Category: Homes

Neal Communities Now Selling Single-Family Homes and Paired Villas in Vistera of Venice

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has officially opened its model homes in Vistera of Venice, a gated, master-planned community east of I-75 off of Laurel Road. A grand opening celebration was held on March 23 to showcase the coastal-inspired model homes. Attendees were treated to wood-oven pizzas and additional refreshments, along with tours of the new homes.

“There aren’t many places in the vicinity where you can conveniently find such a nice variety of homes, architecture, amenities and usable open spaces,” said Carlos Puente, vice president of sales and marketing for Neal Communities. “Venice is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets, but thanks to this great community, the secret may soon be getting out.”

Neal Communities’ paired villas in Vistera are available starting in the $400s and range from 1,638 to 1,848 square feet with 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 2-car garages. The single-family homes start in the $500s and offer one- and two-story plans. They range from 1,904 to 2,456 square feet with options between 2 to 5 bedrooms, 2 to 4 bathrooms and 2- to 3-car garages.

Vistera is developed by Neal Land & Neighborhoods and features homes by Neal Communities and two other builders. The community will have a gated entrance and an amenity center with a large pool, loggia, fitness center, game room, meeting room, yoga lawn, event lawn, fireplace conversation area and pavilion. A bike-share program will be available, and paved pathways and sidewalks throughout allow for walking and cycling. The tropical and native landscaping adds to the beauty of the community and enhances the maintenance-assisted homes.

Vistera of Venice is located two miles east of the Laurel Road exit on I-75. For more information about homes at Vistera by Neal Communities, visit staging.nealcommunities.com/new-homes/vistera-of-venice/. Office hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

April 17, 2024
Grand Palm by Neal Communities Named a 2024 PCR Top Community

Grand Palm by Neal Communities was listed as one of the 2024 PCR Top Communities by Private Communities Registry, LLC. The listing recognizes the most popular master-planned lifestyle communities in each state. The winners are chosen based on locations, amenities and lifestyle preferences that appeal to a wide range of buyers, such as active adults, retirees and families.

Grand Palm is known for its lush tree canopy of ancient oaks, sabal palms and more. Throughout the design, Neal Communities worked to preserve the natural environment as much as possible. An estimated 33 percent of Grand Palm is open space with nine miles of interconnected wildlife corridors and a 32-acre lake. Encompassing approximately 1,000 acres and loaded with walking and bicycle trails, Grand Palm is a nature-focused and pedestrian-friendly community that includes resort-style amenities, community parks and conservation areas. Homeowners have access to a private clubhouse and recreation center with two swimming pools (one for swimming laps or water aerobics and one resort-style); basketball, tennis, bocce ball, pickleball and volleyball courts; an activity field suitable for playing baseball or kickball; and a fully equipped fitness room. There are also playgrounds, four-square courts, a children’s splash park and a social club with an additional pool. And the family pet has not been forgotten – there are two dog parks within Grand Palm’s eight acres of park area.

PCR determines its Top Communities based on a wide range of data that combines user engagement, page visits and information requests from the previous year. PCR surveys visitors on their website to discover the behavior, motivations and financial situations of those looking to buy or rent in a master-planned community.

According to this year’s survey, 85% of respondents cited “active lifestyle amenities” as the reason they want to live in a community. They specifically selected walking/biking trails (73%), swimming pools (72%) and fitness centers (71%) as their most-preferred community amenities. Most searchers are also looking for specific recreational activities, such as living near a golf course, beach and/or lake. And nearly half of those surveyed indicated that they would like to relocate in search of “warm weather.”

Located in Venice, Florida, the Grand Palm community offers that desirable warm weather, along with close proximity to beautiful beaches, Venice’s quaint downtown, and a myriad of dining and entertainment venues in nearby Wellen Park.

Delivering a modern Florida lifestyle while preserving the mature old oak trees, sabal palms and thick palmettos that are reminiscent of Old Florida is serious business for Neal Communities. In the early days of the Grand Palm project, it was not uncommon for the land development manager and the VP of design to trek through the woods together, marking trees to be kept. Twenty-nine mature oaks and trees in the area of the central amenity were preserved, and two planned roads and sidewalks were re-routed within the community to avoid tree root systems.

“We have long been aware of the special lifestyle available to us here in Florida,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Our communities are designed to make the most of Florida living with beautiful lakes and landscaping, walking trails throughout communities, and exceptional resort-style amenities with large pools and outdoor recreational areas. Grand Palm is a beautiful community with the amenities selective buyers are looking for.”

Buyers interested in Grand Palm can choose from a selection of single-family homes and villas ranging from 1,632 to 2,908 square feet and featuring two to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and two to three car garages.

March 27, 2024
Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes Win Multiple Awards at the Parade of Homes Awards Gala

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder; Neal Signature Homes, the company’s luxury division; and Waterscapes Pools & Spas, part of the Neal Communities family of companies; earned a total of eight awards at the Parade of Homes Awards Gala held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. The formal event had an “Under the Sea” theme and honored builders and subcontractors for the best of the 2024 Parade of Homes.

Neal Communities was recognized in the Communities category for Grand Park, a new neighborhood in south Sarasota that features homes with British West Indies design, lush landscaping and resort-style amenities, starting from $442,900. Neal Communities also won two awards in the Single Family Homes category for the Sea Mist model in Wildleaf at North River Ranch in Parrish and the Sanibel at the Boca Royale Golf & Country Club in Englewood. In addition, Neal Communities won an award for the Tidewater at Vicenza in Venice for the Multi-Family category offering four or fewer residences.

Neal Signature Homes received awards for two model homes in the Single Family Homes category, the Carlotta 2 at The Alcove at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch and the Cortina at Aria in Venice. Both are three-bedroom, two-bath homes with large walk-in closets in the master bathroom, oversized walk-showers, two separate sink vanities and private water closets. Customizable options are available, such as an expanded lanai from the master bedroom, outdoor kitchens and pool baths.

Both the Carlotta 2 and the Cortina also won awards for pool design. The pools were designed and built by Waterscapes Pools & Spas, which is part of the Neal Communities family of companies.

“We were among excellent company in all of the categories, and we are honored to accept these awards on behalf of the entire Neal Communities and Neal Signatures Homes team,” said Carlos Puente, vice president of sales and marketing for Neal Communities and president of Neal Signature Homes. “We are proud of the work we do and the homes we offer to the community, and grateful for this recognition.”

Neal Communities has been building homes in Southwest Florida for more than 50 years and has received numerous awards. Their customer service, commitment to quality and elegant floor plans make them one of the most sought-after home builders in the area.

A program of the Suncoast Builders Association, the Parade of Homes Manatee & Sarasota Counties offers the public an opportunity to visit six communities and tour 100 model homes spanning Sarasota and Manatee counties. The homes showcase the latest innovations in design, energy conservation and sustainability. The homes will be open through March 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Parade of Homes is self-guided, and there is no charge to tour the homes.

March 26, 2024
SkySail by Neal Communities Celebrates Opening of Amenities

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, celebrated the opening this month of several new amenities in SkySail, one of Collier County’s newest communities. The newly opened amenities in this lakeside community include both a Lakehouse and a Wellness building, a lagoon resort-style pool, lap pool, hot tub, fitness center, pickleball courts, tennis courts, walking trails, large lake, playground, and park areas, including a fenced dog park.

At the grand opening, SkySail residents were invited to explore the two new buildings overlooking the sprawling lake at the heart of the community. The Lakehouse features 4,237 square feet under air and almost as much screened area. It offers a large gathering hall, a catering kitchen, a screened veranda and plenty of space to unwind and enjoy lounging, sitting by a firepit or gaming. The Wellness building is 6,350 square feet under air and features a weight room, fitness studio, group fitness room, kids lounge, teen lounge and a Wi-Fi lounge/multipurpose room.

For outdoor enthusiasts, SkySail features walking trails throughout the community. These include lake overlooks, three fitness stations, eight pickleball courts, two tennis courts, fishing pier, three community event lawns and an outdoor gaming area with cornhole and ping-pong tables.

“This is truly a spectacular amenity campus in a very desirable new community,” said Tim Oak, president of Neal Communities, South Region. “It has been our pleasure to build SkySail and incorporate so much of the natural beauty of the area into what this community has to offer. If you’re looking for the south Florida lifestyle in a relaxed lakeside setting, SkySail is the place to look.”

SkySail, located among 246 acres of pristine lakes, offers new homes ranging from 1,407 to 3,486 square feet with 2 to 4 bedrooms, 2 to 3 baths, and 2 to 3 car garages. The community is located near the premier sports and special events venue of Paradise Coast Sports Complex, as well as shopping venues, trails, beaches and the best of Florida living.

“A central amenity is an important part of a community,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “These spaces give neighbors a place to gather and enjoy each other’s company, as well as entertain their friends and family. We hope all the current and future residents of SkySail enjoy these beautiful amenities.”

February 27, 2024
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
The Four Steps of Homeownership

As one of Southwest Florida’s most celebrated homebuilders, Neal Communities strives to create the feeling of “home” for future homeowners by offering innovative floorplan designs found only in our beautiful communities.

Whether this is your first home or your tenth, we want to make the experience as effortless as possible. To help, we’ve identified the four key steps that will guide you on this exciting new construction home journey!

July 15, 2022
Neal Communities’ Pre-Appointment Checklist
Buying a new home is both exciting and daunting. You have the freedom to find your ideal location but it comes with no shortage of questions – where do you want to live? Does the spot fulfill your needs? You will be living in a home community for many years, so you should find the one that checks all your boxes.

With over 50 years of experience in homebuilding, Neal Communities has a reputation for developing high-quality homes and the communities they reside in. This commitment to excellence extends to every facet of the home ownership journey, and we want customers to get that feeling of “home” the moment they step into any of our various communities. Our team members will guide you to the place offering everything you want.

Before you start making an appointment, we have several tips that can narrow your search:

1. Create a Home Checklist

Start the search for your ideal community by creating a list of top-priority floor plan requirements (the option for a den, having a second floor, etc.) for your future home. This list will have a two-fold purpose, the first being you ordering desired features in terms of importance. You can separate what is absolutely necessary from what you may not need to live comfortably. Doing this step will give you a better idea of what your new home budget should be. You can then dive into your search knowing you have a financial plan that offers flexibility while ensuring you do not go over a certain limit.

2. Discover Your Options

Once you have an idea of what your home and budget should look like, you can then research the floor plans fitting your needs.

When you find the floor plans matching your needs, spend time factoring in how your customizations will work. Our floor plans feature an interactive plan, allowing you to get an idea of the home’s layout and see how their offered customizations can change the home’s arrangement. If you are still deciding on the right home, many of our options link to virtual tours, so you can navigate a model home from anywhere.

3. Research Your Community

You found a floor plan matching your needs, but several communities offer the option. Continue down the ownership funnel by researching the potential communities on our site. Each of our communities present different offerings, so you should choose the one that provides the most value for you.

When deciding on a community, a few common questions to ask are:
- What amenities are offered?
- Is the community near places of importance (schools, medical facilities, restaurants, etc.) to you?
- What is the area like?
- How long is the commute to work?
To aid in your research, Neal offers a list of community-specific amenities on their respective community pages. These can provide you with a clear idea of what is accessible in your preferred community as well as the available homesites. Make sure you pick a community that can accommodate your needs.

4. Speak With a Team Member

You’ve narrowed your search down to a few communities but are still wondering which is the perfect one for you. For an additional hand in deciding, you can speak with one of our Online Sales Consultants. Our consultants have a wealth of information about our communities and they can help you decide if your selection aligns with your needs. It can also be valuable to get input from individuals who have already experienced what each community provides, painting a better picture of your life there.

“That’s really where a phone call prior to visiting is incredibly valuable” says Jackie Polino, one of Neal Communities’ online sales consultants. “They [the future homeowner] can narrow down their search or even discover something new about the community that they did not know.”

5. Schedule Your Appointment

Now that you decided on a couple communities of interest, you can schedule the much-anticipated appointments with the New Homes Sales Associates serving your preferred communities. You can call our sales team members or submit an online form to set a time and date to see how a Neal community sets itself apart from the others.

With our awarding winning home plans and industry expertise, Neal Communities will help you find a community that provides you with a true sense of belonging. To learn more about how our communities can help you, contact us here.
December 2, 2021
Seasonal Living by Design

Charlene Neal is President of Charlene Neal PureStyle and Vice President of Design at Neal Communities. See her work by visiting the website: www.charlenenealpurestyle.com

It’s that time of year again! Summer’s in our rearview mirror and we’re looking ahead to a new season of outdoor living during the best time of year in Southwest Florida!

It’s a subtle change here as the days become shorter and the evening breeze becomes more welcoming and we begin to dine al fresco again.

In order to make the most of Fall I also like to make subtle changes in my decor to remind me of our family traditions, and to enjoy the new season to the full. I’ll change the wreath on my front door and add a few floral accents inside my home to reflect the season. But I especially pay close attention to our outdoor spaces that will start to get more use to be sure they are clean, comfortable and a welcoming refuge at the end of the day.

If you’re getting ready to move down to Florida, your outdoor living may be an area that we can help you with immediately! As natives to the area we know what works and what doesn’t. What’s practical and can survive the constant rays of the sun and endure the humidity and still be a beautiful carefree complement to your home decor.

And though the traditional rich colors of fall may seem a little out of place here let me recommend some rich velvety jewel tones that reflect the gorgeous sunset you’re poised to enjoy. Or the varied breathtaking hues of the ocean like turquoise which is my current obsession.

With a simple conversation with one of our stylists we can begin to curate an outdoor living space that you’ll be thrilled to enjoy and share with others. Of course, when we’re planning your outdoor space we’ll take into consideration:

● Scale and space so that your outdoor living area looks inviting and not like it’s missing ‘something’.
● Care and maintenance. We want your investment to last, so choosing the right mix of function and performance fabrics will be a must and will save you time and money by making the right choice the first time.
● A cohesive look that flows seamlessly from your home to your outdoor space.

This is our favorite time of year and we’d love to welcome you to Florida and your new home with a Seasonal Design that will serve you for years to come.

September 15, 2020
Our Top 3 Smart Home Trends
We’ve rounded up a list of our top 3 favorite smart home trends of 2020. See how you can make your new Neal home even more connected!

The Lucy home robot by Trifo

1. Robots at Home

While robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic lawnmowers are becoming more and more popular, you can expect to see robots come home in other ways, too! Like Lucy, a new smart home robot from Trifo™, doesn’t just clean your home, it protects it as well. It does so by alerting you to intruders day or night. Look for robots like these to become cheaper, more dependable and more easily available.

U by Moen voice-controlled smart faucet

2. More Intuitive Kitchens

Many smart home trends in 2020 are found in the kitchen! The U by Moen™ Smart Faucet offers convenience, precision and intuitive voice-activation technology to help complete tasks in the kitchen. This includes features like dispensing as little as a tablespoon of water at your desired temperature. While this smart microwave from Amazon has quick-cook voice presets and a simplified keypad let you just ask Alexa to start microwaving.

Mirror smart home workout

3. Smarter Home Gyms

When it comes to working out at home, smarter gym systems like Peloton are just the beginning. For example, the Mirror home workout system is one of our smart home trends that’s also sleek and sophisticated. In fact, it’s a mirror, cardio class, yoga studio, boxing ring and personal trainer all in one.

Neal Smart Home Features

In addition to these smart home trends, Neal makes it easy to take your dream home to the next level by enhancing it with the latest in smart home technology. When you purchase a Neal Smart Home it includes:
- Smart thermostat control
- Smart entry door
- Video doorbell
- Wifi pre-wiring
And you can control these features with the push of a button—anytime, anywhere—from your internet-connected smart device.

Neal Communities: a smart choice

From spacious single-family homes to just-right-sized villas, Neal Communities builds exceptional new homes in Southwest Florida. Contact us today for more information!
September 10, 2020