The Saunders Blog

Bradenton Real Estate – Garden Lakes

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Pictured: 5601 Garden Lakes Majestic, #5601. MLS#: A3947940

Located in Bradenton, where it enjoys convenience to both Sarasota and St. Petersburg, Garden Lakes is a wonderful community with a total of 295 residences comprised of freestanding homes, paired villas and a smaller group of 33 condominiums, the Courtyards. The 262 units that are land-owned are set inside the gated section and are divided into seven separate components—three components of paired villas and four components of freestanding homes called the Village. The Courtyards comprises a separate eighth component. As each section was developed and built at different times—and sometimes by different builders—they became separate entities and each was set up as a condominium with the state of Florida. Subsequently, each component has its own board of directors and is basically self-ruling. In 1993, they declared themselves an age 55 or older community, so each new homeowner would now be required to have at least one person aged 55 or older living in the home.

The community association—called the Garden Lakes Community Association by its residents—also has its own board with directors and representatives from each one of the eight components. The GLCA provides maintenance of the common areas, private roads and clubhouse, which boasts a heated pool, fitness center, two tennis courts and shuffleboard court. It is also a poling precinct, which is very convenient for the residents.

Garden Lakes is located off 37th St East, just south of SR-70, so it is close to newer shopping venues, medical facilities and only 10 miles from the white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.

A Closer Look – Garden Lakes

Built from 1983 to as recently as 2001, the homes of Garden Lakes are of a contemporary style with progressive ideas such as higher cathedral ceilings, walk-in closets, open kitchens with breakfast bars and islands, and screened lanais that could be converted to Florida rooms. Each home also has an outdoor patio at the rear. The freestanding homes—with six varying floor plans—all own a larger lot and have the privilege of using their extra outdoor space for a caged pool, caged garden or an open patio. The paired villas—of which there are three different floor plans—all have a back patio that overlooks shaded walking paths leading to the two small lakes in the community.

Each one of the eight community components has their own maintenance fee, ranging from $105 (Villas II) per month to $235 (Villas I, which includes insurance) per month. That fee pays for pressure washing and painting the outside of your home every five to seven years, basic BrightHouse cable, trash and recycling pick-up, and yard, shrub and tree trimming. Only The Courtyards and Villas I have included the structure insurance in their monthly fee. The other components are allowing their individual owners to purchase their homeowners policies from outside insurance agents. All of the land-owned properties are responsible for their structures including windows and the tile roofs. This pet-friendly community allows one pet per household—as long as it doesn’t exceed 42lbs.

Garden Lakes Specialists

Judy Browning and Diane Fogo-Harter of Michael Saunders & Company’s Lakewood Ranch office are proven experts in Bradenton real estate and properties located in Garden Lakes. Looking for a three-bedroom home? There are currently two available in Garden Lakes, one with a pool and a den and the other is set on one of the community’s two lakes. Look up M5828511 and A3947940 at michaelsaunders.com, your source for Sarasota real estate for more information.