Author: Jasmine

At Home Family Fun

Let’s face it, getting out of a summer routine and transitioning back to work, school, etc. can be tough. Ease the transition with some fun for the whole family in the comfort of your own Neal home. No need to plan ahead or wait for the weekend on these activities. These ideas will keep the summer spirit running through the rest of the year.

Movie Night

Pop some popcorn, slide into your PJ’s and wind down for a good old fashioned movie night. This is a near effortless way to get the whole family together for some quality time. Get creative with snacks, dim the lights and pull out all the pillows and blankets. Look through this list of classic family friendly movies in case you’re needing some inspiration on what to watch.

Drive Thru Shakes

Go out on a drive through the neighborhood as a family and get yourselves a sweet treat. Head to a local diner or drive through and get your milkshakes to go. Venture through your neighborhood and play some tunes or a game of I Spy. Smaller in the moment activities can leave just as significant of an impact on your children as the bigger ones.

Minute to Win It

Nose Dive, Stack Attack and Cookie Face are some classic Minute to Win It games that encourage friendly competition. These games are equally fun to play as they are to watch and can be done with items that you probably already have lying around in your home. It involves very little prep time and it will quickly become a favorite activity of your family’s if you haven’t played before.

Speak Out

If you don’t already own this game, you’re missing out! Get ready to be doubled over with laughter with this mouthpiece challenge game. The Speak Out game brings loads of fun as players try to say different phrases while wearing a mouthpiece. This is more age appropriate for teens than younger children but can be enjoyed among their friends as well as yours.

Cook Together

Enjoy a night in with your family making a home cooked meal from scratch. A fun dinner that gets everyone involved in the kitchen is pasta. It’s made with simple ingredients, is easy to make and can be customized to your family’s liking with any variety of sauces, cheeses, vegetables, etc. Find steps in the recipe that your kids can help out with such as kneading the dough. Not only is it fun to make but delicious to enjoy at the dinner table with one another.

These near effortless activities will be sure to bring your family closer together and will hopefully evolve into a tradition everyone will look forward to for years to come.

August 26, 2019
Neal Communities Donates Van to Mount Carmel Missionary

Neal Communities Donates Van to Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – August 12, 2019 – Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $19,900 for the purchase of a 15-passenger van for Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church.

Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church’s Reverend Alfred James accepted the donation on behalf of the church. The van will allow the church to work with youth in the area, providing them with reliable transportation to and from services.

The donation was made in honor of Marilyn Randolph, a former Neal Communities employee and parishioner of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Palmetto.

“The new Mount Carmel Church van is dedicated to Marilyn Randolph, a longtime team member, friend and a devout Christian,” said Pat Neal, Founder and Chairman of the Neal Communities Executive Committee. “Marilyn made a significant impact on the Neal team and the community, so we wanted to honor her passion and extend her legacy in an impactful way.”

The Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church serves Manatee County. The church is located in Palmetto at 1301 2^nd Avenue W.

August 13, 2019
Plan & Prepare for Hurricane Season
There’s actually a lot that you can do to help protect your home and minimize damage before a storm. With hurricane season in our midst, go through these tips to make certain you’re as ready as possible for a serious weather scenario.

Outdoor Preparation
- Trim trees and shrubs before storms roll in and pay particular attention to branches above roofs. Consider removing damaged trees that may be too weak to withstand high winds. Be sure to properly dispose of branches and any loose debris.
- Protect your windows. Impact-resistant windows or storm shutters will provide your home with maximum protection. If you are a Neal Communities homeowner, refer to your storm shutter floor plan located in your shutter kit box to make the process as seamless as possible.
- Bring any loose items inside, including garbage and recycling bins, outdoor furniture, grills, yard decorations, or potted plants. Make sure balconies and porches are clear as well.
- For pools, lower the water six inches, add extra chlorine, and turn off electricity to the pool’s pump. If possible, cover your pool with an approved and secure pool cover.
- Consider purchasing a generator to keep just in case your power goes out during a storm. For more information on generator safety check out the link here.
Indoor Preparation
- If a power outage is anticipated, modify your refrigerator and freezer to the highest setting and make sure that the doors are secured shut. According to government food safety guidelines, if these doors are left closed, cold items will remain cold for 4 hours and frozen items can stay frozen for up to 48 hours.
- If storm surge is a concern, move light furniture like kitchen chairs and side tables to upper floors in homes with multiple levels. If possible, elevate heavy pieces such as couches on the ground floor to a raised position on waterproof materials such as bricks or cinder block. Small home décor items can be packed in plastic containers and stacked off of the ground.
Get ahead of the storm and ensure that your home is hurricane ready. Make sure that the actions listed above are completed as soon as possible if a hurricane warning has been issued. For more details in the case of severe weather, refer to this link from the Red Cross.

Your safety is of the utmost importance at Neal Communities. Be sure to take care of yourself, your family and your home this hurricane season.
August 6, 2019
Canoe Creek Amenity Center Grand Opening

We had a fantastic time at the grand opening event for Canoe Creek’s amenity center! The event featured live music, games, delicious food, giveaways and plenty of fun in the sun. Based on this weekend alone, we have a feeling that many memories are to come for our residents in this new space.

The amenity center welcomes residents and guests with a front porch equipped with porch swings and rocking chairs to sit back in. Inside the clubhouse you’ll find a lounge area, kitchen, dining tables and office space. Just out the back doors are more swings and patio furniture for lounging. From here, you also have an excellent view of the lagoon-style pool and spa, fitness room, pickleball courts and dog park. It goes without saying that this state-of-the-art amenity center was designed with an emphasis on healthy living.

With our grand opening weekend complete, we invite you to stop by the amenity center to see it for yourself. While you’re at it, we’d also encourage you to schedule a tour of Canoe Creek to see this extraordinary community to its entirety.

July 30, 2019
LAKEWOOD RANCH NO. 1 IN THE NATION FOR HOUSING STARTS IN SECOND QUARTER

LAKEWOOD RANCH NO. 1 IN THE NATION FOR HOUSING STARTS IN SECOND QUARTER

Lakewood Ranch led the nation in housing starts for the second quarter of 2019, according to Metrostudy, a leading research and consulting firm specializing in U.S. residential markets. The Ranch’s 1,561 new home starts exceeded those of other top-selling communities in Florida, Texas, Nevada and California.

“With a broad offering of new homes for every stage of your life coupled with a long standing reputation for amenities and lifestyle, Lakewood Ranch became the ‘Most Active Community’ in the United States for new housing starts as of 2Q 2019, surpassing The Villages for top spot,” said Tony Polito, director of the Tampa/Central Florida region of Metrostudy.

Earlier in the month, Lakewood Ranch was named the second fastest-selling community in the nation (first multi-generational community), according to Maryland-based real estate consulting firm RCLCO’s 2019 Mid-Year Ranking.

“Lakewood Ranch’s sales – and subsequent starts success – is a result of its exceptional location, multi-generational approach, and diversity of neighborhoods, as well as an ever-growing list of daily conveniences and social engagement opportunities,” said Laura Cole, senior vice president, LWR Communities, LLC.

Among the recent additions to The Ranch’s myriad offerings have been two new community parks, two new shopping centers, and the addition of 1.1M square feet of commercial development, which resulted in 222 new businesses and 2,631 additional jobs. Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch has spearheaded more than 28 miles of road expansions, added a new sheriff sub-station on SR70, and introduced a new Town Hall for residents. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center recently completed and expansion, and Dr. Mona Jain Middle School will be open for the 2019-‘20 school year.

Prices in The Ranch range from $200K to more than $1 million, providing a multitude of options for buyers, including condominiums, paired villas, and single-family homes.

Sales in Lakewood Ranch continue to come from throughout Florida, as well as from high tax markets in the Northeast, specifically New York and New Jersey. There has been growing activity from the Mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland, as well as from California.

Metrostudy is the leading provider of primary and secondary market information to the housing and related industries nationwide. In addition to providing information, the company is recognized for its consulting expertise on development, marketing and economic issues, and is a key source of research studies evaluating the feasibility of residential and commercial real estate projects. Services are offered through an extensive network of offices strategically located in major metropolitan areas throughout the country.

Lakewood Ranch is the 31,000-acre award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. Just minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches and cultural assets in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is already home to more than 36,000 residents and features A-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, its own Main Street with theaters, shopping and dining, and more than four million square feet of commercial property, including CORE, a life science business campus that focuses on research, health, and education.

July 25, 2019
Poinciana Grand Opening
We have a brand new community opening this weekend–Poinciana! This community is conveniently located between University Parkway and State Road 70 near Sarasota and Manatee’s most popular and fast growing area. Mark your calendars for the grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 20^th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come enjoy food, a DJ and more as we celebrate the opening of this charming community.

Grand Opening Details
- Saturday, July 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- 4335 Tamarind Place, Bradenton, FL 34203
- Model tours through our most popular floor plans.
- Food, live music and more!
About Poinciana

Poinciana resides in Bradenton, close to world-class shopping, local restaurants, championship golf courses, grocery stores and more. The beaches and downtown areas of Sarasota and Bradenton are only minutes away, delighting residents year-round. Local residents can stay active at fitness clubs just outside the neighborhood and can often be seen at nearby pubs and enjoying the area’s nightlife. You can learn more about the community here.

Poinciana Homes

Homes at Poinciana are available right now. Take advantage of our limited introductory pricing offer before it goes up! Starting from the mid-$200s and featuring a British-West Indies design theme, homeowners will enjoy new villa homes in a convenient location. Both Crystal Sand and Tidewater, two of Neal’s best-selling twin villa floor plans, will be offered at Poinciana with all-time low prices.

Crystal Sand
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2 Car Garage
- 1,434 Square Feet
- 1 Story
Tidewater
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2 Car Garage
- 1,524 Square Feet
- 1 Story
July 18, 2019
ideal-LIVING Magazine Honors “The Best of the Best in Planned Communities”

Wilmington, NC – ideal-LIVING magazine is pleased to announce its fourth annual “Best of the Best” issue which features the Top 100 Planned Communities. The honorees are also revealed on www.ideal-LIVING.com/bestofthebest.

Surveys were collected at the 2019 Ideal Living Real Estate Shows which showed the top amenities in which potential homebuyers were interested. The Top 100 amenity communities were chosen based on the top amenities requested, including walking trails, wellness facilities, proximity to healthcare, social clubs, swimming, a sense of community, cycling, racquet sports, gated, lake communities, coastal communities, and

Hundreds of nominations were submitted to ideal-LIVING earlier this year. A special editorial committee assembled by the publication reviewed the qualifications of each nominee and selected the winners in nine categories.

Among the categories honoring residential communities are the “Top 100 Planned Communities,” “Best Lake Communities,” “Best Mountain Communities,” “Best Coastal Communities,” “Best Golf Communities,” “Best Tennis and Pickleball,” and those with the “Best Wellness Environments.”

“The ‘Best of the Best‘ feature honors those areas and communities which deserve special recognition for their outstanding qualities, facilities, and programs,” said ideal-LIVING’s Editor and Associate Publisher Kelly Godbey. “We hope that this special feature in our Summer 2019 edition will serve our readers by focusing on the places that offer the lifestyle enhancements that are the most important to them.”

For more than 25 years, ideal-LIVING magazine has been a leading national publication for readers who are nearing retirement age or who are interested in the benefits of relocating their families or businesses. The magazine’s parent company, RPI Media, also distributes other publications like the comprehensive ideal-LIVING Choose Your Ideal Place Guide and sponsors the company’s signature ideal-LIVING Real Estate Shows each year. For more information, go to the website at www.ideal-LIVING.com.

July 16, 2019
Curious About Boca Royale? Summer is Your Time to Sample the Amenities

All eyes were on Boca Royale Golf & Country Club in the latest issue of Venice Lifestyle. The magazine profiled what is now one of the area’s fastest-growing golf and country club communities. Our community more than doubled in size over the past five years and will eventually double again, to 1,200 homes in a private club enclave.

People love living at this club because it offers a rare lifestyle that feels more like a vacation than everyday life. Residents of the gated, 1,000-acre community enjoy a full line of fun and fitness amenities, including an 18-hole, par 72 golf course, beautiful amenity center, and a members-only clubhouse.

Click to learn more about why summer is the perfect time to get a taste of club life at Boca Royale!

July 16, 2019
Indigo Model Home Grand Opening Event

Earlier this month, we held a grand opening to showcase our brand new model homes at Indigo in Lakewood Ranch. The homes that were showcased included Tidewinds, Sandcastle, Victory, Endless Summer 3, and Silver Sky 2. Event goers were given the leisure to tour the homes, interact with digital floor plans or speak with Neal Communities representatives who were more than happy to answer any questions.

Aside from the homes, the grand opening featured music, food trucks and a popsicle stand to combat the high temps. We’re appreciative of every individual, couple and family who stopped by to spend some time with us. It was such a successful event and we truly could not have imagined it going any better than it did. If you want to be informed about all of our events, be sure to like our page on Facebook.

Following the grand opening, Gabby and Barbara purchased a home of their very own at Indigo. They have been visiting the community since late January and have been patiently been waiting for their home to sell. Now that they have a contract on their home, they are prepped and ready to move in. We are pleased to welcome the two of them to the beginning of this new chapter in their lives.

Now that these homes are officially open, we welcome anyone interested in Indigo to schedule a visit. If you’re not local to Florida then no worries–take a look at this video to learn all about the community of Indigo. We hope you stop by soon!

June 24, 2019
Grand Palm Named In Top 50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the U.S. by Where to Retire Magazine

FLORIDA MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY RECOGNIZED AS 50 BEST IN U.S.

Where to Retire Releases 11th Biennial List

HOUSTON, TX (June 4, 2019) – Where to Retire reveals “The Short List: 50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the United States,” in the July/August issue, on newsstands June 11. The list is the only one of its kind, focusing on communities rather than locales and featuring first-person testimonials by current residents.

Grand Palm, in Venice, is one of nine master-planned communities in Florida to be recognized this year. Recreational paths wind past palm trees and green spaces at this lush, all-ages community. A lifestyle director organizes activities like yoga and dance classes, while canoeing, kayaking and other aquatic fun awaits on Adventure Lake. “We fell in love with it as soon as we saw it,” one resident said.

The selected 50 best master-planned communities showcase the variety of housing options and amenities that enrich the lives of relocating retirees. “Moving after retirement doesn’t mean just a new home; it means a new life,” Where to Retire editor Annette Fuller said. “Yes, each of our 50 communities builds attractive homes, but they also nurture new friendships. Most developments offer trails, sports courts, fitness equipment, restaurants, pools and more. The settings are gorgeous, near mountains, oceans, rivers, lakes and low-humidity deserts. Climates generally are mild, allowing daily communes with nature.”

Nearly a year ago, editors began gathering and evaluating information on hundreds of communities, but chose only established neighborhoods with enough acreage to build at least a year’s supply of homes. The communities come from 17 states. Florida has nine of the winning 50 communities, followed by North Carolina with eight, Arizona with seven and South Carolina with five. Home prices begin in the $120,000s and go upward of $3 million; 35 communities on the list have homes that start at less than $300,000. Almost half of the neighborhoods are age-restricted or age-targeted while the rest are all-ages. The communities are not ranked; rather, they are listed alphabetically by state and then by development name. A two-page chart gives a snapshot of all 50 choices and a guide to their amenities.

As the authority on retirement relocation since 1992, Where to Retire has covered hundreds of the best retirement regions, towns and master-planned communities. The magazine is published six times a year and has a national circulation of 200,000.

June 10, 2019