December 2, 2024 • 19 mins
Episode Overview:
In this episode, Jim sits down with Michaela Stamm from Neal Communities to discuss the highly anticipated townhomes at Grand Park in Sarasota. With construction set to begin and homes expected by spring 2025, Michaela shares all the details about this serene and thoughtfully designed community.
About Grand Park:
- Size & Layout:
- 533 acres featuring over 900 homes.
- 267 acres of open space, 161 acres of wetlands, and 5 miles of walking trails.
- 24 acres of amenities, including two pools, fitness centers, and more.
- Living Options:
- Single-family homes, villas, and new townhomes coming in 2025.
- 138 townhomes across 23 buildings.
- Starting Price: $358,000 (including lot premium and designer finishes).
Amenities for Townhome Owners:
- Full access to all community amenities, including:
- Catering kitchen, pool tables, library, and activities director.
- Two pools, hot tub, free weights and cardio gym, and on-demand fitness studio.
- Tennis courts, pickleball, playground, two dog parks (separated by size).
- Soft walking trails with recycled rubber surfaces.
Costs & Fees:
- HOA Dues: $194/month (subject to annual adjustments).
- CDD Fees: $1,264 annually (approximately $300/month combined with HOA).
What Makes Grand Park Unique?
- Views & Design: No homes back up to major roads or other backyards—each offers long water or conservation views.
- Guest Parking: 69 additional spaces to accommodate visitors and residents with multiple vehicles.
- Community-Focused Rules: Six-month minimum rentals allowed twice a year to preserve neighborhood cohesion.
Who’s Moving In?
- Ideal for young professionals, first-time buyers, families, and retirees.
- Popular among those moving inland or seeking second homes.
- Interest from Sarasota educators, medical professionals, and other essential workers.
Warranty & Maintenance:
- Neal Communities provides a comprehensive warranty package:
- 1 Year: Workmanship and craftsmanship.
- 2 Years: Mechanical and electrical systems.
- 10 Years: Structural warranty.
- Lawn care included with "maintenance-assisted" homes.
Prime Location:
- Convenient Access: Just off Clark Road and I-75, close to Twin Lakes Park.
- Nearby Destinations:
- 20 minutes to Siesta Key Beach.
- 15-20 minutes to downtown Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.
- Less than 30 minutes to SRQ Airport.
- Tucked away from highway noise, offering tranquility with accessibility.
What's Next?
Interested in buying or selling a home on the Suncoast, or connect with this week's guest? Reach out to Jim at jim.ahearn@gmail.com or visit his website, Jim Sells the Suncoast.
A Personal Note from Jim:
Hey there, I’m Jim Ahearn, your go-to real estate guide and host of Jim Sells The Suncoast podcast! 🎙️✨ Dreaming of Florida life? I’ve got you covered! As your dedicated buyer's agent, I’ll handle everything from walk-throughs to closing, making your home-buying journey as smooth as a Florida breeze.
Whether you're local or tuning in from afar, I’ll bring the Suncoast to you with virtual tours and expert advice. Let’s chat about your dream home and I'll connect you with all the right people to make it happen.
Ready to move to paradise? Drop me a line – I can’
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jim (00:01):
And good morning today.
I'd like to welcome MichaelaStan with me.
She is out at Grand Park, Nealcommunities, townhomes coming in
pre building right now, but weshould start seeing those in the
spring of 25.
Good morning and welcome.
Michaela (00:16):
Thank you for having me, Jim.
Jim (00:19):
Good to have you.
Hey, so I know we were justtalking briefly about it, but
tell me a little bit about whatsets this new development apart
in terms of lifestyle andcommunity experience compared to
what else is out there in themarket.
Michaela (00:31):
So Neal Communities is a name around Manatee have heard
about what they might not knowis he is the largest land
shareholder and private builderhere and focused only in the
southwest quadrant of Florida.
I think that gives us a leg upand really understanding the
infrastructure that's necessaryto build communities to sustain
(00:55):
the ever changing floridaclimate and make you as a
customer feel like a fish in asmall pond.
Jim (01:03):
Fantastic.
What kind of living options areavailable here?
I know there was some buildingalready, but the town homes are
new.
Michaela (01:10):
Yes, so a little bit about grand park in general.
It is a 533 acre developmentprojected to have upwards of 900
plus doors, 267 acres of itsopen space.
161 acres of it is mixedwetlands, the hardwood
coniferous trees, fresh watermarshes.
(01:32):
We've got five miles of walkingtrails, 24 acres of amenity
sites.
So the name Grand Park, hencepark, like really lends itself
to just serene luncheon type ofpicnic settings.
All of our lots are on windingroads, so you have preserved
views.
You have long water views.
We've been selling villas andsingle family homes.
(01:55):
From 1600 square feet all theway up to 3000 plus and now
we've just introduced a T shapeddevelopment in the southwest
quadrant of Grand Park for 138front doors of townhomes.
Jim (02:11):
Okay.
Yeah.
That sounds you're pushing wellover 350 acres of open area and,
you put all the living areastogether.
So it gives a lot of expansivearea to go in there and 100 and
you've said 138 townhome doors,
Michaela (02:26):
138 front doors for townhomes in 23 buildings.
Jim (02:31):
Fantastic.
What's the starting price point?
What sizes will be available inthe townhome?
Michaela (02:36):
We have two different floor plans, both of which are
just under 1, 800 square feet,exactly 1, 790, which in
Sarasota County to be able toget all in, With the home site
premium and the interiordesigner finishes as low as 358,
000.
(02:57):
It's pretty unheard of.
Yeah.
Jim (03:00):
What other costs are there going to be HOA maintenance and
ECDD in that area?
Michaela (03:05):
So yes, as with any continual beautification of an
ever expanding community, an HOAcommunity owner or dweller, it's
194 a month in HOA dues.
They are subject to go up yearover year.
A budget committee really ismindful of that.
(03:25):
And then there is a very nominalCDD annually.
A townhome owner will onlycontribute 1, 264.
So a total of just 300 bucks.
Jim (03:37):
Yeah, that's not bad for the Sarasota area.
Seems eminently reasonable whenwe're going into this new
development.
What are the amenities?
Will it provide pools, gyms,community centers?
I know we talked and will therebe any that are limited to the
town homes or the town homeswill have access to the entire
area.
Michaela (03:55):
Townhome owners have full access to all amenities,
and the amenities have been inplace since its inception.
There are 24 acres of amenitysites, and what that means to
you is access to a full cateringkitchen, pool tables, shared
library, on campus, activitiesdirector, two different pools,
(04:16):
hot tub, free space gym withweights and cardio, studio style
gym with on demand fitnessclasses and on site instructors,
tennis courts, pickleball,pickleball tournaments, a little
playground for the kiddos, twodifferent dog parks, gated for
35 pounds and under, gated for35 pounds and over.
(04:39):
It's just beautiful.
Five miles of that recycledrubber, soft walking trails all
throughout.
So everyone that purchases atownhome has full access to the
full center.
Jim (04:55):
Are you seeing more influx from people coming down
snowbirds or such coming down orpeople moving inland or taking
advantage of the open area andthe amenities?
Michaela (05:07):
Yes I would say that the initial interest in this
townhome product are coming fromyoung people starting their
families, first time homebuyers,parents looking out for the
future of their children andinvesting in a purchase to pass
(05:27):
on second homes from as far upas New Jersey, across the seas.
Over in the Orlando area andthen, yes, we've had,
unfortunately, I don't like thisnecessarily, but people that are
getting off the coastline of ourgorgeous state and coming to our
(05:48):
evacuation zone E, not in aflood zone now community.
Jim (06:00):
Yeah, a lot of transition going on.
You mentioned people coming infor second homes, which is
fantastic.
Love having the people be ableto go back and forth, but are
there going to be restrictionson rentals in there?
Michaela (06:11):
Yes, there are rental restrictions.
We for the HOA declarationsallow two times a year, six
month minimum for rental.
We really want to give a truesense of community and ownership
and not turn it into an Airbnband VRBO opportunity.
Jim (06:30):
With six months versus a weekend or whatever, you'll have
some continuity and some longterm.
Michaela (06:35):
Yeah.
And then something I really wantto applaud our developers of
this community on is theconsideration of the fact that
these townhome products are aone car garage.
We've added 69 perpendicularspaces for guests or household
with multiple vehicles so thatthe streets will not feel
(06:57):
crowded like you can feel inother townhome communities.
Jim (07:00):
Okay, nice.
What's the time frame?
I know you said the first homeshould be coming up spring of 25
with 138 units.
Is there an anticipatedcompletion date?
Are we talking a year, 18months?
Michaela (07:14):
So Neal Communities has done this townhome product
in other areas of the state.
And I believe the projectedtimeframe is to hopefully have
all the front doors sold withina two year period, as with any
construction in a new phase witha new product, the builders got
(07:37):
to cooperate with the county,make sure that we're doing this
right.
And projecting build times perunit is something that I just
want to say we'll have to haveopen communication on.
Jim (07:51):
Absolutely.
Michaela (07:51):
Know, work through.
Jim (07:53):
So somewhere at five to eight, maybe units a month
coming available over the nexttwo years.
The perfect opportunity to comein and take a look and see what
you like and plan accordingly.
Michaela (08:02):
What's really stunning about the new community of grand
park with the townhome productspecifically is that none of the
backyards, but up to a majorroad or to somebody else's
backyard, every view from yourpavered screened in line and
master bedroom window is.
(08:22):
long water or preserveconservation.
Very mature tree line.
Jim (08:28):
Okay,
Michaela (08:28):
really cool.
Jim (08:30):
So how does developers support homeowners after the
sale, including warranties andongoing maintenance?
Michaela (08:38):
Neil Communities offers pretty stellar warranty
program.
You will meet with yourhomeowner before getting the
keys to your door a week aheadof time.
You'll meet with your warrantyrep and you'll meet with your
builder to go over operation andmaintenance of your home.
There you'll have theopportunity to point out any
sort of little workmanship thingthat you notice.
(08:58):
We will tackle that and try todo so before close.
But we will also visit you onemonth, three months, and eleven
months.
into your first year ofownership, you have one year's
workmanship, craftsmanship,warranty, two years, mechanical
and electrical five years onyour GE appliances.
(09:21):
If you register them, and then10 years structural.
And with all of the products inground park, not just the town
homes, we call it maintenanceassisted as in basically the
lawns taken care of for you.
Jim (09:36):
Okay.
I know, with the summersometimes that's something that
we, I like to look at and go,Hey, you know what?
If somebody is going to takecare of that for me, that's
underappreciated.
Michaela (09:46):
Oh, absolutely.
And I like the idea that we cancontrol the time and the day in
which a lot of the lawn care isdone.
Address so we're not wakingpeople up at the crack of dawn
with their leaf blowers, oryou've got that unruly neighbor
doing.
all sorts of crazy things totheir lawn at midnight.
Jim (10:06):
Great.
Let's talk a little bit aboutthe location.
I know we spoke a little earlierbut the location is just off of
Clark Road and I 75.
You're right there by Twin LakesPark.
You're probably 20 minutes fromthe beach if you go over the
south bridge.
You've got SRQ airport and Tampaairport 30 minutes and an hour
away.
So
Michaela (10:28):
it's the perfect location.
So I actually currently resideperpendicularly West in Palmer
ranch for now.
We are absolutely considering apurchase of our own in grand
park.
And why?
Because it's a straight shot onto siesta key, which is again
and again, voted America'snumber one beach.
(10:49):
You can shoot up to the popularcity within a city of Lakewood
Ranch and all of the majorshopping in less than 15
minutes.
You can shoot down to get to,Venice and those beautiful
barrier islands in less than 20.
You can make it to downtownSarasota for that lifestyle 20.
(11:11):
And again, just like you said,immediately on to our major
interstate within less than afew minutes.
five minute drive from the frontdoor of your home.
And what's also just amazing tome, and I point this out every
time I tour somebody in theneighborhood, although we are
positioned close to a majorinterstate due to the depth of
(11:35):
the conservation area, with thecounty you do not hear that
noise.
We are, it's a very tucked awayhidden gem.
Jim (11:49):
Are there any preferred partners when you're building in
grand park?
Michaela (11:53):
So Neil is a one stop shop.
Like a lot of builders.
We ask that you consider workingwith our affiliate partners that
are title Neil communitiesfunding.
There's always some differenttype of incentive to work with
our house lender.
We know our product best.
We work with shepherd insurancebroker, as you might know people
(12:18):
worry about moving to the stateof Florida and homeowners
insurance, buying a brand newconstruction home that went
through three separate thirdparty inspections along its
journey to occupancy allows forcarriers to feel better about
(12:38):
protecting you in your home.
Your homeowners insurance willbe lower.
So yeah, Shepherd Insurance,Allegiant Title, Neal
Communities Funding, and ifyou're going to do a to be built
home and go to our 6, 000 squarefeet.
Design center Lakewood Ranch andwork with Miss Charlene Neal
herself to pick out all of yourinterior touches.
(12:59):
The design process is a superfun component of moving into
Grand Park.
Jim (13:05):
That's good.
I spoke with somebody and theysaid it's not customized homes,
but it's personalized.
So you have that option to go inand pick out some of the things
that's going to make that homefeel like a home to you.
Michaela (13:15):
Yes.
Jim (13:18):
Are there any specific guidelines or restrictions
homeowners should be aware of,such as pet policies?
Michaela (13:23):
We are a very dog friendly company.
I would say common sense rules.
Okay.
I don't know if you've got a petgiraffe.
If you know your neighbors aregoing to throw up a bow here and
quite concerned.
No, I think that the rules setin place to continue to support
(13:46):
the value of your investment andthe value of your neighbor's
investment are nonrestrictivecommon sense rules.
Jim (13:56):
Good.
I know you're still in preplanning and pre build but do
you have any stories ortestimonials yet of anybody
who's come down and started thepurchase process?
Michaela (14:06):
Oh yeah, absolutely.
So one of my favorite customers,she's a doll, Sarasota Memorial
Health nurse of oncology in hertwenties.
Moved down here away from herfamily in Maryland.
Mom and dad are so proud thatshe has put all her ducks in the
right order.
This is her first time buying ahome.
(14:28):
So she's super thrilled andgoing back to her place of work
and sharing her excitement.
And so we're seeing an influx ofthat industry with interest,
we're priced so fantasticallythat finally.
Educators are terriblyunderpaid.
Government workers, thefirefighters, the police
(14:48):
officers, the teachers, they'recoming and trying to understand
what it really takes to own ahome.
It's a co It can be a dauntingand complicated process.
Absolutely.
To understand what creditworthiness is, to understand
what closing costs are, tounderstand how much money I need
to have in my pocket, tounderstand how much I can really
afford on a monthly basis.
(15:09):
And so I have a little bit of alending background and that's
really helped me get these, beenonly renting most of their lives
customers across this finishline.
Jim (15:21):
Right.
Michaela (15:22):
So I, yeah, the people are just excited, anxious,
coming out, taking pictures ofthemselves on their construction
site,
Jim (15:32):
you
Michaela (15:33):
I went and worked the big top brewery on Fruitville
through a big toberfest.
They did an Oktoberfest event.
I went and had a little tableout there and was just engaging
the community.
And I've now met with two youngcouples that are trying to start
their families.
It's just, it's a fundemographic to get to
Jim (15:54):
There is something fun about that new build when you've
got the open grass and you getto see your house.
built and go up.
It's always exciting.
Michaela (16:04):
Yes.
Jim (16:05):
Michaela, what else would you like to say about Grand Park
in the Sarasota area?
As we wrap up here, what finalwords?
Michaela (16:15):
I would encourage anybody that works in our
industry, be it a real estateagent, mortgages, insurance.
Come and just take a tour.
Take a calming drive around,roll down your windows and just
get the feel of Grand Park.
It's truly a Feeling and foranyone interested in downsizing
(16:36):
upsizing for their future,considering finally building a
real estate portfolio wanting toget closer to an a plus school
district, give me a call.
My name is Michaela.
We already have a stunningMichaela in office.
So I go by my old nickname ofMick on the corporate level
(16:58):
there.
So give Mick a call.
Come on by.
We're open 10 to six, six days aweek.
And then on Sundays, noon tofive, happy to show you all now
eight of our different modeledand furnished homes.
Our 600 plus available homesites left to do a true,
(17:24):
personalized House, and put youin a position.
And we don't have crystal ballshere, but what I wholeheartedly
and educatedly believe to be aposition of appreciation and
quick equity.
Jim (17:41):
Fantastic.
Thank you, Michaela.
I really appreciate you spendingthis time with me.
And if anybody wants theinformation will be in the show
notes.
Thanks for coming on.
Michaela (17:50):
Thank you for having me, Jim.
You guys have a fabulous weekand we'll talk soon.
And good morning today.
I'd like to welcome MichaelaStan with me.
She is out at Grand Park, Nealcommunities, townhomes coming in
pre building right now, but weshould start seeing those in the
spring of 25.
Good morning and welcome.
Michaela (00:16):
Thank you for having me, Jim.
Jim (00:19):
Good to have you.
Hey, so I know we were justtalking briefly about it, but
tell me a little bit about whatsets this new development apart
in terms of lifestyle andcommunity experience compared to
what else is out there in themarket.
Michaela (00:31):
So Neal Communities is a name around Manatee have heard
about what they might not knowis he is the largest land
shareholder and private builderhere and focused only in the
southwest quadrant of Florida.
I think that gives us a leg upand really understanding the
infrastructure that's necessaryto build communities to sustain
(00:55):
the ever changing floridaclimate and make you as a
customer feel like a fish in asmall pond.
Jim (01:03):
Fantastic.
What kind of living options areavailable here?
I know there was some buildingalready, but the town homes are
new.
Michaela (01:10):
Yes, so a little bit about grand park in general.
It is a 533 acre developmentprojected to have upwards of 900
plus doors, 267 acres of itsopen space.
161 acres of it is mixedwetlands, the hardwood
coniferous trees, fresh watermarshes.
(01:32):
We've got five miles of walkingtrails, 24 acres of amenity
sites.
So the name Grand Park, hencepark, like really lends itself
to just serene luncheon type ofpicnic settings.
All of our lots are on windingroads, so you have preserved
views.
You have long water views.
We've been selling villas andsingle family homes.
(01:55):
From 1600 square feet all theway up to 3000 plus and now
we've just introduced a T shapeddevelopment in the southwest
quadrant of Grand Park for 138front doors of townhomes.
Jim (02:11):
Okay.
Yeah.
That sounds you're pushing wellover 350 acres of open area and,
you put all the living areastogether.
So it gives a lot of expansivearea to go in there and 100 and
you've said 138 townhome doors,
Michaela (02:26):
138 front doors for townhomes in 23 buildings.
Jim (02:31):
Fantastic.
What's the starting price point?
What sizes will be available inthe townhome?
Michaela (02:36):
We have two different floor plans, both of which are
just under 1, 800 square feet,exactly 1, 790, which in
Sarasota County to be able toget all in, With the home site
premium and the interiordesigner finishes as low as 358,
000.
(02:57):
It's pretty unheard of.
Yeah.
Jim (03:00):
What other costs are there going to be HOA maintenance and
ECDD in that area?
Michaela (03:05):
So yes, as with any continual beautification of an
ever expanding community, an HOAcommunity owner or dweller, it's
194 a month in HOA dues.
They are subject to go up yearover year.
A budget committee really ismindful of that.
(03:25):
And then there is a very nominalCDD annually.
A townhome owner will onlycontribute 1, 264.
So a total of just 300 bucks.
Jim (03:37):
Yeah, that's not bad for the Sarasota area.
Seems eminently reasonable whenwe're going into this new
development.
What are the amenities?
Will it provide pools, gyms,community centers?
I know we talked and will therebe any that are limited to the
town homes or the town homeswill have access to the entire
area.
Michaela (03:55):
Townhome owners have full access to all amenities,
and the amenities have been inplace since its inception.
There are 24 acres of amenitysites, and what that means to
you is access to a full cateringkitchen, pool tables, shared
library, on campus, activitiesdirector, two different pools,
(04:16):
hot tub, free space gym withweights and cardio, studio style
gym with on demand fitnessclasses and on site instructors,
tennis courts, pickleball,pickleball tournaments, a little
playground for the kiddos, twodifferent dog parks, gated for
35 pounds and under, gated for35 pounds and over.
(04:39):
It's just beautiful.
Five miles of that recycledrubber, soft walking trails all
throughout.
So everyone that purchases atownhome has full access to the
full center.
Jim (04:55):
Are you seeing more influx from people coming down
snowbirds or such coming down orpeople moving inland or taking
advantage of the open area andthe amenities?
Michaela (05:07):
Yes I would say that the initial interest in this
townhome product are coming fromyoung people starting their
families, first time homebuyers,parents looking out for the
future of their children andinvesting in a purchase to pass
(05:27):
on second homes from as far upas New Jersey, across the seas.
Over in the Orlando area andthen, yes, we've had,
unfortunately, I don't like thisnecessarily, but people that are
getting off the coastline of ourgorgeous state and coming to our
(05:48):
evacuation zone E, not in aflood zone now community.
Jim (06:00):
Yeah, a lot of transition going on.
You mentioned people coming infor second homes, which is
fantastic.
Love having the people be ableto go back and forth, but are
there going to be restrictionson rentals in there?
Michaela (06:11):
Yes, there are rental restrictions.
We for the HOA declarationsallow two times a year, six
month minimum for rental.
We really want to give a truesense of community and ownership
and not turn it into an Airbnband VRBO opportunity.
Jim (06:30):
With six months versus a weekend or whatever, you'll have
some continuity and some longterm.
Michaela (06:35):
Yeah.
And then something I really wantto applaud our developers of
this community on is theconsideration of the fact that
these townhome products are aone car garage.
We've added 69 perpendicularspaces for guests or household
with multiple vehicles so thatthe streets will not feel
(06:57):
crowded like you can feel inother townhome communities.
Jim (07:00):
Okay, nice.
What's the time frame?
I know you said the first homeshould be coming up spring of 25
with 138 units.
Is there an anticipatedcompletion date?
Are we talking a year, 18months?
Michaela (07:14):
So Neal Communities has done this townhome product
in other areas of the state.
And I believe the projectedtimeframe is to hopefully have
all the front doors sold withina two year period, as with any
construction in a new phase witha new product, the builders got
(07:37):
to cooperate with the county,make sure that we're doing this
right.
And projecting build times perunit is something that I just
want to say we'll have to haveopen communication on.
Jim (07:51):
Absolutely.
Michaela (07:51):
Know, work through.
Jim (07:53):
So somewhere at five to eight, maybe units a month
coming available over the nexttwo years.
The perfect opportunity to comein and take a look and see what
you like and plan accordingly.
Michaela (08:02):
What's really stunning about the new community of grand
park with the townhome productspecifically is that none of the
backyards, but up to a majorroad or to somebody else's
backyard, every view from yourpavered screened in line and
master bedroom window is.
(08:22):
long water or preserveconservation.
Very mature tree line.
Jim (08:28):
Okay,
Michaela (08:28):
really cool.
Jim (08:30):
So how does developers support homeowners after the
sale, including warranties andongoing maintenance?
Michaela (08:38):
Neil Communities offers pretty stellar warranty
program.
You will meet with yourhomeowner before getting the
keys to your door a week aheadof time.
You'll meet with your warrantyrep and you'll meet with your
builder to go over operation andmaintenance of your home.
There you'll have theopportunity to point out any
sort of little workmanship thingthat you notice.
(08:58):
We will tackle that and try todo so before close.
But we will also visit you onemonth, three months, and eleven
months.
into your first year ofownership, you have one year's
workmanship, craftsmanship,warranty, two years, mechanical
and electrical five years onyour GE appliances.
(09:21):
If you register them, and then10 years structural.
And with all of the products inground park, not just the town
homes, we call it maintenanceassisted as in basically the
lawns taken care of for you.
Jim (09:36):
Okay.
I know, with the summersometimes that's something that
we, I like to look at and go,Hey, you know what?
If somebody is going to takecare of that for me, that's
underappreciated.
Michaela (09:46):
Oh, absolutely.
And I like the idea that we cancontrol the time and the day in
which a lot of the lawn care isdone.
Address so we're not wakingpeople up at the crack of dawn
with their leaf blowers, oryou've got that unruly neighbor
doing.
all sorts of crazy things totheir lawn at midnight.
Jim (10:06):
Great.
Let's talk a little bit aboutthe location.
I know we spoke a little earlierbut the location is just off of
Clark Road and I 75.
You're right there by Twin LakesPark.
You're probably 20 minutes fromthe beach if you go over the
south bridge.
You've got SRQ airport and Tampaairport 30 minutes and an hour
away.
So
Michaela (10:28):
it's the perfect location.
So I actually currently resideperpendicularly West in Palmer
ranch for now.
We are absolutely considering apurchase of our own in grand
park.
And why?
Because it's a straight shot onto siesta key, which is again
and again, voted America'snumber one beach.
(10:49):
You can shoot up to the popularcity within a city of Lakewood
Ranch and all of the majorshopping in less than 15
minutes.
You can shoot down to get to,Venice and those beautiful
barrier islands in less than 20.
You can make it to downtownSarasota for that lifestyle 20.
(11:11):
And again, just like you said,immediately on to our major
interstate within less than afew minutes.
five minute drive from the frontdoor of your home.
And what's also just amazing tome, and I point this out every
time I tour somebody in theneighborhood, although we are
positioned close to a majorinterstate due to the depth of
(11:35):
the conservation area, with thecounty you do not hear that
noise.
We are, it's a very tucked awayhidden gem.
Jim (11:49):
Are there any preferred partners when you're building in
grand park?
Michaela (11:53):
So Neil is a one stop shop.
Like a lot of builders.
We ask that you consider workingwith our affiliate partners that
are title Neil communitiesfunding.
There's always some differenttype of incentive to work with
our house lender.
We know our product best.
We work with shepherd insurancebroker, as you might know people
(12:18):
worry about moving to the stateof Florida and homeowners
insurance, buying a brand newconstruction home that went
through three separate thirdparty inspections along its
journey to occupancy allows forcarriers to feel better about
(12:38):
protecting you in your home.
Your homeowners insurance willbe lower.
So yeah, Shepherd Insurance,Allegiant Title, Neal
Communities Funding, and ifyou're going to do a to be built
home and go to our 6, 000 squarefeet.
Design center Lakewood Ranch andwork with Miss Charlene Neal
herself to pick out all of yourinterior touches.
(12:59):
The design process is a superfun component of moving into
Grand Park.
Jim (13:05):
That's good.
I spoke with somebody and theysaid it's not customized homes,
but it's personalized.
So you have that option to go inand pick out some of the things
that's going to make that homefeel like a home to you.
Michaela (13:15):
Yes.
Jim (13:18):
Are there any specific guidelines or restrictions
homeowners should be aware of,such as pet policies?
Michaela (13:23):
We are a very dog friendly company.
I would say common sense rules.
Okay.
I don't know if you've got a petgiraffe.
If you know your neighbors aregoing to throw up a bow here and
quite concerned.
No, I think that the rules setin place to continue to support
(13:46):
the value of your investment andthe value of your neighbor's
investment are nonrestrictivecommon sense rules.
Jim (13:56):
Good.
I know you're still in preplanning and pre build but do
you have any stories ortestimonials yet of anybody
who's come down and started thepurchase process?
Michaela (14:06):
Oh yeah, absolutely.
So one of my favorite customers,she's a doll, Sarasota Memorial
Health nurse of oncology in hertwenties.
Moved down here away from herfamily in Maryland.
Mom and dad are so proud thatshe has put all her ducks in the
right order.
This is her first time buying ahome.
(14:28):
So she's super thrilled andgoing back to her place of work
and sharing her excitement.
And so we're seeing an influx ofthat industry with interest,
we're priced so fantasticallythat finally.
Educators are terriblyunderpaid.
Government workers, thefirefighters, the police
(14:48):
officers, the teachers, they'recoming and trying to understand
what it really takes to own ahome.
It's a co It can be a dauntingand complicated process.
Absolutely.
To understand what creditworthiness is, to understand
what closing costs are, tounderstand how much money I need
to have in my pocket, tounderstand how much I can really
afford on a monthly basis.
(15:09):
And so I have a little bit of alending background and that's
really helped me get these, beenonly renting most of their lives
customers across this finishline.
Jim (15:21):
Right.
Michaela (15:22):
So I, yeah, the people are just excited, anxious,
coming out, taking pictures ofthemselves on their construction
site,
Jim (15:32):
you
Michaela (15:33):
I went and worked the big top brewery on Fruitville
through a big toberfest.
They did an Oktoberfest event.
I went and had a little tableout there and was just engaging
the community.
And I've now met with two youngcouples that are trying to start
their families.
It's just, it's a fundemographic to get to
Jim (15:54):
There is something fun about that new build when you've
got the open grass and you getto see your house.
built and go up.
It's always exciting.
Michaela (16:04):
Yes.
Jim (16:05):
Michaela, what else would you like to say about Grand Park
in the Sarasota area?
As we wrap up here, what finalwords?
Michaela (16:15):
I would encourage anybody that works in our
industry, be it a real estateagent, mortgages, insurance.
Come and just take a tour.
Take a calming drive around,roll down your windows and just
get the feel of Grand Park.
It's truly a Feeling and foranyone interested in downsizing
(16:36):
upsizing for their future,considering finally building a
real estate portfolio wanting toget closer to an a plus school
district, give me a call.
My name is Michaela.
We already have a stunningMichaela in office.
So I go by my old nickname ofMick on the corporate level
(16:58):
there.
So give Mick a call.
Come on by.
We're open 10 to six, six days aweek.
And then on Sundays, noon tofive, happy to show you all now
eight of our different modeledand furnished homes.
Our 600 plus available homesites left to do a true,
(17:24):
personalized House, and put youin a position.
And we don't have crystal ballshere, but what I wholeheartedly
and educatedly believe to be aposition of appreciation and
quick equity.
Jim (17:41):
Fantastic.
Thank you, Michaela.
I really appreciate you spendingthis time with me.
And if anybody wants theinformation will be in the show
notes.
Thanks for coming on.
Michaela (17:50):
Thank you for having me, Jim.
You guys have a fabulous weekand we'll talk soon.
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