In most Lakewood Ranch communities, buyers choosing new construction have two real paths: a spec, or 'quick move-in,' home the builder has already started or finished, or a homesite reservation where you select the floor plan, structural options, and finishes yourself. Spec homes typically close in 30 to 90 days and let you walk the actual home before committing; a custom build gives you control over everything down to cabinet finishes, but the timeline usually runs 9 to 14 months and pricing can shift if material costs move during your build contract. We walk every new-construction client through both paths side by side, because the right answer usually has more to do with your timeline and how particular you are about finishes than it does with the community itself.
The spec-versus-custom decision usually comes down to three honest questions: how soon you need to move, how particular you are about finishes, and how much decision-making you actually enjoy. A quick-move-in spec home trades personalization for speed and price certainty; a custom build trades time and coordination for a home that's exactly yours.
Sarah has guided clients through both, many times over — a decade focused on new construction means she's sat across the table from the builders and knows where each path hides its costs and its risks. As a Certified Negotiation Expert she'll make sure your interests are protected in either contract, and Jackie's lending background keeps the financing realistic. Talk it through with Sarah and Jackie before you decide; it's the cheapest step in the whole process.
