Author: Jasmine

At-Home Easter Crafts

With all this time at home, it’s healthy to release a bit of creative energy in the spare time you have. With Easter this weekend, we wanted to share some crafty activities to get you and your family up and moving. In this list, we’ve included decorations for your home in addition to favors you can share with family members after brunch as a sweet surprise.

Flower Stem Straws

Starting off with something simple you can enjoy throughout the spring season. Simply cut dogwood-shaped flowers from paper and decorate the edges with markers or watercolors you have on hand. Then, punch a hole in the center of the flower, and slip the straw through the hole.These dainty stem straws make staying hydrated look cute as can be. It’s a great way to get littles drinking water and a festive garnish to any drink, like this citrusy punch delight.

Washi Tape Easter Egg

Not only are these easter eggs so simple to make, but turn out absolutely adorable with minimal effort. Once made, they can be framed, pasted on the outside of a card or strung together to make an Easter garland. No one will know you only spent just minutes crafting these egg-cellent washi tape Easter eggs.

Floral Favor Boxes

Top a small box with dogwood flowers cut from white paper and decorated with markers or water colors. Hot-glue tiny pieces of green pipe cleaner to the centers, then cut leaves from green paper and hot-glue them to the bottoms of the flowers. Fill the boxes with a treat of your choice, wrap them with twine, and tape the flowers on top. Disperse them amongst your family after Easter brunch for the perfect end to the meal.

Bunny Party Hats

The last craft is for the littles! These bunny party hats were made to help you celebrate the holiday in true bunny style. All you need to make is colored paper, scissors, a permanent marker, glue, a craft knife and some twine. Your “bunnies” will look precious in these party hats and they’ll have lots of fun making them too.

April 9, 2020
A Message About COVID-19 from Neal Communities

As we all continue to navigate these uncharted waters, Neal remains committed to the health and safety of our team members and home buyers alike. Due to the growing concerns regarding the health situation in our state, we are making immediate changes to our business operations in order to do our part.

As new home construction is deemed an essential business, starting Friday, April 3rd, all Neal model centers and offices will be open by appointment only. This will ensure that people who need to find a home are still able to be helped, while we reduce non-essential visits to our centers. We have also put new processes and systems in place to allow for customers to see homes virtually before setting up an in-person visit, if at all.

The safety of our customers and associates is our #1 priority, so we kindly ask you reach out to one of our sales professionals at the number below and they will be able to assist you.

Please note that we are adhering to CDC-prescribed social distancing, so we will be simply greeting you with a smile. Thank you for your interest in our homes.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | COMMUNITY, NEWS

The home buying journey is typically a personal, memorable and exciting one – and while the current situation regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) is disrupting everyone’s daily lives, Neal Communities remains committed to building the American Dream of homeownership. After all, Where You Live Matters.

However, with the current circumstances in mind, we want to update you on how Neal Communities is addressing concerns stemming from this and assure you that we have the health and safety of our customers (you), as well as that of our team members, trade partners and vendors, as a top priority.

Our model homes and sales centers are open by appointment only, and maintained to the highest standards, and we are taking heightened precautions to increase the frequency of our cleanings, as well as focusing on door knobs, handles, light switches and countertops. Additionally, our on-site sales professionals are instructed to wipe down those same surfaces multiple times daily.

If you plan on visiting us, we kindly ask that you book an appointment online or over the telephone first, and if you or those close to you have recently traveled to a destination which the CDC has listed as Level 2 or 3, been on a cruise ship, or have experienced any flu-like symptoms, please wait two or more weeks before you visit one of our sales centers.

Furthermore, we ask that during your visit to one of our sales centers, you observe social distancing practices and also avoid touching things such as surfaces and artifacts within our homes. To keep the experience even healthier, when you do come to see us, we will gladly greet you with a smile rather than our preferred handshake.

In addition to our sales offices being open by appointment only, we continue to offer resources both over the phone and online. Our Online Sales Consultants are ready to answer any questions you may have about our communities and homes, on the phone or via the Chat function. From there, they will be able to set up appointments for private tours of our homes and communities with our sales professionals.

Should you prefer to get a virtual (live) tour of our homes and/or community via Facetime or WhatsApp, we are happy to accommodate those wishes. We will continue to add information, photos and virtual tours to our community webpages to help you with your home search.

For now, we continue to closely monitor this fluid situation and act in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations to help slow the spread of the virus. For that, we are applying social distancing measures, as well as personal hygiene (i.e. proper handwashing, wiping surfaces after use, hand sanitizer use), as prescribed. Further, we have instructed any employee who feels any kind of sickness and/or is (has been) exposed to any known sickness, to visit their healthcare provider and stay home until they are fully cleared to come back.

We look forward to serving you throughout your home buying journey and hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe.

April 2, 2020
Get Cooking With Neal

An increasing number of people are staying in, and chances are, you’re looking for some at-home entertainment. You’re probably all caught up on your favorite TV shows, finished the book you’ve been meaning to read and have disinfected your home from top to bottom. Now what?

This new found free time is a great opportunity to sharpen your cooking skills. Luckily, Neal Communities has you covered with a mouth-watering recipe for you to add to your stockpile.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve compiled some family favorite recipes from employees into a cookbook. Similar to most families, food plays a key role in our culture. Whether it’s a brief morning meeting or a company-wide celebration, the Neal family enjoys sharing culinary creations. While the book is for sale in our office, we’ve decided to share one of the recipes in hopes it will inspire you to get creative in your kitchen. We hope you have a wonderful time connecting with your family while making this creamy, delicious meal.

Chicken Cannelloni

Ingredients

Cannelloni Filling:

8 oz. chicken breasts (about 2), cooked thoroughly

1 oz. fresh, chopped spinach

1 oz. sun-dried tomatoes, sliced

16 oz. ricotta cheese

3 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

12 lasagna noodles

Cannelloni Sauce:

16 oz. Asiago cream sauce

16 oz. tomato sauce, jar

3 oz. Parmesan Cheese, grated

Directions

First, allow chicken breasts to cool once they are cooked thoroughly.

Secondly, dice the cooked chicken breast into ½ inch pieces and place into a large mixing bowl. Add spinach, tomatoes, ricotta, mozzarella, pepper, salt, and mix thoroughly.

Begin arranging the pre-cooked pasta sheets on a cutting board by placing two or three rounded tablespoons of filling mixture down the center of each pasta sheet and carefully roll pasta around filling in a cigar fashion. Place the rolled cannelloni, side by side, into a shallow baking dish. Next, place Asiago sauce and tomato sauce in a bowl and mix until well incorporated. Pour sauce over cannelloni covering completely. Finally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over top of sauce.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.

Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes. Lastly, remove from oven and serve immediately.

What have you been cooking? Let us know by sharing a photo and tagging us at @nealcommunities so we can see your culinary creations!

March 29, 2020

Step Inside for a 3D Tour!

Get an in-person feeling of walking through your new home with our Matterport tours. These tours give an exceptional experience when using VR goggles! Below is just a sample of the homes we have available to tour virtually. Explore our website to see even more.

Some tours are below, but you can view all of them here.
Have fun viewing these beautiful model homes!

Fresh Spring at Boca Royale in Englewood

Crystal Sand at Canoe Creek in Parrish

Liberty 3 at Vicenza in Venice

Bright Meadow at Canoe Creek in Parrish

Meadow Brook at Cielo in Venice

Kiawah at Grand Palm in Venice

Silver Sky 2 at Indigo in Lakewood Ranch

Applause at Silverleaf in Parrish

Endless Summer 3 at Indigo in Lakewood Ranch

Kendal at Richmond Park in Naples

Sea Star at Verandah in Fort Myers

Sandcastle at Marquesa Isles in Naples

Windemere at Richmond Park in Naples

Keswick at Seychelles in Naples

Captiva at Verandah in Fort Myers

Bright Meadow at Daniels Place in Fort Myers

Whitehaven at Seychelles in Naples

(more…)

March 25, 2020

Spring Design Trends

Spring is a splendid time to spruce up your home’s decor. Along with the warm weather, welcome new pieces and experiment with fresh colors. Here are several spring interior design trends that are sure to make your space blossom.

Pastel Colors

Contrast soft tones with vibrant metals to give your home a little bit of edge. Think of pastel pink throw pillows on a couch next to a rose gold lamp. Or a piece of abstract art with a bold metal frame. Either option emulates sophistication.

House Plants

Add some greenery to your home with house plants. Here’s a few that are nearly impossible to kill:

Fiddle Leaf Fig: These trendy trees have more than just lush foliage going for them. Their hardy disposition can adapt to most bright locations (minus direct sunlight). Water generously in the summer and slow it down when winter comes.

Aloe: Its spiky leaves certainly look cool, and they’ll really thrive in your home office’s desk or bedside table. Aloe plants love indirect light in addition to a good soak every week or two.

Ponytail Palm: Officially called the Beaucarnea recurvata, the slow-growing ponytail palm likes basking in a sunny window. Don’t over-water the Mexico native, because its stems work off its reserves.

Textured Pottery

Elevate your coffee or side tables with ceramic art. There’s several options when it comes to decorating your home with pottery. You can arrange them based on their style, add in some plants or group by color to create a completely new look for your living space.

Light Fabrics

Swap out heavy throws and cable knit blankets for lighter fabrics like linen or cotton. Stick to the lighter trend in colors as well; layer whites and pale pinks to add a pop of color to a neutral space.

Candles

Place candles throughout your home so you can fill your space with springtime scents. When it comes to designating a spot for your candles, consider the size of each room you’re putting them in. If it’s a larger area like a living room, using a larger candle will allow the fragrance to spread throughout the room. For smaller spaces such as a bathroom, use a smaller candle and just burn one at a time to not overwhelm the space. Some ideal spring scents include fresh lemon and citrus, peonies, gardenias, and other floral tones.

These simple trends are sure to transform your home just in time for the season.

March 11, 2020
5 Reasons to Choose Neal Communities

There are so many reasons to build with Neal Communities. But here’s just a few that we believe make all the difference in your home buying journey–The Neal Difference.

1. Communities & Connections

At Neal Communities, we know it’s not just about building a tapestry of homes. It’s about how those homes weave together to form a true community that you and your family will love.

2. Before, During and After—We’re With You Every Step of the Way

For 50 years, we’ve been building Neal Communities throughout Southwest Florida. Doing this takes more than tools and blueprints. It takes commitment. And it takes the utmost dedication to our buyers. For us, customer satisfaction is what matters most.

3. Everything You Need in One Place

We offer everything you need within our family of companies, so you are taken care of from start to finish. Neal has you covered, from financing to insurance to interior design to pool creation.

4. Committed to Our Community

A company’s greatest strength lies in its collective ability to make a positive impact in the community. For us, this means giving back time and resources to local causes, programs and organizations that help educate residents, support historic and environmental preservation and more!

5. Giving Back

Over the years, Pat Neal and Neal Communities have championed academic, athletic, cultural, environmental and philanthropic programs that support the arts, community, non-profit and educational organizations. A tradition of giving back to the communities where we live and work benefits us all.

February 28, 2020
Neal Communities Breaks Ground on New Lakewood Ranch Neighborhood

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, recently broke ground on a new community, named Windward. The 450-acre gated community will have 900 homes at its completion.

The architectural inspiration for the community includes a collection of today’s most popular designs, including British West Indies, Coastal, Island and Farmhouse styles.

Windward will include a 7.8-acre amenity center with a 9,600-square-foot clubhouse including gathering spaces, a fitness center, pools, dog parks, a playground, a sports field and multiple athletic courts including pickleball, tennis and volleyball courts. The community will also have a full-time lifestyle coordinator to plan and host events for residents throughout the year.

Windward will offer 16 unique floorplans, seven of which will be on display as model homes. Plans are in development to construct a Discovery Center sales office.

Floorplans will include paired villas and single-family homes. Paired villas range from 1,434 square feet to 1,524 square feet. Single-family homes start at 1,531 square feet and can be as large as 2,907 square feet.

“We’re excited to break ground on this project so early in the year,” shares Mike Storey, President at Neal Communities. “Windward will offer a wide range of floorplan options to Lakewood Ranch starting this summer.”

Windward is ideally located in Sarasota County along the southern gateway of Lakewood Ranch. Windward is just three-and-a-half miles east of I-75 at the corner of Lorraine and Fruitville Roads and is adjacent to Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Communities. The community is close to A-rated schools in the area, as well as several private school options.

Windward is currently scheduled to open in the Summer of 2020.

February 12, 2020
Last Minute Valentine’s Gift Guide

It’s easy to get caught up in everything that’s going on in life and the world in general during this time of year. No one is perfect, and sometimes we forget birthdays, anniversaries and maybe also the fact that Valentine’s Day is just days away. Not to worry–we’ve got you covered with a his and hers last minute gift guide. No matter your budget, there’s something attainable for everyone on this list!

For Him

Sugar Cookies

They say the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Put this hypothesis to the test with a scrumptious batch of heart shaped sugar cookies iced with velvety cream cheese frosting. The recipe yields about two dozen cookies. Worst case scenario: he tries one and doesn’t like it, then you have the other twenty three to yourself!

Photo Album

Compile cherished moments together into a photo album for you and your significant other to reflect on. Fill it with photos of each other, friends, family and everything in between. You can even add in commentary along with decorative paper and stickers to give it a little flare, but it’s not necessary. Begin this craft by getting yourself a photo album, print out your selected pictures so they fit inside, add in anything extra if you like, and that’s it–you’ve got yourself a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift!

Weekend Retreat

Treat your special someone to a weekend getaway. Find a few days you’re both guaranteed to be free, peruse flights to varying destinations, find a place to stay and let the countdown to your holiday begin!

For Her

Floral Bouquet

This is excellent if you can’t be with your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Simply select a bouquet and send it her way. Flowers are a simple yet meaningful gesture that never goes out of style.

Audible Subscription

Audible is the best gift for an avid reader. The company is a provider of digital audiobooks, radio and TV programs, and audio versions of magazines and newspapers. With Audible, she’ll be able to listen to her favorite books from virtually anywhere, anytime she wants.

Spa Day

Here’s the gift to get if you’re wanting to knock this holiday out of the ballpark. Treat her (and yourself) to a day of pampering with a couple’s spa day. Enjoy facials, massages and hot stones to relieve yourselves of any and all stress.

Pick a gift from the options above and just like that, you’ve won Valentine’s Day on short notice! If you’ve already got your gift then utilize this post for your significant other’s birthday, your anniversary or a gift “just because”.

February 11, 2020
The Rehearsal Dinner Design – Part 1

Charlene Neal is President of Charlene Neal PureStyle and Vice President of Design at Neal Communities. She posts regularly on her website: http://www.charlenenealpurestyle.com.

This month I’d like to share something personal. Something special and something fun!

My son’s impending wedding. Much like planning a new home or model, this project has many similarities to what I do everyday in our models and your homes.

I love a good challenge! When my son announced his engagement we were thrilled, especially since he’d found an absolute gem of a girl. However, weddings are a lot of work, so my design mind immediately went to the responsibilities as the mother of the groom.

For me that meant throwing together a spur-of-the-moment engagement party, which was a success, and then planning ahead for the rehearsal dinner.

I needed inspiration, so my first stop was, of course, Pinterest. This is a must because it’s a place you can throw all of your ideas while you figure out what may work and what will not. I shared it with my future daughter in law. It made it so easy to collaborate and share ideas. Soon a common aesthetic could be seen.

I also felt it was necessary to have someone to work with who knew style and would give me practical suggestions, as well as help me implement my ideas. So I made sure I had a secondary stylist on hand that I could bounce ideas off of and trust to follow through on all these extra details. This, in particular, has been invaluable to me.

As with any design project I undertake, it all starts with communication and collaboration. After talking with my future daughter-in-law, a casual laid-back affair was agreed upon. We also decided just how big the dinner would be, the budget, and the theme. With the nuts and bolts out of the way, I set to work designing this very special rehearsal dinner.

The theme we chose is rustic modern. It’s being held outdoors, which means attire will be smart-casual.

A weekly “Wedding Wednesday” meeting was arranged so that we could get together and see what was still yet to be done. Any questions we had could be answered, which allowed us to keep moving forward. We are now less than a month away and it’s crunch time! Over the last few months, we’ve been slowly culling our decor, our flowers, our playlist, our mood, our lighting, and our menu.

I am so excited and anxious for all of the details to come together. I hope everyone enjoys being there as much as I have enjoyed planning it.

It’s so much like the work I do as a designer for your home. From conversation to collaboration to execution of even the tiniest detail, for me every aspect of design is a thrill!

January 31, 2020
Find Serenity in Cielo

End your search for a new home at Cielo.

The name is the Italian word for sky and it’s no coincidence that the community emulates a Northern Italian architectural theme. Located in North Venice, the community is just two miles east of the I-75 and ten miles east of US 41–which makes it an ideal location for commuters.

Cielo has over seventy homesites, a small neighborhood-exclusive park with play equipment, a dog park with shade shelters, picnic tables, grills and bike racks. The amenities, spacious floor plans and distance from several Grade A schools make it a prime residence for young families.

Enjoy easy access to the area’s most serene beaches, local shopping and cuisine. You’ll never have too far of a drive to get to where you need to be. Spend less time getting there and more time living in the moment at Cielo.

Could this be the place for you? The community is now pre-selling at the lowest prices you’ll see at Cielo–but they’ll be increasing soon. To stay in the know with all things Cielo, fill out the linked form so you’re the first to know about exciting upcoming events. Connect with an online sales consultant to learn more about the benefits of living in a Neal Communities home.

January 29, 2020