Lakewood Ranch named in top 10 best-selling communities

John Burns Real Estate Consulting, a California-based consulting firm, listed Lakewood Ranch in its top 10 list of best-selling planned communities.

Lakewood Ranch also landed eighth on Maryland-based RCLCO’s list for the second year in a row.

According to a press release, 535 new homes sold in Lakewood Ranch in 2015, a 13% increase from the 475 sales in 2014. More than 28,000 visitors stopped in the information centers and models.

“Lakewood Ranch continues its success,” said Lesley Deutch, senior vice president, consulting, for John Burns. Lakewood Ranch ranked ninth in its list.

According to the press release, Todd Larue, managing director for RCLCO, said master-planned communities are experiencing a higher demand across Florida.

At 2015’s close, Lakewood Ranch had 8,295 homes and 1,053 apartments. Two hundred sixty-one homes and 640 apartments are under construction, with more on the way: Del Webb will begin construction in its 1,200-home retirement community this year, and multiple developments will begin selling in 2016, including Mallory Park, Lakewood National, Savanna and Arbor Grande.

“The community continues to attract more visitors; once they’re here, they want to stay.” Rex Jensen, president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, said.

The top three on both lists were The Villages of Florida, The Irvine Ranch in Orange County, Calif., and Nocatee in Jacksonville, Fla., all of which sold over 1,000 new homes in 2015.