Date: June 30, 2009
by: The Observer Staff

Pat Neal now is looking for land to purchase for future developments.

Lakewood Ranch-based Neal Communities has had 180 contracts signed through June 30, mkaing it the strongest sales record for the first half of the year in company history.

During that same period in 2004, the company signed 164 contracts.

“We have created a formula that works in this marketplace and puts us out in front of this recovery,” said Preisdent Pat Neal. “By pricing new homes at less than $300,000, we are providing exactly what the housing market demands, and the buyers are responding.”

The sales have been in all price points: from cottage homes to Country Club estates. Neal Communities is developing in 15 different communities and has posted sales in all of those neighborhoods.

“Americans typically have the ‘I want it now’ attitude. They are not willing to wait any longer to achieve their dreams,” said Sales Director David Hunihan. “They see the opportunity and recognize that prices will be rising soon. This is indeed the time to buy with a company that has an excellent track record in communities that are beautiful.”

In May, the company opened a new model in the Lismore Neighborhood of The Country Club in Lakewood Ranch. Endless Summer joins three other models priced from the low $200s. Sales have been strong in this neighborhood in the western portion of The Country Club village. In Lismore itself, there were 18 sales since opening the new model six weeks ago. Lismore, named for a golf course in the Irish countryside, features homes with open and bright designs and innovative floor plans.

With the strong sales, Neal Communities is now looking for land purchase opportunities.

“We see this as the ideal time to purchase distressed and under-developed property,” said new Vice President of Land Acquisition David Rapp. “Neal Communities is uniquely positioned in this market to add to our holdings in order to advance community development.”

Neal points to the River Sound community as an example of the company’s success with land strategy.

“At the opening in March, we were able to sell homes at prices starting below $110,000,” notes Pat Neal. “The plan worked, and we’ve sold about 55 homes in just four months.

“We’re bullish on the area and are poised to lead the charge out of the recession,” he said. “In fact, we’ve already broken out and look forward to the future success of the entire community.”

For more information, visit nealcommunities.com.