Category: Community

Neal Communities Celebrates 20 Years of Holiday Art Competitions with Local Elementary Schools

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, hosted its 20^th annual My Favorite Home art contest on Wednesday, December 4.

Each year, the homebuilder donates $1,500 to a local elementary school and partners with the school’s art department to design the Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes holiday cards. This year, the homebuilder partnered with Venice Elementary School.

Students from kindergarten to fifth grade used a variety of themes to create their own vision of their favorite home. Students created house boats, futuristic homes, their dream home design and more using a variety of art mediums according to their grade level.

“It was amazing to watch the students’ creative processes and listen to the great ideas they came up with, as each grade level took a slightly different take on their idea of a dream home,” said Heather Young, Venice Elementary School’s art teacher. “It was a challenge to choose just ten finalists from each grade level.”

“Each student did a fantastic job of bringing their vision of their favorite home to life in a very unique way,” said Pat Neal, Founder and Chairman of Neal Communities. “We’re happy to support the art curriculum for our local students through this annual contest.”

The Neal Communities $1,500 donation will benefit the school’s art department through supply purchases or curriculum supplements for the school year.

December 10, 2019
Neal Communities Helps with Food Bank of Manatee

Neal Communities Helps Fill Empty Bowls with the Food Bank of Manatee

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has sponsored the 19th annual Empty Bowls Luncheon with the Food Bank of Manatee for the eighth year in a row. The sponsorship included a $2,500 donation to the organization.

The luncheon, held on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street on November 22, was hosted by the Food Bank of Manatee, a program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee.

“Neal Communities has been sponsoring Empty Bowls since 2012,” said Judi Bjork, Vice President of Events and Volunteer Engagement with Meals on Wheels PLUS. “We are so grateful for their support and dedication to our largest fundraiser for the Food Bank of Manatee.”

Empty Bowls was created to celebrate gains in hunger relief in Manatee County and serves as the largest fundraiser for the Food Bank of Manatee. At the luncheon, participants enjoyed soups, breads and desserts made by local restaurants and brought home a hand-painted bowl.

“The Food Bank of Manatee provides an incredible service to our community by providing nutritious food to those in need, and we’re grateful to offer our support,” said Mike Storey, President of Neal Communities. “Hunger is a very harsh reality that many families struggle with, and the Empty Bowls luncheon helps fill the need through fundraising and awareness.”

The Food Bank of Manatee provides nutrition and supportive services to the community. As the largest hunger-relief organization based in Manatee County, it has provided over 30 million pounds of food since 1985 for local children, families and seniors.

For more information or to make a donation, visit Food Bank of Manatee.

December 3, 2019
Neal Communities Donates to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Neal Communities Donates $3,355 to American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – October 22, 2019 – Neal Communities team members have raised $3,355 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, an initiative of the American Cancer Society.

The Neal Communities team, Building Hope with Pink Pride, raised the funds in support of associates, family and friends who have been affected by cancer. The team was organized by Raylene Gaines, office manager at Charlene Neal PureStyle, a company within the Neal Communities umbrella.

Gaines first started a team when her hairdresser was diagnosed with breast cancer, and continued fundraising when later her mother was diagnosed with the disease.

“Support for the American Cancer Society is very personal to me,” said Gaines. “While my mother is fortunately in remission, others still succumb to the disease. The cancer society’s commitment to research and treatment is so crucial.”

For more information or to make a donation to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, visit the American Cancer Society website.

October 23, 2019
Neal Communities Donates to Jack & Jill of America

Neal Communities Donates $2,500 to the Suncoast Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc.

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – September 24, 2019 – Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has contributed $2,500 to the Suncoast Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Jack and Jill of America is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty.

Neal Communities Area Sales Manager, Elayne McKinney, serves as the current local chapter president.

“I grew up as a member of Jack and Jill of America in New Jersey,” said Elayne McKinney. “When my family moved to Florida, we didn’t have a local chapter, so my mother pioneered the start-up of the Suncoast Chapter almost 30 years ago.”

McKinney’s eight-year-old daughter is now involved in Jack and Jill of America, donating her time to after-school programs that provide weekend snacks for kids in poverty.

“When we look at our charitable giving opportunities, we start by considering the organizations that have had a significant impact on our team members,” said Pat Neal, Founder and Chairman of Neal Communities. “We’re proud to support organizations like Jack and Jill that have provided invaluable leadership and community-minded skills to their participants.”

For more information or to make a donation to Jack and Jill of America, please visit http://jackandjillsuncoast.org/.

September 25, 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
We Could Not Love Our House More

Dear Mr. Neal:

Recently we contracted to have our second home built in Grand Palm. We originally purchased a villa and after two years, decided that we were ready to upgrade to a larger home. We are so happy that we did because we could not love the house more than we do; it is truly amazing. Mr. Neal, I am writing to you to let you know exactly why we love the house.

This letter is based on real life experiences in the home building market and I am hoping you give the proper credit due to our builder Marshall Kutz.

From the day that Marshall first contacted us, he was respectful and convincing that he was in “partnership” to provide us with a product that would more than satisfy our expectations. He considered our experience with home building as he developed a relationship that ultimately allowed us to trust that he was building our home as if it were his own. Marshall stayed in touch and quickly responded to any of our concerns.

The day we walked through our new home, I will never forget how Marshall insisted that we walk around the side of the house to the rear yard before entering the front door. Again, he added that “Marshall” touch, remembering how important it was to me for the house to be positioned so that we could have a direct view of the pond. His presentation of the view was grand, personal and sheer delight. A moment I will always remember with a smile!

Thank you for taking the time to read this important message. It is far too often that people communicate deficiencies when there are certainly good stories to be told. I know that you must be proud to have someone like Marshall on your team, and we are proud to live in a house that boasts the quality that he demanded during the building process.

Hats off to Neal Communities and Marshall Kutz!

John & Joanne Schmidt
Grand Palm

August 9, 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
Excited in Indigo

Dear Mr. Neal,

By way of introduction, my name is Joe Miller. My wife Madeline and I recently moved from Venice to Lakewood Ranch. We decided to settle in one of your Sandcastle-model villas in the Indigo community. Speaking for both of us, I want to extend our appreciation for the outstanding service provided to us by the members of your staff – realtors, customer service, construction, warranty.

Their continuous service has made our move reasonably easy. We are both extremely pleased with our new villa home, and we will certainly continue to recommend the Neal team to our friends (we have one that is currently building down the street from us). Thank you for your consistently professional work.

On another note, I’d like to bring to your attention another development taking place in Lakewood Ranch. I’m a professional musician, having worked with various orchestras – Naples Philharmonic, Venice Symphony, Port Charlotte Symphony, Anna Maria Island Symphony – and in the jazz scene in Venice and Sarasota for many years. Now that I’m in Lakewood Ranch, I’m in the process of developing another professional group, The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.

I envision the performances of this outstanding group of professional musicians providing exciting entertainment for local residents, as well as serving as a model for young musicians.

Joe Miller
Indigo

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