Itchko Ezratti’s net worth has reached an impressive $1.9 billion in 2025. He ranks among South Florida’s top 50 wealthiest individuals. His wealth comes from GL Homes, a company he started in 1976 that has built more than 75,000 homes throughout Florida.
GL Homes has grown into Florida’s largest homebuilding company. The company’s market value soared past $4 billion after its public launch in 2013. Their performance has been stellar – $1.53 billion in revenue and $201.5 million in net income just in 2023. The company’s total assets climbed to $3.758 billion in fiscal year 2025. Luxury communities like The Bridges and Valencia Lakes have been a big deal as they mean substantial growth in Ezratti’s wealth during his four decades in real estate development.
The family business thrives under his son Misha’s leadership as President of GL Homes. Misha focuses on eco-friendly building and community development. Let’s get into how Itchko built his empire from scratch and what drove his soaring success in Florida’s competitive real estate market.
From Humble Beginnings to Real Estate Visionary
Itchko Ezratti’s experience stands as a classic immigrant success story that began in Israel in 1952. His rise to become a real estate mogul started from humble beginnings and a fierce determination to achieve the American dream.
Early life in Israel and move to the U.S.
The 1970s saw Ezratti arrive in the United States with nothing but ambition. His story began on October 14, 1952, in modest surroundings. Rosa Ezratti, his mother and a Holocaust survivor, taught him resilience and determination that shaped his future business approach. America beckoned with new opportunities, and he answered that call by moving to Washington, D.C. in 1974.
First jobs and lessons in business
His first taste of American business came as a bank teller in Washington, D.C., where he learned about finance and business operations. The Israeli native found the harsh winter weather too difficult to bear. Florida’s warm climate drew him south—a choice that would shape his destiny.
The restaurant industry became his training ground before he stepped into real estate. His early roles taught him everything about customer service, business management, finance, and market dynamics. These foundational experiences became the building blocks of his later success in the competitive real estate world.
The founding of GL Homes in 1976
Life changed dramatically for Ezratti in 1976 when he partnered with his father-in-law, Joseph Hanin, an engineer, to create GL Homes. They chose the name “GL” to stand for “Good Luck”—a fitting choice that reflected their hopeful start.
Their business began modestly with a single duplex in Hollywood, Florida. Ezratti’s vision reached far beyond this simple start. Palm Beach County became his focus for developing single-family homes, which later grew into his real estate empire.
Ezratti believed quality craftsmanship and integrity would succeed in Florida’s growing market. This philosophy remains the cornerstone of GL Homes’ operations as the company continues to expand through the decades.
The Rise of GL Homes: Florida’s Real Estate Powerhouse
GL Homes became a powerhouse in Florida’s competitive real estate market through strategic growth and steadfast dedication to quality. That modest duplex in Hollywood led the company to change Florida’s housing landscape forever.
Initial projects and market entry
Ezratti and his team built affordable single-family homes throughout Palm Beach County after their original project. Their early developments focused on functionality and value, which earned them a reputation for reliability among first-time homebuyers. GL Homes stood out by completing projects on schedule—something rare in the construction industry that built customer trust and brought in referrals.
Expansion into Palm Beach and beyond
GL Homes steadily grew its presence across South Florida during the 1980s and 1990s. The company bought strategic land parcels, often during market downturns when prices dropped. This smart approach helped them build a substantial land bank that would propel development for decades. Ezratti’s vision went beyond Palm Beach as the company expanded into Broward, Miami-Dade, and later spread across multiple Florida counties.
Master-planned communities and luxury focus
GL Homes moved toward creating detailed master-planned communities as it grew. These developments offered more than just homes—they created entire lifestyle ecosystems with amenities like golf courses, clubhouses, and recreational facilities. Ezratti saw the growing luxury market potential and lifted GL Homes’ offerings to include upscale properties for affluent buyers.
Key developments: Valencia, The Bridges, Riverland
The Valencia brand of active adult communities transformed retirement living in Florida with resort-style amenities, becoming one of GL Homes’ most successful projects. The Bridges in Delray Beach showed the company’s talent for creating ultra-luxury environments with homes priced well into the millions. Riverland, their newest breakthrough, features housing options of all types, extensive recreational facilities, and thoughtfully designed community spaces.
Itchko Ezratti’s influence shows in the company’s steadfast standards for quality construction and customer satisfaction throughout this remarkable growth.
Itchko Ezratti Net Worth in 2025: What the Numbers Say
Itchko Ezratti’s net worth reached between $1.87 billion and $1.90 billion in 2025 according to several financial reports. His wealth comes from his majority stake in GL Homes, which has showed remarkable financial strength even when market conditions were tough.
GL Homes revenue and profit trends
GL Homes generated $1.53 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ending December 2023, up from $1.25 billion the previous year. The company’s profits stayed strong with net income of $201.50 million in 2023. GL Homes managed to keep a huge backlog of 2,872 houses worth about $1.90 billion by December 2023, suggesting steady revenue streams ahead.
Asset valuation and land holdings
GL Homes owns or controls about 10,000 acres across Florida. This massive asset base grows in value as the state’s population expands. The company’s smart land purchases before development trends took off have proven valuable. A perfect example shows their approach: GL Homes offered a land swap to build 1,250 homes west of Boca Raton while preserving 1,600 acres elsewhere. This move could boost the county’s tax base by half a billion dollars.
Stock ownership and dividends
GL Homes evolved from a private company to a NYSE-listed entity under the symbol GLH over the last several years. Ezratti’s position as majority shareholder brings substantial dividend income, with yearly payments reaching $1.20 per share in 2024. The company’s market value tops $4 billion, showing strong investor faith in its business model.
Private investments and real estate portfolio
Ezratti’s wealth extends beyond GL Homes through a mix of stocks, bonds, private equity funds, luxury properties, commercial assets, and undeveloped land. This balanced approach has protected his wealth during market swings. His disciplined business strategy focuses on quality standards and long-term planning instead of quick gains.
Family, Leadership, and Legacy
The Ezratti family legacy thrives through strong leadership and generational values that go beyond business success. GL Homes’ continued prosperity stems from a long-standing family tradition of excellence and community involvement.
Misha Ezratti’s role as President
Misha Ezratti became president of GL Homes in 2016 when his father stepped down, carrying forward the family’s leadership legacy. His 18-year experience at the company spans nearly every department, giving him a complete understanding of the industry. He now oversees operations across Florida and reinforces his father’s core belief that “employees and customers are part of the GL Homes family”. GL Homes maintains its reputation for quality craftsmanship while adapting to market needs under his guidance.
Succession planning and family involvement
The leadership transition happened smoothly as Itchko moved to chairman while Misha took on presidential duties. This successful transfer shows thoughtful succession planning, which reflects in the company’s remarkable employee retention rate—managers stay an average of 22 years. The Ezratti family’s steady vision has helped GL Homes maintain consistent strategic direction through economic changes.
Philanthropy and community programs
GL Homes addresses major social issues through focused charity work. Their efforts aim to:
- Curb homelessness and hunger
- Support children and education programs
- Donate furnishings and building materials worth about $30,000 to Habitat for Humanity
Misha Ezratti takes part in community service and even helps with Habitat for Humanity’s CEO Build in Pompano Beach. The company donated over $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs holiday gift drives across Florida, creating “happy holiday memories for over 13,000 children and teens”.
Lifestyle and public image
Itchko Ezratti lives in Bal Harbor, Florida, an exclusive coastal community fitting for a successful real estate developer. His public image mirrors the company’s values—hard work, integrity, and quality craftsmanship. The Ezratti legacy reaches beyond wealth creation to include family values, employee loyalty, and community influence.
Conclusion
Itchko Ezratti’s trip from a young Israeli immigrant to Florida’s real estate titan is an extraordinary American success story. His vision turned GL Homes from a single duplex project into a multibillion-dollar enterprise that built over 75,000 homes in Florida over four decades. His $1.9 billion net worth definitely speaks volumes about his business skills, but his influence reaches way beyond the reach and influence of mere financial numbers.
His steadfast dedication to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction sets Ezratti apart. These principles are the foundations of GL Home’s reputation as Florida’s premier homebuilder. His smart land purchases during market downturns showed remarkable foresight and created substantial value for both the company and its customers.
Family values remain at the heart of Ezratti’s success story. His son Misha Ezratti now leads as president and carries forward his father’s vision. He keeps the same dedication to excellence while adapting to market needs. This smooth transition expresses the solid foundation Itchko built through decades of thoughtful leadership.
GL Homes stands as proof of patience, perseverance, and principled business practices. The company’s growth from modest beginnings in 1976 to $1.53 billion in revenue by 2023 mirrors Ezratti’s personal trip. The company stayed true to its founding values despite massive growth.
Itchko Ezratti’s remarkable career shows how determination and integrity can create extraordinary results. His story teaches us that success comes not just from building houses but from building communities, relationships, and lasting legacies. His net worth might grab headlines, but his greatest achievement lies without doubt in creating homes where countless Florida families build their lives and dreams.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Itchko Ezratti and what is his net worth in 2025? Itchko Ezratti is the founder of GL Homes, Florida’s largest homebuilding company. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be around $1.9 billion, making him one of the top 50 wealthiest individuals in South Florida.
Q2. How did Itchko Ezratti start his real estate career? Ezratti co-founded GL Homes in 1976 with his father-in-law, starting with a single duplex project in Hollywood, Florida. He then focused on developing single-family homes in Palm Beach County, which laid the foundation for his real estate empire.
Q3. What are some of GL Homes’ most successful projects? GL Homes has developed several successful projects, including the Valencia brand of active adult communities, The Bridges in Delray Beach (an ultra-luxury development), and Riverland, a massive development featuring diverse housing options and extensive recreational facilities.
Q4. How has GL Homes performed financially in recent years? GL Homes generated $1.53 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ending December 2023, with a net income of $201.50 million. The company also maintained a substantial backlog of 2,872 houses valued at approximately $1.90 billion, indicating strong future revenue potential.
Q5. How is the Ezratti family involved in philanthropy? The Ezratti family, through GL Homes, is actively involved in various philanthropic initiatives. They focus on combating homelessness and hunger, supporting children and education programs, and donating to organizations like Habitat for Humanity. The company has also contributed over $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs holiday gift drives across Florida.