Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch New Homes

So you've got your home up north under contract, and you're coming to the Sarasota area to look for your new home. You should be prepared to bring a couple of things with you on your trip. First off, you should bring a copy of the contract for the sale of your home up north.  The builder would like it to be non-contingent, meaning that inspections have been completed and agreed to, and the buyer for your home has had their final mortgage approval. Secondly, you should bring a check book for a deposit on your new home here in the Sarasota area.  Some builders ask for a minimum initial deposit of $10,000 down to reserve your home. Third, you should be prepared to make another trip back to the area, to visit with your new home design coordinator to pick your finishes like flooring, cabinets, and tile, if you are building from the slab.    After this consultation, some builders will ask for the remainder of your overall 20% down on the purchase of your home. I

On Saturday March 23, I visited the Atlanta Braves spring training facility in The West Villages in Venice, FL. Construction started over a year and a half ago.  The stadium is very nice and well laid out.  There are 6,000 seats. Judging by the turn out, the community is very excited to have this attraction.   Here are a couple of photos: I'm limited here in my ability to post photo albums, so visit and like my Facebook page where I have more photos, as well as photo albums of downtown Venice and other area attractions:  facebook.com/davidbarrsarasota. Visit davidbarrhomes.com/west-villages-venice-fl for all new home communities, current MLS listings for resales and quick move in homes, and photos of area attractions.

40 new waterfront luxury condos have been approved in  Venice FL  on a 7 acre parcel at the foot of the KMI Bridge.  Planned site of Porto Vista at the base of the KMI Bridge Preliminary rendering of new Venice FL waterfront condos Tentatively called Porto Vista, these condos follow the completion of Che Vista on Venice Island , by the same builder. As your area new home specialist, I'll be keeping you up to date with more information and photos.  Remember, the advertised price of new construction homes is the same when you're working with your own Realtor.

Continuing the theme of newly opened amenity centers in new home communities, I have a new video for you of the club house and pool for Waterside in Lakewood Ranch. I've been writing, visiting, and filming Waterside because it's going to be such an important community for Lakewood Ranch.  The second town center withing Lakewood Ranch will be built here, with water taxis, a commercial district, condos, apartments, a waterside park and promenade, and a new building for The Player's Club theater. Visit lakewoodranchdavid.com/waterside-lakewood-ranch for a current list of quick move in homes and more information.  Remember, new construction homes cost the same as the advertised price when you're working with your own Realtor.  Contact me for a tour.

There's lots of activity this season involving the opening of amenity centers in many of the new home communities I serve. Savanna in Lakewood Ranch just opened their beautiful club house and community pool.  There are 2 builders in Savanna, Lennar and M/I Homes, offering both single story and 2 story homes with prices ranging from the low $300's to the $700's. Savanna is located east of I-75, and south of SR 64 in Manatee County FL.  This is a great location for those with school age children because of the highly rated schools, and it's close to St. Petersburg or Tampa. You can view a current list of quick move in homes in Savanna on my website, lakewoodranchdavid.com/savanna-lakewood-ranch Remember, new homes cost the same as the advertised price when you're working with your own Realtor.  With 15 new home communities in Lakewood Ranch alone, it pays to have someone helping you.

Tra Ponti Villaggio is a new construction community of courtyard homes.  There's also 4 ICW-facing town homes, which have been sold. Tra Ponti Villaggio in downtown Venice FL. The remaining units are adjacent to the Venice Avenue bridge.  High build quality in the already built homes will likely prevent traffic noise from being a nuisance. The courtyard areas are perfect for a private pool, while some owners have opted for a grassy spot for their pets.  Split bedroom, open concept floor plans and high ceilings make Tra Ponti Villaggio a nice choice for those who want more of an urban living experience. Tra Ponti Villaggio is just over the bridge from the southern entrance to The Legacy Trail .  You can also bike or walk to Shamrock Park to the south on The Venetian Waterway Park . Remember, new construction homes cost the same as the advertised price, when you're working with your own Realtor.  Contact me for a tour.

This week I visited Watercrest to take a look at the new construction progress and get some updated video of the community. Watercrest is a bit unique when it comes to Venice FL new homes, because there's no CDD fees and very low HOA and condo fees for the paired villas. The paired villas start in the low $200's, and single family homes start in the low $300's.   Watercrest is located on Jacaranda Blvd at the Venice Avenue traffic circle, just south of I-75.  Remember, new homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor.  Contact me for a tour.