(Southwest Florida) Gibraltar Homes can certainly say that 2011 is shaping up to be a good year. Late last year, the Sarasota-based home builder projected that it would sell 50 homes by the end of 2011. Now, as the end of October draws near, third-quarter reports record 36 home contracts year-to-date, with an average sales price of more than $450,000. The company appears on track to meet its goal of 50 homes this year. In 2010, the company sold a total of 30 homes.
The success of 2011 can be attributed to two factors, according to Albert Sanchez, president of Gibraltar Homes. First is a much-welcomed overall improvement in the region’s housing market as buyers take advantage of historic values and realize the benefits of new-home construction as opposed to re-sales. Secondly, and equally important, Gibraltar has created three distinct design collections for each of its communities in Lakewood Ranch, Ellenton, new Northwest Bradenton and Sarasota. The collections provide customers with three levels of design and pricing choices. Accordingly, customers can select their level of “Gibraltar Luxury” on the basis of their individual budget and design preferences. This innovative program has broad appeal among buyers because the combination of pre-designed homes with upfront pre-determined prices makes the decision-making process easy and enjoyable.
“Our buyers are able to select a luxurious Gibraltar home along with the design collection that best suits them, and know immediately what their home will cost,” said Sanchez. “This program encourages more buyers -- who might think a re-sale was their only option -- to strongly consider building a new home.”
Gibraltar Homes continues to builds its Mediterranean Revival-inspired homes in the area’s most prestigious communities. They are also seeing an increase in on-your-lot custom projects and are currently building homes in The Forest at Hi Hat Ranch and on St. Armand’s Key. The philosophy of “luxury at every size” is still their mantra, but they have made homes more attainable in today’s market to offer buyers the greatest possible range of floor plans, options and pricing.