Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch New Homes

Milano has been a popular new home community in Venice FL.  The first phase is nearing completion, with the remaining home sites in the southern section that near Border Road sold and under construction. This new site west of Jacaranda Blvd., by thes same builder of Milano, will be called Aria, with 183 upscale homes under the Neal Signature line.  Homes will be larger and more expensive than homes in adjacent Milano. Aria new home sites looking south and west of Jacaranda Blvd. Aria new phase home sites looking west from Jacaranda I have created a new page for Aria on my website , which will have more photos and HD video once construction begins.  Neal Communities, the builder of Milano, owns even more tracts of land to the east and west.  A new community, called The Woods of Venice, will be built on 290 acres to the east of Milano, with a planned 275 homes and villas. As your Venice FL new home sales specialist , I keep you up to date on t...

I took advantage of the sunny and warm holiday weather here in Florida to update some of my older video tours on my YouTube Channel . Here's one for Vilano, a development of new luxury homes on one acre lots.  The homes in Vilano have 3-5 bedrooms and have one acre home sites. Vilano has low HOA fees, and no CDD fees unlike most new home communities in Lakewood Ranch , Sarasota , or Venice and The West Villages .  Take note:  There is no community pool or clubhouse in Vilano. Vilano is built by Emerald Homes, the luxury home division of DR Horton.  Here's a peek at one of their model homes: Emerald Homes model home For a current list of all resale homes and new construction homes in Vilano, visit my website https://www.sarasotadavid.com/vilano-sarasota-homes-for-sale .

I just produced an updated video for Rivo Lakes , a new single family home community of 107 residences. Rivo Lakes is east of I-75, behind Twin Lakes Park .  Rivo Lakes also benefits from an excellent school system, sure to attract families to these larger homes. Watch my exclusive HD video tour of Rivo Lakes Homes in Rivo Lakes will be between 2300 and 5000 square feet of living space, with some two story floor plans.  Some even offer 5 bedrooms. Luxury finishes, such as counter tops, flooring, and cabinetry, are available for you to create your semi-custom home with the builder's floor plan.  Expect 8 months from slab to completion for your build time.  There are as of this writing a few quick move-in homes available, which you can view on my website. Remember, new homes cost the same when you are working with your own Realtor.  As your Sarasota new home sales specialist , I can show you homes in Rivo Lakes, as well as nearby similar commu...

Bellacina by Casey Key is a new home community built by Taylor Morrison on Hwy 681, between I-75 and Tamiami Trail in Nokomis, FL . Community pool and club house at Bellacina by Casey Key One of the best features of Bellacina by Casey Key is it's convenient location.  You could walk or bike to a Publix supermarket at Laurel Road.  A shopping center there has dry cleaners and restaurants to make your day to day living pleasurable. The neighborhood is also just a short drive to Nokomis Beach a bit further south. Community pool at Bellacina by Casey Key In our local area, Bellacina would be considered a medium sized neighborhood when completed, with 300 planned residences.  The 165 acre site includes a lot of preserve views and two large lakes. Homes in Bellacina are Tuscan/Mediterranean style, with mostly 2 and 3 bedroom floor plans plus den.  You can choose to build a semi-custom home using one of the builder's floor plans, and choose your prefe...

With so many choices, you could use a new homes specialist to guide you to the right community and floor plan for your needs in The West Villages in Venice, FL. This is just a few of the new home communities available to you in the Venice FL area Remember, new homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor.  There is no markup by the builder.  They rely on Realtors to help market their homes, and bring them qualified buyers. In season, it can get very busy in the new home sales offices.  I've seen folks waiting for someone to help them, but there's no reason for you to go through that.  I can show you any model home, as well as any re-sale homes in the same neighborhood.   The new home sales associates know that when I bring you to them, you're a qualified and serious buyer.  This is a huge advantage for you, especially if you're interested in a particular home site that hasn't been released for sale yet, and may have...

If you're looking for a new home in southwest Florida, no doubt you've come across The West Villages in Venice FL. I'm one of probably a handful of local Realtors who cover three large master planned communities, and 2 of the top 5 in the country: The West Villages , Lakewood Ranch , and Babcock Ranch . You can download my exclusive e-book, which includes answers to many frequently asked questions about buying a new construction home, along with individual overviews of each currently available community in The West Villages.  Click here to download. You can also view the e-book live from your browser, on your mobile device or computer.  Click here to view live online. Remember, new homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor.  I look forward to helping you find the right new home for your needs.

As your Venice and Sarasota FL area new constuction specialist, it's my job to help you pick the right home and community for your needs out of the over 40 currently available. I'm seeing more and more 2 story homes being built.  With this trend comes some issues you should be aware of. As you can see in the photo above, some new home builders are using wood frame on the 2nd floor.  Some builders are building what they term "block on block", or concrete block on the 2nd floor, instead. As a new home buyer, you have a choice to make.  All concrete block is a bit more expensive than block and frame.  You may have a cost advantage in homeowner's insurance if the home is all concrete block.  The survivability of an all concrete block home in the event of a hurricane is also greater. Did you see the home in Mexico Beach, FL that was left standing after Hurricane Micheal in October 2018?   This home was all concrete. The home owne...

Did you know that working with your own Realtor costs you nothing if you're buying a new construction home? One of the advantages of working with your own Realtor when buying a new home in The West Villages is that I can compile information on all the new home communities, and put that information on my real estate website at davidbarrhomes.com. You don't have to click on all the different builder websites for the different communities, uncertain that you found them all. That's why I collected all the information about The West Villages CDD and HOA fees, and put it all on one page on my website:  davidbarrhomes.com/west-villages-venice-fl-fees . Interested in other master planned communities nearby?  I also serve Lakewood Ranch , and the 100% solar-powered Babcock Ranch in south Charlotte County, a little over an hour south of The West Villages.

I have some more images for you from The West Villages that I took on September 30, 2018. Back in July I posted about the community pool at Renaissance.  Here's an update  The pool is complete and they were putting the finishing touches on the clubhouse. Construction at the Atlanta Braves spring training facility is also moving along.   As your Venice FL and The West Villages new home sales specialist, please contact me when you're ready to buy.  New homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor.

This week, I visited Renaissance, The Preserve at The West Villages, and Oasis at The West Villages in Venice, FL. I periodically visit every major new home community in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch to stay on top of the latest news and developments.  I'm always amazed at how quickly things change. The pool and clubhouse in The Preserve is completed, and most of the first phase of villas is under construction, with no vacant lots. While The Preserve doesn't have a huge "wow" factor such as big water views or a massive club house, many buyers will like the price points and the fact that only 224 residences will be built here. New community pool and club house at The Preserve Construction at Oasis is coming along quickly.  The model homes have been open for a couple of months now, but since my last visit in July, a lot more homes are being built, and the monument sign by Tamiami Trail is up.  Oasis will have 134 executive homes with 3 car garages an...

I got more video tours updated over the weekend, and this one is for Milano in Venice FL. There's been a lot of construction progress in the southern phases of Milano, along Border Road.  If you've been down that way, you can't miss the large area across Jacaranda that has been cleared.  Neal Communities, builders of Milano, own that land.  I expect they will be announcing a new phase for Milano on that land parcel in the coming months. Milano has sold well thanks to it's combination of low HOA fees and no CDD fees. For more on Milano, including current MLS listings, visit my website https://www.davidbarrhomes.com/milano-venice-fl

The Sanctuary is Venice FL's newest new home community.  It's so new, it's not even on the builder's website yet.  As your new home sales specialist, I'm staying on top of the latest happenings and new home neighborhoods. The Sanctuary is located at the intersection of Center Road and River Road.  Comprised of just 39 homes (as of this date), The Sanctuary, built by Lennar, will have similar floor plans to it's sister community of Gran Paradiso.  Prices will start in the mid $200's. For more information about The Sanctuary, visit my website https://www.davidbarrhomes.com/the-sanctuary-venice-fl

As your Venice FL area new home sales specialist, I stay on top of the latest news and developments to help you with your new home purchase.  Remember, new homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor I regularly update the video tours of these neighborhoods so you can see the construction progress.  Over the weekend I was in Toscana Isles. Toscana Isles has one of the best new construction deals around, with condominiums starting in the mid $200,000's and single family homes starting in the low $300,000's.  For a low HOA fee, residents here enjoy a resort-level community pool set on a gorgeous lakefront peninsula, a dog park, tennis, and manned guard gate. Visit my website for more information at davidbarrhomes.com/toscana-isles-venice-fl

I work with a lot of home buyers interested in purchasing a new construction home in Lakewood Ranch. With 13 new home communities to choose from, there's a lot of questions about which neighborhoods to choose from, and how the process works. That's why I created my exclusive e-book that answers many of your new home buying questions.  I also profile every Lakewood Ranch new home neigbhorhood that is currently available. Visit  https://www.lakewoodranchdavid.com/lakewood-ranch-new-home-ebook .   I can also send you a copy with just your email address.

Garden Village is a new construction home neighborhood on Cattleman Road, just south of Fruitville Road.  When complete it will have 170 single family homes with a low HOA fee. Models homes are still being completed and should be open by the end of September 2018.  These new homes will be affordable for their size, with some floor plans going up to 2400 square feet.  Many will be two story homes, priced perfectly for a new family or for a first time home buyer.  Compared to other new home neighborhoods such as Arbor Lakes in Palmer Ranch, Garden Village is a complete bargain.  Prices start in the $280's as of this writing. As your Sarasota new homes specialist, I've got all the major Sarasota new home neighborhoods on my website so you don't have to try to find 8 or 10 different builder sites that don't have video tours.  Visit sarasotadavid.com and click on "New Construction" in the main menu. Remember, new construction homes cost the sa...

As your new home specialist, I'm constantly updating the construction process at the many new home developments in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and The West Villages in Venice, FL. Yesterday we had nice weather window so I toured Waverley.  It's located east of I-75 off Proctor Road in Sarasota, in one of Sarasota's best school districts. Waverley will have 90 homes when completed, most starting in the $500's.  The builder offers semi-custom construction options that, for example, can turn a little used dining room and 4th bedroom into a home office suite or an inlaw suite.  Waverley is perfect for the home buyer looking for something just a bit different, falling in between the large national builders and the luxury custom home builders. Take a tour of Waverley in the above video, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel to stay up to date:   http://www.youtube.com/c/Davidbarrhomes For more information on Waverley, visit my website https://www.sarasotadavi...

I'm keeping on top of the latest in new construction homes and condos for you in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice.  In fact, between Lakewood Ranch and Venice, I may be one of only a few local Realtors active in two of the top 5 selling master planned communities in the country. Meanwhile in Sarasota, I updated my video tour of Hammock Preserve , an upscale new home community on Honore Road just south of The Isles on Palmer Ranch . The first phase has a few remaining home sites.  In the video update, you can see the expansive second phase being readied for release. Hammock Preserve's club house and community pool are nearing completion as well.  A grand opening is tentatively set for mid September 2018.  Stay tuned, as I'll have interior photos available shortly afterward. Prices in Hammock Preserve start in the low $300's and sell up to the $600's.  It competes with Esplanade on Palmer Ranch practically the road, as well as Bellacina b...

Second quarter real estate statistics for Sarasota are out for single family homes.  There aren't many surprises for those of us in the real estate business. As has been the case for the past few quarters, total sales volume is down slightly, but demand produced modest median sales price increases.  Sarasota 2nd Quarter 2018 real estate statistics versus last year Median sales prices increased 4.8% from a year ago, and increased slightly from the last quarter. Sarasota 2nd Quarter 2018 median sales prices single family homes One sign that the inventory of homes for sale is tightening is new pending home sales.  Pending home sales are a possible indicator of future sales.  Months of supply is down from last year as well.  If you own a home, it may be a good idea to put it on the market as prices continue to climb due to heavy demand. Pending sales Sarasota real estate 2nd quarter 2018 Summary :  Demand for housing in Sarasot...

I've lalways been impressed by the speed at which Renaissance at the West Villages has been selling since it opened in January 2017. If you've been following my blog or if you've subscribed to my YouTube Channel , you've probably seen my periodic updated videos as new construction takes shape in the community. Since I'm your Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch new construction specialist, I knew that the pool and clubhouse in Renaissance would be just about ready to be open.  Take a look at the progress: Image removed at request of The West Villages LLLC On top of that, most of the homes in Phase 1 have already sold and/or are under construction.  Here's a look at the preparations for Phase 2: Image removed at request of The West Villages LLLC Get a feel for the whole neighborhood in this video update for Renaissance from June: Video removed at request of The West Villages LLLC Interested in new construction in Venice, Sarasota, or ...

Yesterday between rain showers I visited Waterside at Lakewood Ranch , an exciting new home community. Entry into Shoreview in Waterside Lakewood Ranch Much like most new construction, there's bits of information all over the place for Waterside.  In my role as new home specialist, assisting home buyers for this community, I've been gathering everything I can find, and putting this information in one place in my blog and on my website, lakewoodranchdavid.com . Four builders are well underway in Waterside, with new homes eventually ringing 20 miles of shoreline over 7 huge lakes.  Thankfully, there's more emphasis on coastal themed designs than the typical Mediterranean styles we have seen for a number of years. The planned 12 neighborhoods have been designed to be walkable to Waterside Place, as well as a planned 8 acre lakefront park.  Two communities, Shoreview and Lakehouse Cove, are the first to be under construction and already have a good selection o...

I specialize in helping buyers with new construction homes.  They often ask me about having their own inspection prior to close. You have every right to hire your own inspector. During the construction period, in Sarasota County, a county inspector will visit a new construction home an average of 51 times.  These inspectors are checking for building code compliance.  They are not checking to make sure all your outlets are in the right place and that the plumbing doesn't leak. To be sure, your builder will have a pre-closing walk through with you, or with me as your buyer's agent , if you can't be present to close. Your Sarasota or Venice new construction home will have a warranty, during which time you can have any structural defects repaired. New construction homes in The West Villages I have heard horror stories of things that a buyer's inspector found that the builder missed.  Remember, builders hire subcontractors, and not all subcontractors offe...

I recently got to tour the just completed model homes at Hampton Lakes, a brand new, new constuction single family neighborhood in Sarasota. Hampton Lakes is located 11.5 miles east of I-75 off Fruitville Road.  Yes, it's way out there, but it has some unique features certain buyers will be looking for. Hampton Lakes is offering 3 to 12 acre homesites, an extreme rarity among new home communities.  Future residents can build a separate garage that matches their home style, in addition to attached 2 or 3 car garages.  The size of the home sites is perfect for those buyers who value privacy, and want extra enclosed space for cars, boats, golf carts, or other grown up toys. Take a tour of Hampton Lakes with my exclusive HD video Front elevation of Hampton Lakes model home Hampton Lakes model home with stand alone garage Resort style pool and spa in Hampton Lakes model home Visit my website sarasotadavid.com/hampton-lakes-sarasota and conta...

Today I toured Heron Landing, a new executive home subdivision in Sarasota, east of I-75 off Clark Road. These homes will sit on wide home sites, allowing all to have 3 car garages.  Expect prices in Heron Landing to start in the low $500,000's, which will include lot premium. The Kerrville model home will have 5 bedrooms with options for a theater room, den, or larger closets. The Brookside model uses contemporary wood-look ceramic tile and generous open concept living. The Brookside model home pool has a long lake view and the option to add an outdoor kitchen. Meritage Homes is using spray foam attic insulation, designed to save homeowners money on heating and cooling costs. Heron Landing will have just 90 homes.  Located in an A+ rated Sarasota school district, I predict these homes will sell well.  Contact me to schedule a tour and select your preferred home site.

As your Venice and Sarasota new homes specialist, it's my job to keep you up to date on the latest news.  I’ve been specializing in new home sales in Sarasota and Venice for a while now. We’ve been in a tight resale market , which is causing home buyers in our area to look at new construction homes. If you’ve heard about new home starts being down nation wide, that absolutely does not apply to our local market here in Sarasota and Venice. Listen to this blog here on my podcast:  https://soundcloud.com/david_barr_broker/west-villages-venice-fl-update-march-2018 By the way, while we’re on the subject, you absolutely need your own Realtor when you’re looking for a new home. The builder advertised prices are the same. They rely on us to help them, and you should rely on me to help you. Check out my podcast on this subject. Specializing in new home sales in my local market means I am dedicated to keeping you as a consumer up to date, so when I ...

I'm keeping you up to date on the latest news from The West Villages in Venice FL, the country's 5th best selling master planned community. Quite a bit is happening in The West Villages, including a new neighborhood about ready to open for sales, the rapid construction progress at the Atlanta Braves spring training facility, and plans for a town center are taking shape. At this meeting, someone sitting next to me said "Wouldn't it be nice if all these fees for the different neighborhoods (there are 7, and counting) were laid out for us to find in one place?" Well, I'm on top of it.  Visit my website for The West Villages CDD and HOA fees all in one place. I've compiled all this information for you and put it on my website, davidbarrhomes.com/west-villages-venice-fl-fees so you don't have to go to so many different websites and talk to so many different new home sales consultants to get the information you need to help you make your best d...

What happens after you have decided on the new home community and floor plan? So you’ve toured model homes and are ready to start the new home buying process. The next step involves reserving a home site. Builders release home sites for sale in small batches. Part of this is the local government permitting process, and part of it is the builder creating a favorable supply versus demand situation, in other words, a sales technique. Listen to my podcast about the new home buying process https://soundcloud.com/david_barr_broker/buying-a-new-construction-home-sarasota-fl Take this next piece of advice to heart: This step in buying your new home is where failure and disappointment happens most. IF you have selected just THE PERFECT lot in the community, you must be prepared act on reserving it immediately. This is not for the faint of heart or if you are the type of person who often has buyer’s remorse. The fact is that our local Sarasota and Venice real estate mar...

I've been getting a lot of calls and emails about Oasis at The West Villages.  The target date for sales has been pushed back to April 2018, and not much else about Oasis has been made available. Today I did get the very first community site map for Oasis.  The intial phases will be built closest to Tamiami Trail, and continuing toward the two under construction model homes.  You can see this exclusively on my YouTube channel. Visit my website for more Oasis information: davidbarrhomes.com/oasis-west-villages Remember, new homes cost the same when you have your own Realtor.  Don't waste time waiting in a sales center for someone to help you.  I'm your Venice FL new homes sales specialist covering all Venice FL new home communities.

My podcast on The West Villages in Venice FL is now out. The West Villages is a master planned community in Sarasota County just east of Venice.  With 7 new home communities now open or planned on 10,000 acres, The West Villages is one of Florida's hottest new home destinations. Listen here: https://soundcloud.com/david_barr_broker/the-west-villages-in-venice-fl Get the transcript. Islandwalk at The West Villages in Venice fL

I've started a podcast for Sarasota and Venice FL real estate. Here's an example:  What's the difference between Venice and Sarasota real estate?  Listen now:  https://soundcloud.com/david_barr_broker/whats-the-difference-in-sarasota-and-venice-fl-real-estate You can also access my podcast on my Sarasota website .

Where can you find a luxury condo with top of the line European finishes, that allows pets, in the middle of a thriving urban setting in Florida that isn't in Miami? I've got one for you in Sarasota called Q.  Take an HD video tour: This 40-unit town home development has a few remaining brand new, never lived-in units for sale, which you can view at www.sarasotadavid.com/q-sarasota-condos-for-sale .  Prices start in the $700's.  Two pets up to 35 lbs. are allowed, or 1 large pet up to 100 lbs. Contact me for a tour or for more information.

You COULD drive to all the new construction homes and condos in Sarasota to be sure you are making the right decision, but do you WANT to? Those new home sales consultants are backed up with hundreds of prospective buyers just like you, who want the same home site as you.  Don't wait in line!  Hire me to help you. I can show you any model home and available home sites without waiting for a salesperson, and I can show you resales in that same community the new home sales people can't. Remember, new homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor.   Contact me for a tour and visit my websites www.sarasotadavid.com/sarasota-new-construction  and www.davidbarrhomes.com/venice-fl-new-homes-for-sale

You're among the first to get a full tour of the site for Oasis at The West Villages, a new home community coming soon to Venice, FL. Oasis will consist of 136 larger, executive style homes ranging from 2100 to 4000 square feet, with three car garages and inviting outdoor living spaces. Video removed at request of The West Villages LLLC The sales office and model home are still under construction, with sales expected to begin in April 2018.  For the latest news on Oasis, visit my website www.davidbarrhomes.com/oasis-west-villages  and remember, new homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor.

Take the first look at the site for a new home community called Sunrise Preserve on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota FL. Sunrise Preserve is being built partially on the former Sunrise Golf Course, extending to Honore just across from The Hamptons. Sunrise Preserve will have a total of approximately 400 paired villas and single family homes, and will be an active adult community with full time activities director, a large club house and community pool.  Prices are estimated to start in the mid $300's. Sunrise Preserve residents will enjoy a convenient location and access to the best Sarasota schools, consistently ranked in the top 5 in the state. For more information visit my website www.sarasotadavid.com/sunrise-preserve-sarasota and remember, new construction costs the same when you are working with your own Realtor.

I have for you another quick selling new home community in The West Villages called The Preserve in Venice FL.  There will be a total of 223 paired villas and single family homes, with a nicely equipped club house and community pool, for a low HOA fee of $188 per month. Prices start in the mid $200's. Watch my exclusive HD video, which shows a lot of construction progress since my last update in November 2017. V ideo removed at request of The West Villages LLLC For more information about Preserve at The West Villages visit my website www.davidbarrhomes.com/preserve-west-villages-venice-fl . Remember, new homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor.

The last time I updated you on Artistry new homes in Sarasota was back in November 2017.  Since then, a lot of new construction progress has been made. The community pool is about 90% completed, and a large group of new home sites has been released for sale.  Artistry set out to be different from the prevalent Mediterranean-themed architecture found in our area's new home construction.  Artistry is marketing themselves as more contemporary, but you may have to look past some of the over-the-top decorator elements in the model homes to appreciate their floor plans. For more about Artistry, including floor plans, pre-construction homes for sale, and HOA fees, visit my website www.sarasotadavid.com/artistry-sarasota-homes-for-sale .

Che Vista condos on Venice Island in Venice, FL are progressing toward completion.  Much of the interior framing seems to be well underway, and exterior windows have been installed.  Take a look at my exclusive HD video, showing the views of the Gulf of Mexico from different ends of the building. For the latest news on Che Vista visit my website www.davidbarrhomes.com/che-vista-condos-venice-fl

If you're interested in a new home in The West Villages in Venice FL, Manasota Key Beach is one of 5 nearby options. Manasota Beach Road will extend to Tamiami Trail, running south of Islandwalk and connecting with West Villages Parkway, eventual home to the Atlanta Braves spring training facility and the planned West Villages town center. Residents of The West Villages can take advantage of this boat launch and parking area at the foot of the north Manasota Key bridge, which were recently upgraded.  For more information visit www.davidbarrhomes.com/west-villages-venice-fl

Promenade at Palmer Ranch is a new town home development at the intersection of McIntosh Road and Sawyer Loop Road in Sarasota.  Prices start in the low $300's.  The model homes have contemporary finishes and sensible floor plans, with little wasted space, and options for a home office, a spare bedroom, or a den. Promenade at Palmer Ranch will be gated, and will have a community pool and club house.  Expect low condo fees around $182 per month.  Two pets are allowed with no size restrictions. Remember, new construction costs the same when you are working with your own Realtor .  Visit my website for more on Promenade at Palmer Ranch and contact me for a new construction tour of this and other Sarasota new homes.