A survey published in a recent issue of Kiplinger Today newsletter lists the top features that buyers want in a home, and FL Star includes those in homes they build at Sapphire Cove, an intimate community of single-family homes in South Naples.
“People today are focusing on a lifestyle that revolves around home life,” said Gary Hains, vice president of FL Star, developer of Sapphire Cove. “Many of the features that buyers mention are items that contribute to convenience, and they are features that are part of our home designs. Some of these are now common, but there are many that buyers see as special incentives to purchase a home at Sapphire Cove.”
At the top of the list, more than 90 percent of home buyers indicate they want a dedicated laundry room, while 89 percent look for energy efficiency in their new home.
“Outside living space is important,” Hains noted, “While 87 percent of buyers surveyed indicated that they wanted a patio, the preference for outdoor entertainment and recreation space is generally higher here in Florida, where the weather invites almost year-round use of outdoor spaces.”
At Sapphire Cove, where all of the designs include a generous covered patio, outdoor living space may be enhanced with the addition of a custom swimming pool or an outdoor kitchen. The Delasol design, a flexible plan with three or four bedrooms and three and one-half baths, includes a spacious covered patio encompassing 474 square feet, perfect for outdoor entertaining on a larger scale. The Cedar Key design, a three-bedroom, three-and-one-half bath plan, offers a bath off the master suite that doubles as a pool bath, an added convenience for pool parties.
Practical items, such as ceiling fans, garage space and exterior lighting scored even at 85 percent in the Kiplinger article.
“There are times when buyers want space that exceeds the standard when it comes to extra room in their garage,” Hains said. “Unlike many builders who don’t allow changes to their floor plans, we can accommodate our buyers with changes that meet their needs, whether it is for work or recreation space or an extra vehicle. We’ve created three-car garages for some buyers, and we’re even customizing a lift in the garage for another buyer.”
One feature incorporated in the Sapphire Cove designs that has been especially appealing during the “stay at home” months is the inclusion of a walk-in pantry, Hains noted. “That is specified by 83 percent of buyers in the survey. The pantry offers families significant storage that reduces the number of trips to the grocery store.”
Home buyers mentioned hardwood flooring as another preferred option, and that too is available at Sapphire Cove.
“We utilize manufactured hard wood flooring,” Hains said, “but there are buyers who prefer tile or luxury vinyl that mimics wood as an option when pets or children and sandy soil may be hard on wood. We’ve got a number of options for our buyers.”
Walk-in closets claim the number nine slot in the Kiplinger article but rate in the top five preferences in the National Association of Home Builders list.
“Our designs incorporate a walk-in closet in the master suite,” Hains said. “In fact most of our home designs offer two walk-in closets in the master suite. The Egret, a three-bedroom plus study, two-bath home has two walk-in closets in the master suite plus a walk-in closet in a secondary bedroom. The Cedar Key also provides a walk-in closet in a secondary bedroom, which is a plus for older children or other family members living in the home.”
“Eat in” kitchens and a separate dining space round out the features buyers put at the top of their “must have” lists, and the designs at Sapphire Cove provide both.
“Families like the casual space in the kitchen for quick meals, snacks for the children or perhaps a friendly cup of coffee with a neighbor,” Hains said. “But they’ve moved away from the time when that was considered the only dining space needed. People like to celebrate important occasions with a bit more formality, and they want the space to entertain friends and family in a larger, less confined space. All of our designs provide a dedicated dining area.”
The portfolio of new home designs at Sapphire Cove provides a wide range of choices for buyers with both single- and two-story designs.. Home designs range from 1,915 air-conditioned square feet to 3,001 air-conditioned square feet.
Sapphire Cove also provides community amenities that further enhance the lifestyle presented by our home designs,” Hains said.
The heart of Sapphire Cove activity is the community clubhouse, where neighbors may gather to enjoy a rigorous workout in the state-of-the-art fitness center, challenging yoga or a refreshing swim in the resort-style pool.
The location of Sapphire Cove offers residents an abundance of enrichment and educational opportunities in addition to those on site. Nearby Serenity Park and the Collier Boulevard bike trail provide options for the outdoor enthusiast. The 80-acre campus of Florida Southwestern State College is just down the road, where residents may take a course or simply enjoy sports or a performance. And for medical care, Physicians Regional Hospital and an array of other medical facilities are located right on Collier Boulevard.
To preview the community, visit the Sapphire Cove welcome center within the clubhouse, located on Lord’s Way off Collier Boulevard. For a private showing, contact Jim Borden at 239.451.8153, email [email protected]. For more information, visit the Sapphire Cove website, SapphireCoveNaples.com.
Sapphire Cove is being developed by an affiliate of FL Star. At the helm of FL Star, a conglomerate of real estate entities, are David E. Torres and Gary Hains, who offer more than 40 years of combined experience in the construction industry. Other projects by FL Star include Milano Lakes, a luxury apartment community also located off Collier Boulevard in Naples; Arrowhead Reserve, a community of single-family homes in Immokalee; and single-family homes in Golden Gate Estates. FL Star also provides management services for commercial and industrial buildings for real estate owners and condominium associations including maintenance, collection of rents and financial reporting.
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