Showing posts with label Sam Rodgers Properties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sam Rodgers Properties. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2016
2016 Parade of Homes Is Underway!
2016 HBA Parade of homes has started. Builders throughout Sarasota and Manatee county feature their model homes and compete for awards. Download the official magazine at www.NewHomeVenice.com and check out what the local builders have to offer!
Friday, July 17, 2015
Gran Paradiso in the Herald Tribune Today, July 17, 2015
From http://realestate.heraldtribune.com/2015/07/17/market-snapshot-gran-paradiso-in-north-port/
Market Snapshot: Gran Paradiso in North Port
/ Friday, July 17, 2015
Gran Paradiso more than lives up to its name. Everything about the revived, maintenance-free development spells extravagance, opulent living and natural beauty on a grand scale — with the exception of the houses and attached villas, which are handsome and elegant but by no means over the top.
A central island lined with majestic palm trees leads up to the Tuscan-style entrance gate and clubhouse, which would look at home in a Cecil B. DeMille epic. Fitness trails meander around the lakes and through nature preserves. The community abuts a protected gopher tortoise conservation area. Sandhill cranes, deer and other wildlife abound.
The gated community in the West Villages of North Port sits on the north side of U.S. 41, about three miles south of Venice. It was master-planned by Sam Rodgers in the mid-2000s. It was an ambitious development, with 1,999 units situated on more than 370 acres. Rodgers put in the streets, ponds, utilities and other infrastructure, and, along with Lee Wetherington Homes, put up models and started to build semi-custom, luxury residences.
The timing could not have been worse, however, as the ambitious housing development succumbed to the Great Recesssion. Grand Paradiso remained mostly empty and fell into disrepair. For more than half a decade, the landscaping consisted of overgrown weeds that became habitat to all kinds of critters, including wild boars and the occasional Florida panther. The handful of owners who initially bought and built there were less than pleased.
That changed in early 2014 when Lennar Corp., the Miami-based company that is one of the nation’s largest home builders, bought the development. Lennar paid $26.6 million for the 370 acres of Gran Paradiso and paid off the back taxes and assessments owed. It also purchased 164 lots from Lee Wetherington Homes for $4 million.
In the past year and a half, Lennar finished the clubhouse, opened a sales center and has been busy selling properties and building new homes.
“I’ve seen such a huge improvement,” says Amy Terzuoli, a sales associate with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “Homes are selling like hotcakes. The area is really taking off.”
Terzuoli is the listing agent for one of the few resale properties available in the community — one of the four original attached luxury villas that Sam Rodgers Homes built. The three-bedroom former model has lavish interiors. With Florida Green Building Coalition and Energy Star certifications for energy efficiency, it is priced at $359,000.
But most of the residences are new construction. Lennar offers single-family homes, luxury estate homes, maintenance-free villas, coach or manor homes, and townhouses — all in Tuscan style relating to the overall architectural theme of Gran Paradiso. They range in size from three to five bedrooms and from 1,340 to 3,800 square feet. Luxury features include granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, crown molding, brick pavers and more. Prices range from the $200,000s to $600,000s.
Sam Rodgers and its Arthur Rutenberg franchise are still involved, offering semi-custom built homes ranging from $389,000 to more than $900,000.
“It’s a wide range of price points — something for everyone,” says Terzuoli.
Each section has its own homeowner’s association plus a master fee. Dues for the houses are $1,855 and include all community amenities, basic cable, and lawn maintenance. Villas, coach and townhomes dues are $250 to $300 a month and also include landscaping.
Amenities include tennis courts, pickle ball courts, and a free-form swimming pool with poolside cabanas. The magnificent clubhouse has lofty ceilings and game rooms with billiards and card tables, a media center, a sauna and a steam room, a massaging room, and a big, ultra-modern fitness center. There are plans to hire an onsite activities director.
“Gran Paradiso has a full-time resort atmosphere,” says Terzuoli. “It feels like being on vacation all the time.”
The growing number of residents include working professionals, retirees and families. “Residents are primarily baby boomers — a lot of people from up north who are done with the snow and ready to make the big move to Florida,” says Terzuoli. “There are also a number of younger families with children.”
The West Villages is an up-and-coming area, close to the Gulf beaches, nearby championship golf courses, and within easy, 10-minute reach of Interstate 75. “When the Town Center gets further developed, there will be shops and restaurants close-by,” says Terzuoli. “There’s something here for all age groups.”
She expects it will take around seven years for the community to be fully built-out. “It’s great to be able to be in an affordable place in a nice country club-like setting,” she says. “Every time I go there, I get a good vibe.”
(article from Sarasota Herald Tribune)
Monday, September 15, 2014
Gran Paradiso Community Pool
Ground was broken last week for the community pool in Gran Paradiso!
(see photos)
(see photos)
If you are considering purchasing a home in this community,
please let me assist you. My services and resources are of no cost to you, and
in most instances, I am able to save home buyers some money. I do not work for
any of the three wonderful builders in Gran Paradiso. My services and
information (including the resources provided at www.GranParadisoVillage.com) are wholly independent of
these developers. No other independent professional is more knowledgeable about
this community, and enlisting me to assist with your transaction serves also to
fund these resources to keep them available for you and others on an ongoing
basis.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Ali
Aileen “Ali” Johnston, MHA
Realtor®, Hoover Realty
Mobile: 941-539-5771
Monday, August 4, 2014
Gran Paradiso Custom Builders' Models Now Open
Great news! The Sam Rodgers and Arthur Rutenberg models in
Gran Paradiso at the West Villages are now complete and standing by for you to
tour! There is no word yet as to when, or if, a grand opening event may be
held, but there is certainly no need to wait for one. Words cannot do justice
for these stunning masterworks of architectural and interior decor design.
Really, I am in awe.
The Sam Rodgers models are the Bellisimo and the Riviera II
plans, and the Arthur Rutenberg is the Messina plan. It truly is marvelous how
they so flawlessly meld classic quality detailing with a few striking,
contemporary chic fixtures to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere of
distinction. The remarkable location with spectacular views simply add to the
opulence of these extravagant masterpieces.
Each of these homes is so grand and worthy of exclusive
consideration that I am going to post pictures of each individually in separate
posts. First (here) will be pictures of the Messina that I took the other day.
Let me apologize about the quality of the photos. I am not a photographer, and
the home was so bright. It was a lovely day and the place was just so flooded
with gorgeous natural light that it was a challenge for me to overcome it in
order to accentuate the interior detailing instead. Hopefully, the snaps at
least do not do it a disservice. Either way, it is definitely a must see, so
please go check it out in person when you can!
Enjoy!
Ali
If you are considering purchasing a home in this community,
please let me assist you. My services and resources are of no cost to you, and
in most instances, I am able to save home buyers some money. I do not work for
any of the three wonderful builders in Gran Paradiso. My services and
information (including the resources provided at www.GranParadisoVillage.com) are wholly independent of
these developers. No other independent professional is more knowledgeable about
this community, and enlisting me to assist with your transaction serves also to
fund these resources to keep them available for you and others on an ongoing
basis.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Ali
Aileen “Ali” Johnston, MHA
Realtor®, Hoover Realty
Mobile: 941-539-5771
 |
| Arthur Rutenberg Messina Front Elevation |
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| Front lanai will look gorgeous when landscaping matures! |
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| View from front door into home. |
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| Front entry area. |
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| View from entry area into great room. |
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| Kitchen and dining areas. |
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| Lovely dining area. |
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| View through dining area aquarium glass overlooking pool and lush landscape beyond. |
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| Pool and spa. Seating area to the left out of photo. |
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| View from kitchen to great room. Den and entry to the right. |
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| Master retreat with amazing view. |
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| Ceiling detailing in Master Bedroom. |
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| Spacious master. |
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| Master bath with dressing room/closets beyond. Shower is to the right out of view. |
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| Shower in Master Bath. |
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| Bonus Room. |
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| Den. |
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| Drop station by garage and laundry room. |
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Gran Paradiso Jet-Fueled Community Growth
As promised in the last blog, the intent here is to put into
perspective the growth that Gran Paradiso is in fact experiencing. Last week, the total number of new homes sold/contracted, closed, and
underway since reviving the community was 102 between the three builders. That
means that an average of 20 new homes per month have begun, with 32 sold just
last month. This may not sound like a lot when first considering it, but it
actually is. If that average rate remained constant, the entire community would
be built out in about 8 years. That alone is a reasonable-to-low timeframe to
expect for a community of its size. But, when initially opening a new
community, developers can also generally expect that it will take some time for
the neighborhood to gain momentum and build both a positive reputation and public
faith in its security. People are expected to be wary, considering risks of being
the first, the mavericks, of new neighborhoods. Apparently, the solid
reputation of Lennar and the steps the organization has taken to assure
security in community growth and home values have jet-fueled momentum from the
starting gate.
By comparison, the community across the
street had a total of 187 single-family dwelling closings/sales for all of last
year (according to public records). This would, at first, make it seem that
Gran Paradiso would be matched and above-target (20+ per month = 240+ per year,
not seasonally adjusted) with the lovely, and long-established, community just across
the street. In that 187 number, though, are not just new homes. That number also
includes resales and homes that were transferred into trust or "sold"
to family members to put estates in order and such, as well as some properties that
just otherwise transferred in name only. This shows how truly outstanding the
FIRST few months of Gran Paradiso's reopening for new home sales have actually been.
This year, the community across the street also
introduced some smaller, and lower price, options to compete with the Gran
Paradiso momentum. This includes a one-bedroom with one bath plan for about
$165k without any upgrades or view. Honestly, I personally believe that it is
an extremely rare individual whose needs are suited by this particular
floorplan, but the ability to list a lower starting price does draw in some
potential customer attention. Think about this though, that developer is
reducing potential new home size, price, and value to remain competitive. That
by default can also over time negatively influence the values of the existing
homes across the community as a whole. By contrast, Lennar is nearly sold-out
of lots on the entire street it opened as designated for their Estate series
homes. Additionally, Lennar made available Sam Rodgers and Arthur Rutenberg luxury
homes as options within the Gran Paradiso gated community. Arthur Rutenberg
Homes currently has some new orders for near million-dollar, tailor made
residences to fit alongside the custom homes that were already built in the
community prior to the downturn. This extravagant, deluxe segment of the
neighborhood only helps to bolster and increase home values for everyone throughout
the entire community in the long-term.
The point is, if this is just the beginning,
and Gran Paradiso has more traction and momentum yet to gain (as would be the
typical pattern for a new community), one can only imagine what the next couple
of years have in store. It also means that as more people buy in and see the
value, the more that new home prices will be raised. Another incremental price
increase was put into effect last week. It is all too likely that there are
more looming in the near future, particularly once ground is broken for a
community pool. The community outlook is more than just good, and if you are
considering a home in this community, there will be no better time than now.
If you are considering purchasing a home in
this community, please let me assist you. My services and resources are of no
cost to you, and in most instances, I am able to save home buyers some money. I
do not work for any of the three wonderful builders in Gran Paradiso. My
services and information (including the resources provided at
www.GranParadisoVillage.com) are wholly independent of these developers. No
other independent professional is more knowledgeable about this community, and
enlisting me to assist with your transaction serves to fund these resources to
keep them available for you and others on an ongoing basis.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Ali
Aileen “Ali” Johnston, MHA
Realtor®, Hoover Realty
Mobile: 941-539-5771
 |
| A Gran Paradiso Clubhouse Design Plan |
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Gran Paradiso Builders: Custom, Packages, and Everything's Included
The
three builders offering home products in Gran Paradiso at the West
Villages (Arthur Rutenberg, Sam Rodgers, and Lennar) each work a
little differently in terms of pricing and customization. Which to
choose would depend on both your budget and some particular personal
preferences. There are definitely specific benefits attributable to
each of the builder's system of offerings.
Arthur
Rutenberg Homes, for instance, is entirely custom. It is what most
people would associate with luxury new-home construction. There is a
base price according to plan, a price for each particular lot, plan
options, and then you choose all of your features from the design
center. The sky is the limit for personalization of an exclusive
Rutenberg domocile. This is, at least in part, why these homes are
also at the highest price-point in the community.
Sam
Rodgers Properties follows a popular trend in the new construction
industry. They make the ultimate cost more predictable, while still
offering many selections, through offering upgrades according to
packaged levels. There is a separate lot premium and some plan
variation options that you can choose, but each
plan has three potential prices with the selected level
upgrades. They call their categorized upgrades silver,
gold, and platinum packages. It reduces likelihood of
pricing surprises, yet it allows for much individual personalization.
Lennar
calls their system “Everything's Included.” There is a lot
premium, a plan price, and just a couple of choices to make. There
are no upgrades. Features and fixtures have been chosen already by
Lennar's designers to have widespread appeal and to help ensure the
highest market value is retained in their product. They do actually
have three features packages, but each package is associated with a specific product line. The Villas and Executive category homes get
the Aviano
Series inclusions,
the Manor homes are upgraded to the Celano
Series inclusions,
and the Estate homes include the Diamante
Series of
fixtures and appliances. The are only a couple possible choices to be
made on each plan. Tile flooring throughout is an upgrade option
available, some plans have an extended lanai option, and whether or
not to purchase the home with a pool or pool with spa are options you
will find with Lennar. All personalization is left to the homeowners
after closing. The real benefit of this system is that Lennar is able
to reduce costs and pass savings on to the buyer. Many people do also
find the process less stressful as a result of reduced
decision-making and set pricing as well.
Whichever
builder's approach and plan is right for you, if you are considering a home in this
community, please let me assist you. My services and resources are of
no cost to you, and in most instances, I am able to save home buyers
some money. I do not work for any of the three wonderful builders in
Gran Paradiso. My services and information (including the resources
provided at www.GranParadisoVillage.com)
are wholly independent of these developers. No other independent
professional is more knowledgeable about this community, and
enlisting me to assist with your transaction serves to fund these
resources to keep them available for you and others on an ongoing
basis.
Look
forward to hearing from you!
Ali
Aileen
“Ali” Johnston, MHA
Realtor®,
Hoover Realty
Mobile:
941-539-5771
email:
ali@granparadisovillage.com
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