COVID-19 Florida: Home builders see sales success as behavior shifts

SWFL home builders find sales success after pandemic changes home-buying priorities

Andrew Wigdor | Fort Myers News-Press

Published 6:00 a.m. ET Jul. 17, 2020

Southwest Florida home builders are finding sales success despite the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, some builders say it’s because of the pandemic that the numbers are sky-high. While the pandemic originally put downward pressure on the region’s real estate market, experts say that a resurgence has come due to a pent-up demand from home buyers. And builders of new, custom homes may be in the best position to take advantage of this demand. Home builders see high interest in buyers from densely populated areas. In recent weeks, Coral Gables-based home building company CC Homes has seen success in Southwest Florida that outpaces that of last year.

Diana Ibarria, senior vice president of CC Homes, said the increases are a direct result of the pandemic’s shifting of lifestyle priorities. Specifically, sales in the company’s Ave Maria community, which promises a “laid-back Florida lifestyle,” have seen year-over-year increases of more than 50% in May and June. She said that over 70% of those sales are coming from residents on the East Coast that have been hit hard by the pandemic, such as Miami.

“It’s very quiet and away from crowds,” Ibarria said. “A lot of the people who have come out, that’s what they’e looking for, away from the chaos … The majority of our increased sales are coming from those hard-hit areas.”

A new nationwide survey from Fast released Thursday shows that 35% of American workers are thinking of relocating because of COVID-19. Workers are interested in less-populated areas and a lower cost of living, the survey says, and part of their motivation is because there are more opportunities to work remotely than before the pandemic.

East Coast counties Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach have been particularly impacted by the pandemic, with a large amount of the state’s new cases coming from the area. Communities like CC’s Maple Ridge in Ave Maria are less dense than that of areas such as Miami and offer large lots and plenty of open space, Ibarria said.

“Even if you want to social distance, there’s plenty of outdoor space,” she said.

The company’s Naples community, Fronterra, has also seen year-over-year increases of about 30% in May and June, and she expects July to be a record month for both communities. The average CC home price is around $300,000, but they range from around $220,000 to over $400,000, according to Ibarria.

Other amenities that make the company’s homes desirable in the post-coronavirus reality are home offices that are offered in some of the CC homes, Ibarria said. She noted that the pandemic has made employers realize that workers are “just as productive” when working from home, freeing up these workers to move and work from wherever they want.

“The distance is not mattering as much,” she said.

CC Homes has adapted to the situation through their virtual buying program, in which clients never have to come to a CC office in person to buy. She said that this online method is making up about a quarter of the company’s sales. And even as coronavirus cases continue to surge in Florida, the company’s sales aren’t slowing down.

“When I heard the (coronavirus case) numbers were going to be worse, I got scared maybe the sales would slow down, but it’s been the opposite,” she said. “The traffic is incredible. We’re getting over 100 people a week coming out to the office besides all the virtual appointments that we do. It boggles the mind how many people are interested.”

The luxury home building market has also seen success during the pandemic. Builders are “doing really well right now for a couple of reasons,” according to Denny Grimes, the president of his Keller Williams Realty team in Fort Myers and annual keynote speaker for The News-Press’ Market Watch event. The first, he said, is pent-up demand from those who would have shopped during the earlier months of the year but were hesitant due to the pandemic.

“Builders are riding that wave,” he said. He also said that the pandemic has caused many sellers of existing homes to now be hesitant to put their homes on the market, leading to a shortage of supply. That shortage of supply paired with a strong demand to move to Southwest Florida from people in the Midwest and Northeast, as well as in-state areas like Miami, has fed more customers to area homebuilders.

“People want to be in less dense environments,” he said. “They’re moving out of metropolitan areas and moving to the suburbs … We’re not just seeing a shortage of sellers, we’re seeing an influx of buyers coming from these uncomfortable areas. And there’s nothing like owning a new home … Builders’ hammers are probably red-hot right now because there is this strong demand.”

Due to these factors, as well as the record-low interests rates seen in the U.S. now, people are more willing to purchase a new home, even if it means paying more, Grimes said. Mortgage investor Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average rate on 30-year home loans fell this week to 2.98% from 3.03% last week, the lowest level in 50 years.

“When you look at all the things that are happening in the marketplace,” Grimes said, “all the lights are green for builders to have a stellar year.”

Do homeowners want telehealth as an amenity? CC Homes and Baptist are betting on it

By Rebecca San Juan | Miami Herald | July 15, 2020

The first phase of Canarias — a development with a total of 343 single-family homes and 52 townhouses — was completed in late 2019. Homes start at $550,000 with a 5,000-square-foot layout, including three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Developers in South Florida agree — more home buyers will want new construction with wellness components due to the pandemic. One home builder is turning to telemedicine to meet the anticipated demand.

The Coral Gables-based single-family home developer CC Homes, a Codina-Carr company, hired Baptist Health to provide a telehealth service for buyers in its Canarias at Downtown Doral project and future new construction. Each household can undergo routine health checks with a primary care physician using their TytoCare kit. Each kit brings an exam camera, thermometer and adapters to check the ears, heart, lungs and throat. CC Homes will provide a year’s worth of Baptist’s Care on Demand for each buyer.

“We are all focused on the pandemic,” said Jim Carr, founder and principal of CC Homes and chairman of the board at Baptist Health. “You can’t say one factor sells

houses. It’s all the little things that add up that help sells homes. This is just one of those little things.”

The first phase of Canarias — a development with a total of 343 single-family homes and 52 townhouses — was completed in late 2019. Homes start at $550,000 with a 5,000-square-foot layout, including three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Two hundred units are sold and TytoCare kits were delivered to those buyers in December. The kits — compatible with multiple telehealth services — is a hit with buyers, Carr said.

“The efficiency and quality of home health is great for the consumer,” he said.

CC Homes will provide TytoCare kits with Baptist’s Care on Demand for its Maple Ridge project in Ave Maria, which is being completed in phases, and future developments, Carr said. The firm has a total 1,200 units in the pipeline for projects across Broward, including Davie, Cooper City, Miramar and Sunrise.

Besides TytoCare kits, amenities are being modified in these projects to accommodate for social distancing, including clubs and gyms.

“There was a focus on the urban centers [prior to the pandemic]. Now there’s a focus on the suburban markets. No one wants to be in a tower,” Carr said.

It is the second real estate development for Baptist this year. Belmont Village Senior Living is working with the healthcare provider for its Coral Gables development. There may be other real estate-related partnerships, said Lissette Egues by email, the vice president of Baptist Outpatient Services.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to expand access to healthcare. Aside from real estate developers, we have partnered with employers, hotels and senior living communities. The pandemic has shown the importance of leveraging technology to keep our community safe and healthy,” she said.

Other developers are either moving forward with or adding wellness components to their projects since the pandemic, including Royal Palm Companies. The development firm is adding a medical center on the ground floor of its Legacy Hotel & Residences.

“Now,” said Egues by email, “we are moving into a new era, where making healthcare part of the home experience — giving homeowners the ability to connect to local healthcare providers instantly — is a non-negotiable.”

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article244195557.html

The town of Ave Maria, Florida is known as a new home neighborhood where you can escape the chaos of the nearby major metropolitan area of South Florida and own a large new home for less. Now Ave Maria is the site for a brand new elementary public school. Ave Maria Development and Collier County Public Schools will work collaboratively to design an elementary school that is ideally suited for the needs of this rapidly growing multi-generational master planned community.

“A public-school site has been in Ave Maria’s master development plan since the inception of the town. CCPS has owned the land for over a decade and we are pleased to work with our award-winning school district in bringing public schools to the community of Ave Maria,” states Blake Gable, CEO of Barron Collier Companies, co-developer of the town of Ave Maria.

The new school will consist of a single building designed to accommodate approximately 400 elementary students, kindergarten through fifth grades. Anticipated opening of the school is August 2021. Future long-range plans for Ave Maria include a public middle school as the town continues to grow.

Ave Maria is currently home to private schools including Ave Maria University, Rhodora J. Donahue Academy, and Ave Maria International Preschool. This announcement marks a milestone for Ave Maria, Collier County’s fastest growing master-planned community, offering an on-site public-school option for the town’s residents.

The Ave Maria lifestyle embraces an emphasis on education of all ages, with residents encouraged to participate in lifelong learning opportunities. Other amenities for its homeowners include water park, soccer and baseball fields, fitness center, amphitheater, dog park, bocce and tennis courts, Town Center with Publix Supermarket, commercial center with Mobil gas station, and on-site free events throughout the year.

New single-family homes are available as are quick move-in homes. Choose from a variety of one or two-story floor plans with two to 6 bedrooms and up to nearly 5,000 square feet of living space. Large lots, expansive lake views and premium homesites close to Town Center (just released!) are available. CC Homes provides a signature package of high-end finishes included standard in each model’s base price, and many stylish designer upgrades are available at the Maple Ridge Sales and Design Studio in Ave Maria.

CC HOMES REPORTS WHY MAPLE RIDGE HAD RECORD-BREAKING SALES IN JULY

Builder CC Homes- a Codina-Carr Company reports that the opening of The Club at Maple Ridge, coupled with low interest rates, has spurred a significant increase in sales within the new single-family home neighborhood. Twenty-six homes were sold in July, the highest sales month this year and one of the best months the community has ever had. CC Homes also reports that an astounding 70% of 2019 buyers are people moving west from Broward and Miami.
Maple Ridge is within the master-planned and nationally recognized new hometown of Ave Maria, which is located approximately 80 miles west of Broward County. Its brand new 10,000 square-foot amenity center opened early this summer.

 

 

“The Club at Maple Ridge enhances the already extraordinary living experience that homeowners have found in our community,” states Diana Ibarria, Senior Vice President of CC Homes. “They buy here because they love the homes, and the pricing fits their budget; Now even more people are buying because not only do they get a great home, they also get a resort-style club with activities for all ages.”

All homes in Maple Ridge include access to the Club at Maple Ridge, its social calendar, and to the incredible lifestyle and amenities within the master-planned community of Ave Maria, which include a private Water Park, South Park, North Park, trails and paths, and the daily conveniences of the Town Center with Publix Supermarket. Ave Maria is attractively zoned within an A-rated school district. Construction of the highly anticipated Braden Hospital is also planned to break ground soon.

 

 

“We have many people visit Maple Ridge who have been struggling to find an affordable place to live. Some are parents wishing to raise their children in a wholesome and safe environment. Others are empty nesters growing tired of the chaos in South Florida,” said Ibarria. “They choose to make the move, and often times even make the commute, because the neighborhood and homes are so appealing.”

 

 

CC Homes offers 24 single-family floor plans at Maple Ridge priced from the low $200s. New home designs range from 1,133 square feet to over 5,000 square feet in both single-story and two-story floor plans. Maple Ridge homes are complete with granite countertops, overhead recessed lighting and stainless-steel appliance packages in kitchens, as well as Kohler® faucets and fixtures and wood cabinetry in both kitchens and bathrooms. High ceilings, fully concrete block construction and designer tile flooring are other highly desirable aspects of CC Homes at Maple Ridge. First floor master suites, pools and in-laws quarters are available, as are greatly oversized homesites.

 

 

ABOUT CC HOMES
CC Homes- a Codina-Carr Company, was founded on the principle of providing families with high-quality new homes in desirable locations and at affordable prices. With more than 65 years of combined experience in South Florida real estate, Mr. Armando Codina and Mr. Jim Carr have envisioned the re-development of the Florida real estate market by providing brand new quality homes in cities where there is a high demand for “new” at an affordable price. With projects located throughout the state, CC Homes is one of the largest builder-developers and ranked among the Top 5 Builders in South and Southwest Florida by Metrostudy.

CC Homes hosted a VIP rooftop cocktail reception for Miami real estate agents and brokers as well as prospective buyers for an exclusive tour of Cadiz, its newest single family model home, located in the heart of Miami’s red hot new community of Downtown Doral.  Dozens of guests throughout the three-day event received a unique opportunity to experience and tour Canarias at Downtown Doral’s vibrant and growing community, designed for today’s generation of buyers who want luxury living and the conveniences of a walkable urban community. Guests were offered a taste of luxury living in Downtown Doral.

On Saturday and Sunday, catering was provided by local health food hot spot and Mediterranean restaurant Della Bowls, which is soon to open in Downtown Doral’s newest neighborhood attraction, The Doral Yard. Once a staple on the Wynwood food and beverage scene, The Yard is a hip establishment that brings people together for live music in an upscale indoor/outdoor setting.

The two-story Cadiz model, with luxurious finishes and rare features such as a standard sized two-car garage, offers three or four bedroom floor plans ideal for family life or entertaining. Cadiz at Canarias is a part of a mosaic of single family home designs inspired by global getaways.

 

Additional already-completed single family home models which are also available to tour include the Fiji, Maui, Bali and Ibiza. While each line offers its own unique features, all provide access to a contemporary urban lifestyle with coveted amenities, walkability, green spaces and an A+ rated charter school.  Canarias at Downtown Doral is developed by award-winning homebuilder CC Homes, led by veteran builders and developers Armando Codina and Jim Carr, who have developed thousands of homes throughout South and Southwest Florida, earning an established reputation for high-quality, innovation and value. The Sales Gallery for Canarias at Downtown Doral, located at 8333 NW 53^rd Street, Suite 102, in Doral, is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.  To reserve your private tour, please call (305) 915-7646 or visit http://canariasdowntowndoral.com/.

(NAPLES, FL – February 5, 2019) On Saturday, February 9th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., you are cordially invited to visit and tour model homes in the Fronterra new home community located in Naples with excellent pricing from the $270’s. Ranked by Metrostudy as one of the Top 5 Homebuilders in Southwest Florida, CC Homes is proud to share all of the exciting happenings at Fronterra during this family-friendly event, including the unveiling of the community’s new pool and cabana. This is where families who call Fronterra home will find themselves most weekends, splashing away under the Florida sun and enjoying an easy, carefree lifestyle- and their low HOA fees!

This event is also your chance to take a tour of the new Grove move in-ready home at Fronterra, which features a highly desirable one-story floor plan and two-car garage. A mosaic of eight distinctive floor plans within the community range in size from 1,133 square feet to 2,251 square feet under air and feature up to 5 bedrooms, offering something for everyone. Once completed, Fronterra will be home to 154 one- and two-story residences.

Guests this Saturday, February 9th can savor delicious gourmet snacks from the Up North Eats Food Truck and get decorating tips with Fronterra’s professional interior designer. Learn from the experts on how to turn your new house into a beautiful home that reflects your style.

Fronterra by CC Homes is a gated, family-friendly community of single-family homes conveniently located in highly desirable Naples, Florida. In fact, it’s just five minutes from Downtown and 5th Avenue! Every home at Fronterra features timeless Mediterranean-style architecture, modern open-concept floor plans and 9- to 10-foot ceilings. Unlike most new home communities, every home at Fronterra comes standard with premium touches such as granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, Kohler faucets and European-style wood cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as tile flooring in all main living areas and marble windowsills throughout.

Enjoy energy-efficient, hurricane-ready construction that’s pre-wired for advanced and smart home technologies, plus great exterior features such as professional landscaping with automatic sprinklers, decorative pavers, built-in lighting, attached garages and much more. These homes are built to last a lifetime and offered turnkey for easy move-in.

With great schools, fun amenities and quiet sidewalks, Fronterra is the perfect choice for families with children in school, as well as couples and retirees who want the privacy and luxury of single-family living.

There are so many great reasons to choose Fronterra, but none of them match the builder’s offer to pay your closing costs. That’s right – closing costs paid by CC Homes! Mortgage experts will be ready to answer all of your questions during the February 9th event. Discuss locking in your interest rate, getting your closing costs paid and so much more. For a limited time only, builder CC Homes is delivering fabulous savings to its homebuyers. When handed the keys to your new home at Fronterra, you could have thousands of dollars left in your pocket.*

Please join CC Homes at Fronterra – the most exciting new development of single-family homes in Naples – Saturday, February 9th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the unveiling of Fronterra’s new pool and cabana and a tour of the Grove move in-ready home. Plus get professional interior design tips and delicious eats from the Up North Eats Food Truck!

Fronterra is located at 8725 Madrid Circle, Naples FL 34104, just five minutes from downtown Naples. Call or visit us online today to learn more, 855-782-4681 or www.FronterraFL.com. *See sales representative for more details about incentives. Restrictions may apply and availability ends February 28th, 2019.

View New Homes at Maple Ridge from the low $200’s >

 
 
 
 
 

Low Monthly Payments Also Available at Fronterra in Naples.

View New Homes at Fronterra from the high $200’s >

Join us for Open Houses in each of our southern Florida new home communities this weekend. We are showcasing an elite collection of quick move-in properties from Naples to Miami to north of Fort Lauderdale. If you are looking in Miami-Dade, Broward or Collier-Lee County, we have a family friendly neighborhood for you. No realtor necessary, just stop by for a tour of these turnkey homes!

A variety of one or two-story floor plans in Maple Ridge at Ave Maria and Fronterra in Naples are designed for empty nesters and first time buyers alike, as well as large families in need of plentiful space on a low budget. While the luxury homes offered at Chateaux Miralago and Cascata in Parkland and Canarias in Miami’s Downtown Doral are grand and spacious with cutting edge finishes such as imported Italkraft cabinetry, quartz countertops, outdoor kitchens and more.

In addition to these featured residences that we are spotlighting for Open House Weekend South Florida, CC Homes also has designer furnished model homes open for viewing in each of the communities. Whether you are looking to purchase a new home or for home remodeling inspiration, come by and see the latest trends in home design and furnishings. Our design showrooms and galleries feature a wide selection of designs and materials for your flooring, kitchen, bathroom and beyond.

CC Homes recently invited Miami real estate agents and brokers as well as prospective buyers for an exclusive tour of Ibiza, its newest single family model home, located in the heart of Miami’s red hot new community of Downtown Doral.  Dozens of guests throughout the three-day event received a unique opportunity to experience and tour Canarias at Downtown Doral’s amenity-rich community, designed for today’s generation of buyers wanting reachable luxury living, at pricing from the $590’s, with all the conveniences of a walkable urban community. Guests were offered Spanish-inspired light bites and refreshments in the sales center, then enjoyed private tours of seven designer-furnished models.

The two-story Ibiza model, with luxurious finishes and rare features such as a standard sized two-car garage, offers three or four bedroom floor plans ideal for family life or entertaining. Ibiza at Canarias is a part of a mosaic of single family home designs inspired by global getaways. Additional already-completed single family home models which are also available to tour include the Fiji, Maui and Bali. While each line offers its own unique features, all provide access to a contemporary urban lifestyle with coveted amenities, walkability, green spaces and an A+ rated charter school.  Canarias at Downtown Doral is developed by award-winning homebuilder CC Homes, led by veteran builders and developers Armando Codina and Jim Carr, who have developed thousands of homes throughout South and Southwest Florida, earning an established reputation for high-quality, innovation and value. The Sales Gallery for Canarias at Downtown Doral, located at 8333 NW 53^rd Street, Suite 102, in Doral, is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.  To reserve your private tour, please call (305) 915-7646 or visit http://canariasdowntowndoral.com/.

Fronterra is rising to the top and becoming one of Southwest Florida’s most popular new home developments. Located in sunny Naples, FL, this family-friendly community has everything you need and more. A beautiful gated entry and resort style community pool are additional features of your Fronterra home. The new single-family homes offer luxury living at an affordable price making Fronterra an ideal community for families looking to buy.

Fronterra’s convenient location offers numerous benefits. Named the happiest city in the country by the Gallup-Sharecare Well-being Index, Naples is known for its laid-back lifestyle and relaxing atmosphere. From its white sand beaches to its numerous recreational areas, there is always something to do in this vacation city. Take a stroll through Downtown Naples and discover an abundance of restaurants and high-end shopping choices. If you’re looking to get active, take a day-trip to one of the many golf courses in the area or go on a kayaking adventure.

To out-of-staters, Naples is more than just a beautiful beachside paradise. In addition to Florida having no state income tax, Naples has the third lowest property tax rate in the state. Permanent residents can also apply for homestead exemption, which caps their tax increase to no more than 3% each year. These can’t-miss opportunities have people from all over the country flocking to Naples, Florida. On top of the amazing benefits offered by Naples, Fronterra also has some of the lowest priced homes in the city making this community all that more advantageous to buyers.

Fronterra by CC Homes is a highly-desirable community with a close-to-it-all location. With low HOA fees and appealing prices, it’s no wonder why families are making the move to this convenient new home community. New single-family homes are now available from the low 270s. For more information, call 305-644-4663 or email us at info@fronterrafl.com.