When Philip and Kathleen Scolley decided they were ready to leave the Boston area during the winter months, they called a friend who had visited New Smyrna regularly. When the couple asked where they should look, he told them about a little town further south – Vero Beach.
“They used to stay at the Disney Resort here, so they knew the area,” recalls Kathleen.
It didn’t take the couple long to decide this was where they wanted to be. “We looked at 14 houses in two days and bought a house the following Tuesday,” adds Philip of their home at 9220 Spring Time Dr. in Seasons.
The couple agreed the detached guest casita and proximity to everything Vero offers sold them on the Seasons neighborhood.
“The casita was a draw for us. He [Philip] was still working, and we had two dogs, so we needed space for a backyard,” shares Kathleen.
“You could have a pullout couch to fit two different couples in the casita,” says Realtor Debbie Bell, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty.
Located near the intersection of Wabasso Beach Road and Highway A1A, Philip notes it was easy for him to get to the Melbourne Airport for work trips, a quick walk to Wabasso Beach and, perhaps most importantly for an avid golfer like Philip, only a 16-minute drive to the Bent Pine Golf Course.
“It’s a quick drive downtown – for shopping and dinner – but you’re far enough away so that the traffic doesn’t impact you,” adds Kathleen.
The couple was thrilled to discover the Historic Jungle trail near their new home, 8 miles of sandy road running through the barrier island’s hammock habitat. “We walked the Jungle Trail every day. The dogs loved it because they could dip their toes in the river if needed when they were hot,” adds Kathleen.
Additionally, says Bell, “at this price point for a four bedroom, four-and-one-half bath home with a heated pool on the island, it’s a very good opportunity for someone.”
“You have everything,” continues Bell, noting all the neighborhood amenities.
Approaching the house, Bell notes the lushly landscaped yard as you enter the courtyard through solid mahogany doors.
“The courtyard is our main living space,” says Philip. There they can enjoy a cocktail and watch television poolside under the protection of the screened area.
The two-room casita with a living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette allows guests to come and go as they please, maintaining their privacy.
Bell notes that the casita is a great space for long-term guests, a mother-in-law suite, an office, studio or space for live-in help.
The main house has multiple access points to bring the outdoors in and take the indoors out.
“When the weather is nice, you can open up the sliders for extended living,” says Bell.
At the front of the L-shaped home, an en suite guest bedroom, a two-car garage and a laundry room maintain a nice distance from the primary suite on the opposite side of the house, with the dining room, living room and kitchen providing a buffer between.
Noting the volume ceilings, crown molding, plantation shutters and solid-wood interior doors, Bell says, “Seasons is known for quality construction. This is one of the last houses that was built in this area. It’s the Dahlia model, and there are only a couple like this.”
The kitchen has bar seating, allowing plenty of entertainment space when paired with the adjacent dining room overlooking the pool. A gas stove, new appliances, prep sink on the island and disposals in both sinks ensure you have all the tools needed for any size crowd.
Clerestory windows in the living room bring in plenty of natural light without giving up privacy.
Further down the hall, an en suite guest bedroom and the primary suite share the rear wing of the house. The generously sized owner’s suite has a small seating area and a private patio overlooking the fenced backyard.
Noting the room is east-facing, Bell says the ocean breeze comes through when you open the patio sliders.
The Scolleys updated the spacious walk-in closet with built-ins, making it easy to use as a dressing room. The bathroom encompasses a water closet, shower, soaking tub and dual sinks.
Seasons is an island community located between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean.
The 100-homesite community includes gated security, an onsite maintenance manager, internet and cable, lawncare, a heated community pool, a fitness center, a clubhouse with a catering kitchen, two tennis courts, pickleball and croquet.
“There’s a book club, walking clubs, and neighborhood parties every month. It’s a way for neighbors to meet neighbors,” says Kathleen.
The subdivision is convenient to mainland shopping, the Environmental Learning Center, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Wabasso Beach Park, a guarded public beach. Ocean Drive in Vero Beach is just a short drive away, where you can dine and shop or visit Riverside Theatre or the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
“It’s a very friendly neighborhood,” say the Scolleys.
Photos provided
