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Last Chance To Buy At Lakeshore Preserve

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If you’re looking for a beautiful, maintenance-free townhome in Lutz close to the Veterans Expressway, you need to move fast.

In less than a year, the Mattamy Homes community of Lakeshore Preserve has sold 75 percent of its townhomes in the 102-home community, located on Van Dyke Road and Lakeshore Road, just west of Dale Mabry Highway.

“We’re down to our last 25 homes, and expect all to sell by the end of the year,” said

Lakeshore Preserve

Kathleen Dec, marketing manager for Mattamy’s West Florida Division.

Dec said Lakeshore Preserve sold quickly since holding its grand opening last August because of its great Lutz location, and because homes offer optimized living spaces that fit an array of buyers’ needs.

“Our homeowners love being less than two miles from the Veterans Expressway and Dale Mabry Highway, and enjoy being close to all of the shopping and dining in Carrollwood and Wesley Chapel,” said Dec.  “Plus, our kids attend some of the best schools in all of Hillsborough County.”

Lakeshore Preserve students are zoned to Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary, all located less than three miles away at the public school complex on Lutz Lake Fern Road. In addition, charter school Sunlake Academy of Math and Science is less than a mile away.

This gated community offers a beautiful amenity center, the hub of its 13,672-square-foot outdoor activity area that incorporates a large resort-style pool, outdoor area equipped with a covered cabana and breeze fans, outdoor kitchen, hammocks, shaded seating areas and game area.

Lakeshore Preserve has three contemporary townhome designs still available that offer 2 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 to 3 bathrooms and 1- or 2-car garages. Townhomes are larger than many single-family homes, ranging from 1,888 to 2,605 square feet, and priced starting from the mid $200,000s.

Four quick move-in homes are available now with special, limited timesavings in the spacious Sebring floor plan of 2,230 square feet. Downstairs features a two-car garage, island kitchen, large dining and great rooms, half bath and large, screened-in covered lanai. Upstairs is an open loft, private master suite and bath, two additional bedrooms, another bath and laundry room. Well-appointed, move-in-ready homes are priced from $307,000.

To learn more about Lakeshore Preserve, visit MattamyHomes.com, call Lisa Malone at (813) 477-6483, or email .

First Chance To Buy At Lakeview at Citrus Park
The overwhelming success of Lakeshore Preserve encouraged Mattamy Homes to explore a second townhome community in north Tampa — which will open soon as Lakeview at Citrus Park.

They found a perfect location that overlooks Gant Lake at the end of Tom Fuller Road, just south of Ehrlich Road and east of the Veterans Expressway.

“This is one of the prettiest and most convenient locations in the north Tampa area,” said Dec. “Our homeowners will enjoy living less than two miles from Westfield Citrus Park Mall, and will appreciate the easy access to Tampa via the Veterans Expressway.  Plus, Tampa International Airport is only 12 miles from the community.”

Lakeview at Citrus Park

In addition to its great location, this gated community will boast a community pier with resident access to Gant Lake for fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding, and also a children’s playground.

Upon completion, Lakeview at Citrus Park will have 124 townhomes. Buyers will choose from five floor plans that are similar to the popular plans sold at Lakeside Preserve. Home sizes will range from 1,670 to 2,620-square-feet ,and offer 2 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 4 baths, and 1- or 2-car garages.

VIP-only pre-sales are Aug. 3 to Aug. 5 for those who sign up on the community’s VIP List on Mattamy’s website at MattamyHomes.com/tampa. VIP List registration is being accepted now, and is required to qualify for all VIP benefits, including community updates, first selection of homes and VIP pricing and incentives. For those not on this list, public pre-sales will begin Aug. 6.

To learn more about Lakeview at Citrus Park, visit MattamyHomes.com, call Melanie Sikorski at (813) 278-1760, or email .

Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with a nearly 40-year history of operations across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps 7,000 families realize their dream of home ownership.

Published July 25, 2018

Empty Nesters Find Bexley a Hidden Gem

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With their children grown, Monique and Monty Trice were looking for a dream home that both they and their visiting families could enjoy. After months of searching in communities south of Tampa, they decided to focus on finding a place closer to their existing townhome in Westchase. Their search led them to Bexley in Land O’ Lakes.  After exploring the new Pasco County community, just off State Road 54, the couple knew right away they had found what they were looking for.

“We got to Bexley, and immediately I thought, ‘this is home’,” said Monique.

Monique and Monty Trice found their forever home in the new Pasco County Community, Bexley, in Land O’ Lakes.

The semi-retired couple settled on The Willow floorplan by Lennar, a 2,500-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-story home with two large master suites, one on each floor.

“Having a bedroom on the first floor was very important to us,” added Monty. “We have older family members who visit, and it’s important to us that they’re comfortable and they don’t have to climb any stairs.”

Bexley’s location, approximately 26 miles from Tampa, was a big draw for the couple.

“It’s really a hidden gem,” noted Monique of the community. “It’s a very easy commute for us to get to work.”

The couple also appreciated the unique home styles, the distinct architecture found in Bexley and the outstanding amenities.

“There’s so much to do, it feels like you’re at a resort,” said Monty. “Our weekends are full of adventure with the different community activities that are scheduled, such as concerts and the Bexley Morning Market.”

Set within 1,825 acres of pastoral ranch lands, mature woodlands and cypress wetlands, Bexley residents enjoy two resort-style pools, a game room and miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails for biking, jogging or walking. For kids and grandkids, there are custom-built playgrounds to enjoy, Mud, Sweat and Gears Park for soccer or football games, and a BMX bicycle pump track. There’s even the BarkYard Park for four-legged residents, with separate spaces for big and small dogs.

“We designed Bexley so that it would be the ideal community for people at all stages of life,” said Pam Parisi, Vice President of Marketing for Newland Communities, which developed Bexley. “There are single-family homes, along with low-maintenance townhomes and villas. So whether you’re a single professional, a growing family or an active retiree, we have a home for you at a variety of different price points.”

Monique agrees.

“Whatever stage you are, Bexley is a fit! We love that we have such a diverse set of neighbors. Some have children, and we get to watch them grow up. Others are retirees. We love to have impromptu gatherings together. They’ve all become like family to us.”

To find out what it would be like to live in Bexley, try the community’s exclusive Resident for a Day program. Learn more about all that Bexley has to offer by visiting BexleyFlorida.com.

Published June 27, 2018

Ashton Woods Excels at Interior Home Design

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Your dream home is finally coming together. You’ve decided where you want to live, and found the perfect floor plan for your family by a builder with a great reputation.

After you formalize the details with a signed contract, the next step at the design studio is perhaps the most fun of all, because you and your designer will transform your floor plan into the home of your dreams.

It’s this interior design phase where Ashton Woods excels, both because of its talented and experienced design staff, and because it has the ability to customize and personalize home interiors more than most production builders.

“If we can make it happen, we will,” said Viana Ayuso, an Ashton Woods design consultant at the company’s design studio in Brandon. “We encourage our customers to dream big, because we are more flexible and have more options than most builders.”

Ayuso and her colleague, Kristin Wilson, have designed hundreds of homes for Ashton Woods families in Tampa Bay. Together, they have close to 20 years experience in new home interiors, and understand the cyclical nature of design that drives a client’s desires and expectations.

“Our goal is to achieve the look our buyers want, within the budget they have to spend,” said Ayuso. “We guide them to make sure their desired look flows seamlessly throughout the house, and help them make the many decisions needed to specify their home’s interior.”

Ashton Woods design consultants typically spend between four and six hours working one-on-one with buyers to select finishes that reflect their lifestyle, their design style and, of course, their budget.  Their overall objective is custom personalization that makes a home unique to the buyer.

“Before we meet, we ask buyers to think about what they hate about their current home, and what they love. That gives us a good starting point,” said Ayuso.

Viana Ayuso is an Ashton Woods design consultant at the company’s design studio in Brandon.

Because of HGTV and the plethora of interior decorating magazines and internet sites, most customers come in with a clear vision of what they want, and often bring Pinterest boards, fabric and paint swatches, magazine tear sheets and even photos of interiors from other models, Ayuso explains.

“Homebuyers are more educated than when I began designing homes five years ago — they know what they want by name and style,” she said.

Ayuso and Wilson begin their design sessions by asking lots of questions and closely listening to their buyers.

“Flooring is the most expensive element and extends to all living spaces, so it’s a great place to begin,” said Ayuso. “Next is the kitchen, because it is the heart of the home and the centerpiece of the living area.”

Ayuso advises clients to select timeless design features, using a neutral color palate with white or ivory cabinets and simple back-splashes, so that their home does not look dated in a few years as design trends change.

“You can change your style with accent pieces, new area rugs and paint,” Ayuso said. “That’s much more affordable than replacing dark cabinets and multicolor backsplashes. Our goal is to design a home that can be inexpensively updated as styles change.”

Most clients want their new home to be move-in ready, Ayuso said, because they don’t have time to take care of details like blinds and painting after they close.

“Plus, they can add the cost of their interior finishes to their mortgage, which is very attractive for many buyers,” Ayuso said.  “The general rule is for every $1,000 in design features, it adds just $6 a month to a mortgage. So, if you’re looking at $30,000 in upgrades, that comes to just $180 per month.”

Viana, who has a design certificate from NY Institute Art & Design, as well as an MBA in Advertising, loves her job at Ashton Woods.

“I come from a family of musicians, and creativity is a big part of me,” she said. “I’ve always had a knack for design, and love sharing with clients which colors work best, and explaining the theory and history behind their design choices.”

In Pasco County, Ashton Woods is building homes in Asturia, a master-planned community in Odessa located on State Road 54, just west of the Suncoast Parkway. For more information, go to AshtonWoods.com/tampa, or call Ayuso  at (813) 324-8815

Top 5 Design Trends

#1. Wood Plank Tiles – the look of wood with the durability of tile, generally for less money than real wood

#2. White Cabinets — always in style, transitional and timeless

#3 Farmhouse Style — casual lifestyle is the rage, with lots of classic Americana elements

#4. Quartz countertops — have replaced granite because they’re heat and stain resistant, and need no special care

#5. Personal Retreat — luxurious master spa to unwind with rain showerheads off the ceiling and stand-alone tubs in middle of bath

Published June 27, 2018

Baby Boomers Await Del Webb Bexley

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If you’re a baby boomer looking to retire in the next few years, imagine a 55-plus community that offers an active lifestyle located within one of Tampa Bay’s most desirable master-planned communities, where your children and grandchildren live just minutes away.

This is the vision Del Webb is bringing to Pasco County, in the Land O’ Lakes’ community of Bexley — a 1,825-acre development by Newland Communities, one of the most respected developers in the country.

“This is the first brand new Del Webb community in the Tampa Bay Region in a long time, and the anticipation and interest we’re seeing is incredible,” said Kelli Bailey, vice president of sales for the Pulte Group, which has owned Del Webb since 2001.

“With very little marketing, 2,800 people have already registered on our VIP list to receive regular updates about Del Webb Bexley,” said Bailey. “We’re seeing a huge pent-up demand for this community, especially from local residents.”

Bailey reports that about 70 percent of the community’s VIP members already live in Tampa Bay, and in particular Pasco County, where many members have long-term connections to the area through family, friends and work.

“Tampa Bay is a great place to live, no matter your age,” said Bailey. “And, as one gets closer to retirement, having an active adult community close-by like Del Webb Bexley, gives retirees the opportunity to continue living near friends and family, enjoy the area’s great shopping, dining and entertainment, and relax at beautiful beaches less than an hour away.”

Construction of Del Webb Bexley began this spring with roads and infrastructure at the 489-acre site. Work begins later this summer on the community’s  first model homes and amenities. An official grand opening is planned for early 2019.

Pre-sales will begin in late November to members on its VIP list, and the first residents will begin moving into the community next summer. At completion, Del Webb Bexley will have 850 homes.

Residents will not have to worry about lawn care and landscaping, because the community’s homeowners association will take care of all lawn maintenance.

“People really are looking forward to never having to mow their grass again and instead focus on enjoying Del Webb’s unrivaled lifestyle,” said Bailey.

Del Web Bexley is offering 17 floor plans designed with features desired by older residents. Homes will include integrated outdoor living areas, kitchens and laundries with raised appliances, bedrooms that easily convert into offices, dens and hobby rooms, and an abundance of storage to accommodate downsizing.

Home sizes will range from 1,200 to 4,000 square feet, and prices will begin in the low $200s. Home sites will be on 40-, 50- and 60-foot lots, with many backing up to water and conservation.

Pulte chose Land O’ Lakes for its newest Del Webb community after extensive market research to identify the best location for its Tampa development.

Focus groups identified top priorities as easy access to downtown, the Westshore district and Tampa International Airport; close proximity to beaches and other recreational activities; and top-rated medical facilities.

These priorities brought Pulte’s search to central Pasco County, and ultimately to Bexley, because of its convenient location next to the Suncoast Parkway, its closeness to several hospitals and medical specialists, and availability of many diverse recreational activities.

Another bonus is Del Webb’s location within Bexley’s master-planned community.

“We expect many home-buyers will choose Del Webb Bexley because they want to live close to their children and grandchildren,” said Bailey.

“It’s the best of two worlds,” said Bailey. “As people get older, many want to live in an age-restricted community like Del Webb because of the social and recreational activities designed just for them. But, they also want to live close to their families and younger generations.”

Bexley’s elaborate trail system will connect to Del Webb, so families can walk or bicycle between neighborhoods, and to and from Bexley Elementary, which is located just west of Del Webb homes.

Setting Del Webb apart from the rest of Bexley will be its top-tier amenities, which will open in early 2020.

The centerpiece is a 17,000-square-foot clubhouse and recreational complex, which will employ an on-site lifestyle director to help organize clubs, seminars, classes and fun things for everyone to do. The clubhouse will include a fitness center, aerobics studio, billiards, and neighborhood café and bar.

Outdoors, there will be a resort-style swimming pool with lap lanes, and a separate resistance pool for water exercises. Two tennis courts, six pickle ball courts and four bocce ball courts will offer competitive play for residents. An outdoor amphitheater with an event lawn will host live bands and performances.

Del Webb families can walk or bike along Bexley’s 10-plus miles of winding trails that connect neighborhoods, parks and gardens, dog parks, community gardens, scenic lakes and wildlife areas.

Del Webb has been building 55-plus communities since the 1960s, including Sun City Center in south Hillsborough County. Del Webb Bexley is located about one mile north of State Road 54, where Sunlake Boulevard intersects with Tower Road. For more information, and to register for the community’s VIP list, go to BexleyFlorida.com/del-webb.

Published June 27, 2018

You’re Invited to Independence Day – Connerton Style!

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Connerton is extending an invitation for Tuesday, July 3, to all who want to join in an Old-Fashioned Independence Day celebration.

The community is kicking off the biggest holiday of the summer with its fifth annual Nation Celebration. The festivities are free and take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you’re looking for some good, old-fashioned fun, then gather family and friends and head to Connerton, the “Community of More,” in Land O’ Lakes.

LIVE MUSIC, GAMES, FIREWORKS
Connerton’s annual Independence Day Celebration has become Central Pasco’s gala event for the holiday. Live music under the big top, games, local crafters, DJ, and bounce houses for kids are just a few of the activities at the celebration. Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano is providing some of the food and drink, and is also the major sponsor for the gala Fireworks Show at 9 p.m. Food trucks with a variety of culinary options will also be present.

All ages will find something to keep them busy, whether it’s bungee jumping, climbing a rock wall, or simply relaxing and listening to live music while enjoying a beer and sampling a variety of food. Connerton is expecting a large crowd this year, so plan on coming early to set up your chairs and blankets in the outdoor amphitheater for a front row seat for the fireworks.

TAKE A TOUR
While you’re at Connerton, you will want to tour this beautiful “New Town” that was once again chosen as one of the Showcase Communities for the 2018 Parade of Homes by the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

Hundreds of people attended the Parade to view model homes by M/I Homes, Lennar, Inland Homes and Homes by WestBay. Many parade-goers also became Connerton homeowners, and are now enjoying the beautiful resort-style clubhouse and its many activities. In addition, residents enjoy top-rated schools, and the Arbor Square retail area. This busy shopping center is anchored by Publix Super Market, and also offers banking, restaurants, hair and nail salons, pool store, liquor store, insurance agencies, UPS store, pet grooming and a veterinarian clinic. Across the street is a Walgreens drugstore.

NATURE & CONSERVATION ABOUND
Connerton’s commitment to nature and conservation, with its winding trail system and preservation of trees and wetlands, has made this community a place to enjoy the camaraderie of neighborhood living with natural protected spaces for generations to come.

COME JOIN US
If this sounds like the place where you can enjoy good old-fashioned fun for the holiday, then join the party and celebrate our Nation’s Independence on Tuesday, July 3, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Shuttles will be available from Connerton Elementary School, so don’t worry about parking. The shuttles will take you right to the event grounds.

Connerton is located on U.S. 41, seven miles north of State Road 54, and 3 miles south of State Road 52.  For additional information, visit Connerton.com, or call us at (813) 996-5800.

Published June 27, 2018

Bearss Landing Townhomes Opening This Summer

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One of north Tampa’s most desirable locations on Bearss Avenue, located just west of North Boulevard, is the site of a new townhome community being built by Meritage Homes.

Opening this summer, Bearss Landing will be a community of 115 townhomes on the north side of Bearss Avenue, positioned in-between Buchanan Middle School and Carrollwood Day School.

“There is a huge demand for affordable new construction in north Tampa, and Bearss Landing will be perfect for families looking for a spacious home with quick access to USF, downtown Tampa, and all the shopping and dining in Carrollwood,” said Chris Ryan, division president of Meritage Homes for Tampa.

In addition to being just five minutes from Interstate 275, floor plans developed for Bearss Landing are uniquely designed for families and young adults buying their first home.

Six floor plans will be available, ranging from 1,756 to 2,378 square feet. Every plan has a covered patio, two-car garage, three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. The first floor has a half bath, and two full baths are upstairs along with the master bedroom and two additional bedrooms. Some floor plans have a downstairs flex room that can be used as an office, dining room, playroom or library.

“It is very unusual for a townhome community to provide two-car garages for every home,” said Ryan. “But, our research shows that just about everyone buying a home wants a two-car garage, so we made sure that was a standard feature.”

Bearss Landing is planning to open two models homes, the Fremont and Burbank, in August. Prices are expected to begin in the high $200s.

“Energy efficiency is another feature that new homebuyers identify as important,” said Ryan. “Meritage seamlessly builds energy efficiency into every home, which means homeowner will save up to 50 percent on their utility bills.”

Meritage Homes, which has designed and built over 100,000 homes in its 32-year history, is the industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding and has received the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained-Excellence Award for the sixth consecutive year.

Bearss Landings also offers upscale amenities, including a gated, landscaped entrance, and community pool and cabanas. Amenities are under construction and will be ready for the community’s first homeowners.

The schools zoned for the community are Maniscalco Elementary, Buchanan Middle and Gaither High. For families looking for private schools, Carrollwood Day School is next door, and offers classes for children from preschool through high school.

About Bearss Landing
New construction
115 Townhomes
1,756 to 2,378 square feet
6 unique floor plans
Attached 2-car garages
3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths
5 minutes to I-275
10 minutes to Carrollwood
Gated, landscaped entrance
Community pool and cabanas
Models opening summer 2018

Energy Efficient Features
Weather-sensing Irrigation
Dual-Actuated Toilets
Water-Efficient Faucets
ENERGY STAR® Certified Appliances
Spray Foam Insulation
Advanced Thermostat
Conditioned Attics
Low-E Windows
Sealed Insulated Ducts
Minimum MERV 8 HVAC Filtration
PEX Plumbing
Insulated Garage Doors
Minimum SEER 15 HVAC
LED Lighting

Sales Center: (855) 679-9942

Published May 23, 2018

Birchwood Preserve in Lutz Opens Phase II

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It has only been a year since Pulte Homes opened Birchwood Preserve in Lutz, and there has been so much demand that the community’s second phase is opening ahead of schedule this summer.

“Since we opened our sales center last May, we’ve sold close to 80 homes out of 120 available in our first phase,” said Vince Kuntz, Pulte’s sales consultant in the community. “The demand has been so good, that we’ve sold most of our 60-foot home sites in our Elite home series, and have a waiting list of buyers wanting larger lots in our second phase.”

Birchwood Preserve’s second phase offers another 76 home sites, many with conservation and water views. Like the first phase, 60-foot lots are reserved for homes with three-car garages, and 50-foot lots for homes with two-car garages.

The community’s second phase is also introducing Pulte’s Classic series of homes, which are designed to be more affordable, with prices beginning at $310,000 for 1,851 square feet.

“Homes in our Classic series meet Pulte’s high quality standards, but offer finishes that are less expensive to make homes more affordable, especially for first-time homebuyers,” said Kuntz. “By comparison, homes in our Signature series on 50-foot lots begin at $333,990 for 1,904 square feet.”

Birchwood Preserve’s new Classic series has eight floor plans, ranging from 1,851 to 4,274 square feet. Pulte is building a new model home for its Classic series, the 2,855 square-foot Citrus Grove. This two-story home offers 4 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 3 baths, an owner’s suite on the first floor and a large game room upstairs.

“This is very much a family community, and our large, two-story homes are most in demand,” said Kuntz. “Our most popular floor plans are those with four and five bedrooms with over 3,000 square feet of living area.”

Birchwood Preserve’s biggest draw is its outstanding A-rated schools. It is the only new, single-family home community in Lutz that is zoned to all three schools at the highly desirable public school complex on Lutz Lake Fern Road — Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and McKitrick Elementary.

“When people walk in the door at our sales center, the first question they ask is about our schools, and 95-percent of the time, when they learn all grades are assigned to these A-rated schools, they are sold,” said Kuntz. “Nothing is more important to our buyers than being zoned to some of the best schools in Hillsborough County.”

Kuntz adds that while other new, single-family home communities in the area may be zoned to Steinbrenner High, none are also zoned to top-rated Martinez Middle and McKitrick Elementary.

“We even have families with babies moving here, because in a few years they want their child to go to McKitrick,” said Kuntz.

After schools, the second top reason families are choosing Birchwood Preserve is because of the community’s convenient location, a half mile west of Dale Mabry Highway and just south of Sunlake Boulevard where Geraci Road dead-ends.

“We’re less than two miles from the Veterans Expressway, and just as close to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, and all the grocery, dining and retail on Van Dyke Road,” said Kuntz. “With our quick access to the Veterans, it’s easy to get to Tampa International Airport, the Westshore Business District, International Plaza and the Gulf Coast beaches.”

Homeowners in Birchwood Preserve share a fabulous amenity center in the heart of the community. This facility is already built and includes a resort-style swimming pool with cabanas and hammocks, a multipurpose clubhouse with kitchen, and a children’s exploration climbing dome playground with swing set and other discovery play equipment.

“Birchwood Preserve already has an active family lifestyle with many things to do for families with children of all ages,” said Kuntz. “Our residents quickly connect with one another, and have organized playgroups and their own online community network.”

When built out, Birchwood Preserve will have just 196 homes. Because of its small size, there is no CDD. Owners help support a beautifully landscaped gated entrance and the amenity center with an affordable HOA.

Most buyers are coming from surrounding neighborhoods in Lutz and Carrollwood, as well as Westchase and Citrus Park.

With its new second phase, Birchwood Preserve will offer a total of 18 unique single-family models, which range from 1,851 to 4,600 square feet, and offer three to six bedrooms, two to six bathrooms and two- or three-car garages.

Pulte’s Sales Center at Birchwood Preserve is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Please stop by to visit Kuntz and his associate, Amanda Barningham, at 18709 Birchwood Groves Drive, Lutz, Florida 33558

They can be reached at (813) 804-5705. You can also visit the website at
Pulte.com/birchwoodpreserve.

Published May 23, 2018

First Year Successes at Bexley Elementary

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This Friday, 104 fifth-graders will graduate from Bexley Elementary in Land O’ Lakes, capping off an outstanding first year for the new school.

“I’m amazed at how fast this school year has gone by,” said Principal Vicki Wolin. “We’re so proud of our first graduating class, and excited about the many accomplishments achieved this year by our students, staff and parents.”

Wolin identified four successes she is particularly proud of.

  1. Established a chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society for fourth- and fifth-graders. Students were invited to apply, and 40 were selected based on their application, grades and citizenship efforts.

Along with the support of their teams, two teachers co-chaired this initiative; fifth-grade teacher Cynthia Zimmerman and fourth-grade teacher Katlyn Gamble.

“Not all elementary schools have National Honor Society, and our co-chairs did a great job making this happen,” said Wolin. “Establishing a chapter in our first year was important because we wanted to emphasize that the academic achievement of our students is a primary focus.”

  1. Organized a Safety Patrol Program for fifth-graders, with 25 youngsters selected, based on teacher recommendations, academics and good citizenship.

“Our safety patrol students monitor school activities, help out in the car loop and assist other students throughout the campus,” said Wolin. “They are our goodwill ambassadors who exemplify our school rules— Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe.”

  1. Recognized by the Florida Department of Education with a Golden School Award for promoting parent and community involvement. The award requires that the total number of volunteer hours equals twice the number of students enrolled at a school.

Bexley volunteers far surpassed this number, logging over 3,000 volunteer hours, or twice the number of hours required, based on its student population of 715.

  1. Established a Parent Teacher Organization to plan and support the school’s Booster-thon and Spring Carnival fundraisers.

“Our PTO was very involved, especially for a new school,” Wolin said. “Its fund-raising activities contributed to our outdoor beautification program with benches and umbrellas, and also supported our technology fund that we use to purchase iPads and laptops.”

Bexley Elementary Principal Vicki Wolin talks with first-grader Andrew Fowler and his brother, kindergartner Robert Fowler.

Wolin, who previously was principal for 14 years at Seven Springs Elementary in New Port Richey, was appointed Bexley’s principal in January 2017, eight months before the school opened.

“It was an incredible learning experience to be part of the school from the ground up,” said Wolin. “It allowed me to be proactive, and plan ahead to put in place the processes and procedures needed for the school.”

Designed for 900 students, Bexley is the largest elementary school in physical size in Pasco County. It ends the school year with 715 students, and is expecting an enrollment of 800 for the 2018-19 school year.

Much of this student growth is coming from children in primary grades, especially kindergartners.

“We had 120 children at our spring kindergarten roundup, and are growing from four kindergarten classes at the beginning of this year to eight classes next year,” Wolin said.

The doubling of its kindergarten class is reflective of the many families moving into Bexley, the master-planned community where the school is located.

Newland Communities, the developer of Bexley, anticipates selling 150 new homes a year in its community —many to families with young children. Newland will be building for several years, with an anticipated build out of 3,500 homes.

In addition, two large apartment communities are opening close to Bexley Elementary that will have many families with school-aged children — Lakeside Walk at Bexley with 300 apartments, and Mystic Pointe with 262.

“With so much growth at Bexley and the surrounding area, we expect to be at our 900-student capacity within two years,” said Wolin. “We also are seeing lots of local children transferring from charter schools to Bexley, and many families relocating from outside the state to Pasco County.”

Bexley Elementary is built on 18 acres donated by Newland Communities.  And, because of the generosity of this developer, there is room to construct an additional building on the school site in the future.

John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco schools, has praised Newland Communities for being “tremendous partners.” He explains that Newland ensured that the site was large enough to meet the district’s needs, and also made sure that needed infrastructure was available.

“We know that access to good schools is so important for families with kids, particularly when shopping for a new home,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland Communities.

“That’s why we’re thrilled to have Bexley Elementary School located right within the community. Parents and kids love the convenience of being able to walk or ride their bikes to school.”

About Bexley Elementary

  • 726 students; projected 800 next August
  • Principal Vicki Wolin — 30-year Pasco educator
  • 84 employees, including 39 teachers
  • First graduating class – 104 fifth-graders
  • Golden School Award for over 3,000 volunteer hours
  • School Mission: Believe. Engage. Succeed. Every Bulldog! Every Day!
  • Located on 18 acres donated by Newland Communities

Published May 23, 2018

Living The Dream In Connerton

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Homebuyer preferences are constantly evolving, no matter the age of buyers. The days of formal living and dining rooms have changed into great rooms and family living centers. Luckily, most buyers – regardless of age – are looking for the same features in a community.

A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that although priority rankings vary slightly between generations, different age groups actually have very similar tastes in what they want in a new home community.

Among the top four most-desired amenities, three were the same for every age group — the desire to live in a suburban community, close proximity to parks and access to walking/jogging trails. The fourth most popular desire is an outdoor, resort-style pool.

The community of Connerton provides all of these amenities for its residents, plus a host of activities that allows them to meet neighbors and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. At Connerton, you will find carefully planned parks and green spaces, a paved trail system within the community and a natural, unpaved trail system in the 3,000-acre Conner Preserve.

Adding to its suburban appeal, many home sites are located on conservation, ponds and lakes. Club Connerton features a resort-style pool, special activities and vacation camps for kids, and an award-winning staff that was recently recognized by the NAHB as its Gold Award Winner for Best Lifestyle Program in the Nation.

Connerton’s suburban setting includes convenient shopping at the community’s entrance at The Arbors Village Center. This busy shopping center is anchored by Publix Super Market, and also offers banking, restaurants, hair and nail salons, a pool store, a liquor store, insurance agencies, a UPS store, pet grooming and a veterinarian clinic. Across the street is a Walgreens drugstore.

Connerton Residents Tell Their Stories
Today’s homebuyers have many choices when looking for a new home community, so we asked some of our residents why they chose Connerton.

Katie and Andrew Ebendick moved to Connerton because they found it to be a family oriented community with lots of activities for adults, as well as children.

When Stephanie and Stephen Adcock began looking for a place to raise their children, they drove from the Citrus Park area and let their children play at the Connerton Cove playground. There they met a neighbor who was out playing with his own children, and he told them how much he loved the neighborhood.

Stephanie Adcock, who is also a Realtor, had this comment. “It has been nine years since we made the decision to join the peaceful Connerton community, and we have never regretted our choice. The friends that we have made are priceless and have made raising a family of four children a beautiful experience. I am never without a helping hand, and my children and I have made many friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Danielle Ludwig and her family moved to Connerton in 2016. “The reason we chose Connerton over anything else was the pool, the events that are hosted and the amenities. We looked at other communities, and at the time, there were no other communities around like Connerton.”

The Allenbaughs fell in love with the fact Connerton had the Norman Rockwell look about it, and just the whole feel of the community. And, the Becwar family agrees, saying they felt that Connerton had that hometown, American feel that they really liked. They also thought the Clubhouse was great, and the people just absolutely fabulous!

See For Yourself
Connerton is not just another community — it’s a New Town, a lifestyle and place where hundreds of families have made their new home. With 77 percent of residents moving from within the Tampa Bay area, and another 6 percent relocating from other parts of Florida, Connerton has truly become the premiere community of central Pasco County.

So please stop by, take a tour of the Clubhouse and visit the model homes offered by M/I Homes, Lennar, Inland and Homes by WestBay. You may just decide to stay for a lifetime.

Connerton is located approximately six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

According to the NAHB study, top amenities buyers want are:

  1. Suburban setting
  2. Parks and green spaces
  3. Paved trail systems for walking, jogging and biking
  4. Outdoor, resort-style pools
  5. Exercise rooms and equipment
  6. Village centers with retail services and restaurants
  7. Lakes and ponds
  8. Natural, unpaved trail systems for walking and hiking

Cornerstone’s New Warehouse Is All About Customer Service

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Like many service businesses, Cornerstone Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical had a plan in place in case of a hurricane. So when Irma struck Tampa Bay last September, owner Dana Spears believed her company was ready.

Her fleet of 35 trucks and 65 employees were prepared to help customers get back up and running after power outages and flooding. But, a shortage of air conditioning units, generators and service parts hindered Cornerstone’s goal of 100 percent customer satisfaction, because they could not get some of the equipment and parts they needed.

“We had to rely on our distributors, and when they couldn’t get product from the manufacturers, we were stuck, too.” said Spears. “Getting generators was the worst — the manufacturers were backlogged for two and three months, and we had to wait like everyone else.”

That situation was unacceptable to Spears, who takes prides in her company’s commitment to fast, expert service and outstanding customer care.

“I realized after Irma that we needed a larger warehouse so we could stock more of our own supplies and equipment,” said Spears. “I didn’t want to go through another storm season depending on our suppliers, worrying if they would be able to fill our orders.”

So began Spears’ plan to build a 6,000-square-foot warehouse next to her existing building on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. And, just eight months after Irma left its mark, Cornerstone will soon be opening its new warehouse.

“We will be fully ready for hurricane season this year,” said Spears. “We are investing over $100,000 in generators, water tanks and air conditioning units, plus thousands more in an expanded parts inventory, all to be stocked in our new warehouse. This is a huge commitment for our company, and we’re doing it to make sure we have all the supplies needed to take care of our customers.”

Cornerstone’s new warehouse will store air conditioning units of all sizes and seer levels, and stock more high-demand service items for its air conditioning, electrical and plumbing operations. It will also stock portable and permanent generators of all sizes, including whole-house systems by Generac.

The new warehouse will also allow Cornerstone to field more service and maintenance calls, because technicians will no longer need to drive to supplier warehouses and wait for parts to be loaded on their trucks.

“Every morning our vans will be fully stocked with everything our technicians need, which means on most calls, we will be able to solve a customer’s problem on the first visit,” said Spears. “And, because our trucks will be more fully stocked, we will become a more efficient service operation that will result in even better customer service.”

The warehouse will also allow Cornerstone to buy some items in bulk, often at reduced prices, and expand the number of inventory items it carries.

“The savings we see from bulk purchasing will be passed along to customers after we are fully stocked,” said Spears.

Cornerstone was founded in 2006 as an air conditioning service company. It moved to its 4-acre site on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard in 2011, and the following year added plumbing services. In 2014, it expanded again with electrical services.

Spears credits her company’s growth to its commitment to outstanding customer service, and also because its employees exemplify her company’s values.

“We hire people who are genuine, honest, trustworthy, clean-cut, and live their life with good ethics and morals,” said Spears. “Most employees are local people who live in our service area, and they are very committed to their work and community.”

The company has developed its own training program for employees to become certified in its trade areas. Fifteen employees have successfully completed these training programs, receiving numerous industry certifications, and now work as highly skilled tradesmen. Currently, three employees are enrolled in the Cornerstone training program.

“We’re always looking for eager, hardworking men and women with a good attitude and mechanical aptitude,” Spears says. “We’re successful because we’ve built our business on reputation and trust, which begins by hiring great people.”

Cornerstone phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Call (813) 990-0561 anytime, day or night.  For more information, visit their website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published June 27, 2018