The entrance to Arbor Reserve on Lockwood Ridge Road, just south of State Road 70 in Manatee County. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 6-13-2016.
The development of Arbor Reserve, which started in 2012, was a team effort by two national builders, Ryland Homes (now CalAtlantic Homes) and Taylor Morrison. They took a property originally owned by Turner Tree & Landscape and created an attractive enclave of 95 homes.
An attractive stone pergola with the name of the neighborhood sits at one side of the gated entrance, two lanes with a palm-lined divider.
Grouped around two large lakes and the nature preserve on its southern border, most of the homes have scenic backyard views. The architecture has a neo-traditional accent with hints of the bungalow among the differing facades, including some columned entrances.
Ryland Homes built the houses in the southern section of the development — three-bedroom homes from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. Taylor Morrison put up larger, 4- and 5-bedroom residences, from 2,400 to 4,400 square feet. Both builders offered several models, giving the neighborhood a varied look.
The Arbor Reserve clubhouse in southern Manatee County. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 6-13-2016.
“I like it because it is a smaller community in an intimate setting,” says Reneé Marquiss, an agent with Xena Vallone Realty. “I think it’s a very pretty neighborhood — the landscaping and the way people keep their homes.”
She continues, “It’s hard to find new houses in this corridor west of I-75.”
Alex Krumm, a Realtor with RE/MAX Alliance Group, agrees. It is new and has low fees and great amenities — sidewalks, a playground, a sports court, a community pool and a cabana grill.”
His listing at 4625 Garden Arbor Way is a lakeside, four-bedroom Ryland Home with 1850 square feet under air. The owner had double insulation put in the walls and attic. As a result, the utility bill for water, electric, sewer and trash and gas — all homes in the community have natural gas — runs to a little more than $100 a month. “You can’t find a better deal at this price point,” says Krumm.
This house at 4507 Arbor Gate Drivet in Arbor Reserve is listed for sale at $614,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms and four and a half baths in 4,480 square feet. The listing agent is Renee Marquiss of Xena Vallone Realty. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 6-13-2016.
Marquiss has a house on the market, too. Her $614,000 listing at 4507 Arbor Gate Drive is one of the largest in the neighborhood — a two-story, 4,400-square-foot Taylor Morrison design. It has a game room upstairs, surrounded by four of the five bedrooms.
“That makes it a nice home for a family with children,” she says, adding, “there are 11 closets, and the owner upgraded the counters and cabinets in the kitchen and the five bathrooms.”
Arbor Reserve’s residents are a mix of retirees and working professionals. “You can tell by the toys in the yards that are also a lot of younger families,” says Marquiss. “They like that the community is gated all day long — it makes it safe kids to play on the streets.”
This house at 4625 Garden Arbor Way in Arbor Reserve is listed for sale at $314,900 by Alex Krumm of RE/MAX Alliance Group. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms and two baths in 1,850 square feet. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 6-13-2016.
The assigned district schools are Tara Elementary, Sarah Scott Harllee Middle and Braden River High.
Residents also appreciate the low homeowners’ association dues of $376 a quarter. They cover the care of the community facilities, entrance landscaping and lakes. There are no CDD fees.
For people going to work, being less than three miles from Interstate 75 is a big plus, providing them easy access north as far as Tampa and St. Pete and south to Sarasota and Venice.
This house at 5726 Westhaven Cove in Arbor Reserve is listed for sale at $378,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms and four baths in 2,921 square feet. The listing agent is Pam Charron of Berkshire Hathaway Florida Realty. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 6-13-2016.
A Publix grocery store, restaurants and ancillary shops are close by. For serious shoppers, the Ellenton Premium Outlet stores and UTC mall are both less than a 15-minute drive away.
“Arbor Reserve is close to everything — the post office and library, and Lakewood Ranch if you want to go to First Fridays on Main Street,” says Marquiss.
Currently, there are three homes on the market, ranging in price from $314,900 to $614,000.
