Looking for a golf course community in southwest Florida? Take a trip to Lakewood Ranch. It is located on the Manatee/Sarasota county line. This is a very special planned community that has won numerous awards for the design of the community. The Lakewood Ranch real estate market has seven villages to meet just about every taste and budget. The villages are littered by numerous natural lakes, from small fishing ponds to 160-acre Lake Uihlein. All of the neighborhoods are within minutes to several golf courses including: The Country Club, Legacy, River Club, Tara, Rosedale, Concession, University Park and The Ritz Carlton member course. This really is a great place to live. The Country Club in Lakewood Ranch The County Club in Lakewood Ranch sit in the center of this master planned comm... 11/17/2008

Need something out of the ordinary? Take a look at The Lake Club in Bradenton, Florida. This is the newest neighborhood to be added to the Lakewood Ranch community. What sets this community apart from the other villages of Lakewood Ranch are the diversity in homes. Each home's elevation (front exterior) needs to be different. This gives more character to the neighborhood and reduces the cookie cutter feel. This community features some of the most amazing homes available in Lakewood Ranch. The Lake Club is situated on fifteen hundred acres of gorgeous landscaping, overlooking several beautiful lakes. The home sites start at one quarter of an acre and go to one full acre. Most of the lots offer stunning views of the water and nature preserves. Buyers can choose from several highly rated ... 11/17/2008

Located east of Sarasota and just off I-75, Lakewood Ranch is a 7,000-acre master-planned community located on the Sarasota/Manatee county line on the southwest coast of Florida. Set on the 30,000-acre Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the community is comprised of five residential villages divided into neighborhoods with a great deal to offer. Fifty percent of the land at Lakewood Ranch has been set aside for recreation and open space, including lakes, preserves, and nature and activity parks. Additional amenities include a private golf and country club, with two championship Palmer-designed golf courses; town center with shopping, restaurants, and hotels; state-of-the-art athletic center; medical facilities, complete with a 120-bed hospital; and three commercial employment centers, which are a... 08/20/2008

Located east of Sarasota and just off I-75, Lakewood Ranch is a 7,000-acre master-planned community located on the Sarasota/Manatee county line on the southwest coast of Florida. Set on the 30,000-acre Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the community is comprised of five residential villages divided into neighborhoods with a great deal to offer. Fifty percent of the land at Lakewood Ranch has been set aside for recreation and open space, including lakes, preserves, and nature and activity parks. Additional amenities include a private golf and country club, with two championship Palmer-designed golf courses; town center with shopping, restaurants, and hotels; state-of-the-art athletic center; medical facilities, complete with a 120-bed hospital; and three commercial employment centers, which are a... 07/16/2008

I went to a monthly networking/marketing event on Friday sponsored by the company (Schroeder Manatee Ranch, or just SMR) that owns Lakewood Ranch and is building out that part of the two counties of Manatee and Sarasota. Over the years we have helped buy and sell both new construction and resale homes in Lakewood Ranch, but I learned Friday that there is so much more to know! What is Lakewood Ranch (LWR)? Well, to give you an idea, the cities in our region (Bradenton, Palmetto, Sarasota, Venice) are clustered within a 6-mile corridor between the coast and Interstate 75 -- generally, all built close to navigable salt water. LWR, on the other hand, occupies former farmland EAST of I-75 and straddling both counties -- a 30,000-acre parcel that is roughly 8 miles north-to-south and 6 miles ... 06/22/2008

If you live in the Bradenton - Sarasota, Florida area you are invited to attend and join the Bradenton Real Estate Club. This week's Speaker:Mike Tullio of Blue Skye Lending will speak on "Clearing Up the Crystal Ball". Ever wondered how to predict which way rates are going? Forget about flipping a coin, now you can prognosticate with confidence! Be sure to bring your non-functioning crystal ball Friday so we can tune it up. WHEN: Every FridayArrive: 11:45 - 12:15 Networking, Order and enjoy lunch from the Snook River Grill menuMeeting: 12:15 - 1:15 Discussion/PresentationWHERE: Snook River Grill 2505 Manatee Ave. E. 34208(I-75 Exit 220, go west on State Road 64 (M anatee Avenue) approximately 3.5 miles.Get DirectionsWHAT: This is a round-table luncheon and discussion of real estate top... 02/26/2008

Every Friday I am writing about objection handling.  These posts will reflect 13 years of experience in handling objections and reveal collected scripts that you can use.  Your comments and participation is welcome. Our Bradenton, Florida real estate market has seen more expired listings in the last 12 months than at any time since records have been kept.  Many markets across the country are experiencing the same thing.Both agents and consumers are frustrated. Agents WANT to be successful and sell their listing.  Consumers want an agent who gets the job done. You may want to read the introduction to this series: Objection Handling: New Series of Posts.  Both agents and consumers are invited to participate.Here are the most common objections posed by consumers that I'll be addressing:"We... 02/21/2008

Valderrama at Country Club EastLakewood Ranch (Florida) was recently voted "Best Neighborhood" by the readers of Sarasota Magazine. This planned unite development is an 8,500 acre master-planned community.  There are presently seven villages offering condos, townhomes, and single family homes.  Prices range from the $200's to the multi-millions. Recreational facilities include an athletic center, golf courses, polo fields, and many commuity parks.Country Club East is a private gated community offering select neighborhoods with single family and multi-family homes developed around the beautiful Rick Robbins-designed golf course. As a part of the designated “Green” area of Lakewood Ranch, all homes will be built to Florida Green Building Coalition standards. Country Club East will feature... 02/17/2008

Lee Wetherington is a local builder whose homes are featured in La Cantera in the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch, Florida. This is an award winning master planned community.  This section features homes priced in the mid 600's to well over one million. Homesites range from 1/3 to 1 acre with gold course and/or preserve views.Two golf clubs are available for residents: The Lakewood Ranch Golf and County Club and the public Legacy Golf Course. Residents also enjoy the miles of sidewalks and trails for biking and walking. are built around the public Arnold Palmer designed Legacy Golf Course as well as the private Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. Pictured here is the St. Andrews model with a base price of $1.6 million.Buyers represented by a REALTOR have advantages others do not have. ... 12/16/2007

It was confirmed on Wednesday by the U.S Post Office that Lakewood Ranch will now be recognized as a postal address.Read the full story here.Before, residents either had to select Bradenton or Sarasota, but now they are able to select Lakewood Ranch.  It has not been given it's own zip code yet, but I imagine that will be coming at some point.Building on the new 24,000 sq ft Lakewood Ranch post office is underway and is set to open as early as October 2008.Lakewood Ranch continues to grow in size and really is a city of it's own.  It is *huge*.  I will be writing a post about Lakewood Ranch soon, so stay tuned! 12/12/2007

Welcome to Neal Communities' Edenmore in The Country Club at Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton, Florida.  This beautiful gated community offers generous lot sizes with preserve and golf views. The builder's web site describes the community this way..."Edenmore is nestled within the exclusive new section of The Country Club at Lakewood Ranch, where stately trees draped with moss and green, open spaces are abundant."The French Country architectural flair of the homes imbues a sense of idyllic charm that complements the natural beauty of the landscape. Home sites offer spectacular views of lakes and preserves, as well as the private golf course." Today's Bradenton Herald newspaper featured the Chamonix model which is currently priced from the $400s.Click Here to see the Bradenton Herald's slide ... 12/02/2007

The Lake Club, a new community in Lakewood Ranch, Florida was featured in our local paper today. This new home community is situated on 1500 acres in east Manatee County.Home sites from one quarter of an acre to one full acre in The Lake Club enjoy either gorgeous views of the water, a nature preserve, or exquisite landscaping to enhance the sense of privacy. The 10 builders chosen for The Lake Club are the finest estate builders in the region and all homes are custom-built to suit each buyer. The 24-hour staffed, gated entrance accessed only by property owners and their pre-arranged guests, creates privacy and exclusivity. All homes meet or exceed Florida Green Building Coalition Standards.  Today's paper featured London Bay Home's Capriano model: $2.45 million fully furnished. See the... 11/25/2007

Today's newspaper ran a lead story about The Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch, Florida featuring a model by Pruett Builders.I gathered some info about this new community that I thought I would share.Lakewood Ranch is an award winning Master Planned community on the Southern edge of Manatee County, Florida and continuing into the Northern edge of Sarasota County.  At this point all of the residential portion of this community is in Manatee County with some commercial development in Sarasota County.The Lake Club is a luxury, gated neighborhood located on 1,500 beautiful acres.  Homesites range from 1/4 acre to 1 full acrea with beautiful lake views, or nature preserve views, There are 10 builders from which to choose when building.  All of these builders are award winning builders in their on ... 10/07/2007

Lakewood Ranch is starting to sell again...Last week, 29 homes sold, including 22 in Greenbrook. About a month ago things started to pick up. For two months now there has been a slide in the county's total inventory as pricing showed stability. I would say we are within about 8% of what buyers are willing to pay and what sellers are asking for homes. If we can adjust a little we can get this inventory worked through the system and return to normalcy.Lee Forbeswww.LeeForbes.com 07/25/2007

  This exquisite Lakewood Ranch home sold last week for $2,200,000. Built in 2005, this 6,072, 4 bedroom, 5 1/2 bath home sits right on the golf course in the award winning community of The Country Club in Lakewood Ranch. A grand living room featuring 23' ceilings welcomes you and captures sweeping fairway views of LR's prestigious Palmer designed golf course.  The gourmet kitchen opens to the family room with custom built-ins and fabulous outdoor living space with lanai, fireplace and outdoor kitchen. Soak in the lifestyle and amazing views while relaxing in the heated pool & spa or adjourn upstairs to the entertainment oasis with well equipped game room wet bar, 2nd level lanai and incredible home theater. Source - Sarasota MLS (sar.mlxchange.com) 07/01/2007

Are you ready to indulge yourself in an immaculate master- planned community?   Then welcome to The Lake Club of Lakewood Ranch.  Come and experience the refined and prestigious lifestyle, unsurpassed by others.  For those who are health and environmentally -conscious, be delighted to know that all of the homes in the neighborhood meet and exceed Florida Green Building Coalition Standards.  Opened in the Spring of 2007, be one of the first to enjoy lavish amenities such as a 16,000 square foot Tuscan inspired Club house, day spa with a private and treatment room, steam rooms and sauna, concierge service, state of the art athletic center, two heated pools and two tennis courts.  The Lake Club consists of 1500 acres of lush and pristine landscaping, nature preserves, along with a unique a... 06/15/2007

Located east of Sarasota and just off I-75, Lakewood Ranch is a planned community on 7000 acres. Seven villages  offer a variety of lifestyles from townhomes to estate living with shopping, dining, entertaining, medical facilities, hotels, great schools all surrounded by lakes, golf courses, preserves, and over 50 miles of walking trails.Lakewood Ranch Neighborhoods: The Village of Summerfield The Village of Edgewater The Village of Riverwalk The Village of Greenbrook The Country Club of Lakewood Ranch  The Lake ClubIf you are interested in buying Real Estate in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Sarasota or the surrounding areas, please contact us. We are a highly dedicated team of qualified professionals who serve the Bradenton/Sarasota Real Estate Market. In ... 05/08/2007