Neal Communities’ nature-based community sells out

This month, the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), sold out Forest Creek, a one-of-a-kind nature-based community in Parrish, Fla.

The gated and maintenance-included community opened in 2005 with and has a total of 464 homes. Forest Creek offered a variety of single-family home options that ranged in size from 1,162 to 2,504 square feet.

The homebuilder’s team meticulously planned and actively set aside 45 percent of Forest Creek’s acreage for open space to preserve the natural area forever. A creek bed flows throughout the neighborhood and has become a focal point of the community.

“Forest Creek is a classic example of how Neal integrates and takes into consideration the natural elements of a piece of land when we create a community,” said Leisa Weintraub, the vice president of marketing and creative director at Neal Communities who helped bring the project to fruition.

The nature-based neighborhood features modern-day amenities, such as a one-acre bird rookery, observation deck, gazebo, nature trails, community pool, spa and fitness center and an 18-acre lake for water-based recreation like fishing. Ideally located, Forest Creek is situated between the Tampa metropolitan area and the Sarasota and Bradenton area.

To resident and Realtor Jan Swift, Forest Creek is Neal Communities’ masterpiece.

“Once the gates open and I drive through, sometimes I say to myself, ‘I can’t believe I live here,’” said Swift who has lived at Forest Creek for over two years.

For more information, visit www.NealCommunities.com or watch this video on Forest Creek.

About Neal Communities

Neal Communities was named the Professional Builder national 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine. To date, Neal has built over 10,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 44 Parade of Homes 2015 awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Sales surge for Neal Communities’ Silverleaf

Sales for Silverleaf, a master-planned community of new homes in Parrish by the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), have surged in the last three months for the community – with 25 homesites sold.

Since Silverleaf was debuted to the community in August 2014, 120 homebuyers have chosen the amenity-rich neighborhood as their home. Once complete, Silverleaf will have 713 homes.

The Lakewood Ranch-based homebuilder preserved 42 percent of the community’s land as open space. Surrounded by oak trees, Silverleaf offers its residents a recreation center with a fitness center, pool and spa, a children’s playground, picnic shelter with grills, basketball court, two dog parks, walking trails and a nature boardwalk.

“Silverleaf’s ideal location and quality homes are driving this interest,” said Nicole Brooks, vice president of sales for Neal Communities. “It’s centrally located in Parrish and provides an ideal position for homebuyers between Tampa and Sarasota.”

Homebuyers can choose from 18 home plans from Neal Communities’ single-family homes in its Cottage, Cruise and Celebration series as well as its paired villas from the Coral series. Silverleaf features seven models and has an interactive sales center located in the Silver Mist model.

Located at 4121 Shimmering Oaks Drive in Parrish, Silverleaf is close to shopping, amenities and the city centers of Sarasota and Bradenton. The community is just four miles east of Interstate 75 on Highway 301. Home prices at Silverleaf start at $169,990 and some of the homes are maintenance included.

For more information, call 888-720-4429 or visit www.NealCommunities.com.

About Neal Communities

Neal Communities was named the Professional Builder 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine. To date, Neal has built over 10,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 44 Parade of Homes 2015 awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Neal Communities’ Windwood is over half sold

Windwood, a gated community with just 90 homes in North Venice by Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, is 70 percent sold out with only 25 homes remaining.

Introduced to the community in February 2015, the family-oriented Windwood consists of 46.3 aces with 53 percent of the community dedicated to open space, including a 10-ace and 2-acre wetland and three lakes. The private community offers affordable living with low community fees.

“We were attracted to everything about the Windwood neighborhood – the neighbors, design and location,” said Richard Mulvihill, a resident and the director of manufacturing at Southern Spring and Stamping, where he has worked for 20 years. “Every home in the community has something that makes the property a great spot. Ours has a lake view that is fantastic.”

Windwood offers six distinctive floor plans from the Inspiration Series, including the Applause, Encore, Expression, Ovation, Tribute and Triumph. These homes, ranging from 1,772 to 2,577 square feet, feature a combination of one- and two-story designs and craftsman-style architectural. Home prices start at $278,990.

“The location to the interstate and to Venice and Sarasota is great,” he said. “We also liked that there are only a small number of homes available in the neighborhood.”

Located at 112 Cohosh Road in North Venice on Pinebrook Road, just south of Laurel Road, Windwood is only minutes away from Nokomis Beach and the historic Venice Main Street. The community is centrally located to shopping and dining in Venice and south Sarasota and is also in close proximity to A-rated schools and I-75. For more information, call 941.328.1111.

About Neal Communities

Neal Communities was named the Professional Builder 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine. To date, Neal has built over 10,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 44 Parade of Homes 2015 awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Fabulous Forest Creek

Three more team members advance at Neal Communities

Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, recently advanced Josh Hoot to director of construction, Brandon Johnson to area construction manager and Katie Lozuke to area sales manager.

Hoot joined Neal Communities in September 2011 as a builder and was promoted to an area construction manager in July 2013. He has extensive firsthand knowledge in the construction process and management systems that make him an integral part in the success of Neal Communities construction department and business plan.

In his new role, Hoot will provide field leadership for all construction activities, including hiring, training, managing and motivating those who directly report to the construction team. He will work collaboratively with all parties and departments to ensure that all safety and regulations are adhered to and a high-level quality product and supreme level of customer service and satisfaction are achieved.

Johnson came to the Lakewood Ranch-based company in February 2016 as a builder with proven and extensive construction and leadership experience. Before joining the team at Neal Communities, he taught construction standards and inspection methods to over 150 students and served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

As an area construction manager, Johnson will provide leadership throughout the homebuilder’s communities and managing the construction process to ensure customer satisfaction and a timely completion that meets financial, quality and safety standards.

Lozuke has six years of experience in the real estate and construction industry. She joined Neal Communities in June 2015 as a new home sales associate and helped launch Neal Communities into the Tampa market. Originally from Florida, Lozuke is a licensed Realtor and has extensive background in interior design, architecture and fine arts.

In her new role, she will be managing and building the homebuilder’s Tampa team to achieve optimum sales goals and further the presence in the Tampa market.

Prior to joining Neal Communities, Lozuke was the community sales manager at a residential real estate company and helped train all new sales counselors on sales and community management within the company.

About Neal Communities

Neal Communities was named the Professional Builder national 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine. To date, Neal has built over 10,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 44 Parade of Homes 2015 awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Amenity center opens at Neal Communities’ Milano

Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, recently debuted the amenity center to residents at Milano, a Tuscan-themed community that focuses on lifestyle and activities for its homeowners.

Located in North Venice, the new amenity center features a catering kitchen, café seating area and gathering and activity room. The resort-style outdoor amenities include a covered outdoor seating area and fireplace, luxurious pool and spa, bocce ball and pickleball courts and a dog park.

Officially opened to residents on Wednesday, Aug. 17, an activities coordinator, who manages Milano’s full calendar of social events, is also available to its residents.

Located south of Laurel Road and just east of Interstate 75, more than half of the 368 acres at Milano is designated as open space. Homes range from villas starting at 1,434 square feet up to roomy single-family homes at 2,233 square feet.

Homebuyers can choose from Neal Communities’ Celebration, Coral and Cruise series. The neighborhood will offer six models, including the Crystal Sand, Liberty 2, Starlight, Tidewater, Victory and White Star, for interested homeowners to browse. Six of the 12 floor plans available at Milano are new designs for Neal Communities.

With 2,233 square feet of living space, the Starlight model and sales center has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a den. The gated community will have a total of 969 single-family homes, villas and multi-family units after completion.

The sales center will be located at 252 Carlino Drive in North Venice. For more information, visit www.NealCommunities.com or call 888-720-4429.

About Neal Communities

Neal Communities was named the Professional Builder 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine. To date, Neal has built over 10,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 44 Parade of Homes 2015 awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Home sales for Neal Communities jump in July

Homes sales for Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, increased steadily in the month of July, with 104 sales reported across the company’s divisions.

The high number of sales represents an increase over sales in May and June, despite the fact that typically late summer can be a challenging time for the new home market.

Four Neal Communities neighborhoods had impressive sales numbers last month, including the Grand Palm and Milano communities in Venice with 10 sales each and the Magnolia Point and Windwood communities with seven sales each.

“Similar to the national home buying market, just over half of our buyers this month fall into the over 55 age demographic,” said Michael Storey, president of Neal Communities. “The many amenities we offer, including clubhouses, upgraded home features and fitness facilities, appeal to these buyers. Our specialization in this market segment accounts for our robust sales.”

The Grand Palm community features amenities for all families and age groups, including an activities coordinator, fitness facility, resort-style pool, walking trails, biking trails, sports courts and more. Residents can choose from a large variety of floor plans, and homes in the master-planned community start at $178,990.

Residents of the active community of Milano enjoy a busy social calendar, with a new clubhouse opening this month to include a pool, spa, bocce ball courts, a pickleball court and a dog park. Villas and single-family homes in the community start at $224,990.

Sarasota’s Magnolia Point community offers homebuyers the opportunity to purchase homesites with water and preserve views. The 74-home, gated community also includes ample preserve space. Homes in the neighborhood start at $285,990.

Over half of the Windwood community in north Venice is dedicated to open space, including wetlands and lakes. This gated community with 90 homes includes six floor plan options as well as one-story and two-story designs. Homes start at $275,990.

About Neal Communities

Neal Communities was named the Professional Builder 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine. To date, Neal has built over 10,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 44 Parade of Homes 2015 awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Neal Communities breaks ground on The Estuary

Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, recently broke ground at its newest community – The Estuary, a small exclusive enclave community with just 50 homes.

The gated and maintenance-included community sits on 53 acres and is located in prestigious northwest Bradenton. Slated for completion in late spring 2017, floor plans will be available from the homebuilder’s Cove Series, including the Endless Summer, Bright Meadow, Sea Star and a new floor plan that will be introduced. The layouts range from 2,181 to 2,600 square feet.

“The Estuary will be a small and private community surrounded by Florida’s natural beauty,” said Nicole Brooks, vice-president of sales for the Lakewood Ranch-based Neal Communities. “With the Robinson Preserve bordering the property to the north, south and west, the neighborhood will enjoy a reserved and out-of-the-way atmosphere while being centrally located.”

The east of the property is bordered by 99th Avenue. The Estuary is located in a well-established area with easy access to the islands beaches and top-rated schools.

For more information, visit www.NealCommunities.com.

About Neal Communities

Neal Communities was named the Professional Builder 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine. To date, Neal has built over 10,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 44 Parade of Homes 2015 awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Neal Communities promotes three employees

Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, recently recognized and promoted Nicole Brooks, Tashara Cronshaw and Diane Kerper within the Lakewood Ranch-based company.

Brooks will act as the vice president of sales in Neal Communities’ north region. Cronshaw will transition to the vice president of human resources and Kerper will serve as the vice president of sales and marketing in the company’s south region.

“These promotions demonstrate the hard work and dedication of our team at Neal Communities,” said Michael Storey, president of Neal Communities. “Nicole, Tashara and Diane’s expertise and contributions have greatly impacted our team and the company. We look forward to utilizing these leaders as we can continue to accomplish great things in our community.”

Brooks joined Neal Communities in February 2012 as an area sales manager and was promoted to director of sales for its north region in June 2014. She has led the Neal Communities sales team to record-setting success. She created and leads Neal University, which has been instrumental in recruiting new sales associates and training them to succeed, and heads up the online sales team.

As vice president of sales, she will lead a team of more than 30 people – from Tampa to Englewood. Her role will focus on strategic planning for sales, enhancing the sales process and continuing to ensure a structure to help reach goals each month.

Before joining Neal Communities, Brooks was a sales manager for a national homebuilder as well as a sales and marketing director for a developer. As a licensed Florida broker and Realtor®, she has a 14-year background in real estate and holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing.

Cronshaw joined Neal Communities over three years ago as a human resources coordinator and was promoted to director of human resources in May 2015. She has made many improvements to the homebuilder’s human resources department.

With over 15 years of experience in the human resources industry, Cronshaw is responsible for the overall development, coordination, administration and evaluation of the HR function, including managing the department, developing and maintaining systems, establishing interview processes and continually evaluating guidelines and compensation packages for employees.

Previously, she worked as the HR manager for two growing organizations with 70 full-time employees, reporting directly to CEO and president. Originally from Hooksett, N.H., Cronshaw has the PHR and SHRM-CP designations.

Kerper brings over 25 years of real estate and operational homebuilding experience to Neal Communities. She joined Neal Communities over a year ago as the director of sales and marketing for the south region and has been an integral part of the south region’s success.

In her new position, Kerper is responsible for all the regional sales and marketing as well as overseeing the design team for the south region. She will have additional responsibilities in the development of condominium communities.

Kerper has held many management positions across several disciplines within residential homebuilding operations, where she oversaw acquisitions, purchasing, design, sales and construction in homebuilding and asset management roles. An executive and a former division president of a leading homebuilder in Florida, Kerper has managed and led multiple large-scale projects for several homebuilding companies in Pennsylvania and Florida.

Currently, Neal Communities employs 257 people. The new additions are part of the company’s hiring initiative fueled by record-setting sales numbers. To date, Neal has built over 10,000 homes in southwest Florida.

About Neal Communities

Neal Communities was named the Professional Builder national 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine. To date, Neal has built over 10,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 44 Parade of Homes 2015 awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.