New Apartment Complex Coming to Lakewood Ranch

The newest addition to the living spaces in Lakewood Ranch will be The Venue, a 237-unit apartment community being built on Lakewood Ranch Blvd. next to the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. While it was originally expected to be ready for occupancy in July, it it now projected to be complete sometime this Fall.

Consisting of three 4-story buildings in a gated community setting, The Venue is intended to have the luxury feel of a modern, downtown apartment, offering one, two and three-bedroom units with gourmet kitchens with granite counter tops, 9-foot ceilings and crown moldings, wood floors, large walk-in closets, roman tubs in spacious bathrooms and private patios or balconies. The community will offer handicap-accessible apartments and amenities including an athletic center with a cardio theatre, yoga and spin rooms, a business center with Wi Fi a salt water swimming pool area with outdoor California kitchen and an grilling area.

Further north on Lakewood Ranch Blvd. a bit past State Road 70, the 256-unit Creekside Apartments, owned by PAC Land Development of Orlando, continues to be developed anticipating opening about July 15th. This complex of 4 story buildings with elevators will have 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and will include a lot of outdoor activity areas including a beach-entry style pool with a spa, an outdoor kitchen and grilling area and volleyball court. The units will definitely be upscale units with gourmet island style kitchens with side-by-side refrigerators, dishwahers and full size washers and dryers and walk-in pantries. The baths will feature roman tubs.

These two apartment complexes will help bring more people into the Lakewood Ranch "Main Street complex of shops, eateries and entertainment venues and provide an entree for the many people who wanth to enjoy the amenities of Lakewood Ranch but who aren't yet ready or able to purchase a home or condominium unit.

While Mortgage Interest Rates Continue to Fall, Demand for Homes in Lakewood Ranch Stays Strong

As the month of May ends, mortgage interest rates continue to fall having fallen for 5 straight weeks now.

While the housing market has picked up slightly after the slow start in March and April, it has not been active enough to cause interest rates to rise. Freddie Mac said on Thursday that the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage ended down to 4.12% down just slightly from 4.15% last week. The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage slipped to 3.21% from 3.25% last week. Looking cross the housing industry nationwide, the majority of new construction has been focused on rental apartments rather than residential homes.

But, here in the Florida Sun Coast, and particularly here in Lakewood Ranch, residential home construction has picked up dramatically driven by the seemingly never-ending demand from people who want to live in one of the ten "villages" that comprise the 15,000+ acre Lakewood Ranch development.

Why does Lakewood Ranch continue to be such a magnet for home buyers? The answer, actually, is quite simple. Lakewood Ranch offers everything a family could want or need to enjoy life; beautiful homes, friendly neighbors, great schools, shopping, dining, a medical center, 54 holes of at the private Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club plus the public daily-fee 18-hole Legacy golf course. The community also includes an athletic/fitness center with lighted tennis courts, the Sarasota Polo Club with 9 polo fields plus more than 150 miles of sidewalks, trails, parks and lakes.

As just one example of the wide variety of home and condo options available in Lakewood Ranch, there is a gorgeous, well kept 4 bedroom 3 1/2 bath townhome now for sale in the prestigious Lakewood Ranch Country Club "village." It has lake and golf course views. Bedrooms on both the first and second floors ,and a restful lanai area. The floor features volume ceilings, plantation shutters, granite counter tops, tile in all living areas, and a water softener and a new air conditioner/heat pump unit. he refrigerator and dishwasher were recently updated.

The Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club clubhouse is spectacular resembling a 5-star resort with a heated pool and spa, spotless locker rooms, fitness center, and a grill area and kitchen for members' use. Live here in the subruban splendor that is Lakewood Ranch and yet be only minutes away from Crescent Beach on Siesta Key voted one of top 10 beaches in the world. Built in 2006, with 2,733 sq ft of air conditioned space, this townhome is available for $353,000.

Call me for more information about this and other Lakewood Ranch real estate offerings at 941.228.2321 or visit my Sarasota Florida real estate site for information on all the nicest golf, waterfront and in-town real estate opportunities in the Sarasota Florida area including Bradenton and Anna Maria Island as well as on Lido, Longboat, Siesta and Bird Key. I'd be happy to answer your questions and introduce you to the relaxing lifestyle here in my home town in Lakewood Ranch.

Homes for Sale in Lakewood Ranch Summerfield "village"

Summerfield "village," located just south of State Road 70 off Lakewood Ranch Blvd., was one of the original seven villages when Lakewood Ranch development was first developed. Most of its homes were built in 1995 with the last ones built in 2001 and 2002. It is definitely a family-oriented community consisting mostly of single-family homes although there is one condominium area within the village. There are always Homes for sale in Summerfield.

A good example of the homes available today in Summerfield is this beautiful home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 2-car garage and a private backyard with mature landscaping. It is nestled on a quiet street with a garden park right across the street and, as a delightful bonus, this home has a large lanai where you can sit and enjoy all the nature surrounding you.

Built in 1995 at 11234 Primrose Circle, this home has 1,801 sq ft of air-conditioned space, new exterior paint, new stainless steel stove and microwave. With sliding doors to its screened porch, it is a very comfortable home for either a young family or a retired couple. It is conveniently located near A-rated schools, Interstate-75, and Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

It seems as though there is always something going on in Summerfield with lots of recreational activities and events. Young families will appreciate the fact that the excellent elementary schools, Willis Elementary School and Nolan Middle School, are located within a comfortable walking distance of their homes. Summerfield Community Park is a 15 acre kid-friendly place that includes playgrounds, a picnic area with charcoal grills, lighted tennis courts, ball fields, and basketball fields. The village also contains Heron’s Nest Nature Trail which links the village with it's namesake 27-acre Lake Summerfield. To tour this home and other homes for sale in Summerfield village in Lakewood Ranch, please call me at 941-228-2321 or visit my website for information about Summerfield, specifically, and all of the other nine Lakewood Ranch villages.

Don't Miss Moonlight Movie Night at Greenbrook Adenture Park

Moonlight Movie Night at Greenbrook Adventure Park is set for Saturday, April 26th at sundown.

Adventure Park is the focal point of Greenbrook. It's the hub of all community activity, a place for children to play in the well-equipped playground, an inline skating hockey rink, ballparks, walking trails. And, for your four-legged friends, there's Paw Park to walk the family dog. In addition to Moonlight Movie Nights, the park is a favorite location for other community events including the annual Lakewood Ranch EGGstravaganza which was held on April 12th and other events. The feature movie being presented on the inflatable screen on April 26th will be "Frozen," the action animation adventure. It's rated PG so bring the kids along. Come early and bring your own picnic food or buy food and drinks at the park

Bring your own chairs and blankets and claim your spot early in front of the huge inflatable screen to watch as fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey, teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven, to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Its a fun and enjoyable flick.

To get to Adventure Park, take State Road 70 east and turn right onto Greenbrook Blvd. You'll pass Greenbrook Park but keep going.After a half mile, turn right again onto Adventure Place which takes you into the park. If it rains, the event will be cancelled and rescheduled. Call 941-757-1530 or check the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Calendar website for up-to-the- minute updates on the day of the event.

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.

Music on Main - Another Fun Feature of Lakewood Ranch

Are you new to Lakewood Ranch or just visiting and wondering about moving here? Here's a chance to get a sense of the friendly flavor of our town. If you'll still be here the first week in May, stop by on Friday, May 2nd for the monthly "Music on Main" concert that occurs the first Friday of each month.

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, our version of "Downtown," is located across the street from the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. Get here early and take a stroll around this enticing outdoor area that includes boutique shops, famous-name stores, restaurants, the Lakewood Ranch Cinemas and even a miniature golf course. Restaurants on Main Street include about everything you could want. There's Ed's Tavern, MacAllisters Grill & Tavern, Paris Bistro, Polo Grill, HANA Sushi Lounge, Station 400, El Lago Ranchero, The Main Street Trattoria and Pincher's Crab Shack. .

The concert on May 2nd will run from 6PM to 9PM and feature "Shotgun Justice," a group that plays classic rock, southern rock and country music. Attendees are welcome to bring comfortable chairs and their dogs, but dogs must be leashed. Overflow parking will be available at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Food Bank of Manatee, a local non-profit organization.

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center - A Community Resource

Open since 2004, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, at 8330 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, offers patient-focused medical care to residents of Lakewood Ranch and the local vicinity. Bridging Manatee and Sarasota counties, this 120-bed acute care hospital has an extensive system of fully-integrated inpatient and outpatient services that share the single purpose of providing compassionate, quality patient care.

This 120-bed acute care hospital has an extensive system of fully-integrated inpatient and outpatient services sharing as a single goal providing compassionate, quality patient care. With a medical staff of more than 400 physicians and allied health professionals in a wide range of specialties, whatever care you need is likely available there. The medical center is complimented by an adjacent 60,000 square foot Medical Office building housing primary and specialty care physicians, the Lakewood Ranch Imaging Center and the Lakewood Ranch Blood Center.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is one of just 620 hospitals in the United States to have earned "Top Performer on Key Quality Measures" designation.

New People moving into an area tend to look for certain key community attributes that they want to know they can count on should the services ever be necessary. The presence of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center right within the Lakewood Ranch development, itself, means that if you ever need it, medical services across a wide spectrum of specialties will be available close to home. It is one of the reasons, along with so many other facets of of the community, that make Lakewood Ranch such an attractive place to live, work and play.

I'd be delighted to tell you all the other reasons I believe buying a first or second home in one of the ten "villages" that now make up Lakewood Ranch would be a wise investment. For an immediate response to any questions you may have, please call me today at 941-228-2321.

Bridgewater - the 10th Lakewood Ranch "village"

Lakewood Ranch expanded again this past year. Lakewood Ranch, the largest green-certified master planned community in the United States has added its 10th community. Each such community in Lakewood Ranch is referred to as a "village" and this latest addition is named Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch. Bridgewater is a gated "village" south of State Road 64 and east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. After ground-breaking in 2013, homes are now for sale in this newest village.

Lennar Homes is building about 290 new estate and manor homes in 10 different floor plans with 2 and 3-car garages in this new "all maintenance-free" community.

Manor homes range from 1,677 to 2,529 square feet with 4 to 6 bedrooms and 2 to 4 1/2 baths priced from the low $300's.

The estate homes, being built or larger lots, range from 2,361 to 3,814 square feet with 3 to 5 bedrooms and 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 baths with prices starting in the high $300's and reaching up into the high $500's.

All Lennar-built homes is Bridgewater come with the company's signature “Everything’s Included” set of features including granite kitchen countertops, wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances, crown moldings throughout the home, brick paver driveways and large decks, as well as Spanish tile roofs. Lennar also offers what they call "NextGen” models aimed at multi-generational families. These homes include a "home within a home," essentially an senior living space with its own bedroom, bath and kitchenette.

Bridgewater is to include a fitness center, spa and swimming pools. Residents of Bridgewater enjoy a resort-style lifestyle in a community with top-rated schools amidst natural areas and lakes while at the same time being conveniently close to both p-rivate and public golf courses, the beaches on Anna Maria Island , parks, miles of trails, shopping, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and all the cultural amenities both here in Lakewood Ranch and in Downtown Sarasota.

"Ponies for Pups" Raises Money for Pet Adoptions

Friends, volunteers, polo enthusiasts and dog lovers of all breeds, shapes and sizes enjoyed watching a polo match with their four-legged friends at the Sarasota Polo Club here in Lakewood Ranch last Saturday to raise money to support the care of rescued dogs and cats.

This year's fifth annual edition of the "Ponies for Pups" event was a fundraiser for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, a Lakewood Ranch nonprofit no-kill animal shelter staffed mostly by volunteers. Last year, Nate's Honor Animal Rescue saved the lives of over a thousand animals thanks, in part, to the $10,000 raised at last year's charity polo match, but this year's event has taken on an extra importance. Nate's Honor Animal Rescue recently took in 86 dogs and cats after a raid at a local animal sanctuary in Manatee County. To accomplish this huge rescue operation, the non-profit reached out to the community for help, not only for supplies and assistance, but for temporary foster care of the rescued animals. And the Lakewood Ranch community stepped up to the need.

Karen Slomba, associate director of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue said, ""We were overwhelmed with how the community showed their support for animal welfare by such an outpouring of donations, from food, to blankets, cleaning supplies, and money to pay for the animals' medical costs."

Since it was founded in 1991, the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch has been providing exhilarating polo matches on their 130 acres of magnificently groomed grounds. In addition to the weekly matches every Sunday afternoon during the season from mid-December to early April, the club supports several charitable events like this one each season. Last month, the polo club held their 4th annual "Polo Under the Palms" event and, based upon its success, created an independent nonprofit corporation called Little Owl Charities, which will raise money for and boost awareness of organizations that pursue advances in research, education and treatment of cancer.

The Sarasota Polo Club is just one of the many amenities that make Lakewood Ranch such an attractive place to live. Lakewood Ranch, if you're unfamiliar with it, is a 17,500 acre master-planned community in Manatee County Florida where their motto is "where families become neighbors, neighbors become family and everyone enjoys a sense of community."

Lakewood Ranch real estate offerings include everything from condos, townhomes and single-family homes to elegant multi-million dollar custom estates. With A-rated schools, boutique shops, gourmet and casual restaurants, a medical center, public and private golf courses, an athletic center with lighted tennis courts and over 150 miles of sidewalks and trails, it's not difficult to see why Lakewood Ranch has become such a magnet for families of all sizes and all ages.

Attractive 2/2 Maintenance-Free Home Available in Lakewood Ranch

Here is a reasonably priced 2 bedroom, 2 bath maintenance-free home with a southern exposure giving you breathtaking view of a lake a scenic lake and the golf course from the lanai and your heated pool or while reclining next to your English garden patio. This 1,837 sq ft home is within walking distance of the Rosedale clubhouse and golf course.

With beautiful ceramic tile floors in all the main living areas and crown moldings throughout, this is a light and bright home. Sliding doors and windows overlook the garden courtyard and the screened lanai, pool and the scenic view beyond. The kitchen was completely remodeled and updated in 2012 with all new cabinet fronts, granite counter tops, stainless sink and all-new appliances including aFrench door refrigerator, convection oven, microwave and dishwasher. There's even a recipe desk and storage.

The master bedroom enjoys the lake view, walk-in closet, double vanities, garden tub and separate glass-enclosed shower. And, there's a guest bedroom plus a den, plenty of storage and an security system. A new air conditioner was installed in 2013. Rosedale families have access to excellent schools at Braden River Elementary, Braden River Middle School and Lakewood Ranch High School.

And, to complete the picture, this home is located in a wonderful golf course community. The 18-hole Rosedale golf course winds its way among sparkling lakes and woodlands offering both challenge and breathtaking scenery to the lucky few who live in this delightful community. The 22,000 sq ft Rosedale Golf & Country Club clubhouse with tennis courts, a heated junior olympic-size pool, fitness center and full-service dining room is the center of community activity. Those seeking a community with an active and outgoing lifestyle will find Rosedale to their liking.

At 8,726 52nd Drive East, this home now priced at $349,000 won't last long on today's very active Bradenton FL real estate market. Call me today at 941-228-2321 to arrange to tour this attractive and reasonably priced home before its too late.

Arts Festivals at Lakewood Ranch

Arts and culture play a major role in fulfilling the experience we like to call the Lakewood Ranch lifestyle. Many arts and cultural events and festivals are held in Lakewood Ranch and among them the 14th Annual "Fine Arts Festival" held this past weekend was one of the most enjoyable. Open and free to the public from 10AM to 5PM Saturday, March 14th and 10AM to 4PM Sunday, March 15th, the event

Celebrated artists from all over the United States took part in the event held on Lakewood Ranch's "Main Street." For those not familiar with Lakewood Ranch, Main Street is an outdoor venue of both stylish boutique and famous-brand stores, restaurants, theater and even a miniature golf course; a comfortable place to spend an afternoon or evening. The Main Street pavilion hosts special events, farmers markets, concerts and festivals throughout the year making this the focal point of the community and Lakewood Ranch's version of "downtown."

Many of the artists displaying their art this weekend came from as far away as Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to take part in the Lakewood Ranch fine art experience. From illustrations, paintings and mixed media to photography, glass art, pottery and jewelry, there was something t please everyone's artistic taste and style and pocketbook. The event, in addition to providing a way to observe and buy some originals works, also gave those who came a chance to converse one-on-one with the artists themselves.

As in past years, ArtCenter Manatee, a Bradenton artist retreat with galleries, an art library, gift shop, classes, and a children's summer art camp, serves as the host for this well-visited event.

f you missed the Fine Arts Festival, Main Street will the site of the 12th annual juried "Art at the Ranch" art show and sale on Mach 19th and 20th. This two-day show will present over 65 talented artists from around the country displaying a variety of media including sculpture, glass, tile, woodworking, photography, mixed media, pottery, jewelry, pastel, oil and watercolor painting. Parking and admission, as is the case for most Main Street events and festivals, will be free.

Trends Suggest Another Banner Year for Sarasota - Bradenton Real Estate Sales

Residential home sales in the Sarasota - Bradenton real estate markets continue to exhibit strength as we enter 2014.   11,184 homes and condos were sold in the Sarasota market during 2013, the second highest total ever since sales have been tracked.  And if current trends continue, it looks as though 2014 will be an even bigger year.

Sarasota Association of Realtors President Peter Crowley reported that “December was a great month for Sarasota real estate. Many of our seasonal residents and visitors have turned their attention to buying." This is attributed by some to recent news of higher mortgage rates coming in 2014 while others have suggested that the huge improvement in the stock market in 2013 has made more people willing and able to consider buying a second home in the Sarasota area.

Existing homes are selling well all over the Sarasota and Bradenton market.  In the huge 17,000 acre Lakewood Ranch cdevelopment, home sales were particularly strong in Central Park, Country Club East, and in the all-new active-adult community, Esplanade.  Interestingly, of the 573 homes sold in 2013 nearly 350 of them were newly-built homes.  The lack of enough existing homes for sale has led builders to get aggressive lately in buying up lots and raw land to meet the expected continued high level of demand for homes in 2014.

Existing luxury homes and condos on Sarasota’s barrier islands were also being bought at a rapid pace as 2013 closed out.  The recovery in the luxury homes category is occurring predominantly in the $500,000 to $2 million categories where sales increased in 2013 over 2012 by nearly 40%.  Homes and condos in the $750,000 to $1 million range saw the biggest gains while above the $2 million price, sales continued to be stalled with a few outstanding exceptions.

In addition to the continued high level of sales in the existing homes market, there has been a noticeable spurt in new construction just about everywhere lots and open land are available.  Builders and developers spent more than $60 million buying nearly 1,250 acres of raw land and 294 building lots from Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch to Punta Gorda just in the month of December. Builders buying up land locally include all the major players including Neal Homes, Taylor Morrison, DR Horton,  Ashton Woods and others.

The demand for new homes is not limited to average priced homes.  "And," says Dick Plumb, a respected local Realtor who sells a lot of Bradenton homes for sale, "the demand for homes is not limited to downtown Sarasota hi-rise and Longboat and Siesta Key condos. Homes in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch are also selling well."  

New homes are in demand and being built everywhere including luxury homes, for example, in The Lake Club in Lakewood Ranch.  "Back in 2006, when that gated, Tuscan-inspired community opened," Plumb said, "its 10 opulent, estate-sized model homes carried price tags of $3.5 to $8.0 million, but, during the housing slump of 2008 to 2010 activity slowed to a crawl.  But, that has all now changed.   Of the 34 new-construction  homes sold in The Lake Club in 2012 the average price was over $1.2 million. And today,  there are 28 more ultra-luxury  homes in the 7,000+ square foot range being built in The Lake Club, but not as spec homes; all of them are already sold." 

With all this new demand, Pat Neal of Neal Homes, was quoted as saying  “Land prices are going up. The prices of drywall, framing labor and concrete have also been going up. And, pretty soon home prices will be going up too.”
In summary, 2014 looks to be a record breaking year for Sarasota Florida real estate sales, and with the cost of everything from the land to labor and materials rising, if you’ve been thinking about buying a home here on the Sarasota Sun Coast, you need to contact a Realtor like Dick Plumb now and get involved.  The bargain prices of yesterday are largely gone but there is still time to buy that home or condo of your dreams before prices rise much further.

If you are in the market for a homes for sale in Sarasota, a golf course condo or a waterfront home or condo, call Dick today at 941.266.2512.   He would be delighted to answer your questions and offer suggestions on where to best meet your needs and desires for a home or condo here in the sunny Sarasota Florida area.