Pete and Priscilla Anselmo designed their Punta Gorda waterfront home to capture broad water views and the relaxed pace of Florida living while preserving the privacy they enjoyed in New England. From their private dock it’s an eight-minute, bridge-free cruise to Charlotte Harbor on Florida’s west coast, offering quick access to open water and island cruising.
The couple has listed the three-bedroom, 2½-bath residence, complete with an attached two-car garage and a screened, heated swimming pool and spa, for $799,000. Situated on a quarter-acre lot, the property boasts 95 feet of concrete seawall, two docks and a boat lift—ideal features for boat owners and anglers who value easy water access and secure mooring.
“We bought this lot in 1980 on a broad turning basin that simplifies docking and offers views of 10 intersecting canals, though we didn’t build the house until 2001,” says Pete, 67, who is president of a company in the printing industry. The canal-front location provides wide sightlines and the feeling of openness that comes with waterfront living.
A two-story front entry leads into a tropically landscaped home set at the end of a cul-de-sac. The open floor plan was planned so that virtually every room, including the kitchen, enjoys expansive water views. Most rooms open directly onto a screened lanai that wraps the pool and spa, creating a seamless transition between interior and exterior living.
“When the living room’s sliding glass pocket doors and the family room’s zero-corner sliders are open, it’s often hard to tell whether you’re inside or outside,” says Priscilla, also 67 and a former teacher. “In the cooler months we frequently leave the doors open to enjoy the fresh breezes, and we often find we don’t need air conditioning.” The home’s design emphasizes cross-ventilation and outdoor living, common goals in coastal Florida residences.
The kitchen provides abundant storage and a practical layout, with cabinetry along three walls, storage beneath the breakfast bar and a central island. That configuration makes food preparation efficient and allows family and friends to easily help with meals without crowding the workspace.
An informal breakfast nook sits adjacent to the kitchen, and a formal dining room is available for larger gatherings. More often, the Anselmos prefer morning coffee and casual meals poolside on the lanai, which includes an outdoor kitchen that supports al fresco dining and entertaining.
The master suite occupies one end of the home and opens through sliding glass doors to the lanai, pool and spa. Its private bath features a jetted tub and a glass-block shower. At the opposite end of the house, two guest bedrooms share a bathroom. Throughout the home, built-in storage solutions compensate for the lack of a basement—a typical consideration in Florida construction.
Boating and fishing are central to the Anselmos’ lifestyle. “I love to fish, whether five to 30 miles offshore or around the islands that line Charlotte Harbor,” Pete says. His boating experience includes years on Long Island Sound and time in Puerto Rican waters during his Navy service, and he continues to explore local waters from Punta Gorda.
They often cruise aboard their 27-foot Grady-White, powered by twin 200-hp Yamaha outboards, visiting destinations such as Sarasota, Captiva Island, Naples and even Key West—frequent outings done with friends and sometimes with the local Grady-White owners’ club. Nearby Pine Island is another favorite spot to anchor and fish.
Waterfront amenities on the property include a fixed dock equipped with a 10,000-pound lift and a floating dock with a portable davit for smaller craft. These features make launching, stowing and maintaining boats straightforward while protecting your investment from tides and currents.
The stucco-over-concrete home has a tile roof, two-zone climate control, ceiling fans and connections to public water and sewer. Homeowner association assessments of $500 per year cover seawall maintenance; annual property taxes are approximately $7,600. These practical details help prospective buyers understand the ongoing costs associated with waterfront ownership.
The listing agent is Luke Andreae of The Andreae Group at ReMax Harbor Realty, Punta Gorda. Contact: Luke Andreae (941-833-4217) or the office at (866-761-8138). www.ilovepuntagorda.com
May 2014 issue