Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch New Homes

I have a Beachwalk update for you. The builder (Divosta) is estimating Beachwalk will be open for pre-sales in fall of 2020.  This means you can reserve your home site with a refundable deposit. In case you haven't heard about Beachwalk, it's the sister community to Divosta's highly popular Islandwalk in Venice.  I believe Beachwalk will be as popular, if not more, mostly due to it's location value.  It's only 2.5 miles from Manasota Key beach via the northern bridge on Manasota Beach Road. Beachwalk will not have the extensive lake views of Islandwalk, but a restaurant and bar and grill are planned here.  I expect an amenities center that will closely match the clubhouse and pool in Islandwalk. Model homes for Beachwalk won't be completed by the time they open for pre-sales.  Pulte, which owns Divosta and Del Webb, just opened a brand new model park in Del Webb Lakewood Ranch.  You can view my photo gallery of these new floor plans at lakewoodr...

Many of you have been asking me about the level of amenities among new homes in The West Villages, Venice, and Sarasota, and how they compare.  I'll be collecting activity calendars for these communities in the coming weeks, and I'll post them on  davidbarrhomes.com.  For example, this calendar can be found on my page for Toscana Isles:  davidbarrhomes.com/toscana-isles-venice-fl   # toscanaisles Venice FL and The West Villages new home activity calendar The builder's new home sales associates most likely can't help you compare the level of amenities for competing communities.  Having examples like these all in one place will help you narrow your options. Remember, new homes cost the same as the builder's advertised prices when you're working with your own Realtor.  Contact me for a tour and for more information.

Toscana Isles has a new phase under development, which will include single family homes and a new product: stand alone villas.  I'm told the villas will be priced just under their smaller single family floor plans, which will put them at a base price in the high $200,000's. I think the villas will sell very well, with a price point that will appeal to many new home buyers. I'll have more on this in later updates. Take a tour of this new phase, and visit  davidbarrhomes.com/toscana-isles-venice-fl  for videos, photo galleries, current quick move in homes, and HOA information

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.

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.

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    ...

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...

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 b...

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...

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

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

As usual, there's lots going on in Venice FL new home construction. A total of 4 communities are in site preparation mode, with sales centers nearing completion.  The communities are in the area of Milano, on Jacaranda Blvd.  These are Aria, Cielo, Vicenza, and Venice Woodland . Three of the 4 are by Neal Communities:  Aria , offering larger executive homes, and Cielo and Vicenza, offering homes like those built most recently in Milano. Cielo is located south and west of the intersection of Laurel Road and Jacaranda.  Pricing should be similar to Milano, from the high $200's to the mid $400's.  There will be new floor plans, like sister community Indigo in Lakewood Ranch . The site of Cielo, at the intersection of Laurel Road and Jacaranda Blvd. Vicenza is another Neal Community, located east of Milano , with the main entrance off Border Road.  The sales center and model homes are progressing quickly.  I estimate these will be open...

I really enjoy working with home buyers, especially when it comes to new homes. Since I've been specializing in new home sales for a while, I know many buyers don't contact a Realtor, but go directly to the home builders.  I guess it's because these buyers think they can get a better deal without a Realtor being involved, like a for sale by owner home. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Two things you should know: 1) The new home builders rely on Realtors to bring clients through their doors and help them market their properties to the public.  In fact, I was told by a new home sales associate that they get calls asking if I work for them, because they are seeing my online marketing for their community. 2) A Realtor is another set of eyes and ears working for you.  Recently, I was touring new homes with a client who was ready to buy.  He was excited about the price and the design elements of the home.  However, he never went out on the lanai...

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.

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.

Here's an update on Aria, a new home community adjacent to Milano off Jacaranda Blvd in Venice FL. Aria is being built by Neal Communities, and will feature it's Signature Series upscale homes.  Expect larger homes than Milano, with 3 or 4 bedrooms, 3 car garages, and slightly larger lots.  I expect that Aria's club house and pool will be a bit larger and more upscale than Milano's, as well. First look at Aria club house and model homes under construction. Aria's pool will overlook a large lake, with a southerly exposure. With the rate of progress I'm seeing with construction of the model homes, home sites may be released soon, with the model homes possibly opening in the late Spring 2019. Remember, new construction homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor.  Contact me with any questions, or to schedule a tour of Venice FL area new home s.

I was going through some old pictures when I realized how time has flown by. I was at Toscana Isles over the Thanksgiving holidays in 2015, right as they were completing the model homes and sales center.  I found some old photos of the clubhouse as it was under construction, as well. Toscana Isles from the beginning I knew Toscana Isles would be successful, primarily based on the water views, but also as the clubhouse was completed.  It really has a resort-like feel, and with a full time activities director, there's always something to do.  If you don't know anyone here, you will if you move into Toscana Isles. Here's my latest video update: Remember, new homes cost the same when you're working with your own Realtor.  I've helped clients pick lots and quick move in homes based on best future resale value, sun exposure, and special pricing.  Contact me for a tour of this and all other Venice and Nokomis FL area new homes. #toscan...