Marella House

Pros

• They describe Mirabella as a well-manicured and highly maintained subdivision.
• They call Mirabella a beautiful 55-plus community.
• They say it's a great place for people 55 and above.
• They rate the home and neighbors highly, giving it five stars for those aspects.
• They like Mirabella despite the developer.
• They describe the community as nice and clean.

Cons

• The developer has no intent of fulfilling promises.
• The developer's promises are not fulfilled; words mean little to him.
• Maintenance-free landscaping was promised but not delivered.
• The amenities have broken equipment and pool/hot tub repairs have not been done in a timely manner.
• Weeds were not sprayed, and dying grass or dead plants were not replaced.
• Marketing touted maintenance-free landscaping, which the reviewer views as misleading.

Review

There's a notable warmth to Mirabella that comes through in the way residents talk about the place. People describe it as a well-maintained, clean community that feels calm and inviting, a 55-plus environment where neighbors are friendly and the overall vibe is peaceful. Some residents go so far as to call it the best place they've found in years, highlighting the solid homes and the neighborhood atmosphere. There's a sense that, on balance, the setting itself can be quite pleasant, and many residents express real fondness for the community's character and the people who live there.

But beneath that good feeling lies a core concern that weighs heavily on first impressions for some buyers. The major draw for this community was maintenance-free landscaping, something that marketing materials promised would let homeowners enjoy their property without the usual yard work. The buyers' priority was to be able to simply live and appreciate the landscape, especially given their mobility needs. They emphasized that the marketing suggested you could "throw away your garden tools" and simply enjoy maintenance-free landscaping at Mirabella. The experience, however, turned into a more complicated reality, because the promises tied to that maintenance weren't fully realized in practice.

Central to their cautionary experience is the need to insist on getting everything in writing. The buyers recount being handed a CD-ROM with 100-plus pages of documents at closing and being urged to read it carefully. They stress that promises from the developers - stated by Marshall and Jeffrey Gobuty - ought to be captured in written form so there's accountability. The message they want future buyers to hear is clear: words alone aren't enough when it comes to long-term expectations. They carried the impression that the portable marketing hype didn't always translate into the actual services or upkeep they were led to expect, and they urge others to secure written confirmations before proceeding.

When questions arose after moving in, communications with the HOA and the developer did not resolve the problems to the buyers' satisfaction. They report repeated requests for weed spraying, dying grass restoration, and replacement of dead plants, all of which remained unaddressed for an extended period. After numerous calls and emails, the sense was that the promised maintenance outside their own responsibilities was not consistently delivered. The phrase that sticks with this part of the story is a blunt warning: "Words mean little to this developer," underscoring a perception that promises were not followed through.

The condition of the community's amenities also factored heavily into their overall assessment. While the home itself is described as solid, there's frustration with broken equipment and long timelines for pool and hot tub repairs. These maintenance hiccups affected daily life and dampened the sense of a worry-free, resort-like experience that might have been expected from a maintenance-free landscape marketing pitch. It's a reminder that even in well-kept neighborhoods, the systems and amenities matter, and when repairs lag, they can cast a shadow over otherwise favorable impressions.

Despite these challenges, there is a clear sense of affection for Mirabella's core appeal. The same residents who note the maintenance and promises issues also emphasize their appreciation for the home and the people who live nearby. On balance, their rating is mixed but honest: five stars for the home itself and for the neighbors, but only one star for the developer, leading to an overall three-star impression. The sentiment is nuanced - gratitude for a solid living space and a strong community, tempered by disappointment in the promises that didn't fully materialize.

There's additional texture to their observations: Mirabella is described as a well-manicured and highly maintained subdivision, populated largely by homes that are 40 years old or more. The notation of "beautiful community" reinforces the pride residents take in the place, even as they acknowledge the 55-plus atmosphere and the ongoing work required to keep everything in top shape. A note about timing - "three more months till our villa is ready" - speaks to the ongoing development and anticipation that characterizes life there. And with small, practical touches like a wish for a bigger pool, the reviews reveal a lived-in experience: people loving the environment while noting the gaps between promise and practice.

Ultimately, the message is a blend of warmth and warning. The reviewers appreciate Mirabella for its atmosphere, the quality of homes, and the neighborly feel, but they caution others about the promises made by the developer. The key takeaway is to go into the purchase with eyes wide open, insist on everything in writing, and expect that some promised maintenance services may not unfold exactly as promised. If you can secure clear written commitments and understand where the developer's responsibilities lie, Mirabella can still be a compelling place to call home. But the caution remains: promises aren't always fulfilled, so it's wise to verify and document every detail before moving forward.

This part of Bradenton, Florida, is a vibrant and convenient location with a variety of amenities nearby. With several physicians' offices, including the Manatee Cardiac Rehabilitation Center and Giangreco, Scarano & Taylor Pediatrics, residents have access to quality healthcare services within close proximity. There are also pharmacies such as Walgreens and Bradenton Hometown Pharmacy for easy prescription refills. Additionally, there are plenty of dining options ranging from Cracker Barrel to Tijuana Flats, providing diverse choices for meals. The area is also home to GT Bray Park and Bradenton Riverwalk for outdoor recreation opportunities. For those who enjoy the arts, Regal Oakmont theater is just a short drive away. Overall, this neighborhood offers convenience and a range of services that may be appealing for seniors looking for a well-rounded community to call home.

Physicians

• Manatee Cardiac Rehabilitation Center (0.2 miles)
• Giangreco, Scarano & Taylor Pediatrics (0.2 miles)
• Armand's Hearing Center (1 miles)
• Giraffic Park Therapy Center (1.2 miles)
• Suguna R. Kona (1.3 miles)
• Alignment Healthcare (1.9 miles)
• Southeast Family Health Care Center (2 miles)

Restaurants

• Cracker Barrel (0.6 miles)
• Tijuana Flats (0.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.8 miles)
• Cody's Original Roadhouse (1.1 miles)
• Mr Tequila Restaurant (1.3 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.7 miles)
• Anna Maria Oyster Bar (2.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Bradenton Hometown Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2 miles)

Hospitals

• State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (1 miles)
• H2u (3.1 miles)
• Family Birthplace (3.4 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Oakmont (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Metro Diner (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (6.9 miles)

Parks

• GT Bray Park (2.4 miles)
• Bradenton Riverwalk (3.4 miles)
• Ringling Bayfront Park (5.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• West Bradenton Baptist Church (2.7 miles)

Transportation

• Concourse B (4.8 miles)
• TSA Pre-Check (4.8 miles)
• Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) (4.9 miles)
• Baggage Claim (4.9 miles)