When do you know a regional housing market is going through prosperous times? A good rule of thumb is to follow the moves of major home builders such as Lennar, the prestigious Florida developer responsible for Stoneybrook in Venice. If you are looking for a great place to live in a gated community where property values are on the upswing, Stoneybrook should be at the top of your list.

Stoneybrook is a large neighborhood located north of Center Road and just south of the pristine Jelks Preserve, not far from the new Wellen Park master-planned development, which was previously known as the West Villages; it is important to take note of this location because Wellen Park is the reason property values are rising in boundary between Venice and North Port.

The 640 acres of Stoneybrook are platted for 900 single-family residences, but large sections with lakes have been set aside as nature preserves. The homes are built in the Lennar interpretation of the Mediterranean revival style, and they offer nice upgrades such as natural stone counters, open floor plans, and covered Florida rooms large enough for a dining set or patio lounge furniture.

Lennar has not stopped developing Stoneybrook since 2005, which means that you can find homes completed in 2019 and still under builder’s warranty listed for just $330K. Properties here tend to sell pretty fast because of their spacious floor plans and the numerous amenities, which include a large swimming pool, clubhouse, picnic area, tennis courts, basketball court, beach volleyball, soccer field, inline hockey rink, and basketball court. Being almost next door to Jelks Preserve and Snook Haven are a major plus for anglers and lovers of the outdoors.

Living in Stoneybrook means that you can alternate between visiting Caspersen Beach and Venice Beach every weekend. You also have a choice of nearby golf courses, and you can get all your grocery shopping done at the Jacaranda Commons shopping center and its remodeled Publix supermarket, which is located less than 10 minutes to the west.