Looking for Florida luxury homes? This Toll Brothers gated community is north of University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch, FL and consists of 470 home sites on 340 acres of land designed with a coastal contemporary theme (think: luxury Caribbean). This village features two collections of homes, the Captiva Collection and the Sanibel Collection, with flexible floorplans and hundreds of options to personalize your dream home.
Looking for other Lakewood Ranch villages? Check out this video: https://youtu.be/EJduGVkjc88 Today we show you the Solana Model, which is one of 4 model homes available to see in this village. It is a 4 bedroom, 3 and a half bathroom home with 3,362 square feet and a 3-car garage. Starting price for this home is $607,995 and everything can be customized or upgraded to your liking. Built by Toll Brothers, builders known for their attention to detail and commitment to quality construction, The Isles at Lakewood Ranch offer homes ranging in size from 2,220 square feet to over 3,400 square feet with up to 5 bedrooms. 4 car garages are also available in the Captiva Collection plans. Homes for sale in The Isles at Lakewood Ranch start in the high $400s. The HOA fee is just under $300/month, maintenance included, and these homes are also subject to CDD fees as part of the tax amount. Amenities at The Isles: Gated Entry On Site Lifestyle Director Clubhouse State-of-the-art Fitness Center Resort style pool Sports Courts for Tennis and Pickleball Dog Park and open space for playing Walking Trails To search current homes for sale in The Isles at Lakewood Ranch, click here. Contact us with any questions! (941) 348-2653 contact@chenkus.com
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Join on us this tour of Esplanade Lakewood Ranch, the Esplanade Culinary Center, and for information about the Taylor Morrison model homes in Lakewood Ranch, FL, as well as the Esplanade Golf and Country Club membership.
“Esplanade”, by definition, is a long, open, level area, typically beside the sea, along which people may walk for pleasure. This is a fitting description because living in Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch is definitely a pleasure! This gated Lakewood Ranch village consists of 1,250 Single Family and detached villas on over 600 acres of beautiful, lush land, just north of State Road 70. The serene lakes and amazing amenities make Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch the perfect place to call “home”. Taylor Morrison is the builder in Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch and the Mediterranean design is truly unique to Southwest Florida. Taylor Morrison decided to develop a regionalized signature product specifically for Florid so that The Esplanade brand would bring an easy, resort-style living atmosphere to its residential communities. The first, Lakewood Ranch’s Esplanade Golf and Country Club, was started in 2011. Condos and villas for sale in Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch start in the $200s with 1,610 square feet of living space. Homes for sale in Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch are limited, at this point, but there are 7 Lazio homes still available with pricing in the $500s. The Esplanade Culinary Center is beautiful. It features the Barrel House Bistro and Tap Room, the Cafe, a Wine Tasting room and teaching kitchen for residents, and the more formal dining area overlooking the golf course. There is also a huge patio for outdoor enjoyment. The Barrel House Bistro is open to the public for lunch and reserved for residents during dinner.The Cafe is always open to non-residents who may be visiting. This building is conveniently located next to the pool and Bahama Tiki Bar (Always open to the public), as well as the sports courts, pro shop, and golf courses. For more information on Esplanade and all it has to offer, visit our Village Page: https://www.soldbychenkus.com/esplanade-golf-and-country-club.html Learn more about the NEW Esplanade Azario at Lakewood Ranch COMING SOON. 941-348-2653 contact@chenkus.com When you imagine life in Florida, is golf on the agenda? Put on those funky golf shorts and start enjoying southwest Florida golf courses by joining the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club! This country club is open to anyone, not just residents of Lakewood Ranch, and there are various levels of membership to consider. Benefits of membership to the Lakewood Ranch Country Club can include social events at the club, dining at two clubhouses, tennis, pickleball, fitness classes, and of course – golf. You can choose the various layers of benefits you want included in your membership. There are fees associated with joining the club, as well as a monthly fee to maintain membership. There are no food or beverage minimums required, however. This club is absolutely one of the best ways to enjoy Lakewood Ranch golf, and so much more! Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club's Premier Memberships include access to all three of the 18-hole championship golf courses, two of which are designed by world renowned golf course architect and player Arnold Palmer for the perfect amount of challenge. The Club also offers two world-class practice facilities, each with 400-yard driving ranges. The Golf Academy is the only one of its kind in the area, with programs to enhance your game at every skill level. The tennis membership includes access to the 20 tennis courts, private and group lessons, and tennis leagues. There are also opportunities for youth tennis in Lakewood Ranch through club membership, and the kiddos can attend various tennis camps. Fitness memberships for the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club provide 24 hour access to the 18,000 square foot athletic center with over 60 pieces of cardio equipment and weights. There are four studios for boot camp, conditioning classes, dance, yoga, barre pilates, and personal training options. There are also massage therapy and locker rooms available. The resort style pool and lap pool offer aquatic options, as well as classes, so you can embrace your inner mermaid (or merman). Plan an event or a Lakewood Ranch Country Club wedding in the gorgeous banquet room with breathtaking views of the award-winning golf course. There is additional small event/meeting spaces in the Main Clubhouse and at the Lodge in Country Club East. Both clubhouses have fantastic dining experiences, happy hours, and social events to participate in. Pro Shops are available, along with indoor and outdoor dining options in both locations. Embrace all aspects of Florida life and the best Lakewood Ranch has to offer by becoming a member of this amazing club. There is a more detailed breakdown of membership options, below, and if you are interested in pricing you, we will send you the current pricing information, just fill out the form, below! We will let you know if those fees change, too! Membership Options PREMIER MEMBERSHIPS PREMIER GOLF Amenities include: Golf, Tennis, Pickleball, Fitness, Aquatics, Dining and Social Activities • Members have a 7-day sign-up privilege to reserve golf tee times. • Members play for cart fee only. Members' guests play for cart and guest fees. Members have a 3-day sign-up privilege to reserve tennis courts. PREMIER TENNIS Amenities include: Tennis, Pickleball, Fitness, Aquatics, Dining and Social Activities • Members have a 3-day sign-up privilege to reserve tennis courts. • The golf courses and practice facilities may be used May 1- October 31 upon payment of applicable fees. Members have a 2-day sign-up privilege to reserve golf tee times. PREMIER FITNESS Amenities include: Fitness, Aquatics, Dining and Social Activities • The golf courses and practice facilities may be used May 1 - October 31 upon payment of applicable fees. Members have a 2-day sign-up privilege to reserve golf tee times. SOCIAL MEMBERSHIPS TENNIS AND FITNESS SOCIAL Amenities include: Tennis, Pickleball, Fitness, Aquatics, Dining and Social Activities • Pickleball – 4-day sign up privilege • Tennis – 3-day sign up privilege TENNIS SOCIAL Amenities include: Tennis, Pickleball, Dining and Social Activities • Pickleball – 4-day sign up privilege • Tennis – 3-day sign up privilege FITNESS SOCIAL Amenities include: Fitness, Aquatics, Dining and Social Activities SOCIAL Amenities include: Dining and Social Activities One of the questions we get asked most often is: How close is Lakewood Ranch to other cities and things to do? Well, good news! Sarasota is an amazing city less than 30 minutes away from Lakewood Ranch with TONS of dining options, bars, happy hours, theater, and more! In this video, we highlight a few places we have visited and love, but there are so many more to discover! Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse – Entering this restaurant is like stepping back in time to the gilded age – all rich wood, plush velvets, and ambient lighting. It reminds me of an older, swanky New York steakhouse, and that vibe is not created by accident. The Happy Hour menu at the bar is one of the best in Sarasota with bar bites starting at $5 and crafted cocktails starting at $7. There is an extensive wine list and amazing a la carte menu in the dining room, as well, in case you want to extend your stay beyond Happy Hour! Our Faves: The Rose All Day cocktail and the Calamari App. Check out the full menu here: http://www.hydeparkrestaurants.com/menus/index.htm Grand Cru Wine Bar – If you love trying different types of wine and beer, this is the place for you! Featuring a unique self-service pouring system, this wine bar offers a great variety on tap, as well as in bottles. They have a Pint Night special on Tuesdays for the beer lovers out there, and a Ladies Night special each Thursday, which includes a great deal on a charcuterie board. (Because who can have wine without cheese?!) Our Faves: Naughty Monk Brewing Blonde Ale (local beer!) and Fiorelli Winery “Chill” (local wine!) Plan your visit here: https://www.gcwinebar.com/ State Street Eating House & Cocktails – The vibe in this Mid-century Industrial chic lounge cannot be replicated anywhere. It is truly a testament to its original glory days. As their website claims, “The space, that was recently a defunct bakery has been restored to its Mid–Century bones. From the utilization of its original exposed rafters to the use of reclaimed lumber, iron and concrete features”, this is one place you NEED to experience. The hand-crafted cocktails are extremely unique (and award-winning!) and the food is innovative and fresh. Our Faves: YAAAS Queen cocktail and the Charcuterie board. Also the fries with pink sea salt. Also the Brussel sprouts. Also the… you get the point. Start drooling here: https://www.statestreetsrq.com/dinner.html Also featured in the video is the Gator Club, a Sarasota staple that features live music each night, and Boca Sarasota which is an amazing farm-to-table spot with Happy Hour all night on Tuesdays! We can’t wait to share more of Sarasota with you. If you are looking for other great spots to visit, this article lists some more amazing options: https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/articles/2019/10/29/best-restaurants-sarasota Thanks for joining us on this journey and stay tuned for more Sarasota fun! Leave a comment with some of YOUR favorite spots for us to check out... Preparing to sell your home can be stressful and emotional. Is there a magic time of year to sell that will make it easier and guarantee a quick transaction? Sadly, not really. But, there are a few things you can do to take advantage of the best markets.
Traditionally, spring and fall are the peak times to put your home on the market, as that’s when most buyers are looking based on market activity. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t buyers during other times of the year. In fact, those buyers touring homes outside of “peak season” are probably even more serious about submitting an offer if they love your house. You have less competition stacked up against you if there aren't as many homes on the market, which also puts you in a better position as the seller. While there may be more popular times to sell a house during the year, don't stress if you need to list your home in the middle of June or the beginning of the holiday season. Your situation will dictate your timing and a good agent can help you make it work, no matter what! If you want more information about selling, download our free Seller's Guide HERE for the answers to those burning questions! 941-348-2653 contact@chenkus.com One of our favorite spots, just outside of Lakewood Ranch, is the University Town Center area (UTC for short). This incredible development has over 150 store and restaurants in the mall, plus additional shopping plazas with even MORE stores and restaurants! You can find unique retailers and pretty much anything you would need, all less than 15 minutes from Lakewood Ranch. UTC hosts many events for the whole family, the restaurants have great happy hours, and there are always great sales! Check out their website for more information and a full store directory: https://www.mallatutc.com/ Unfortunately, selling your home isn’t free. From start to finish, you will need to spend money to successfully sell your home. Whether you decide to rent furniture for staging, steam clean the carpets, buy some new light fixtures or pay the brokers’ commission, you’ll need to be financially prepared for this process.
Here are some costs you may be expected to cover leading up to the sale of your home:
The total cost varies greatly depending on where you live,the house you have, activity on the market and how much money you’re able to put in toward a successful sale. Overall, you want to estimate that your costs to sell will be about 8% of your sales price. So, if you sell your home for $250,000, you can estimate that all of your closing costs, commissions, and fees will add up to about $20,000. You are better off over-estimating and being pleasantly surprised at the closing. For more information on getting ready to sell your home, download our FREE Seller's Guide Here. Are you a first-time homebuyer? Are you looking to build a new home in Lakewood Ranch on an affordable budget?
We take you on a quick tour of Palisades at Lakewood Ranch, a new community of 150 homes built by Freedom Homes, a division of D.R. Horton. Home prices start in the $200,000 range, and you can currently get a 4 bedroom home for under $330,000, which is an amazing deal! Monthly HOA fees are low, they give you a lot of options inside to choose from, and the amenity center will be done in the next few months. Not sure if this is the best fit for you? Download our free Comparison Chart to see how this village stacks up against Polo Run. (And we have a video tour of that village, if you need a refresher!) As always, please reach out with any questions, or leave a comment if you want more info! Each year, Lakewood Ranch hosts a month-long event to introduce residents to the many villages, clubs, and activities that this community has to offer.
In the video above, we attend the Realtor kick-off event to learn about the new Information center downtown, talk to builders about their current inventory and specials, and network with other professionals in the community. If you are a resident (or want to be) there are TONS of events throughout the month for you to explore the model homes and villages in Lakewood Ranch. See all of the events here, and let us know when you’re in town because we would love to show you around! Okay, so after reading our last post, you decided that you want to sell. You know that your home must be priced right to sell quickly, so how do you determine that value? It’s often not as easy as just picking a number that seems right. Here are some tips and strategies to help determine the right price! Know Your Neighborhood Although we all take pride in our homes and would like them to be worth a lot of money, the reality is: it is only worth what someone will pay for it. And how do we know what someone is willing to pay? Take a look at the other houses in your neighborhood or town. What are they selling for? If you neighbor Joe just sold his 3 bedroom ranch for $350,000 and you also have a 3 bedroom ranch, you can assume it will be a similar price. You should have an idea of the current market trends, or at least hire a Realtor who does. This will help to determine a fair value for your home so that it is priced right and attractive to buyers. Ask For a Comparative Market Analysis Most Realtors should offer to do a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for your home. This is not an exact science, but it definitely helps. Basically, they have to see what other properties, which are similar to yours, have sold in the last 6 months or so. If every Ranch in your town has sold for under $300,000, then you shouldn’t price yours for $350,000. An appraiser will not see that value because they are also going to compare it to other sales. Realtors try to be proactive by finding a number that an appraiser will agree with, making your sale much smoother. Here is a great article on how appraisers value homes: https://www.maxrealestateexposure.com/appraisers-look-real-estate-appraisal/ Present Your Home to Match Its Worth You may love the bright red you painted in the dining room and all of the knick-knacks on the mantle, but buyers want a fresh start. They want to look at your home and picture themselves in it. So when you are ready to list your home for sale, de-cluttering and removing the “you-ness” of the home is important. Buyers see more value in a home that is clean, move-in ready, and not in need of repairs. Do all of those things first in order to get the price you want. This article explains 20 “Cold, Hard Facts” about selling, which can be difficult to read, but is also very helpful (and true). In all seriousness, there is a small window of opportunity for your house to be very attractive to buyers. If you price it to sell, then it will sell quickly. Overpricing your home could mean that no buyers are interested, or it will stay stagnant on the market for so long that everyone will forget about it and move on. Avoid this mistake by hiring a professional Realtor who knows their market and knows how to value your home. I can think of a great suggestion if you need one… 941-348-2653 contact@chenkus.com So, You want to buy a house.. Now What?
Buying a house for the first time, or the tenth time, can be overwhelming. Here are the top things to keep in mind when considering your purchase.. 1. Be financially ready. This step can entail a lot of things, so let’s break that down. Buying a house costs money (who knew!) and that goes beyond the price of the home. You want to make sure you have
3.5% down
2. Talk to a lender or mortgage officer and get preapproved.
3. Find a Good Realtor to Work With This is NO COST to you, but will be helpful for sure. Realtors offer professional representation, help negotiating, and many other benefits to you throughout the process. Watch our other video on why using a realtor benefits you, as a buyer, here. 4. Find Your Dream House! Now.. the home search begins! Visit houses with your agent after fully understanding your budget and what you want to spend. Tour the homes, ask questions, even take videos so you remember what you liked! If you’re buying from out of state, your agent can go do tours for you on FaceTime or take videos to send you in order to help you decide. 5. Make an Offer & Negotiate Terms Once you find a house you love, make an offer! Your realtor can help you come up with a number based on the fair market value of the home and comparable sales. Once you come to an agreement on the price, you submit an initial earnest money deposit to secure your purchase and you sign a contract committing you to purchasing that home and set a closing date 30-60 days out, depending on the house and loan structure. Sometimes closings can happen faster if you did steps 1-4 well and you are in a solid position to buy! Between signing the contract and the closing, a few more things occur such as the appraisal, the inspection, and the final walkthrough. Some of these have additional costs, so that should be factored into your spending from the start. On top of that, if you’re moving from out of state, you have to consider the moving costs, plane tickets, and potential temporary housing. Now that you are completely overwhelmed and stressed, let me remind you that people do this literally every single day. As long as you have a plan, a solid financial start, and a good team to help along the way, buying a house can be a breeze! If you’re ready to get started today, contact us directly for more advice or referrals and we would love to work with you in the homebuying process! 941-348-2653 contact@chenkus.com 'Tis pumpkin season, once again! Fall scents and sounds fill the air, and it is a great time of year to sell your house. In fact, Autumn is the second-best season for home sales in most areas. It is also a great time of year to incorporate the season into your staging and décor plans. Channel your snuggly side and get those fall candles ready! Grab your PSL and read these Realtor approved helpful hints: #1- Curb Appeal is always in Season! Curb appeal is always the number one thing that draws buyers in because that is their first impression. The weather will be cooler and prospective buyers will be willing to venture around the yard, so landscaping could easily make or break the deal. Focus on creating spaces in your yard for families to spend time in outdoors. Consider getting some mums or other fall flowers to add those warm, vibrant colors to the scenery. Lastly, make sure you keep up with the falling leaves! Clean gutters and cluttered areas outside. As pretty as the leaves look on the trees, buyers are going to want to see the yard, not just piles of leaves on the ground. #2- Clear the clutter! Houses full of stuff feel tight and cramped, so push your spring cleaning into the fall and start getting rid of things! Put everything in a place, donate things you won't need after your move, organize, and make the house feel as big as possible. This can be a tough step if you have a lot of little things to clear up, but you will have to do it eventually when you sell the house, so why not start now?! #3-Touch Up Paint! You don't have to go crazy repainting your entire home, but some touch ups here and there (especially on those walls that desperately need it) can go a long way for buyers! The house will feel newer and cleaner with some fresh, neutral paint on the walls. #4 - Update Your Lighting! Lighting is everything, especially as it gets darker even earlier in some states. Make sure your house has warm lighting -no fluorescent bulbs- and keep the house bright for showings. Update those old light fixtures in order to give the interior a face lift, without breaking the bank. Use natural light as much as you can with accent lights turned on. The candles will add to the lighting ambiance, as well. Make your home as inviting as possible so buyers feel welcome and cozy inside. Small things can have a big impact! #5 - Freshen Up! The air is crisp outside, so make your house warm and cozy inside. Thoroughly clean it so it sparkles! Create a fall ambiance that makes people want to settle in and never leave (so they have to buy it!). Choose vibrant fall colors for vases and flowers. Don't add clutter, but a few fall accents can really pop. Add a furry throw to your couch or armchair to make the living spaces more inviting. Accent the fireplace by decorating your mantle or lighting a fire for showings. Don't be afraid to appeal to their sense of smell with nostalgic fall scents like pumpkin, apple cider, and cinnamon. (Pumpkin Spice Latte is a scent, right?!) Use these tips to make your home sell faster during these fall months! For more ideas, contact us today! We are always happy to help. 941-348-2653 contact@chenkus.com New Construction homes are everywhere in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, and it seems like an easy process, right? Well….not quite as easy as you think. We will do a separate video on the entire process from start to finish, but today we want to explain the benefits of using a real estate agent to represent you in the process of building and purchasing a new construction home. Here is a typical scenario: You are considering a new construction home. You drive around one afternoon and stop into a beautiful model home in a brand new neighborhood. Who is the first person you see? ... The new home salesperson who works for the builder. They are knowledgeable about the product, they show you some different options, and you decide to buy. BUT before you sign on the dotted line… … There are a few reasons that using a real estate agent ultimately would benefit you, the buyer, in this situation. First, that wonderful salesperson you met works for the BUILDER, not for you. Their primary interest is selling you something before you walk back out that door and into a different neighborhood because that is their job. Having an agent working for YOU ensures that someone has you as their number one priority throughout the process. These big builders are also publicly traded, so their sole interest is moving the product to meet certain goals and numbers because what they do directly affects their shareholders, and even Wall Street. This can impact you, as the buyer, because it may determine different numbers and sales incentives, so let us do that work for you with your real estate goals in mind. Secondly, we are master negotiators. That sign out front that says, “Homes starting in the $200,000s” might be misleading, and by the time you are ready to sign on the dotted line, that price is up to $450,000. There are a few reasons why that happens, but understand that a real estate agent can absolutely help to negotiate that price down. We also get the inside scoops on better lots, houses that fell through, builder incentives, and end of quarter sales so we know when you can have the best leverage as a buyer. Trust us! Our assistance goes beyond the contract date (which is a HUGE contract, by the way!) Once the building starts, your agent can check in on it weekly for you and keep you in the loop on progress. That way you feel confident knowing standards are being met and schedules are being maintained. When the house is finally ready, your agent can help with the inspection, too! That final walkthrough is crucial because you want everything to be perfect when you move in. We’ve seen a few houses in our time, so we know exactly what to look for in order to make sure you get the best product, and exactly what you paid all that money for. We could go on and on with additional reasons, but the bottom line is that we are here to help you find the home of your dreams, for a great price, without any stress.
Our entire mission is to help the buyers we meet make an informed decision on what to buy, get the best deal possible on their purchase, and feel confident in the product delivered for years to come. We have your back! We recently went through the new construction process, so we have a great deal of insight and experience in order to make your transaction go as smoothly as possible. Every builder has a slightly different process- whether it be their design options, the deposit and payment schedule, their quality of construction, or their timing. We have worked with them all in and around Lakewood Ranch so we are here for you every step of the way with insight and guidance for your new home build. Don’t take our word for it... Read our client Testimonials on Zillow! Just search Courtney & Michael Chenkus. Still have questions on the process of buying or building new? Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you can catch our next videos on the New Construction Home Buying Process. We are Courtney and Michael Chenkus with Charles Rutenberg Realty here in Lakewood Ranch FL. We live here and love it here, but most importantly we would love to help you find a new place to call home in Lakewood Ranch. If you want more information on how we can help you purchase your new home, feel free to contact us any time! 941-348-2653 contact@chenkus.com Polo Run is one of the newer villages in Lakewood Ranch, and it is the first solar-powered village. With over 500 single family residences and a wide variety of floorplans, Polo Run has options for families of all sizes! There are quite a few resort-style family friendly amenities in the community, such as:
Homes start in the low $300,000s and can go upwards of $500,000 depending on the floorplan and options you choose. Polo Run also features NextGen home plans, with space for in-laws or older children, or however you want to use the extra room! If you are interested in learning more about the homes available at Polo Run and what this village has to offer, leave a comment or call us! We would love to chat with you. 941-348-2653 contact@chenkus.com The Top 10 Reasons to Love Lakewood Ranch Have you heard about Lakewood Ranch Florida? As the 2nd best-selling master planned community in the nation, it has a lot to offer. Today, we are going to share our top 10 reasons why we love life in Lakewood Ranch. Number 1: Lakewood Ranch is a master planned development community.
Number 2: Community Events & Activities – SO MUCH TO DO
Number 3: New development = new opportunities (It’s growing)
Number 4: Variety of cuisine, without going far!
Number 5: Green space preserved for parks & trails
Number 6: Dog friendly!
Number 7: It’s a Golfer’s Paradise
Number 8: Location, Location, Location!
Number 9: LWR Schools Are Focused on the Future!
Number 10: The housing options are incredible!
Well, we could go on and on but that wraps up our top ten list! If you are interested in learning more about Lakewood Ranch, be sure to follow our other social media accounts for community updates, or call us! We would love to talk to you more about it. And..Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can learn more about this amazing place, and leave a comment! We want to know what you love about YOUR community! |
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Charles Rutenberg Realty
8130 Lakewood Main Street | Suite 103 | #404
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
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