Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch New Homes

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 ...

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    ...

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:...

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...

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...

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 hou...

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 ...

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 ...

Payne Park Village is a new condo development in Sarasota.  It's located on School Avenue, directly across from Payne Park. The units are spacious, and the builder, David Weekley Homes, offers open floor plans and contemporary finishes. These three story units will have attached 2 car garages and 3 floors of living space.  The 2nd story has the kitchen and is completely open to the generously sized family room.  All units will have 3 bedrooms and 3 baths with one or two half baths.  Elevators are also an option.  When completed, there will be 135 residences. There will also be a pool and cabana, along with common area parks and places for grilling. Price ranges start in the mid $500,000's. If you'd like to get an idea about what these condos will be like, I can schedule a tour of Enclave at Laurel Park, which are by this builder and are mostly complete. Contact me for a tour of the area, or with any questions.  

I got a phone call yesterday that prompted me to write this blog post. I get these types of calls now and then.  Another Realtor contacted me for information about some condos in one of the new home communities I serve.  This Realtor said "I found you online" and "Aren't you the builder"? It's a pretty sad situation when someone with a real estate license doesn't know who the builder is for a new home community.  I think it's even worse that these people can't get off the couch and go to visit these new home communities on their own, for knowledge sake. I'm your Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch new home specialist. If you're looking for a new home, you should demand more than someone who just drives you to the sales center and lets the new home sales associate take over for them.  The new home sales associates know their product very well, but usually can't tell you about competing properties or local attractions and amenities....

I've been working with a buyer looking for a new home in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.  I've been saying this for a long time:  you really do need your own Realtor when you're ready to buy a new home. The biggest issue we ran across was making sure we were getting accurate price quotes for homes that were already built.  When you see "homes starting at" on builder advertisements, those prices usually don't include any upgrades or home site premiums.  For example, homes starting in the mid $300,000's usually ended up costing over $400,000. An "inventory" or "quick move in home" may be either finished or under construction, with up to 60 days before it's ready for occupancy.  These quick move in homes should be priced with upgrades included as well as any lot premium.  A lot premium can run from $0 (if your home backs up to another home, or a road) to over $75,000 for a lake view home site.  Lot premiums are one of the mo...

I know its tempting to drive yourself around looking for new homes and going directly to the builder on your own. Think about this:  the percentage of home buyers using a Realtor to buy a resale home has increased to over 90% in the last decade.  FSBO (for sale by owner) is dwindling. Why?  The process and the choices are more complicated, and frankly, I think buyers are better informed and want to work with a Realtor they can trust to help them make the best decision for their needs. The same thought process should apply to the purchase of a new home.  The builder's contracts are much longer than a Florida resale contract, and it favors the builders, not you as a buyer. On top of that, you have 50 choices for major new home communities between Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Venice and The West Villages.  As your new home specialist, I'm in these communities on a regular basis keeping up to speed on the latest news and incentives. Did you know that as ...

Worthington in Sarasota FL is now open for sales. The sales office and one model home are open.  There will be 6 different floor plans, with 3 or 4 bedrooms.  Prices start in the $400's. Watch this video tour of the model home and the entire site: Worthington is about 20 minutes from downtown Sarasota, and about 30 minutes to Lido Key, the closest beach.  It's located at the intersection of Palmer Blvd and Lorraine Road, east of I-75. I've got pictures of the model home on my website, https://www.sarasotadavid.com/worthington-sarasota-homes-for-sale.  Remember, new construction homes cost the same as the builder's advertised price when you're working with your own Realtor.  Contact me for a tour of this and other Sarasota new homes.

Two quick move in homes have been released for sale in Worthington. I last updated you on Worthington in mid January 2019.  Worthington's quick move in homes are as of this writing about 90 days away from completion.  There's a Calusa model and a Halifax model available.  The Calusa model has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, with 2620 square feet of living space, priced at $505,990, which includes any lot premium.  The 2 story Halifax has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, with 3031 square feet of living space.  It's priced at $541,000.  For more information, visit my websit e. A sales office and model homes are not yet available at Worthington, but I can show you completed models by this builder, M/I Homes, in other communities, such as Hidden Creek in Sarasota , or Oasis at The West Villages in Venice. Remember, new homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor, and during our busy season, you won't have to wait in line for a sales person t...

Earlier this month ( January 2019), I issued an e-newsletter highlighting 6 new home communities in the Sarasota area. Add one more to the list.  Promenade Estates is coming soon to the Palmer Ranch area. Located on Honore Avenue, south of Central Sarasota Parkway and directly across from Hammock Preserve, there's not much information available yet. Site of Promenade Estates in Palmer Ranch in Sarasota Existing competing new home communities in Palmer Ranch offer paired villas, some town homes, and upscale single family homes, most of which I expect will be available in Promenade Estates.  The builder, DR Horton, has a luxury home series called Emerald Homes, which I expect will occupy a section of the site, much like they are doing in Toscana Isles in nearby Nokomis/North Venice. I'll be updating my website page for Promenade Estates with the latest information as it becomes available.  Bookmark my page or contact me for a tour of Sarasota new homes...