Lakewood Ranch Home Sales Turn-Around is Underway
Home Builders are Gearing Up
Includes some information from an article © Sarasota Herald Tribune
Posted July 15, 2010
 Lakewood Ranch is an 8,500 acre master-planned community on Florida's Gulf Coast developed on the border
between Sarasota and Bradenton close to I-75. The community consists of seven villages, from maintenance-free condos and townhomes and single family homes to elegant custom estates.
Lakewood Ranch is the largest green-certified community in America. Every new village is built
"green," incorporating building products that result in a healthier, more energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible home.
The community offer everything a family could want including gourmet and family-friendly restaurants, A-rated schools, unique shops and boutiques, business parks, a hospital and medical center, three golf courses, an athletic center and polo and cricket clubs.
There are over 150 miles of sidewalks and trails, community parks, lakes and nature preserves shared with native wildlife.
Before the housing bust, Lakewood Ranch had been one of the fastest growing areas on the Florida Gulf Coast. But that all changed for a while.
New home building had slowed to a crawl since the housing bubble burst. As recently as last October there was a nearly 31
month supply of unsold homes in Lakewood Ranch. If things hadn't turned around, it would have taken
more than 2 1/2 years to just sell all of those homes assuming that no additional homes were listed for sale during that period.
Things have changed again - but this time dramatically for the better. Increased home sales in Lakewood Ranch have dramatically reduced the inventory of unsold homes.
With their inventories depleted, builders are now flocking back to the area. By May of this year, inventories of unsold homes had fallen to just over a six month supply, which
is considered a sign that supply and demand are back in balance and prices may begin to rise again. As a result, four new builders are preparing to break ground in Lakewood Ranch right now. Derek Nelson Homes, which recently bought the Arthur Rutenberg Homes franchise is gearing up as are Paradise Homes and a new
builder, TruLiving Homes. Minto Communities, based in Canada, is also getting involved in the Lakewood Ranch home building spree.
LWR Communities, the firm developing Lakewood Ranch, has recently published plans for several new neighborhoods focused on more affordable housing
aimed at those who work in or near the community. In addition to the new builders, others already in Lakewood Ranch are gearing up again.
Neal Communities and its new luxury homes subsidiary, Neal Signature Homes are building again.
Homes By Towne just returned to the market, while other who never left like Anchor Homes, John Cannon Homes, Peregrine Homes,
Todd Johnston Homes, Westwater Homes, Hannah Bartoletta Homes, Gibraltar
Homes and Lee Wetherington Homes are also starting to build homes again.
So, if you've been wondering when will be best time to buy a home or condominium in the Sarasota or Bradenton Florida real estate
market, right now is the time to get involved. Lakewood Ranch, with half of its land area set aside as open or recreational space, its 36 holes of golf, its eight-and growing number of shopping districts,
and a constant flow of arts and cultural events, could be the perfect place for you to start looking.
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