Linda Reynolds - Bradenton Real Estate

The Ringling Art Museum in Sarasota Florida is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Huge rooms that house some of the most famous paintings around. The Ringlings spent years collecting art and displaying it in this wonderful building.

The courtyard is breath taking as you stroll through the gardens and view the statues interlaced among the grounds. When you sit on the veranda, you get the view of Sarasota Bay just past the grounds facing West.

If you are in the area, this is one place that needs to be on your must visit list.

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Looking for a place to explore in a day? Try out the Ca d Zan, it has been refurbished and the original furniture still remains. The home is 4 levels high and is 22,000 square feet in size. The regular admission of $20 will get you into the first two floors, you have to pay another $20 to see floors 3 and 4. While I recommend the general admission price, I did not feel the extra $20 was worth seeing a couple more bedrooms and the terrace that sits atop the house.

The mansion sits on the edge of the water on 66 acres. John and Mable Ringling built this home in 1924 and when you tour the home you will see they spared no expense. Marble is all throughout the home and gold leaf on the ceilings. They travelled through Europe collecting furniture and art and was decorated in the Venetian Gothic style.

It certainly is worth the trip to view this beautiful mansion.

Forest Creek is located on US Hwy 301 south of the town of Parrish. This new community was developed by Neal Communities. As with all his communities, nature was left in tact. The mature trees were not just plowed down to make room for another development, Pat takes the time to build the community around the existing nature. For this, his developments are my favorites.

Forest Creek consists of three collections they are as follows:

Creekside Collection - This collection consists of maintanance free living. There are six different floor plans to choose from.

Oak Hill Collection - This collection consists of single family homes, there are eight floor plans to choose from.

Townhome Collection - This collection consists of the townhouses, there are three floor plans to choose from.

Amenities include:

Bird Rookery

Observation Gazebos

Nature Trails

10 acre lake

Community Gathering Area with pool and spa

Finally builders are starting to build affordable housing. The Rose Cottage is 1200 sq ft, 2 bedrooms and 2 baths with a 1 1/2 car garage attached in the back.

You have your choice of 3 different elevations. This is truly a charming Key West style home that must be seen to be appreciated.

CDD fees for the Rose Cottage are as follows:

CDD Bonded Improvement Fee is $729.64 and will be billed on your annual property tax bill

CDD Operations and Maintenance Fee is estimated at $699.82 per year. This covers the maintenance of the lakes, common areas, recreation facilities, community pool, fitness center, gated entries and non potable water for your irrigation system and is paid annnually on your tax bill.

Homeowners Association is $86.80 per year and this fee covers administration and management of the community.

Basic Cable is $400.32 per year

HOA Capital Contribution is $487.12 a one time fee equal to the then current HOA regular assessment plus cable. Payable at closing.

REMEMBER - these fees are what is being quoted today we always need to double check prices and fees when you are ready to purchase.

Gull Cottage is a charming Key West style home which is 1,648 sq ft, 3 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths and a 11/2 car garage. The garage is situated behind the house to maintain the charm of the Key West style.

I have to commend Neal Communities for providing affordable housing. This home starts at $153,900, but be aware that the builder reserves the right to change the prices at any time, so don't delay. There are only 63 lots available for these charming homes.

CDD fees for Gull Cottage is as follows:

CDD Bonded Improvement Fee is $729.64 and will be billed on your annual property tax bill

CDD Operations and Maintenance Fee is estimated at $699.82 per year. This covers the maintenance of the lakes, common areas, recreation facilities, community pool, fitness center, gated entries and non potable water for your irrigation system and is paid annnually on your tax bill.

Homeowners Association is $86.80 per year and this fee covers administration and management of the community.

Basic Cable is $400.32 per year

HOA Capital Contribution is $487.12 a one time fee equal to the then current HOA regular assessment plus cable. Payable at closing.

REMEMBER - these fees are what is being quoted today we always need to double check prices and fees when you are ready to purchase.

The Lake Cottage consists of 1,419 square feet, 2 stories with 2 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths and a 1 1/2 car garage.

This charming Key West style home resides in the new section just opened in Forest Creek. Prices start at $136,900 for this model, The builder reserves the right to change prices at any time without prior notice so you will want to grab yours quick before those prices start to rise.

CDD fees for the cottages are as follows:

CDD Bonded Improvement Fee is $729.64 and will be billed on your annual property tax bill

CDD Operations and Maintenance Fee is estimated at $699.82 per year. This covers the maintenance of the lakes, common areas, recreation facilities, community pool, fitness center, gated entries and non potable water for your irrigation system and is paid annnually on your tax bill.

Homeowners Association is $86.80 per year and this fee covers administration and management of the community.

Basic Cable is $400.32 per year

HOA Capital Contribution is $487.12 a one time fee equal to the then current HOA regular assessment plus cable. Payable at closing.

REMEMBER - these fees are what is being quoted today we always need to double check prices and fees when you are ready to purchase.

The Blue Sky is a beautiful home which consists of 2,132 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2 car garage. The prices start at $202,900 but the builder reserves the right to change the prices without prior notice so don't delay purchasing your new home today.

This section of Forest Creek just opened this past weekend, judging buy the volume of people that were there, these lots won't last long. It is clear to see that this is just what our buyers have been waiting for, affordable housing.

Gull Cottage is a charming Key West style home which is 1,648 sq ft, 3 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths and a 11/2 car garage. The garage is situated behind the house to maintain the charm of the Key West style.

I have to commend Neal Communities for providing affordable housing. This home starts at $153,900, but be aware that the builder reserves the right to change the prices at any time, so don't delay. There are only 63 lots available for these charming homes.

CDD fees for Gull Cottage is as follows:

CDD Bonded Improvement Fee is $729.64 and will be billed on your annual property tax bill

CDD Operations and Maintenance Fee is estimated at $699.82 per year. This covers the maintenance of the lakes, common areas, recreation facilities, community pool, fitness center, gated entries and non potable water for your irrigation system and is paid annnually on your tax bill.

Homeowners Association is $86.80 per year and this fee covers administration and management of the community.

Basic Cable is $400.32 per year

HOA Capital Contribution is $487.12 a one time fee equal to the then current HOA regular assessment plus cable. Payable at closing.

REMEMBER - these fees are what is being quoted today we always need to double check prices and fees when you are ready to purchase.