1160 Austin St., Bartow, FL 33830

Start the new year by moving into your own cozy cottage in Bartow. This three bedroom one bath home sits in an established neighborhood with mature trees and Florida style landscaping, just a short drive from the Polk County courthouse and downtown offices and roughly twenty minutes from Lakeland. It offers the slower pace of small town living while keeping you close to shopping, dining and entertainment along East Van Fleet Drive and North Broadway Avenue. Inside, wood floors in the main living areas and bedrooms give the home a warm, inviting feel. The three bedrooms are similar in size, which makes the layout flexible for sleeping space, a home office or guest room. The bathroom features a practical shower design suited to everyday use. A separate utility and mud room with its own exterior entrance keeps laundry, storage and everyday items out of the main living area and adds useful space. Outside, the home sits back from the street with a fenced portion of the vast front yard and a deep backyard that can be enjoyed as a garden, play and relaxation area or a place for outdoor gatherings. There is NO HOA so you have more freedom to use the yard. The location combines everyday convenience with a quieter setting. Publix, Walmart and other national retailers, local restaurants, coffee shops and service businesses are all only a few minutes away, along with the courthouse and other Polk County offices. Lakeland is approximately twelve miles from the property, providing additional employment, shopping and dining options while you still return home to a smaller community at the end of the day. If your goal this year is to shorten your commute, enjoy an established neighborhood and own a home with real yard space at an attainable price, this Bartow cottage is worth a closer look.