- December 3, 2025
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It’s a bittersweet moment so many homeowners eventually face. The kids are finally grown and out on their own. The beloved family home seems a little too big now, and you’re exploring what your next chapter will be. But what do you do? Remodel, refresh and rethink before you put it on the market? Or sell it as is, a little dated perhaps, and let the next owner do the work?
Realtor Renee Preininger firmly believes in the first option. The main reason is financial. “A home that is move-in ready can compete with new construction,” she says. Particularly in a market like Florida, where “buyers who purchase unrenovated homes pay below the market value.”
But for a person like Preininger, there’s another reason. It’s an exciting challenge. After 20 years as co-owner of the Lakewood Ranch-based Sarasota Trust Realty, she has many lessons to impart. She and her husband, Marc, hired a general contractor to do the work, but their participation was hands-on. “We knew exactly what changes we wanted and chose everything right down to the color on the wall.”
High school sweethearts originally from New Jersey, the Preiningers had been living in their home in the Lakewood Ranch Country Club for 20 years. It was a customized Lee Wetherington model and was so well laid out that no major design changes were needed. They wisely resisted the temptation to make the plan more open as much of the home’s charm is due to its more intimate spaces.
It’s a big house, with 4,118 square feet under air, four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths. There’s an impressive motor court in front, with a double garage on each side and a large bonus room toward the rear of the home that could be a playroom, an office, an art studio or gym.
First to go were the Tuscan-style pillars that dominated the entrance foyer. In fact, virtually all the Tuscan elements have been removed, and a new feeling has emerged. The home now evokes a modern Santa Barbara coastal style — less hard-edged than some contemporary interpretations and instead is warm and inviting. Crisp white interiors are softened by earthy brown accents that lend a sense of grounding and comfort.
“All the design decisions are important,” Preininger says. “You want the home to have a consistent, curated flow.”
But the three most important things for buyers? “The kitchen is probably number one. The curb appeal makes the first impression, so it’s important too. Then comes a beautiful primary bedroom and bath.”
The all-important kitchen is virtually brand new. The Preiningers installed top-of-the-line Thermador appliances, including a professional grade 6-burner gas cooktop and griddle. There are also new sinks and faucets, a reverse osmosis water filtration system and double gas ovens — all set within a chic new space featuring quartz countertops, matching backsplashes, two deep Kraus sinks with coordinating faucets, and a waterfall-edged island. Nearby is an informal dining area.
The exterior of the Country Club home was also brought up to date. The classic Palladian design elements are still there — the arched windows, the impressive glass and iron front door — but the barrel tile roof is new, along with the paver circular drive, exterior paint and elegant landscaping.
The home’s renovations highlight its premium location.
“We chose a half-acre lot that backed up to the nature preserve for privacy, beauty and security,” Preininger says. It was a happy choice not just for their two daughters but for the family pets as well. “If you own a golden retriever and a Labrador retriever, you know that playing fetch every day is very important.” A special feature makes the dogs’ life even more enjoyable. There’s a doggie door accessed from the bonus room to the backyard. It’s kept locked, but an electronic sensor on the dogs’ collar opens it when they approach. Then it’s out to the 5,000-square-foot backyard for countless hours of fun.
But it’s the new interior that steals the show. Wide plank European white oak engineered hardwood flooring flows through the home, uniting each space into a harmonious whole. Each guest bedroom has its own bath, appointed with Calacatta quartz and opulent porcelain tile. Most impressive is the all-important primary bedroom and bath. Located in its own wing, the luxurious retreat overlooks the pool and backyard. Sliding glass doors disappear, and an intimate seating area provides a great spot for reading. The bath has a new life of its own. Marble floors and marble niches give it an up-to-date elegance, and the sprawling walk-in shower (there’s also a soaking tub) has multiple showerheads, both rain and handheld. There’s even a special one to bathe the dogs.
Careful attention has also been paid to the lavish outdoor living area. The pool screen is new, along with the waterline tile in an up-to-date blue that complements the new interior. Nearby is an elaborate outdoor kitchen, with granite countertops, a new gas grill — even a fireplace. There’s another dining area out here, and the bonus room is adjacent (it’s 30 feet long), making a great indoor-outdoor entertainment space.
Preininger is a firm believer in staging a high-end home when it is put on the market. “Staging enables a buyer to visualize how they will use the home,” she says. More importantly, it “evokes emotion.” An empty house may seem sterile. Adding appropriate furnishings bring it to life and paints a picture that says, “this is home.”
And you don’t have to do it yourself. “Staging companies have various options in terms of rental price and length of time.”
The Preininger home is emblematic of the transformation many Lakewood Ranch homes are currently undergoing, adapting splendidly to new trends and looks. And you may want to file away Preininger’s renovation tips for future use. Her home just sold at full list price, making it the highest selling price per square foot in Lakewood Ranch Country Club history.
