Neal Communities Named a "Local Powerhouse" in Homebuilding - 39 Contracts Signed in September

Lakewood Ranch, FL, October 05, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Bradenton-Sarasota housing market has been named by BUILDER magazine as one of the 10 healthiest housing markets, based on forecasts through 2012. The magazine estimates that housing prices will rise 2.8 percent next year, and the employment rate is expected to rise 3.7 percent. Neal Communities was cited in the article as a “local powerhouse” in terms of permit activity. Neal Communities wrote 39 contracts in September—a 90 % increase over August and a 111% increase over September, 2010. The Lakewood Ranch-based home builder has written more than 290 contracts in 2011 and is on track to sell 397 homes this year with expectations of surpassing 500 in 2012.

“The local real estate market is clearly on the rebound, and Neal is leading the way. I know we’ve said it before, but I feel it’s OK to be a broken record when you really are breaking records!” says Neal Communities’ President, Pat Neal. “We’ve already sold more homes year-to-date in 2011 than all of 2010. We’re ranked number 1 locally in terms of permits and sales.”

REALTOR® agrees that the market is improving, and prices are on the rise. The professional publication lists this market as one of ten where prices are re-bounding. The average list price in Sarasota-Bradenton is $466,785--a 15 percent increase over last year.

During the last month of the third quarter, Neal Communities wrote contracts on 21 homes in Central Park at Lakewood Ranch, 3 in Forest Creek, 2 in Miramar in The Country Club at Lakewood Ranch, 2 in Arlington Cove in Venice, 2 in Thornhill in The Country Club at Lakewood Ranch, and 1 each in Wisteria Park, Belleisle, Leopard Creek in Country Club East (John Neal Homes), and Mandalay. Additionally, Neal Communities sold out in its Mandalay Community in Bradenton.

“This has been a remarkable year for us. We sold 15 completed feature homes in September. This shows that buyers are ready now for a new home,” explains Neal Communities’ Sales Director, David Hunihan. “They are optimistic and ready to commit. We’ll finish this year strong and be positioned for a stellar 2012.”

Neal Communities is ranked #1 locally by MetroStudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked #94 nationally among home builders by BUILDER Magazine. As the area’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, John Neal Homes, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, and First Continental Mortgage all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. With over 8,000 homes built in Southwest Florida, Neal Communities’ honors and accolades include 37 Parade of Homes 2011 Awards, 48 Aurora Awards, five Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, visit nealcommunities.com.

###