Author: Jasmine

Longboat Key Voted as One of The Top Islands in The Country

When Florida is mentioned, the first words coming to anyone’s mind are vacation, islands and white-sand beaches. The allure of daily trips to the beach and year-round sunshine encourages many to move to the Sunshine State. When it comes to location, Southwest Florida makes several well-known islands only a drive away. Where You Live Matters, and exploring new locations allows you to grow and appreciate the Florida lifestyle even more.

As one of Southwest Florida’s premier homebuilders, we pride ourselves on creating communities that allow homeowners to enjoy many of Florida’s most popular destinations. As a proud builder in Manatee and Sarasota counties, we were excited to see that Longboat Key was named one of the country’s most popular islands according to Travel & Leisure, ranking seventh overall.

Located south of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key is a charming location combining 12 miles of breathtaking beaches with an assortment of venues and exciting outdoor activities. Longboat Key also offers waterfront golf, luxury resorts and no shortage of fine dining establishments, capturing Florida’s picturesque vacation lifestyle. No matter what activity you do, Longboat Key will greet you with some of the most visually stunning scenery in the state!

We are honored to offer an abundance of communities that provide current and future homeowners with the opportunity to explore this scenic location. Our Windward community is about 20 miles away from this location, with Grand Park and Silverleaf being 25 miles away. Need more great news? Five locations in Florida made the top 15, meaning even more stunning locations are just a drive away. If you are ready to find a community and build a home close to a beautiful island, contact us here.

July 24, 2023
Neal Communities Donates $5,000 toward Kiwanis Club of North Port’s Reading Program

Southwest Florida’s largest private homebuilder, Neal Communities, donated $5,000 to the Kiwanis Club of North Port Foundation to help with a proposed project to construct a Storybook Stroll reading program and Little Free Library along a walking path at one of North Port’s neighborhood parks.

Pine Park is located inside Country Club Ridge, a North Port neighborhood off McKibben Drive that was devastated by Hurricane Ian. The small neighborhood park includes a volleyball court, playground, picnic pavilion, picnic tables, outdoor grill and a paved walking trail which the Kiwanis Club hopes will one day be the home of a Storybook Stroll program, said Kiwanis Club member Elaine Allen-Emrich.

“We are putting something together for that neighborhood, and many other people in North Port, that will truly be loved,” said Allen-Emrich, who is spearheading the project. “Neal Communities really catapulted this project from a dream to a reality with their donation.”

With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $7.5 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build. The Kiwanis Club of North Port’s project is one of the latest programs to be supported by Neal Communities.

“Neal Communities is happy to support organizations that offer enrichment opportunities for our local youth,” said Pat Neal, founder and president of Neal Communities. “This program is a way to encourage children and families to read together.”

The vision is for Storybook Stroll to be constructed with sturdy holders that allow laminated book pages to be viewed along the looped trail. The concept is that children in wheelchairs or strollers will be able to read pages of the book as they move along the pathway. The featured book would be changed throughout the year. The Kiwanis Club also hopes to construct a Little Free Library along the trail to offer copies of the book as part of a “take a book, return a book” honor system.

Allen-Emrich said the Kiwanis Club had raised $4,000 for the project prior to Neal Communities’ donation and estimates it will need another $2,000 before construction can begin. She said the Club intends to continue its fundraising efforts.

“This is designed to help children with reading and learning. So many children have fallen behind during the pandemic and now Hurricane Ian that anything to provide interest in reading is a boost,” Allen-Emrich said.

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of North Port visit www.KiwanisClubofNorthPort.org. For more information about Neal Communities, visit staging.nealcommunities.com/.

July 21, 2023
Neal Communities Donates $15,000 to Venice MainStreet to Sponsor Friday Night Concert Series

Neal Communities donated $15,000 to Venice MainStreet to sponsor its Friday night concert series and marketing efforts. It is the second consecutive year that Southwest Florida’s largest private homebuilder has supported the popular entertainment series in downtown Venice.

For more than 35 years, Venice MainStreet has hosted special events like the Friday night concert series in the city of Venice’s historic downtown district. On the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month, free music performances take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Centennial Park. Last year, the concert series, which is open to the public, drew an attendance of 15,000, said Kara Morgan, CEO of Venice MainStreet.

The year-round program is designed to attract both tourists and residents to the thriving business district along Venice Avenue. “We encourage people to visit downtown, have dinner, enjoy a little shopping and then enjoy the concert at 7 p.m.,” Morgan said.

Last year, Neal Communities was the first ever corporate sponsor of the event and donated $15,000. This year’s sponsorship makes a grand total of $30,000 that the homebuilder has put toward the event.

“We are thrilled that Neal Communities is going to sponsor our 2023-2024 Friday Night Concert Series. Just like last year, the funds will be used to pay local artists to perform and support marketing efforts for downtown,” Morgan said. “We’re excited to have them participate as a partner with us again and appreciate their ongoing support.”

Venice MainStreet is an accredited Main Street organization through the Florida Main Street Program and Main Street America. Its mission is to preserve and enhance the character, beauty and economic vitality of historic downtown Venice. The organization achieves its goals through marketing, promotions, special events and historic preservation advocacy.

“We are happy to support Venice MainStreet and a program that assists local businesses while also providing residents and visitors safe and fun events to attend,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities.

During the company’s 50-year history, Neal Communities has built more than 20,000 new homes in more than 90 acclaimed communities from Tampa to Naples. With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” the company has given more than $7.75 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where it builds.

For more information about Venice MainStreet’s concert schedules, performers, or to join the Venice MainStreet e-newsletter visit www.VisitVeniceFL.org. For more information about Neal Communities, visit staging.nealcommunities.com/.

July 20, 2023
Neal Communities Breaks Ground on Final Building in Seychelles

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s largest private homebuilder, has broken ground on the final building that will complete Seychelles, a carriage home community near downtown Naples. Seychelles includes 28 buildings with a total of 224 units built around three lakes and preserve areas with an elegant tropical feel. With this final building underway, construction is nearing completion on this community, and homes are selling quickly.

Seychelles features four styles of designer carriage homes that start in the low $500s and range from two to three bedrooms, one- or two-car garages, and 1,339 to 1,725 square feet. This gated community offers a clubhouse, resort-style pool, spa and fitness center. Residents may socialize and gather around a fire pit or relax and enjoy daily sunsets on an event lawn. In addition to the residential amenities, all of the homes in Seychelles offer an oversized private outdoor lanai, well-equipped kitchen with island, laundry rooms, spacious walk-in closets and large master suites.

“Breaking ground on the last building in Seychelles is an exciting milestone for us and those who are already living in and enjoying the community,” said Tim Oak, Tim Oak, south region president for Neal Communities.

Situated near downtown Naples, Seychelles is easy to access off Santa Barbara Boulevard and provides convenient options for shopping, dining and entertainment. Schools near the Seychelles community include the Calusa Park Elementary, Manatee Middle School and Levy High School.

“Seychelles offers an opportunity to live in a vibrant area of Naples for far less than people may expect. We’ve designed these carriage homes to be spacious and welcoming, and to provide all the conveniences of modern living,” said Pat Neal, founder and president of Neal Communities.

For more information about Seychelles, visit https://neal.prodevr.com/new-homes/seychelles/.

July 18, 2023
Neal Communities Sponsors Out-of-Door Academy’s Annual Taylor Emmons Memorial Classic

Michael and Katie Emmons recently named the 13th scholarship recipient of the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund, which will pay for a student’s four-year tuition costs at The Out-of-Door Academy’s Upper School.

To help make this scholarship possible, The Out-of-Door Academy hosts an annual Taylor Emmons Memorial Classic. Neal Communities, the region’s largest private homebuilder, has been a $5,000 sponsor of the annual baseball game for the last three years and has donated a total of $15,000 to the fund.

“We are proud to support this program and help to provide a student with a quality education at The Out-of-Door Academy,” said Pat Neal, founder and CEO of Neal Communities.

The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund provides opportunities for socio-economically diverse students to experience an independent, college preparatory education at The Out-of-Door Academy’s Upper School. They learn in an environment that encourages students to achieve their highest academic goals and build character through a balanced program of academics.

For Michael and Katie Emmons, each of the 13 students also have become extended members of their family. “My husband and I keep in touch with all of them,” Katie Emmons said. “These kids are really special.”

All of the scholarship recipients have stayed in close touch with the Emmons family, she said. Twice a year, the recipients gather for a family dinner at a local restaurant. The Emmons also have attended high school graduation ceremonies for the students over the years. “They all have their own text chain and stay in touch. It’s really special,” she said. She said she is sure their newest recipient will be welcomed as a freshman by the upper classmen who also received the scholarship once school starts.

The 2023 Taylor Emmons Memorial Classic took place on April 13 at the Taylor Emmons Memorial Baseball Field at Dietrich Family Baseball Complex between The Out-of-Door Academy and Venice High School. The Out-of-Door Academy won 4-2. A total of $8,500 was raised this year.

Katie Emmons said the homebuilder’s support offsets much of the costs to host the annual game, allowing the rest of the proceeds to fund future scholarships. “We probably couldn’t do this without Neal Communities. We are so grateful for their continued support,” she said.

The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund was originally created in honor of Michael and Katie Emmons’ son, Taylor Emmons, a 2009 graduate who played on Out-of-Door Academy’s baseball team. Taylor was fatally hit by a car in December 2010. Katie said that, following the tragedy, the family asked for donations in lieu of flowers. A total of $150,000 in donations was raised. She said that Taylor truly enjoyed his time at The Out-of-Door Academy, including his time on the baseball field. With that in mind, the family decided the best way to use the funds was to support local students who wanted to attend the private school who otherwise could not.

“We’re very thankful and appreciative for Neal Communities’ support,” Katie Emmons said. “It means a lot to us.”

July 12, 2023
Lee County Among America’s Top Areas to Buy a Second Home

With an abundance of beautiful white-sand beaches, outdoor activities and the promise of year-round sunshine, many see Southwest Florida as a prime vacation destination. This location is so popular that it prompts many to buy a second home, allowing these homeowners to enjoy the Florida lifestyle either full-time or when a vacation is in order. Where You Live Matters, and even on vacation, a home should be in a neighborhood allowing you to fully enjoy life and thrive.

As a proud builder in Lee County, we were delighted to see that the area was named as one of the best places to purchase a second home in the country according to Travel & Leisure. The county ranked third overall, making it the top Florida county on the list. Our communities reflect the local lifestyle – idyllic resort-style amenities offering plenty of opportunities to relax outside or take daily trips to local venues.

One major advantage to living in Lee County is its endless opportunities for new adventures. Having over 590 miles of shorelines and 50 miles of beaches, many residents enjoy activities such as sailing and kayaking on any given day. While its towns have plenty of modern amenities, they also possess a charming hometown feel with boutique art galleries, public dog parks and local businesses. For weekend adventures with friends and family alike, there are a variety of attractions to enjoy at Cape Coral as well as the beautiful islands of Sanibel and Captiva.

We are honored to share several communities and our award-winning floorplans with Lee County and the rest of Southwest Florida. If you are ready to find a community and home that makes every day feel like a vacation, contact us here.

June 27, 2023
Neal Communities Donates $2,000 to Support Young Athletes in Manatee County

Southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, Neal Communities, recently donated $2,000 to two Manatee County organizations that support young athletes.

Neal Communities gave $1,000 to Braden River High School’s Black Pearls Dance Team and $1,000 to Braden River Little League.

With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $7.5 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build.

“We are happy that Neal Communities can help support organizations that are making a difference in the lives of our youth and these two Braden River organizations are doing just that,” said Pat Neal, founder and president of Neal Communities. “It also helps reinforce that we care about our employees and the causes that are important to them.”

Andy Losada, a construction manager at Neal Communities, said he was delighted that his employer provided support for his 15-year-old daughter, Ava, to continue her dream of being on the Black Pearls dance team at Braden River High School. This will be Ava’s second year with the dance squad and the second consecutive year that Neal Communities has donated $1,000 to support her passion for dancing. Neal Communities’ donation will assist the team in getting performance costumes.

“Each girl has to raise enough money to be on the team,” Losada said. He explained the program relies on community donations to fund its program, which includes performances, competitions and community events throughout the year. “This is a huge support and nice to get this a second year. We are very, very happy with this.”

In March, the Black Pearls received the title “Outstanding First Place Team” in the MA Dance State Championship. Losada said Ava had wanted to be on the dance team since she was six years old and was thrilled to learn she made the team after auditioning as a freshman last year. As a sophomore this year, she’ll continue her passion.

In addition to supporting the Black Pearls dance team, Neal Communities also made a donation to Braden River Little League.

The home builder recently donated $1,000 to the organization to sponsor a Braden River All-Star team headed into a tournament. The donation helps to cover the cost of the team’s entry into the tournament, as well as uniforms, helmets and gear. The annual tournament starts at the district level and the team must advance its way through (winning each game) to culminate at a World Series Tournament.

Grover Keltz, construction manager with Neal Communities, is the assistant coach for the team, which includes his 11-year-old son, Grayson, who plays pitcher, first base and several other positions.

Keltz became a coach for a Braden River Little League team last season after he retired from the U.S. Army and moved his family to Florida from New York. He joined the Little League program to be on the field with his son. He said he’s been involved in Grayson’s baseball interest since the boy was two years old.

Last year, Neal Communities agreed to sponsor a Braden River Little League team, which is named after the private home builder, for two seasons. Many of the Neal Communities players will be competing in the tournament program this summer.

“I love working for Neal Communities,” said Keltz, who will serve as an assistant coach for the all-star team and for the Neal Communities team next season. “They took a chance on me, hiring me fresh out of the military, and they’ve been fantastic. When I asked them to sponsor our Little League team and they said yes, I was like, ‘wow.’ I’m very appreciative of their support. I don’t ever see myself leaving this company.”

For more information about Neal Communities, visit staging.nealcommunities.com/.

June 13, 2023
Buy A Villa Home with Neal Communities!

For many, homeownership is a lifelong dream. Building a new construction home makes that dream ever more appealing, allowing homeowners to add personal touches to the ideal floorplan or select one already in progress. For first-time and even veteran homeowners, deciding what type of home to buy is a major decision. After all, Where You Live Matters, and you want to make sure your home is comfortable and adapts to your lifestyle.

This is why villa homes can be the perfect solution. These charming floor designs offer you the benefits that come with a new construction home, making it a worthwhile consideration. Here are four key advantages of purchasing a villa home:

1.) Maintenance-Assisted: Homeownership is always exciting, but it also comes with a new set of responsibilities. One of these is yard maintenance, and for first-time homebuyers and those looking to downsize, it can be a challenge to add in this task to the schedule.

This is where villa homes can be a huge help. Neal Communities offers maintenance-assisted villas, meaning this work will be done for you, making it one item you can check off your list. If the idea of worry-free upkeep sounds wonderful, then a villa home might be right for you.

2.) Multiple Floorplans: When it comes to villa homes, each floor plan has its own unique layout. You will need to decide what you would like to see in the home. Do you want to have a dining room to sit down and enjoy meals? Do you want a space for privacy or entertainment? Carefully consider what is most important to you.

Our villa homes have two-car garages and offer 2-3 bedrooms, allowing you plenty of space for cars and to have company over, but each offers its own unique advantages. We offer interactive floorplans and virtual tours of each villa design, so you can have an immediate idea of the layout and understand what design options are available if you want to make changes.

3.) Multi-Purpose Living Spaces: While villa homes offer a more intimate environment, the open floor designs will allow you and your guests to get the most out of the space. You can entertain family and friends with refreshments or a display of culinary artistry in the kitchen, or unwind over favorite TV shows in the nearby great room. The dining spaces also allow you to bring meals from pan to plate effortlessly. The villas also offer lanais, accessible from sliding doors in the great room, so you have the opportunity to take in a beautiful view while outside.

4.) The Perfect Fit for Any Lifestyle: The major advantage all of our villa homes possess is that they’re already the right size for any lifestyle. If you find your family will be growing, the extra bedrooms are there for your needs. If you’re downsizing and want a simple environment, our villa homes are accessible and offer plenty of space.

For those who enjoy entertaining, several villas offer a formal dining space. Others have the option of a den, perfect for a private office or enjoying a must-read book. Whatever your lifestyle is, you can rest assured that a Neal villa home can accommodate it.

As one of Southwest Florida’s premier builders, Neal Communities offers a variety of villa homes in our many neighborhoods. If you find a home in a community matching your needs and want to arrange a tour, contact us here.

June 11, 2023
Benefits of Buying in Closeout Communities

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of moving into a new home. Finding one that fulfills all of your needs is certainly exciting, but the feeling of the community you join is just as important. Where You Live Matters, and you want to find a home you love in a neighborhood where you can thrive.

What does my neighborhood offer? How does the neighborhood fit my needs? These are questions you might ask yourself as you search for a home. Many need to experience a neighborhood and its offerings to see if it’s a perfect match, and that’s why buying in a community near closeout can be a great choice. These neighborhoods offer plenty of benefits throughout the homebuying process and after move-in day. Here are the three advantages they possess:

1.) Less Construction – One major factor for any new community is the amount of construction that takes place. For some, it can be exciting to live in the community and watch it develop over the years. For other homebuyers, it can be difficult to envision what the community will be like once complete – and even make it hard to visualize themselves living there.

While still new, a closeout community is near completion, meaning little to no construction traffic by your move-in day! If you’re still deciding if a neighborhood is right for you, a closeout community offers the perfect chance to drive around the neighborhood and imagine your life in it. You would also get to meet fellow residents and hear how they enjoy the community, which can be a huge plus!

2.) Amenities Nearly or Already Completed – Another benefit of our closeout neighborhoods is how you won’t need to wait to enjoy all their offerings. Many amenities such as parks, clubhouses, lakes and sidewalks are normally close to completion during earlier development, meaning you will have the advantage of enjoying these features by move-in day. The amenities allow you to explore your neighborhood and bond with neighbors, creating unforgettable memories and life-long friendships.

Another bonus to closeout communities is the surrounding area. By the time these neighborhoods near completion, the larger area is well-developed, providing even more opportunities to explore your surroundings and plan new adventures. If neighborhood amenities are at the top of your list, a closeout community can be an ideal option!

3.) Model and In-Progress Homes for Sale: For some, the opportunity to personalize a house from choosing the fixtures to the paint color and trim is a true delight. For others, this can be an overwhelming task.

Closeout communities can eliminate this stress with a variety of in-progress homes. These homes already have the design and details carefully selected by our professional designers, taking the weight of these decisions off your shoulders. Closeout communities also sell their model homes towards the end, making things even easier for homebuyers by offering a home already styled and furnished by PureStyle, our award-winning interior design company.

As one of Southwest Florida’s premier homebuilders, Neal Communities is dedicated to helping you find the place you can call home. If you want to schedule a tour or need more assistance in discovering the neighborhood matching your needs, contact us here.

June 5, 2023
Neal Communities Sponsors Scholarship and Supports Mentorship through Take Stock in Children of Manatee County

For the past year, young professional Katie Rhyne, community affairs coordinator at Neal Communities, has mentored Amajai Kirksey, a Manatee High School student, through a program set up by Take Stock in Children of Manatee County.

Take Stock in Children’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for a postsecondary education. The students, from middle to high school age, are matched with a volunteer mentor, provided college readiness services and a dedicated college success coach. Each student is awarded a college scholarship and provided with postsecondary support through degree or certification attainment.

For Rhyne and Kirksey, the mentoring journey began near the end of Kirkey’s junior year of high school and continued throughout her senior year. Rhyne provided guidance as Kirksey filled out college applications and made decisions about how she would like to continue her education after high school. They spent at least 30 minutes a week together.

It was Rhyne’s first experience as a mentor, and it won’t be her last. She is already paired with another student, this time a high school freshman, who she’ll mentor through graduation. “Being able to share helpful pieces of advice and see Amajai make decisions for her future has been rewarding,” said Rhyne. “Take Stock in Children has an incredible impact. It makes college or technical school an affordable and attainable option.”

Rhyne is supported in her mentoring by both her immediate supervisor, Ivory Matthews, Neal Communities’ vice president of community and governmental affairs, who has volunteered with Take Stock in Children of Manatee County for more than 10 years, and by the company itself.

Neal Communities donated $10,600 to Take Stock in Children of Manatee County to provide a tuition-based college/technical college scholarship to a student in the Manatee County program. That scholarship was awarded to Kirksey, and Rhyne was proud to present it to her during the Take Stock in Children of Manatee County graduation ceremony held on May 6 in LECOM Park in Bradenton. They were joined by two other Neal Communities’ employees who also volunteer with Take Stock in Children of Manatee County, Neal Communities’ Finance Director Pamela Curran, who was named Take Stock Manatee Mentor of the Year this past January, and Neal Communities’ Sales Associate Sarah Toedman.

For Anne LeBaron, CEO of Take Stock in Children of Manatee County, the graduation ceremony is a yearly highlight. “We had 38 students graduating this year throughout Manatee County. That’s a 100 percent graduation rate for our mentoring program, and each one of them receives a scholarship upon high school graduation,” said LeBaron. “Many of these students have no one in their family that finished high school, much less college. They can start in our mentoring program as early as sixth grade or as late as ninth grade, and they must pledge to stay drug-, alcohol- and crime-free and spend 30 minutes a week with their mentor. For mentors, showing up in the lives of these students is a game-changer – you’re an encourager, a supporter, helping them be successful. Mentoring is my favorite 30 minutes of the week.”

For Pat Neal, founder and president of Neal Communities, it’s one of many ways the company gives back. Neal Communities has been a community partner and supporter of Take Stock in Children of Manatee County since 2011. “The Take Stock in Children program offers our employees a way to directly enrich a child’s life and prepare children for the future,” said Neal. “We are happy to support a program that focuses on helping our youth succeed.”

In total, Neal Communities has donated $29,200 to the organization. With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $7.5 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build.

“Neal Communities is a huge supporter of mentoring. Ivory has been mentoring for years and has expanded that to many of her colleagues,” said LeBaron. “We currently have eight mentors from Neal Communities and could not be more grateful for their time and for the scholarship donations.” In addition to Rhyne, Matthews, Curran and Toedman, additional Neal Communities employees who serve as mentors are Steve Abraham, president of Neal Funding; MaryAnn Koops, area sales manager; Christine McKelvey, marketing manager; and Mike Storey, who retired in January and continues to mentor.

For more information about Take Stock in Children in Manatee County, visit TakeStockManatee.org. For more information about Neal Communities visit staging.nealcommunities.com/.

May 22, 2023