Best Use Entitlements Secured for Aggressive Offers from Home Builders

Background

Dewar Nurseries, a third-generation, family-owned flower nursery, has been a staple in the Apopka, FL, community since 1963. Since its founding, the company has grown into one of the Top 20 Greenhouse Growers in the United States, operating with a commitment to both tradition and innovation.

Over time, the surrounding area had grown significantly, with most of the nearby properties undergoing redevelopment. The family knew the time was right to sell and move their operations, but they wanted to maintain control over this process and maximize the property’s value.

The Challenge

Despite being in the path of growth and strong market demand, Dewar Nurseries faced key challenges:
• Previous negotiations directly with several homebuilders never fully materialized, creating uncertainty about the best approach to a sale.
• Because of these unsuccessful deals, the family wanted to maintain control of the entitlement process to ensure it moved forward and aligned with their long-term goals
• While the property had significant potential, its marketability remained limited without market-driven entitlements already in place.

The PLD Solution

When Park Lake Development was brought in, we recognized an opportunity for the Dewars to position their property for a smoother, higher-value transaction. While potential buyers often handle these entitlements, we advised them on how to take control of this process themselves. This strategic move would not only reduce uncertainty for potential buyers but also allow the family to negotiate stronger offers on their terms.

Our team guided the entitlement and positioning strategy by:
• Working with the owner’s brokerage team to determine the highest and best use for the property and ensure that the proposed land use was in line with current market demands.
• Coordinating all due diligence studies and reports for the land use application and planning for any hidden risks that could disrupt the process.
• Managing all information between the landowner, their counsel, brokers, and all other vendors to ensure a quick and seamless application process to the City for a land use change.

The Results

By taking a proactive position, Dewar Nurseries removed the most uncertain aspect of their land sale, making the property significantly more attractive to buyers. With the reduced risk to the homebuilders, they submitted more aggressive offers with shorter timelines, larger deposits, and higher overall purchase prices.