The Origin of Cardea Communities: A Vision by Jay Lapat & Mike Berland

Some places just feel like home the moment you arrive. That’s the kind of feeling Jay Lapat and Mike Berland set out to create when they founded Cardea Communities—a vision for housing that goes beyond four walls to build real connections, lasting stability, and a sense of belonging.

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As cousins from a multi-generational real estate family, Jay and Mike grew up with a deep understanding of what makes a community thrive. With over 40 years of experience managing communities across 4,000 sites throughout the country, they knew that successful housing isn’t just about construction—it’s about creating safe, well-run environments where people feel at home.

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A Legacy of Expertise, A Vision for the Future
Jay Lapat, a lawyer and CEO of Jennings Realty, has built a career overseeing real estate holdings nationwide, ensuring properties are managed with excellence and long-term value in mind. His expertise in real estate law, property management, and community development laid the foundation for Cardea’s commitment to high-quality, sustainable housing.

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Mike Berland, a strategic consultant to high-level politicians and leading disruptive brands, has spent his career helping organizations transform industries. From working with companies that have reimagined entire business models to advising leaders on how to navigate rapid change, Mike understands what it takes to break the mold and build something revolutionary.

Together, they saw an urgent problem: America’s housing crisis demanded a modern, scalable solution that put people first. And they knew the answer lay in the values their family had passed down for generations—quality, integrity, and a commitment to building lasting communities.

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A New Way to Live
The name Cardea was chosen with purpose. Inspired by the Roman goddess of thresholds, change, and protection, it represents opening doors—to opportunity, security, and a better way of living.

Jay and Mike envisioned right-sized, energy-efficient modular homes that would set a new standard for attainable housing—high-tech, high-quality, and built for the future. At Cardea Communities, homes are designed for how people really live—smart, stylish, and sustainable. Every detail is thoughtfully considered, from granite countertops to integrated smart technology, ensuring that affordability never comes at the expense of quality.

But Cardea Communities was never just about the homes—it was about the people. A welcoming neighborhood. A life well-lived. A place that feels like home.

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More Than a Home—A Community
Jay and Mike understood that the best neighborhoods don’t just happen—they’re built with intention. That’s why Cardea Communities are designed to be well-run, safe, and built for connection.

 

Whether it’s:

🏓 A friendly match on the pickleball courts
🐾 A walk through the dog park
🌿 A quiet morning at the wellness hub

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Every Cardea Community is crafted for living well—together. These aren’t just developments—they are places where people know their neighbors, where families feel secure, and where a sense of belonging is built into every detail.

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Scaling a Vision for the Future
With the success of its first developments, Cardea Communities is now expanding into future markets across the U.S., identifying new locations where it can bring its innovative approach to housing. The goal is to continue scaling a model that prioritizes energy efficiency, smart growth, and vibrant community life—without sacrificing affordability or quality.

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Each Cardea Community is founded on:

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✅ Affordability Without Compromise – High-quality homes that remain within reach.
✅ Sustainability & Smart Growth – Energy-efficient, high-tech modular designs built for the future.
✅ Community-Driven Living – Safe, well-managed spaces where people connect and belong.

Today, Cardea Communities is redefining modern housing, one neighborhood at a time. Built on the values that Jay and Mike’s family instilled in them over generations, Cardea isn’t just a housing solution—it’s a movement toward a better way of living.

An attainable home. A welcoming neighborhood. A life well-lived.

Welcome home to Cardea Communities.