From real estate updates and community highlights to local events and everyday moments, this is where we share what’s happening across Central Florida’s active adult communities.
Some posts will help you compare communities or understand the market, while others give a closer look at the lifestyle, events, and people that make these communities unique.
Happy Holidays to all our Readers, Friends, Family, Clients and Neighbors. It has been another busy year for the Bella Verde Family of Realtors. I just ran our statistics and see that for the past four years Bella Verde Realty has been the Realtor with the Most Transactions in Solivita.
It is that time of the year again. Bella Verde Realty is the Proud Sponsor of a Gift Giving Drive for Osceola’s Foster Children. We are Proud to say that this is the 5th year we have worked to help the Children ranging from ages 0 – 18 enrolled in
We are happy to welcome Debbie Di Cintio to the Bella Verde Family of Realtors. Debbie and her husband Paul have been Solivita Residents for over 18 years. Since moving to Solivita, Debbie has worked in Solivita New Home Sales and enjoys working with clients while living in an active
Living in Solivita you will find there is always something to do. Take a class, visit the library, visit one of the gyms, join a club, take a swim, play tennis, pickleball, horseshoes, attend an event, or just hang out downtown with friends. Life is busy in this Active, Beautiful,
Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL The Beautiful Leu Gardens is lighting up for the Holidays. Leu Gardens is on the National Register of historical places. The house and garden history dates back to 1885 when the first owner, Thomas Mizell. Thomas Mizell built a farmhouse on the
Lee and I would like to wish all our friends, readers, clients, neighbors, and family a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving. Although 2021 was another Challenging Year due to Covid, the year surprisingly passed safely and quickly. Our Real Estate Brokerage remained busy, and we are happy to say that Bella Verde
Most experts define this year’s housing market, as “incredibly overheated” as characterized by massive multiple offers, contingency waivers, price escalation clauses and record home prices. Indeed, 2021 sent home prices skyrocketing, with competition hotter than ever, combined with a low supply of homes, homebuyers were and (still are) paying top
We are happy to introduce Richard Streitler to the Bella Verde Family of Realtors. Richard has been a friend of our family for over 25 years. Richard moved from Maitland and has lived, worked, and played in Solivita for the last few years. Richard has a background in design and
2 Acorn Squash, halved and seeded 2 Tbsp Butter 1 cup chopped onions 4 cups peeled Granny Smith apples seeded and chopped ½ cup golden raisins, or dried cranberries 2 Tbsp Light brown sugar 1 Tsp ground cinnamon 1.5 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put
Solivita is scheduling the Annual Fall Festival in the Village Center for Saturday, the 6th of November. This will be the 20th Fall Arts and Crafts Festival and we have been to each and every festival. We are Proud Solivita Pioneers, we picked our lot, contracted for our home and
OK. Enough family fun, how about dinner out for the adults at Columbia in Celebration. With Covid we have been laying low, but this week family was in from NJ, and Lee and I were tired of cooking and cleaning up the party remains. Celebration is an easy drive and
Safari Land being Planned for River Ranch Resort & Rodeo in Polk County Looks like Safari Animals are coming to Polk County at Westgate Ranch Resort in 2022. Another great place to enjoy and to share with the grandchildren. The animals planned are all non-aggressive and include water buffalo, giraffes,
Finally, a cool breeze is rustling through the Palm Trees in Solivita. I love this time of the year, the morning air is fresh, and the afternoon highs are manageable announcing the arrival of fall, my favorite time of the year. This year we are taking the grandchildren to the
Resilient Landscaping that Looks Lovely & Ups Your Curb Appeal plus your selling price. A lovely landscape is great for curb appeal and increases the value of your home while bringing joy to the gardener or the homeowner who plans, plants, and sits back, and enjoys their landscape bloom and
Stop by the Farmer’s Market at Solivita and visit the DUO Tent to bring food donations for the St. Rose Food Pantry. Donations are most appreciated and being accepted on Monday and Friday, September 24th through October 11th. The most needed items include canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, or
Announcing the 2021 – 2022 Music Series at the Mansion. A series of six concerts. We attended a few of the Howey Music Concerts on the lawn last year and each was a treat. This year there is a mix of concerts, some in the great hall and some outdoor
The beauty of Life in Central Florida is we are “Central to it all”, about 1 hour and 15 minutes from an east coast or a west coast beach. Lee and I prefer the east coast beaches as the beaches are usually empty, the water is refreshing, and a day
Far from Fancy, but a nice, easy dining experience, enjoy the wrap around porch under the trees and on the lake. The farmhouse is old, weathered and rambling, but you are greeted warmly and made to feel welcome. Once seated at your table, you waitress or waiter explains the menu.
Cooler Weather Is on the Way. It has been a Hot, Steamy, Solivita Summer but the heat has not dimmed anyone’s spirits, our community is active, out having fun, and enjoying all the benefits life in Solivita has to offer. Truth be told, Lee and I look forward to the
Solivita is a planned community in the center of Florida, and I like to say in the “Center of Everything”. There are lots of reasons to reside in a planned community and I would like to share a few with you. Planned Communities have lots of Open Space. Solivita has
If the beach in August is too hot for you, take a visit to the The Ca’ d’Zan Mansion in Sarasota in the afternoon and hit the beach at sunset. This Mansion is the former winter home of one of America’s eccentrics and very wealthy couples, John Ringling, of the
Why not try a twist on the typical Crostini? Lee and I did, and it has become one of our go-to snacks 5 Oz. Goat Cheese 1 Lb. Strawberries, hulled and cut into bite size pieces 2 Tbsp. Honey 2 Tbsp EVOO 1 baguette cut into ½ inch slices
Westview is a new Master Planned Community separate from Solivita. The residents of Westview will not be using Solivita Infrastructure but instead will be an entirely new community opposite our gates. Taylor Morrison has filed a subdivision plan for Westview, seeking approval for 1,844 detached home lots in five sizes,
Florida is a Tax Friendly State with an average property tax rate that is 10% below the national average. Life in Florida has many benefits including a Homestead Exemption of up to $50,000 in assessed property values, a low sales tax rate, plus Florida does not charge an estate or
4 Corners Tavern in Champion’s Gate, a good stop for a burger, a brew, brisket, ribs, salmon, or even just a soup and a salad, plus it is only 15 minutes from our gate. Lee had a black bean burger, and I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich with a side
Preparing for Hurricane Season is simple but important. On a trip to the grocery store pick up some extra gallons of water, batteries for your flashlights and radio, battery operated candles, matches, some canned goods, dried fruit, nuts, and snacks that you enjoy. While in hurricane season, keep your car’s
Solivita is an HOA Golf Course Community with Tons of Benefits. Included in your monthly HOA Dues you get 150,000 sq ft of Amazing Amenities that include Tennis Courts, Pickleball Courts, Bocce Ball Courts, Shuffleboard Courts, a Softball Field, Basketball Courts, Horseshoe Courts, a Billiard Room, 14 Temperature Controlled Pools,
Current Market Report. During the last 30 days, 51 homes sold in Solivita. As of the middle of August we only have 24 homes in Solivita Active and on the market for sale. An unusually low inventory for a community with over 5,000 homes. Bella Verde Realty has a list
Solivita Chefs have risen to the occasion and are creating, cooking, and plating delicious meals in Mosaics on Friday and Saturday Evenings. Three of us were there on a Saturday Night, we each ordered a different meal, every meal was delightful, creative, and each plate was accompanied by an orchid,
4 Tsp Garlic Powder 4 Skinless, boneless Chicken Breast Halves Salt and Pepper to Taste 4 Springs Fresh Rosemary 4 Thick Slices of Bacon Preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate. Sprinkle 1 Tsp garlic powder on each chicken breast half. Season each with salt
Looking for a great day away, why not spend a day in Maitland, Fl. Maitland is just past Orlando, but a world away from the big city. Yes it is busier than Solivita, but it has some great quiet beautiful spots to visit, spend a few hours away, yet be
We all know that trends come and go, social distancing and spending more time at home seems to have ushered in a new way of life. During the Pandemic, Dan and Chris, friends of ours, spent a lot of time visiting with friends and family on Zoom. Sunday Nights were
