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January 6, 2025 14 mins

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In this episode of Jim Sells the Suncoast, Jim speaks with Lauren Hardison from Cardel Homes about the Longmeadow development in North River Ranch—an exciting new master-planned community in Parrish, Florida. With convenient access to major airports, beaches, and shopping, North River Ranch offers a lifestyle similar to Lakewood Ranch but with lower fees and plenty of room to grow.

Key Highlights

  • Community & Location
    • Prime Suncoast Access: Only 35–40 minutes from Tampa or Sarasota airports, and a short drive to sandy Gulf Coast beaches.
    • Master-Planned Convenience: North River Ranch features multiple neighborhoods, a planned village center, and nearby Publix plaza. The area is quickly becoming one of the Suncoast’s most popular spots for new construction.
    • Lower Fees: HOA dues are just $111/year, and the CDD/stewardship fee is based on lot size, keeping monthly costs manageable compared to other master-planned communities.
  • Flexible Floor Plans & Design
    • Five Single-Family Models: Ranging from 2,000 to 2,800+ sq. ft., all include tile roofs and paver driveways for stylish curb appeal.
    • Gas Community: Rare in many new developments, Longmeadow offers natural gas for cooking and heating—highly sought after by Northeast transplants and avid home chefs.
    • Full Design Center: Cardel’s 2,400 sq. ft. design center lets buyers customize floors, countertops, finishes, and more, without preset package limitations.
  • Amenities & Lifestyle
    • Shared Amenities: Enjoy multiple pool centers within North River Ranch, including the upcoming Camp Creek with waterslides, pickleball courts, and game rooms.
    • Outdoor Recreation: Walking trails, a dog park, and green spaces encourage an active, family-friendly environment—perfect for picnics, nature walks, or simply unwinding.
    • Nearby Growth: Ongoing improvements to Moxon Wallow Road and upcoming schools, shopping, restaurants, and even a hospital ensure the area will keep booming.
  • Build Timeline & Warranties
    • Construction: Expect about 8–10 months from contract to completion, with options to pick a home site, customize structural features, and select design elements.
    • Warranty Coverage: Includes a 10-year structural warranty, 2-year systems warranty, and a 1-year walkthrough to ensure peace of mind after you move in.
  • Current Incentives
    • Preferred Lender Benefits: Up to $20,000 in design center credits plus an additional $10,000 toward closing costs or rate buy-down when using Cardel’s preferred lenders (or paying cash).
    • Inventory Homes Available: For buyers needing a quicker move-in, Cardel has select homes ready or nearing completion in both Riverfield and Longmeadow.

What’s Next?

Interested in exploring the possibilities at Longmeadow or learning more about North River Ranch? Reach out to Jim at jim.ahearn@gmail.com or visit Jim Sells the Suncoast for expert guidance on making your move t

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’t

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Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jim (00:01):
Hey, good afternoon.
And today I'm really excited tohave Lauren Hardison join me.
She is with Cardell Homes, hasbeen there since 2013, worked in
North River Ranch area throughRiverfield and Longmeadow.
So welcome.

Lauren (00:15):
Thank you, Jim.

Jim (00:15):
Good to see you.
So I wanted to talk a littlebit.
really focus on Long Meadow, butthey're up in that North River
Ranch area, which if ourlisteners aren't aware, it is an
up and coming area in kind ofthe parish slash Ellington area
with great access.
It is only about.
35, 40 minutes from TampaAirport, about the same from

(00:37):
Sarasota Airport, close to thebeaches, close to Lakewood Ranch
North River Ranch reallybecoming very similar to
Lakewood Ranch on the northside.
Tell me a little bit aboutLongmeadow and I know they just
got their model set up.
So what's going on up in thatarea?

Lauren (00:53):
Yeah.
Yeah, we originally started,like you mentioned in Riverfield
and we're excited to be inLongmeadow.
We had our grand opening of ourbrand new model there a couple
of weeks ago.
So I've got, a lot of excitingthings going on in Longmeadow
with the new Camp Creek amenitythat they're going to be
opening.
So that's very exciting.
North River Ranch is.
You know got all of thesewonderful amenities that you

(01:15):
know The buyers that live in anyneighborhood within north river
ranch have access to so Campcreek is going to be their
newest one.
They're going to have you know,a pool and water slides game
room Gathering area foreverybody.
Pickleball courts.
I mean you name it.
It's it seems like it's coming

Jim (01:33):
Yeah, we'll definitely have to get into that I know north
river ranch that master plancommunity where you have several
subdivisions And the amenitiesgoing in there as well as the
growth going on across MoxonWallow and what they're doing
with expanding the road and allthe different places coming in.

Lauren (01:49):
Yeah.
It's really going to bewonderful.
So We have about 57 lots inLongmeadow.
Have great views for everybodyand lots of options to choose
from

Jim (01:59):
All right.
Let's talk about that.
I'm assuming it's all singlefamily homes going into
Longmeadow, correct?

Lauren (02:04):
Yes, so we have single family product going into Long
Meadow.
I also have that in Riverfield,but we've got five floor plans
that we're offering.
We have these new 3.
0 versions of these plans, whichtook our previous plans and made
some nice updates and upgradesto those.
the cool thing about Long Meadowis tile roof and paver driveway
are going to come included.

(02:25):
And then it's also going to be agas section.
So if people are interested inhaving a gas community on
Longmeadow is going to be agreat spot for that.

Jim (02:32):
Oh, that's going to be huge.
I know when my wife and I werelooking for our house, she
wanted a gas community and beingable to have that gas cooktop
was a big draw.

Lauren (02:41):
Yes.
A lot of people have beenwanting that for quite a while.

Jim (02:44):
Fantastic.
So what size houses do you havefor the floor plan?

Lauren (02:48):
So we start from about 2000 square feet at our smallest
single family up over 2, 800square feet at my largest.

Jim (02:55):
Okay, and what's a ballpark price to go into the small to
the large?

Lauren (03:00):
Yeah when they're looking in Longmeadow base
prices start just under 500.
My largest floor plan starts atabout 620 base.

Jim (03:09):
Okay.

Lauren (03:09):
Yeah.

Jim (03:10):
And you already said that they're going to have the paper
driveways, the tile roof.
So the what options areavailable?

Lauren (03:17):
That's, what's really nice about Cardell.
They do get to go to a fulldesign center and have that
experience.
There's no kind of presetpackages.
They have, full reign of beingable to select all of their
features within their home.
So our design centers, 2, 400square feet, we have an expert
designer on site.
So after contact, they get tomeet with her and go through

(03:37):
everything.
What's really awesome is notonly do we have a lot of upgrade
options, but Cardale also offersa lot of included features as
well.
So things like standardcountertop colors, there's not
just two or three, we have 10 sobuyers don't necessarily have to
upgrade every little thing toget what they want.

Jim (03:56):
When I've talked to some of the other developments going in,
it's more of a stock home goingin an inventory home where you
have some personalization youcan do, but not a whole lot of
customization.
So this is a nice upgrade onthat for that price.

Lauren (04:10):
Yes.

Jim (04:11):
Is there going to be a HOA or CDD fees in Longmeadow?

Lauren (04:16):
Yes.
Longmeadow the HOA is only 111per year.
Not per month, per year.
A lot of people worry, Oh, can,these fees increase over time?
And I say, yeah, but even if itgoes up to two, 300, it's per
year, it's not per month.
So I think it makes it verymanageable for a lot of people.

Jim (04:35):
Yeah, that's very good.

Lauren (04:36):
To

Jim (04:36):
have that HOA.

Lauren (04:39):
Yes.

Jim (04:40):
a month.

Lauren (04:41):
Yeah.
And then they do have CDDs orstewardship fees in Long Meadows
specifically for the lot sizesthat we offer.

Jim (04:47):
Okay, that's not bad.

Lauren (04:49):
Yeah,

Jim (04:50):
we talked a little bit about how large development you
said you had about 57 lotsavailable.
So that's what's stillremaining.
Have any of those already beenpurchased or that's where we are
now?

Lauren (05:00):
That's where we are currently.
Yeah, so we've got the 57 lotsand we have 11 released
initially.
So there's 11 that are currentlyavailable.
And like I said our one model tosee over in Longmeadow.
And then we still have a modelthat's available to see in
Riverfield as well.

Jim (05:14):
Okay.
And they could build either onein Longmeadow.

Lauren (05:16):
Correct.

Jim (05:18):
Nice.

Lauren (05:19):
Yeah.

Jim (05:20):
So what is the construction timeline for a home that's being
chosen?

Lauren (05:25):
Yeah.
So on average buyers can expectabout an eight to 10 month build
time from the time they signedcontract.

Jim (05:32):
Okay.
And then nothing's going onuntil they actually signed a
contract and it's going to be afull buildup from the lot they
want with the house they want.

Lauren (05:40):
Yeah, so they have two different options.
they can select to, pick theirhome site, pick their floor
plan.
I would go over structuraloptions with them.
Things like if they want to do aline extension or add optional
windows here and there.
And then, beyond that, they getto go to design and pick those
options.
Otherwise we do have someinventory homes available in my
river community.

Jim (06:00):
That's nice if somebody has to move quickly, but it is nice
to have that from the ground upwhere you're controlling and
picking everything.

Lauren (06:07):
Yeah.
And sometimes people say, that'sthe whole point of building and
buying to get what you want.

Jim (06:12):
Yeah.
What about pools?
Are pools an option to be builtor added on at the time of
build?

Lauren (06:17):
So we are currently discussing the option of adding
pools.
it is something that we are opento doing in Longmeadow.

Jim (06:24):
How is Cardell handling warranties and post sale support
for the homeowners?
What is involved in that andwhat are they covering?

Lauren (06:32):
Yeah we have a wonderful warranty program They're
definitely going to get the 10year structural warranty.
We have a two year systemswarranty and we also do a one
year walkthrough warranty withthem.

Jim (06:43):
Okay.
Does Cardell have anythingthat's integrated vertically,
meaning any preferred lender,any kind of special deals that
are being offered at this time?

Lauren (06:51):
Yes.
So we have wonderful preferredlenders.
My top preferred lender they doa lot of different buy down
programs that they offer.
Fires are really rate consciousand they're looking to get that
lower.
They can certainly do that andthey can use incentives towards
that.
So if they use a preferredlender or cash, We do offer them
wonderful incentives.
Our lenders are also not ownedby Cardell.

(07:12):
They're just lenders that weprefer working with because they
have wonderful programs andrates.
And we know that, their processwill go smoothly for the buyers
and they'll be treated well.
Yeah, my incentives forLongmeadow specifically we're
doing right now up to 20, 000towards design and then 10, 000
towards closing costs or ratebuy down for them.

Jim (07:32):
Okay.
So how does the development fitinto the local community in the
future growth plans?
I know Cardell, you said, justcame into the area.
So what are we seeing up therein that North River Ranch area?

Lauren (07:45):
We're excited to be in there because like you mentioned
earlier, North River Ranch isreally wonderful with what
they're bringing in a masterplan community, the future
village center that's coming thepublic's plaza that recently
opened earlier this year.
So Cardo is excited to get inhere and have single family
homes for buyers that arelooking to be in a community
that offers a ton of amenities.

(08:06):
Lots of walkability,bikeability.
I think that's the whole pointof North River Ranch.
We will also be offering villascoming up soon in Crescent
Creek, which is an area justacross from Long Meadow.

Jim (08:17):
Okay.
I know the county is doing a lotwith the expansion of the roads
and has a lot of that going onto accommodate the future
growth.
So tell me a little bit aboutthe environmental and green
areas around there.
I know that, it was built outapproximately how big are the
lots.
And then we talked a little bitabout the amenities going in
there with the different clubsand what they have available.

Lauren (08:39):
Yeah.
So there, that's, what's greatis they've got a lot of green
spaces and there's avid fit podtrails that they have
throughout.
They have a six mile trailsystem.
So you can really, a lot ofnature, along your walks.
It's really wonderful thingsthat they've offered.
There's a massive dog park aswell, lots of green spaces for
events and if kids want to throwa ball, they've got plenty of

(09:03):
space to do that.

Jim (09:06):
Are there any restrictions or guidelines homeowners should
be aware of either rentalrestrictions or pet policies?

Lauren (09:14):
So as far as restrictions go, it is an HOA
community.
So they want to make sure thatthings are kept, a certain level
of niceness and care, in termsof renters I think there is a
minimum rental term.

Jim (09:27):
Sure.
And that's fairly common forwhat we're seeing around the
whole area right now

Lauren (09:32):
time

Jim (09:33):
Can you share any success stories or testimonies from
current residents that you'veworked with what they like and
what's memorable about what'sgoing on?

Lauren (09:43):
Yeah.
So I've had a lot of buyerscoming from, the Northeast
specifically trying to come andenjoy some of this warm Florida
weather.
I don't blame them.
they really enjoy having thecommunity to where they have
access to all the differentamenities.
The nice thing about Riverfieldit is a gated section within the
community.
There is the Riverfield Veranda.

(10:03):
So there's a pool already there,but they know that if that pool
is busy or they want to goventure to, another pool, they
have a pool at Brightwood andthe future one coming at Camp
Creek at Long Meadow.
So there's just so much to do.
The location itself of parish, Ithink is Very convenient.
You are roughly, a half hour ineither direction from enjoying

(10:24):
amenities elsewhere.
So it is centralized right to,if I want to go down to Lakewood
ranch or Sarasota, or if I wantto pop up to Tampa or St.
Pete, they're right in themiddle of everything.
So it makes it very convenientif they have a job in Tampa or
have a job, South where theylike to visit those areas, they
get the best of everything.

Jim (10:44):
Yeah, I think one of my favorite.
Things about that whole area isjust how close you are to
actually everything.
But then when you're done doingeverything, you can get away and
get home and you feel likeyou're a little bit removed.

Lauren (10:57):
Yes, and I've had a lot of people tell me too, while
Lakewood Ranch is beautiful.
Sometimes the fees I think indifferent parts of Lakewood
Ranch might be too much for somepeople and that's okay.
And I think North River Ranch isgoing to be on a smaller scale
than Lakewood Ranch.
And I think it's going to be alittle bit more accessible.

Jim (11:16):
I know that on the South side you have Welland Park.
So doing the same thing down inthe Venice area so that you're
close enough.
You can enjoy the amenities inthe restaurants and the other
draws that are in the area.
And I think we're seeing some ofthat growth.
Publix Plaza went in witheverything going down Moxon
Wallow and coming up 301.
We're going to have everythingthat you need or want.

(11:37):
within a relatively closedistance.

Lauren (11:40):
Right there.
And then the future villagecenter that's coming to North
River Ranch there's going to bea brand new hospital coming.
They'll have shopping andrestaurants coming there So it
really will be very convenientfor people to live there.

Jim (11:53):
Yep.
I know there's a couple ofschools slated to go in and
they've already got some of theland placed out for that.
So I think one of the nicethings is we're seeing some of
this forethought when we'relooking at placing schools and
placing shopping centers anddeveloping the road so that they
can handle the traffic that'sgoing to eventually grow to that
point instead of doing it.

Lauren (12:11):
And that's what tends to happen, right?
So I think it's nice for peopleto see that this is a very well
thought out development.

Jim (12:19):
Yeah, absolutely.
So anything else you'd care tolet our listeners know about
what's going on up in Longmeadow

Lauren (12:25):
Yeah.
I, like I said I've been withCardell for a very long time, 11
and a half years now.
And they're just a wonderfulhome builder.
It's a family owned and operatedcompany.
They've been building homes forover 50 years.
If you want a builder who youcan have that flexibility to be
able to personalize your ownhome with.
Definitely come see me.
We have, I still have about 10lots and two inventory homes

(12:48):
left in Riverfield.
I've got the 11 lots releasedright now in Longmeadow, and
then we'll be offering villas inCrescent Creek and North River
Ranch early in the new year.
So there's lots for people tochoose from.

Jim (13:00):
Fantastic.
Lauren, thank you so much forjoining me here today.

Lauren (13:04):
Thanks, Jim.
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