Lakewood Ranch continues to be the best-selling master-planned community for all ages in the U.S., according to national real estate consulting firm RCLCO’s 2024 mid-year survey. The Ranch secured 1,238 new home sales through the end of June of 2024, beating last year’s numbers and maintaining the No. 1 position for more than six consecutive years.
The continued success of Lakewood Ranch, celebrating its 30th year of community building, is attributable to its multi-generational approach. Built around residential segmentation and lifestyle amenities appealing to a broad variety of age, income, and household segments, The Ranch continues to offer something for everyone.
Lakewood Ranch offers a variety of neighborhoods, home styles and price points from $300K to more than $2 million, in 26 actively selling villages. Four new villages were introduced so far in 2024, ranging from Azario’s townhomes at the entry-level to Monterey’s luxury homes. Year-to-date, homes priced under $500K make up the largest segment of sales, accounting for 33%. This is followed by homes in the $500K to $700K range at 30%, and those in the $700k to $1M category at 19%. Homes over $1M represent a record 18% of total sales in Lakewood Ranch. Builder incentives, including interest rate buy-downs, promotional pricing, and assistance with closing costs, have helped buyers attain their homes.
Consumers are increasingly favoring master-planned communities (MPCs), according to Laura Cole, senior vice president of Lakewood Ranch Communities. “MPCs are seen as an assurance of quality—community has become more important as a factor of total value,” Cole said. “The increase in sales of new homes located within MPCs reflects the lifestyle, community amenities, and quality schools, plus buyers’ anticipation that home prices will appreciate and hold up well in all market conditions.”
Lifestyle continues to be a driver of sales. Lakewood Ranch’s three town centers are the hub of many activities, including an arts series, the award-winning weekly Farmers’ Market, a monthly Music on Main event that benefits a different non-profit each month; and many annual signature events. The Ranch’s parks and trails, and the nearby Sarasota Polo Club and Premier Sports Campus, afford residents numerous sports and leisure opportunities.
The vast array of health and wellness options also appeal to buyers, with Lakewood Ranch Medical Center announcing its second expansion, and Erickson Senior Living’s new Emerson Lakes opening soon.
RCLCO has been ranking master-planned communities since 1994; for more information, visit www.rclco.com.
About Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch is the 33,000+-acre award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. Just minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches and cultural assets in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is already home to more than 72,000 residents and features top-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, and three town centers that include theaters, shopping and dining. For more information, visit lakewoodranch.com.
