Today, every home on our street received a letter from the founder of Neal Communities. At first glance, it might seem thoughtful—even neighborly.
But let’s be clear:
In our opinion:
This is not a gesture of care.
It’s a self-serving PR stunt, designed for damage control, image management, and a carefully staged performance meant to look like accountability.
The real goal?
In our opinion:
Control the narrative. Protect the brand. Contain the fallout.
You may think this is about helping you—but it’s not.
In our opinion:
They’re not coming because they care about your trusses, your roof, your HVAC system, or the mold you may be breathing.
They’re coming because they’re in trouble.
Because a public campaign forced their hand.
If Neal Communities truly cared about their homeowners, they wouldn’t be building homes with serious defects, ventilation failures, and building code violations.
They wouldn’t need a public campaign to do the right thing.
And they certainly wouldn’t wait until things exploded to start “listening.”
So let’s be honest about what this letter is:
In our opinion:
A strategic move to appear caring and professional—without addressing the systemic issues they created.
This isn’t about fixing homes.
This is about fixing perception.
So in the spirit of transparency, we’re going to break this letter down—line by line—and explore what’s being said, what’s not being said, and what it might mean for everyone living on this street, or in this entire community for that matter.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
The following letter from Neal Communities is reproduced for purposes of public awareness, commentary, and critique.
It is shared under the principles of Fair Use as protected by U.S. copyright law (17 U.S. Code § 107), specifically for the purposes of criticism, analysis, and public discussion.
“Hello Neal Homeowner:”
In our opinion:
The greeting is neutral, but notably impersonal. It avoids names, avoids specificity. It’s a mass message—delivered not out of personal care, but out of necessity.
“We are planning on having a brief neighborhood meeting…”
In our opinion:
The word “brief” is doing a lot of work here. It sets the tone: we’ll be there, but don’t expect too much. This isn’t a workshop. It’s not a repair clinic. It’s a controlled, time-limited PR interaction, designed to project openness while maintaining tight control.
“…with anyone who lives on Holmes Circle who might be interested in discussing any matter having to do with their home…”
In our opinion:
Sounds open-ended. But it’s vague for a reason.
What kind of matters?
Are they prepared to discuss real defects and Florida Building Code Violations?
Or is this just a surface-level PR session?
Generic by design.
It invites listening—without any promise to act.
“We are not sure what topics will arise…”
In our opinion:
That’s not humility — it’s strategy.
It avoids commitment, dodges accountability, and lowers expectations.
They know exactly what will arise: mold, HVAC, Florida Building Code violations, Sheathing, broken trusses, grading, draining, plumbing, roof violations, and structural defects.
Pretending otherwise isn’t casual.
It’s evasive.
“…but they may include: Air Conditioning and Condensers, Roofing and Sheathing, Other matters having to do with your home.”
In our opinion:
They say these issues may come up — but take no ownership.
No promise to address them. No mention of documentation.
And “other matters” is a vague catch-all — perfect for dodging the real problems.
This isn’t openness.
It’s a setup for non-answers.
“We are planning to meet at 10:30 am this Saturday, March 29th.”
In our opinion:
This sets the logistical tone: casual, informal, and easy to brush off.
But consider the deeper message — they are coming to your street.
Not sending structural engineers, to survey the Florida Building Code Violations and certify the trusses.
The founder himself is showing up.
That’s not a routine homeowner outreach.
That’s damage control.
“We would like to meet in the sunshine (or maybe in the shade)…”
In our opinion:
It’s casual on purpose — meant to disarm and downplay.
But mold, roof defects, and structural defects aren’t neighborly chat.
They’re not sunshine topics.
They’re serious health and safety issues.
“…just north of the entrance of Dunedin Street and Holmes Circle.”
In our opinion:
A neutral spot. No tables. No documents. No repairs.
This is stage-setting, not problem-solving.
“(My plan is just to talk and listen).”
In our opinion:
This sounds humble — but is actually a clever control mechanism.
“Just to talk and listen” means no promises
No notes
No commitment to follow up
No action
It’s not accountability.
It’s optics without outcome.
“In our first 25,000 homes at Neal Communities:”
In our opinion:
This isn’t reassurance — it’s deflection through numbers.
It suggests your home is the rare exception, not part of a pattern.
But really, it shifts the blame — from builder to homeowner.
“- We have never had a serious neighborhood dispute.”
In our opinion:
That’s not truth — it’s pure reputation management.
Not because problems never existed — but because most homeowners didn’t know how to fight back.
It’s not proof of quality.
It’s a sign of how well they’ve kept others quiet.
“- We have never had a home that we could not fix.”
In our opinion:
That’s not our experience — not even close.
Our home could have been fixed.
They had reports. They had time.
They made a choice: delay, deflect, contain.
This isn’t about capability.
It’s about refusal.
This statement isn’t about our experience
It’s about shaping yours — how you, the neighbors, are meant to interpret our situation, even when the facts say otherwise.
“- We have never had a lawsuit from a customer which resulted in a judgment.”
In our opinion:
This is the most misleading line of all — because it’s not due to legal victories.
It’s due to contractual protection.
What the letter doesn’t say is this:
All Neal Communities contracts include a mandatory mediation and binding arbitration clause, which prohibits homeowners from suing the builder in court.
That means:
No jury
No judge
No public record
No legal precedent
Even if you’re right, you can’t get to a courtroom — unless a judge throws out the arbitration clause, which we are currently and seriously considering.
So when they say they’ve never had a judgment against them, it’s not because they’ve done nothing wrong — it’s because the system is built to ensure no judgment ever sees the light of day.
“Importantly, we have never sued a customer either, and we don’t intend to.”
In our opinion:
Sounds friendly — but it’s a PR deflection.
They may not file lawsuits, but homeowners have absolutely been made to feel legally threatened.
What’s left unsaid in public…
is often exactly what’s being said behind closed doors.
“(We have been told in writing that we are in the process of suing a homeowner, which we are not).”
In our opinion:
This line isn’t for the homeowners who spoke up.
It’s for the neighbors watching.
It’s about perception, not peace.
“So, if you wish, I, along with E.G., Vice President of Quality and Customer Service, and R.J., Vice President of Operations, plan to meet and talk with you in person at 10:30 am at the corner of the entrance.”
In our opinion:
Let’s not sugarcoat this: this isn’t a friendly neighborhood chat.
When the founder of a company and two top executives show up on a quiet residential street on a Saturday, it’s not customer service — it’s reputation and damage control.
They’re not coming because they care.
They’re coming because they were forced to.
- Forced by actual and undeniable evidence produced by professional experts.
- Forced by mold reports.
- Forced by inspection findings.
- Forced by damaged trusses.
- Forced by missing lateral bracing.
- Forced by potential Florida Building Code Violations
- Forced by incorrect sheathing
And most importantly:
- Forced by a public campaign that exposed what they worked hard to contain.
And while they say they’re here to “talk and listen,” we’ve already played that game.
We’ve listened.
We’ve waited.
We’ve been more than patient — for six months.
And in return?
Zero action.
Zero accountability.
Not a single meaningful commitment in writing.
So no — we won’t be attending this self-serving choreographed PR-stunt.
We’re not interested in pleasantries, vague promises, or staged humility.
Because we know exactly what this is:
A carefully managed performance, crafted to rebuild image—not repair homes.
We are no longer participating in self-serving PR stunts dressed up as compassion.
We’ve already lived the reality behind the scripted smiles.
We don’t need handshakes.
- We need signed documents.
- We need real, binding commitments in writing.
Until then, we’ll continue doing what they can’t control:
Speaking the truth.
Publicly. Clearly. And without a script.
In Conclusion:
Let’s be clear:
In our opinion:
This meeting is happening because of our campaign.
Not because Neal Communities suddenly chose to listen — but because they were left with no other option.
If you choose to attend, understand what this is:
A tightly managed, self-serving PR event designed to project care, not deliver accountability.
They will say all the right things.
They’ll nod, empathize, and assure you that everything will be taken care of.
They’ll promise solutions, express concern, and do it all with polished professionalism.
But unless they are prepared to hand you something in writing — with specifics, timelines, and responsibility — it’s meaningless… it is feckless.
We’ve been here for six months.
We’ve heard the same words before, many times.
They’ve mastered the art of keeping hope alive, while doing just enough to avoid action.
Later this evening, we’ll publish a follow-up article with:
- The key questions you should ask
- The difference between words and real commitments
Because a smile means nothing.
A handshake means nothing.
And if it’s not in writing, it’s not real.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this article are based on our personal experience, interpretation, and opinion — as well as documented findings from professional home inspections, mold testing, and a licensed structural engineer’s report.
This content is intended for public awareness, critique, and commentary in accordance with our First Amendment rights.
I’ve dealt with Pat Neal on several occasions. I’ve lived in Grand Palm for almost five years and have served on the Neighborhood 2 board of directors and the Master Board. During that time, Pat and I locked our horns many times. I read a statement to Pat Neal at one of his attempts to soothe the owners while not taking responsibility for his actions. It’s all about trust. After the meeting, he told me that I was pretty hard on him. I asked him if any of what I said was untrue. His reply was, “Well, no.”
Mr. Neal,
On behalf of the Neighborhood 2 Board of Directors, of which I am president, I would like to make a few
observations on events within the Grand Palm Community:
After speaking with many residents in our neighborhood, I, like you, realize that there is a huge problem. You
came to us and said LISTENING was important. In response, your first goal that you outlined was to build TRUST.
I have a problem with the way you have tried to accomplish this.
Clearly the first issue is that you halted negotiations with our team. That does not build trust and it certainly
appears you have decided to stop listening to them.
Second, you recommended that an employee of yours be seated in our sides private negotiating strategy
meetings which I find to be a huge conflict of interest. This is not in any way meant to diminish the value of that person or her insights into the situation, but again, it does not build trust.
Next, in putting a member of the master board, an employee of yours into these negotiations, you have forced
the only resident board member of ours out of those meetings. Having them both in attendance would
constitute a quorum of the Master board which would create more problems. This certainly does not build trust.
In addition, you have silenced our ability to communicate with the residents of the community by censoring any mass email that Castle might send out to them from the task force. Do I need to mention trust on this one?
Now by all accounts you come to us in a manner that much of the community sees as illegal, and that doesn’t
conform to the statutes of the State of Florida, and you want us to vote on something without first giving us a
chance to discuss as a community what your offer is. There’s that trust thing again.
Next, you tell me to my face that you will only be deeding the roads that are behind gates to our neighborhood
at turnover. Then you turn around and not only deed ALL the roads, but a large amount of property as well. We
find out about this with absolutely no prior notice, or time to setup any insurance or investigate any liabilities
of such a transference. I’m not even going to use that “T” word here; I think we all know it by now.
You get 3.5 (which actually is more like six) million dollars for selling land for the widening of River Rd and you won’t even spend a penny of it on noise issues or security concerns the owners that back up to that road have. I’m guessing not many of them are still enjoying their lanais. Hmmm.
Mr. Neal, despite all this, I love this community. My wife and I bought here because of the beautiful surroundings and the incredibly friendly neighbors. I took a position on the board because I wanted to see this place flourish even more. Unfortunately, that has not happened, and I believe you are part of the cause.
I simply don’t trust you.
I have a reasonably thorough knowledge of Pat Neal’s activities in this community. I have not discussed warranty or building defects with Pat, but I know that hundreds, if not thousands, of them exist.
I’m happy to speak with you if you’d like. If you don’t show up for the meeting, they will say they tried, but you didn’t. They will use that wrongfully in their continued P.R. campaign.
I don’t know if you have had any direct contact with Pat, but he is a colossal schmoozer.
I support your efforts 110 percent.
Howard Cooper
Former President of Neighborhood 2 Board of Directors
Former Vice President/Secretary of The Master Board of Directors
12440 Davie Ct
(734) 368-6356
HJCooper@aol.com
Interesting read. We moved to a Neal community they were building out at Silverleaf in Parrish FL in April 2022. Neal was a nightmare as an owner developer and the transition of our HOA to a homeowner lead organization in March 2023.
Prior to transition, I was an engaged homeowner concerned about the lack of care being given to our community by Neal, and became focused on getting the many items addressed before transition. That did not go well. I then was appointed as Finance Chair by our first community HOA Board. I could go into a lot of other issues here. Suffice it to say, Neal knows what they are doing, and our community was not set up for success.