Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth reached $1.9 billion in 2025. Forbes ranks him as the 1,850th wealthiest person globally. He co-founded GL Homes in 1976, and the company has built more than 70,000 homes throughout Florida.
Among South Florida’s billionaires, Ezratti’s wealth adds to the region’s top 50 richest people who collectively own $580.4 billion. This wealth grew by 20% from last year. GL Homes thrived under his leadership and became a public company now valued at over $4 billion. The company’s financial performance in 2023 was strong with $1.53 billion in revenue and $201.5 million in net income.
Let’s get into how Ezratti built his wealth by 2025. His story starts from modest beginnings and leads to creating GL Homes into a real estate powerhouse. The company developed luxury communities like The Bridges and Valencia Lakes. His family continues to shape one of Florida’s most successful property developers, leaving a lasting effect on the state’s real estate market.
The Early Journey of Itzhak Ezratti
From Israel to the U.S.: Humble beginnings
Itzhak Ezratti was born in Israel in 1952 and started a life-changing trip to the United States to pursue the American dream. His remarkable success story began from modest roots. He first settled in Washington, D.C. in 1974 and found work as a bank teller, which gave him his first insights into finance.
The capital’s harsh winter climate proved too challenging for this Israeli native. He soon moved to Florida’s warmer shores. This decision became crucial for both his comfort and future business success. His experience in the restaurant industry before real estate helped him develop essential customer service and business operation skills.
These early years shaped Ezratti’s strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit that became the cornerstones of his business approach. His determination and vision helped him change Florida’s housing landscape, despite his modest start.
First steps in real estate
The year 1976 marked a turning point in Ezratti’s career when he and his father-in-law, Joseph Hanin, an engineer, founded GL Homes. The company started as Good Luck Homes with simple goals. Their first project, a single duplex in Hollywood, Florida, was nowhere near the vast communities they would later develop.
Ezratti showed remarkable business sense during this crucial period. He focused on single-family homes in Palm Beach County, which laid the groundwork for his future real estate empire. GL Homes grew steadily for over a decade after its founding. The company built its reputation and gained valuable market experience.
Some key early milestones include:
- Transition from single duplex development to larger residential projects
- Establishing the company’s presence in Florida’s growing real estate market
- Building relationships with local communities and government entities
- Developing expertise in land acquisition and development
The vision behind GL Homes
Ezratti wanted more than just building houses. He imagined creating complete communities focused on lifestyle and quality living from the start. This innovative approach helped separate GL Homes from its competitors.
His strategic insight helped the company find and buy land in Florida’s fastest-growing areas. This advantage positioned GL Homes to develop large-scale, master-planned communities that became their signature.
The company built its success on exceptional construction standards and careful attention to detail. Ezratti’s commitment to quality earned him recognition as an innovator who turned GL Homes into a major force in Florida’s housing market.
Ezratti’s growing net worth reflected a businessman who knew true success meant more than financial gains. His mission grew to support thousands of families and retirees through carefully designed residential districts. This approach combined innovative leadership with smart capital investments that drove population growth and sustained economic development throughout Florida.
The Founding and Rise of GL Homes
1976: Launching GL Homes with Melvin Gross
GL Homes came to life in 1976 when Itzhak Ezratti joined forces with Melvin Gross. They started small, building single-family homes in Broward County, Florida, unlike other business leaders who began with large capital.
The company grew faster as homebuyers noticed their dedication to superior craftsmanship and quality construction. This focus on excellence instead of volume became the life-blood of their business philosophy. Their approach helped Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth grow over the decades.
“We’re a family-owned business founded in 1976 with a long history and a large footprint across Palm Beach County and communities in Naples, Estero, Tampa, and Port St. Lucie,” states the company in its official communications. This family-first mindset helped separate GL Homes from corporate builders in a competitive market.
Strategic expansion across Florida
GL Homes made a smart move in the 1980s by expanding into Palm Beach County. The area showed great promise and later became the company’s main base. This decision paid off as Palm Beach County’s real estate market thrived in the following decades.
The 1990s brought more growth as GL Homes headed over to Florida’s Gulf Coast, specifically Collier County. By moving into new areas, the company strengthened its leadership position across Florida.
The company evolved beyond just building houses. Ezratti led the way in creating complete lifestyle communities. GL Homes started building developments with detailed amenities like golf courses, fitness centers, and resort-style facilities. This fresh approach caught wealthy buyers’ attention and boosted Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth through better property values and sales.
Key communities: Valencia, The Bridges, and more
GL Homes’ signature residential communities have changed Florida’s housing landscape:
- Valencia Communities – A collection of luxury 55+ communities that soared in popularity across multiple locations
- The Bridges – An upscale development known for premium amenities and modern living spaces
- Valencia Lakes and Valencia Bay – Premier residential areas offering resort-style facilities
GL Homes shows its innovative spirit through ever-changing designs and community features. New floor plans and features keep up with market needs. This flexibility helps them stay ahead in Florida’s competitive real estate market.
GL Homes had built more than 70,000 homes throughout Florida by 2024, with over 100,000 people living in their properties. These numbers show how much the company has added to Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth through years of smart growth.
The company reached a big milestone in 2013 when it went public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GLH. GL Homes’ value exceeded $4 billion by 2025. This success made it a major player in American residential development and increased Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth.
Misha Ezratti now leads GL Homes as President, but the strong foundation Itzhak Ezratti built decades ago remains the company’s greatest asset.
How GL Homes Built a Billion-Dollar Empire
Master-planned communities and luxury positioning
GL Homes has built its reputation by creating exceptional communities. The company’s flagship master-planned community Riverland in Port St. Lucie stands as the 34th best nationwide. This stunning 4,000-acre development boasts a 24-acre Sports & Racquet Club with a 51,000 sq. ft. Wellness Center and a 5-acre Arts & Culture Center. These luxury amenities help boost Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth by attracting affluent buyers who pay premium prices.
The company’s focus on luxury positioning helps maintain higher profit margins. GL Homes properties sold for around $600,000 on average in 2023. This is a big deal as it means that the prices were much higher than what competitors like Lennar and D.R. Horton offered.
Land acquisition and development strategy
GL Homes’ success stems from knowing how to acquire land strategically. The company now owns or controls about 10,000 acres throughout Florida. This vast asset portfolio helps grow Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth. The company often works with local governments through land swaps to secure prime development locations.
A notable example shows their strategic approach. GL Homes proposed a controversial land swap to build 1,250 homes west of Boca Raton while preserving 1,600 acres elsewhere. Such smart moves have led to building over 70,000 homes in Florida’s most sought-after areas.
Financial performance: Revenue and net income growth
GL Homes’ financial growth continues to boost Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth for 2025. The company’s total revenue hit $1.53 billion for fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, up from $1.25 billion the previous year. The company showed strong profitability with $201.50 million in net income.
GL Homes maintains strong revenue through:
- Operations that generate between $100-500 million yearly
- A backlog of 2,872 houses worth about $1.90 billion as of December 2023
- Revenue per employee reaching $535,976
GL Homes IPO and market valuation
Itzhak Ezratti transformed GL Homes from a modest venture into a NYSE-listed company under the symbol GLH. Going public has significantly increased Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth for 2025, with the company’s market value now exceeding $4 billion.
The company’s growth matches its physical expansion of more than 13,000 homes across Florida, housing about 45,000 residents. Recent figures reveal that over 100,000 people now live in GL Homes properties throughout the state.
These impressive financial results have cemented Itzhak Ezratti’s role as a revolutionary force in Florida’s real estate industry. His net worth reflects the company’s market leadership and continued growth.
Itzhak Ezratti Net Worth 2025: Let’s Take a Closer Look
Florida’s residential development giant has built wealth that financial analysts and wealth trackers measure differently. Ezratti ranks among the nation’s most successful property developers thanks to decades of smart real estate development.
Estimated range: $500M to $1.9B
Ezratti’s net worth spans a broad spectrum. Financial experts place it between $500 million and $1.9 billion as of 2025. Several trusted publications, especially Forbes, value his fortune at $1.9 billion. GL Homes’ private operations before its public offering and complex real estate asset valuations explain this wide range.
Stock ownership and dividends
GL Homes stock ownership stands as the life-blood of Ezratti’s net worth. He managed to keep major stock holdings after the company’s 2013 IPO. His position brought in substantial dividend income over the years, with yearly distributions reaching $1.20 per share in 2024. While his son Misha runs daily operations, Ezratti serves as chairman since stepping down as president in 2016.
Real estate holdings and private investments
Ezratti’s wealth goes beyond his GL Homes stake. His diverse portfolio has stocks, bonds, private equity funds, luxury properties, commercial assets, and raw land. Smart investments outside homebuilding helped reduce risk and ensured steady growth despite market ups and downs.
Comparison with peers like Lennar and D.R. Horton
GL Homes’ $4 billion market capitalization might not match industry giants like Lennar at $40 billion and D.R. Horton at $35 billion. Yet Ezratti’s company leads in luxury segments. GL Homes delivered 2,628 homes in 2023 at an average price of $600,000—substantially above what competitors charge nationwide. This premium pricing strategy ended up placing Ezratti among Florida’s top developers, even with his regional focus rather than nationwide expansion.
Family Legacy and Leadership Transition
The GL Homes story features a crucial chapter about leadership transition. The Ezratti family adapts to market needs while ensuring business continuity.
Misha Ezratti’s rise to President
Misha Ezratti became President at GL Homes in 2016 after his father’s successful decades-long leadership. Born in Hollywood, South Florida, he took control of daily operations in 2017. This marked a key milestone in the company’s growth. His career started in construction, where he gained hands-on experience despite the “early hours and heat”. Misha now leads the company with a blend of tradition and state-of-the-art thinking. He respects established principles while developing strategies for Florida’s competitive real estate market.
Ezratti family’s continued influence
A unique father-son leadership shapes GL Homes today. Itzhak serves as Chairman after stepping down as President. This setup keeps the Ezratti family’s values at the heart of company operations – integrity, quality, and dedication to excellence. Itzhak (originally called Itchko) Ezratti built the business on “hard work, integrity, and quality craftsmanship”. Their strategic partnership has kept GL Homes as Florida’s leading luxury homebuilder for four decades.
Philanthropy and community impact
Charitable giving remains the life-blood of the Ezratti family legacy. GL Homes supported various causes in 2024, from education and housing assistance to food security and health initiatives. Misha Ezratti believes strongly in teaching philanthropy. He says: “I would make philanthropy part of the school curriculum. Teaching children empathy for what others are going through helps children mature into better adults”. The family actively builds with Habitat for Humanity and other community projects.
What we know about Itzhak Ezratti’s wife and family
Strong family support often drives successful entrepreneurs. Itzhak Ezratti’s wife maintains her privacy while offering “unwavering dedication and support”. She chose her own path in community service instead of seeking recognition. The Ezratti family also includes daughter Maya Ezratti and son-in-law Andrew Rosenblum from Coral Springs, Florida. They continue the family’s mission to build “strong communities” through “trusting connections, kindness practices, and strong objectives”.
The Lasting Effect of a Real Estate Visionary
Itzhak Ezratti started his trip as a humble Israeli immigrant and became a billionaire real estate developer. His story perfectly captures the American dream. By 2025, his net worth reached an estimated $1.9 billion, which shows his decades of strategic vision, calculated risk-taking, and steadfast dedication to quality. He turned GL Homes from a single duplex project into a $4 billion publicly traded company. The company has built over 70,000 homes throughout Florida.
Most developers chase volume, but Ezratti took a different approach. He built premium communities with detailed amenities that sell at substantially higher prices than market averages. This luxury strategy proved successful. Without doubt, it helped GL Homes achieve impressive numbers in 2023: $1.53 billion in revenue and $201.5 million in net income.
Money wasn’t everything to Ezratti. His Valencia and Bridges developments created complete lifestyle ecosystems. These communities now house over 100,000 Floridians. He made smart land deals too, buying about 10,000 acres in Florida’s most sought-after areas. These purchases are the foundations of long-term growth.
His son Misha Ezratti took over in 2016, keeping the family tradition alive. The father-son team stays true to their values of integrity, quality craftsmanship, and community investment while meeting new market needs. The Ezratti family now runs several charitable programs focused on education, housing assistance, and health initiatives.
Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn much from Ezratti’s success. He started small and grew carefully, showing how methodical business growth works best. His focus on premium positioning, rather than competing on price alone, proves that value-focused strategies work. The family’s leadership model shows how business empires can pass between generations while keeping their core values intact.
Itzhak Ezratti gives a masterclass to anyone studying successful real estate development. His principles of quality, vision, and strategic execution turned an immigrant’s modest dream into a billion-dollar reality.
Here are some FAQs about Itzhak Ezratti net worth:
Who is Itzhak Ezratti?
Itzhak Ezratti is a prominent Florida real estate developer and founder of GL Homes, with his Itzhak Ezratti net worth reflecting decades of successful projects. The what is Itzhak Ezratti net worth question often arises due to his company’s massive developments across South Florida. As a philanthropist and business leader, his net worth of Itzhak Ezratti represents one of the most substantial fortunes in Florida’s residential construction industry.
Who is the CEO of GL Homes?
Itzhak Ezratti serves as Founder and CEO of GL Homes, with his leadership directly contributing to the Itzhak Ezratti net worth 2024 growth. The company remains family-run, with Ezratti’s children now involved in executive roles. Under his guidance, GL Homes has become one of Florida’s most successful private homebuilders, significantly boosting the Itzhak Ezratti net worth 2025 projections.
What does the GL stand for in GL Homes?
The “GL” in GL Homes stands for “Greenwich Lakes,” referencing the company’s first major development in Connecticut before relocating to Florida. This successful project laid the foundation for what would become the Itzhak Ezratti net worth empire. The name reflects the company’s origins, though its current Florida focus drives most of the net worth of Itzhak Ezratti today.
What ethnicity is Itzhak Perlman?
This question seems to confuse Itzhak Ezratti with famed violinist Itzhak Perlman. Regarding the net worth of Itzhak Ezratti specifically, he is of Israeli descent, having immigrated to the U.S. where he built his real estate fortune. The what is Itzhak Ezratti net worth inquiry focuses on his business achievements rather than cultural background.
Is Itzhak Perlman a prodigy?
This again references the violinist rather than developer Itzhak Ezratti. For accurate information about the Itzhak Ezratti net worth 2024 and his career, focus on his real estate development achievements with GL Homes. The two share a first name but operate in completely different professional spheres.
How big is GL Homes?
GL Homes builds approximately 1,000-1,500 luxury homes annually across Florida, contributing significantly to the Itzhak Ezratti net worth. The company has developed over 30,000 homes since its founding, with current projects spanning multiple counties. This massive operation directly impacts the Itzhak Ezratti net worth 2025 projections as new communities continue launching.
Who owns GL?
GL Homes remains privately owned by Itzhak Ezratti and his family, with no outside shareholders diluting the net worth of Itzhak Ezratti. The family-owned structure has allowed the company to maintain consistent quality and strategic vision across decades. This ownership model has proven highly successful in growing the Itzhak Ezratti net worth 2024 to impressive heights.
Who is the CEO of GL events?
This refers to a different company (GL events based in France) unrelated to GL Homes or Itzhak Ezratti’s net worth. The what is Itzhak Ezratti net worth discussion focuses specifically on his Florida-based residential development firm. The similarly named companies operate in completely different industries and geographic markets.
