The founders and principals of the company together have over 60 years experience in real estate development and home building. Dick Shultz and Joe Cangelosi established AUTUMN HOMES, INC. in 1997 and began planning AUTUMN OAKS, its first community. They chose a course that was quite different from most home builders.

While designing and building homes of the highest quality was at the core of the business, it was driven by their belief that tomorrow's customers come by referral of today's satisfied customers. The order of the day-everyday is "meet every need of customers and exceed their expectations."

From the start, AUTUMN HOMES adopted a very personal style. Before new homes were begun Dick and Joe spent substantial time with customers making sure plans were right, schedules were clear, and customers understood what procedures were ahead. Those methods worked well as customers were kept informed and enthusiasm remained high.

Residents quickly fit into their new community as neighbors welcomed them with sincerity. Block parties were held on holiday weekends with everyone invited. AUTUMN OAKS soon gained a superior reputation for both quality homes and people. Only a handful of resales have been recorded, but sharply higher values are already evident.

The company has often turned down opportunities to build in other subdivisions rather than risk spreading itself out and losing personal touch with its core customer group. For Dick and Joe building new homes will remain a personal experience with the objective of building relationships.

 

Richard Shultz, President

Dick started his real estate career in 1970 with Florida's oldest and largest mortgage banking company, Stockton, Whatley, Davin & Company. In eight years with SWD he did market research, feasibility studies, and appraisals. He negotiated mortgage financing and joint venture agreements to develop office buildings, shopping centers, and industrial properties.

In 1978 he formed August Properties, Inc. to develop real estate. His successful projects include a 50-acre business park, warehouses, office buildings, a 380-room hotel and the following award winners:

Mariner Village - 65 townhouses on The Intracostal Waterway, Boynton Beach, FL
Delray Harbor Club - 50 condo apts., on The Intracostal Waterway, Delray Beach, FL
Hillside Center - Shopping center renovation (Albertsons, Big Lots, etc.), Ocala, FL

 
His life-long involvement with thoroughbred horses as owner, breeder and racing has provided the insight to design and market properties befitting champions. Both Autumn Downs and Autumn Lane will reflect Dick’s appreciation for horses and their owners.

 

Joseph Cangelosi, Vice President

Joe has been building homes since 1972, first in New England and later Florida. He learned from craftsmen who took great pride and satisfaction in their work. His methods today honor that same commitment to excellence while realizing many gains from technological advances. Widely recognized for his organizational and management skills, he is both a State Certified Building Contractor and a licensed real estate broker in Florida.

He established Canco Enterprises, Inc. upon moving to Ocala in 1980. His family owned business has built over 500 homes with uncompromising standards and an impeccable reputation. His satisfied customers have over the years returned often to have him again build new homes for them - some as many as three!

Remarkable in this industry are the long term relationships that Joe has forged with suppliers and subcontractors as well as his customers. Many of his tradesmen go back 10 or more years in their relationships. Such loyalties are based on mutual respect and trust. His faith in long term relationships has now been transferred to AUTUMN HOMES, INC. which has embraced it as a core belief.

 
Our Communities

The company’s second residential community, Autumn Ridge, is nearing completion. There are several recently completed homes being offered at this time. Work is starting on the final few residences that will be offered once substantial progress has been made that allows completion schedules and delivery to be determined. Even the two professionally decorated models are being offered, either furnished or unfurnished.

Autumn Downs, the company’s first equestrian community has recently been unveiled. Almost immediately nearly half of the 31 homesites were sold to enthusiastic prospective residents. While the 2.5 to 13 acre homesites are served by community bridle trails even those buyers without horses were quick to embrace Autumn Downs. It’s not surprising that savvy people have embraced a distinctive community of beautiful homesites on gently rolling land “close-in” to the city of Ocala. Where else could a discerning person find large, wooded homesites in a picturesque setting just minutes away from downtown. Good shopping is only 2.5 miles in either of two directions.
Finding convenient shopping, locating close to the city on a 3,4,5-acre or larger site and enjoying the beauty of horse country, what else is there to consider? Autumn Downs can best be summarized as… Location, Location and Location.

The company’s second equestrian community, Autumn Lane is about to see development begin. With more than a quarter mile of frontage along NW 110th Avenue, arguably one of Marion County’s best addresses for beautiful horse farms, the ten estates to be offered are very well located. Those properties will be about 10 acres in size with the exception of one 23-acre parcel that includes a renovated 30-stall barn ready for horses now. Given Autumn Lane’s close proximity to HITS these sites will soon be received with enthusiasm. Autumn Lane is about to spring forth from one of the area’s award winning thoroughbred farms where champions were raised. The quality going into this community’s development will be worthy of champions.