Solar Community Florida Embraces The Future Minus Unsexy Headsets

In early 2024, is Babcock a model of tech derring-do like Apple’s Vision Pro virtual reality goggles?

It is the first solar-powered town in the United States that prioritizes sustainability and renewable energy with a farm of 440 acres of solar panels providing a bumper crop of grade-A Florida power.

It did survive its first test, remaining intact from a Category 5 hurricane without power outages or loss of internet despite devastating Hurricane Ian winds that reached a maximum of 161 mph at the height of the hurricane in late September 2022.

So moving to Babcock is like strapping on Apple’s new tech marvel, a head-mounted display that retails for over $3 grand, right?

No.

If you move here, you’ll have sex again.

Unlike this poor sap:

Even though this man was faking driving a Cybertruck while wearing Apple’s Vision Pro, the lasting legacy of wearing deeply unsexy headsets is like wearing a permanent sign on your back that reads DON’T HAVE SEX WITH ME.

After the Vision Pro stunt went viral, the dude in the erotically repellent goggles will likely never procreate with another human being again.

Welcome to the No Goggles Club

If you move to the first solar-powered town in the United States, you will join the exclusive Babcock club and wear this membership like a high-priced accessory in the deeply human drive to be showered with attention and fulfillment.

With so much change in Babcock in early 2024, how do you join this growing club?

You need a guide that unveils the grand future of the community and its promise of social ammunition.

Don’t strap on your Vision Pros because that guide is here.

Read and watch below and you’ll never have to fake it…

Table of Contents

• Welcome to the No Goggles Club
• 10,000 Residents, New Homes & More!
• Home Buying in Babcock Ranch
• Selling in Babcock Ranch in 2024
• New Babcock Developments & Opportunities in 2024
• KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Team John Garuti Video Transcript

10,000 Residents, New Homes & More!

What’s the price of admission to The Ranch?

Watch below:

To recap:

In 2023, 958 new construction units were sold in Babcock.

It was an exciting year as a real estate agent who likes choice. Incoming buyers had nine different builders to choose from. That’s a big change from the beginning when there was Lennar, Pulte and spare change.

Now, there are a lot more options in the lower price points — high threes and 400s, which is great for buyers in the current interest rate market.

At the end of 2023, 3,664 total homes were sold in Babcock by builders since the town’s inception way back in 2017.

And by the end of 2023, 3,008 units officially closed.

2024 is going to be the year The Club That Is Not a Cult hits 10,000 full-time residents!

If you have interest in Babcock and need expert guides who have sold over 200 new construction homes in the community, REACH OUT TO TEAM JOHN GARUTI for help navigating the process.

Home Buying in Babcock Ranch

Your challenge: navigating through nine builders and 12 new neighborhoods offering new construction in The Ranch.

Your solution: a specialist well-versed in all things Babcock like the pros and cons of Babcock Neighborhood School, ecological facts like the community’s native plant species, the finer points of the water management system and the state of commerce like the new Yellow Pine retail outlet.

Our expert team in Babcock’s future can confidently advise you to explore every option, whether your move is imminent or a year away to the energy efficient community powered by over 700,000 solar panels.

Builders are amassing inventory, opening doors to numerous neighborhoods where you can purchase a new construction home and relocate within a few months.

This marks a significant shift from the COVID market, where fast moves often meant opting for a resale property.

Another boon for incoming homebuyers is the intense competition among builders. The market cooled in 2023, enlarging the metaphorical Babcock pie, but with more builders vying for a slice.

Now, existing homeowners, listen up.

Selling in Babcock Ranch in 2024

Nine out of 10 buyers in Babcock Ranch are opting for new homes.

If you’re contemplating selling within the next 12 months, here’s the skinny.

The combined effects of a cooling market and armies of competing builders have indeed heightened the challenge of selling existing homes. Prices for existing homes have notably decreased, and we anticipate a further decline this year.

If you’re considering selling, critically assess what your home offers compared to a brand-new one.

If you’re an existing Babcock homeowner and looking to move to a new neighborhood within the community, avoid the common mistake of approaching builders first, getting under contract and then consulting a real estate agent about your current home’s net value.

Builder representatives can’t guide you on home sales. Many real estate agents in Babcock Ranch lack the expertise to navigate the nuances of competing against builders.

If you haven’t installed major upgrades to your existing home, understand that your primary competition is the builders.

If you own a home and that model is still offered by a builder, your chances of selling it for more than the cost of a new one depend heavily on the upgrades you’ve invested in.

If you’ve merely added fans and blinds, expect your home to sell below the cost of buying new.

On the flip side, if you’ve made substantial upgrades, you’ll have a greater chance to sell your home at or above the cost of buying a new unit.

Upgrades play a significant role in standing out in the Babcock market.

Consider custom closets, carpentry trim and other differentiators to make your home appealing amidst the builder-dominated landscape.

If you are new to Babcock or want expertise in selling your existing home for a new one, please get in touch with one of the community’s top real estate teams.

New Babcock Developments & Opportunities in 2024

Are you ready to discover the future but not have to wear Apple’s sex-appeal-kryptonite VR thing?

This year, Babcock Ranch, a solar industry pioneer, unveils a wave of innovative progress that’s turning heads and sparking excitement. The launch of Phase 2, dubbed Midtown, has already set the stage, introducing eight vibrant new neighborhoods to the community.

Nestled close to these fresh enclaves, the Curry Creek Linear Parks are taking shape. This ambitious park system promises town dwellers a tapestry of six mini-parks, seamlessly linked by a trail network, unfolding across 50 lush acres.

This addition will not only enhance the charm of Phase 2 but also introduce a suite of recreational offerings including a new dog park, a playground, a fishing lagoon, a yoga lawn and more among America’s first solar-powered community.

The spotlight shines brightly on Lennar’s Tucker’s Cove, sure to capture the imagination of most people with its lavish amenities.

Here, luxury meets leisure with a resort pool, a lazy river, a pirate ship-themed restaurant, sports fields, a fitness center, miniature golf and an array of other attractions.

Prospective buyers should weigh Tucker’s Cove’s rich amenities with a higher HOA fee, reflecting an expansive community of 2,265 homes and its Waterworld fun.

Lennar has a second golf-themed community in the works. Webb’s Reserve will feature new single-family homes and condos set against the backdrop of a golf course slated to open in 2025.

For all the new Midtown developments, take a look at THIS NEIGHBORHOODS PAGE where you can view the models with real-time pricing in marked contrast to the laughable promises of the builder’s advertised prices.

Once you have a neighborhood in mind, hit us up and avoid the ignominy of wearing a VR headset:

• Let’s talk Babcock.
• Let’s tour Babcock.
• Ask questions in our free Moving to Babcock Ranch Facebook Group.
• Call Team John Garuti at (941) 216-6494.

Team John Garuti Video Transcript

John Garuti III:
2024 is here and it’s time to step into the future Babcock Ranch. Whether you’re a prospective buyer, a proud homeowner, or just curious, this video unveils the exciting transformations shaping Babcock Ranch this year.
If you’re new to the channel, welcome. I’m John Garuti with EXP Realty. For all those returning, great to see you once again. A lot of you have been asking for more videos and I’m happy to share my team and I have a whole lineup of videos scheduled this year. If Babcock Ranch is on your radar, make sure to hit that subscribe button.
In this video I’m going to be recapping 2023, sharing my best tips for prospective home buyers, some real advice for homeowners that are contemplating selling, and then we’ll be looking forward to all the exciting things coming to the ranch.
Let’s kick this video off with some real estate statistics. In 2023, 958 new construction units were sold. It was definitely an exciting year as a real estate agent as incoming buyers had nine different builders to choose from. That’s a big change, because when I first started selling here, your choices were Pulte, Meritage, and Lennar. There are a lot more options now in the lower price points, high threes and four hundreds, which is great for buyers in the current interest rate market. As of the end of 2023, 3,664 total homes have been sold in Babcock Ranch by builders since the town’s inception way back in 2017. As of the end of 2023, 3,008 units have officially closed. 2024 will be the year we hit 10,000 full-time residents.
Now, because Babcock continues to grow, so does the resale market. In fact, we are starting this year off with 58 single family homes for sale and 34 condos for sale in town, and that is quite a big jump compared to the resales we saw last year in 2023. Last year, there were a total of 131 resales, 88 of those were single family homes at an average price point of 591,000, and there were 43 condo sales at an average price of $381,000. People keep asking me, why are there so many homes for sale? Why are people leaving? Don’t people like living in Babcock Ranch? Wait, isn’t it a cult?
Speaker 2:
Yeah, that sounds like a cult.
Speaker 3:
It’s not a cult.
John Garuti III:
Most of the people I’ve dealt with sell for one of three reasons. One is family, two is work, and three is they are buying a different house inside of Babcock Ranch. I’ve only had one person ever who told me that they simply do not like living here and needed to move, and they were kind of duped into thinking that this neighborhood had no family, which is obviously not the case.
Let’s transition to tips for prospective home buyers. The challenge, navigating through 9 builders in 12 distinct neighborhoods offering new homes, bringing the total to 20 neighborhoods now in Babcock Ranch. The key, you need a specialist well versed in all things Babcock Ranch. Currently, my team and I can confidently advise you to explore every option whether your move is imminent or a year away. Builders are amassing inventory opening doors to numerous neighborhoods where you can purchase a new construction home and relocate within a few months. This marks a significant shift from the ’21/’22 COVID market where fast moves often meant opting for a resale property.
Another boon for incoming home buyers is the intense competition among builders. The market cooled in 2023, enlarging the metaphorical Babcock Ranch pie, but with more builders vying for a slice. This benefits consumers enabling negotiation with builders. Currently, builders are offering great buy downs, increased closing cost presence, and even complimentary pools.
Now, existing homeowners, listen up. If you’re contemplating selling within the next 12 months, pay attention. The combined effects of a cooled market and an increased presence of builders have indeed heightened the challenge of selling existing homes. Prices for existing homes have notably decreased, and I anticipate a further decline this year. You’re considering selling critically assessed what your home offers compared to a brand new one. The statistics speak volumes. 9 out of 10 buyers in Babcock Ranch are opting for new homes. If your house hasn’t undergone major upgrades, understand that your primary competition is the builders. What’s unfolding in real time is that if you own a home still offered by a builder, your chances of selling it for more than the cost of a new one depend heavily on the upgrades you’ve invested in. If you’ve merely added fans and blinds, expect your home to sell below the cost of buying new.
On the flip side, if you’ve made substantial upgrades, generally, I think you’ll be able to sell your home at or above the cost of buying a new unit. Upgrades play a significant role in standing out in Babcock Ranch’s monotony. Consider custom closets, carpentry, trim, and other differentiators to make your home appealing amidst the builder dominated landscape.
A crucial point for existing Babcock Ranch homeowners looking to move to new neighborhoods, avoid the common mistake of approaching builders first, getting under contract, and then consulting a real estate agent about your current home’s net value. That is a backward approach. Builder representatives can’t guide you on home sales, and many agents in Babcock Ranch lack the expertise to navigate the nuances of competing against builders. The market has undergone a significant shift and you need an expert to facilitate a successful transition.
Let’s pivot to the exciting developments in Babcock Ranch this year. First up is phase two known as Midtown, which has recently opened introducing eight new neighborhoods to Babcock Ranch. Adjacent to the new neighborhoods there’s also a beautiful park system under construction called the Curry Creek Linear Parks. Town residents will get to enjoy these six mini parks that are interconnected by a trail system for a combined 50 acres. This park system will be a great compliment to phase two, which includes a new dog park, playground, fishing lagoon, yoga lawn, and much, much more.
Now, getting to the real estate in phase two. At the top of the list is Tucker’s Cove by Lennar, sparking enthusiasm among homeowners for its exclusive amenity park. This park boasts a resort pool, lazy river, pirate ship themed restaurant, sports fields, fitness center, miniature golf, and more. While the prices are competitive, Lennar homes tend to be plain. So my advice for potential buyers here is to invest in upgrades to set your home apart over time.
Keep in mind that Tucker’s Cove is extensive with 2,265 front doors. However, be prepared for a higher HOA fees due to those extensive amenities, so carefully analyze your expenses and your budget before choosing to reside here. Tucker’s Cove is Lennar’s second golf course, Webb’s Reserve. Sales are underway with homes expected in the fall and condos in 2025. The golf course is projected to open in 2025 also.
A word of caution for those considering Webb’s Reserve, don’t be swayed by claims of great investments. While it offers excellent value for those seeking a golf resort lifestyle, there are better investment options in the area. If you’re looking for sound investment advice, feel free to reach out for a conversation about more lucrative alternatives.
Heading south through Midtown, the next stop is The Sanctuary by William Ryan. Now, William Ryan is a semi customizable builder, offers fantastic floor plans, and an impressive suite of amenities for the neighborhood. While the price points per square foot are on the higher side, if you’re seeking a superior product, they provide a diverse range of high quality options. Notably, William Ryan implements a no squeak policy for second floor homes, ensuring a quieter living space. If you desire a spacious home without the sound of kids jumping upstairs, I highly recommend scheduling a tour with the team to get acquainted with our friends at William Ryan.
Moving forward, we encounter The Regency by Toll Brothers marking the introduction of a 55 plus community within Babcock Ranch. Toll Brothers is renowned for its exceptional landscaping being evident as towering royal palm trees welcome you upon entering the community. The amenities promised in this neighborhood are set to be top-notch and for residents age 55 and over, a dedicated lifestyle director will ensure a constant array of activities. With such offerings, there will likely be little need to leave this vibrant community except for the occasional shopping trip.
Adjacent to The Regency is Crescent Lakes by Meritage. As the first neighborhood to open in phase two, it already boasts a considerable number of residents. Meritage recently made significant improvements by bringing in an entirely new construction crew just a few months ago. This new crew has notably enhanced the quality of construction. I must commend Meritage for openly acknowledging and addressing their mistakes, a rare occurrence among builders.
Moving forward, we arrive at Verde by Pulte. This neighborhood stands out compared to other Pulte neighborhoods in Babcock Ranch due to its streamlined product line. While Pulte homes are typically semi customizable, Verde offers three distinct packages to outfit your home with limited structural options. Most homes in this neighborhood feature a two car garage except for the Yellowstone model, which offers a tandem three car garage. With inventory building up in this area, there might be some excellent choices worth exploring for those needing to move faster.
Continuing our journey, we encounter Creekside Run by Christopher Alan Homes. What sets Christopher Alan apart is being the sole builder in Babcock Ranch that isn’t a large nationwide company, but rather a significant local builder based in Cape Coral. So far I’ve been impressed with their product lines featuring two stories, three car garages, and pools. Being local has made them more flexible in dealing with customers.
Lastly, at the base of phase two is Palmetto Landing by D.R. Horton, which opened for sale in December. This neighborhood bring excitement with upcoming amenities like a fitness center and resort pool. A standout in this community is the Hayden floor plan. The only two-story single family home in [inaudible 00:11:00] second level is built with blocks, a fantastic value proposition at the attractive price point of half a million dollars.
Concluding our exploration, there are three additional neighborhoods with two conveniently situated within walking distance to Founder Square. First up is Townwalk by Park Square Homes exclusively featuring town homes located directly south of Founder Square. The central location of these units makes them highly appealing. The second is Willow Green offering coach homes positioned right on Lake Babcock. With four different units available, this neighborhood comes with its own set of amenities. Notably, the coach homes built on Lake Babcock will include elevators for the second floor units priced around $600,000. For those seeking maintenance-free living, both Townwalk and Willow Green present excellent options.
To cap it off, Terra Walk by Divosta stands as the first community in the Lee County portion of Babcock Ranch. For those not familiar, Divosta is Pulte’s luxury line. Expect more grandeur in standard features including higher ceilings and nicer trim packages. Terra Walk, in my perspective, is built with a similar style to a 55 plus community. The amenities here will be top-notch, including the presence of a lifestyle director, features commonly found in the 55 plus, although Terra Walk is not exclusive to those age 55 and above.
Now, in the near future, we’ll be adding neighborhood spotlight videos, delving into the details of each neighborhood on this channel. For now, if you want to learn more about those neighborhoods, models and pricing, visit my new website, www.babcockranchnewhomes.com. To explore Babcock Ranch real estate further, feel free to schedule a video call with someone from my team at talkbabcockranch.com.
Shifting gears from real estate, let’s discuss some other significant changes in Babcock Ranch. Kitson & Partners recently announced a new partnership with Tampa General, bringing the first urgent care center to the town located in the shops at Yellow Pine. But Yellow Pine has commenced construction and is expected to open in mid 2025. Exciting retail developments have been confirmed for the shopping center, including Marshalls, Five Below, ACE Hardware, and much more. The center is nearly fully leased out at this point.
Across the street, Crescent B Commons is nearly finished. A new pet supermarket just opened, the first bank is close to opening, and we will finally be getting our caffeine fix as Starbucks is just weeks away from opening.
Following Yellow Pine, the next centers for additional commercial real estate will be B Street, the continuation of Founder Square and Midtown, another significant center for retail and shopping. Midtown will also host the next public to open in Babcock Ranch. If you’re interested in commercial real estate, I have a new team member specializing in retail leasing, so please reach out to us. Having representation is crucial when negotiating your lease.
More exciting news, the first fire and police stations are currently under construction situated just south of the windmill. While I’m not sure the delivery date for these buildings, they appear to be fully operational by the end of this year, 2024.
The final topic to address in this video is something affecting everyone living in Babcock Ranch today. Traffic on Route 31, the only way in and out of The Ranch. Commuting during the morning rush hour and returning around dinnertime can be challenging due to heavy traffic. The good news is that plans are underway to address this issue. Route 31 is set to be expanded into a six lane highway from the Lee County Civic Center all the way up to Cypress Parkway. Beyond Cypress Parkway to Greenway Boulevard, it will transition to a four lane road and then revert to the current two lane configuration afterwards. While the road expansion is anticipated to alleviate traffic, the construction phase might pose challenges. It’s part of the evolving landscape of Babcock Ranch, and as residents, adapting to construction is something we all get used to.
That’s it for our Babcock Ranch 2024 update. If you liked this video, do me a favor, hit that like button. If you have some questions, drop them in the comments below. At any time, my team, team John Garuti, is here to help you with all of your real estate needs with residential or commercial leasing. So if you want to get in touch at any time, just give us a call, 941-216-6494, or you can shoot me an email any time, info@swfloridarealestate.com. We thank you for tuning into this video, and as always, we hope to call you neighbor one day.