Builder Program Offers Home Buyers Real Selection

The Forest is one of the few private gated master planned communities in the Sarasota/Manatee region where buyers can choose their homesite and select from several of the area’s best custom builders. The builder program currently includes:

  • Arthur Rutenberg Homes
  • Anchor Builders
  • John Cannon Homes
  • Neal Signature Homes
  • Todd Johnston Homes

“Many of the custom home communities in this region have been purchased by large builder companies and now have fewer  builders available for buyers looking to build a new home,”  said Brian Wood, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty exclusive agent at The Forest.  “These larger builders also don’t offer as much customization of their floor plans.”

Wood said The Forest is one of the few remaining master planned communities where it’s still possible to select a homesite, choose from several excellent builders and have a wide selection of floor plans and customization opportunities when building a new home.

Arthur Rutenbeg, Anchor Builders, John Cannon, Neal, Todd Johnston Logos The ForestIt is also the only community designed exclusively for large acreage homesites and true estate homes.  All homesites are at least three acres and many buyers have combined adjacent sites to create even larger properties.

“The majority of clients I work with who are looking to build a custom home want the ability to choose their builder,” said Wood.  “The Forest combines that with a wonderful wooded setting and true estate-sized homesites allowing buyers the flexibility to create one-of-a-kind homes.”

Learn more about the builders and preview featured homes and floor plans for an idea of the possibilities available only at The Forest.

Recent Home Sale Sets New Bar At The Forest

The recent sale of the original Arthur Rutenberg Homes’ model in The Forest has set a new bar for property values.

Arthur Rutenberg Former Model The ForestThe former model sold for $3.2 million within a month of listing.  It resets the top selling price for homes in Sarasota’s only master planned gated community exclusively designed for custom estate homes on acreage homesite.

“I am very pleased for our community and our property owners in The Forest,” said managing partner Tom Dabney.  “Property values have been on the rise in The Forest as we continue to sell the original homesites and more homes become occupied.  We’ve had seven homesite sales this year and there is a lot of momentum.”

According to Brian Wood, The Forest Premier Sotheby’s International Realty agent, there are now only 15 of the original developer homesites remaining.  He said several who purchased homesites this year are now moving through the builder selection process and preparing to start their homes.

“The Forest is fast becoming one of the few places where buyers have a wide choice of custom builders to choose from as larger building companies have been purchasing big blocks of lots in other east county custom home communities,” said Wood. “This is the place for anyone looking to have true separation from adjacent homes in a neighborhood where there is a no repeat rule and multiple builders.”

According to Wood, existing homes don’t come on the market often in The Forest.  “But the remaining developer homesites include a great selection and there are five of Sarasota’s best custom builders available to choose from including Anchor Builders, John Cannon Homes, Neal Signature Homes, Todd Johnston Homes and Arthur Rutenburg Homes.”

“This is truly a custom home community where all homes are uniquely designed on large homesites of three or more acres,” said Dabney.  “Our best amenity is privacy with the peace and quiet that just can’t be found elsewhere in other Sarasota new home gated communities.”