Mink Associates

Florida, often sought after for its warm climate and relaxed lifestyle, offers a diverse range of living options, including vibrant mobile home communities that cater to various preferences. For those considering a move to the heart of the Sunshine State, particularly in the Central Florida region, understanding the nuances of available communities is essential. Mink Associates, managing the Crystal Lake Club community in Avon Park, represents one such option for individuals seeking a friendly and potentially active environment.

A mobile home park often provides an accessible pathway to homeownership in Florida, offering a sense of community and a range of shared amenities that can enhance daily living. Crystal Lake Club, under the management of Mink Associates, is situated in Avon Park, a charming city known for its beautiful lakes and tranquil atmosphere. The community strives to create an inviting environment where residents can enjoy their golden years, or simply a peaceful existence amidst Florida's natural beauty.

While specific details about every aspect of the community are best gathered directly, the feedback from visitors highlights a notable aspect: the kindness and hospitality of the residents and club members. This suggests a welcoming atmosphere that can be a significant draw for those looking to integrate into a new neighborhood. Exploring the features and offerings of Crystal Lake Club through the lens of local Floridians provides a clearer picture of what makes this community a place to consider for your next chapter.

Location and Accessibility

Mink Associates oversees the community located at 533 E Crystal Lake Dr, Avon Park, FL 33825, USA. This address places the mobile home park directly on or very near Crystal Lake, providing a scenic backdrop and potential access to lakeside activities. Avon Park is nestled in Highlands County, a part of Central Florida characterized by its numerous freshwater lakes, citrus groves, and a generally slower pace of life compared to the state's more bustling coastal or metropolitan areas.

The community's location on East Crystal Lake Drive suggests a tranquil setting, likely away from the immediate hustle and bustle of major thoroughfares. However, Avon Park itself is well-connected by primary routes, particularly US-27, which runs north to south through Central Florida. This main artery ensures good accessibility to and from the community, making travel convenient for residents and visitors alike, whether they are heading to nearby towns or further afield.

For daily needs, residents of Crystal Lake Club are typically within a short drive of essential amenities in Avon Park. This includes various grocery stores, local shops, pharmacies, and a selection of dining options. The city also provides access to healthcare services, with local clinics and hospitals in the broader Highlands County area. Beyond the immediate conveniences, Avon Park is renowned for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. The presence of Crystal Lake suggests potential for fishing, boating, or simply enjoying the serene water views. The region is a haven for golfers, with numerous courses, including those part of the "Florida Citrus Golf Trail," offering ample opportunities for a round.

Furthermore, while Avon Park offers a quiet escape, its Central Florida location provides reasonable access to some of Florida's major attractions. Popular theme parks in Orlando, as well as the beautiful beaches on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, are typically within a manageable driving distance for a day trip or weekend excursion. This balance of peaceful local living and broader regional accessibility makes the location of Crystal Lake Club a practical choice for those seeking a well-rounded Florida lifestyle.

Services Offered

• Lot Rental: As a mobile home park, residents typically rent the land (lot) on which their manufactured home is placed. This lot rent usually covers access to the community's common areas and amenities.
• Community Management: Mink Associates is the management entity for the Crystal Lake Club community. Their role involves overseeing the park's operations, common areas, and addressing resident concerns.
• Common Area Maintenance: Services are generally expected for the upkeep of shared spaces, such as landscaping in communal areas and maintenance of facilities. However, residents' recent feedback suggests concerns regarding the quality and consistency of common area maintenance, including issues with leaf cleanup and general upkeep.
• Security (Gated Community Concept): The community is intended to be gated. However, current resident reviews indicate that the front gate has been non-functional and wide open for extended periods, impacting the intended security feature.
• Utility Infrastructure: The park provides the necessary infrastructure for individual utility hookups (e.g., water, sewer, electricity) to each mobile home lot. Residents are typically responsible for their own utility bills.

Features / Highlights

• Mobile Home Park Community: Provides a living option for manufactured homes, often appealing for its affordability and sense of community.
• Lakeside Location: Situated on or very near Crystal Lake, offering scenic views and potential for water-based activities.
• Gated Community (Intention): Designed with a gated entry for security, though recent resident feedback indicates this feature has been unreliable due to a broken gate.
• Community Atmosphere: Visitors have noted the kindness and hospitality of the residents and Crystal Lake Club members, suggesting a friendly environment.
• Golf Course Access (On-site/Adjacent): The presence of a golf course within or immediately adjacent to the community is a significant feature, catering to golf enthusiasts. However, there are resident concerns about the pricing and value of golf access for those living in the park, particularly regarding the requirement to use one's own cart and lack of discounts for residents or during specific playtimes.
• Common Areas: The community includes common areas intended for resident enjoyment. Recent reviews, however, express dissatisfaction with the maintenance of these areas, describing them as neglected.
• Management Presence: Mink Associates is the management for the community. Residents have voiced strong concerns regarding the manager's responsiveness and willingness to address community issues and resident concerns, indicating a perceived "worthless" management.
• Infrastructure Concerns: Reviews highlight issues such as broken fences, non-functional street lights, and roads in need of repair, along with an intermittently working fountain in the pond.

Promotions or Special Offers

Specific promotions or special offers for lot rentals or home sales at Mink Associates / Crystal Lake Club are not detailed in the provided information. Mobile home parks typically operate on a lot rental model, with varying rates depending on the size of the lot, its location within the park, and the length of the lease.

Based on general practices within mobile home communities, potential offerings, if any were available, might include:

• Introductory rates for new residents.
• Discounts for longer-term leases (e.g., annual vs. monthly).
• Special pricing on the purchase of pre-owned homes within the park.

It is important for prospective residents to note the feedback regarding golf course pricing, where current residents feel the cost ($37, requiring one's own cart) is a "rip off" and that management could increase usage by offering discounts to residents. This suggests that existing pricing structures for amenities might be a point of consideration. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on lot rental rates, any available homes for sale, and whether any promotions are currently offered, direct contact with Mink Associates is highly recommended. It would also be an opportune time to inquire about how the community addresses the various resident concerns mentioned in reviews.

Contact Information

For inquiries about Mink Associates and the Crystal Lake Club mobile home park, including details on lot availability, rental agreements, or to address any specific questions you may have, please use the following contact information:

• Address: 533 E Crystal Lake Dr, Avon Park, FL 33825, USA
• Phone: (863) 385-7727
• Mobile Phone: +1 863-385-7727

When contacting, it is advisable for prospective residents to be prepared to ask detailed questions about the current status of common area maintenance, the functionality of community features like the gate and street lights, and how resident concerns are handled by management. This will provide a clearer picture of the living experience within the community.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Floridians considering a mobile home park in the Avon Park area, Mink Associates, managing the Crystal Lake Club community, offers a lakeside location with the potential for a friendly atmosphere, as highlighted by visitors who experienced kindness and hospitality. The appeal of affordable living in a mobile home park and the presence of amenities like a golf course can be significant draws for those looking for a relaxed lifestyle in Central Florida.

However, it is crucial for local users to be aware of the substantial concerns raised by current residents. The issues with a consistently broken front gate, declining maintenance of common areas (described as looking like a "dirt parking lot"), broken street lights and fences, intermittently working fountain, and highly criticized management responsiveness are serious factors. These indicate a gap between the intended community experience and the current reality for some residents. The dissatisfaction with golf pricing for residents also points to potential disconnects in value.

While the location in Avon Park remains attractive for its tranquility and access to lakes and golf, the suitability of Crystal Lake Club for locals would heavily depend on immediate and sustained improvements addressing these maintenance and management issues. For a local Floridian seeking a comfortable, secure, and well-managed community, a thorough personal visit, direct observation of the facilities' current state, and explicit discussions with management about these specific concerns would be absolutely essential before considering Tanglewood as a suitable long-term residence. Without significant positive changes, the current conditions described by residents may not align with the expectations of a desirable mobile home park experience in Florida.