Seacroft already 40% committed

LAKEWOOD RANCH — If sales in the newly opened Seacroft neighborhood in Country Club East are any indicator, the market is strong for new homes at the $1 million price range.

Homebuilders John Cannon Homes, Arthur Rutenburg Homes (Nelson Homes) and Lee Wetherington Homes have all sold their units before the community holds its grand opening in March. Homebuilders leased back the units so they are still available for showing to prospective homebuyers.

To date, 14 sales are finalized or pending out of 35 home sites, making the neighborhood about 40% committed/sold out.

Arthur Rutenberg and John Cannon both pre-sold their models, while Lee Wetherington warded off prospective buyers until its post-model opening Jan. 7. A contract was signed the following week.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Derek Nelson, owner of Nelson Homes, a franchise of Arthur Rutenberg Homes. “I sold my model three weeks before I opened it. I had a customer interested three months prior to that, but he wanted to see it completed. They bought it a few days before the furniture came in. I usually sell the model within 90 days to six months after it opens.”

Jimmy Stewart, vice president of sales for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch subsidiary LWR Communities, said sales in Seacroft are indicative of pent-up demand for larger home sites — 90- and 100-foot lots in Seacroft — with home prices hovering around $1 million for about 3,600 square feet of air-conditioned living space.

“It’s not unprecedented, but it’s unusual,” agreed Peter Mason, vice president of sales and marketing for Lee Wetherington Homes.

Stewart noted the time of year and uptick in international buyers also may play a factor.

“I think there were people waiting,” Stewart says. “At these price points it’s pretty much a discretionary purchase. They sit back for a little while and wait and see (the models). They want to taste, see, touch and smell it.”

Stewart said Lakewood Ranch has not had larger home sites, such as those in Seacroft, available for about two years.

Seacroft is Country Club East’s 12th neighborhood to open. LWR Communities plans open the Collingtree section of Country Club East by Feb. 21. Homebuilders in that section of Country Club East are Cardel Homes and Neal Signature Homes.

Novara
Arthur Rutenberg Homes
Living area: 3,697 square feet

Details: Three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a den, a club room, pool and two garages.

Builder says: Derek Nelson, owner of Nelson Homes (doing business as Arthur Rutenberg Homes), says the home’s design utilizes light well. “We came up with a new design for Seacroft that’s very exciting,” he says. “It’s kind of out of the California mold. It has a lot of windows and light from side to side, so we’re getting rave reviews about that.”

The Kiandra
By John Cannon Homes
Living area: 3,644 square feet

Details: Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an exercise room, a pool, a study, a bonus room and a three-car garage.

Builder says: John Cannon, owner of John Cannon Homes, says the model shows off some of the high-end finishes for which his company is known. “It’s a new floor plan,” he says. “We’ve designed it to move that study area to the rear of the house to take advantage of the views.”

Windsong
Lee Wetherington Homes
Living area: 3,677 square feet

Details: Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a great room, a study and a three-car garage.

Builder says: Peter Mason, vice president of sales and marketing for Lee Wetherington Homes, says the model has an island-style design and decor and caters to homebuyers seeking an indoor/outdoor experience. The design is cleaner and less traditional, he said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].