Neal Communities’ Indigo introduces larger homesites and a new model

Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, is introducing larger homesites and a new model at Indigo, an award-winning green community in Lakewood Ranch.

Unveiled in May 2015, Indigo will now offer larger homesites and four new floor plans, including the Clear Day, Daybreak, Silver Sky and Windstar, the community newest model. The layouts range in size from 2,395 to 2,980 square feet. The new phase will have limited opportunities for homebuyers.

Once completed, Indigo will have a total of 580 maintenance-included homes on 151.32 acres. Since the community’s opening, 78 homes have been purchased in Indigo. Home prices start at $259,990.

In addition to the neighborhood’s newest model, visitors can also browse through two fully decorated and professionally designed models – the 1,509-square-foot Liberty 2 and the 1,764-square-foot Victory, which serves as the community’s sales center.

“Located in the heart of Lakewood Ranch, Indigo is very similar to our sold-out Central Park community,” said Nicole Brooks, director of sales for Neal Communities. “Paired with its close proximity to everything and its natural Florida beauty, Indigo’s larger homesites will be a tremendous draw for homebuyers looking for more serene space.”

Located at the intersection of Pope Road and 44th Avenue East, Indigo is a gated, island-resort style community surrounded by mature oak trees intentionally preserved by the builder.

Club Indigo, Indigo’s $1.6 million recreation center with a full-time lifestyle coordinator, features areas for community events, a culinary kitchen, fitness room and movement studio, resort-style pool with cabanas, spa, pickleball and bocce ball courts.

Residents have access to recreational amenities, including 150 miles of walking and biking trails, nature preserves and parks and gun, polo and cricket clubs. The Premier Sports Campus, recently added to Lakewood Ranch, is available to host soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby, archery, senior games, Ultimate Frisbee, Special Olympics, flag football, youth football, Frisbee golf and punt/pass/kick football on local, state, regional and national levels.

For more information, visit Indigo’s Victory sales center and model at 12916 Deep Blue Place in Lakewood Ranch 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.

Neal Communities continues expansion into Hillsborough County with entrance into FishHawk Ranch

Neal Communities (Neal Communities.com), southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, is continuing its expansion into Hillsborough County, opening two new model homes in Tampa’s FishHawk Ranch community.

Neal Communities made its debut in the Hillsborough County market last year. Since that time, the company experienced a 6-percent growth rate and experienced an exceptional hiring period, adding 22 employees to the team during the last four months of 2015. Recently, the homebuilder brought on 10 sales associates, four builders, three pool builders, a design gallery coordinator and a vice president of construction. Neal Communities currently employs 252 people across all of its companies.

The 76 villas Neal Communities is constructing mark the company’s first entrance into FishHawk Ranch, a 3,000-acre master-planned community. Prospective residents will be able to tour two versatile villa model homes.

The 1,524-square-foot Tidewater model is a split-plan with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a den and a two-car garage. The 1,434-square-foot Crystal Sand model is an open-concept plan with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage.

“We can’t wait for homeowners to step foot into our striking Tidewater and Crystal Sand models at FishHawk Ranch,” said Neal Communities Director of Sales Nicole Brooks. “The real sense of community at FishHawk Ranch coupled with its ideal location in Hillsborough County make this community a standout.”

FishHawk Ranch, which offers family-friendly events, a sense of community among homeowners and 25 miles of nature trails, is the first certified green new-home community in Hillsborough County.

The community offers single-family homes, townhomes, luxury homes and homes tailored to people ages 55 and over. Newland Communities, based in San Diego, Calif. is the developer.

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.

About FishHawk Ranch

FishHawk Ranch by Newland Communities is a 4,100-acre master-planned community located in southeast Hillsborough County. Recently certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition as the first green community in Hillsborough County, FishHawk Ranch features a variety of amenities including more than 25 miles of nature trails. The community offers paired homes, single-family and custom homes starting at $170,000s to more than $1 million. The FishHawk Ranch Welcome Center and model homes are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call (813) 685-7500 or visit the website at www.fishhawkranch.com.

Neal Communities sales exceed expectations in May

Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, saw solid sales during the month of May, with 89 total homes.

The company sold 71 homes in the North division, nine homes in the South division and nine for Neal Signature Homes.

“Our robust sales numbers this May point to the quality of our homes and our customer service,” said Michael Storey, president of Neal Communities. “We are particularly proud of the number our luxury division, Neal Signature Homes, sold this past month, which represents sales that exceed our ambitious goals for that division.”

Three communities in particular displayed high sales during this period. The Boca Royale Golf and Country Club in Englewood had eight sales, the Waterset community in Apollo Beach had six sales and The Ridge at Crossing Creek in Bradenton also had six sales.

Boca Royale is a private gated community with lakes and nature preserves. Homes start at $215,990, and homeowners can enjoy an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and fitness facilities.

Waterset is a modern community with amenities including a resort club with a pool, playgrounds, a fitness center, parks, walking trails and a community café. Homes in the neighborhood start at $201,990.

The Ridge at Crossing Creek is a nature-focused community with walking trails, canoe storage, a canoe and kayak launch area and a recreation center with a pool and spa. Homes start at $256,990 and surround a 21-acre lake.

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 and www.NealSignatureHomes.com.

Neal Communities moves up in Builder Magazine ranking of top U.S. homebuilders

Builder Magazine has named Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier homebuilder, No. 45 on its list of the 100 best homebuilders in the United States.

The ranking celebrates excellence in homebuilding, and last year, Neal Communities was ranked No. 47. In 2014, the company was ranked No. 50, meaning this is the third consecutive year Neal Communities has earned a higher ranking.

Every year since 1984, Builder Magazine has ranked the nation’s top homebuilders, evaluating both privately and publicly held companies through direct surveys and basing its results on the number of home closings.

Neal Communities is one of the most dominant homebuilders in the region, and the ranking reflects the company’s tremendous growth. The company was responsible for 989 total home closings in 2015.

“To consistently move up the list on this prestigious national ranking is an enormous testament to our hardworking team of dedicated professionals,” said Michael Storey, president of the Lakewood Ranch-based home building firm. “Our team is second to none in this business, and as we continue to grow over the next five years, we will remain true to our core values of superior customer service, improving the lives of the people we work with and building quality homes,” he said.

Builder Magazine also ranked only the top private builders in the country, and Neal Communities is No. 27 on that list this year, only 26 home closings away from being one of the top 25 private builders in the country.

To date in 2016, the builder has sold 391 homes in southwest Florida spanning from Hillsborough to Collier Counties.

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.

New area sales manager joins Neal Communities team

Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, recently hired Debbie Gericke as an area sales manager.

Gericke brings 30 years of experience in the real estate industry to Neal Communities. She will focus on managing, training and guiding the sales team to achieve yearly goals.

During her three decades in real estate, Gericke has overseen more than $1 billion in sales throughout the Southeast. She is originally from Destin, Fla., and the Neal Communities position brought her to Sarasota.

“I joined Neal Communities because of the quality of the leadership team, the quality of their construction and their dedication to customer service,” Gericke said.

Prior to becoming area sales manager for Neal Communities, Gericke was the broker for Amelia Island Plantation Real Estate. She served as director of operations for Coldwell Banker United, Realtors, in Destin. During that time, she guided and trained the management teams in the 11 offices she oversaw to earn $650 million in sales. Gericke also has worked in management roles for several national homebuilders.

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.

Neal Communities contributes to Boca Royale Semper Fi Fund Charity Fundraiser

Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, recently donated $10,000 to benefit the Boca Royale Semper Fi Fund Charity Fundraiser, a local nonprofit organization established by Boca Royale Golf and Country Club residents dedicated to helping its parent organization, the Semper Fi Fund, and its subsidiary, the America’s Fund.

This year’s Boca Royale Semper Fi Charity Golf Tournament raised an impressive $230,000, bringing their seven-year total contributions to the Semper Fi Fund to over $1 million. Neal Communities has been supporting the event since 2012 and has been a co-sponsor ever since.

The Semper Fi Fund and its program America’s Fund provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post 9/11 wounded, critically ill and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. This ensures that they have the resources they need during their recovery and transition back to their communities.

The 2016 golf tournament and dinner was held Saturday, April 2 at the Boca Royale Golf and Country Club. General James F. Amos, 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps and the board chairman of the national Semper Fi Fund, was the guest speaker. Karen Gunther, founder and CEO of Semper Fi Fund, was also in attendance.

“Neal Communities is honored to support the seventh annual Charity Event to provide support to our injured heroes and their families,” said Pat Neal, chief executive officer of Neal Communities. “We are indebted to these heroes and are proud to support this very worthy charity since 2012. They have defended our country bravely, and Neal Communities is proud to provide this small token of our appreciation and support.”

Established in 2010, the Boca Royale Semper Fi Fund Charity Fundraiser is an all-volunteer 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization.

Since establishing the Semper Fi Fund in 2004, the nonprofit has distributed more than 106,000 grants, totaling more than $120 million in assistance to over 15,000 heroes and their families. The Semper Fi Fund has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for five consecutive years and an A+ rating from Charity Watch. The Fund distributes 93.5 cents of every dollar collected to the wounded and their families. For more information, visit the Boca Royale Semper Fi Fund website at http://BocaSemperFiFund.org.

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.

March marks 102 sales for Neal Communities

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, continued its sales streak last month with 102 new homes sold in March, spanning communities from Hillsborough to Collier Counties.

Grand Palm in Venice, Sarasota County’s first community built under the Sarasota 2050 plan requirements, continued to lead the pack with 13 new home sales in March. Eagle Trace near Lakewood Ranch followed closely with 11 sales. Other communities included Boca Royale Golf & Country Club in Englewood with 10 sales, Villa Amalfi in Sarasota and Villages of Milano in Venice with nine sales. The company also tallied five sales in Tampa and five sales at Neal’s newest community, The Ridge at Crossing Creek, which opened last weekend.

“Since February, the market has continued to remain steady with traffic and sales numbers at a normal pace for this time of the year,” said Michael Storey, president of the Lakewood Ranch-based new homebuilder. “Our continued focus on creating a diverse and robust line up of communities and floor plans attracts a wide range of homebuyers with timelines for occupancy ranging from immediate to up to one year from now. These factors plus our value and emphasis on superior customer service have allowed us to remain a market leader in southwest Florida.”

Two popular communities are expected to be sold out this month for Neal Communities – Forest Creek in Bradenton and Central Park in Lakewood Ranch, each with only five opportunities remaining for new homebuyers.

Also in March, Neal Communities took part in the Tampa Bay Builders Association Parade of Homes and the Desoto Charlotte Parade of Homes.

In 2015, Neal Communities closed 989 homes for families in Florida – the most since its 1970 inception and pulled permits for over 1,200 homes in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Additionally, the prolific firm was recognized nationally as Professional Builder Magazine’s Builder of the Year.

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 joins distinguished list of builders at FishHawk Ranch

Neal Communities (NealCommunities.com), southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder has broken ground on two villa model homes and will construct 76 low-maintenance villas in the gated neighborhood of Sagewood in this award-winning, master-planned community.

The villas mark Neal Communities’ first entrance in FishHawk Ranch.

Neal Communities will offer two versatile home plans – the 1,524-square-foot Tidewater model and the 1,434-square-foot Crystal Sand model. The Tidewater is a split-plan with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a den and a two-car garage. The Crystal Sand is an open-concept plan with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage.

“Neal Communities is an outstanding addition to FishHawk Ranch,” said Pam Parisi, Vice President of Marketing at Newland Communities. “With their solid reputation and exceptionally-built homes, they will be an excellent complement to our family of builders.”

FishHawk Ranch is owned in a joint venture partnership between NORTH AMERICA SEKISUI HOUSE, LLC (NASH), the U.S. business unit and full subsidiary of SEKISUI HOUSE, LTD., Japan’s largest homebuilder and leading diversified developer, and Newland Real Estate Group, LLC, whose development business, Newland Communities, is the master developer of the community. It is one of more than 30 communities the NASH-Newland partnership owns together in 11 states across the United States.

“We’re excited to bring our quality homes to the beautiful FishHawk Ranch community,” said Michael Storey, president of Neal Communities. “The market is prime for this innovative master-planned community that hosts resident events and provides homeowners a connection to nature. We look forward to introducing the Neal Communities brand to this community and offering homeowners a diverse lineup of quality homes with the Neal knack for quality, design and excellent value.”

FishHawk Ranch, which boasts 25 miles of nature trails, is the first certified green new-home community in Hillsborough County. The community has 1,300 acres of preserved and rehabilitated wetlands and wildlife spots. Villa residents will also be able to utilize the outstanding amenities that FishHawk Ranch offers, including The Lake House community center, Central Park pools, sports fields and a dog park, as well as the future retail Village Center.

For more details about FishHawk Ranch, go to www.fishhawkranch.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.

About FishHawk Ranch

FishHawk Ranch by Newland Communities is a 4,100-acre master-planned community located in southeast Hillsborough County. Recently certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition as the first green community in Hillsborough County, FishHawk Ranch features a variety of amenities including more than 25 miles of nature trails. The community offers paired homes, single-family, and custom homes starting at $170,000s to more than $1 million. The FishHawk Ranch Welcome Center and model homes are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, please call (813) 685-7500 or visit our website at www.fishhawkranch.com.

About NEWLAND:

Newland is a diversified real estate company leveraging a national platform and over 45 years of experience to perform challenging and diverse development, investment, management, and advisory services across a wide range of real estate. The company’s mixed-use development business, Newland Communities, actively owns, operates and develops premier residential master-planned, commercial, retail, and urban mixed-use real estate across the U.S. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Newland and its affiliated companies have completed, or have underway, more than 140 diverse real estate developments, more than 20 million square feet of commercial and retail space, and 175,000 residential units in 14 states. www.newlandcommunities.com.

About NORTH AMERICA SEKISUI HOUSE, LLC (NASH):

NASH was established in 2010 as the U.S. business operations unit and a full subsidiary of SEKISUI HOUSE, LTD., Japan’s largest homebuilder and a leading diversified developer since 1960. SEKISUI HOUSE, LTD. has built more than two million houses to date and expanded its operations to Australia, China, Singapore, and the U.S. NASH establishes joint ventures to build innovative and sustainability conscious master planned communities across the US. NASH is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. For more information, visit http://nashcommunities.com or http://www.sekisuihouse.co.jp/english/index.html.