Business Observer

+ Neal Communities sells 100th home in Central Park
Neal Communities’ Central Park project has hit a new milestone: the sale of its 100th home.

Neal Communities, the developer for Lakewood Ranch’s newest community, has sold more than 100 homes in the 380-acre gated community. Neal has opened five of six communities in Central Park since it opened about nine months ago.

“These homes are excellent value, but more important is the quality of construction and the care and professionalism shown to each buyer,” President Pat Neal said. “We are pleased with the strong activity in 2011 and the progress of Central Park so far. Buyers are seeing that now, more than ever, is the time to act with interest rates at an all-time low.”

Neal Communities held a grand opening for Central Park last July.

+ SWAT Networking launches new Lakewood Ranch chapter
Lakewood Ranch chapter of Successful Women Aligning Together Networking, also known as S.W.A.T., recently elected Barbara Stem as president.

The organization held its first meeting on May 10 at the River Club, Cabana on the Green Restaurant, 6600 River Club Blvd. Meetings will be held the second Tuesday of the month. Lunch costs $11.

For more information, visit www.swatnetworking.com.

+ Lakewood Ranch home sales continue to climb
New home sales in Lakewood Ranch are continuing to soar. The East County community reported 49 sales in the month of April.

The new figures bring the year-to-date total to 156.

“Buyers realize that master-planned communities hold tremendous value, and the fact that we have been ranked the No. 12 community in the nation only helps to drive these positive results,” said Milt Flinn, president of LWR Communities.

Lakewood Ranch currently offers 40 new home models and 130 homes are currently under construction in the community.

+ Furniture consignment shop to hold grand opening
Architectural designer Cheryl Moore and business manager Pete Moore will celebrate the grand opening of At Home Interiors, a consignment shop specializing in upscale, gently-used fine furnishings and home décor, June 1.

The shop is located at 7343 52nd Place E., in Creekwood Crossing Plaza, near the Lowe’s just west of Interstate 75 on State Road 70.

For information, call 718-4834 or visit www.at-homeinteriors.com.

+ Paradise Homes names new vice president
Paradise Homes of Sarasota recently named Jayne Parrish as the company’s new vice president of sales and marketing.

Parrish brings more than 25 years of experience in the Florida real estate industry, including construction, development, sales, marketing and leasing.

She served for more than 20 years as vice president and broker for Venice-based Waterford Companies.
Parrish holds a Florida Real Estate Broker’s license and a Florida Community Association Management license. She was a member of the Venice Area Board of Realtors and the Home Builders Association Manatee-Sarasota.