PROPERTY 3


Atlantic bargain $250,000 (£157,300)


Where: Vero Beach


Property details Ë Three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms Ë 1,800-2,000 sq ft living space Ë Italianate tiling on ground fl oor, wood on the upper fl oor Ë Attractive corner plot Ë Private swimming pool Ë Two-car garage


For more details: Anne Conklin, 001 772 569 0998, conklinrealty.com


The Americans came up with the concept of “kerb appeal”, and whoever coined the phrase might have been thinking of this house. It stands out from the run-of-the-mill Florida villa, partly because of its elevated setting behind a beautiful lawn and greenery but also due to its interesting variety of roof angles. It looks like something Edward Hopper would have painted in the 1930s, but was actually built in 1991. It has been kept in immaculate condition and is beautifully decorated inside and out. The house is in a quiet residential street in Vero Beach, about


three miles from the seashore. The streets of Vero Beach are lined by live oaks, and there is a limit of four storeys on properties. Don’t expect wild nightlife ambience all year.


THEY LIKE: • There’s something of Wisteria Lane [the Desperate Housewives street] about it . It certainly looks beautiful – we really like the colour and the look of the wooden walls.


• We like the pool area, and in particular the covered bit by the pool, and the French windows leading from the living room.


THEY DISLIKE: • Although it all looks lovely, the plot seems to be out front, and the pool area out the back looks cramped.


• It’s a shame that the sea isn’t within walking distance.


PROPERTY 4


Barrier island property $379,900 (£239,000)


Where: Sebastian


Property details: Ë Three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms Ë Single storey Ë Private heated pool Ë Lake frontage Ë Short walk to sea Ë Within two hours of Orlando


For more details: Anne Conklin, 001 772 569 0998, conklinrealty.com


As if the warm waters of the Gulf, Caribbean and Atlantic aren’t tempting enough, Florida is blessed with something else that Britain’s seaside resorts could do with: barrier islands. Barrier islands protect most of Florida’s coastline, and are a playground for sailing, kayaking, fi shing, or just living. This house is on a barrier island off Sebastian, a little north


of Vero Beach. You reach it via a causeway, yet the drive is still just under two hours to Disney World. It’s an easy-to-maintain property, so a good option for people


like Louise and Nigel who will not be using it all the time. Holiday homeowners are not limited to condos, and it is easy to fi nd pool cleaning services and management companies.


THEY LIKE: • We love this house. We can imagine sitting down to a breakfast of Florida oranges, with the lake spread out before us, then having a dip in our own pool.


• We like the trees around it; the palms out front and the trees by the patio give it a bit of privacy as well as looking nice.


• The interior looks a bit anaemic, so maybe we can make our mark on it.


THEY DISLIKE: • It is a bit over-budget. We would need to knock them down by around $40,000 (£25,100), but, if we can, we’re interested.


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