: Ezratti puts money in real estate trusts and other funds. These add to his wealth.
Even when times were hard, like the 2008 home market crash, Ezratti’s money stayed safe. He didn’t borrow too much and kept extra cash. This helped GL Homes stay strong. He also focused on fancy homes and places for older people, which kept his money growing.
Florida’s Home Market: What It’s Like
Florida’s home market has changed a lot since the 1970s. Back then, many older people and families moved there for sun and cheap homes. The number of people grew fast in the 1990s. Ezratti saw this early and built homes for them.
In 2008, the home market crashed. Many builders lost money, but GL Homes was okay. Ezratti bought land cheap and didn’t take big risks. By 2025, Florida’s home market is worth billions. People keep moving there, and rich buyers want fancy homes. GL Homes builds places like Valencia Harbor and Apex at Avenir. These are perfect for older people and wealthy families who want a fun, resort-like life.
Ezratti’s Smart Plans
Ezratti’s success came from good ideas. Here are some of his best plans:
- Making Neighborhoods: He built places with clubhouses and paths, not just homes.
- Buying Land Early: Getting land before it got expensive saved money.
- Building Well: Using good materials made people trust his homes.
- Keeping Control: Staying a private company let Ezratti plan for the future.
- Family Team: His son, Misha, joined to keep the company strong.
These ideas helped GL Homes grow when others couldn’t. Ezratti knew what people wanted and planned ahead.
Helping Florida
Ezratti and GL Homes do more than build homes. They give money to help people. They support schools, hospitals, and programs for the homeless. For example, GL Homes helps The Lord’s Place Meal Mobile, which gives food to people in need. They also help food banks like Feeding South Florida and programs for kids.
This shows Ezratti cares about more than money. His neighborhoods create jobs for builders, designers, and others. They also bring schools, shops, and roads, which help towns grow. Ezratti makes Florida a better place.
Facing Hard Times
Ezratti had tough moments. The 2008 home crash made things hard for builders. GL Homes stayed strong by selling to rich buyers who still had money. In 2023 and 2024, the market had problems again. Ezratti’s plan to avoid big loans kept GL Homes safe. He also built fancy homes and places for older people, which people still wanted.
Misha Ezratti’s Part
In 2016, Misha Ezratti became president of GL Homes. He brought new ideas, like building homes that are good for the environment. He also made homes look modern. Misha learned from his dad but added his own style. Projects like Valencia Ridge and Valencia Sky are for active older people. Misha keeps his dad’s ideas alive while making GL Homes new.
Why Ezratti’s Story Matters
Itzhak Ezratti’s story shows how big dreams and hard work can change things. He didn’t just build homes. He made places where people feel happy and connected. His $1.9 billion wealth comes from smart plans, like buying land early and building well. But his real success is the neighborhoods he created and the trust he earned.
His story teaches us to plan ahead, stick to what we believe, and help others. It’s a great story for anyone who likes real estate or success stories. Ezratti shows that wealth is about making a difference.
A Lasting Mark
Itzhak Ezratti’s $1.9 billion wealth comes from his big dreams and hard work. From one small home in 1976 to leading GL Homes, he changed Florida’s home market. His focus on good homes and happy neighborhoods built a legacy. With Misha Ezratti leading, GL Homes will keep making Florida better.
Disclaimer: This article is only for information. It is not a promotional or affiliate article. We do not sell, promote, or advertise GL Homes, Itzhak Ezratti, or any company mentioned here. All details are shared for general knowledge. Readers should check facts from trusted sources before making any decision.
