The Laker/Lutz News

Tampa Bay Builders Association

Pasco County is breaking growth records

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Pasco County’s growth has been so rapid that its staff can’t keep up with it — prompting the county to budget for additional positions to address the increasing development.

The county plans to add 10 staff members to its planning and development department, two positions in code enforcement and 14 positions in building construction services during the next fiscal year.

This is an apartment development off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes, that was under construction last year. It’s just one sign of a flourishing building market in Pasco County. (File)

“The county is experiencing unprecedented growth at this time. And, a lot of that growth impacts our branch, directly,” Sally Sherman, assistant county administrator for development services said, during a presentation at the Pasco County Commission’s Sept. 15 meeting.

“As we strive to meet the demands of the customers for which we serve, we are also looking to — ‘How are we doing, and can we do it better?’— all of the time.

Along those lines, the branch’s staff put together a survey to gauge its performance, and to identify its strengths and weaknesses.

“The survey went out to over 6,000 customers and those individuals who have literally had interactions with the branch.

It received 644 responses, and of those 517 came from individuals who’d had interactions with the branch within the past year.

“This is the first-ever survey that has been conducted to try and gauge where we are as a branch and the services,” Sherman said.

“What we see this is — an opportunity to set a benchmark, as to where we are, and as we continue to make improvements, how we’re doing. This is anticipated to be conducted annually,” Sherman added.

All of the new people moving into Pasco County are generating a demand for retail and restaurant uses.

“The survey captured percentage ratings of various processes that our department offers.

“It rated everything from very satisfied to not satisfied.

Satisfaction ratings, out of a possible 100%:

  • Planning and development department: 64%
  • Building Construction Services: 72%
  • Code Enforcement: 67%
  • Office of Economic Growth: 73%

Those taking the survey also were able to submit comments, which yielded additional information for the department, Sherman said. She added: “We’re going to be looking at those in detail and following up with individuals.

Volume is up in everything, from calls coming into the department, to site plans under review, to proactive code enforcement actions, to permits being pulled, Sherman said.

The county has 422 active site plan reviews currently under consideration, she said.

“With our site plan review process, we have pre-application meetings for those. And, right now, those are slated out to January with the number of requests we are receiving for reviews.”

Sherman also addressed the volume being handled by the building construction services department.

“New single-family home permits, as you know, have taken off in Pasco County.

“In 2020, there were 5,741 new homes issued,” she said, adding at that time it was taking nearly 23 days to process a new single-family residential permit.

So much residential growth happened in the Bexley subdivision, off of State Road 54, in Central Pasco, that an additional classroom wing was needed at the elementary school soon after the school opened.

Over the last eight months, the department has issued 6,317 new single-family home permits, processing them in an average of 8.5 days.

“This is due in part to a great team, working extremely hard, looking for innovative ways to improve service,” Sherman said.

In working with the Tampa Bay Builders Association, the county was aiming for a 10-day turn-around for single-family permits, Sherman said.

“As you can see, we have met that goal and we’ve exceeded that goal. I’m hoping with the changes that we are continuing to make that we will continue to exceed that goal.”

In the arena of commercial permitting, the county is currently embarking on a major effort to streamline its processes, Sherman said.

“We have a team that’s very innovative and ready to seek change to make things better for our customers,” she said.

The county’s inspectors also have been very busy, Sherman said.

“Over the last eight months of this year, they have conducted over 202,000 inspections,” she said.

Ultimately, the county’s new development is expected to result in a $2 billion expansion to the county’s tax roll, Sherman said.

Continually seeking ways to improve
Sherman thanked her staff for its dedication and hard work.

“I see them in the mornings, when I walk in at 6:30, going into the office to start work. They’re not going in early to leave early, but are going in early to meet customer needs.

Santander is one of the businesses that has taken advantage of Pasco County’s economic development efforts, which entices employers to provide good jobs.

“We see them on the weekends, coming into work, to meet the needs of our customers.

“They are extremely, extremely dedicated team members.

“And, as we continue to serve the community, in keeping with our strategic plan to create a better community, a better future for all of those involved, we want to continue to do that with integrity, respect, service innovation and service excellence.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano praised Sherman for demonstrating her initiative in conducting a survey about the branch’s work.

“You’ve got a baseline to work with now,” Mariano said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey zeroed in on the amount of time it takes to get a pre-application meeting.

“What can we do in the short term to shorten that time. I think we’re up to four months to get a pre-app meeting. Is there anything we can do to help that?”

Sherman said efforts are being made to improve that part of the county’s process.

Starkey followed up: “Is it more planners that we need?”

“We are getting more planners,” Sherman said. “But we are taking a look at how we can streamline the process. We’re looking at it in detail right now.”

Nectarios Pittos, director of planning and development, told Starkey:  “It’s a logistical issue, not just with the planning and development department, but also with all of the other departments that participate in the process with us.

“So, yes, you could add, theoretically, more planners to address the pre-application, but you’d also have to double up the other positions in the departments that participate in the process, just to get more than eight or nine pre-apps that we can do per week.”

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley told Sherman: “I appreciate everything you are doing Sally, you’ve made the department stronger and better, and moving forward.

“We want to do it the right way, but we want to continue to streamline, and get it faster and quicker through the system.

“If we were not having so many projects, it would be different, but we’ve got them piled up,” Oakley said.

Published September 29, 2021

Strong housing outlook predicted through 2021

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Experts speaking during the 2021 Tampa Bay Builders Association virtual Economic Forecast predicted a bright picture of this year’s housing market — both locally and nationally.

“We have a very bullish outlook for 2021,” said Lesley Deutch, managing principal at John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

“Usually, we’re a little bit more on the pessimistic side,” said Deutch, whose company is a combined research and consulting company. But, she added: “The outlook is very, very strong.”

Tampa recovered immediately in the housing market and in relocations, Deutch said.

“Tampa, I have to say, since the beginning of COVID, has been sort of the outlier, in a very positive way. It really outshone almost all of the other markets in the country.”

“Single-family permits are rising,” she said, noting they’re up by 8%.

“Builders are selling out of their current communities and that’s really going to slow the sales pace,” she added.

The real estate expert also noted the Tampa market has a low inventory in both new homes and in resale homes.

For instance, there’s just a 1.2 months of supply in the resale market, she said.

“That’s virtually nothing. That’s driven by demand from people moving to Tampa, moving around Tampa. But, it’s also driven by investor demand,” she said.

Big national companies are coming in and buying all of the resale inventory in Tampa, fixing it up and putting it back on the market as rentals, she said.

“You can guess what that leaves us with — some pretty rapid price appreciation,” she said.

“The resale market is really starting to appreciate because there’s just no supply on the market. In fact, it’s coming pretty close to the new home, which is around $294,000 right now,” Deutch said.

That would seem to create a major crunch in affordability, she said.

But, Tampa remains relatively affordable because the Federal Housing Administration recently raised its loan limits to $356,000 in Tampa, plus mortgage interest rates are low, she said.

Deutch also noted: “There is demand on all levels, not only in Tampa, but across the Southeast.”

Deutch also offered a sunny outlook in the national housing market, and she attributes part of that to an increasing optimism that the vaccines for COVID-19 will allow the country to return to normal by the end of the year.

Her 2021 housing forecast for the United States projects an 8% appreciation in resale home price appreciation — far above the consensus forecast of about 3%.

“We actually believe that resale price appreciation could trend even higher, due mostly to investor activity, as well as homebuyer activity,” she said.

Her company also projects a 9% appreciation in new home prices.

“That’s really driven by that tremendous lack of supply, and the need to drive down sales activity, so construction can catch up,” Deutch said.

On the rental side, the projection is for effective rents to decline 5% on the national level, but she noted this doesn’t apply in the Tampa market.

The national decline in apartment rents, she said, “is primarily driven by the urban markets that are really seeing some serious rent declines at this point.”

On the other hand, single-family rentals are projected to have a 3% increase in rents, and there may even be some upside potential there, she said.

Nationally, the forecast is for 7% new home sales growth, and 9% single-permit family permits and starts, she said. The consensus projection is higher, but she said that’s based more on a supply issue than on demand.

While Deutch focused on the housing market, Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, talked primarily about the economic outlook for 2021.

Schutte is a frequent expert commentator on national news outlets including CNBC, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.

He told those listening in that “the market is painting a picture that 2021 is going to be much brighter than 2020, economically.

“I think the reason the market has been able to shake off some of this bad news is because it doesn’t believe it’s permanent. It does see a political system that will endure. It sees an economy that has largely adapted to COVID,” he said.

“Most importantly, it does see vaccines that are coming in 2021 and that will get all of those people who are impacted right now, hopefully, back to work in 2021,” he added.

The fiscal stimulus will play an important role, too, he said.

Painting a broad picture, Schutte said, “we do see in 2021 a U.S. and global economy that will be operating on all cylinders of growth, for really the first time since somewhere late 2017, early 2018.”

He projected fast economic growth, somewhere between 5% and 6%, in 2021, early 2022.

“And, the growth is going to be broad, which is important from a market perspective,” he added.

“On a national basis, at least based on the data that I have, housing still remains very affordable,” Schutte said.

He also touched on politics.

“While the Democrats do have control of all three chambers, I think it’s important that it is still pretty much a divided government,” he said.

With the margin of control slim, he said “I’m not thinking there’s going to be a huge progressive tax increase” later this year.

He also advised: “You should never overweigh politics in your investing outlook. It is one variable to look at, but only one.

“Presidents and administrations are pluses or minuses to economic growth in the U.S., not absolute positives or negatives.

“What happens during a president’s term is much more determined by when they take over in the business cycle.

“Do they take over early in the business cycle? Do they take over mid-business cycle, or do they take over late business cycle? As you might expect, the ones who take over early in the business cycle typically preside over the highest market returns,” Schutte said.

Housing forecast Tampa*
2021 forecast

  • Employment in Tampa: up 1.9%, for a gain of 25,700 jobs
  • Median income: $57,000, relatively flat
  • Affordability: 9.1, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most unaffordable
  • Construction: Total permits down 1.5%, driven by the multifamily side of the market; single-family permits up 6.5%.
  • New home volume: Up 5% to 7%
  • Median new home appreciation: Up 9%
  • Resale market: Up 7%
  • Apartment rent: Down 4.3%; single-family rent: Up 3.4%

Housing trends, these are here to stay:

  • Build-for-rent: 700-square-foot 1-bedroom units and 1,000-square-foot 2-bedroom units
  • Work from home: Homes with extra room for work space
  • Multi-gen living: From room for a mother-in-law to adult children, the demand for shared living spaces is expected going forward.
  • Outdoor living: COVID has raised awareness regarding the competitive advantage of outdoor living spaces, at your home and within communities.

* Tampa projections include Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Source: Lesley Deutch, managing principal John Burns Real Estate Consulting

Published January 27, 2021

Pasco board keeps door open for more AmSkills funding

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The Pasco County Commission recently approved the expenditure of $125,000 to support AmSkills Inc., a youth and adult workforce training program.

Plus, commissioners kept the door open for additional funding in future years for the organization — at the urging of County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Commissioners had been set to consider the $125,000 request during their Nov. 17 meeting on the board’s consent agenda. When items are on that portion of the agenda, they are approved in a single motion — unless a commissioner or member of the public asks for the item to be pulled for discussion.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey is a staunch advocate for jobs training programs, particularly those that help people learn skills to equip them for good-paying jobs. (File)

Starkey requested the AmSkills issue be pulled because she objected to a phrase in the proposed approval that would have precluded the organization from seeking additional future operating funds from the county.

“I think it’s a mistake to put something that we can never ask for operating funds again,” Starkey told her colleagues.

“I just ask that we keep it at the $125,000, and then see what happens next year, but don’t put something that hamstrings anyone in perpetuity, because what we’re doing with workforce training and helping people get great jobs is amazing,” she said.

She also informed board members that AmSkills is moving from its location, which had been provided by Pasco County Schools, to its own building next year.

She said it also plans to expand its training program, and has been contacted by the Tampa Bay Builders Association, Withlacoochee Electric Co., and others to help set up training programs for them.

She noted that the jobs training program is gaining national recognition for its programs, but noted the county’s funding is the only funding that can be used 100% for operating costs.

“When you get grants, most of the time it’s for capital or specific things, but not operating,” Starkey said.

David Engel, manager of Pasco County’s office of economic growth, told commissioners that in general, the county triples to quadruples its return on investment when it spends money on programs that create jobs.

Engel also noted that “the work program that was submitted by AmSkills deals specifically with electronics and machining. They are working now with the Tampa Bay Builders Association on a very important trades program.”

Starkey said the new location will be advantageous for AmSkills and for people who need workforce training.

“They’re expanding their electrical program,” Starkey said.

Plus, AmSkills is making a move toward creating an innovation training center that will help other industries,” she said.

So, she urged the board: “Let’s leave the door open, and then we can judge it next year, if there’s a request.”

Starkey made a motion to that effect, which was seconded by Oakley and approved on a 5-0 vote.

In another action, the board passed a resolution recognizing national apprenticeship week and congratulated Justyn Bowes, who was named AmSkills apprentice of the year last year.

Bowes was so busy in his work he wasn’t able to receive the award last year, so he received it during the board’s meeting, in a presentation that was shared with commissioners via Zoom.

Bowes was one of the first high school students that started with AmSkills in 2015. He went to work as an apprentice in 2018, and at the age of 22, he travels extensively installing multimillion machines at key PharmaWorks locations.

“Justyn is a great example of how apprenticeships work,” said Peter Buczynsky, of PharmaWorks, in Odessa. “This is the model for the future, in growing our talent.”

Starkey noted: “We are now only one of two registered apprenticeship programs in the state of Florida. We were the first.”

Buczynsky added: “The nation is really looking to see what we’re doing here in Pasco County. It’s really impressive.”

“What a great opportunity that we have — a 22-year-old Pasco resident who is now traveling the world. It just chokes me up,” Starkey said.

Published December 09, 2020

Top Parade of Homes Awards For ICI Homes

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It’s always exciting for a builder to be recognized in a community’s Parade of Homes competition, but this year ICI Homes outdid itself by winning two of the most prestigious awards in Tampa Bay.

In early March, a total of 79 homes were entered in the Parade of Homes from a variety of builders and developers, in the competition organized by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. And, once again, ICI Homes — a relatively new builder in the Tampa market — was chosen to receive two of its top honors.

The top award went to its Costa Mesa model in Asturia, a master-planned community in Odessa where ICI Homes has been building for the past three years. The Costa Mesa was honored with the Grand Award in the $600k-$649k price range — one of the most competitive categories in the Parade of Homes.

This 2,565-square-foot model home is absolutely stunning. A huge kitchen and extra-large island sets apart this spacious, one-story home that features four bedrooms, three baths and a three-car garage. One of its most unique features is a closet-size, walk-in pantry that is hidden behind beautiful kitchen cabinetry.

The builder’s second big win is for its Lantana model, which won a Silver Award in the $350k-$399k price range. This 1,800-square-foot home is one of six new floor plans that ICI Homes is introducing in Persimmon Park, a brand new community in Wesley Chapel within the master-planned development of Wiregrass Ranch.

The Lantana model at Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel won a Silver Award at the recent Tampa Bay Parade of Homes.

Located off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and directly behind The Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch is a 5,000-acre, walkable community with trails that lead to parks, schools, entertainment, recreation and top-notch medical facilities.

“Persimmon Park gives our residents immediate access to all that Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel have to offer,” said Rosemary Messina, vice president of marketing and sales. “And, adding to the community’s appeal are amenities that families want, but without going overboard — a unique T-shaped pool and cabana, outdoor grilling, interconnecting trails, and dog parks for small and large breeds.”

The winning Lantana floor plan has a spacious kitchen/great room, with a large dining room and open flex room connecting to the kitchen. The master bedroom is at the rear of the home to give easy access to the garage, covered lanai and main living area. The one-story model is the craftsman elevation and, at 1,793 square feet, also offers two bedrooms and a bath at the front of the home.

All of ICI Homes in Persimmon Park have open floor plans with front porches, and garages and alleys at the back of the home. The first phase has 40 homes, with prices beginning in the high $200s.

Light and bright with lots of windows is how Messina describes the cottage-style floor plans at Persimmon Park. “Our plans feel open and airy, and exemplify Florida’s casual lifestyle,” she says. “These homes are designed for people wanting to simplify their life, who want less square footage to clean and maintain, yet want all the upscale finishes and details offered by ICI Homes.”

Inventory Homes In Asturia
In Asturia, ICI Homes has four inventory homes that are ready now or will be available soon. Two homes are of the award-winning Costa Mesa floor plan and one is a two-story Palisade. A one-story Arden will soon be completed.

“All of our floor plans are perfect for entertaining,” said Messina. “Our gathering rooms, gourmet kitchens and dining rooms blend together as one expansive space, highlighted by lots of windows that capture tons of natural light.”

ICI Homes has over 25 homesites remaining in Asturia, with many backing up to conservation and water. Prices begin in the high $300s. This 550-home community includes a unique trail system that winds through wetlands, parks and neighborhoods, and an award-winning Amenity Center that is known for its zero-entry pool, contemporary community center and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Bexley Showpiece
This is the last chance to buy an ICI Home in the first phase of Bexley, a master-planned community in Land O’ Lakes with thousands of acres of preserved wetlands, miles of recreational trails and a great location off State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway.

The builder’s Egret VII inventory home is one of the most beautiful and functional move-in ready homes available in Bexley. This one-story, four-bedroom, three-bath home has 2,813 square feet of living space, and features luxury finishes, an extended lanai, deluxe kitchen, huge gathering room and, at the home’s grand entrance, a large dining room and flex room. Separate from its side-entry two-car garage is a tandem garage ideal for a compact car, golf cart or storage.

This beautiful home sits on a 70-foot corner homesite in one of Bexley’s most prestigious neighborhoods, located close to the clubhouse and pools.

Published June 24, 2020

Tiny House Program Builds Construction Opportunities for Area Students

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A tiny house is opening doors to a world of opportunities for area students, thanks to a hands-on homebuilding initiative between a high school magnet program and the Sales & Marketing Council of the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

Students at the Center for Construction Technologies, a magnet school in St. Petersburg, work side-by-side with TBBA members, who mentor students and demonstrate construction trade skills.

“This program provides us with a tremendous opportunity to educate students about our industry, the joy of providing a home to a family and, of course, the many career opportunities in home construction,” says Scott Campbell, a former TBBA president.

Members of the Tampa Bay Builders Association helped build a tiny home with high school students to encourage and support careers in skilled trades. Helping paint the home is Terri Williams (wearing blue) of The Laker/Lutz News and Lauren Morgan.

The program was established in 2018 when TBBA members recognized the immense need to encourage and support careers in skilled trades for high school students and young adults.

“Students relate what they learn in the textbook to what they see during the field experience,” says Lincoln Yates, assistant principal of the magnet school. “They’re attentive and ask great questions.”

“The Tiny House Project is a great opportunity to help our local youth while also helping our industry,” says Michael Kramer, vice president at Sharp Design Studio Architecture, which donated design plans for the program’s tiny house.

“Finding talent is always challenging, and anything we can do as an industry to promote jobs and provide proper training will set them up for success,” Kramer says. “This kind of engagement has the potential to lead to full-time jobs for these students, and hopefully a full-fledged career.”

The Tiny House Project also benefits the local economy, says Jennifer Motsinger, executive vice president of TBBA.

“We are providing an alternative housing product that is sustainable, portable and affordable, and when it’s all done will be enjoyed by homeowners for years to come,” says Motsinger.

Over the past seven months, the 28-foot custom tiny home was built by Tampa Bay area skilled-trade professionals, interior designers and suppliers, while actively teaching and mentoring the 123 students participating in the program.

TBBA members donated over 80% of the supplies and labor, and the remaining materials were purchased through monetary donations.

The Laker/Lutz News was one of the TBBA members involved in the project from its inception, through the leadership of Terri Williamson, senior account manager for the newspaper. Williamson is the president elect of the Sales & Marketing Council, which presented a $10,500 check to help finance the Tiny House Project.

“The tiny house capstone project has allowed us to better prepare our students for college, career and life, by bringing student apprenticeship opportunities into our classroom. Students have had the opportunity to hear from the various trade professionals, work alongside them and gain valuable experience and insights that would have otherwise not been possible,” says Assistant Principal Yates.

The tiny house will be showcased at a future Suncoast Tiny House Festival. Funds generated from the home’s sale will support the magnet program for years to come.

For more information about this project, please visit TBBAtinyhouse.com, where you can see a full list of participating companies.

Published March 25, 2020

Don’t Miss ICI Homes’ Statewide Open Houses This Sunday

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Visit Asturia, Bexley or FishHawk Ranch to Win $500

Area residents looking for a new home are fortunate to have one of Florida’s most unique semi-custom builders, ICI Homes of Daytona Beach, building in Tampa Bay’s most in-demand communities — Asturia in Odessa, Bexley in Land O’ Lakes and FishHawk Ranch in Lithia.

And now, for the first time ever, move-in ready ICI homes in these communities are participating in a company-wide, statewide sale this weekend that offers buyers some of its lowest prices ever, along with unique design features and options not available with other builders.

To celebrate this year-end pricing, the ICI Homes Statewide Open House is Sunday, Nov. 10 from noon to 4 p.m. Families visiting during open house hours are eligible to win a $500 gift card by registering when they tour a quick-delivery showcase home.

“If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit one of our models, this is the weekend to make that happen,” said Ron Ferguson, division manager for ICI Homes. “Many of our showcase homes are ready now, and you could be living in one of these homes by the first of the year.”

In the Pasco communities of Asturia and Bexley, five showcase homes are available, including the Serena, which was the builder’s model home in Asturia’s Phase II. This innovative, one-story home has four bedrooms and three baths on a deep conservation lot. For families wanting a turn-key home, the model’s professionally decorated, high-end furnishings are available.

Also ready now in Asturia is the Arden, another four-bedroom, three-bath home on a conservation lot that also offers a separate dining room and a full three-car garage. This one-story home is located in a secluded area in the back of the community.

The Costa Mesa is another one-story showcase home with four bedrooms and three baths, and features the same floor plan as the builder’s new model in Asturia. It is being built on a conservation lot that overlooks a pristine lake near the front on the community.

“The reception to our new Costa Mesa model has been overwhelming,” said Ferguson. “People absolutely love its huge kitchen and its extra-large island, which is a standard feature in this home. Plus, the model’s closet-size, walk-in pantry, which is cleverly hidden behind cabinetry, is a standout feature that everyone wants.”

One-story homes are always in demand because of the natural flow from one room to the next, and the convenience of having everything on the same level. It is the preferred floor plan for all kinds of families — young professionals just starting out, those with young and school-aged children, and couples who are downsizing.

“ICI Homes offers more one-story plans than other builders in our price range,” said Ferguson. “Plus, we give buyers the ability to customize their floor plans to meet their special needs and satisfy their secret desires. Most production builders do not allow for structural changes, and this is something we gladly do for our customers.”

A Costa Mesa showcase home also is available for tour in Bexley, another master-planned community located just a few miles east of Asturia, off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes. Located on a large, 70-foot interior lot, this home is the lowest price of all Costa Mesa showcase homes.

For families looking for a larger home, a two-story Santa Maria is underway in Asturia, and features a first-floor master suite, and three bedrooms and a game room on the second floor. The home has three-and-a-half baths and a three-car garage, with one space designed as a tandem garage.

FishHawk Ranch in south Hillsborough County is home to ICI Homes’ award-winning home, the Shenandoah —a three-time grand showcase winner in the Parade of Homes sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. This unique plan is over 3,000 square feet and includes a detached garage with studio apartment, and is the only ICI showcase home open for tour this weekend in Hillsborough County.

ICI Homes’ models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday. The sales center for Asturia and Bexley is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, and in FishHawk Ranch at 13925 Lake FishHawk Drive in Lithia. For more information, visit ICIHomes.com, or call (813) 252-1108.

ICI Homes builds primarily in master-planned communities with beautiful homes sites, excellent schools and expansive amenities that promote an active lifestyle. The privately held company was established in 1980, has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation.

Published November 06, 2019

Bexley Wins Big at Parade of Homes

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Bexley and four of its outstanding builders were big winners at last month’s 2019 Parade of Homes. The annual event is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

In all, builders at Bexley earned three Grand Awards and three Silver Awards for model homes, along with two Best in Class Awards. The community’s model homes were the winningest of any other community competing in this year’s Parade.

Model homes throughout Bexley were judged by a panel of industry experts. Bexley also had the honor of being the Parade’s featured Showcase Community.

Parade of Homes award winners at Bexley include the elegant Savannah model by Cardel Homes and the Bayshore II model from Homes by WestBay, with its beautiful outdoor living area shown here.

Pulte Homes’ Summerwood in the Del Webb at Bexley 55-plus community earned a Grand Award in the $350,000 – $399,000 price range category. In the $600,000 – $649,000 price range, the Bayshore II model from Homes by WestBay also earned Grand Award honors.

Cardel Homes’ Savannah and Henley took home both the Grand Award and Silver Award in the $750,000 – $799,000 price category.

Homes by WestBay’s Cypress Model received a Silver Award in the $400,000 – $449,000 price category while David Weekley’s Tangelo also earned a Silver Award in the $550,000 – $599,000 category.

Best in Class honors went to Cardel Homes for its Master Suite and Bath in the Savannah model. The single-story floor plan features four bedrooms, three baths, a three-car garage and more than 3,300 square-feet of living space in a single-story design.

Homes by WestBay also earned a Best in Class Award in Outdoor Living for its Bayshore II model.

“We’re honored to have several of our outstanding builders recognized,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland. “This year’s Parade of Homes also recognized Bexley as its Showcase Community. It was wonderful to host so many prospective homebuyers during the event because it offered them the chance to experience Bexley’s unique and vibrant community first-hand.”

Bexley is one of the top-selling communities in the Tampa area, with a variety of home styles ranging from low-maintenance townhomes to single-family and luxury homes.

Nestled among cypress domes, oak hammocks and pine flatwoods, Bexley features significant conservation areas and a myriad of opportunities for recreation, exercise and social entertainment and connection.

The Bexley Club, a lakeside clubhouse is the centerpiece of the community and home to The Twisted Sprocket Café. This popular meeting spot is open to the public and serves breakfast items, gourmet lunches, desserts, smoothies, wine, craft beer and coffee drinks. Next to the clubhouse, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles sells a variety of bikes, gear and clothing, and offers repairs. If you’re looking to cycle around the community or hit the Bexley BMX pump track, you’ll find everything you need at this one-stop shop.

Bexley residents also enjoy miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails with Fit Stations to add fun and variety to workouts, whether walking, biking or jogging. And don’t forget about the custom-built playgrounds, two dog parks and sports fields.

At Bexley, prospective homebuyers can tour a variety of home options all in one visit. Best of all, the community offers an exclusive Resident for a Day program, which gives potential residents a chance to experience what Bexley has to offer. To learn more, visit www.BexleyFlorida.com or call (813) 425-7555.

Published April 24, 2019

93 Models To Tour In This Year’s Parade Of Homes

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The 2019 Tampa Bay Parade of Homes, hosted by the Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA), takes place over the next two weekends — March 1 to March 3 and March 8 to March 10. This is one of the largest Parades in Florida, with 93 model homes representing 40 builders at locations throughout Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

The Parade of Homes is a hands-on way to see the latest in floor plans, interior designs and architecture styles of the area’s most prominent builders and developers. There is no cost or appointment needed to tour Parade homes.

Included in today’s Laker/Lutz News is a 12-page Parade of Homes Guidebook, which gives detailed maps pinpointing the location of each Parade home. In Pasco and south Hernando counties, there are 40 homes to tour, and in north Hillsborough County, 12 homes.

You can create a self-guided map of homes you want to tour at the Parade’s website, TampaBayParadeOfHomes.com. You can also view individual model homes online by builder, as well as entries from custom builders and remodelers.

A great place to start your tour is in Land O’ Lakes at the Parade’s showcase community of Bexley, a master-planned development by Newland Communities, located on State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway.

Seven models representing three of Bexley’s award-winning builders are on display during the Parade, with entries from Cardel Homes, David Weekley Homes and Homes by WestBay.

“It is a great time to buy a new home in Tampa Bay with a wide range of price points, including very affordable options, Cheryl McCormick Brown, chairperson of the 2019 Parade of Homes.

“The variety of plans, locations and price points that our 93 entries represent is truly indicative of the spectrum of buyers moving into this market every day. There truly is something for everyone at every life stage,” she said.

Parade of Homes models are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday.

During the Parade, home entries are judged by an expert panel of building industry professionals from across the country, who consider site plan, curb appeal, design, materials, outdoor living spaces, architectural detailing and workmanship.

In addition to Bexley, other sponsors of the 2019 Tampa Bay Parade of Homes are MidFlorida Credit Union, TECO Peoples Gas, and Opendoor.

The TBBA has more than 800 members from the local building industry, including builders, developers, suppliers, subcontractors, lending institutions, architectural and engineering firms, as well as other related businesses. The organization promotes professionalism and continuing education within the tri-county building and development industry.

For further information, call (813) 571-TBBA, or visit TBBA.net.

Published February 27, 2019

Local outlook brighter than in many other housing markets

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The housing market has its challenges, but Florida continues to enjoy a better situation than markets in many other parts of the country.

At least that was the message delivered by two experts at the Tampa Bay Builders Association 2019 Economic Forecast briefing on Jan. 23 at Tampa’s River Center at Julian B. Lane Park, in downtown Tampa.

Robert Dietz, chief economist of the National Association of Homebuilders, and Lesley Deutch, with John Burns Real Estate Consulting, shared their expertise on the outlook for the housing market, and discussed various factors that influence its performance.

Dietz focused on the national picture.

“Despite the fact that Florida is really kind of benefiting from strong population growth, the national market is slowing down,” Dietz said. “A lot of that has to do with higher interest rates, where we are in the economic cycle.”

The current growth cycle, which is 116 months old will exceed the record growth cycle of 120 months, which was achieved during the 1990s, Dietz said.

But, Dietz observed: “The thing that’s important to keep in mind, however, is Ben Bernanke, the former chair of the Federal Reserve, said ‘Economic growth cycles don’t die of old age. They’re murdered, and they’re murdered by the Federal Reserve.’

“Our forecast is for two (interest) rate hikes right now. Wall Street is saying zero for 2019,” Dietz said.

“The big macro risk is the labor market,” Dietz said. “The good news is that the unemployment rate is below 4 percent. We do think it’s going to rise later in 2020, when we hit that growth recession.”

Labor shortages result in wage growth, which generally is good for housing demand, he said.

However, he noted: “Keep in mind there’s two kinds of income growth in an economy. There’s income growth that’s generated by productivity growth. That’s fine.

“And then there’s wage growth that comes about as businesses are competing over an increasingly scarce labor pool. That’s inflation. That’s what the Fed is worried about. That’s why they’re trying to raise rates before that happens,” he said.

Dietz is projecting that the fixed-rate 30-year mortgage will be around 5.1 percent or 5.2 percent.

“That’s the good news. It’s not going to rise much higher than what we’ve already seen,” he said. Still, he added: “Given the current levels of pricing, a 5-percent mortgage interest rate is enough to stall the housing market. If you would have asked me five years ago where that point was, I would have, without hesitation, said 6 percent.”

While interest rates have an impact on demand, there are other considerations, too, including the ability to get a loan, Dietz said.

The increase in student loans and auto loans is crowding out the ability of younger households to get home loans, Dietz said.

There are 1.5 trillion student loans, which is up 136 percent since the Great Recession, he said.

In general, student loans can lead to degrees, which can mean a lifetime of higher income and the ability to buy a bigger house, he said.

“The problem is the 40 percent of four-year college students who go to college and drop out. No degree and $20,000 in student loans. That’s pure dead-weight loss,” Dietz said.

Auto loans are an issue, too.

“Car sales have done very well for the past four or five years. The problem is, seven-year car loans, no money down,” he said.

He also noted the increasing number of 25-year-olds to 34-year-olds who are living at home with their parents. Twenty years ago, that number stood at one in 10; now, it’s one in five.

Overall, however, the demographics are good.

“The demand for single-family housing is going to grow and grow and grow” because the peak age of millennials is about 28, and half of new homes are purchased by those between 35 and 55,” Dietz said.

Affordability is an issue
“The worst markets are the West Coast. In San Francisco and Los Angeles, fewer than 1 in 10 home sales are affordable for a typical family. For that reason, you are seeing population leaving California and going places like Idaho. Boise is now listed as unaffordable because of population demand,” he said.

The Tampa/St. Petersburg market is relatively affordable, Dietz said. It has been enjoying population growth, and in 2017, its population grew by 1.8 percent, compared to the national growth rate of 0.6 percent.

He’s projecting single-family construction in the Tampa region “to be better than the nation as a whole, but slower than what we’ve seen in the last few years.”

He also expects the size of single-family homes to continue to decline, and points to the 24 percent growth in townhome construction as an indicator of that trend.

Dietz also predicts that multifamily construction will be slightly negative because of tighter financing, and that remodeling will soften, too.

Deutch took a closer look at Florida, and the Tampa market area.

“Florida, as a whole, is much stronger than the rest of the country,” Deutch said.

“Tampa is a very, very solid — fundamentally solid — housing market,” she said.

“From a national perspective, Tampa is very, very affordable. From a local perspective, it’s getting a little bit more unaffordable. All of Tampa and all of the Florida markets are benefitting from (their) relative affordability,” she said.

However, she noted: “We’re not immune to what’s happening in the rest of the country.”

The biggest impediment to increased residential construction is affordability, she said.

“Home prices are way above the peak — 24 percent higher than the peak of new home prices and resale prices are getting up there, too.”

“It’s not just only builders increasing their home prices. The construction prices, labor costs, land costs, have all gone up. And, all of this is really constraining a faster pace of growth for Tampa’s market. This is what’s causing the slower home sales.”

Despite the challenges, companies can manage through them, she said.

The key is understanding the consumer, Deutch said.

Her company did a consumer survey of 25,000 new home shoppers across the country, dividing them into nine consumer categories: Young singles, single parents, mature singles, young couples, empty-nesters, active adults, young families, families plus and mature families.

“So, if you’re a home builder and you sold a home to an empty-nester, they’re going to be very happy to meet the warranty manager at 10 a.m., in the morning. They don’t really have a whole lot of things to do.

“But if you sold that home to a single parent, do you think they’re going to be sitting at home waiting for the warranty guy to come in at 10 o’clock in the morning?

“All of these people are going to act completely differently,” she said.

“You really have to understand who your buyer is. There is going to be more competition,” Deutch said. “They’re out there. There is demand, but how are you going to get them?”

Housing trends
John Burns Real Estate Consulting does monthly surveys with 350 builders across the country, asking the same questions each month, to get a pulse on the market.

Here are some questions and results:

“Where are home prices going? Month-to-month.”
In 2017: 31 percent said home prices are increasing; 65 percent said they are flat; 4 percent said they are declining.
In 2018: 5 percent said they are increasing; 72 percent said they are flat; 23 percent said they’re declining.

Where do you see single-family home sales over the next six months?
In 2017: 66 percent said they’re going to be good; 33 percent said they’re going to be fair; none said they were poor
In 2018: 24 percent said they’re good; 71 percent said fair; 5 percent said poor.

Published February 06, 2019

Asturia, Bexley and FishHawk Are Home To ICI Homes

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ICI Homes, one of Florida’s most acclaimed builders, is building new homes in three of Tampa Bay’s most desirable communities — Asturia in Odessa, Bexley in Land O’ Lakes and FishHawk in Lithia.

All are master-planned communities with beautiful homes sites, excellent schools and expansive amenities that promote an active lifestyle. They are conveniently located close to major transportation arteries for quick access to downtown Tampa, MacDill AFB, the Westshore business district and area beaches.

ICI Homes’ award-winning model, the Shenandoah, is located in FishHawk Ranch and is a two-time grand showcase winner in the Parade of Homes.

Because so many families are currently buying homes while the economy is booming and interest rates remain low, ICI Homes is building inventory homes in all three communities, with several homes ready now.

“A lot of families have been waiting for Phase III to open because of our pristine homesites with conservation views and affordable pricing,” said Leah Turner, sales manager for ICI Homes. “We’re seeing lots of first- and second-time buyers because they love Asturia’s affordability, convenient location and outstanding amenities.” ICI Homes in Phase III begin in the low $300s.

The popular 4-bedroom, 3-bath Costa Mesa floor plan is one of the builder’s models. This 2,565 square-foot, one-story home brings together the gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room in one expansive space that incorporate lots of windows to bring in natural light and sunlight.

ICI Homes has 38 homesites available in Phase III, and over a dozen distinctive floor plans. The builder also has a few homesites remaining in the Asturia’s almost-completed Phase II, including three inventory homes and its Serena model home.

Bexley
For families looking for a new home in Land O’ Lakes, this is the last chance to buy an ICI Home in Bexley, an award-winning development by Newland Communities, located just east of Asturia along the State Road 54 corridor.

ICI Homes has permitted and is beginning construction on its three remaining homes in Bexley. The Costa Mesa, which is being built now, is 2,565 square feet and features 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a 3-car garage. Another inventory home is the slightly smaller Egret VII, at 2,512 square feet, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a 2-car garage. Both are very open plans with lots of windows and natural lighting.

FishHawk
In the south Hillsborough community of FishHawk, ICI Homes is building new homes in WestLake — one of the last areas being developed in this master-planned community in Lithia. 

WestLake is an enclave of 50 homes, with just 15 homesites remaining. Lots are uniquely positioned to take advantage of lake views and to protect massive oak trees and other mature trees. ICI Homes has two Acadia inventory homes — a 4-bedroom, 3-bath home open plan with quartz countertops and wood flooring. The Acadia begins in the mid $400s.

FishHawk Ranch is also home to ICI Homes’ award-winning model, the Shenandoah —a two-time grand showcase winner in the Parade of Homes sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. This unique plan is over 3,000 square feet and includes a detached garage with studio apartment. It is available on a leaseback option for $1.1 million.

FishHawk Ranch is a close-knit community that includes five preschools, three elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school all inside or within 1.5 miles of the development. Amenities include over 25 miles of paved nature trails, including the Lake House, Central Park pools and Born to Run Dog Park.

Build on Your Own Lot
With so much land available in Pasco and south Hillsborough, many families want to build a new home on land they already own. ICI Homes is one of the few semi-custom builders to offer a “Build On Your Lot” program.

“Many buyers with their own lot enjoy working with ICI Homes because they can easily customize our floor plans, and walk through our models to get a real feel for what their new home will be like,” said Turner.

Since ICI Homes was established in 1980, the company has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, including the Tampa area, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation. The sales center for Asturia and Bexley is at 15134 Aviles Parkway in Odessa, (813) 359-0264. In FishHawk Ranch, the sales center is at 13925 Lake FishHawk Drive in Lithia, (813) 217-5200.

Published January 23, 2019