Author: Jasmine

Neal Communities makes $5,000 donation to Boca Cares at Boca Royale Golf & Country Club

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a $5,000 donation to Boca Cares, a philanthropic organization made up of residents, friends and business partners of Boca Royale Golf & Country Club. This is Neal Communities’ second donation to the Boca Cares charitable fund.

Established in the fall of 2018, Boca Cares supports nonprofits in the greater Englewood area, where Boca Royale is located. Funding priorities focus on organizations and initiatives that assist with the food, shelter, health care and social service needs of children, families, seniors and veterans. To date, Boca Cares has allocated more than $180,000 in grant funding in support of the local community.

Recent grants made by Boca Cares have supported organizations such as CenterPlace Health, Englewood Helping Hand, Family Promise of South Sarasota County and Venice Area Mobile Meals. The Boca Royale Golf & Country Club charitable fund also provided funding for 50 $100 gift cards for holiday meals for families who are involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast and provided scholarships for 34 children to attend the YMCA of Southwest Florida summer camp in Englewood.

“Last year was a trying year for vulnerable people in the greater Englewood area,” said Jim Bounds, President of Boca Cares. “The increase in costs of basic items stretched everyone. Boca Cares, with the help of a generous donation from Neal Communities, is off to a strong start in 2022. We will be able to fund charities who help children, seniors and veterans with new refrigeration equipment as well as food and shelter. The support that Boca Cares, Neal Communities and the residents of Boca Royale provide allows these charities to help people get back on their feet. The number of good stories is endless.”

“The residents of Boca Royale Golf & Country Club truly care about the larger community in which they live,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “They’re always ready and willing to help with the vital needs of their region, and we’re happy to continue to support their efforts.”

All Boca Royale residents are invited to become members of Boca Cares by making a suggested annual contribution of $200 per household. For more information about Boca Cares, visit https://bocaroyalecares.com.

For more information about Boca Royale Golf & Country Club, visit staging.nealcommunities.com/new-homes/boca-royale-golf-country-club.

March 29, 2022
Neal Communities acquires HITEK truss company

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has acquired truss company HITEK.

Based in Brooksville, Fla., HITEK was founded in 2004 by four custom homebuilders to supply high-quality trusses at a reasonable price in a timely manner. The company manufactures structurally engineered roof, floor and custom trusses made from the most dependable and durable lumber.

Neal Communities made this move due to the unprecedented level of supply chain and labor constraints impacting the housing market. Almost every component utilized in the construction of new homes has been affected, from windows and trusses to appliances. The availability of experienced labor has also become a challenge. These industry-wide issues have led to rising costs and reduced building capacity, all while homebuilders are facing record consumer demand.

“Given the current supply constraints in the building industry, this acquisition is a step toward alleviating the difficulties in the supply chain that we are experiencing,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “The goal is to continue to improve the homebuyer’s experience by building quality homes and delivering them on time. Acquiring HITEK will help us reduce delays for an important part of the building process.”

The purchase was finalized in February 2022 with HITEK owner Derrick Rushnell, who purchased the company one and a half years ago. Rushnell will continue to manage the company, which will retain most of its current customer base and is adept in building a wide range of trusses. HITEK currently serves counties from the west coast to the east coast of Florida, as far north as Alachua County and as far south as Charlotte County.

Rushnell is from the Bradenton area and has known of Neal Communities and the company’s dedication to quality for decades. “I know Pat and his high level of integrity,” said Rushnell. “Pat asked if I would consider selling, and we reached an agreement quickly. It was easy to work with him and come together on the sale and purchase, and it feels like a decision where everyone wins.”

This is not the first step that Neal Communities has taken in vertical integration. The Neal Family of Companies also includes Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Charlene Neal PureStyle Interior Design, Neal Communities Funding, Neal Signature Homes and Allegiant Title Professionals.

March 24, 2022
SkySail in Naples, Lakeview Community Presales Opening

The amenity-rich community of SkySail has opened for presale, with a variety of homesites within three sections. Due to overwhelming interest, presales continue by appointment only until after the community’s grand opening. Home prices will begin in the $500s, with all options included. The homes are well-suited for families, empty nesters, and retirees. Residents can choose between three home collections, the Cruise, Celebration, and Cove Series offering living areas from 1,500 to 3,500 square feet with up to five bedrooms, two-and three-car garages, and six different exterior elevation design choices. All available homes are quicker move-in homes already underway. Homebuyers can choose an available homesite and floorplan. Each home features professionally designed interiors. Lakeview homes are be available for the majority of SkySail properties.

SkySail, is a 642-acre parcel including 246 acres of lakes located on Oil Well Road in Naples. SkySail can be found in a growing Naples Location, featuring shopping and entertainment locations such as Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, a new premier Aquatic, sport, and special events venue. Neal Communities will build up to 1500+ single-family and multi-family homes in the gated community. For outdoor enthusiasts, SkySail features winding nature trails throughout the community featuring picturesque lake overlooks, three fitness stations, eight pickleball courts, two tennis courts, a kayak and canoe launch, fishing pier, three community event lawns and an outdoor gaming area with cornhole, ping-pong, and checkers tables. In the heart of the community are both the Lakehouse and Wellness buildings. The Lakehouse (under air is 4,237 square feet totaling 8,121 square feet) offers a large gathering hall, a catering kitchen, a screened veranda, and plenty of space to unwind with your neighbors. The Wellness building (under air is 6,350 square feet totaling 7,747 square feet) features a weight room, fitness studio, group fitness room, kids lounge, teen lounge, and a Wi-Fi lounge/multipurpose room. Both buildings will overlook one of the largest sprawling lakes within the community. Lush landscaping, swaying palm trees, 246 acres of lakes, a lagoon resort-style swimming pool, and a lap pool create a serene lake life lifestyle.

“Neal Communities’ South Division in Lee and Collier Counties started in 2013 and has had over 1,900 home sales through 2021,” says Tim Oak, President for Neal Communities’ South Region. “We have always been committed to building exceptional communities where people can live an active lifestyle and SkySail is a stunning example of the pursuit of that goal,” says Oak.

For the latest information about Phase I of SkySail in Naples, Florida, become a VIP at SkySailfl.com or contact 877-711-8865.

March 21, 2022
Neal Communities supports several local organizations

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a number of recent donations in support of a wide range of community organizations.

Neal Communities is supporting Southeastern Guide Dogs through a $500 Banner Sponsorship for the Southeastern Guide Dogs Walk-a-thon. The event takes place on March 5 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota and serves as a major fundraiser for the nonprofit that breeds, raises and trains guide, service and companion dogs for people with vision loss, veterans with disabilities and children with significant challenges.

A $1,000 donation was made to the Palmetto Youth Center in support of its Spring Break Basketball Bash. The Palmetto Youth Center was established in 1957 by a group of community leaders to provide a positive environment for at-risk youngsters, and Neal Communities has made several donations to the organization since 2018.

Through a $2,500 donation, Neal Communities is serving as a Platinum Partner Sponsor for the FIRST Robotics Program – Spectre Team at Suncoast Polytechnical High School in Sarasota. The Spectre Team will participate in its regional competition March 9 to 12 at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Neal Communities has made a $1,000 donation to serve as a Grand Slam Sponsor for the Braden River Little League. This sponsorship was requested by Grover Keltz, a construction manager at Neal Communities; his son is on a team in the Bradenton-based league for which he serves as the head coach.

Neal Communities has also committed to a $1,000-level sponsorship for the Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Hoot ‘n’ Annie. This event will take place April 23 at Fox Lea Farm in Venice and benefits the Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children, which supports local nonprofits providing services for people with disabilities.

“We succeed when the communities in which we build succeed,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Organizations like these are what help make a community a place where people want to live. We’re happy to support the work all of these organizations are doing to make our region stronger and help all of its citizens thrive.”

March 14, 2022
Neal Communities makes $5,000 donation to Palmetto Youth Center

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a $5,000 donation to the Palmetto Youth Center.

The donation will help support the center’s reading program and a new video gaming program that it is working to establish. This recent donation builds on Neal Communities’ past support of the Palmetto Youth Center, with donations since 2018 now totaling $21,200.

“We are appreciative for the continued support that Neal Communities continues to extend to the youth in our community,” said Reggie Bellamy, executive director of the Palmetto Youth Center. “Neal Communities has continuously showed concern for the under-privileged and under-served, and the Palmetto Youth Center caters to that particular population. So this is an exceptional opportunity for the Palmetto Youth Center to continuously build this relationship with Neal Communities.”

The Palmetto Youth Center was established in 1957 by a group of community leaders to provide a positive environment for at-risk youngsters. Those leaders believed that it was important to reach at-risk children at critical and impressionable times in their lives, and they set out to provide those youth with the tools needed to lead productive and enriching lives.

“The Palmetto Youth Center impacts the lives of the young people it serves in so many ways,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “We’re happy to support the organization and its efforts to help young members of the community gain insight and learn skills that will benefit them both today and in the future.”

February 28, 2022
Neal Communities makes $10,000 donation to Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a $10,000 donation to Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County, serving as a 2022 Presenting Sponsor of the nonprofit.

Healthy Teens provides vital health and life skills education and mentoring to hundreds of local youth between the ages of 11 and 25 each year. The organization aims to reduce risky behaviors by providing Manatee County young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about their physical, mental and emotional health.

Its flagship Teen Health Educator program trains local youth ages 14 to 17 to serve as peer educators and mentors. Previously trained teen educators over the age of 18 serve as Young Adult Leaders and support the current teen educators.

“Healthy Teens is thrilled to benefit from the generosity of Neal Communities,” said Jonathan Evans, executive director of Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County. “This significant investment in our work will really help us to provide high-quality peer-education and mentoring services to and through our community’s youth, helping them to make healthy decisions that empower them to create successful futures for themselves. It is so encouraging to our Teen Health Educators to know that there are organizations like Neal Communities that are so generously supporting their mission to their peers.”

“Healthy Teens gives young people skills to have successful, healthy adult lives,” said Charlene Neal, president of Charlene Neal PureStyle and vice president of design at Neal Communities. “It’s an honor for us to be able to support its meaningful mission.”

“The future of our region will be shaped by our young people, so we want to help give them every tool possible to ensure their success,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County does important work with the youth in our area, and we’re happy to support their educational efforts.”

February 21, 2022
Get To Know Our Staff: Christina Potts

Going the extra mile in the journey – this is the mission statement Christina lives by in her role at Neal. As a Sales Associate, she knows that many of her customers might be first-time homebuyers, starting to chart their course through the waters of homeownership. Christina enjoys supporting her customers by being their cheerleader and navigator, reminding them to celebrate each homebuilding milestone.

“I’m a people person. Everyone’s at different places in their lives with homeownership and I love being part of that journey,” she says. “My favorite part of the job is seeing the moments when my customers find joy in the community they’ve chosen to live in.”

What’s Christina’s favorite floorplan? She is a huge fan of the Sea Mist, particularly drawn to the L-shaped lanai that offers plenty of space for outdoor relaxation. As a passionate cook who loves creating new dishes, she also loves this model’s large gourmet kitchen, which gives plenty of space for cooking up some five-star cuisine.

In her off-time, Christina loves being outside with her husband and two energetic Australian Shepherds, playing a game of frisbee or going on runs. She also enjoys taking advantage of the Florida lifestyle, ranging from unwinding at the beach to trying new restaurants!

Learn more about how Christina and our team can help you find your dream home by making an appointment to visit one of our beautiful communities.

February 14, 2022
A MESSAGE ON INDUSTRY SHORTAGES FROM NEAL COMMUNITIES

At Neal Communities, customer satisfaction is our ongoing goal.

As you will inevitably find during your search for the right new home, the housing market is experiencing an unprecedented level of supply chain and labor constraints. From windows, to trusses, to appliances, almost every component utilized in the construction of a new home has been affected. Even more, the availability of experienced labor has also become a challenge.

While these challenges are industry-wide, and in some cases global, we are still working hard to continue to build quality homes in a reasonable timeframe. Nonetheless, much like in other sectors such as automotive, consumer electronics and retail, we expect to continue to face these global supply chain headwinds for a while longer.

At this time, you will find that various communities have limited availability of both homes and homesites and are experiencing sudden price increases. These circumstances are a product of the market we are in, which is currently driven by rising costs, reduced building capacity, scarcity of various materials and record consumer demand. In order to continue building homes for our buyers and maintain the quality and value that Neal has prided itself on, we must manage the process closely through these measures. As we continue navigating supply issues, we’ll be exclusively offering inventory homes. Currently under construction, these homes are already in progress and help ensure that we can build your home in a timely manner with the level of quality you have come to expect from Neal Communities.

What will we do for you?
Our dedicated team of experts is here to ensure that the home-buying and home-building experience is as pleasant and transparent as possible. Keeping you updated on home purchase availability, financing, and construction progress is our utmost priority as you embark on this journey.

February 11, 2022
Neal Communities opens Heritage Preserve neighborhood at Verandah

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, announces the opening of the Heritage Preserve neighborhood at Verandah, a 1,456-acre gated, golf course community in Fort Myers.

The last new neighborhood being built in Verandah, Heritage Preserve offers exquisite homesites, with every single one featuring a lake, golf course or preserve view. The neighborhood’s exceptional land plan means that there is something for everyone.

“Heritage Preserve is a truly special neighborhood within Verandah,” said Tim Oak, president, south region for Neal Communities. “Buyers will find incredible homesites here that are well-situated for maximizing the Southwest Florida lifestyle.”

Available floor plans will include the most popular model types in Neal Communities’ Celebration Series, which offers homes ranging from 1,812 to 2,332 square feet. The various single-family home options provide three or four bedrooms, two to three baths and two- or three-car garages.

Verandah is located on the banks of the Orange River in Fort Myers and will feature 1,400 homes at completion. With two-thirds of the community dedicated as open space, Verandah offers a unique blend of world-class lifestyle amenities, including a resort-style pool, an updated state-of-the-art fitness center with a dedicated spin room, a dog park, playground facilities, kayak launch access and tennis and bocce ball courts. Dedicated fitness and lifestyle directors create monthly activity calendars filled with outings, classes, community events and social gatherings for residents.

The community also offers residents an optional golf membership to two award-winning, 18-hole, private championship golf courses: Old Orange, designed by Bob Cupp, and Whispering Oak, a Jack Nicklaus II–designed course that was named one of the top-five private courses in the country by Golf Inc. The course also features a pro shop, driving range and dining.

Situated two miles from Interstate 75 on Verandah Boulevard off State Road 80, Verandah is conveniently located near the Southwest Florida International Airport, the historic Fort Myers River District and Fort Myers Beach.

For more information about Verandah, visit nealcommunities.com/new-homes/verandah or call 239-360-3450.

February 7, 2022
Neal Communities’ Kings Gate named 2022 Top Community by PrivateCommunities.com

Kings Gate, a 55+ community where Neal Communities is building new villa homes, has been selected as a 2022 Top Community by PrivateCommunities.com.

PrivateCommunities.com, an online resource for real estate shoppers interested in amenity-rich, master-planned lifestyle communities, considers factors such as page views, site visits and leads generated to put together its annual list of top communities. Kings Gate is one of seven communities in Florida to be recognized in 2022.

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, offers new villa homes ranging from 1,395 to 1,709 square feet at Kings Gate. Floor plans feature two bedrooms, two baths and two-car garages with opportunities for customization and upgrades.

Located in Charlotte County between Sarasota and Fort Myers, the gated community offers numerous amenities ideal for active adults, including an 18-hole executive golf course, on-site restaurant and 30,000-square-foot, resort-style recreation center with an Olympic-sized pool, spa, fitness center and tennis, shuffleboard and bocce courts. Kings Gate is also home to a full-time event coordinator who oversees a calendar of year-round events.

All outdoor recreation facilities other than golf are included as a club membership for homeowners at Kings Gate. The golf course offers a separate membership option, and both the golf course and Lion’s Den restaurant are also open to the public.

“We thank PrivateCommunities.com for this recognition, and we’re so happy to see that prospective buyers researching options on the site find Kings Gate just as appealing as we do,” said Jason Frost, vice president of land acquisition for Neal Communities. “In addition to the active lifestyle the community offers, Kings Gate also provides residents with an attractive location with close proximity to beaches, airports and other local amenities at an attainable price point.”

For more information about Kings Gate, please visit staging.nealcommunities.com/new-homes/kings-gate/.

For more information about PrivateCommunities.com’s 2022 Top Communities, please visit https://www.privatecommunities.com/blog/top-communities-2022.htm.

January 31, 2022