Posts

Showing posts from 2019

New Villa or Single Family Home Comparison | Venice FL | davidbarrhomes.com

Image
You could buy this paired villa for $347,999, or you could buy this single family home with similar amenities in a nearby gated community in the $330,000's, including home site premium and common designer upgrades.  Venice FL paired villa for sale for $347,999 Venice FL new single family home around $330,000 including home site and designer options Even better, the single family home will save you up to $100 per month in energy costs.  This is why you need a local new home specialist, instead of asking for information from a national website. Where are these single family homes? Contact me for more information.

Skye Ranch New Homes | Sarasota FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
Skye Ranch is a new master planned community coming to Sarasota. Located east of I-75 off SR 72, at the intersection with Lorraine Road (former Bee Ridge Rd extension), Skye Ranch will have multiple neighborhoods.  Each will have it's own amenities center.  In total, 6000 homes are planned. Skye Ranch community site map for first new home neighborhood There is a tremendous amount of pasture land south of SR 72 and east of I-75. To put the size of 2,000 acre Skye Ranch in perspective, The West Villages has 10,000 acres and Lakewood Ranch has 31,000 acres. Skye Ranch will have a full range of housing: condos similar to the Garden Condos in Esplanade Palmer Ranch and Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch , paired villas, entry level single family homes, and large executive homes on 90' wide lots. One of the frustrations new home buyers have with Sarasota new homes is their proximity to I-75 and traffic noise.  Skye Ranch is located far enough east of the interstate to eli

Cielo New Homes | Venice FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
Another new home community called Cielo is getting ready to open in early 2020. Cielo is located on Jacaranda Blvd, just west of sister community Milano.  There will be a total of 71 new homes, with single family homes and optional 2 story floor plans. Cielo will have low HOA fees and no CDD fees, with no community club house or pool to maintain.  There will be a playground, dog park and open grassy areas. Site of Cielo new homes in Venice FL, west of Milano off Jacaranda Blvd. Cielo is really geared toward families and multi-generational home buyers, who don't want to pay for a lot of extra amenities they may not use.  It will be very much like Windwood , by the same builder. Remember, new homes cost the same as the builder's advertised prices when you're working with your own Realtor.  Contact me for more information about Cielo or any other Venice FL area new home community.

Best New Home Values | Sarasota FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
As your new home specialist that has worked with many buyers over the years, there are three major criteria that go into the decision process:  price, amenities, and location. There are over 55 major new home communities under construction and selling right now in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Venice/The West Villages.  Here I'll break down the best new single home values based on these criteria, plus a couple of others that should also be considered. Legend:  Amenities scale 1= no club house or pool   2= basic pool and restrooms   3= small club house and pool, with dog park or playground  4= resort style pool and club with activities director Legend: Location value scale 1= close to I-75 or major roads   2= close to a downtown or Main St. area   3= close to local beach under 30 mim   4= highly rated school district Community                Preserve           Venice Woodlands           Palisades           Bay Landing S. F. Base Price         $260s                 $280&#

Promenade at Palmer Ranch | Sarasota FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
As your Sarasota new home specialist, I bring you video tours of new construction homes and condos. I just posted a tour of Promenade Palmer Ranch, a new community of town homes located at the intersection of Sawyer Loop and McIntosh Road. Promenade town homes are an excellent value with prices generally well under $300,000, and are built with all concrete block, even on the 2nd floor.  These town homes have open living and kitchen concept floor plans, generously sized bedrooms, and attached 1 car garages. Compare Promenade to other new condos and villas in the Palmer Ranch area, such as Hammock Preserve and Esplanade Palmer Ranch.  The villas in Hammock Preserve are priced up to $100,000 higher, while the "garden condos" in Esplanade Palmer Ranch are priced similarly to Promenade, but with no attached garages.  The units here are either first or 2nd floor, with no elevators. For a current list of new and resale town homes in Promenade, visit my website:  saraso

Garden Condos | Esplanade on Palmer Ranch Sarasota | David Barr Realtor

Image
New garden condos are available in Esplanade on Palmer Ranch . In case you're not familiar, Esplanade is located on Honore, south of the established neighborhood The Isles on Palmer Ranch.  This is an active lifestyle neighborhood, with a resort level club house and pool, with Bahama Bar, tennis, pickleball, hiking and biking trails that connect to The Legacy Trail, and a full time activities director. The garden condos are the same floor plans you'll find in it's sister community, Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch .  Prices start in the mid to upper $200,000's.  The first set of condo buildings is immediately adjacen to the club house. As your Sarasota new home specialist, I'm keeping up on all the construction progress in the area, so you don't have to hunt for builder's websites (who don't provide these types of videos).  Remember, new homes prices are the same as the builder's advertised price when you're working with your own Realto

Cardel Homes in Worthington | Sarasota FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
Yesterday I toured the model homes by Cardel Homes in Worthington. Worthington is a new home community located east of I-75, at the intersection of Iona Rd and Palmer Blvd. Cardel Homes may not be a name that's familiar with many Sarasota home buyers, but they are currently also building in Country Club East in Lakewood Ranch .  I was quite impressed by their models.  There are 5 models with 3-5 bedrooms and 3-4 baths, starting in the low $400's.  Optioned out, plus lot premiums, a new home here will likely range from the high $400's to high $600's. Cardel Homes model home great room in Worthington Cardel Homes model home open plan kitchen with available natural gas Master bath in Cardel Homes model in Worthington Unique master bath layout With so many new home choices in this price range, why would anyone buy a Cardel Home in Worthington?  In my opinion, they make excellent use of space, and emphasize living areas that get the most use in re

3 New Communities Opening for Sales | Sarasota FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
In the past week, 3 major new home communities have opened for sales. Aria in Venice has 182 homes with 4 model homes available for viewing.  These are completely new floor plans not seen elsewhere in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, or Venice.  Prices start in the low $400's.  See more on my website. Aria in Venice FL Promenade Estates is now open.  A drive by this community located off Honore, south of Central Sarasota Parkway, is deceiving, since the model homes are not completed.  You can reserve your lot now, and I can arrange a tour of the same floor plans being built in Promenade Estates, in other nearby communities by the same builder.  Visit my website for more information. Promenade Estates in Palmer Ranch Sarasota Cresswind , a 55 and over community, is also now open in Lakewood Ranch.  The Cresswind brand is well known in the Southeast for their active lifestyle opportunities.  Cresswind will have an extensive club house and resort style pool, fitness c

Vicenza New Homes Update | Venice FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
Here's an update for you on Vicenza, a new home community opening soon in Venice FL. Vicenza is located east of the intersection of Border Road and Jacaranda Blvd, immediately neighborhing it's sister community, Milano . Eentrance to Vicenza under construction as of August 2019 Vicenza will be set on 290 acres, and will have both paired villas and single family homes.  I expect the floor plans, prices, and amenities list will be upgraded just a bit from Milano.  The architectural style will be Italian inspired, after feedback from home owners in Grand Palm (by the same builder) that didn't care for a mix of coastal and Mediterranean styles.  There will be approximately 500 home sites, with residences sized from 1400 to 2300 square feet of living space.  All homes will have a 2 car garage max. The amenities center is under construction and looks very similar to the one in Milano as well.  There will be a dog park, bike trails, pickle ball, and bocce ball.

Aria New Homes are Now Open | Venice FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
Aria in Venice FL new home sales have begun!  Watch here for my exclusive video and photo galleries of the model homes and amenities center, coming soon. Follow me on FB , or bookmark my website for updates:  davidbarrhomes.com/aria-venice-fl-homes-for-sale .  Aria new homes in Venice FL There are 8 floor plans, all 3 bedrooms with 2 or 3 baths and 2 or 3 car garages.  These are executive homes with wide home sites (72' or 57'), with prices starting in the mid $400's to the $700's.  Remember, new homes cost the same as the builder's advertised prices when you're working with your own Realtor.  This builder is closing out Milano directly across Jacaranda, and is in the process of getting two more communities ready for sale for our winter season: Vicenza and Cielo . As your new home specialist, I'm staying on top of all the latest news and construction progress, so you don't have to deal with so many sales people at the individual new hom

Talon Preserve Update | Palmer Ranch Sarasota | David Barr Realtor

Image
I have more information on Talon Preserve , the sister community to Hammock Preserve on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota .  The location is at the intersection of Honore and Hwy 681. There will be paired villas and single family homes from $200,000's to $700,000's. It will be a large community of 926 home sites, and will of course include the type of resort style amenities home owners love in Hammock Preserve . Site of Talon Preserve in Palmer Ranch, looking northeast toward the intersectin of Honore and Hwy 681. There will be a direct connection to The Legacy Trail , and in an interesting twist, there will be a restaurant, bar and grill. Think Del Webb , a well known 55 and over brand by the same builder, but without the age restriction.  Sales are expected to start in the spring of 2020.  Follow me here for updates, or sign up for updates  on  sarasotadavid.com.   # talonpreserve   # palmerranch   # sarasotanewhomes   # sarasotarealestate   # sarasotar

Sarasota New Homes Update | Talon Preserve | David Barr Realtor

Image
Talon Preserve is the latest new home development coming to us from the same builder as Hammock Preserve. Apparently, Talon Preserve will be part of the Palmer Ranch Master Association.  It's located at the intersection of Hwy 681 and Honore. In the photo you can see The Legacy Trail and part of the Calusa Lakes Golf Club. I will have a page for Talon Preserve with more information on  sarasotadavid.com  soon. # sarasotanewhomes   # sarasotarealestate   # sarasotarealtor # sarasotarealestateagent  #sarasotarealtor  # talonpreserve

Regional Differences in New Homes | Sarasota FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
Over the weekend I toured resale homes and new construction homes with vinyl plank and engineered hardwood flooring throughout.  Those finishes are great for homes up north with floors above grade, but in FL, those materials placed over a cement slab that wicks moisture, even if they are supposedly waterproof, are not the best choice. There's something disconcerting to those of us here in Florida that are used to walking on the quiet, solid floors of ceramic tile or terrazzo, compared to the hollow sound of engineered hardwood. I've recently shown homes in Grand Palm and in Lakewood Ranch that have engineered hardwood in the main living areas, and they have sat on the market for quite a while. Regional differences are just another reason you need your own Realtor working for you when you're buying a new home in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, or Venice FL and The West Villages.

New Home Buying Misconceptions | Quick Move In Homes | Venice FL

Image
One question keeps coming up about quick move in homes, or "inventory" homes: Can the builder make any changes?.  Builders rarely make any changes to a quick move in home, at any stage of it's construction.  They purchase the materials and finishes for each home, and make plans far in advance, to get the best pricing. Most quick move in homes will come with ceramic tile floors in wet areas and living areas, with carpet in the bedrooms. If you wanted to change the carpet, you'd have do to it after purchase. If you are particular about kitchen finishes such as cabinet color or countertops, the builder likely has options to show you, possibly at a different stage of construction. The number of quick move in homes in many of the new home communities I serve between Lakewood Ranch and The West Villages has decreased.  Please contact me for more information and to schedule a tour.

New Home Hurricane Protection | Sarasota FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch new home buyers might be surprised to learn that most are built without impact resistant windows and sliding glass doors, and come instead with a package of protective panels. Upgrading to impact resistant glass all around your new home is expensive (up to $20,000 depending on the builder and size of the home). Many of my clients have found it would take decades to recoup the added cost through reduced home owner's insurance premiums. If you're looking at new homes in Lakewood Ranch, Venice and The West Villages, or Sarasota, you need a new home specialist. Remember, new construction costs the same as the builder's advertised prices when you're working with your own Realtor. davidbarrhomes.com for Venice real estate lakewoodranchdavid.com for Lakewood Ranch sarasotadavid.com for Sarasota Contact me to arrange a tour.

New Construction Update | Cresswind Lakewood Ranch | David Barr Realtor

Image
It's unbelievable to me how quickly builders can change a landscape.  This is Cresswind in Lakewood Ranch in December 2018, and July 2019. Cresswind will be a 55 and over community that will compete with Del Webb. It's located just north of Lakewood National, north of SR 70 off the Uiehlien Road extension.  Cresswind site December 2018 Cresswind Lakewood Ranch July 2019 I'll have a video for Cresswind on my website, lakewoodranchdavid.com/cresswind-lakewood-ranch .  Remember, new homes cost the same as the builder's advertised price when you're working with a Realtor.

New Home Buying Misconceptions | Sarasota and Venice FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
One of the most common misconceptions about buying a Venice FL or Sarasota new construction home is that you can pick out the home site you want, and the builder will hold it until your current home sells.  The reality is that you have to be ready to write an offer with the builder (with my help as your buyer's agent, of course), and pick out your home site then. Home sites are released for sale in small batches (mostly because of local permitting requirements), to buyers who are ready to go.  Being a VIP on a builder's list means you get email updates, and that's about it.  # veniceflnewhomes # sarasotanewhomes   # sarasotarealestateagent   # sarasotarealtor # newconstructionspecialist   # veniceflbuyersagent

Three New Downtown Luxury Condos | Sarasota FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
There's a lot of new construction happening in downtown Sarasota. BLVD Sarasota  is an 18 story condominium with 49 residences. It is over half sold, with prices starting around $2 million.  These condos will have 3500 to 3900 square feet of living space, with expansive outdoor living spaces and floor to ceiling windows.  The   Ritz Carlton  is building another 18 story luxury condo building with 73 residences, on the site of the former Quay, with direct waterfront access.  Connected by a private walkway, only a stone's throw from the Ritz Carlton Resort, these condos will have floor plans from 3095 to 4855 square feet of living space.  These will have a much more contemporary vibe than existing Ritz Carlton properties. Auteur Sarasota  will add another 18 story condo tower next to the Sarasota Hyatt Regency, with 56 residences. These contemporary condos will start in the $2 millions, with outdoor living spaces on both sides of the building, providing for

Venice Woodland New Homes Update | Venice FL | David Barr Realtor

Image
My first post for Venice Woodland new homes in Venice FL was back in January.  Here's an update showing their sales center and model home under construction.  Venice Woodland model home and sales center under construction The main street into the community is now paved. Venice Woodland, by M/I Homes, sits on about 150 acres, and will have a full list of amenities such as a dog park, resort style pool and club house, walking trails, and fitness center.  M/I Homes also builds Oasis at The West Villages, Mapleleaf Hammock in Lakewood Ranch, and Hidden Creek in Sarasota.  Remember, new homes cost the same as the builder's advertised prices, when you're working with your own Realtor as your buyer's agent.  Contact me for a tour. # realtor   # realestateagent   # buyersagent   # newhomespecialist # venicefl   # floridanewhomes