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.
Lee and I met friends for a casual afternoon lunch on the deck at Tantrum’s Lakeside Grill in Auburndale, FL. Dine outside, very casual, but good, we really felt like we were on vacation for an afternoon. Growing up, my Mom and Dad used to take us to HO JO’s
We have been making this Grilled Pork for quite awhile now and every time we do, we enjoy it. Sometimes we make a Mango Salsa, sometimes a Pear Salsa but it will be delicious with any Salsa you prefer. This week we enjoyed tender, tasty pork with Pear Salsa. This
Ready for a Really Good Day Out and About, this tour is for you. The mansion offers visitors the most authentic historic site in Central Florida as 95% of the original mansion details have been restored and truly are stunning. The floors are works of art, gleaming and beautiful, the
This decision is totally yours and of course your finances, some folks like homes with a history and some only like shiny new ones. Each choice has an advantage. Newly constructed homes tend to cost more than similar pre-owned homes, difference; initially the maintenance and utilities on a new home
This market has been a windfall for sellers, and a headache for buyers as the shortage of for sale homes continues to boost prices across the nation forcing house hunters to go to extremes to win bids. If you do not need to buy now, my recommendation is to hold
Since most of our residents have had their second vaccines, Solivita is starting to buzz with activity once again. Our Ceramics Gallery is open for classes, our Art Gallery is open for watercolor, acrylic and oil classes, and our Dragon Boat Club is on the lake paddling. The Men’s Softball
Even if you do not make it to see the Magnificent Waterlily Display, McKee has beautiful gardens, and pathways to enjoy anytime, but if you do get to experience the Waterlily Celebration on June 19th, you will be amazed. The ponds and waterways throughout the garden are adorned with over
As Taylor Morrison moves into the final phase of building in Solivita they have set their sights on developing the Westview Project, formally known as Solivita Grand, a mixed-use, multi-generational community that stretches across 2,717 acres from Cypress Parkway north along the Poinciana Parkway. When complete, this single master-planned community
Come on down to the Stonegate Golf Club and visit with Manny, one of our wonderful bartenders. Manny is busy mixing up his Signature Cherry Blossom Cocktail this month. If you love to play around at being a bartender, why not take a cocktail class. Solivita is hosting one and
We generally have lots of Orchids in bloom, especially at this time of the year, but unfortunately not so this year. Over a year ago, we had a storm blow through our lanai, it blew all our orchids off the garden shelves leaving us with shattered pots, broken orchid stems
As the bird population begin their journey north and west to their Spring and Summer Homes so do the Solivita Florida Snowbirds. We had an isolated winter due to COVID-19, but it was still a good winter. The sunshine kept us going, our lovely weather allowed for lots of quiet
Recently quite a few of my clients have purchased homes in Solivita and the surrounding areas due to work. Are you a builder, a handyman, a medical professional, an experienced IT professional? Are you creative, inventive, or would you like to work in an office or a retail setting? Jobs
Corned Beef, Green Beer, Irish Soda Bread, The Wearing of the Green, Clover; St. Patrick’s Day is the Perfect Way to Greet Spring. May the Luck of the Irish be with us all as we wait for the Pandemic to disappear and our lives to return to normal. Thank you
If you are not quite ready to take a trip to the goat farm, how about taking a Cooking Class Online from Sur La Table. You can visit Sur La Table on the web at www.surlatable.com and scroll down to the online cooking classes and take a look at their
¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 4 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar ¼ Tsp Salt Ground Pepper to taste 4 cups Spring Mix Greens 4 cups seedless watermelon cut into 1 inch pieces 4 oz or as much as you prefer of goat cheese ½ cup toasted hazelnuts or toasted walnuts chopped
Looking for a new experience, why not visit our Local Goat Farm; Proctor’s Goat Farm at 6291 El Camino Real, Winter Haven, FL. Call in advance and arrange a Tour, (863) 289-3585. Proctor’s has about 18 goats for you to interact with. You can get up close and personal to
Advice for Buyers: We are in a Seller’s Market and Have Been for the last few months. In this seller’s market we have more homebuyers in Solivita than actual homes for sale. This type of market results in rising home prices and stiffer competition. However, even with stiff competition and
Our family is having a good time growing and harvesting fresh salad, spinach, celery, and herbs from our “family farm” on the lanai. My sister and her husband have multiple planters filled with good organic soil and lots of veggies. Turns out they do have green thumbs and are harvesting
Looking to take an easy trip, just for a change of pace, while socially distancing during the Pandemic? Look No Further. Florida has lots of great spots to visit easily and safely. When in NY I love to People Watch, I enjoy quietly watching the NY attitudes, clothing, hairstyles, purses,
Lee and I have added lots of Indoor Plants to our home. The plants freshen the indoor air, bring clarity and calm to our space, and when placed on a shelf or tabletop act as a sculpture or a centerpiece. Caring for plants is grounding and life affirming, plus each
Weaving our way through the Pandemic has certainly been a challenge for each of us. But, Solivita residents have proven to be strong, supportive, and resilient. Together we are getting through this. Some of our neighbors have already received the vaccine and are safer for it, plus each vaccine in
It is important that when choosing a realtor, you choose the Right Realtor for the Job and the Right Realtor for You. I always suggest clients interview a few realtors, gain an understanding of their expertise, discuss how many homes they have closed, and understand the primary location of their
This is a great recipe that can be used many ways, enjoy it served on cucumber rounds, add it to whipped cream cheese for a great spread on crackers or bruschetta, or top grilled polenta or pasta with this pesto. However, you choose to enjoy this Pesto, I know you
Visit the Space Coast. Get the schedule of launches and take a drive to Coco Beach, it is only about 1.5 hours to the coast and from any parking lot on the ocean you will be able to see a launch, that is if the sky is clear. If the
During the Holiday Season, The Solivita Activity Department went above and beyond with creative ideas and safe distancing celebrations, they organized a Holiday Parade early in the season to bring us all a bit of Joy, followed by the Ugly Holiday Sweater Party, and a House Lighting Contest. All reports
Every Client, Friend and Neighbor is voicing their sadness at being held back from travel, missing vacations, or even the freedom to plan a vacation, but too worried to “pull the trigger” and buy a plane ticket or book a hotel. The upside to Life in Solivita, we already live
The Experts are Predicting 2021 to be the Year to Buy A Home, Despite Coronavirus. Our Mortgage Rates are at all-time lows. Though the Fed’s target rate does not have a direct effect on mortgage interest rates, there is a connection between the two, and mortgage rates dropped accordingly in
This year I am adding a new cookie to my Holiday Baking. Lee Loves Tahini and I love Sesame, combined they become Tahini Sesame Cookies. My mom always makes Sesame Cookies, so I will still have Mom’s Sesame Cookies, but now we have another new treat to add to Santa’s
The One Plus One Giving Program for Foster Children in the Guardian ad Litem Program Kissimmee, FL Bella Verde Realty, our Clients, Friends, and our Family came out to support the Foster Children in our GAL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM. Thank you all. Friends, clients, neighbors, and family came out strong by
Happy Holidays to All our Friends, Family, Clients and Neighbors. Happy to say that we at Bella Verde Realty have safely made it through 2020. We are sad to see how many World Citizens have been affected by COVID-19 and we send prayers for those souls that have left us
Last year we celebrated Christmas in St. Augustine with family and friends, but this year, due to COVID-19, we are staying close to home. Lee and I feel that some of Florida’s best adventures are found out of doors in the lovely natural environment. A walk in the woods, the
Thinking about buying a home now? Are you wondering what the best way is to accomplish this task during COVID-19? Wonder no more. The truth is during this pandemic about 40% of the homes sold in our community have been sold remotely. Of course, you can still visit with us
