Once deciding to escape the winters in New England the Galuska’s started to search for that special retirement lifestyle. Although they owned a condo in Southeast Florida, they felt life would be more enjoyable in a less crowded and less stressful environment. They started a search that lasted a number of years. Along the way they explored a variety of central Florida communities including the Villages and On Top of the World.

“We discovered Terra Vista on the Internet, but we were not sure it was go- ing to be a fit for our lifestyle. Based on the online presentation it almost looked too good to be true,” comments Alice Galuska. Not really knowing what to expect, they decided to arrange a Discovery Visit and further explore the community.

“When we drove into the community we just knew it was right. Everything felt comfortable. It reminded us of the cozy neighborly community we grew up in,” notes Ed. “Both Terra Vista and the surrounding Citrus County area proved to be a very friendly place. It’s unheard of in South Florida, but here people wave and say hello wherever you go.”

Alice adds that you find people from all walks of life in Terra Vista. “It’s just like one big family. Regardless of a person’s past you never feel a high brow attitude around here. It doesn’t matter what your career was, everyone is open and willing to lend a hand if needed.”

Also memorable, was the positive sale and home building experience where “feeling special” was part of the process from start to finish. As a professional engineer with extensive experience dealing with architects, Ed recognized the quality standards of construction and appreciated the ability to bring personal touches to their new home by customizing the plan.

Both Ed and Alice are avid golfers and enjoy the many activities promoting health found at BellaVita. “The ameni- ties, homes and community design are all top notch. We just can’t imagine a better place to call home.”

I

Unique to this unveiling is the Ashford detached villa model and the Sorrento single family home which both feature a design inspired by home shoppers visiting Terra Vista and Brentwood. Sales Manager Joe Sholes comments, “Visitors staying in our luxury hospitality condominiums kept remarking on the design of one of the units. In response to this popularity we adapted the condo design to both a single family and villa format.” The end result is a 2038 sq ft living area villa and 2142 sq. ft. single family home with a casual Great Room design.

Completing the new offering is the new 2295 sq. ft., Barcelona single family home with more traditional design, which incorporates formal and informal areas.

Although the variety of homes available at Citrus Hills spans from 1457 to over 4184 sq. ft. of living area the most popular sized homes sought by today’s baby-boomer buyer are approximately 1700 to 2300 sq. ft. of living area.

In early 2010, the very popular Fairfax and Hartford models, first introduced in the village of Brentwood, were modified and joined the extensive collection of models available in Terra Vista. The combined impact of the five new models contributed to over a 30% increase in sales during 2010.

“We responded to the needs of today’s home buyer with homes that hit the target sizes of interest at a great value. In return, the market responded by making Terra Vista and Brentwood our area’s most popular and top selling communities,” notes Mr. Sholes.

For details about these value- packed homes contact your representative at 800-323-7703 or the Customer Relations Center at 800-511-0814.

That’s where the Citrus Hills Delay Start Program has helped today’s home buyers feel comfortable. With this proven plan purchasers gain the time necessary to pre-plan their purchase without the pressure of needing to start building.

Under the arrangement purchaser’s actually select their top choice home site, lock-in the price and put off the start of construction for up to one full year. Planning and Decorating appointments are pushed back to accommodate the delayed cycle of construction. At the conclusion of the Delay Start period construction begins with delivery of the home in 6 to 7 months. This results in delivery of a new home in no less than one and a half years from purchase date.

With mounting concern over inflation and commodity prices, the Delay Start provides an ideal opportunity to guard against the threat of price increases.

“Most agree that new home prices are at the lowest level possible,” says George Sleeman, the firm’s Director of Sales & Marketing. “As the cards start to play out in the market, buyers who guaranteed the current low prices are going to look like geniuses.”

As reported by purchasers, the plan also provides a framework for goal setting, carefully planning a major relocation and establishing a clear agenda for selling a current home.

For details about the Delay Start Program contact your representative at the Welcome Center, 800-311-0814.

W

“Although the equipment at BellaVita is not dated and is in excellent condition, the decision to invest in replacing the equipment was founded in our commitment to maintain the finest private fitness centers available,” explains Director of Fitness Lee Thompson.

The new equipment at the BellaVita Spa & Fitness Center will offer the latest technology in cardio equipment including a collection of state-of-the- art treadmills.

In addition to its impact on the BellaVita facility this latest club upgrade works to enhance all three of the private fitness facilities available to resi- dents. The equipment replaced from BellaVita has been used to enhance the fitness equipment at the club’s Central Activity Center and Brentwood Swim & Fitness Center. Complementing the equipment upgrades to both facilities has been a renovation of the fitness area interiors.

The comprehensive facilities available for residents have been planned to ideally meet the heightened interest for fitness by today’s increasingly health oriented baby- boomer generation. Embellishing the club’s fitness program, is an extensive offering of over 200 classes each month featuring such activities as Tai Chi, Spinning, Yoga and Water Aerobics.

Unlike the programs at other private clubs, all classes and lessons at BellaVita are included in the affordable social membership dues, with no additional cost per session.

If a fitness routine is an important part of your lifestyle, you’ll find the opportunities for residents at Terra Vista and Brentwood to be among the finest available in the nation.

D

Since that era there has been a lot of changes in the state. Yet, despite the over development and concrete jungle created in many other coastal areas, in Citrus County you’ll still find the untainted beauty early visitors documented.

This pristine area known as the Nature Coast, delivers a preserved environment where Florida’s greatest natural treasures continue to flourish. Existing here is an outdoor paradise rich with recreational opportunities that span from hiking to world-class fishing.

Among the most popular offerings of the area is a smorgasbord of saltwater and freshwater activities. For anglers there’s plenty of world-class fishing opportunities that include the over 20 mile long Tsala Apopka lake chain, as well as the area’s famous spring fed rivers leading to the shimmering open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Boating enthusiasts will also enjoy recreation that includes everything from cruising and sailing in the Gulf, to relaxing rides on the rivers with pleasure craft that span from pontoon boats to jet skis. For the eco-oriented, the entire area is also noted as a haven for canoe and kayaking enthusiasts of all ages.

Of course, no discussion of water sports in Citrus County can be complete without mention of snorkeling and scuba diving. Long known as a Mecca for divers from around the world, the area’s crystal clear rivers and springs offer an exciting diving encounter.

Enhancing the experience are the many beautiful fish, plentiful plants and animal life including Florida’s largest concentration of playful manatees throughout the winter season. In 2010, Coastal Magazine noted the Crystal River as one of the top three snorkeling locations in the world.

If water sports are among your pastime pursuits, Citrus County is sure to fill your heart and days with endless joy.

F

When asked why golf was never pursued responses from aspiring golf- ers were not committing the time and energy to learn, and a fear of feeling intimidated by seasoned golfers.

In an effort to help would-be golfers the pros at the Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club have devised an easy and fun way for beginner and develop- ing golfers to become accomplished in the great game of golf. The successful program offers FREE Golf Clinics and a series of beginner oriented mixer tournaments open to all residents.

There are two levels of lessons that include a pure Beginner Clinic followed by an Intermediate Clinic.

There is also a series of “duffer” tournaments that offer developing players competitive play without intimidation or pressure. The events promote a fun experience with a customary “wrap party” complete with beer and pizza for all participants.

The club also fosters its active golf program by offering Social Members FREE golf on a full scale 18 hole course with only a cart fee.

This special clinic program is one of the many ways the club works to deliver an active lifestyle experience for all residents.

At Terra Vista and Brentwood the home building philosophy is to embrace redesigning homes that get customers exactly the lifestyle surroundings they really want. Regardless of the size of home or model, owners can explore any level of customization they wish. Helping to make it all happen is Don Caravella, Planning Coordinator.

As part of the home building process all clients meet with Don in a Planning Session to discuss potential design changes. To help customers, computer generated drawings are used to review changes.

Whether a customer wishes to make simple changes such as modifying a room size or elaborate redesign of a home layout, buyers can confidently rely on a design and construction team dedicated to creating the desired end result.

Among the most famous features showcasing the area’s picturesque settings are the seven major rivers flowing through Citrus County. They include the Crystal River, Homosassa River, Hall’s River, Saint Martins, Chassahowitzka River, Salt River and Withlacoochee River. The waterways provide a recreational Mecca for fishing, boating, snorkeling and diving year around.

Most notable of the rivers are the spring fed Crystal and Homosassa Rivers. These sparkling waterways flow from the headsprings to the Gulf of Mexico assuring a steady cleansing of the river waters surrounded by natural unspoiled backdrops lining the shore. The result is a seamless pristine setting ideally suited for both the serious and occasional water sport enthusiasts. Typical of the pleasure craft you’ll find cruising the rivers are motorboats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes and the always popular glistening pontoon boats.

Contributing to the fame of the area’s rivers is the history of King’s Bay as a haven of study for naturalists from around the world including the legendary Jacques Costeau. This natural centerpiece at the head of the Crystal River contains 28 springs and offers divers and snorkelers a wonderland of beautiful fish and abundance of fauna. Recently Coastal Living magazine sited the area as one of the top 3 snorkeling destinations in the world.

However, it’s the playful manatee that has brought the greatest notoriety to the rivers. Attracted by warmer water temperatures during the winter months the rivers become home to the largest collection of West Indian manatees in North America.

Over the last couple of years many Sunbelt home shoppers have been struggling with the decision about when and where to make a purchase decision. Questions about where real estate markets were going and the ability to sell homes often created confusion and apprehension.

Recent months have shown a new attitude among shoppers, thanks to the “bottoming out” and growing stability in resale prices, as well as record low mortgage rates. Many people who have been sitting on the sidelines to purchase are clearly recognizing the signs that the opportunities in the marketplace may very well be as good as it is going to get.

“There’s been a marked change in the market,” notes Sales Manager Joe Sholes, “Buyers believe that we’ve reached the point in the market where waiting to make a decision will only result in costing more money. Today’s shopper is understanding that selling an existing home at a lower price is offset by the buy they can now get on a new home. There’s really no reason for putting off enjoying the lifestyle of their dream.”

At Terra Vista & Brentwood buyers have not only been responding to the general opportunities inherent in the market today, but also to a variety of limited time incentives that have been offered. Among the most popular opportunities recently introduced by the developer has been the ability to build a choice of 4 models under the “Buy of a Lifetime” promotion. This outstanding value has allowed buyers to select from an offering of four special homes from only $225,900 to $259,900 ranging from 1666 to 1959 sq. ft. living area.

Among the luxury features enhancing the value of these homes are granite kitchen countertops, maple cabinets throughout, tankless natural gas water heater and energy efficient Low E windows.

Like all homes at Terra Vista and Brentwood they are fully customizable to accommodate individual preferences.

While many Sunbelt communities are struggling with the market, homeshoppers have found the outstanding values and lifestyle standards at Terra Vista among the most attractive available.

Since its recent acquisition, renovations have begun on the pro shop and the course grounds conditions have been enhanced. This course offers an affordable golfing opportunity to compliment the special social member program currently available to club members on The Meadows course.

“This new addition is more than the typical “pitch and putt” or executive course generally associated with nine hole courses. The combination of its 2731 yard length and the hilly topography make this a fun course with some challenge. It’s ideal for an enjoyable quick round of golf,” comments Director of Golf, Peter Summers.

Renamed the Brentwood Golf Course, this nine hole course joins the existing championship golf courses, bringing the club affiliated golf courses to a total of four.