Home Buying

  Well, we did it: we bought a house at Cypress Lakes yesterday. We close the week of January 13. It is a great deal on a 2001 Palm Harbor with vinyl windows, energy efficient roof, two bed, two bath, rear facing lanai with partial water view, golf car garage/ shed, and totally turnkey. We don't need to buy a thing for it except for a grill and golf cart; I am set. They even have RV storage on site. The best part is we paid cash so our only bills will be lot rent and utilities. Here is the listing:  http://homes.cypresslakesfla.com/Home_detail_CL.aspx?Listing_ID=779  It is located at the front of the community on a culdesac so it is easy in/ easy out.
  I am glad we did it. This will serve as a home base in the winter and we can take the trailer out whenever we want for as long as we want and have a place to go home to. The second bedroom is perfect for guests and I hope all of our friends and relatives will take advantage of the offer to come for visits during the winter. We will be centrally located in Lakeland which is equidistant to both Tampa and Orlando. The community is less than an hour from Tampa or Orlando airports, ten miles from the Amtrak station for the pteromerhanophobics ( those with a fear of flying), and about 85 miles from Sanford Airport where Allegient Air flies. They have ridiculously low fares.
  We did our due diligence selecting this community. We visited eight communities and looked at about 40 houses over the last few weeks. Cypress Lakes won out due to their impeccable amenities and value of their homes in comparison to other places. Their location is also a plus. We love Orlando and Tampa with all the attractions each has to offer. Also we can get to Tampa for sporting events when the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, or Phillies play there and of course spring training is throughout the area.
  After all of the hustle and bustle of finishing the home search we went out for a relaxing drink and a bite to eat at Gaspar's Bar and Grille. This place has it all: a bar inside and out, pool hall, patio with a small stage; and even a liquor store that stays open until 3 AM!

There are some corny props but it works with the decor:

 

Well that is all the news up to now. We are off to Orange Lake tomorrow for vacation for 12 days. This might be our last visit there as we would like to sell our timeshare since we will be living here. Cypress Lakes is like living at Orange Lake. It is a great resort that we have been enjoying since 1999. Tons of golf and several swimming pools plus many other amenities. We will give first crack at it to relatives since they have all stayed there, and if there are no takers I will post more information about it. I am not trying to make any money on it but would like to recoup my maintenance fees for 2014 which are already paid. Until then Happy Holidays.