Central Park’s New Home Builders Sell 300 Homes

Lakewood Ranch-based home builder Neal Communities, the developer and a builder at Central Park, is pleased to report the 300th home sale in less than two years at the family-friendly neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch. Neal Communities made 250 of the 300 sales, with the other 50 coming from the three additional, distinguished builders including Bruce Williams Homes, Cardel Homes, and Lee Wetherington Homes.

“This is an incredible milestone," said Neal Communities' President, Pat Neal. "We call this the center of the universe here in Lakewood Ranch, an award-winning master- planned community with the best location and amenities in the state. Since Central Park opened in July 2010, home buyers have embraced the concept we created here: homes for a great value in a gated community surrounded by nature, with a beautiful park in the center of it all.”

The 300th home was sold to Carlos and Carmen Lebron, originally from Puerto Rico, but currently living in North Carolina. The couple recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and has two daughters, ages two and 22. Carmen Lebron said they were first introduced to the Sarasota region when their oldest daughter attended the Ringling School of Art. The family has been looking for a home in Florida for about two years.

“We looked everywhere in Sarasota for a new home, and then we found Central Park in Lakewood Ranch and fell in love,” said Carmen Lebron. “We love how family-oriented and beautiful the neighborhood is, and were attracted to the safe environment with great amenities. We were drawn to Neal Communities because of its great reputation in the community and the beauty of their homes.” The Lebrons own an accounting business in North Carolina and plan on moving their business to Lakewood Ranch when they move in this winter.

As the fastest selling home builder in Lakewood Ranch, Neal Communities has more than doubled its home sales in Central Park since its one year anniversary last July. “The sales pace in Central Park has been tremendous,” said Neal Communities’ Director of Sales, David Hunihan. “Many people, just like the Lebron family, have realized this is the best time to buy a new home in years.”

A popular local event spot and gathering place, Central Park at Lakewood Ranch now has 17 new home models community wide with home sizes ranging from 1040 to 2911 square feet. Central Park is ideal for people who enjoy the outdoors and like to walk, jog, bike or skate. The community features a 10-acre park with a splash fountain, dog parks, a pavilion, tennis courts, a ball field, and an adventure playground. It is conveniently located close to schools, stores, restaurants, offices and the Lakewood Ranch YMCA. In 2011 Central Park won both the Aurora and Grand Aurora award for best residential community under 500 acres.

Neal Communities was recently named one of 2012’s “America's Best Builders” by BUILDER magazine in its closing category. Biz941 magazine also recently named Neal Communities as the top builder in the Sarasota-Manatee region by issued permits. The company is ranked #1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked #67 nationally among home builders by BUILDER Magazine. To-date, Neal has built over 8,600 homes in Southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally-owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, John Neal Homes, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, State Street Mortgage, and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 32 Parade of Homes 2012 awards, 48 Aurora Awards, five Best in American Living Awards, and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.nealcommunities.com.