John and Rosemary Burke

Diversity, lakeside view and location keep the Burkes situated in Sunterra.

THEIR HOME: A one-story home with three bedrooms, two baths

WHAT THEY PAID:

WHEN THEY MOVED IN:

CURRENT VALUE: (from Zillow.com): $243,047. (Note: Zillow estimates do not always reflect true market value.)

WHY THEY LOVE IT: Rosemary Burke loves tending to her backyard garden overlooking the lake at the center of Sunterra.

She grows basil, an assortment of vegetables, and of course, rosemary — her namesake. When ready, these ingredients find their way into her and her husband’s dinner.

“She’s a phenomenal cook,” John said. “She uses a lot of different herbs and vegetables.”

The Burkes, in their 50s with adult kids, have certainly grown with this young development. As original owners, they bought pre-construction when the community was built in 2007.

They moved from Broward County, and were attracted by Sunterra’s location and affordabilit y.

John still works in Coconut Creek, and he’s always liked that though Sunterra is in West Palm Beach, it’s one light away from an entrance to Florida’s Turnpike for his commute.

He also likes the size of his home — 1,842 square feet. The three bedrooms and two bathrooms are perfect for his wife and him. Their kids had moved out before they relocated to Sunterra.

They’ve always appreciated the diversit y of the community, which includes residents of many backgrounds.

“When we first met our neighbors, we noticed they were all different occupations and races,” John said. “The development attracted people that were not all the same, but had similar interests. We really liked that.”

The Burkes’ unit has tile throughout, and they knocked down a wall to expand the living room. They also upgraded the kitchen with cherry wood cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The house is also concrete block construction, so “everything is solidly built,” John said.

But John’s favorite feature is the western view from the backyard. A lake with a jogging trail fills the center of the community, and the Burkes are lucky to be situated on the inner circle of Sunterra.

They often walk and jog around the lake, and John uses the clubhouse fitness center four days a week.

The Burkes can see one of the lake’s t wo fountains through their sliding glass doors. The house has a retractable awning, and they like to sit outside and enjoy the watery panorama. “We sit out back and it’s quiet,” John said. “We can hear the birds and enjoy the sunset.”