Lakewood Ranch #1 in USA again!

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Wednesday – July 31, 2024

LAKEWOOD RANCH REMAINS #1 TOP SELLING MULTI-GEN COMMUNITY IN THE NATION

Lakewood Ranch continues to be the best-selling master-planned community for all ages in the U.S., according to national real estate consulting firm RCLCO’s 2024 mid-year survey. The Ranch secured 1,238 new home sales through the end of June of 2024, beating last year’s numbers and maintaining the No. 1 position for more than six consecutive years.
The continued success of Lakewood Ranch, celebrating its 30th year of community building, is attributable to its multi-generational approach. Built around residential segmentation and lifestyle amenities appealing to a broad variety of age, income, and household segments, The Ranch continues to offer something for everyone.

Lakewood Ranch offers a variety of neighborhoods, home styles and price points from $300K to more than $2 million, in 26 actively selling villages. Four new villages were introduced so far in 2024, ranging from Azario’s townhomes at the entry-level to Monterey’s luxury homes. Year-to-date, homes priced under $500K make up the largest segment of sales, accounting for 33%. This is followed by homes in the $500K to $700K range at 30%, and those in the $700k to $1M category at 19%. Homes over $1M represent a record 18% of total sales in Lakewood Ranch. Builder incentives, including interest rate buy-downs, promotional pricing, and assistance with closing costs, have helped buyers attain their homes.

Consumers are increasingly favoring master-planned communities (MPCs), according to Laura Cole, senior vice president of Lakewood Ranch Communities. “MPCs are seen as an assurance of quality—community has become more important as a factor of total value,” Cole said. “The increase in sales of new homes located within MPCs reflects the lifestyle, community amenities, and quality schools, plus buyers’ anticipation that home prices will appreciate and hold up well in all market conditions.”

Lifestyle continues to be a driver of sales. Lakewood Ranch’s three town centers are the hub of many activities, including an arts series, the award-winning weekly Farmers’ Market, a monthly Music on Main event that benefits a different non-profit each month; and many annual signature events. The Ranch’s parks and trails, and the nearby Sarasota Polo Club and Premier Sports Campus, afford residents numerous sports and leisure opportunities.

The vast array of health and wellness options also appeal to buyers, with Lakewood Ranch Medical Center announcing its second expansion, and Erickson Senior Living’s new Emerson Lakes opening soon.

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

About Lakewood Ranch

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 72,000 residents and features top-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, and three town centers that include theaters, shopping and dining. 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.