Edgewater Homes Offer Architectural Diversity

The obvious draw to Edgewater is its beautiful Riverside location, the great weather and the endless variety of outdoor activities to be enjoyed.  However, there is also an interesting variety of home styles that sets our community apart from so many others in Florida.

On a routine walk, I decided to snap some photos of homes that inspire my gardening and renovation ideas, or simply look amazing! 

Cheers to IPhone 6 for making this impromptu photo gallery possible.  ENJOY!

 This bricked, two story colonial has an enormous yard with river views!

Notice the large garage - likely for a boat - on the side right.  Their balconies are fantastic

What an entrance....and enviable privacy

A two-story home right on the water.  Not photographed is a dolphin sculpture in the midst of the circular driveway

A beautiful stone wall

Privacy and location-location-location!

This home is under construction and has recently had palm trees and shrubs added.  It is truly stunning!

This home grants a stately nod to the many New Englander's and New Yorker's who have made Edgewater their home

Okay, not a house, but a pretty nice riverside deck!

So many homeowners take pride in their gardens.  This home has bright blooms most of the year

What an entrance!

A genuine masterpiece!

This home has views views views!

Curb appeal on steroids.....

Beautiful Landscaping and River Views from his home.....

Hope you enjoyed a gander at some of the architectural diversity in Edgewater.  

Edgewater Florida ~ The Hospitality City

Founded in 1871 by Dr. John Milton Hawks, Edgewater was originally Hawks Park.  

The Menard-May Park is the historic four and a half-acre parcel site where a steamboat brought the first group of winter settlers.

Riverside Drive was originally The Strand used by Timucuan Indians for many years.

In 1924, the Florida Legislature changed the name of Hawks Park to Edgewater.

A unique Intercoastal waterfront community, Edgewater is located alongside a diverse ecosystem, the Indian River Lagoon, also known as the underwater rain forest. Home to 680 species of fish and 300 species of birds, amazing manatee and social dolphins. Amidst the Palms are unique trees a flowers in bloom year round.

Due to the small town's serene charm, beautiful location, warm winters and friendly residents, Edgewater earned the title of The Hospitality City.

The Atlantic Ocean is a short north bound ride by bicycle, golf cart or vehicle.  When the beaches get crowded, so do the roads.  Edgewater residents enjoy close beach side proximity, with out the seasonal traffic.

Edgewater Landing, a riverfront manufactured home subdivision was recognized as one of The 50 Top Retirement Communities in America.

A community with seasonal and full-time residents that include young families, single residents, retirees, and many veterans, the 146 acres of parkland is put to year round use.  Residents use the fitness trails, walk dogs, picnic, swim, fish, go bicycling; play tennis, racquetball, football, volleyball, bring their children to the playgrounds and launch kayaks and boats in to the river.

Edgewater remains a fun, hospitable, gorgeous and affordable place to live!  

~Wendy Tranter

Tripping on Average Cost Per Square Foot

There once was a buyer who refused to buy the professionally renovated home even though it was his dream home in every way.  (We will call him Frank). Why?  A similar home in the same area had sold for less money per square foot.

Here was the difference.  The home that sold for less money per square foot (to be referred to as Home A) had stained, buckling white carpet and white tile in disrepair throughout.  The renovated home (Home B) had brand new hard wood flooring.  

Home A had a broken floor to volume ceiling mirror, cracked and in need of removal and/or replacing. Home B had fresh paint in every room, neutral colors.  

Home A had sliding glass doors and some did not open.  Home B had brand new french doors, and solid wood doors throughout.  

Home A had engineered wood kitchen cabinets and some were pulling away from the wall.  The counter top was a colorful, swelling laminate.  Home B had solid wood, off white cabinets with granite counter tops and an open floor plan. 

Home A had original bathrooms needed work.  Home B had wholly renovated bathrooms with high end features.  

Home A had a 20 year old roof.  Home B had a 3 year old roof.  

And yet, the savvy square foot buyer felt that Home B was a "rip off".

If the buyer disliked all the brand new renovations in Home B and wanted to put his own styles in a Home A (needs a lot of work) situation, or was planning to happily live on stained carpets and under an aged roof, this would have made sense.  However, it was not the case.

When looking for a home, the average square foot price in the neighborhood is intended to be a guide.  It is important to consider that guide when renovating, so we do not over-improve.  However, square footage pricing often does not tell the whole story.

So what happened to House A?  Several other buyers came through, appreciated the high end renovations and a bidding war ensued.  The house sold for more than asking price.  The square footage buyer and his disappointed wife kept looking.

Don't be Frank!