​ 
We are back at Waterside Lakewood Ranch! This time, we wanted to focus on the Cutter series in the Homes by Towne section of Lakehouse Cove. These are smaller homes on narrower lots in a great price point!
 
In this video, we tour the Beacon Model which has 2 bedrooms, plus a den, 2 bathrooms, and a 2 car garage. The highlight of this home is the wall of sliders leading to the lanai - stunning! Base price: $369,900 The model shown with all of these gorgeous upgrades on this beautiful water lot probably lands in the low $500,000s. 

​We also tour the Skiff Model in this second video. This home is a little bigger at 2,153 square feet with 3 bedrooms plus a den, 2 bathrooms, and a 2 car garage. The base price is $399,900 and pools can be added on most lots in the Cutter series, as well. 

They have inventory homes available and lots to build on, so if you love either floorplan, call us today and we can help you make your new Lakehouse Cove home a reality!

Learn more about Waterside Lakewood Ranch: https://youtu.be/Q7zq8Dk3-FU

Looking for a larger home? See our other Homes By Towne model tours –
The Outrigger: https://youtu.be/Xclhj9IjDX8
The Tideland: https://youtu.be/7vthSvbLZZU

Contact us today to learn about other Lakewood Ranch homes! We love working with buyers and sellers in the Sarasota/Manatee County area of Florida! Looking elsewhere? We can refer you to a great agent!
Contact@Chenkus.com
(941) 348-2653
​https://www.facebook.com/soldbychenkus/

About 6 months ago we did a video on a Market Update for Lakewood Ranch, looking ahead for 2020 and the new villages being constructed. If you missed it, you can watch that video here: https://youtu.be/HlHt7s8UoEA

Since then, we have done individual video updates for each of these new villages as they start construction and sales. We have visited Esplanade, Lorraine Lakes, Solera, and as of today – Windward. You can find the other videos below, and continue reading to learn more about Windward! Or visit our website page here: https://www.soldbychenkus.com/windward-at-lakewood-ranch.html

Esplanade at Azario: https://youtu.be/tDbjlLaoTt8
Lorraine Lakes: https://youtu.be/MWXg0jxBoZ4
Solera: https://youtu.be/zENDTtYVwiY
​

Windward Info
Windward Lakewood Ranch is a brand new Neal community, set to open this fall. Homes and lots are currently available for pre-sale as they finish the models and entrance to the village.
This new construction village is set to have a variety of single-family homes and villas, as well as a variety of amenities for residents. It is located conveniently close to downtown Sarasota, Waterside Place, and I-75 in the Sarasota County section of Lakewood Ranch.

This video gives you a visual of the layout and landscape of the village, as well as additional JUST-RELEASED info on pricing and fees.

Check out our Windward page for more information or contact us below if you are interested in becoming a resident of Windward at Lakewood Ranch!

Contact us to learn more about any of these new villages in Lakewood Ranch!
Courtney & Michael Chenkus
contact@chenkus.com
(941) 348-2653
www.facebook.com/SoldByChenkus
 

Solera at Lakewood Ranch is a brand new DR Horton village in the Northeast corner of Lakewood Ranch, right near Lorraine Lakes. This village will consist of 675  homessites featuring single-family, one- and two-story homes.

​Homes will range in size from 1,498 sq. ft. to 4,033 sq. ft, including some multi-generational living plans. Homes will be constructed with all concrete block and will come equipped with Home is Connected, America’s Smart Home package, a stainless steel appliance package, and granite countertops in the kitchen.

Homeowners will be able to enjoy state of the art amenities, including the community resort-style pool, clubhouse, and tot lot for the kiddos. 

There are 14 floor plans to choose from. The smaller homes from 1,400 square feet start in the high $200s, while the largest floorplan at 4,033 square feet starts around $465,000.

Construction has started and inventory homes are currently being built. Homesites are also selling and they are working on models for this village.

These homes are not maintenance free, so you are responsible for some yard care, but the HOA fee will probably be less than $100/month and the CDD fees are around $1,133 annually, per house.

Solera at Lakewood Ranch is zoned to Gullett Elementary, Mona Jain Middle, and Lakewood Ranch High Schools. 

For more information, contact us today!

Lorraine Lakes is a brand new Lennar community located in the Northeast corner of Lakewood Ranch. True to its namesake, the community is designed around many sparkling lakes, offering sweeping water and preserve views on the home sites.

The village is planned to have over 1,300 homes with 16 floorplans to choose from. It will also be highly amenitized with a clubhouse that includes fitness and aerobics facilities, social rooms, coffee bar, indoor basketball, lockers, sauna and an arcade. Outside, residents can relax beside a luxurious pool and spa and order a drink from the poolside café. Tennis courts, basketball and pickleball courts present opportunities for friendly games, while the event and sports lawn promise entertainment and a place to gather with neighbors.
​
Homes in Lorraine Lakes will be a part of the following collections and range in pricing, as well as size:
Collections
Executive Homes
Price: $319,999 - $409,999 | Size: 1,849 - 3,231 sq. ft. | Approximate HOA Fees: $385
Manor Homes
Price: $359,999 - $479,999 | Size: 2,244 - 3,867 sq. ft. | Approximate HOA Fees: $391
Estate Homes
Price: $412,999 - $544,999 | Size: 2,361 - 3,945 sq. ft. | Approximate HOA Fees: $398
Villas
Price: $239,999 - $247,999 | Size: 1,417 - 1,564 sq. ft. | Approximate HOA Fees: $348
Townhomes (TBD)

Construction has begun and home sites are currently selling. There will be 5 model homes, which are built but not yet decorated, and we give you a preview of the Sunset Model Floorplan in the video, above! There will also be some move-in ready homes built by December 2020, so ask us about those options if you’d like more information!
 
Resort Style Amenities Planned for Lorraine Lakes:

• Pool with Lap Lanes and Spa
• Kids Splash Park
• Tiki Bar and Café
• Arcade
• Coffee Lounge
• Kids Playroom
• Tennis, Pickleball, and Volleyball Courts
• Indoor Basketball Court
• Turf Putting Green
• Clubhouse with fitness center and aerobics room
• Playground/Tot Lot

........& more!

Lorraine Lakes is zoned to Gullett Elementary, Mona Jain Middle, and Lakewood Ranch High Schools.


To learn more about this new Lakewood Ranch Village and the opportunity to build a home here, contact us today!

 One of the questions we get asked most often from buyers looking in this area is: How do I know which neighborhood to choose? Well, there are a few factors that go into that and that's what we're going to help you work through with this guide to narrow down the focus and choose the right village in Lakewood Ranch. 

​

1. Type of House?
The first question you want to consider depends on the type of house. Do you only want New Construction? Do you want to build from scratch? Or are you okay with a resale home in a neighborhood? (Now remember, Lakewood Ranch is only 25 years old so the oldest home was built in the mid 90’s and isn’t too old, just needs some modernization) 

In the first part of this village guide, we break down all of the villages in Lakewood Ranch based on whether they are currently building and still have home sites available, some coming soon or new Villages that haven't started yet or have just started, newer resale which would be communities that are pretty much built out or completely built out but homes are available for resale in there that are only a couple years old, and then the older resale which would be the original Lakewood Ranch Villages like Edgewater, Greenbrook, Riverwalk, Summerfield, and Country Club. Depending on that list, you would choose the villages that make the most sense for you based on which type of home you're looking for.

​

2. Amenities?
The next important question to consider is: which amenities are most important to you? Most villages offer some type of amenities, but some Villages offer much more than others.

Some include golf, some only have a pool, so knowing those differences will help you determine which ones might work best for what you're looking for when you move to Lakewood Ranch.

​If you want to golf everyday, then a golf community where the HOA covers your membership might be a great option for you. That would be our Esplanade villages and Lakewood National Golf Club. If that is not on the top of your list, then focus on the villages without golf memberships to keep your fees down. The most ammentized villages are Esplanade, Waterside, and Lorraine Lakes is planned to be another one. 

As a side note, the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club is a members-only club that you can join from anywhere, so if you may want golf or tennis but it isn’t available in the village you love most, you can always join the club separately and have that option. ​

4. What is your Budget?
Knowing the price range you can comfortably stay within is very important and may immediately rule out some of the villages. We share a chart showing the different pricing brackets of the villages to help you understand which ones will make the most sense to focus in on. *If you are worried about getting pre-approved too early because you don’t plan to move for a while, I still recommend talking to a lender in order to get a better idea of the price range you want to look in. This is an immensely important factor, so the sooner you understand your numbers, the easier it will be to find the right location for your future home*

​

We are happy to help you with this process and lead your search, so please contact us to share the villages you are most interested in within Lakewood Ranch! 

Download your free Guide here in order to start your search, today!

Contact us!
Email: Contact@Chenkus.com
Phone: (941) 348-2653

Should I rent before I buy and how do I find a rental in the place I'm looking to move? If those are questions you've been asking yourself then this is the right spot! We also share a great FREE resource at the bottom of this post, thanks to Consumer Advocate. 

Today we share tips on moving to a new place and potentially having to rent for short-term, and finding a rental that works for you in order to make that process happen. Making a move from one state to the next can be exhausting; emotionally, physically, and logistically. If you have to sell your current home there might be some time where you don't have a home to live in if you're looking for a new place, or waiting to build, so the only solution in that situation may be to rent.

This is a great short-term option because it lets you immerse yourself in the community that you plan to live, potentially send your kids to the school to see if they like it, and become a part of your new home while waiting to actually be IN your new home.
​

​Mallory Park at Lakewood Ranch is a gated village of single-family homes and town homes nestled around 36 acres of wetlands and lakes. Located off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard north of State Road 70, Mallory Park is one of the newer villages in Lakewood Ranch inspired by a Coastal/Island feel. Homes are designed with a soothing pastel palette, which differs from the neutrals and beige seen in many communities.

​Built by DiVosta, Mallory Park at Lakewood Ranch offers a wide variety of floorplans and options with over 400 home sites in the village. Today, we take you on a village tour of this neighborhood and introduce you to the Creekview Model.

​Homes for sale in Mallory Park range in size from 1,800 square feet to over 4,000 square feet of living space. Pricing starts in the low $300s and there are both single-story and two-story plans available.

​Town homes for sale in Mallory Park range from 2-4 bedroom plans with an optional third floor. The plans offer 1,600 to 2,000 square feet configurations with pricing starting in the high $200s. All homes are designed with open floor plan to optimize living space for families.

To view current homes for sale in Mallory Park, check this link:
https://www.soldbychenkus.com/mallory-park-lakewood-ranch---bradenton-home-search.html

To see other villages in Lakewood Ranch, watch our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9SUJR4DbeL4_hxMa1e4KeaRXA-7aWser

Hurricane Preparedness in Florida  
         
June in Florida brings around thoughts of summer, as well as concerns over the beginning of Hurricane Season. Each year, the next five months conjure up some pretty nasty storms, typically peaking in August and September. 2020 is shaping up to be a busy year for storms, so we wanted to share these tips to help you and your families prepare.

How likely is it that a Hurricane will make landfall in Florida?
On average, only one to two hurricanes make landfall on the eastern coast of America every year, and of those, only 40 percent actually hit Florida. Generally, the Florida Keys are the most vulnerable and any coastal towns, depending on the track of the storm.

The Lakewood Ranch area is far enough inland that we do not need flood insurance, so the main concerns during hurricane season are high winds, losing power, and lightning. The lightning is no joke, either. They don’t call us the Tampa Bay Lightning Bolts for nothing! Sometimes we just sit and watch the lightning outside – it’s like free entertainment! Anyways, I digress. In our experience, the storms typically take the shape of very intense thunderstorms and sometimes have potentially damaging winds.

On the (semi) bright side, the benefit to hurricanes is that they are tracked for long periods of time prior to making impact, giving you plenty of time to prepare your home and yourselves, or evacuate if needed.

The majority of the homes in Lakewood Ranch are new and therefore meet the most recent standards of building. Homes built on or after March 2012 can withstand winds of up to 150 mph, or a Category 4 hurricane. Homes built between March 2012 and March 2002 can withstand winds of up to 130 mph, or a category 3 storm, in Manatee county, and homes on the coast built before March 2002 can only handle winds of up to 110 mph, or a Category 2 storm. If the home was built in Manatee County prior to March 2002, it may only be able to handle winds up to 90 mph, or so. Knowing when your home was built can help you to be more prepared for the potential storms.

What supplies should you have on hand?
The Division of Emergency Management in Florida recommends having at least 7 days of supplies like food, water, medicine, batteries, etc in case of a true emergency. Here is a checklist of items they recommend keeping in your Hurricane Kit, or just having on hand this time of year: https://www.floridadisaster.org/globalassets/plan--prepare/disaster-supply-checklist.pdf

They also recommend having a plan in case you do need to evacuate, and there is a helpful resource they provide for residents based on their address: https://apps.floridadisaster.org/getaplan/

Hurricane shutters come with most new homes in the area, unless all of your doors and windows are impact-proof, in which case you do not need the shutters. If a hurricane is predicted to make landfall and be dangerous, the county will issue warnings and you can decide if you want to put up your shutters or just secure any lose furniture or items.

There are hurricane shelters designated for each area, and you can find that information here: https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/shelters/


Each year, Florida has a tax-free week for residents to buy the necessary supplies on their hurricane checklist, which is a wonderful way to remind everyone to stock up!

We cannot predict how bad the season will be, so it helps to be prepared and have a plan! For more information on Hurricane Prep in Florida, contact the Florida Division of Emergency Management or visit their website for all disaster preparation details: https://www.floridadisaster.org/

Contact us with any questions! We are always here to help!

 #Floridalife is best enjoyed in the sun (sunshine state, right?) so most people moving to the area want to have a pool in their own backyard. This raises a lot of questions about pool maintenance and cost, the benefits of adding a pool while building or buying a home with a pool, and much more! Today, we hope to answer those questions for you.

1. Do I really need my own pool?

This totally depends on your personal preferences. Many communities have pools for everyone to use, but if you think it is something you will enjoy on a daily basis (or we go into another crisis and community pools are closed) then having your own might be ideal!
 
     2. How much does it cost to add a pool while building versus adding separately?
Swimming pools are very much like homes in that they can be as custom as you want. Some builders have a standard pool they add on to new construction homes, with a spa and pavers and the cage, for about $60,000 OR you can design your own and build it for around the same price, if not less! An average size custom pool runs about $30,000, then you add another $8,000 or so if you want the hot tub portion and heater, plus the cage enclosure which is $8000+. You make choices like tile, design, cage size, heater vs no heater, and other aspects that can impact the cost, but going directly with a pool company does eliminate some additional fees added on by the builder. They want to make money off the pool, too, so you end up paying a premium to have it constructed with the home. Now, it is definitely more convenient to do it all at once, so you just have to weigh the options and see what works best!

We built our home and did not love the pool design required by the builder, so we decided to design and install our own pool after the home was built. Now, the builder would not allow the pool company to start construction until we owned the home (obviously), so we had to essentially wait until we had closed before we could add the pool. We designed every element, right down to where the pool lights would be placed, and opted for a panoramic cage because we love our water view. Our final cost ended up being very close to the builder cost, and we got so much more for our money! We had the inconvenience of waiting for it to be built, but for us it was totally worth it. We used the community pool while we waited!
 
What does it mean if a listing says “wired for pool” or “pool ready”? Does that save any money?
Sometimes builders construct the home and add the wiring for the pool, but they do not include the pool. This means the electrical is done and it’s very easy to add the pool, saving you about $1500 off the pool install.
 
       3. Saltwater versus Chlorine? What's the difference?
Misconception: salt water pools do not have chlorine
This is not the case (and I was guilty of thinking this, too!) A salt water pool IS chlorinated by chlorine, but you use the salt to electronically convert it to chlorine. The benefit of this is you do not need to buy chlorine tablets constantly, the salt in the water makes the pool feel soft and silky, and the constant flow of chlorine from the generator keeps the pool cleaner longer. It is also more efficient and easier to maintain in the long run, but the upfront costs are higher to install a salt cell generator.

Traditional chlorine pools are the most common type, especially when going with a new construction home that includes a pool. They have a lower initial cost, but require more maintenance in the long run. The pH level needs to be tested more frequently and chlorine tablets need to be refilled every couple of weeks. The use of the tablets makes the delivery system for the chlorine very simple, and this works on all types of pools. Basically, it just depends on your personal preference. For us, the salt water pool seemed more cost effective and easier to maintain on our own.
 
       4. Why do I need a cage? Are there different types of cages? 
The cage enclosure is beneficial for many reasons. The cage filters the sun so the UV rays coming through are less damaging for you to enjoy the Sunshine State. Cleaning your pool is a million times easier when it is covered with a screen enclosure because nothing can really get it in. It also provides security from unwanted critters (lovebugs, anyone!?) and larger unwanted visitors (GATORS, SNAKES, LIZARDS oh my!) And it is extra security for the neighborhood so no one wanders into your pool. The screen enclosure also extends your living space and makes the pool area feel more like a part of your home to relax and enjoy the outdoors, without those pesky “no-see-ums”. The cage enclosure is built to withstand strong winds, helps to reduce chemical evaporation from the pool water making it easier to maintain, slows algae growth in the water, and helps maintain water temperature which keeps your energy costs down.

There are some customizable choices to make with the cage beyond the size; you can choose different types of screens depending on how tight you want it and how much visibility you want, you can also choose varying finishes on the aluminum and different roof styles for the cage to best match your home. We opted for a panoramic screen so we had an unobstructed, bug-free view!
 
     5. How much does it cost to maintain and care for the pool? Do I need to hire a company? 
There are many pool companies that will come out and help care for your pool on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. They will test the chemicals and make adjustments, clean the pool for you, check the equipment and keep your pool working efficiently. This hands-off approach is great if you do not want to be worried about the pool and should cost about $85 to $200 a month depending on the company you choose.

If you have a saltwater pool and feel confident in your pool-cleaning abilities, you can handle the maintenance yourself. Pool stores offer free water testing, so bring the water in once a week (at first) and test the chemicals to get them balanced correctly. You may have to buy a few things to add to it, but you shouldn’t spend more than a couple hundred dollars a year on this.
We did a separate video on this process:

Be sure to take good care of your pool and equipment if you aren’t hiring the pros!
 
    6. How much should I expect to pay for a home that has a pool? Does it add value?
Yes! In Florida a pool definitely adds value to a home. Which is another reason builders tend to not include pools on homes that are priced at $350,000 and under. They have to account for the cost of the pool, which then drives the price of the home up. You can expect to add about 60% of the cost of the pool onto the value of the home. So, if the home price is $350,000 without a pool, and the pool costs about $50,000, then the home is worth more like $380,000. In this area of Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, you should expect to pay at least $400,000 for a 3 bedroom new home with a pool. Anything less will be built without a pool, but you can easily add your own, just factor that into your budget.

    7. How much does it cost to heat my pool? What are the types of heaters?
​Choosing the right heater is another component of designing your own pool. If your home is built with a pool, you most likely have a gas heater. These are inexpensive to purchase and heat the pool water quickly, but they are expensive to operate and can cost you $300 per month, or more. They are not as energy efficient and only have a lifespan of about 5 years. (They also aren’t very environmentally friendly)

Electric heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat to the pool. These are much more inexpensive to operate, costing only about $50 a month. They are energy efficient and have a much longer lifespan, as well. The pool water will heat more slowly, but once it reaches the desired temperature it is easy to maintain it (in the warmer months, especially). These systems are pricier to purchase, but save you money in the long run. And they use renewable energy sources which makes them friendly for the environment.

Solar heaters are a third option, and in the Sunshine State this is definitely a viable option! The solar panels collect heat by sitting in the sun and transfer that heat to the water. These are very inexpensive to operate, very energy efficient, and very environmentally friendly. They can be expensive to purchase and it requires having a spot to place the solar panels near your pool, but it might be a good option if you get a lot of sun and don’t mind being dependent on the weather for heat. If you live in a community with an HOA, you may have to check with them before installing this kind of heater.

        8. How do I keep the pool safe if I have kids?
In order for a pool to pass the inspection and be considered safe, there must be a pool alarm on the doors and windows leading to the pool, an alarm in the pool itself that alerts homeowners to a splash, and/or a child safety gate installed around the pool. This is something you can take down when using the pool, but leave up when you aren’t in order to feel safe having your children near the pool.

          9. How long does pool equipment and cage last?
Pool pumps are designed to last for 10-12 years, on average. The pool shell itself should have no issues for 40+ years. Pool filter cartridges should be replaces every 2-3 years. The PebbleTec finish in most pools will last 20+ years if well-cared for, and the water line tile should last for up to 20 years. A gas heater should last 10-12 years and salt cell generator 5-7 years, maybe longer if well-cared for. The pool enclosure itself should last a long time (up to 20 years!) but the screens are more fragile and may need to be replaced sooner. If they are well-cared for and not damaged, they should last almost as long as the cage structure. (Some of that life expectancy depends on the quality of the screen initially installed, as well)

                  10. Can I use my pool all year round?
Yes! Generally, temperatures stay warm enough to use your pool from March through October, and if you have a heater then you can warm up the water in November – February and keep swimming!
 

Please note - we are not pool pros! We wanted to share the information we learned through our own research, but be sure to contact a pool company for specific information and pricing. We will gladly give you a referral!

Also, if you would like a list of current pool homes in Lakewood Ranch within your budget, fill out this form: