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!
Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, is celebrating the grand opening of its Tide Marsh neighborhood in Fort Myers. This small boutique community offers a coastal and island architectural theme and features 63 homesites.
The homebuilder started offering pre-sales in late April and has sold already over 10 homes. Many of Neal Communities’ best-selling, designer-decorated plans are already in-progress with all-in pricing starting in the mid $500s.The gated community offers both one-story and two-story floor plans from Neal Communities’ Cruise and Celebration series. The homes range from 1,531 to 3,014 square feet. Two models are available for tours.
There is no community development district (CDD), which means no added district fees to live in this tranquil gated community.
Tide Marsh is situated close to Estero Bay Preserve State Park and features a quiet setting for homeowners off Winkler Road. With its location west of I-75 and U.S. 41, the community offers easy access to downtown Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and a range of retailers, restaurants and medical providers.
“We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of Tide Marsh,” said Tim Oak, who is president of the south region of Neal Communities. “Tide Marsh is close to golf courses, parks and preserves ideal for hiking and wildlife watching. It’s also just a short drive to the world renown beaches on Sanibel Island and the beautiful Fort Myers Beach.”
Book an appointment to speak with a Neal Communities expert today. Call (239) 360-3450 or visit staging.nealcommunities.com/new-homes/tide-marsh.
At Neal Communities, we believe where people live has an impact on their lives. We want to create wonderful communities in locations that allow our homeowners to thrive and enjoy life.
As a proud member of the Sarasota area, we were overjoyed to see that the city was named as one of the best places to live in the country by the U.S News & World Report. Sarasota ranked at #9, making it the only Florida city in the top ten. Our communities there embody the Sarasota lifestyle – personal retreats offering an intimate atmosphere located near a host of venues where you can enjoy the very best of Florida living.
While Sarasota is an idyllic vacation destination, there are several key factors underscoring its high ranking on the list.
Quality of Life
Quality of life was more important than ever this year due to the fluctuating housing market. A home is an investment, so homeowners will want to settle down in a location offering a comfortable lifestyle.
Sarasota appeals to a wide demographic – from retirees to families – with many citing the year-long warm weather as one reason. The average temperature is 83.4°F, providing residents with the opportunity to do any beloved activities outside in the fresh air. With the constant sunshine and warmth, you can rest assured that snowfall is extremely unlikely.
The schools and safety of the town are additional reasons families make the move to Sarasota. The city has access to 27 public schools (elementary, middle and high) as well as 57 private schools, providing students with access to a quality education. The current crime rate is far lower than the 2020 national average, making the area a safe environment for all inhabitants to grow and prosper.
Cost of Living
As prices continue to climb in the housing market, the cost of living might make you cross off certain cities from your list. While Sarasota is no exception to escalating prices, it maintained its ranking at #9 on the U.S. News & World Report list from the previous year. One item that helps is how Florida is one of nine states with no state income tax, allowing homeowners to save more money every year.
As additional assistance, the state also provides the advantage of a homestead exemption – providing your Florida home is your primary residence. By obtaining this, you will pay less for certain property taxes, effectively decreasing the taxable value of your home.
Desirability
What makes Sarasota a desirable location for many? While a tourist destination with a plethora of beaches and a budding food scene, many enjoy the charm and versatility of this unique city.
The true beauty of Sarasota lies in how it combines today’s luxuries with a timeless, seaside ambience. When visiting downtown Sarasota, residents are met with a variety of major stores, fine dining and resorts with local businesses nestled in between. However, when arriving at a spot such as St. Armand’s Circle , residents are able to walk down the streets and discover a host of boutique shops, restaurants and modern art. This duality allows you to explore a large city while enjoying its small-town atmosphere.
Sarasota is well-known for its vibrant arts scene. One location is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, a historic site demonstrating the state’s rich history with John Ringling’s “Greatest Show on Earth.” Sarasota also hosts no shortage of galleries and outdoor music events, so it makes for quite the immersive experience.
Many also enjoy the booming Rosemary District, a neighborhood providing performances from local artists thanks to the many theatres and dance studios. Over the past decade, this district has seen an explosion of wall murals, highlighting the talent of local and national muralists at every turn.
We are honored to share several of our communities and award-winning floorplans with Sarasota and the rest of southwest Florida. To learn more about the communities matching your needs, contact us here.
Southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, Neal Communities, recently announced the grand opening of Wysteria, a 153-home community in Wellen Park nestled in southern Sarasota County.
As the latest addition to the Wellen Park master-planned community, Wysteria offers 64 paired villas and 89 single-family homes with a British West Indies and Coastal architectural theme. The community offers six floorplans, including two villa designs ranging from 1,434 square feet to 1,524 square feet. The villas include two-bedrooms, two-bathrooms and optional den per plan. The single-family homes range from 1,531 square feet to 1,859 square feet.
The homes in Wysteria are within walking distance of a central neighborhood amenity that features a gathering room, screened area, a pool and spa space with three shade structures and a garden trellis. The community also offers two pickleball courts for residents to enjoy.
Wellen Park has been named the No. 5 top-selling master-planned community in the U.S. for 2021 by prominent real estate consulting firm RCLCO. The community offers a vibrant mix of residential, commercial and recreational options amongst three districts: West Villages, Downtown Wellen and Playmore. Wysteria is located in the Playmore District.
“We are thrilled to be opening another beautiful neighborhood inside Wellen Park,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Wysteria is a perfect place to call home inside an exciting and growing area of Sarasota County.”
Wysteria is the second Neal Communities neighborhood to recently open in Wellen Park. On March 31 of this year, the homebuilder celebrated the grand opening of Avelina, a 96-home community that offers five stunning floorplans ranging from 2,327 square feet to 2,762 square- feet. Eight homes were sold in Avelina within the first 30 days since its opening. Avelina also is in the Playmore District of Wellen Park.
Bordered by Manasota Beach Road and Preto Boulevard, Wysteria is close to Sarasota County’s beaches, shopping and cultural experiences. Wysteria also is conveniently located 1.5 miles from CoolToday Park, an Atlanta Braves spring training facility and stadium, and less than two miles away from Downtown Wellen, a shopping and entertainment district. Downtown Wellen is slated to open during the fourth quarter of 2022. It will include 175 lakefront acres, waterfront dining, a town hall, a children’s playground and splash pad, a food truck kiosk area and an outfitter who will rent e-bikes, paddle boards and kayaks.
Neal Communities will be hosting a virtual grand opening celebration at 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2022 on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. During the virtual event, Neal Communities’ sales team will walk spectators through Wysteria’s model homes and give an overview of the community. Spectators will also learn more about Downtown Wellen. Register for the grand opening event in advance at https://on.nealcommunities.com/wysteria-go-event/.
For more information about Wysteria, visit NealCommunities.com/New-Homes/Wysteria or call (941) 229-0630.
It’s the consensus among all of– they didn’t really want to leave. Work never felt like work for four of Neal Communities long-time staff members, including Kathy Cioffi, Priscilla Heim, Jim Schier and Leisa Weintraub. Each one spent more than two decades at Neal Communities and was, in their
own way, instrumental in the development of many people’s quality of life. But what causes people to want to stay within a company for as long as they did?
“I’d like to think it’s our family culture and that we give our employees the freedom to ‘do the right thing’,” said founder and chairman Pat Neal of Neal
Communities.
Giving employees the freedom to make a difference in their community, in other people’s lives and in each other’s lives was a common theme among those who recently said their goodbyes.
Kathy Cioffi’s Designed Entire Communities
For more than two decades, Kathy Cioffi had a direct influence on the design of the neighborhoods that Neal Communities built – from the lavish entrance ways, lush landscaping, unique architectural styles, varied community center amenities and preservation of environmental assets.
Cioffi retired as the Vice President of Design in April after 24 years with Neal Communities. But she said she didn’t really want to go. “As a matter of fact, I was really contemplating not retiring and staying a couple of more years,” Cioffi said. Instead, she returns to the office about once a week in a consulting capacity as the design team transitions
Cioffi first joined the Neal Communities team in 1998 as a designer for what would become one of the region’s largest home builders. She soon was promoted to manage the design center. In that role, she kept up with the latest architectural and decorating trends. She worked with product developers and architects on floor plans and elevations as well as tile and cabinetry. When she took on the role of Vice President of Design, Cioffi got even more involved with the look-and-feel of the communities being built.
“It’s a good feeling to see a community and know that I had a role in the design,” she said. “I loved the creativity of the job, so it was not really work for me. To see it all evolve was so much fun.”
For Cioffi, it was hard to say goodbye to her co-workers. “It becomes a big family and we do all work together – from the hard times like the downturn in 2008 to what’s happening now with the prosperity of the house sales,” she said. “Neal Communities is a wonderful company to work for. It was bittersweet for me to retire.
Priscilla Heim Embraced, Embodied the Family Culture
For 22 years, Priscilla Heim was Chairman and Founder Pat Neal’s administrative assistant. She helped transcribe dictation, craft memos, answer phone calls, handle his calendar and attend to his daily needs. She said she enjoyed every moment of it.
“Pat is a big visionary,” Heim said. “He sees things way before other people see them. He’s a good person. He looks to the future and plans for the future.”
Heim moved to Florida with her husband, Dave, in 1984 from Pennsylvania. At the time, Dave had been laid off from his job in construction due to the harsh winter weather. They decided to move to the warmer climate and be closer to relatives. Shortly after moving to Manatee County, Heim started working for an Episcopal church, where she stayed for 15 years before becoming Pat Neal’s administrative assistant in June of 1999.
Throughout her time at Neal Communities, Priscilla said she always felt a part of the company’s family. She made lifelong friends with many of her co-workers. “It was wonderful,” she said. “To the outside, Neal Communities is known for its landscaping, branding, style and beautiful homes. But what people don’t know is that, on the inside, Neal Communities is like that song, ‘Lean on Me.’ People call on each other when they need a friend. It’s a wonderful place to work.”
She said the actual Neal family members are as helpful as the employees. “The Neals are really great people to work with,” she said. “They don’t ask anyone to do anything they wouldn’t do themselves.”
Heim spent her last official day with the company in early March and is now enjoying retirement with her husband, Dave. She said it is strange not having to wake up to an alarm clock, but she loves to spend time looking out over the sunrise or sunset from her Myakka City home. She has gone back to visit co[1]workers a couple of times since leaving. “Those people mean a lot to me,” she said.
Jim Schier Loved that Neal Communities Gives Back
Jim Schier started working with Neal Communities in the early 1980s. At the time, he was employed by an accounting firm in Des Moines, Iowa, and Neal Communities was his client. In fact, the homebuilder was such a large client that the accounting firm moved Schier to open an office in the Sunshine State.
At the time, his wife was pregnant with their third child, and they moved to Bradenton. “I guess you could say it was a culture shock moving from Iowa to Florida,” he said, laughing at the memory. In 1984, Schier transitioned from the other company to working full-time for Neal Communities as the company’s lead CPA.
“Back then, we were a much smaller company,” Schier said. “But we always had just wonderful people to work with. I liked everybody that I worked with. We all got along and would come together for the common goal.”
Over the course of three decades, Schier has witnessed the company grow. He’s enjoyed the comradery of his co-workers. He’s also watched as Neal Communities has donated millions of dollars to community organizations and associations throughout the years.
“It’s part of Pat’s culture,” Schier said. “He gives a lot back to the community and a lot of the people that we work with at Neal Communities volunteer their time and treasures back to the community. It’s good for business and it’s good for the soul.”
After a 38-year career with Neal Communities, Schier said he is looking forward to retirement with his wife, Mary. The two have purchased an RV and intend to travel the United States. But, when he’s home, he still stops into the office to check on things.
“Sometimes, I don’t feel as though I’m retired,” he said, admitting that it’s hard to stay away. He also said he is looking forward to getting involved in the community himself and volunteering some of his own time when he is not traveling.
Leisa Weintraub Brought Awards, Success
When Leisa Weintraub started working for Neal Communities in 1992 in marketing, she was challenged with her first assignment – getting University Park on the map. “By the time we did that, I had met every cartography department,” Weintraub said, laughing at the memory. It would not be the last time Pat Neal would challenge her. But it was those challenges Weintraub truly enjoyed during her 30 years as Vice President of Marketing for Neal Communities. She had a direct role in 50 groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings of communities from Tampa to Naples.
Weintraub tells the story of the resilience of Neal Communities. In 2008, when the market crashed, she watched Neal pivot his company’s path quickly. Rather than shutting down, like so many builders did, he downsized and changed his product lines. He found that townhomes were not desirable for buyers and ultimately invented a successful cottage home product. “It was amazing to watch, and it was inspiring to see his vision,” she said. “I’ve always seen his leadership, but that was remarkable because it was such a pivotal moment for the building industry.”
Weintraub was at the helm of marketing during much of Neal Communities’ growth. She remembers when the company hosted 13 grand openings in a single year. She played a strong role in all of them, from logo design to ultimately landing home sales through marketing efforts. “You learn how a community forms,” she said. “All of the aspects, intricacies and development processes that are used to create a community and its homes. It was always very, very fascinating to me.”
Weintraub also was instrumental behind the number of awards Neal Communities adorns on the shelf in the lobby of its Lakewood Ranch headquarters, including the Southwest Building Conference’s Aurora Awards and the Florida Home Builders Association Sales & Marketing Council’s EXCEL Awards. Neal Communities also has been recognized by the Parade of Homes and the Florida Green Building Coalition.
Professionally, Weintraub earned her Master in Residential Marketing (MIRM) certification through the National Association of Home Builders. She also was named Marketing Professional of the Year by the Florida Association of Home Builders Excel Award. She chaired the local Sales & Marketing Award Gala and the Parade of Homes Award Gala for the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association.
“Since I was at Neal for so long, I sort of got to be the encyclopedia. People would come to me and ask questions about how this or that happened,” she said. “It was often fast paced. It was challenging, and it was interesting. Each community was like your own child. They were all different. They were all marketed for their uniqueness.”
Now that she is retired, she hopes to spend time with her husband, Richard, who also sold his business and retired along with her. She intends to spend time in her garden and on her passion – clothing design. “I think the fascinating thing about working with Pat is that he is never standing still,” she said. “He is always moving and doing interesting things. And I’ve always loved that part of it. I’ll miss the wonderful and very capable team at Neal Communities.”
Making Room for the Next Generation
While Cioffi openly admitted to not wanting to leave, she said she is excited about the next generation taking over. “It’s good to bring in the younger generation and have a whole different set of ideas,” she said.
For Neal, he is saying goodbye to not just employees but good friends. “We work hard to create a family culture here at Neal Communities,” Neal said. “It’s always difficult to say goodbye, but we are thankful for the hard work and dedication that they gave to build wonderful neighborhoods for people to live, work and play.”
Southwest Florida’s largest private homebuilder, Neal Communities, is celebrating the grand opening of SkySail, a 1,500-single-family-home community on 642 acres off Oil Well Road in Naples.
The amenity rich community opened for limited pre-sales in March. To date, more than 20 homes have been sold.
Quick move-in homes are priced from the low $500s with all options and lot premiums included. Buyers can select from several home collections. The living areas range 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. A number of houses within SkySail are quick move-in homes with professionally designed interiors. The community includes 246 acres of lakes, and many of the homes have lake views.
“We are proud to celebrate the grand opening of a stunning new community in Southwest Florida,” says Tim Oak, President for Neal Communities’ South Region. “SkySail will allow people to enjoy an active lifestyle in a beautiful area of our region.”
SkySail is located within a growing area of Naples, near a shopping and entertainment district and the Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, a premier family friendly aquatic sports and special events venue.
For outdoor enthusiasts, SkySail features sidewalks on both sides of the street and a walking trail with workout stations around a central lake. Lush landscaping, swaying palm trees, a lagoon resort-style swimming pool and a lap pool help create a serene lifestyle. The community also includes three fitness stations, eight pickleball courts, two tennis courts, a kayak and canoe launch, fishing pier, a community event lawn and an outdoor gaming area with cornhole and game tables.
In the heart of the community is a lake house and wellness building. The lake house (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 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.
A virtual grand opening event, including tours of available floor plans, will be streamed live on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube at 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 2. Register in advance at https://on.nealcommunities.com/skysail-virtual-go-event/.
For more information, visit SkySailFL.com or call (877) 711-8865.
For the seventh consecutive year, Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, is partnering with Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County as a Diamond Duck sponsor of the nonprofit’s 13th Annual Lucky Ducky Race for Pace.
In addition to its $5,000 donation, Neal Communities’ employees also support the cause. Every year, employees host a team to adopt rubber ducks, raising even more funds to help the Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County. Jackie Polino, online sales coordinator for Neal Communities, has served as the team leader since Neal Communities has sponsored the event.
“I love charity work, and this gives me the opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of the those young ladies who are part of Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County,” Polino said. “It’s really all about the girls.”
On Saturday, June 11, 2022, more than 30,000 adopted rubber ducks will float down the Manatee River, with the luckiest winning prizes for their owners. The race starts at Caddy’s at the Pointe in Bradenton. Ducks are available for purchase now through about thirty minutes before the race starts. All of its proceeds benefit Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County.
“Neal Communities is pleased to continue our support of the Lucky Ducky Race for Pace,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Pace Center for Girls makes a difference in the lives of girls within our region, and we are proud to take part in this annual event.”
Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County is a year-round school that provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. The comprehensive program integrates social services and education in an individualized manner, and it is recognized nationally as one of the most effective programs in the country for keeping adolescent girls out of the juvenile justice system. Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County uses a strengths-based approach that harnesses the unique potential of each girl with a focus on future outcomes. Pace Manatee has worked with more than 1,500 girls over the years and is one of Pace Center’s almost two dozen Florida locations.
As a Diamond level sponsor, Neal Communities’ donation assists Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County with its program and necessities, including uniforms, transportation, supplies and more.
Polino said she enjoys pulling the team of employees together to individually purchase ducks and add to the homebuilder’s support of the organization. “I’m the type of person who loves to rally people and get them excited about important causes. So, it felt natural to say yes when I was asked if I would be the team leader for this event six years ago,” Polino said. “Plus, it’s fun that we get to bring a 14-foot-tall duck into our office.”
Polino is currently arranging for Quacky, the event’s mascot, to walk through Neal Communities offices closer to the race to garner even more individual support from employees.
Neal Communities, based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is Southwest Florida’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private builder. During the company’s 50-year history, it has built over 18,000 new homes in more than 90 acclaimed communities from Tampa to Naples. 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.
“Partners like Neal Communities, who invest their resources as well as their time, show our Pace girls how dedicated our community is to their success,” said Amy Wick Mavis, executive Director of Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County. “We are so thankful for Neal Communities and their continued support and passion for our cause.”
For more information about Pace Center for Girls Manatee, visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/manatee. For more information about Lucky Ducky Race for Pace and/or to purchase ducks, visit www.DuckRace.com/Manatee.
Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier homebuilder, announced its southern division received an Avid Benchmark Award and several employees throughout the company received Annual Service Awards from Avid Ratings.
Avid Ratings offers a software industry solution that home industry professionals use to measure, understand, and improve their performance at every customer touchpoint. The 19th Annual Avid Awards program recognized homebuilders throughout the U.S. for scoring highest with their customers on homebuying experience surveys.
Award winners are chosen based on results received from some of the largest publicly traded NYSE/NASDAQ builders, North America’s largest private builders and hundreds of small volume and custom builders from coast to coast. This year’s program had 437 qualifying builders from all over the United States and Canada and covers homebuyer data from January to December 2021.
“We are proud to announce our Avid Award-winning customers this year and congratulate them on their commitment to providing exceptional customer experience. Although the homebuilding industry continued to face challenges in labor and supply shortages this past year, our customers were determined to provide high-quality service for their buyers,” said Aaron Everson, CEO of Avid Ratings. “Their perseverance in difficult times and dedication to service excellence are clearly reflected in their well-deserved honors.”
Neal Communities’ Southern Division oversees the construction of communities in Lee and Collier Counties.
Neal Communities’ employees also were recognized during the awards programs. The 9th Annual Avid Service Awards honored employees who receive exemplary customer satisfaction scores amongst the thousands of employees rated in Avid Ratings’ AvidCX platform. The Avid Service Awards are widely considered to be the premier awards for homebuilding professionals.
Sales Representatives Lisa Marie Halady (Southern Division), Matthew Turczyn (Southern Division), and David McKenna (Southwest Florida Division) received Avid Service Awards. Construction Representatives Gabriel Kempski (Southwest Florida Division) and Marshall Kutz (Southwest Florida Division) also received Avid Service Awards.
“Receiving an Avid Benchmark Award is a reflection of the fact that we continue to make beautiful communities that people enjoy,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “We are proud of our employees and their accomplishments.”
For more information about Neal Communities visit NealCommunities.com.
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.
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.