Looking for Quality of Life? Move to Sanford

When it comes to nightlife, dining, culture and entertaining, Sanford's historic downtown is where it’s at! Within walking distance, there are two theaters, four breweries, plenty of craft beer and wine bars and fabulous restaurants that also offer live entertainment on most days. Food Tours, ghost tours, escape rooms, parties on bikes (Limocycle anyone?), Sanford offers a wide array of unique activities for young and old. And don’t even get us started on all the top-notch events held on the brick streets of this beautiful town year-round. From Mardi Gras to Oktoberfest, from film festivals to craft beer festivals, from couch races to porch concerts, there truly is something happening for everyone!

When it comes to fun, outdoor family activities, Sanford has got you covered too! A visit to the zoo is always exciting. Many locals hold an annual pass. There is also a zip lining course just outside the zoo premises.

A LIFESTYLE FOR EVERYONE — SPOTLIGHT: HISTORIC DISTRICT

In previous articles, we covered the different lifestyles that can be lived in Sanford. From equestrian estates to guard gated suburban neighborhoods, a soon to be completed 55+ retirement community or waterfront condos, you will be able to find it all in Sanford. One of the most popular lifestyles and one that simply cannot be replicated in many areas of Central Florida is the urban lifestyle that Sanford’s Residential Historic District offers. The convenience of being able to walk to where you “play” is an amazing benefit of living there. Not being dependent on a car creates a certain freedom that will most definitely add to your quality of life. Instead, walk, bike or golf cart to your destination. Be sure to join the Sanford Golf Cart Gurus and participate in Sanford’s Critical Mass, a popular monthly community bike ride.

COMMUNITY LOVE

Last but not least, life in this small, urban paradise also offers what it’s all about: community! Whether you are an “insider” or come from the other side of town, you will rarely find a place that is more welcoming or tolerant than this little district within Sanford. If this doesn’t create happiness, I don’t know what will!

SANFORD HAS CONNECTIONS

If you ever do want to leave this beautiful bubble though, rest assured that Sanford has the best connections! There’s easy access to I-4, 417 and the soon to be completed Wekiva Parkway (429) to bring you quickly to work, theme parks or beaches. As a commuter, you could also take advantage of the Sunrail. And for long distance travel? Just catch a flight from Sanford’s evergrowing International Airport where Allegiant currently flies to over 70 cities in the US. n

Claudia Mundlos fell head over heels with Sanford the day she moved here from Germany in 2004. As a local Realtor, she started actively selling the city she loves in 2006, one home at a time. Claudia's husband and business partner, José, have helped hundreds of families accomplish their real estate dreams. Her love for Sanford also shines through on her popular community-focused blog called Sanford365.com where she shares all things, Sanford, including events and things to do. The free Sanford365 mobile app has become a staple for local residents. Claudia is devoted to her family and friends as well. You can catch her around town and on social media showing us how #sanfording is done. Be sure to say hello!

SANFORD HERITAGE REVOLVING FUND

Completes First Rehab

BY KATHY HULL

left: 213 S. Laurel Ave. after renovation, and before (top); Center: Fund directors during demolition; Bottom: Open House held by the fund managers

The Sanford Heritage Revolving Fund (Fund), a tax exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the first of its kind in Florida.

Based on guidelines from other long-established revolving funds, such as the Historic Savannah Fund and the Historic Macon Foundation, the goal of the Fund is to acquire distressed historic properties, rehabilitate the property and sell it with a single family, owner-occupied deed covenant. Proceeds of the sale are “revolved” back into the fund and used for the next redevelopment project.

The fund started as a direct response to the high visibility of vacant and blighted properties in historic neighborhoods. Fund directors, Hank Dieckhaus, Charlie Hull and Bill Kirchoff, saw the need for a Revolving Fund in Sanford.

The house at 213 S. Laurel was donated to the fund by a California hedge fund. The house was in a dilapidated, unsafe and unsaleable condition. The City of Sanford facilitated the donation of the house to the fund.

The house was inhabited by a squatter who claimed to own the property. The squatter lived in the house rent free and was collecting room rent from six other individuals. The squatter and five renters plus a dog left right away rather than waiting for eviction. The last renter held on till the last day of the eviction notice.

The interior of the house was a flea infested nightmare. Disgusting carpet covered holes in the floor, added plywood partitions, a non-functioning kitchen, unsafe exterior staircase, and a small bedroom with a dirty toilet just sitting next to a bed were just some of the things that needed to be removed before renovation could begin. Hank, Charlie and Bill were determined to rehab this home to its original glory. They financed the project through a bank loan from Citizen’s Bank, material donations from Lowe’s, a matching grant from the Sanford Historic Trust and a few private donations. Much of the demolition was done by Hank and Charlie, plus volunteers and a subcontractor. The interior was completely gutted, including all interior walls and flooring. Two lower exterior walls were removed to reveal the original front porches. Local subcontractors were hired to do interior and exterior work. The layout was redesigned to include an addition to the house on the rear bottom floor.

The work, once started, took nine months.

213 S. Laurel Avenue is the first endeavor of the Sanford Revolving Fund. The directors are currently looking for their next project.

After building a new house in Sanford's historic district, Kathy, a retired Miami Dade art teacher, moved to Sanford eleven years ago with her husband, Charlie. Since then, she has been instrumental in getting the 'Old Sanford Historic District' signs designed and installed. Kathy, along with Reg Garner, started the annual Images of Sanford calendar and photo contest. In addition, Kathy makes pet portraits and donates the proceeds to Pet Rescue by Judy.