Sarasota National Golf & Country Club is a luxurious lifestyle community in beautiful Venice, Florida on the tranquil Gulf Coast. Situated just off of US41 South, Sarasota National puts residents in the ideal location to take advantage of everything that South Venice and the greater Southwest Florida area has to offer. Convenient to pristine beaches with long stretches of sugar sand and gentle waves perfect for fishing, paddle boarding or parasailing, Sarasota National is where vacation never has to end.

Live and golf alongside an Audubon Certified Signature Sanctuary. The Golf Club features and 18-hole championship course, surrounded by wetlands and preserves. Cleverly placed bunkers test the choices of skilled players, while wide and gently sloping fairways inspire the novice player to grow more confident with each game. Osprey and wood storks maybe nearby as you move from tee to tee, admiring the natural landscape and soaking up the Florida sunshine all year round. For golf members only, a 5,336-square-foot clubhouse offers a full-service dining room with adjacent bar and lounge to enjoy after every game.

The new, expansive Palm Club features an array of amenities for residents of Sarasota National, including a resort-style pool with beach entry and lap lanes, a state-of-the-art fitness center with aerobic and spa treatment rooms, tennis courts, and poolside dining. Whether you are looking for an active lifestyle or a place to unwind and relax, Sarasota National is the perfect place to call home.

Sarasota National has homes for every taste and need, with carefree Carriage and Coach Homes, and spacious single-family Executive, Manor and Patio Homes. And with Lennar’s Everything’s Included®, you’ll get upgrades and features at no additional cost. This includes stainless steel appliances, upgraded cabinetry, granite kitchen countertops, and much more!

To learn more about Sarasota National Golf & Country club, visit: https://www.lennar.com/new-homes/florida/sarasota-manatee/venice/sarasota-national

Austin is all a buzz this week with the annual South by South West (SXSW) Conference that takes over downtown Austin. SXSW brings in visitors from all over the world for ten days of non-stop events. From film, music, and gaming showcases, to seminars with renowned experts this festival is the mecca of arts and technology innovation.

So if you are in town for SXSW and want to make Austin your permanent home, Lennar has more than 20 communities in and around the Austin area and offers seminars designed to help first-time homebuyers find their dream home. Join the New Home Buyer Group and receive a personalized step-by-step guide that will walk you through the entire home buying process and put you in contact with your own New Home Consultant. For an added bonus this month, every Lennar Austin home purchased by March 31 will also include a GE washer, dryer, and refrigerator in addition to many features which come standard with Lennar’s Everything’s IncludedÒ list.   Granite countertops, landscape package, and irrigation system are all included in your Lennar home at $0 upgrade charge.

Our newest community Madsen Ranch is already selling quickly!  Madsen Ranch is in Round Rock, Texas, one of the fastest growing and safest cities in America! Round Rock boasts award-winning park systems, school districts and high quality of living, making it one of the country’s most livable towns. And the best part is – it’s only 15 miles from Austin!

In Madsen Ranch, Lennar offers the Brookstone II and Ridgepointe Collection of homes which are filled with the most popular luxury features such as granite kitchen countertops, luxurious master suites with cultured marble vanity tops. Homes include everything from spacious family rooms to private master retreats and covered patios. Larger home designs include multiple living areas, game rooms, and optional add-ons such as a media room or a study. Offering the latest in home automation systems including keyless entry at front door, motion detector, programmable thermostat and prewired for security system and cable.

Tour a community this weekend and find your new Lennar Home or call Ashley our Internet Sales Consultant for more information on all our communities 512-596-7703.

 

Lennar is thrilled to announce that Chestnut Creek in Forest Lake is now open for sales. Chestnut Creek is located on the northern edge of the Twin Cities and is already in high demand. This beautiful neighborhood in the north will offer the Discovery collection of homes ranging from 2,148 to 2,692 square feet. The community features picturesque scenery for prices starting in the mid $300’s.

This neighborhood is extremely convenient for families as it is within 1 1/2 miles of Forest Lake High School and merely 3 miles away from I-35E. Commuting from home, school, work and the cities will be a cinch. Chestnut Creek will offer your family exciting home plans and features that fit your family’s active lifestyle. With the charming feel of northern countryside and the convenience of shopping, dining and great career opportunities nearby, this community is sure to be in high demand.

Lennar’s Discovery Collection of homes will offer beautiful designs, energy efficient plans and a remarkable location. Located in the Forest Lake School District 831, children in this community will attend Forest Lake Elementary, Century Junior High School and Forest Lake High School.

The Chestnut Creek model is now open just in time for the Spring Parade of Homes. For more information, please contact Rob Wheeler at rob.wheeler@lennar.com or (877) 203-6980.

Lennar is leading the way in new home construction by including exceptional designs, desirable upgrades and energy efficient features with our “Everything’s Included” home packages. Lennar also implements quality assurance through every step of the home buying process to ensure a satisfactory experience for our customers. All of these things have helped Lennar become the #1 homebuilder in the Twin Cities for the tenth consecutive year. Lennar looks forward to another great year of helping to make the homebuying experience enjoyable and as stress-free as possible. Stop by our brand new Welcome Home Center to see why so many people choose to have Lennar build their dream home.

For more information about Lennar, call 877-203-7191 or visit www.LENNAR.com

Builder Donates As-New Cabinetry from Six Model Homes for Future Habitat Builds

In March, the Pickens County (Georgia) affiliate of Habitat for Humanity sent a number of large trucks to half a dozen different Lennar Atlanta communities to collect six complete sets of never-used kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Lennar Atlanta, a division of Lennar (NYSE:LEN), the second-largest residential builder in the U.S., regularly installs upgrades and new finishes in its model homes to show homebuyers the latest quality products that are available.

“This time, before carting last year’s product offerings away, we decided to contact Habitat for Humanity to see if they would be interested in our cabinetry,” says Scott Gold, Construction Manager with Lennar Atlanta at Danbury Farms, one of the more than 40 different communities that Lennar Atlanta has built in the metro area since 2010.

Even though an in-kind donation of this size is often a logistical challenge for Habitat for Humanity, Grady Hopper, Vice President and Construction Manager with Habitat for Humanity in Pickens County knew immediately that this was an outstanding opportunity.

“This is top quality cabinetry, and in perfect condition,” notes Hopper. “Using Lennar Atlanta’s donation in six new Habitat homes will lower the homes’ individual construction costs by thousands of dollars – which in turn reduces the cost of the mortgages. This type of donation directly benefits the homeowner. In addition, it helps save the environment.”

Adds Gold: “Our Lennar Atlanta team is proud to support Habitat for Humanity locally in such a practical way.”

 About Habitat for Humanity – Pickens County

Habitat for Humanity – Pickens County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. HFHPC is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. New Hope Acres is the group’s first multi-home subdivision.  

135 Cares Drive

Jasper, GA 30143

www.pickenshfh.org

 

This month starts the endless amounts of college basketball games and is only just the beginning for sporting events to come this year. Choosing to build a home theater in your home might just be worth it for all sports fanatics (and of course, movie fanatics too). Your viewing experience will be brought to life, so you can catch every play of the game with the best quality sound and picture!

Now, how should you get started? From the sound system to the style or theme of the room, there are many factors that go into the space itself. It’s beneficial to figure out these decisions before you get started on creating your home theater, so you can stay on budget and finish the project in a timely manner (which means more time to enjoy the space!).

Setting a budget.

Determining your budget is the first step to creating your dream theater in your home. While the space can be as elaborate or as simple as you like, the resources needed for the room can quickly add up.

Set your budget based on what is most important to least important in the space, and keep in mind that you can always upgrade along the way. While it might be easy to go over your budget, it’s also possible to stay at or below by opting for DIY projects within the space.

For DIY inspiration, you can check out these 8 fabulous DIY home movie theaters.

Choosing the right sound system. 

Sound is a crucial factor to consider when creating your home theater. This helps make or break the movie theater or game experience that you are looking for.

If you are looking to mimic the entire movie theater experience, you might consider splurging on a home theater system that will bring the sound of any movie to life.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to stay on a lower budget you might consider opting for a sound bar rather than an expansive surround sound system. This can not only help keep you within a more reasonable budget, but will also help save ample space in your home theater room. Sound bars may be less expensive, but they still offer high-performance sound so you don’t have to worry about compromising on the quality.

Save 15% on all Polk Audio products by creating or logging into your myLennar account. Visit myRewards to receive the discount code.

Theater room only or multi-purpose room? 

While you might envision a dedicated room for your home theater space, it’s always a good idea to consider if that is the best option for your home. If you have a growing family or a smaller home, you might find that a multi-purpose room might be a better fit.

By choosing to create the space into a multi-purpose room, you can still enjoy the perks of a home theater, but easily utilize the space for more than just watching movies. During the day it can act as a play area for the kids or maybe as your own office space, while at night you can turn down the lights and enjoy your favorite movie or sports game, allowing you to have the best of both worlds.

 Finding the right furniture for the space.

When you think of going out to the movies, you might instantly imagine a dark room filled with rows of red chairs, deciding which seat you will claim yours. While you might consider copying this image of a theater into your space, you may find it more fun to have the opportunity to play around with different furniture layouts that best fit you and your style!

Whether you choose leather recliners, fabric couches, or even opt for over-sized bean bags, be sure to choose your furniture based on the comfort. Sometimes you might fall in love with the look of the furniture, but easily realize that it doesn’t provide the most comfort as you sit back and relax in your theater space.

 Choose a theme or style.

Just as you can choose to take a different route with the furniture in your theater, you can do the same as you begin to think about the theme or design. Whether you choose to make the room based on one of your favorite movies, sports teams, or decorate it with a city in mind, it’s sure to stand out from all of the rooms in your home!

While decorating can be all fun and games, don’t forget to consider how it might affect the space while watching your favorite movies or sports game. If you’re going for the “true” movie theater feel, you might want to opt for dark walls and stay away from a design that might be distracting. If you plan to use it as a multi-purpose room, then you may consider to keep light walls in the room and choose a theme that can work for the entire space.

Wondering which theme you should choose for your space? Check out these theme dedicated home theater rooms that will inspire you for your own home!

Spring is a season credited with novel beginnings and the rejuvenation of one’s self and surroundings. In that spirit, how do you celebrate the start of spring at home? Do you plant a garden? Clear out the garage or attic of clutter? Tidy up your home from top to bottom? Spring cleaning is great for you and your home, to be sure; but, if you love your home, and you want it to last with minimal repairs, consider the pursuit of an annual spring home maintenance routine. By inspecting and maintaining the following ten home features, you can fortify and improve your home’s functionality as your place of residence.

Gutters and Downspouts

Most sources recommend you clean the gutters and downspouts twice a year – once at the end of spring and again at the end of fall; however, if you live in an area prone to heavy rains, it is advisable to clear your exterior drainage systems more frequently.

After you clear away the leaves, twigs, and other debris, check for signs of potential drainage problems, such as mildew in the attic, cracks in the foundation, or roaming soil beds in the yard. See 7 Signs You Have a Drainage Problem to learn more.

Additional Sources:

How to Maintain Gutters

How to Repair Gutters

How to Install Pop Rivets (to Repair a Loose Downspout)

Pros & Cons of Installing Gutter Covers

Roof

When you inspect your roof, look for any one of the following issues:

You should be able to inspect your roof from the safety of the ground; however, if you insist upon a closer examination, be sure to exercise the proper precautions for climbing and walking along your roof.

Additional Sources:

Learn Roofing Safety

10 DIY Roofing Repair Safety Tips

Chimney

If you own a wood-burning fireplace, your chimney should be thoroughly swept to remove creosote, a flammable chemical that accumulates inside the chimney as you use the fireplace; you can hire a professional chimney sweep if you do not feel comfortable working on the roof. Gas-burning fireplaces do not collect creosote, but instead deposit corrosive substances through condensation; these acidic elements break down the liner, mortar, and brickwork, and the crumbling debris can obstruct the flue. Visually inspect the chimney for cracks, loose bricks, and crumbling mortar and, once the chimney is swept, clean out the firebox. Also, examine the damper to see if it fully closes; if it does not, air inside your home will escape outside, and your electric bill will be high due to an overworked AC unit.

Lower the risk of an accidental fire by removing any debris in and around the chimney; dried pine needles and leaves can easily ignite when encountered by sparks or hot air rising from your fireplace. In addition, trim back any tree branches or creeping vines that breech the chimney space and hinder the ventilation of gases.

Additional Sources:

Spring Cleaning of Your Chimney May Uncover Winter Damage

About Your Gas Fireplace

Make Sure to Avoid Limbs Over Chimneys

Siding

A thorough scrubbing with the proper cleaning solution – a ½ cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and a gallon of water, according to the article – removes mold, mildew, and other grime known to weaken the stability of siding materials. Please note though: You should always test your choice cleaning solution in a small, contained area to ensure that no siding discoloration occurs.

Strong siding is important to maintain proper insulation and prevent the infiltration of pests; however, cleaning and painting the siding is not always guaranteed to support the integrity of your home. There may come a time when your siding must be replaced due to weather damage, underlying rot, or termite infestation. See Top 10 Signs You Need to Replace Your Home’s Siding to recognize evidence of compromised siding, including warping, bubbling, peeling paint, and dry rot.

Additional Source:

Pressure Washer Cleaning Tips for Siding

Deck, Patio, or Porch

Wooden decks, patios, and porches, particularly those uncovered and exposed to the weather, should be inspected for rot, loose nails, splintering, and lax railings. If you notice rot along the edges of the deck, you can cut and replace the ends with new wood; but, if rot is extensive, part or full replacement of the deck is probably necessary. Cleaning and sealing your wooden deck can inhibit mold and mildew growth, which promote wood rot.

Stamped concrete patios need regular cleaning and sealing to prevent color fading and moisture penetration, the latter of which leads to cracks and surface flaking. If you own a pool or spa, sealing the surrounding deck can block chemical saturation and staining caused by chlorine, salt, and other chemically-based water-treatment compounds. Moreover, sealing your pool deck can improve its stability, making it less slippery; simply purchase slip-resistant sealer when you visit the store.

Additional Sources:

Is Your Deck Ready for Spring Weather?

How to Clean and Maintain Stamped Concrete Patios

Applying Concrete Sealant to a Pool Deck

Windows

If your windows are compromised, not only will pests have access to your home, but hot air and moisture can infiltrate and damage the surrounding window structure and interior space. Inspect the caulking and weather stripping for cracks, peeling, or missing sections; check the window screens for holes and loose frames; and search for wood rot around the windows.

Additional Sources:

How to Caulk Outside Windows

Spring Home Maintenance: Windows & Screens

Sprinklers

If you live in a cold climate area, the soil and underground surrounding your sprinkler system have been frozen throughout the winter season; before you check the system, allow the ground to thaw to avoid pipe damage. Inspect nozzles, sprinkler heads, and valves for wear and tear; replace if needed. Clear any obstructing materials – excess soil, plants, rocks, or debris – from the sprinkler heads’ flow space. If the flow of water from one or more of the sprinkler heads is sporadic, slow, or nonexistent, and you have followed the outlined steps in the provided articles, a broken pipe may be responsible.

Additional Sources:

Sprinkler Repair: Easy Things You Can Do Yourself

Cleaning Sprinkler Heads

Fixing Sprinkler Heads

How to Replace a Broken Sprinkler Nozzle

How to Replace a Sprinkler Valve

Landscape

Your front yard and backyard need tending to at the early onset of spring to put preventive measures in place against the harmful pests and vegetation that can invade your home; moreover, the upkeep of your front yard preserves curb appeal.

First, remove any dead foliage to make room for what will bloom. Rake up all the dead foliage that smothers your grass and garden beds; you can either toss the debris in the trash, in addition to spent annuals and mulch, or turn it into compost. Prune the deadwood and overgrown shrubbery; clean up any brown patches of grass; and inspect your vegetation for signs of disease.

Once you have cleared away the rubbish, you can fertilize the lawn and put down fresh mulch. If you hope to plant new trees, shrubberies, flowers, or a fruit and vegetable garden, be sure the cold weather has passed and that there will be no surprise cold fronts to kill the fragile saplings.

Additional Sources:

Smart Spring Yard Cleanup

Seasonal Landscape Maintenance

Problems with Creeping Vines

How to Compost

Common Plant Diseases

Air Conditioning Unit

The spring maintenance of your AC unit requires an inspection of the outdoor condenser unit and indoor air handler unit. Outside, remove debris inside the condenser unit; clean and straighten the fins; check the suction pipe insulation; and ensure the unit is level. Inside, clean the evaporator coil; change the air filters; and vacuum the supply vents and return air grills.

Additional Source:

10 Easy Steps to Keep Your Air-Conditioning Unit Running Smoothly

Water Heater

Regular care of your water heater could increase its lifespan. Flush out your water heater to remove sediment buildup that inhibits the water-heating process, and inspect the anode rod, which helps reduce corrosion of the steel tank, to see if it is well-spent and needs replaced. Also, if your water heater is new, it will have a bottom vent that circulates oxygen to support the heating process; make sure the vent is clear of lint and debris.

Please note: Though the sources provided here regarding the routine maintenance of a water heater are reliable, you should always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations on proper procedure(s), which can be found in the manual that came with your water heater.

Additional Source:

How to Care for Your Water Heater

If you have any questions pertaining to the care and/or maintenance of your Lennar home, please contact Lennar’s Customer Care Service through your myLennar account. Our Customer Care representatives will assist you as best they can in resolving any issues you find during your seasonal and annual home maintenance routines.