Riverfront homes come with the built-in benefit of backing up to a tranquil, natural setting. In Vero Beach, Florida, houses along the Indian River, just inland from the Atlantic Ocean, have the added advantage of being located on one of the most ecologically diverse estuaries in North America.
“There are only so many places in the country where you can wake up and enjoy a cup of coffee and see dolphins and manatees swimming in your backyard,” says agent Michael McCauley of Dale Sorensen Real Estate. Along with wildlife sightings and spectacular sunrises, residents enjoy fishing and boating as well as proximity to the ocean without having to go far.
What else? The river area (technically, it’s an estuary) has become one of the most sought-after second-home markets in the United States because of its “wealth of scenic natural beauty,” according to a Forbes story.
Three Vero Beach homes currently on the market possess amenities that elevate the waterfront experience.
For example, the three-story house at 1 Sailfish Road has enough dock space for a luxury boat. It offers 200 feet of waterfront and panoramic views of two bridges that span the wide estuary. The property with four bedrooms and five bathrooms in almost 5,000 square feet keeps nature close, with large view windows in just about every room. Three heated pools, including an infinity pool and a lazy river, and an outdoor kitchen make it perfect for entertaining. The price is $5.35 million. David Decker and Stacey Morabito are the listing agents.
The custom-built Palacio Del Rio at 5230 Saint Andrews Drive embraces Mediterranean style inside and out. The five-bedroom, six-bathroom home with expansive river views comes with extras, such as a home theater, two-story library accessed via a spiral staircase, elevator, pool and large outdoor lounge spaces.
The price is $12 million; Mike Young and Andonia Kleopoulos are the listing agents.
The riverfront home at 9160 Marsh Island Drive is located on an island in the river connected by a bridge to the mainland. The design capitalizes on the home’s tranquil setting with large arched windows in the dining room and family room. The primary bedroom comes with a bathroom, sauna and private laundry area. There’s also a pool and guest house on the property as well as a boat slip. The cost is $3.45 million. Sarah Tafoya is the listing agent.
Life here is all about having the waterfront at your doorstep. The 156-mile-long estuary that carries a mix of saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean and freshwater from inland tributaries creates a brackish brew where mangrove forests, salt marshes and thousands of animal and plant species thrive.
“Homeowners on the river enjoy a certain luxury that is unique,” McCauley says. “If you’ve ever loaded up a boat and trailed it to a boat launch and waited in line to get it into the water, then you understand how amazing it is to decide you want to be on the water and be enjoying that experience within 10 minutes.”
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