Author: Jasmine

  • Neal Communities Donates to Jack & Jill of America

    Neal Communities Donates to Jack & Jill of America

    Neal Communities Donates $2,500 to the Suncoast Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc.

    LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – September 24, 2019 – Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has contributed $2,500 to the Suncoast Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

    Jack and Jill of America is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty.

    Neal Communities Area Sales Manager, Elayne McKinney, serves as the current local chapter president.

    “I grew up as a member of Jack and Jill of America in New Jersey,” said Elayne McKinney. “When my family moved to Florida, we didn’t have a local chapter, so my mother pioneered the start-up of the Suncoast Chapter almost 30 years ago.”

    McKinney’s eight-year-old daughter is now involved in Jack and Jill of America, donating her time to after-school programs that provide weekend snacks for kids in poverty.

    “When we look at our charitable giving opportunities, we start by considering the organizations that have had a significant impact on our team members,” said Pat Neal, Founder and Chairman of Neal Communities. “We’re proud to support organizations like Jack and Jill that have provided invaluable leadership and community-minded skills to their participants.”

    For more information or to make a donation to Jack and Jill of America, please visit http://jackandjillsuncoast.org/.

  • Fall Favorites

    Fall Favorites

    It’s time to swap out your swimsuits for sweaters because as of Monday, fall has officially arrived. Get in the festive feel by scrolling through our fall must-haves. Here’s some of our favorite recipes and decorations that will transform your home for the autumnal season.

    Plaid Throw

    Prep for cooler temperatures with­­­ this exceedingly soft Magali Plaid Faux Mohair Throw. Not only is it cozy to lounge in, but it’s also a stylish addition to a couch, armchair or bench along with some neutral colored throw pillows.

     

    Harvest Bowls

    Every fall ingredient comes together to make this bountiful and delicious harvest bowl. The recipe features bite-sized bits of brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, chicken and kale all compiled over a bed of brown rice with a tangy dressing. This dish is just as hearty as it is aesthetically fit for fall.

     

    Spicy Apple Candle

    Rosy Rings Spicy Apple Candle smells like a fresh baked apple pie cooling on a windowsill. It’s a familiar, homey, inviting scent that will fill your entire home each time you burn it. Maybe stock up on a few, because these are bound to become your new household staple for the season.

     

    Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

    Just like your mom made, but dare we say, better? These Rice Krispie Treats are made with brown butter, double the marshmallows, a touch of vanilla, and brown Rice Krispies. They’re sweet, salty and easy to whip up. Whether you’re making them last minute for a school event or an upcoming football tailgate, they’re a definite crowd pleaser.

     

    German Glitter Pumpkins

    These German Glitter Pumpkins add a shimmering element to seasonal décor. They have detailed, scrolling stems for a touch of fairytale fantasy. Place them out by your front door or in your home to keep all season long.

     

     

  • Marvel in Milano

    Marvel in Milano

    limited opportunities remain to own a new home in Milano.

    The Tuscan-styled neighborhood is located in ­­­­­­Venice, Florida and features flexible floor plans ideal for families of all sizes. There’s a lot we can say about Milano, but rather than writing a novel on why you should move here, we’ll make this read a quick one. Here’s some fast, fun facts about the coveted community:

    • Milano occupies 383-acres of land.
    • The community is a 15 minute drive away from the top rated restaurant in Venice.
    • Daily activities are planned and coordinated by an on-site Lifestyle Director.
    • It’s a 5 minute drive to the Venetian Golf and River Club and less than a 20 minute drive to Venice Beach.
    • The community is considerately eco-friendly. It was intentionally positioned to conserve the area’s wetlands.
    • Scenic ponds are scattered across the area and are an essential feature for avid walkers.
    • Residents have full access to the amenity center which features a clubhouse, outdoor pavilion, resort-style pool, Pickleball court and a bocce ball court.

    Get a feel for the community by scheduling a tour on our website or with our virtual tour that will give you a glimpse into the homes, amenities and surrounding area.

    A ogni uccello il suo nido è bello is the Italian equivalent to “home sweet home”. We hope you find yours in Milano.

  • Sarasota Magazine – PureStyle’s Charlene Neal on Five In-Demand Interior Design Trends

    Sarasota Magazine – PureStyle’s Charlene Neal on Five In-Demand Interior Design Trends

    With Charlene Neal  9/3/2019 at 8:40am

    Mixed metal finishes, performance fabrics and more.

    Responsible for creating beautiful spaces for Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes, Charlene Neal has a constant pulse on new trends in interior design and classical styles that homebuyers still love. Here is her take on the five most in-demand interior design trends in Sarasota.

    White kitchen cabinets are still going strong both with traditional door profiles and modern flat panels. White cabinets give an open concept kitchen a sleek and cohesive look that will visually expand the space. It’s also a blank canvas for colorful accents.

    Solid surface materials versus natural granite and marble provides a consistent, even look. I’m especially drawn to it because it creates an invisibly seamed countertop that requires virtually zero maintenance. Some are created with leathered finishes. How stylish is that?

    Mixed metal finishes and accents, if done right, will give the room a layered and curated over-time look, and the end result will be chic and elegant. Gold finishes both in brushed and polished are showing up in plumbing and lighting fixtures.

    Making every detail count in a bathroom designed to feel like a spa—from the color on the walls, to natural elements and of course, the overhead rain shower head—will wash away a hectic day and be a perfect space to unwind.

    Choosing performance fabrics makes our lives easier. Products such as Crypton, Sunbrella and Revolution have such fabulous selections that it’s an obvious choice. Its stylish elegance meets function so you can live to the fullest without fear.

  • At Home Family Fun

    Let’s face it, getting out of a summer routine and transitioning back to work, school, etc. can be tough. Ease the transition with some fun for the whole family in the comfort of your own Neal home. No need to plan ahead or wait for the weekend on these activities. These ideas will keep the summer spirit running through the rest of the year.

    Movie Night

    Pop some popcorn, slide into your PJ’s and wind down for a good old fashioned movie night. This is a near effortless way to get the whole family together for some quality time. Get creative with snacks, dim the lights and pull out all the pillows and blankets. Look through this list of classic family friendly movies in case you’re needing some inspiration on what to watch.

    Drive Thru Shakes

    Go out on a drive through the neighborhood as a family and get yourselves a sweet treat. Head to a local diner or drive through and get your milkshakes to go. Venture through your neighborhood and play some tunes or a game of I Spy. Smaller in the moment activities can leave just as significant of an impact on your children as the bigger ones.

    Minute to Win It

    Nose Dive, Stack Attack and Cookie Face are some classic Minute to Win It games that encourage friendly competition. These games are equally fun to play as they are to watch and can be done with items that you probably already have lying around in your home. It involves very little prep time and it will quickly become a favorite activity of your family’s if you haven’t played before.

    Family playing board games together

    Speak Out

    If you don’t already own this game, you’re missing out! Get ready to be doubled over with laughter with this mouthpiece challenge game. The Speak Out game brings loads of fun as players try to say different phrases while wearing a mouthpiece. This is more age appropriate for teens than younger children but can be enjoyed among their friends as well as yours.

    Cook Together

    Enjoy a night in with your family making a home cooked meal from scratch. A fun dinner that gets everyone involved in the kitchen is pasta. It’s made with simple ingredients, is easy to make and can be customized to your family’s liking with any variety of sauces, cheeses, vegetables, etc. Find steps in the recipe that your kids can help out with such as kneading the dough. Not only is it fun to make but delicious to enjoy at the dinner table with one another.

    Mother and daughter cooking together

    These near effortless activities will be sure to bring your family closer together and will hopefully evolve into a tradition everyone will look forward to for years to come.

  • Neal Communities Donates Van to Mount Carmel Missionary

    Neal Communities Donates Van to Mount Carmel Missionary

    Neal Communities Donates Van to Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church

    LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – August 12, 2019 – Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $19,900 for the purchase of a 15-passenger van for Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church.

    Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church’s Reverend Alfred James accepted the donation on behalf of the church. The van will allow the church to work with youth in the area, providing them with reliable transportation to and from services.

    The donation was made in honor of Marilyn Randolph, a former Neal Communities employee and parishioner of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Palmetto.

    “The new Mount Carmel Church van is dedicated to Marilyn Randolph, a longtime team member, friend and a devout Christian,” said Pat Neal, Founder and Chairman of the Neal Communities Executive Committee. “Marilyn made a significant impact on the Neal team and the community, so we wanted to honor her passion and extend her legacy in an impactful way.”

    The Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church serves Manatee County. The church is located in Palmetto at 1301 2nd Avenue W.

  • Plan & Prepare for Hurricane Season

    Plan & Prepare for Hurricane Season

    There’s actually a lot that you can do to help protect your home and minimize damage before a storm. With hurricane season in our midst, go through these tips to make certain you’re as ready as possible for a serious weather scenario.

    Outdoor Preparation

    • Trim trees and shrubs before storms roll in and pay particular attention to branches above roofs. Consider removing damaged trees that may be too weak to withstand high winds. Be sure to properly dispose of branches and any loose debris.
    • Protect your windows. Impact-resistant windows or storm shutters will provide your home with maximum protection. If you are a Neal Communities homeowner, refer to your storm shutter floor plan located in your shutter kit box to make the process as seamless as possible.
    • Bring any loose items inside, including garbage and recycling bins, outdoor furniture, grills, yard decorations, or potted plants. Make sure balconies and porches are clear as well.
    • For pools, lower the water six inches, add extra chlorine, and turn off electricity to the pool’s pump. If possible, cover your pool with an approved and secure pool cover.
    • Consider purchasing a generator to keep just in case your power goes out during a storm. For more information on generator safety check out the link here.

    Indoor Preparation

    • If a power outage is anticipated, modify your refrigerator and freezer to the highest setting and make sure that the doors are secured shut. According to government food safety guidelines, if these doors are left closed, cold items will remain cold for 4 hours and frozen items can stay frozen for up to 48 hours.
    • If storm surge is a concern, move light furniture like kitchen chairs and side tables to upper floors in homes with multiple levels. If possible, elevate heavy pieces such as couches on the ground floor to a raised position on waterproof materials such as bricks or cinder block. Small home décor items can be packed in plastic containers and stacked off of the ground.

    Get ahead of the storm and ensure that your home is hurricane ready. Make sure that the actions listed above are completed as soon as possible if a hurricane warning has been issued. For more details in the case of severe weather, refer to this link from the Red Cross.

    Your safety is of the utmost importance at Neal Communities. Be sure to take care of yourself, your family and your home this hurricane season.

  • Canoe Creek Amenity Center Grand Opening

    Canoe Creek Amenity Center Grand Opening

    We had a fantastic time at the grand opening event for Canoe Creek’s amenity center! The event featured live music, games, delicious food, giveaways and plenty of fun in the sun. Based on this weekend alone, we have a feeling that many memories are to come for our residents in this new space.
    Canoe Creek Amenity Center - Kids on Porch Swing

    The amenity center welcomes residents and guests with a front porch equipped with porch swings and rocking chairs to sit back in. Inside the clubhouse you’ll find a lounge area, kitchen, dining tables and office space. Just out the back doors are more swings and patio furniture for lounging. From here, you also have an excellent view of the lagoon-style pool and spa, fitness room, pickleball courts and dog park. It goes without saying that this state-of-the-art amenity center was designed with an emphasis on healthy living.

    Canoe Creek - family in pool

    With our grand opening weekend complete, we invite you to stop by the amenity center to see it for yourself. While you’re at it, we’d also encourage you to schedule a tour of Canoe Creek to see this extraordinary community to its entirety.

    Canoe Creek Amenity Center

  • LAKEWOOD RANCH NO. 1 IN THE NATION FOR HOUSING STARTS IN SECOND QUARTER

    LAKEWOOD RANCH NO. 1 IN THE NATION FOR HOUSING STARTS IN SECOND QUARTER

    Lakewood Ranch led the nation in housing starts for the second quarter of 2019, according to Metrostudy, a leading research and consulting firm specializing in U.S. residential markets. The Ranch’s 1,561 new home starts exceeded those of other top-selling communities in Florida, Texas, Nevada and California.

    “With a broad offering of new homes for every stage of your life coupled with a long standing reputation for amenities and lifestyle, Lakewood Ranch became the ‘Most Active Community’ in the United States for new housing starts as of 2Q 2019, surpassing The Villages for top spot,” said Tony Polito, director of the Tampa/Central Florida region of Metrostudy.

    Earlier in the month, Lakewood Ranch was named the second fastest-selling community in the nation (first multi-generational community), according to Maryland-based real estate consulting firm RCLCO’s 2019 Mid-Year Ranking.

    “Lakewood Ranch’s sales – and subsequent starts success – is a result of its exceptional location, multi-generational approach, and diversity of neighborhoods, as well as an ever-growing list of daily conveniences and social engagement opportunities,” said Laura Cole, senior vice president, LWR Communities, LLC.

    Among the recent additions to The Ranch’s myriad offerings have been two new community parks, two new shopping centers, and the addition of 1.1M square feet of commercial development, which resulted in 222 new businesses and 2,631 additional jobs. Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch has spearheaded more than 28 miles of road expansions, added a new sheriff sub-station on SR70, and introduced a new Town Hall for residents. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center recently completed and expansion, and Dr. Mona Jain Middle School will be open for the 2019-‘20 school year.

    Prices in The Ranch range from $200K to more than $1 million, providing a multitude of options for buyers, including condominiums, paired villas, and single-family homes.

    Sales in Lakewood Ranch continue to come from throughout Florida, as well as from high tax markets in the Northeast, specifically New York and New Jersey. There has been growing activity from the Mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland, as well as from California.

    Metrostudy is the leading provider of primary and secondary market information to the housing and related industries nationwide. In addition to providing information, the company is recognized for its consulting expertise on development, marketing and economic issues, and is a key source of research studies evaluating the feasibility of residential and commercial real estate projects. Services are offered through an extensive network of offices strategically located in major metropolitan areas throughout the country.

     

     

    Lakewood Ranch is the 31,000-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 36,000 residents and features A-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 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, including CORE, a life science business campus that focuses on research, health, and education.

  • Poinciana Grand Opening

    Poinciana Grand Opening

    We have a brand new community opening this weekend–Poinciana! This community is conveniently located between University Parkway and State Road 70 near Sarasota and Manatee’s most popular and fast growing area. Mark your calendars for the grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come enjoy food, a DJ and more as we celebrate the opening of this charming community.

    Grand Opening Details

    • Saturday, July 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • 4335 Tamarind Place, Bradenton, FL 34203
    • Model tours through our most popular floor plans.
    • Food, live music and more!

    About Poinciana

    Poinciana resides in Bradenton, close to world-class shopping, local restaurants, championship golf courses, grocery stores and more. The beaches and downtown areas of Sarasota and Bradenton are only minutes away, delighting residents year-round. Local residents can stay active at fitness clubs just outside the neighborhood and can often be seen at nearby pubs and enjoying the area’s nightlife. You can learn more about the community here.

    Poinciana Homes

    Homes at Poinciana are available right now. Take advantage of our limited introductory pricing offer before it goes up! Starting from the mid-$200s and featuring a British-West Indies design theme, homeowners will enjoy new villa homes in a convenient location. Both Crystal Sand and Tidewater, two of Neal’s best-selling twin villa floor plans, will be offered at Poinciana with all-time low prices.

    Crystal Sand

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2 Car Garage
    • 1,434 Square Feet
    • 1 Story
      Poinciana Crystal Sand

    Tidewater

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2 Car Garage
    • 1,524 Square Feet
    • 1 Story
      Poinciana Tidewater