Agents who visited Frank and Carol Durso’s home at a broker’s Open House all seemed to agree this 4-bedroom, 3-bath beauty in Citrus Springs is a “Blue Ribbon” property. It was one of the subdivision’s original model homes before the Dursos purchased it, so it is filled with a wealth of luxurious upgrades offered by GHO Builders.
“This house has all the gingerbread – upgraded tile, granite counters, stainless appliances, gas range and heater,” said Frank Durso. “We put in a lot of landscaping and screened and added paver stone to the back porch.”
The covered porch is a particularly lovely feature since it looks over a beautiful natural view that takes in a large lake.
“We love living on the lake – it is not a retention pond, it is an actual lake under the realm of the St. Johns Water Management District so it has fish in it, mullets jumping, tons of ducks and cranes walking around – it is like Jurassic Park back there,” laughed Mr. Durso.
The fact that it’s managed by St. Johns also keeps the lake flowing and healthy. It is kept at a regulated level, releasing water flow in dryer times and keeping it from overflowing in seasons with high rainfall.
Inside, the 11- and 12-foot volume ceilings add a spaciousness that makes this 2,511-square-foot home seem much larger. Its split plan construction also adds a sense of privacy to the homeowner’s whose master suite sits on one side by itself as a little haven. What enhances its feeling of privacy is that the CBS-constructed home has concrete filled walls; although the wildlife is chirping outside, the family says it is absolutely quiet indoors.
The home was constructed just before the new Miami-Dade Hurricane standards went into effect here for all new construction but the Dursos wanted the upgraded level of protection so they installed new hurricane code windows.
“I went and bought all high impact resistant windows for the front and back of the house from Florida Window & Doors and added accordion shutters on the bedroom windows which are Low E double paned glass,” said Mr. Durso.
The company demonstrated how strong the new windows and doors were by shooting at a pane of the type of glass to be used and it did not even leave a mark. Perhaps some might think that was a sales technique but the company backs it up with a lifetime guarantee which is fully transferrable to any new owner. In fact, if any person manages to break in using a hammer or some other tool, they also provide a lifetime guarantee to replace anything lost.
“So you have the safety aspect and the security of it too,” said Mr. Durso. “It really gives us peace of mind knowing the house is tight and secure. The bedroom windows have accordion shutters so all it takes to prep for hurricane readiness or when going on vacation is to pull them closed and the house is ready and secure in just 15 minutes.”
The interior is filled with fine details showcasing quality construction. There are upgraded crown moldings, gas appliances, 42-inch wood staggered hardwood cabinets, granite countertops, arched doorways and bright, large windows that make residing in this house a pleasure.
The spacious master bedroom includes a large bathroom with double sink, soaking tub and a great alcove tiled shower which has a small two-inch step down and no glass for easy maintenance. There are also two extra-large walk in closets.
“The ladies always get the bigger walk in closet which is larger than the guy’s for some reason,” Mr. Durso joked.
Carol Durso may have gotten the larger closet but her husband converted one of the four bedrooms into his “computer central” den.
Community amenities are plentiful in Citrus Springs and the fees are low, only $110 per quarter and a one-time management fee of only $352 per year. They include a heated pool with spa, lighted tennis courts, basketball area, clubhouse, fitness room, picnic tables, meeting rooms and lots of space. There is also a community storage lot for RVs and boats.
“The best part of this community is that the people here are also extremely nice,” says Mr. Durso. “Our neighbors have been so helpful and it is a very close-knit subdivision with only 61 homes so most everyone knows each other and asks how you are or says hello when walking around.”
That has been a special thing for the Durso’s since Frank has a rare spine issue which is why the family will be moving to Orlando closer to his doctor and Florida Hospital, but they have enjoyed the two years they have lived here with their daughter.
“We take our dog out by the lake, see the egrets and there is always a nice breeze here.”
To view this home listed at $299,000, contact J. Vance Brinkerhoff or Judy Landgrave at 772-913-3426.
