Lakewood Ranch No. 1 in Nation for Housing Starts

Lakewood Ranch led the nation in annual housing starts for the third quarter of 2019, according to Metrostudy, a leading research and consulting firm specializing in U.S. residential markets. The Ranch’s 1,467 new home starts exceeded those of other top-selling communities in Florida, including The Villages, as well as those in Las Vegas, Arizona and California.

“Lakewood Ranch was the top community in the U.S. ranked by annual housing starts in the third quarter of 2019,” said David A. Cobb, region director for the South Florida, Sarasota and Jacksonville regions of Metrostudy.  “This is the second quarter in a row that LWR has claimed the top spot.”
Lakewood Ranch’s sales – and subsequent starts success – is a result of its exceptional location, in part, according to Laura Cole, senior vice president, LWR Communities, LLC, but place is just one factor. “Our multi-generational approach and diversity of neighborhoods, as well as an ever-growing list of daily conveniences and social engagement opportunities, put us above and beyond other communities,” Cole said.

The Ranch has 17 actively selling villages, including the three newest additions: Kolter’s Cresswind, The Palisades, from Freedom Homes by D.R. Horton; and Woodleaf Hammock, featuring M/I Homes and Meritage Homes.

Prices in The Ranch range from $200K to more than $1 million, providing a multitude of options for buyers, including condominiums, paired villas, and single-family homes.

Sales in Lakewood Ranch continue to come from throughout Florida, as well as from high tax markets in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. Over 25% of new home sales in Lakewood Ranch come from existing homeowners who are on their second, third, and even fourth home purchase in The Ranch. “As a community builder, this is a very rewarding statistic, as it tells us that our residents have truly made Lakewood Ranch their lifelong home,” Cole said.

Among the lifestyle offerings are an expanded farmers’ market, which begins Nov. 3; and the area’s first “Mindful Triathlon,” which consists of a 5K run, yoga and meditation. Coming online in the first quarter of 2020 are a resident website, with a directory exclusively for Lakewood Ranch businesses, and Ranch Nite Wednesdays, which will feature food trucks, cornhole leagues, music and celebration, at the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch’s 22nd annual Tour of Homes is running through Nov. 17, featuring more than 90 models and move-in-ready homes to tour, as well as a full slate of events, and twice-weekly bus tours.

For more information visit lakewoodranch.com.