Category: News

  • Neal Communities Donates $10,000 to Support Manatee County Fair and Palmetto Youth Center MLK Celebration Weekend

    Neal Communities Donates $10,000 to Support Manatee County Fair and Palmetto Youth Center MLK Celebration Weekend

    Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, frequently contributes to nonprofits and events in the locations where the company’s employees and customers live and work. The builder is sponsoring two upcoming events in the amount of $5,000 each.

    The Manatee County Fair will be held January 12-22, 2023, at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St. W in Palmetto. Neal Communities’ sponsorship of The Fair dates back at least 10 years and supports the variety of activities at this family friendly event.

    Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities said, “Supporting the Manatee County Fair brings back great memories for me. I always loved going to the county fair as a child growing up in Iowa, and I believe the Manatee County Fair is an opportunity for families to enjoy time together and celebrate the educational aspects of the industries that support our county as well as the entertainment at the fair.”

    In addition to Neal Communities’ $5,000 sponsorship of the Manatee County Fair, Pat Neal is also personally purchasing steer and swine totaling $2,250 in support of the Manatee River Fair Association. This contribution is something that he has done for many years, and typically, he donates them to a local church.

    Neal Communities is also sponsoring Palmetto Youth Center’s MLK Weekend Celebration in the amount of $5,000. Held January 13-15, the celebration includes a banquet, parade, talent show and church service.

    The Palmetto Youth Center makes a difference in students’ and families’ lives through educational initiatives, mentoring programs, athletic and character-building activities.

    Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” The latest giving is part of more than $7.75 million Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida. 

  • Neal Communities Employees Provide Holiday Gifts for More than 100 Local Children through Salvation Army Angel Tree Program and Toys for Tots Toy Drive

    Neal Communities Employees Provide Holiday Gifts for More than 100 Local Children through Salvation Army Angel Tree Program and Toys for Tots Toy Drive

    If you had walked into the Human Resources offices of Southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, Neal Communities, two weeks ago, you might have thought you were in a toy store. The office was filled with more than 100 packages for local children who might not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season.

    Those presents were purchased by Neal Communities’ employees as part of the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Employees who wanted to participate chose an angel card from the tree and purchased gifts for that child. Sixty-two Neal team members joined the initiative, which has been an ongoing annual tradition and has provided presents for more than 1,000 children over the years.

    Employees from Neal Communities South Region in Fort Myers and Naples also joined together to help children in need by donating toys to Toys for Tots. The toy drive is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve to distribute gifts to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them. This is Neal Communities third year participating in Toys for Tots.

    “Every child deserves to experience the magic of the holidays,” said Ivory Matthews, vice president of community and governmental affairs. “This is a way many of us can come together to help other local families enjoy the season a little more and lift the financial burden for families in need.”

    In a statement sent out to employees, Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities said, “All I want to say is thank you. Thank you for the culture of giving at Neal. Thank you for thinking of others besides ourselves. Thanks for helping to make this season happier for lots of boys and girls.”

  • Neal Communities Hosts 21st Holiday Art Competition with Elementary Students

    Neal Communities Hosts 21st Holiday Art Competition with Elementary Students

    Southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, Neal Communities, hosted its 21st My Favorite Home art contest on Friday, December 9. The My Favorite Home art contest is a Neal Communities tradition that has taken place at a local elementary school each year since 1999, with the exceptions of 2020 and 2021 due to COVID.

    Neal Communities partnered with Annie Lucy Williams Elementary School in Parrish. Students in kindergarten, second grade and fifth grade were given the opportunity to create their own vision of the ideal home using a variety of mediums. A winning artwork was selected from each grade, and two will be used on the Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes holiday cards.

    In addition, Neal Communities donated $1,500 to the school’s art department.

    “This is a magnificent event,” said Andrea Keezer, the principal of Annie Lucy Williams Elementary School. “The children are very grateful to be included, and we are looking forward to purchasing art equipment with Neal Communities’ donation.”

    The school’s art teacher, Stefani Lis, said, “I’m looking at using the donation to buy supplies for projects that we haven’t had the opportunity to explore yet, as well as additional materials to support students with extra needs.”

    The kindergarten artists were learning about shapes and used cut outs to make their homes. The second graders were completing a unit on urban art and were challenged to create a city building that they would like to live in. The fifth graders were practicing two-point perspective and were asked to create gingerbread houses using that technique.

    “We enjoy seeing each student’s unique vision of their favorite home and being able to help support the art curriculum for our local schools,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “We’ve done this contest 21 times now, and we’re excited to bring the contest back this year. It’s a pleasure every year.”

    The artworks were judged by John Neal, president of Neal Land & Neighborhoods; Richard Tatem, Manatee County School Board Member, District 5; Anne LeBaron, CEO of Take Stock in Children of Manatee County; Jennifer Hamey, chair of Parrish Civic Association; Michael D. Williamson, division chief of Parrish Fire District; and Carlos Puente, vice president of sales and marketing of Neal Communities.

    Visit the photo gallery for a full collection of event images.

    For more information about Neal Communities, visit NealCommunities.com

  • The Five Key Advantages of In-Progress Homes

    The Five Key Advantages of In-Progress Homes

    When it comes to a quicker homebuying route, many opt to purchase an in-progress home. Built with the level of quality you have come to expect from Neal Communities, these homes have plenty of great features and design perks if you’re experiencing a time crunch! Here are the five key advantages of choosing one:

    1. Designers Carefully Choose Your Interior Options

    Many first-time homebuyers can be overwhelmed by the decisions that go into interior design. What colors work together? What additional features should you include?

    An in-progress home takes the weight of these decisions off your shoulders. Our qualified, professional designers have taken their knowledge and eye for décor to provide these homes with luxurious designs and a few upgrades! By getting the most experienced opinion for your floorplan, you can rest assured that the interior will provide the feeling of “home” the moment you step inside!

    2. Time Constraints Are Less Problematic

    When moving from one home to another, time constraints can be a major roadblock in the homebuying process. Many buyers have busy lifestyles and limited time to spare. These homes are already in progress, allowing us to complete them in a shorter timeframe while you have enough time to plan your move.

    3. Locations That Are Ideal

    We believe that Where You Live Matters – your chosen community and the surrounding area should contribute to you and your family’s growth. Neal Communities’ in-progress homes are built in the most desirable neighborhoods throughout Southwest Florida. This is a great feature not only for your family while you are living in the home, but it also helps with resale value when you decide to sell your house in the future.

    4. An Easier Out-of-State Move

    If you are a homebuyer looking into moving from one state to another, you run the possibility of dealing with interim living. These homes minimize the issue of interim living and provide you with a beautiful home in little to no time.

    5. Most of All, You Can Enjoy Your New Home Soon

    The best quality of in-progress homes is in the name; you won’t need to wait long to enjoy a beautiful new home!

    As one of Southwest Florida’s premier homebuilders, Neal Communities offers a wide variety of in-progress homes with various floorplans and locations. We provide online listings that allow you to experience them from the comfort of home. If you find a home matching your needs and would like to arrange a tour, contact us here.

  • Neal Communities Celebrated Placing First in the 2022 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Top Workplaces Survey with a Carnival-Themed Event

    Neal Communities Celebrated Placing First in the 2022 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Top Workplaces Survey with a Carnival-Themed Event

    In November, Neal Communities took top honors in the large organizations category of a survey that recognized Top Workplaces in Sarasota and Manatee and Counties. To celebrate, Neal Communities held a cookout on November 18 that included burgers and hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn machines, an ice cream truck, carnival games, DJ and caricature artists.

    The event gave employees an opportunity to enjoy time together at the company’s headquarters in Sarasota. Axe throwing, zap-a-mole, basketball and even a dunk tank were among the games offered while the management team donned aprons and served lunch to employees. In true Neal Communities philanthropic fashion, raffles were held with the proceeds going to Feeding Tampa Bay.

    The Top Workplaces program is conducted by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Energage to collect feedback on the employee experience, culture, and other critical areas of employee satisfaction. Out of 504 participating organizations, 22 employers made the winners list, with Neal Communities being number one of the four large organizations recognized.

    Noted highlights included compensation growth, bonuses, career advancement, comprehensive health care plans, employer-paid life insurance, supplemental insurance, long- and short-term disability insurance, employer-paid ID theft protection, a generous company-matching 401(K), paid time off, a wellness program, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program (EAP) and employee service awards. In addition, employees have the opportunity to purchase a Neal home at a savings or have work done on their existing home through Neal’s trusted vendors.

    Visit the photo gallery for a full collection of event images.

  • Neal Communities Earns First Place in the 2022 Top Workplaces Annual Survey, Pat Neal Received Special Recognition for Leadership

    Neal Communities Earns First Place in the 2022 Top Workplaces Annual Survey, Pat Neal Received Special Recognition for Leadership

    Neal Communities recently took top honors in the large organizations category of a survey designed to recognize Top Workplaces in Sarasota and Manatee and Counties.

    Conducted by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Energage, The Top Workplaces program surveys employees to collect feedback on the employee experience, culture, and other critical areas of employee satisfaction. Out of 504 participating organizations, 22 employers made the winners list, with Neal Communities being number one of the four large organizations recognized.

    In a Sarasota Herald-Tribune article that ran on September 16, Pat Neal, founder of Neal Communities, said, “All employees at Neal Communities have a voice that is listened to, appreciated and respected. Every year we celebrate our team members’ commitment and success through initiatives like our Years of Service recognition or our annual Guiding Principles Award, which honors an employee who illuminates the principles that guide us at Neal Communities.”

    Company benefits were highlighted, including compensation growth, bonuses, career advancement, comprehensive health care plans, employer-paid life insurance, supplemental insurance, long- and short-term disability insurance, employer-paid ID theft protection, a generous company-matching 401(K), paid time off, a wellness program, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program (EAP) and employee service awards. In addition, employees have the opportunity to purchase a Neal home at a savings or have work done on their existing home through Neal’s trusted vendors.

    In addition to the employer rankings, Pat Neal was recognized as a Special Award honoree for Leadership. The award was based on receiving the highest rating from employees to the survey criteria, “I have confidence in the leader of this company” for large companies.

    For more information about Neal Communities, visit NealCommunities.com.

     

  • Message from Pat Neal on Hurricane Ian

    Message from Pat Neal on Hurricane Ian

    To our friends:

    Tragedies often make us see things from a new perspective. From our family to yours, we extend our
    sincerest hope that you and yours are safe. We are grateful to hear that so many of our homeowners
    fared relatively well through this destructive storm, though we realize that thousands of our
    friends and neighbors are still without power, water, resources, and are struggling in the aftermath.

    I am humbled by and proud of how our team came together, unified in preparing our neighborhoods
    for Hurricane Ian, steadfast in the face of such disaster. We are also thankful to our homeowners,
    who put their faith in our team to build safe homes and provide caring customer service.

    The people of Florida are strong and resilient, and I am in awe. This does not diminish the struggles
    our friends have faced, and the strength that is needed in the weeks ahead. I pray that we all are
    able to return to normalcy quickly. Let’s continue to help each other wherever needed, in the spirit of
    fortitude and compassion.

    Sincerely,
    Pat Neal, CEO

  • An Important Update from Neal Communities Regarding Hurricane Ian

    To Our Families, Friends, and Homeowners:

    As we begin to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ian, it is our sincerest hope that you and yours are safe. We are hopeful that the storm’s impact on you and your family was not severe, though we realize that thousands of our friends and neighbors are still without power and are struggling in the aftermath.

    As it has done in the past, our team came together in advance of the storm to prepare our neighborhoods and help ensure the safety of those who live there from nearby construction.

    For those currently building with us, we are assessing our communities and a Neal Communities employee will be in touch with you as soon as possible to give an update on your home.

    For homeowners, we are thankful to you for putting your trust in our team to build you a safe, solid, and beautiful home. While we adhere to the highest standards, we know you may have questions.

    If you have experienced water intrusion or other damage to your home during the storm event, they should be reported to your insurer to be mitigated on an emergency basis.

    If you have other concerns and you are still under your warranty period, please reach out to your respective warranty representative and we’ll begin to follow up on all calls as soon as we can. Please note that warranty emergencies will be prioritized based on severity.

    We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all begin to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Ian. As we persevere and return to a sense of normalcy, let’s continue to help each other in getting through this challenging time.

  • An Important Message From Neal Communities Regarding Hurricane Ian

    First and foremost, please be prepared, stay safe, and heed advice from our local emergency officials. The well-being of our staff, families and homeowners is of the utmost importance. Due to the unpredictability of Hurricane Ian’s path, our offices and model homes will likely be closed starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday and should start to reopen on Friday at 8 a.m. (varying by location).

    Our preparation is in full swing as Ian approaches the Gulf, and our team has developed a well thought-out and historically proven plan for hurricane preparedness. We began those preparations six days before the predicted landfall. Our team is working with our trade partners to complete the implementation of this plan prior to Tuesday evening, well in advance of the hurricane’s current track.

    We understand the number one concern for many homeowners is flying debris, and we are managing our active construction sites to the best of our ability. However, in no circumstance could we ever completely eliminate this occurrence and do not want to set that expectation. We certainly advise residents of our communities to utilize storm shutters provided if necessary to help protect their home and take all advised precautions to ensure their personal safety. Bear with us as we do our best, but please understand that we simply cannot respond to every inquiry at this point or over the next couple of days as our staff focuses on securing our sites, as well as on their family’s personal safety and well-being.

    As weather conditions change, and as needed, we will update this message, so please check this page and our Facebook page for any updated information.

    We look forward to returning to our normal business late this week. In the meantime, thank you again for your patience and please stay safe throughout Hurricane Ian.

  • Lakewood Ranch Stays Top-Selling Community in The Nation

    Lakewood Ranch Stays Top-Selling Community in The Nation

    Travelers visit Florida for a myriad of reasons. Whether it’s the warm weather, white-sand beaches or a vibrant arts scene, the coastal charm draws many to the Sunshine State. This often leads visitors down the path of homeownership in Southwest Florida, an environment that makes every day feel like a vacation.

    Where You Live Matters, and this is why people come to Lakewood Ranch, a master-planned community located in Southwest Florida’s Manatee and Sarasota Counties. The year-round outdoor living, countless venues and accessibility to the rest of Southwest Florida reflect Neal Communities’ core tenet – neighborhoods providing growth, connection and the dream of the Florida lifestyle.

    As a proud partner, we were overjoyed to see Lakewood Ranch celebrate its fifth consecutive year as the top-selling community in the country! This community already amassed 1,026 sales this year, and there are two key factors contributing to its success.

    Quality & Connection

    One driving reason for Lakewood Ranch’s popularity is its location and major attractions. Lakewood Ranch is near Sarasota, which ranked #9 in the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Places to Live” list this year. The area includes top-rated schools, a lively downtown area, invaluable health care offerings and excellent beaches. As a multigenerational community, this accessibility provides a major boon to families – the ability to thrive and enjoy every aspect of life.

    “Southwest Florida is one of the most desirable relocation markets in the country,” says Laura Cole, Senior Vice President of Lakewood Ranch. “Lakewood Ranch offers newcomers an incredible lifestyle and strong sense of community in it.”

    A metropolis with an intimate atmosphere, Lakewood Ranch’s services provide residents with countless opportunities to turn neighbors into close friends. This principle is the bedrock for a strong community, and we are honored to build in an area emphasizing connection and adventure.

     

    Continuous Growth

    One of the many joys in homebuilding and ownership is seeing communities flourish over the years. Established in 1994, Lakewood Ranch began with one neighborhood in its vast acres. This natural beauty and boundless potential enticed Neal to be part of what would become a major hub. By 1998, we began building in the area, starting with our master-planned Lakewood Ranch Country Club community and many more to follow.

    With 33,000+ acres of land at its disposal, Lakewood Ranch is able to showcase the best of Southwest Florida living. Over the past 25 years, 1,400 businesses laid roots in the area, allowing residents to experience the uniqueness of this cultural coast. We are also happy to continue serving the area, opening our beautiful Indigo and Windward communities in 2018 and 2020.

    Indigo community

    Since its creation, Lakewood Ranch provided new offerings such as community parks and winding nature trails. This also includes two major shopping centers – Main Street, featuring boutique shops and restaurants, and The Green, a shopping center ideal for purchasing groceries and daily necessities.

    The town shows no signs of slowing down. Recently, Lakewood Ranch opened Waterside Place, a new town center presenting a blend of local and name-brand stores with a picturesque view of Kingfisher Lake. This explosive growth affords Lakewood Ranch with the chance to add to its current 57,000+ residents and expand its own rich culture.

    We enjoy contributing to the success of this beautiful town. To learn more about the communities matching your needs, contact us here.