When Sarah and Dan Tafoya moved from New Mexico to Vero Beach, their first consideration was finding a home that would enhance their active family-centered lifestyle.
With three children who are home-schooled, they needed a house that was large enough for family activities yet allowed them space to work and study without crowding each other. The house also had to be in a safe, protected neighborhood while offering the freedom to use their home as an extension of their active outdoor life without homeowner association encumbrances.
They studied all the options and found their beautiful 2-story, 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath pool home in the River Shores Estates neighborhood.
River Shores Estates is tucked away in southeastern Vero Beach just off U.S.1 with just two streets, both ending at the lovely Indian River Lagoon. When other neighborhoods are roasting in the summer, residents here enjoy cool river breezes as they walk and bike the quiet, shady neighborhood. Although shopping and dining is close by, a large county preserve spans the north side of the community, while the gated Grove Isle’s subdivision is adjacent on the south, providing a natural barrier for the peaceful neighborhood. Many homes have riverfront docks, which helps keep property values high and steady.
The Tafoyas’ home does not have riverfront access, but the Oslo Boat Ramp is just a mile away, a perfect spot for putting kayaks, canoes and small motorboats into the river. River Shores is also close to large public ramps where the family’s pontoon boat can be launched. Another advantage to the neighborhood is that, while it is a riverfront community, it’s not in a flood zone because the streets slope down from higher ground to the river. Definitely an insurance bonus.
Upon entering the home, which has a convenient keypad access, one steps into a dedicated foyer with a large coat closet and a view straight back to the pool and backyard through French doors. The formal living room is located to the left through a wide arched doorway, and the main staircase is on the right, leading to the four upstairs bedrooms. A unique added feature is an alcove office tucked under the stairs which has a built-in desk and space for a computer across from the half-bath. A skylight over the stairs adds an element of natural light to the entry.
The formal living room leads to a bright dining room through another arched entrance and is located just off the designer kitchen. The kitchen has been completely updated with stainless appliances, maple cabinetry with a walled pantry, granite countertops and a built-in breakfast bar/buffet with space for six or seven people to sit down to a casual meal.
The Tafoyas removed a wall between the kitchen and the Florida Room and have chosen to make the room a family entertainment center with a billiard table and big-screen television. Lots of activity happens in this area just off the pool and screened patio. The kids love having their friends over to hang out by the pool and enjoy the privacy of a fenced yard large enough to throw around a football or play with their two dogs.
Upstairs there are bright, airy rooms for each of the three kids and a spacious en suite master bedroom for Sarah and Dan. The flooring has the highest quality sound barriers to reduce noise between the levels. The house brings the outdoors inside through large sunny windows and the covered upstairs porch that allows a beautiful cross section of gentle river breezes to flow through the house.
There is a bonus laundry room next to the second bath, which is a huge convenience for the whole family. Sarah and Dan repainted all the walls in soft beach colors and added realistic wood laminate flooring which is easy to maintain and adds to the Key West ambience.
The three children’s rooms face the backyard and pool while the master has a great view of the shady front yard and street. The covered second-floor porch, accessible from the master via French doors, is a quiet place to enjoy relaxing or watching for the two resident bald eagles and wide variety of other wildlife living in and around River Shores. Sarah said it is a peaceful haven for her and her husband away from the rest of the activity.
“I look at listings every day and I challenge you to find a pool home for this price in a non-HOA community that is this large, this upgraded, and close to area beaches and shopping,” said Coldwell Banker Paradise listing agent Jason Gill. “This is a family home; it is great for the kids, dogs and the whole family.”
Keeping with the family-centric theme, the only reason the Tafoyas are moving is to find a house big enough for Dan’s parents to be able to stay with them. The family has really enjoyed the house and living in a neighborhood which has so many active neighbors who ride bikes, walk, scoot around on golf carts and enjoy a safe, wholesome lifestyle.
“Coming from New Mexico, this home has been a tropical haven to us,” said Sarah. “I love that the street is so quiet and we are so close to the beach. We can literally be at the ocean in minutes.”
Contact Jason Gill to view this $300,000 4-bedroom home in a lovely family-friendly riverside community.
