Posts by : David Shippey

If you find a small pile of pellets in your home stacked together sometimes around a hole in wood or several small wings on a window sill, you may have signs of Drywood Termites. Florida has two types of termites which are Subterranean and Drywood termites. Both of these termites can cause serious damage to your home if left unchecked.

The small pile of pellets is actually refuse from termites as they eat the wood in your home. If you find several small wings without a bug, it may be from a termite as they break off their wings as they infest the wood in your home. Drywood Termites usually fly or swarm into your home. They are more prevalent near oak trees and historic frame homes. But, ...

Yes, I hear this request all of the time. It is true. Most Custom Homes are built in communities governed by a HOA (Homeowner's Association) and may include a CDD (Community Development District). HOAs charge monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual fees where CDDs are included in your property tax bill sometimes raising your property taxes two to three thousand dollars a year.

The biggest complaint I receive about HOAs is not the fees but rather the restrictions on the outside of your property. Some communities are very strict on the outside appearance of the homes. These restrictions can prevent keeping multiple cars on your property, boats, recreational vehicles, trailers, etc.

If ...

Here’s to celebrating your hard work with a well-deserved break! Whether you choose to venture to the beach, invite some friends over for a BBQ, or seize the opportunity to take multiple naps… I hope your Labor Day is a good one.

Do you need a large home for your Family or Friend Get-togethers? Do you entertain large groups or you would like to do that? I have a solution. This Home for sale has over 3600 feet of living area air conditioned. That is big. The Family Room is 25x17 with a Wet Bar along with a Dining Room that is 18x14. But, you are not restricted to being inside at this home. There is a very large covered area surrounding your pool. The covered Lanai is 15x14. There is a Gazebo 15x10 connected to the Lanai for even more room outside. The Pool Deck is an additional 23x20. Yes, there is plenty of room for all of your activities. There is also room to park large groups with at least 15 cars in the parkin...

Welcome to my New & Improved Central Florida Real Estate website www.davidshippey.com. Our website has been expanded to all of Central Florida with several new search methods to make your home hunting easier. Be sure to visit www.davidshippey.com and check out these features:

1. Search via interactive map
2. Search by subdivision or community name
3. View all of our Featured Listings across Central Florida
4. Several searches selecting home features like Golfing, Pools, and No HOA
5. Most searches show newest listings first
6. MLS search with exhaustive search field selections
7. Daily search for all Polk County listings
8. Several city searches available on Front Page

My focus or coverage are...

Welcome to Lake Thomas Woods located in Southwest Winter Haven, Florida. This community features Custom Homes without a Homeowner’s Association. The community is located close to the Polk Parkway, giving easy access to Lakeland, Orlando, and Tampa. There are currently 5 Homes For Sale ranging in size from 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1475sqft living area up to 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3655sqft living area. The prices range from $399,000 up to $625,000. The Featured Home For Sale below is one of the largest homes in the community built in 2006. Check out the features, pictures, and video tours for more information. Let me know if you would like to see any homes in Lake Thomas Woods.

4318 ...

Check out what this large Plantation Style home in Winter Haven has to offer.

4318 Thomas Wood Lane
Winter Haven, FL

MLS# P4935792 - Residential

Welcome to Lake Thomas Woods located in Southwest Winter Haven, Florida. This community features Custom Homes without a Homeowners Association (HOA). The community is located close to the Polk Parkway, giving easy access to Lakeland, Orlando, and Tampa. This Custom Pool Home now available features 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Living Room, Dining Room, Breakfast Nook, Kitchen, Laundry Room, Family Room, Upstairs Loft, Two Bonus Rooms, with a 2 Car Garage. This Home is one of the largest homes in the community with 3,655 square feet living a...

The Hometown Hero Loan Program for 2025 starts on August 18th. This loan program provides down payment and closing cost assistance. The program was awarded $50 million. That seems like a lot but it will go very quickly. If you qualify for this loan program, you should act quickly before funds are depleted.

Some of the approved occupations include nurses, medical technicians, pharmacists, educational, first responders, law enforcement, child care, military, and veterans. If you are not sure if you qualify for this loan program, call me as there is an extensive list of occupations that do qualify. Another requirement is you must be employed full time by a Florida based employer.

The progr...

The question is should I do a Final Walk-Thru of the home I am purchasing before I close or don't waste my time. That is a question many times. But, the answer is easy. YES. You should always do a Final Walk-Thru before you close on a new home. I recommend doing it the day before you close just in case you uncover a potential problem. Doing the Final Walk-Thru the day before often provides enough time to resolve an issue without delaying your closing.

You ask, what could possibly happen? The Final Walk-Thru gives you the opportunity to make sure one last time before you sign on the dotted line that everything is still ok. If you requested repairs, this is the time you verify those repair...

Open House cancelled, home went under contract today.

720 Fonda Court UNIT #54
Lakeland, FL

MLS# P4933682 - Residential

BACK ON MARKET. BUYER FINANCING FELL THROUGH. Welcome to Imperial Southgate Villas. This is a 55+ Community located in South Lakeland, Florida. This Home is move in ready. The Kitchen was remodeled in 2024 with Wood Cabinets and all New Appliances. This Home features 2 Bedrooms instead of the standard 1 Bedroom. The Floors are epoxy finished with a decorative design. No carpet in this home. The Bathroom has been updated with a New Vanity featuring an above surface sink and a water pump look faucet. The Air Conditioner and Hot Water Heater were also replaced in 2...

If you are looking for golf options in Punta Gorda, consider the Burnt Store Marina Country Club. The club offers a total of three golf courses, your choice. For the avid golfer that wants to be close to the courses, we recommend this featured home for sale in the Country Club community.

816 Islamorada Boulevard
Punta Gorda, FL

MLS# P4932035 - Residential

PRICE REDUCED! Welcome to Courtyard Landings in the popular Burnt Store Marina located in Punta Gorda, Florida. Burnt Store Marina is a gated and guarded community located on Charlotte Harbor, only 10 miles from the Gulf. This community offers Golfing, Fitness Center, Dog Park, Community Pool and Spa, Tennis and Pickleball Court...

Welcome to Imperial Southgate Villas in Lakeland Florida. This community features 55+ living in South Lakeland off of South Florida Avenue near the Kelly Recreation Center. There are not many 55+ condo communities in South Lakeland. These homes are single story and many of them are not attached housing such as this featured home.

The Condo Fees include Lawn Maintenance, Water, Irrigation, Sewer, Garbage Pickup, Cable TV, Exterior Painting, Roof Cleaning, and Internet. Take a look at the pictures, virtual tour, and features below. Call for your showing today!

720 Fonda Court UNIT #54
Lakeland, FL

MLS# P4933682 - Residential

BACK ON MARKET. BUYER FINANCING FELL THROUGH. Welcome to...

We will be holding an Open House in Vienna Square at 2505 Salzburg Lp, Winter Haven, FL 33884 this Saturday 7/12/25 from 1pm-4pm.

2505 Salzburg Loop
Winter Haven, FL

MLS# P4931555 - Residential

Welcome to Vienna Square in Winter Haven located in Central Florida. This 55+ community is a beautiful community and offers their homeowners many activities and amenities to enjoy. Some of the amenities include a Community Pool and Spa, Tennis and Pickleball Court, Fitness Center, Billiards Room, Library, Card Room, and a Large Clubhouse for events. Be sure to visit the Clubhouse for a list of activities offered each month. Lets talk about this Featured Home now available. This Custom Home...

Welcome to The Burnt Store Marina. This privately owned marina is the largest deep-water marina giving access to the Gulf. This community in the Burnt Store Marina offers Golfing, Fitness Center, Dog Park, Community Pool and Spa, Tennis and Pickleball Courts, 3 Restaurants, Charter Services, and Water Rentals. If boating is your enjoyment, you should consider the Burnt Store Marina. The featured home for sale has greatly reduced their price so you can remodel the bathrooms and kitchen to your tastes. Check out the other features below and call for your showing soon.

816 Islamorada Boulevard
Punta Gorda, FL

MLS# P4932035 - Residential

PRICE REDUCED! Welcome to Courtyard Landings i...

The seller recently reduced the price on this home to $319,000. This home has a lot to offer for that price. The home is only 10 years old, on waterfront, and in a great community. See more details below. Call me for your showing today!

2505 Salzburg Loop
Winter Haven, FL

MLS# P4931555 - Residential

Welcome to Vienna Square in Winter Haven located in Central Florida. This 55+ community is a beautiful community and offers their homeowners many activities and amenities to enjoy. Some of the amenities include a Community Pool and Spa, Tennis and Pickleball Court, Fitness Center, Billiards Room, Library, Card Room, and a Large Clubhouse for events. Be sure to visit the Clubhouse for ...

This home is back on the market. The buyer's financing fell through. That gives you another opportunity to buy this remodeled home in Imperial Southgate Villas located in South Lakeland. Take a look at the upgrades and features below. Call for your showing soon!

720 Fonda Court UNIT #54
Lakeland, FL

MLS# P4933682 - Residential

BACK ON MARKET. BUYER FINANCING FELL THROUGH. Welcome to Imperial Southgate Villas. This is a 55+ Community located in South Lakeland, Florida. This Home is move in ready. The Kitchen was remodeled in 2024 with Wood Cabinets and all New Appliances. This Home features 2 Bedrooms instead of the standard 1 Bedroom. The Floors are epoxy finished with a decorati...

If you are looking for a new 55+ community or you are looking to find your first 55+ community to call home, I recommend that you consider Vienna Square in Southeast Winter Haven, FL. The community offers many amenities such as a Pool, Tennis, Fitness Center but it is more than a list of amenities. It is also about the homeowners in the community which you will find to be very friendly. Regular activities happen at the clubhouse. You can participate as much or as little as you would like. The community is gated which stops all of the solicitors. The community is very close to shopping and restaurants. The featured home is one of only 2 homes currently available in the community and featur...

This home is for sale in the Courtyard Landings community in the Burnt Store Marina located in Punta Gorda, Florida. A big plus for this home is the owner replaced the tile roof in 2024. Tile roofs are expensive at the tune of $50,000. But, this is not an expense done every 10 years. Tile roofs last about 50 years and are one of the best roof coverings for hurricanes. That savings alone is great for a new home owner. In addition to that savings, the seller is currently offering the home at a greatly reduced price which provides funds for the new owner to remodel the home to their tastes. Call soon for your showing!

816 Islamorada Boulevard
Punta Gorda, FL

MLS# P4932035 - Residenti...

Yes, it is true. This featured home is located in the Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda and features a community Dog Park known as the Barking Lot. If you need a home in Punta Gorda but need plenty of room for your pets to run, consider the Burnt Store Marina. For more information about the Barking Lot, search BSM DOG PARK on Google. For more information about this featured home, see below.

816 Islamorada Boulevard
Punta Gorda, FL

MLS# P4932035 - Residential

PRICE REDUCED! Welcome to Courtyard Landings in the popular Burnt Store Marina located in Punta Gorda, Florida. Burnt Store Marina is a gated and guarded community located on Charlotte Harbor, only 10 miles from the Gulf. Thi...

This home is located in the beautiful community of Vienna Square which is in Winter Haven, Florida. The home was built in 2015 so it is only 10 years old. That means the roof, hot water heater, and air conditioner are only 10 years old. This home features beautiful waterfront views in a gated community with amenities. See additional features below. Let me know if I can answer any questions or you would be interested in a preview of the home personally.

2505 Salzburg Loop
Winter Haven, FL

MLS# P4931555 - Residential

Welcome to Vienna Square in Winter Haven located in Central Florida. This 55+ community is a beautiful community and offers their homeowners many activities and amenit...