Taylor Morrison recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for Esplanade, the newest and only active lifestyle village in Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, FL. Construction of the models is expected to begin in late 2011, with pre-construction sales opportunities available in October and fully furnished models ready in early 2012. “We are thrilled to be starting a [...]

Taylor Morrison recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for Esplanade, the newest and only active lifestyle village in Lakewood Ranch. The ceremony was held at the corner of Rangeland Parkway and Pope Road, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. Attendees included Rex Jensen, Brian Kennelly and Jimmy Stewart from Schroeder Manatee Ranch and Steve Kempton, Cammie Longenécker, [...]

ICI Homes has started construction of the “Showcase Home” for 2012 Volusia Building Industry Association’s Parade of Homes at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach. Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes, said the home builder is building a customized version of the Valverde model home at Plantation [...]

Sales up 28% versus 2010 following a 38% increase the prior year. Continuing the momentum from a strong 2010 (which saw a 38% increase in home sales versus 2009), The Landings on Savannah’s Skidaway Island reports that sales in the community have again outpaced national and regional real estate levels and trends. According to Savannah [...]

Seems like the winter holidays just finished, and we are already through Memorial Day, into the summer and watching fireworks! This phenomenon of time passing more quickly as we age is based on the principal that the longer we live, each day becomes an even smaller percentage of our total lifetime. That’s how we move [...]

One of the Carolina’s leading real estate development groups including owners of Hilton Head Lakes and Stratford Land have formed a joint venture, which then acquired 15 Coastal Carolina residential and commercial real estate assets in the coastal Carolina region. The real estate portfolio includes over 7,390 acres of fully-entitled land with a large amount [...]

“Forget stocks. Don’t bet on gold. After four years of plunging home prices, the most attractive asset class in America is housing,” said a March 28th CNNMoney.com article. This newfound housing demand is partly fueled by the 8,000 people retiring daily, a number that will increase to 15,000 by 2015. Experts’ confirmation that the housing [...]

Time flies when you’re having fun. Does this cliché imply that it drags when you are not enjoying life? If this is true, start having fun. I did not have fun traveling through the snowy Northeast and Midwest this January through March, speaking at seven of our nine Live South Real Estate Shows (although, it [...]

What does a gated, residential community look like 20, 30 or 40 years after its inception? Established, planned, residential housing developments operated by Home (and property) Owners Associations (HOAs), are thriving many years beyond their developer driven beginnings, including communities like Callawassie, Daniel and Dataw Islands in South Carolina, as well as Landfall and Porters [...]

This winter, you can escape it all and head south for that ideal retirement or second home spot. If you’ve never been to a Live South Real Estate Show, presented by Ideal Living magazine, or even if you have-it’s time to come explore what’s out there for you. 10. New Workshop: Retirement Solutions for Changing [...]

At a time when some planned developments are struggling to survive, others, owned and operated by Home (and Property) Owners Associations (HOA), are maintaining a steady course. The Landings on Savannah’s Skidaway Island is a good ‘case study.’ A paper company started The Landings in the 1970s as a luxury ‘amenitized’ community. The development’s success [...]

Summer is winding down, the cooler air is coming in, and soon there will be the burdens of tax bills, old man winter keeping you inside and another year gone by wondering when you’ll be able to escape it all and head south for that ideal retirement or second home spot. If you’ve never been [...]

How much can I afford? Get pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves getting your credit report and FICO scores and investigating the type of mortgage that’s best for you. Shop around for the best rates and programs. What kind of home do I want (the ‘wish list’)? What kind of home do I need? Make [...]

In the midst of one of the worst economies the U.S. has seen, how could it be one of the best times to build a new custom home? People are finding that retiring and building a new home brings enjoyment and hope for a new, wonderful life. Taxes and cost of living will continue to [...]

It’s easy to see only crisis with current economic conditions. But as with most change, there is also opportunity. If you’re contemplating retiring to a warm, sunny place, now is an opportune time to do so. Interest Rates Are Very Low The Federal Reserve has cut rates in an effort to simulate the economy. Low [...]