Attractive Pool Home Available Now in the Riverwalk "Village"

  In the very attractive Riverwalk community in Lakewood Ranch is where you’ll find this delightful 2,363 sqft. 4 bedroom, 3 bath pool home.

  With an open floor plan, a nice sized kitchen with a walk-in pantry and bar top that opens to the family room and breakfast area and a spacious living room/dining room area, this home would be perfect for any family. The breakfast area with large window in the kitchen overlooks the screened patio and pool area with its gas heated spa and pool and a gas BBQ hook-up and room available should you wish to add an outdoor kitchen. In this home, you'll be able to relax at the end of your day in the heated spa with views over the privacy hedges of a serene lake and preserve area.

  This home, built in 2000, is loaded with upscale design features like crown moldings, decorative niches, arched door openings, and a master suite with wood floor in the bedroom, and a spa tub, separate shower, and make-up vanity in the bath. In addition to the four bedrooms and 2 more full baths, there is a bonus room.

  And there’s still more. There’s an inside laundry area with ironing board center, natural gas water heater, gas heat, and a 30 ft. deep garage for the golf cart, bikes or a work area.

  This is, frankly, about the nicest layout for a home of this size you’ll find in Lakewood Ranch. It has been well cared for and painted in the last year. Nicely landscaped and tastefully decorated. The country club gated entrance to the country club is only about 500 ft. away should you wish to use your golf cart to the golf course.

  And, this home is located in the attractive Riverwalk village, one of 10 such “villages” that comprise the award-winning Lakewood Ranch master-planned community straddling the area between Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida. Lakewood Ranch offers everything you could ever want or need to enjoy living on the Florida “sun Coast;” great schools, a medical center, 54 holes of golf at the private Lakewood Ranch Country Club as well as the 18 hole Legacy public course. There is also great shopping and dining in the community’s “Main Street,” an athletic/fitness center with tennis courts and swimming pools, over 150 miles of sidewalks and trails and dozens of lakes and ponds throughout the community.

  For young families, those considering retiring in the next few years and those already enjoying retirement, there is a comfortable home attractively priced in the Riverwalk village.

  This home can be yours right now for $419,000 if you call me at 941.228.2321. I would be pleased to show you this home at 11106 Water Lily Way and other equally attractive homes in all 10 villages in Lakewood Ranch. If you’d just like to know more about Lakewood Ranch at this point, visit the Lakewood Ranch section of my Sarasota Florida real estate website.

Congratulations to the New Owners of 7969 Royal Birkdale Circle

This is a truly beautiful custom-built home in the award-winning master planned development at Lakewood Ranch. Situated in the prestigious Lakewood Ranch Country Club "village," this 3,745 square foot, 4 bedroom, 3 bath home backs to a beautiful lake. The views from virtually every window in this home are spectacular. The amenities are never-ending. From your firt step into the elegant foyer, you find yourself enveloped in elegance from the large tile floors and arched doorways to the beautiful solid wood cabinetry and granite counter tops in the kitchen and the vaulted ceilings.

The screened pool lanai is expansive with its own fireplace and plenty of room for entertaining your guests while relaxing with those spectacular views over the lake. The exterior landscaping all around the home is awe inspiring.

If this is the type of home you seek, call me at 941-228-2321. I focus my attention almost exclusively on luxury homes for sale in Lakewood Ranch and I can assure you that together we can find another Lakewood Ranch home for sale just as beautiful to you as this one is to its fortunate new owners.

Lakewood Ranch Tour of Homes Event Schedule - Much More Than a "Tour of Homes"

  Lakewood Ranch is once again presenting its “Annual Tour of Homes” with this years events being held from October 3rd through November 23rd. Yes, model homes will be open daily, including the private showcase homes at the exclusive Lake Club village and the private, gated Country Club East village but during the “Tour of Homes, there are many extra events held to showcase the wide range of Lakewood Ranch lifestyles. The Tour is a great way to experience the Ranch if you're new to the area or an established resident. Make this year your first to truly experience the Ranch.

  A few of the highlights of the upcoming events this year include:

• 10/21   BEHIND THE SCENES RANCH TOUR. Take a bus tour leaving the Lakewood Ranch Information Center, 6220 University Parkway, and explore what happens behind the gates of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch's agricultural and aggregates businesses. Four tours are available; Thursday, October 9, Tuesday, October 21, Tuesday, November 4 and Thursday, November 20 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m mon each date. Open to the public but reservations are required due to limited seating.
  
  
• 10/24   BOO FEST from 6 to 9 pm on Main Street being held for the 8th year. Volunteers will transform Lakewood Ranch Main Street into an unforgettable sight of scarecrows, haunted houses, graveyards and lots of shady and unusual looking characters. All are encouraged to dress in costume and safely trick or treat among the merchants and sponsors. Children’s groups can register and join the community parade down Main Street at 6:30 pm.
  
  
• 11/08   UNCORKED AT LAKEWOOD RANCH. Under the tent at the Sarasota Polo Club, a charity fundraising event will be presented by the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch. Black tie optional, valet parking, a special wine and food pairing event followed by desert and dancing under the stars. Michael's on East will serve a 4-course gourmet dinner preceded by a champagne cocktail reception with music in the Pavilion at the Polo Club. $250 per person, $,2500 for a reserved table of 8.
  
  
• 11/15   FEST ITIALIANA from 11AM to 4PM at Greenbrook Adventure Park will offer a full line up of entertainment, children's activities, craft vendors, traditional food and a dog costume contest to benefit the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch. A full day of acts will be presented including Jimmy Mazz withan hour-long music tribute to Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra,Joe Spinella, tenor, Devin Bradbury, a local country pop artist, and Julia Lima, a soprano and a performance by the Tarantella Dancers. Children can enjoy the park, pony rides and a make-and-take craft of noodle necklaces.
  
  
• 11/15   PUTTS FOR MUTTS, a golf tournament at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club to benefit the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch. 4-person scramble, ladies' teams, men's teams and mixed teams. Registration includes golf, dinner, entertainment, prizes and a live auction for $175 per player. Registration deadline is October 15th.
  
  
• 11/15   HORSEPOWER FOR HOPE - The 2nd Annual "Horsepower for Hope" automotive festival will be presented by Walgreens and hosted by the Center for Building Hope in Florida. Lamborghini, Bugatti, Porsche and Aston Martin are a few of the 150+ cars that will line Lakewood Ranch Main Street for a charitable car show. The 2014 Horsepower for Hope will showcase an array of distinctive and unforgettable cars from around the world, with proceeds to benefit the Center for Building Hope in Sarasota, Florida.
  
  
• 11/23   PONIES UNDER THE PALMS - the 23rd annual car show presented by the Mustang Club of West Central Florida al Florida to benefit Tidewell Hospice and Southeastern Guide Dogs. The public is invited free of charge to see outstanding examples of older and newer Mustangs and other special interest and antique Ford cars and trucks. Owners may enter their cars for judging and award from 7 to 10AM with the awards ceremony at 3PM

  Other events planned this year include:

• 10/09 - 10/12   Ancient Oak Gun Club Harvest Moon Classic Shooting Tournament
• 10/11   Bike Ride
• 10/18   Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
• 10/18   Nature Walk
• 10/25   Boo Run
• 10/25   Dragon Boat Festival Parade
• 11/02   CycleFest
• 11/06   Empty Bowls
• 11/07   Music on Main
• 11/08   Bike Ride
• 11/15   Nature Walk

  Stop by one of the Lakewood Ranch information centers to pick up a tour guide map.

  I invite you to learn more aboutLakewood Ranch homes for sale. I'd be pleased to give you a Free MLS Access Account giving you 24/7 access to all Sarasota MLS data on Lakewood Ranch homes and condos in all price ranges just as though you were a Realtor. If you prefer, you may Contact Me on my website or, for an immediate response, call me at 941-228-2321. I'd be happy to answer your questions.

Price Reduced Home Now Available in Central Park

This upgraded 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a den in the gated Central Park village in Lakewood Ranch has a great open floor plan with an outstanding over-sized lanai with a salt-water pool with a relaxing, peaceful conservation area pond view.

For families with children, it is noteworthy that top-rated schools are just around the corner from this 2,147 square foot home at 4914 Mission Park Lane.

The kitchen also features Silestone Quartz countertops, a gas range, and a tastefully added decorative backsplash. You’ll admire the wood laminate flooring in the kitchen, dining, and family room. The bedrooms and den are carpeted. The master suite and den have premium-padding under the carpet for extra comfort. Both bathrooms feature tile flooring with the master having upgraded tile.

With its extended lanai (20’ x 40’), you'll have plenty of space to enjoy the warm and sunny year-round Florida outdoor lifestyle with your family , your neighbors and friends who come to Lakewood Ranch to admire the community you live in.. The lanai is even wired for cable TV so you can relax next to your salt-water pool and watch your favorite sports team or TV drama. The lanai also has a sink and gas bib for the possible future addition of a full outdoor kitchen.

A notable upgrade of this home that will save you money is the addition of a Silver Radiant Barrier to reduce the transfer of exterior heat through the home’s roof. Pool’s upgrades include a pebble-tec floor and tile finish. Other notable upgrades are the added sink and extra cabinets in the garage for extra storage space.

To review more photos of this home from the MLS system, please Click Here.

At this recently reduced price I don’t believe this home, built in 2013, will remain available for long, so please call me today at 941.228.2321 to arrange to tour this home with me. Please mention MLS listing A3998889 when you call. Priced now at $349,999, I assure you that you’ll be impressed with both the location and the price of this deligthful home.

Esplanade - An "Active Lifestyle" Community in Lakewood Ranch

What, you may ask, is an “active lifestyle” community Here’s a hint. It's not an empty-nester or retirement community with a bike trail. It's a lot more than that.

Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch is appropriate to people of all ages offering resort-style amenities and a constant flow of planned events by the full-time lifestyle director.

The centerpiece of the community is the clubhouse where everyone can stay healthy and active. Indoors there's a grand ballroom, a catering kitchen, card and craft rooms, billiards area and a library. Residents of Esplanade are encouraged to participate in a variety of organized social and recreational ativities designed to enhance their fitness, health and happiness.

Outdoors, there is a BBQ area, fire pit, an adventure playground and pickleball and bocce courts, accessible by golf cart, and a canoe and kayak launch to round out the active lifestyle concept. There is even a fenced bark park for residents' dogs to get some exercise. The grounds also includes a heated lagoon-style pool with spa.

In addition to the wide range of amenities at Esplanade, itself, residents enjoy all the cultural, recreational, commercial and health care facilities plus the miles of walking trails that wind through Esplanade and the rest of Lakewood Ranch, the largest master-planned "green-certified" community in the United States

Designed by Taylor Morrison, the residences at Esplanade offer views of eco-friendly landscaping, picturesque lakes and Florida-famous sunsets. With nearly all of the initial 400 units in the original development already sold, Taylor Morrison has opened the second phase, the Esplanade Golf & Country Club. This expansion will bring the number of residences to about 1,350 single-family homes and detached villas with the new residences to be built around a new 18-hole golf course.

The 2 and 3 bedroom maintenance-free homes with 2 to 3 1/2 baths available in Esplanade include villas from about 1,680 to 1,925 square feet. Single-family homes range from about 1,850 to nearly 3,450 square feet of air-conditioned space. All have 2-car garages.

New and resale residences are available in Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch from the high $200's to the high $500's.

Call me at 941-228-2321 if you would like more information about Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch or visit my website for information on all ten of the neighborhoods that make up the 15,000 acre Lakewood Ranch community.

Mortgage Rates Tumbled This Week, Take Action New

Mortgage rates tumbled this week getting closer to historic lows. Freddie Mac reported on Thursday that the average 30-year mortgage rate fell to 4.41% from 4.51% last week while the average 15-year loan rate dropped from 3.56% to 3.45%.

For those hoping to buy as a first or second home one of the Lakewood Ranch homes for sale, this is great news. Mortgage rates had risen a whole percentage over the past year since hitting record lows. The major cause of the increase3 was speculation that the Federal Reserve would cut back on its mortgage buying program, but that has been trimmed back only slightly.

While the increase in mortgage interest rates had slowed home sales which fell for three straight months, home sales in 2013 were nonetheless the best since the housing crisis began.

It is important for prospective home buyers to understand, however, that a single point increase in the interest rate will reduce your buying power by about 11%. That is to say, if you could afford the mortgage payments on a $250,000 home at an interest rate of 4.5%, you will only be able to afford the payment on a home worth about $223,000 if the mortgage interests rate increases to 5.5%, a one percentage point increase.

The Lakewood Ranch village of Greenbrook is an example of one of the nice places to consider buying a home right now. Located in the northeast section of Lakewood Ranch and has neighborhoods set amidst pristine lakes and nature preserves and wildlife habitats, Greenbrook is a community within a community with neighborhoods dedicated to a comfortable Florida lifestyle. Homes in the Banks neighborhood of Greenbrook begin in the $100's while homes in the Ravines neighborhood range from the 200's. Larger homes in the Preserve are priced in the range from the $300's to the high $500's.

So, if you are considering buying a home or condo in the Sarasota real estate market anytime in the next year or two, now is the time to get moving. As the Federal Reserve reduces its mortgage buying program, as it surely will, interest rates will go up and that will decrease your buying power. Call me today at 941-228-2321 to start looking at homes in Lakewood Ranch that may fit your needs and desires.

Introducing Central Park, A Family-Oriented Community in Lakewood Ranch

The Central Park "village" in Lakewood Ranch is currently comprised of seven distinct neighborhoods centered around the picturesque 10-acre Central Park. The perfect community for families, Central Park’s main attraction is this family-friendly park. Children will have fun with other kids in the playground and splash park, playing catch in the baseball field, or playing with their four-legged friends in the dog park. There's also two tennis courts and meandering sidewalks for relaxing strolls or bike rides.

    To reach Central Park, take University Parkway east from I-75 to Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Then turn right at Malachite Drive to Central Park.

    Builders in Central Park include Neal Communities, Bruce Williams Homes, Cardell Homes and Lee Wetherington Home all oexpereinced home builders.

    The Brickell Park, Piedmont Part, Forest Park and Gramercy Park neighborhoods contain homes priced from the $100's while Claremont Park and Longview Lake Park neighborhoods have somewhat larger homes up to 3,000 sq ft priced from the $200's.

    As with all Lakewood Ranch homes for sale, the homes in Central Park have been built to meet the Florida Green Building Coalition standards for energy efficiency, clean indoor air, sustainability and drought resistant landscaping native to Florida.

    Families with children will appreciate top-rated Willis Elementary School and equally top-rated Nolan Middle School. For people of all ages, there is an comfortable home awaiting you in Central Park in Lakewood Ranch.

Lennar Homes to Open a New "Village" in Lakewood Ranch - Bridgewater

Lennar Homes, Inc. hosted a groundbreaking ceremony today, July 24, to mark the start of a new neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch. The new 172 acre community called Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch will be located just north of SR70 and south of Esplanade, and east of Lakewood Ranch Blvd. According to Lennar, the new community will not have significant amenities or a large community center in order to keep costs lower for prospective residents.

Lennar announced plans to build 281 new homes from Lennar’s Manor Homes and Estate Homes collections. Lennar's representative said the price point will be below that in Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, but with homes in sizes and prices above those in Central Park. The new community, according to Lennar, will be geared towards families

Manor Home models will be priced from $299,990 and range in size from the 2,245 square foot ranch style Princeton floor plan with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths a 3-car garage to the Oxford floor plan, a NextGen® “home within a home” concept for families with multiple generations living under one roof. There will also be a two-story version of the Oxford with 3,828 square feet of living space and 5 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths in the main family living area with a 2-car garage. The "home within a home" one-bedroom, one-bath NextGen® living area will feature a separate kitchen and dining areas, a private living room and a one-car garage. The Oxford Ne3xtGen® homes will be priced from $399,990.

Lennar also plans to build Estate Homes at Bridgewater in six different designs ranging from the Cambridge floor plan, priced from $369,990 with 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths in 2,394 square feet of living space with a 3-car garage, to the Chapel Hill floor plan that offers 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths in 3,800 square feet of living space. There will also be a two=-story version of the Chapel Hill floor plan with a 600 square foot bonus room and a 3-car garage.

If you'd be interested in discussing these new Lennar models with a Accredited Buyer Representative, Brian Ward, a well regarded Sarasota Realtor, is familiar with all of the villages in Lakewood ranch as well as Sarasota homes for sale in other communities throughout the Sarasota and Bradenton area.

Summerfield Village - One of the Original Lakewood Ranch Villages

    The village of Summerfield, located just south of State Road 70 off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, was one of the original villages when Lakewood Ranch was first established.  With the 27 acre Lake Summerfield in the middle of the village and the Braden River runs along the southern border of the village, residents are treated to some interesting viewing as well as boating and canoeing access.

    A family-oriented neighborhood with lots of recreational activities and events, Summerfield is made up mostly of single-family homes although there is one condominium development within the village. Most of the homes in Summerfield were built in 1995 with the most recent constructed in 2001 and 2002.       

    Young families appreciate the fact that the excellent elementary school, Willis Elementary School and Nolan Middle School are located within a comfortable walking distance of their homes.

    Another lure that attracts families to Summerfield is the pristine natural surroundings. There’s a 15-acre Summerfield Community Park with ball fields, open playgrounds, a picnic pavilion, lighted tennis courts and basketball courts.  Participating in other sports like soccer and football is likewise an attraction. The Summerfield village features its share of the 150 mile network of Lakewood Ranch nature trails for walking, biking, and jogging or leading you to fishing lakes in everything from isolated fishing holes to an expansive 160 acre fishing and boating stretch of water. 

    Resale homes in Summerfield range in size from about 1,300 to 2,500 square feet and range in price from the high $100’s to the $400’s offering prospective buyers some of the most affordable home options in the 8,500 acre master-planned Lakewood Ranch development.

    If not in Summerfield village, itself, you can be certain that there is a home or condo in the Lakewood Ranch community of nine "villages" or elsewhere in the Sarasota real estate market that will fulfill your every wish.  Contact me for more information on Summerfield or any of the many attractive communities and neighborhoods in the Sarasota FL real estate market including Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Longboat, Lido and Siesta Key.  For an immediate response, call me at 941-266-2512.  I'd be delighted to hear from you.