LAKEWOOD RANCH IS THE BEST-SELLING COMMUNITY IN THE NATION

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Press release 23 July 2021.

Lakewood Ranch is the best-selling community in the U.S., according to national real estate consulting firm RCLCO’s 2021 mid-year survey. The Ranch secured 1,535 new home sales through the end of June of 2021, beating last year’s numbers by 83% percent. Although Lakewood Ranch has been the best-selling multi-generational master-planned community in the U.S. for the past three years, the 2021 mid-year report marks the first time it’s ranked No. 1 overall.

Lakewood Ranch was primed to meet the increased number of relocations spurred by the pandemic, according to Laura Cole, executive vice president of LWR Communities. “The Ranch’s maturity, locational assets, and multi-generational appeal drew buyers and their extended families (and friends) from all corners of the U.S.,” Cole said. “Five new villages opened during the pandemic, offering greater home choices at all price points with outstanding amenities and access to open space and trails — key criteria sought by buyers fleeing more urban locations.

“Buyers say they are looking to move close to family and friends, downsizing, or accelerating retirement. Year-over-year, we experienced the largest sales gains in the Entry/First Move-up segment (84% growth over prior year) which generally leans towards millennials. The Empty Nest/Active Adult market jumped by 71% during this period, and Second Home Move-up/Luxury buyers increased by 57%.”

Lakewood Ranch’s first place position put it among the top-selling master-planned communities (MPCs) in the country for 10 consecutive years. Rex Jensen, president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc., developer of Lakewood Ranch, said that planning and execution continue to keep the community – which has been owned and guided by the same family since its inception over 25 years ago – at the top.

“Lakewood Ranch has been a perennial pack leader by delivering the features which epitomize top selling MPCs: consumer centric homes, well integrated natural areas, abundant amenities and a vast array of lifestyle offerings,” Jensen said.

There is no doubt Lakewood Ranch is seeing a “pursuit of quality of life,” Cole said. “Buyers across the demographic and geographic spectrum are attracted to the qualities and conveniences of our established community with the added benefit of resort-level amenities in their neighborhood. Lakewood Ranch has three town centers, five neighborhood shopping centers, the award-winning Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, A-Rated schools, over 120 miles of trails, a parks and recreation program, 60+ clubs, the Premier Sports Campus, Sarasota Polo Club, and more than 1,400 businesses.”

Waterside Place, The Ranch’s newest town center – and its first in Sarasota County – will open this fall with a wide array of shopping, dining, and wellness opportunities. The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch will make Waterside Place its permanent home later this fall, and numerous events, sports leagues, and musical performances are scheduled throughout each month.

The robust sales have caused heightened demand, and Ranch builders are working to increase availability. Two new villages, Star Farms and Sweetwater, will be added to the 21 new home villages by year-end. There remain plenty of opportunities to buy in Lakewood Ranch.

“As the market has become more competitive,” Cole continued, “we feel it is essential to recognize the pressures confronting buyers and help them navigate options in the for-sale or rental space.”

RCLCO has been ranking master-planned communities since 1994; for more information, visit Rclco.com

Lakewood Ranch is the 33,000+-acre award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. Just minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches and cultural assets in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is already home to more than 50,000 residents and features A-rated schools, a hospital, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, its own Main Street with theaters, shopping and dining, and more than four million square feet of commercial property. For more information visit Lakewoodranch.com/

BRENT LEATHWOOD, MBA

LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER | BK 3300751

CROSS BORDER REALTY LLC | CQ1046895
2100 CONSTITUTION BLVD. #207
SARASOTA, FL, 34231
(941) 882-2995
Contact
3 Big Mistakes Buyers make:

  1. 1. NOT KNOWING THE NEIGHBORHOOD...ContinuedReal estate always has been and always will be a local business. Know your neighborhood is a cardinal rule in this business. A real estate professional knows what is going on in their local market area. Hire a knowledge, local professional. When we see folks wandering around with a notebook and a list of questions, we know they are the most likely to make a costly mistake. A PROFESSIONAL Realtor, (please note the word professional), can spend 15 minutes listening to your needs and wants, and probably rule out 90% of the local market options, and focus your attention, on the 3 or 4 or 5 communities that will meet your needs, and make sense from both a financial and lifestyle point of view. I am amazed at how many people from out of State, go it alone, end up buying in the wrong community, and come to regret it. I meet people like this everyday, and everyone single one of them will say to me: “I wish we had met you first.”
  2. 2. GETTING STUCK IN AN HOA NIGHTMARE...ContinuedHome owners association nightmares are the stuff of legend in our State. Do not buy the wrong property in the wrong community. A knowledgeable real estate professional can explain to you upfront, the ins and outs of the HOA regulations of the community you are considering, and help you avoid 99% of these potential pitfalls. This is another very costly mistake.
  3. 3. THINKING YOU DO NOT NEED A REALTOR WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME...ContinuedEverybody knows you need a Realtor to represent you, when buying a resale home. Many do not know, you also need a Realtor to represent you, when buying a new home. The new home sales person in the model home works for the Builder, not the Buyer. They are paid to look out for their employer’s interests, not yours. You will not save $1 by going it alone. You will lose money. A lot of money. One of our largest local builders reported 872 annual sales, of which, 762 were handled by Realtors representing the Buyer. That is 87% of the total. The Builder has already factored paying a finder’s fee into the price. The Builder will not rebate $1 of this money back to you. Builders laugh under their breath, when Buyers try this negotiating tactic, even though they will politely agree with you. Professional representation costs you $0, why would you fend for yourself, in a market you know almost nothing about? Buyers know less than 20% of what they actually need to know, to get a great deal. Having gone through the new home buying process hundreds of times with clients, we know all the pitfalls to avoid, and how to make the process go smoothly. Do not go it alone, get professional representation, it costs you $0. Not doing this is the most costly of the 3 mistakes. But everyone has heard the old saying, you can lead a horse to water. We are in the business of helping our customers solve a problem. Our ability to do that, is the sole reason we have a thriving business. We are here to help you through the entire process, and get a great deal.

4 Big Mistakes Investors make:
  1. INCOME... ContinuedThe rental income does not justify the $/sq. ft. purchase price.
  2. EXPENSES... Continued The monthly expenses are too high, relative to the property type and rental income produced.
  3. CAP RATE... Continued The capitalization rate is too low to justify the investment.
  4. HOA REGS... Continued The home owners association regulations are too restrictive, or do not permit the intended use. Frequently overlooked or glossed over by some sales people, the long run financial consequences are catastrophic if a mismatch occurs.
Avoid Costly $$$ Mistakes: Hire Brent. Costs you $0.