HOME BUYER CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com
FALL 2022
COUNTY ROUNDUP • NEW SOUTHERN HOME • school guide
Custom home by Goehring & Morgan Construction
LAKE
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Bradenton Lakeland Sarasota 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 Lake Parrish Selmon Expressway 275 275 275 275 275 St. Petersburg Lake Parker FLORIDA MALL PREMIUM OUTLETS PREMIUM OUTLETS ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA ALTAMONTE MALL INTL AIRPORT LAKE MONROE LAKE APOPKA LAKE HARRIS LAKE EUSTIS MT. DORA STETSON UNIVERSITY WEKIWA SPRINGS STATE PARK EAST LAKE TOHO WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT SEAWORLD E Osceola Pkwy 4 4 4 4 4 4 528 417 429 LAKE TOHOPEKALIGA THE MALL AT MILLENIA 408 4 4 4 415 TO BEACHES BEACHLINE EXPWY 528 Summerbrooke Leela Reserve Coming Soon Mission Inn Resort & Club, Las Colinas The Residences at Emerson Park Coming Soon Avalon Ridge Coming Soon Mezzano Brixton Coming Soon Preston Cove Coming Soon Wyndrush Creek Aviana Cypress Park Estates Tarpon Bay Marisol Pointe at MiraBay North River Ranch 12 10 14 13 11 4 5 2 7 8 3 1 6 9 9 10 6 12 11 13 1 3 Built for Family, by Family. Wesley Chapel Home and community information including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. 110322 Hometown CENTRAL FLORIDA’S BUILDER 14 2 4 7 5 8
FROM
DATE THE RATE, MARRY THE HOME
For years now, homebuyers have enjoyed historically low interest rates on their mortgag es. But just as the rates were historically low, they were also unsustainable — and as the saying goes “all good things must come to an end.”
But do they? As rates have nudged up, home prices have stabilized and inventory is growing. Bidding wars are disappearing and rarely are people paying the tens of thousands of dollars over the asking price that they had been.
Homes are staying on the market a little longer and sellers are more open to negoti ating their asking price. Simply put, the up tick in interest rates has taken people out of the market.
But many of those folks spooked about a higher-interest loan need to step back and look at their individual situations. The most obvious factor is that you pay either rent or a mortgage — and with higher rents,
PUBLISHER CONTENTS | FALL 2022
DEPARTMENTS
2 FROM THE PUBLISHER
4 FEATURED
BUILDER
A diverse portfolio has Park Square Homes at the top of it’s game. By Patricia Letakis
6 FEATURED COMMUNITY
Serenoa Lakes scores with a natural setting and deluxe amenities. By Patricia Letakis
8 FEATURED FLOORPLAN
David Weekley Homes showcases tradition with a modern flair. By Patricia Letakis
FEATURES
11 MANOR
Jeff Schnellmann of Silliman Cityside creates a super-efficient, forward-looking home that wowed his peers.
By Patricia Letakis
16 FERTILE GROUND
Roots continue to deepen and spread for housing in Lake County.
In addition, every payment you make builds equity in your home — and equity equals wealth. Finally, you need to take in to account that interest payments made on your primary residence could substantially lower your income tax liability.
So, for those folks, homeownership can make more sense even with higher interest rates.
When you look at the big picture, you see a stabilized market with a growing invento ry and sellers willing to negotiate — which is starting to sound a little more like a buy er’s market. I’d say if you’re even thinking of buying a home, get out there and see what’s on the market.
You just might find the perfect home for you. And as for those interest rates? You can always refinance when (and if) they go back
Group Publisher/Director of Sales
RANDY NOLES
Editor and Publisher
PHYLLIS M. MILLER
Director of Administration
TINA ROBERS Art Director
MYRON CARDEN Distribution Manager
MICHAEL CANDELARIA, MARY SHANKLIN, PATRICIA LETAKIS
Contributing Writers
HARRY WESSEL
Contributing Editor
Winter Park Publishing Company LLC
RANDY NOLES
Chief Executive Officer
ALLAN E. KEEN
Co-Chairman, Board of Managers
JANE HAMES
Co-Chairman, Board of Managers
THERESA SWANSON
Vice Chairman, Board of Managers
MICHAEL OKATY, ESQ. General Counsel, Foley & Lardner LLP
Community Partners
THERESA SWANSON Group Publisher
theresa@thefloridahomebuyer.com
24 OUR TOWNS
There’s something for everyone in Central Florida. Let’s take a tour and you can see for yourself. By Michael Candelaria RESOURCES
52 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
60 COMMUNITIES
Larry and Joanne Adams; The Albertson Company, Ltd.; Richard O. Baldwin Jr.; Jim and Diana Barnes; Brad Blum; Ken and Ruth Bradley; John and Dede Caron; Bruce Douglas; Steve Goldman; Hal George; Michael Gonick; Micky Grindstaff; Sharon and Marc Hagle; Larry and Jane Hames; Eric and Diane Holm; Garry and Isis Jones; Allan E. and Linda S. Keen; Knob Hill Group (Rick and Trish Walsh, Jim and Beth DeSimone, Chris Schmidt); FAN Fund; Kevin and Jacqueline Maddron; Drew and Paula Madsen; Kenneth J. Meister; Ann Hicks Murrah; Jack Myers; Michael P. O’Donnell; Nicole and Mike Okaty; Bill and Jody Orosz; Martin and Ellen Prague; Serge and Kerri Rivera; Jon C. and Theresa Swanson; Sam and Heather Stark; Randall B. Robertson; George Sprinkel; Philip Tiedtke; Roger K. Thompson; Ed Timberlake; Harold and Libby Ward; Warren “Chip” Weston; Tom and Penny Yochum; and Victor and Jackie A. Zollo.
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ON THE COVER
Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition Winter 2022 is published quarterly by Winter Park Publishing Company LLC, 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Copyright 2022 by Winter Park Publishing Company LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Send all correspondence to Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition, 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Unsolicited manuscripts without return postage will not be returned. DISCLAIMER: Advertisements in this publication do not constitute an offer for sale in any state or country where prohibited or restricted by law.
2 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
By Michael Candelaria THE
a mortgage will most likely be about the same or less than monthly rent.
HOME BUYER HOME
HOME
HOME BUYER
Readers of this issue of Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition may see one of three covers: one is a custom home by Goehring & Morgan Construction; one is a custom home by LunDev Custom Homes; and one is a custom home by Phil Kean Design Group.
BUYER
BUYER
CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
THERESA SWANSON
HELLO WESLYN PARK.
Ready to surround you with big Florida nature and a grand sense of adventure. New homes for all ages and stages, priced from the $400s. Models now open.
Start your adventure at our Basecamp information center. 6197 CYRILS DRIVE, ST. CLOUD, FL, 34771
sunbridgefl.com
Sunbridge is an equal housing opportunity. Pricing is subject to change. © Tavistock Development Company 2022
A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO HAS PARK SQUARE HOMES AT THE TOP OF IT’S GAME
During the almost 40 years that Park Square Homes has been building communities throughout Central Florida, the company has never lost sight of its orig inal mission.
“Truly, our vision has always been to help others achieve the American dream of owning their own home, and we’ve been fortunate to help thousands of people achieve that goal,” says Suresh Gupta, Park Square’s CEO.
Gupta was born in Mombasa, Kenya, and attended college in the United Kingdom, where he earned a degree in account ing before arriving in the United States in 1984.
He saw opportunity in Central Florida and started a home building business with two partners, one of whom was his fa ther-in-law, Braham Aggarwal.
Today the family business includes grandfathers, fathers, sons and grandsons — an American dream of a different sort, perhaps, but nonetheless an American dream.
Gupta and Aggarwal are still at the helm, with a team that
includes Vishaal Gupta, who is the co-CEO and Gupta’s son (as well as Aggarwal’s grandson). Other team members include Steve Parker, COO, Monika Goyal, CFO, and a staff of experi enced professionals.
Known for its portfolio of diverse home styles, Park Square caters to a variety of tastes, budgets, lifestyles and age groups. The company builds everything from starter homes to grand estates.
“We believe that variety is one of the secrets to success,” says Vishaal Gupta. The company’s focus has been in Central Florida, but with an eye toward expansion. “We’re looking at the possibility of extending our Central Florida footprint to both coasts,” notes Gupta.
Among Park Square’s new projects are two communities in Winter Garden where sales are expected to start soon, and Par adiso Grande, a resort community in Orlando off International Drive that offers easy access to the attractions.
Described as a luxury destination, Paradiso Grande will offer homes ranging in size from 2,913 square feet to an impressive 6,374 square feet, with five to 15 – yes, 15 — bedrooms and five to 15.5 bathrooms. The single-family homes are priced starting at $964,990.
Complementing Paradiso Grande’s vacation-style amenities is the community’s Aquarius Clubhouse, which features a swim ming pool and lazy river, a game room, a café and a fitness center.
4 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION PUBLISHER’S PICK: BUILDER PARK SQUARE HOMES
At Park Square Homes, it’s “built by family, for family.” Since 1984, three generations have grown the company into one of the most respected independent residential and resort developers in Central Florida. The family includes Suresh Gupta (left), Braham Aggarwal (center) and Vishaal Gupta (right).
The townhome community of Mezzano (above) is in the Horizon West area of Winter Garden. It features 96 homes, which range in size from 1,840 to 2,024 square feet, with three or four bedrooms and 2.5 to 3.5 bathrooms. Paradiso Grande, (right) a new resort-home communi ty, features the Aquarius Clubhouse’s swimming pool and lazy river, game room, café and fitness center. Single-family homes boast the latest modern features, thoughtful finishes, upscale appliances and private pools.
To help future homeowners navigate the buying process, Park Square recently introduced its New Home Store, located at its Orlando corporate office. Currently, the store is showcas ing four communities.
“Think of it as a one-stop shop experience for every aspect of the new home-buying journey,” says Vishaal Gupta. “With this streamlined approach, buyers can meet with a new-home counselor one on one and see all of their options virtually.”
The New Home Store is next door to the company’s Design Studio, where buyers can see and touch a myriad of finishes and design options.
On another note, Gupta says the company is rebranding and expanding its commercial real estate division, newly named Kimaya, which will offer everything from multifamily residen tial and hotels to shopping centers and will provide a groundup solution for mixed-use development.
On the drawing board are several build-for-rent develop ments throughout Central Florida. These projects, Gupta says, will offer a creative solution to the region’s housing shortage.
The first community, Champions Chase in Polk County’s ChampionsGate, will offer townhomes available for lease later this year. n
—Patricia Letakis
FALL 2022 5
percent of the
the $400s.
SERENOA LAKES SCORES WITH NATURAL SETTING AND DELUXE AMENITIES.
In the master-planned community of Serenoa in Clermont, homebuyers are finding a neighborhood, Serenoa Lakes, where almost every home boasts a fabulous Florida view.
An impressive 95 percent of the 298 homes that Pulte Homes will build in the gated enclave boast water and nature preserve views, says Tristan Knop, director of marketing for the Central Florida Division of PulteGroup, a national brand of At lanta-based Pulte Homes.
Resort-style amenities abound in Serenoa, and all Serenoa Lakes residents have access to a clubhouse complex that in cludes a zero-entry pool, a splash pad, a fitness center, a play ground, multipurpose rooms and a patio with a fire pit.
Nearby walking trails, a picnic area and a dog park round out the amenities. However, residents of Serenoa Lakes also have the bonus of a private kayak launch, slated for comple tion in 2023, that will provide direct access to Johns Lake.
Tucked between U.S. Highway 27 and State Road 429 (West ern Beltway) with U.S. Highway 192 to the south, Serenoa
Lakes is tucked into a bountiful natural setting surrounded by several bodies of water.
New connector roads will link its main road, Sawgrass Bay Boulevard, to Avalon Road, which will provide easy access to historic Winter Garden and the major theme parks.
Knop says that these three things — great views, a private kayak launch and new connector roads — are what set Sere noa Lakes apart from other neighborhoods.
“Almost half the homesites are sold and we already have 75-plus closed homeowners,” adds Knop. “We also have quick move-in homes that are available this fall.”
Single-family homes in Serenoa Lakes are priced starting from the $400s. Buyers can choose from 15 floorplans orga nized into three series: the Garden Series, with four floorplans; the Select Classics Series, with six floorplans; and the Select Estates Series, featuring larger homes with five floorplans from which to choose. Square footage ranges from 1,580 to 4,194.
Popular home styles from the Select Classics Series include the Mystique, with 1,889 square feet, two to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and a two-car garage. Buyers espe cially like the spacious owner’s suite and a secondary bed room with its own full bath.
Those looking for a two-story home will appreciate the Whitestone, also from the Select Classics Series, with 2,894 square feet and options for either four or five bedrooms and
6 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION PUBLISHER’S PICK: COMMUNITY SERENOA
BY
LAKES
PULTE HOMES
An impressive 95
298 homes that Pulte Homes will build in Serenoa Lakes, a neighborhood in the master-planned community of Serenoa, boast water and nature preserve views. Single-family homes in Serenoa Lakes are priced starting from
2.5 or four bathrooms.
Using an interactive-plan tool on the website (pulte.com), you can alter floorplans, see exterior options and even place furniture in the rooms. Every model shown on the site has this useful (and fun) feature.
Homeowners in search of a more spacious home — well over 3,000 square feet — will want to consider the Select Es tates Series. For example, there’s the two-story Oakhurst, with 3,820 square feet and four or five bedrooms, 2.5 to five bath rooms and a three-car garage.
The Easley Grand is even larger with 4,194 square feet. Its floorplan offers up to six bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms plus a second floor that encompasses a loft, a media room, two bed rooms and one bathroom.
A tranquil setting and a large selection of home styles, plus easy access to dining, shopping, medical services and schools, makes Serenoa Lakes an attractive choice. n
Patricia Letakis
FALL 2022 7
The Ashby at Serenoa Lakes, priced from $573,990, features a beauti ful open concept floorplan with the spacious kitchen, café and gath ering room in the heart of the home. The flex room can be used as an office or an additional bedroom for larger families. Part of the Estate Series, The Ashby encompasses 2,298 square feet.
Floor 1
DAVID WEEKLEY HOMES SHOWCASES TRADITION WITH A MODERN FLAIR.
Although David Weekley can boast building more than 100,000 homes since launching his business from a construction trailer from the middle of a field in the 1970s, it’s always been about the American dream for the owner/founder of David Weekley Homes.
Weekley overcame recessions and survived real estate crises as he honed his skills as a homebuilder and sharpened his busi ness acumen. One thing he always did was question run-of-themill designs and look for ways to blur the line between custom and production homes.
For Weekley it was all about what became his company’s slo gan: “Building Dreams, Enhancing Lives.”
With that forward-thinking approach, David Weekley Homes has introduced a new model, The Voyage. Its look is best de scribed as “modern farmhouse,” a style that has soared in pop ularity over the last few years.
And it’s no wonder. The combination of both country and contemporary design elements results in a warm, approach able and versatile home, which at two stories measures 2,309 square feet and has three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a three-car garage.
The first floor welcomes you with a study adjacent to the entrance, which leads to an open-concept kitchen-din ing-and-family room. This ample living space is ideal for family gatherings — from dining to television watching to entertaining.
The kitchen features both an island counter and wall count ers that make meal prep easy. It’s equipped with a cooktop with a vent hood and a built-in oven and microwave. Across from the kitchen is a powder room. A shady lanai separates the first floor from a two-car garage in the rear.
From the family area, a staircase — with extra storage beneath the stairs — leads to the second floor’s two bedrooms and full bathroom.
A space called the retreat — a multipurpose open area that’s ideal for a reading nook, a student study space or even a craft workshop — along with a utility room for washer and dryer sep arates the bedrooms from the owner’s retreat (known in the old en days as a master bedroom).
The Voyage is among the homes available in the Weslyn Park neighborhood at Del Webb Sunbridge, a master-planned com munity in Saint Cloud. With 27,000 acres, Del Webb Sunbridge encompasses homes, schools, parks, recreational amenities and extensive nature offerings, from trails and waterways to for ests, lakes and wetlands.
8 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
PUBLISHER’S PICK: FLOORPLAN THE VOYAGE BY DAVID WEEKLEY HOMES
Patricia Letakis
Floor 2
FALL 2022 9 HOME: The Voyage BUILDER: David Weekley Homes BEDROOMS/BATHROOMS: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms SIZE: 2,309 square feet IN BRIEF PRICE: Starting in the $600s NOTES: The Voyage is best described as “modern farmhouse,” a style that has soared in popularity over the last few years. It combines both country and contemporary design elements. The Voyage boasts limitless livability potential with a sunlit, open-concept family room (top) on the first floor. The kitchen (below left) includes ample room devoted to presentation, meal prep, dining and storage. And the owner’s retreat (below right) has a peaked ceiling that adds to the spacious feel.
Basso Homes
Cahill Homes
Charles
Dave Brewer, Inc.
DeLorenzo Homes, Inc.
Derrick Builders, Inc.
Farina & Sons, Inc.
Goehring
Hannigan
PSG Construction
Silliman Cityside Homes
Sorenson Construction
Stonebridge Homes
The Einheit Company
Waters Custom Builders
Seal
Homebuilding
Representing the area’s leading custom home builders, the Master Custom Builder Council has pledged to maintain the highest professional standards in the home building industry, dedicating themselves to using their craft to make Central Florida an even finer place to live. “The
of
Excellence”
Woodruff Construction and Development
Clayton Construction
& Morgan Construction
Homes Hardwick General Contracting
Homes
Construction
Construction
Issa
Jones Clayton
J. Richard Watson
LunDev Custom Homes
Box 536732
|
custombuilt.com | facebook.com/ MasterCustomBuilderCouncil
McNally Construction Group Phil Kean Design Group Posada Custom Homes P.O.
Orlando, Florida 32853
407.875.2121
MANOR
THE GUIDE TO CENTRAL FLORIDA’S LUXURY BUILDERS AND COMMUNITIES
This custom home with a transitional architectural style was built by Silliman CitySide Homes and is in Seminole County, although it has a Winter Park address, on Lake Ann.
FALL 2022 11
Silliman CitySide Homes, owned by Jeff Schnellman, was selected to build the South east Building Conference’s (SEBC’s 2022 New Southern Home, a 4,200-square-foot show home on an infill lot overlooking Lake Ann in unincorporated Winter Park. The water is to the side of the home, so windows are orien tated to maximize views.
12 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
southern showcase
By PATRICIA LETAKIS
At the end of a cul-de-sac in unincorporated Winter Park, a vacant lot with splendid views of Lake Ann framed by oaks dripping with Spanish moss was an irresistible find for Jeff Schnellmann, owner of Silli man Cityside Homes.
It’s where he wanted to build a home like no other. In fact, it’s where he wanted to live. His company, after all, had a reputa tion for finding “hidden gem” homesites — sometimes vacant, sometimes encompassing older homes ready for demolition — in well-established neighborhoods where there had been no new construction for years.
“I bought the lot with the intention of building the home for myself,” says Schnellman, who has more than four decades of experience in the industry. “A week after I started the design pro cess I was in the shower, where I do some of my best thinking.”
There, as so often happens, Schnellman had one of his ahha moments: Why not offer up his personal project as the New Southern Home?
The 4,200-square-foot labor of love would, he believed, be perfect for the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) show case home. SEBC, a gigantic summer trade show for home builders and trade vendors, is sponsored by the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA). The 2022 gathering was held, as usual, in Orlando.
“The idea was to show off something different, and this clearly is something different,” says Schnellmann, who points out that the home even has a basement — a rarity in Florida.
The New Southern Home also offers an opportunity for build ing-product manufacturers of all sorts to show off what’s new
FALL 2022 13
CUSTOM BUILDER PROFILE
Silliman Cityside’s Jeff Schnellmann creates a super-efficient, forward-looking home that wowed his peers.
“We use our team’s expertise to turn your goals and dreams into a home you and your family will love and enjoy,” says Jeff Schnellman, a 40-year veteran of the new-home industry.
The New Southern Home’s views of Lake Ann are particularly stunning at sunset. Builder Jeff Schnellman conceived of the home for his per sonal residence. Says Schnellman: “The beauty of this home is in the design of it — taking ad vantage of the lot on which it’s built.”
and what’s hot — from the latest appliances, fixtures and finish es to the most state-of-the-art, behind-the-walls technology.
“The beauty of this home is in the design of it — taking ad vantage of the lot on which it’s built,” notes Schnellmann. The design boasts large windows on the side, which offer stunning lake views.
The upstairs of the two-level, four-bedroom masterpiece — which appears to be one-level from the front — encompass es a great room, a master bedroom, a second bedroom, four bathrooms and an incredible kitchen — which has become the home’s centerpiece.
Schnellmann’s pride and joy is the wall of three chest-level Thermador linear stainless-steel ovens — convection, micro wave and steam. Adding drama are the countertops, crafted of quartz with a free-flowing black and gray striated wave pat tern. This striking detail carries through to the backsplash and was even used for stair risers at the home’s entrance.
Another noteworthy kitchen element is an induction cook top, which was similarly used in the outdoor summer kitchen. Electric currents are used to heat pots through magnetic in duction, leaving the cooktops themselves cool to the touch.
Besides a lovely stairway to the lower level, the home has an elevator. The downstairs features a family room, a wet bar area, a bathroom, storage closets and two bedrooms — one that overlooks the lake and offers direct access to a lap pool and a beautifully landscaped yard.
Just like a Northern home, the New Southern Home has a basement space for mechanical equipment and a controller for solar panels. Like most new homes these days, this one is green — well, not the color green, but green as in eco-friendly and energy efficient.
“We used spray foam insulation, which keeps the heat out of the attic as opposed to insulating between the house and
the attic. It’s a much better approach,” Schnellman says. “Win dows are where you gain most of your heat in Florida. We use double paned, low-E, argon-filled windows.”
The home also has solar panels. Schnellmann was hoping to use shingles with solar panels built into them. However, he says, they’re not as efficient as traditional solar panels — yet. In five years or so, he adds, such shingles will be de rigueur.
For water conservation, Schnellman installed a drip irri gation system rather than a spray version. He also clustered plants and used native species in landscaping.
Schnellman, who was born and grew up in New York state, made his way to Orlando in 1988 and worked for years as a homebuilder and an executive for homebuilding companies. In 2012, he joined legendary local builder Bill Silliman at Silliman Homes — later Silliman CitySide — as chief operating officer.
Two years later, the pair launched “Silliman Dream Plan ner,” described in a press release at the time as “a user-friendly technology designed specifically for our new home-building venture, Silliman CitySide.”
Silliman and Schnellman are believed to be the first builders in the country to have adopted the technology, which allows a prospective buyer to select a home plan — there are 20 or more from which to choose — and a corresponding lot size then calculate the monthly payment based on a specific down payment.
Schnellmann, who bought the company in 2015 when Sil liman retired, kept the name for brand-recognition reasons. “Silliman” had become synonymous with high-end design, superb craftsmanship and innovation. And the company had won a plethora of industry awards.
For Schnellmann, it’s been a smart move — largely because simple and straightforward never became synonymous with unimaginative. The more standardized approach results in
14 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
homes every bit as luxurious as most original custom creations — but requires far less hassle (and usually lower cost) for buyers.
Says Schnellman: “Every once in a while, somebody will ask me, ‘Well, what style house do you build?’ “We’re going to do it the way the client wants it, and we’re going to do it in a simple structured approach — so that they know their cost and the time frame, assuming they’re decisive.”
Today Silliman CitySide consists of three people: Schnell mann, his superintendent Jeff DiCiero and office manager Phyllis Dougherty. Although he participates in the design pro cess every step of the way, Schnellman tells his clients that “my job is not to design the home. I’m there to guard your checkbook.”
A past president of the Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA), Schnellman has been recognized as a GOBA Pinnacle Builder and was the 1995, 1996 and 2019 GOBA Builder of the Year. In 2020, he was the FHBA Builder of the Year.
For sure, Schnellmann stays busy — which doesn’t leave much time for his favorite hobby. “I would rather snow ski than eat,” he says, pointing out his western New York roots.
At a deceptively youthful looking 70, he’s also a workout warrior, lifting weights and swimming when possible at the YMCA and biking for seemingly endless miles. “Young at heart, old at body,” he jokes.
Still, Schnellman gets his greatest satisfaction from working: “To say I’m a workaholic would not be wrong, or it would be
close.” The ability to start with nothing and end up with some thing beautiful and tangible that somebody calls home is hard to beat, he notes.
Quoting his former colleague Bill Silliman, Schnellmann concurs: “We work in the best industry in the world. We create dreams for families. It’s a wonderful way to make a living.” n
FALL 2022 15
The New Southern Home has a covered dock on Lake Ann (above). In the kitchen (top right), Schnellmann’s pride and joy is the wall of three chest-level Thermador linear stainless-steel ovens — convec tion, microwave and steam. Another noteworthy kitchen element is an induction cooktop, which was similarly used in the outdoor sum mer kitchen (bottom right)). Electric currents are used to heat pots through magnetic induction, leaving the cooktops themselves cool to the touch.
FERTILE GROUND FOR GROWTH
ROOTS CONTINUE TO DEEPEN AND SPREAD FOR HOUSING IN LAKE COUNTY.
BY MICHAEL CANDELARIA
Las Colinas at Mission Inn Resort & Club, which hugs the iconic Gary Koch-designed golf course, offers single-family homes that are priced starting at $462,000. Amenities include the golf course, designed and built in 1992.
16 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
When it comes to housing in Lake County, a historical commitment to agriculture is, in fact, written into the county’s laws. However, the laws of real estate are altering that com mitment. And the dynamics involved encompass much more than location.
The result: Land that once encompassed cows, dirt roads, hills, lakes and, of course, citrus, now is transforming into homes. Lots (no pun intended) of them.
Just look at the numbers. Lake County is ranked among the three fastest-growing counties in Florida, with a projected growth rate of 23 percent by 2030. Its population has almost quadrupled since 1981 to more than 400,000 people.
During part of that time, from 2012 to 2017, the county lost roughly 5 percent of its farms, and since 2008, it’s lost nearly 8 percent of its agricultural acreage. That means although Lake is still a Top-10 producer of agricultural goods statewide, it’s losing ground — figuratively and literally.
There are other telling numbers, too. For example, as Orlan do land prices continue to rise, with the metro area inching ever so steadily toward buildout, new development is edging west into Lake County.
Not coincidentally, housing demand is strong. Consider that in August, home prices in Lake County were up 16.8 percent compared to August 2021. Meanwhile, its millage rate (amount of property value used to calculate local property taxes) is among the lowest in the region.
Lake County officials tout the phrase “Real Florida. Real Close.” And it’s true that the county is only about a 35-minute highway drive from downtown Orlando and not much farther from coastal beaches. In addition, Lake County is within 60 miles of international or executive airports, and three major seaports are just 90 minutes away.
Then there’s the scenic value of the county, which boasts acres of parks, plentiful lakes and rivers and picturesque hills. Yes, hills, in ultra-flat Central Florida.
Nature-lovers will find an abundance of options — like hik ing through endless acres of preserves, viewing rare birds or paddling pristine blueways. Anglers will be lured by the pros pect of catching a trophy bass on one of more than 1,000 fresh water lakes, while treasure hunters will enjoy finding that rare antique at the county’s many unique downtown districts.
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Unsurprisingly, “Real Florida. Real Close” has brought real growth to Lake County and its distinct 14 municipalities. New housing is almost everywhere, with builders routinely using superlatives such as “most” and “prime.”
“We have the pleasure of building new homes in the fast-growing footprint of Lake County and see no slowdown in demand,” says Laurie Tarver, vice president of sales and marketing with Park Square Homes, as she introduced the company’s latest phase at Summerbrooke earlier this year. “Mount Dora is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after addresses in Central Florida.”
Similarly, speaking about Landsea Homes’ new community in Eustis, Nichola Mitchell, vice president of sales and market ing for the builder’s Florida division, uses these words: “Lake Lincoln is a charming community of new single-family homes located in a prime area of Lake County.”
Eustis, she points out, is just 40 minutes from Orlando, providing a “restful landscape while still offering accessible big-city amenities.” And keep in mind, Mount Dora and Eustis aren’t even the county’s hottest spots.
That distinction goes to the southeast portion of Lake Coun ty, formerly known as the South Lake Sector Planning Area and now called Wellness Way. It measures approximately 15,500 acres on the edge of Clermont and bordering Orange County.
Budding South Lake
There, at the center of the activity, is master-planned Olym
pus, a 243-acre community located to the west of U.S. Highway 27 and 4,372-acre Lake Louisa State Park. The land, annexed by the City of Clermont in 2019, is fully entitled for more than 1,000 residential units and 1 million-plus square feet of retail, office and commercial space.
And how’s this for growth potential? Olympus is projected to have a $1.4 billion local economic impact over the next 10 years or so, and to generate more than 5,000 jobs. In June, for example, Healthcare Trust of America Inc., the largest dedicat ed owner and operator of medical office buildings nationwide, unveiled plans for a $100 million health campus.
Olympus is designed as a platform for business innovation and economic growth — a smart, connected wellness com munity and global sports and entertainment destination with “zones of excellence” centered in and around a vibrant Town Center.
Apart from Olympus, Clermont was already considered the “World Triathlon Destination” because its distinct elevation changes and gently rolling hills lend themselves to exceptional triathlon courses. The National Training Center in Clermont is the county’s premier venue for triathlon training.
The state-of-the-art facility attracts Olympians and worldclass athletes from all over the country to train year-round on Clermont’s runner- and biker-friendly terrain. South Lake has also been the location for numerous state and national sports championships such as Softball State Championships.
But South Lake County isn’t only for the serious athlete.
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Southeast Lake County’s master-planned Olympus, a 243-acre community located to the west of U.S. Highway 27 and 4,372-acre Lake Louisa State Park, is fully entitled for more than 1,000 residential units and 1 million-plus square feet of retail, office and commercial space.
Casual hikers, birders and romantic vacationers are drawn to Lake Louisa State Park, where cabin rentals overlooking Lake Dixie are available for a weekend getaway. Equestrian, camping, canoeing and kayaking are just some of the many activities available for those needing to escape and become one with nature.
South Lake County also is home to Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in peninsular Florida, and the nearby Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead in Ferndale, which boasts a boardwalk with views from the 130 feet above sea level.
For another unique view, families can take a trip to the top of the Citrus Tower, an observation deck offering a 360 degree view of eight counties. At the base lies the Presidents Hall of Fame, featuring a White House replica and an expansive John F. Kennedy collection.
Looking to unwind? Take a trip to Lakeridge Winery and sample wines made from locally grown Muscadine grapes, or head over to Showcase of Citrus and take an eco-tour on the back of the world’s largest ATV.
As for housing, Ridgeview continues to rise near Olympus off U.S. 27 between S.R. 50 and U.S. Highway 192, with its en trance across the street from Lake Louisa State Park. Commu nity amenities include a resort-style pool and cabana area, a playground and open green spaces as well as sweeping views of 103-acre Trout Lake.
Lake
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Louisa State Park showcases a diversity of wildlife, including deer, bobcat, gopher tortoises, fox squirrel and flighted creatures like bald eagles and osprey. The park’s three major lakes, Louisa (above), Hammond and Dixie, transform idle observers into active participants with opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
South Lake County also is home to Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in peninsular Florida, and the nearby Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead in Ferndale, which boasts a board walk with views from the 130-foot above sea level.
At Ridgeview, Pulte Homes is offering its Signature Garden Series and Select Classic Series, with homes that measure 1,662 to 2,894 square feet. (Pulte requests that prospective buyers call for pricing.)
The two-story Hamden model, part of the Signature Garden Series, features two bedrooms plus an owner’s suite upstairs. The Whitestone, part of the Select Classic Series and the larg est model, has a first-floor owner’s suite and a spacious loft.
Landsea Homes, which bought Hanover Family Builders earlier this year, has 14 available plans at Ridgeview. The smallest is the four-bedroom, two-bathroom Selby Flex, which
$455,999.
offers 1,819 square feet and is priced from $486,999. The larg est is the Palmer Executive (five bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms), which measures 4,417 square feet and is priced from $655,999.
Reportedly, Lennar Homes and Beazer Homes also are poised to build at Ridgeway. Lennar has an approved project for 1,850 single-family homes. Beazer has 341 homesites ear marked for new construction.
Not far away is Hartwood Landing, Dream Finders Homes’ newest community in Wellness Way. Hartwood Landing sits on the southwest corner of Hartwood Marsh Road and the future Hancock Road Extension. The community consists of 40-, 50-
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The Palmer at Ridgeview by Landsea Homes has five bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in 4,417 square feet. It’s priced at
The Magnolia at Hartwood Landing by Dream Finders Homes has four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms in 2,100 square feet. It’s priced starting at $449,990.
and 60-foot homesites and includes 13 models, priced from $426,990 to $650,990 with sizes ranging from1,654 to 4,170 square feet).
Impressive, indeed. Yet, as Tarver of Park Square Homes asserted, there’s much more to Lake County than merely one fruitful area.
Blooms Abound
Park Square Homes’ Summerbrooke, situated two miles from historic downtown Mount Dora, features eight sin gle-family floorplans and 166 homesites.
With prices starting in the $300s, Summerbrooke offers oneand two-story homes with sizes ranging from 1,525 to 3,075 square feet. Homes range from three bedrooms and two bath rooms to five bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.
And, for the record, that previously mentioned Lake Lincoln community in Eustis by Landsea Homes encompasses 121 sin gle-family homes with a variety of floorplans that range in size from 1,635 to 3,198 square feet. You can choose models with three to five bedrooms or two to three bathrooms. Each home features a lanai and pricing starts in the low $300s.
Notably, Eustis (which, along with Mount Dora and Tavares, make up the county’s so-called Golden Triangle) is an espe cially hot spot, with more than 1,500 housing units planned or in construction. But what else is new or about to happen in Lake County? Plenty — starting with something old that is being renewed.
Years ago, Bella Collina — located on Lake Apopka — was first developed as an exclusive lakefront and country club community in Montverde. It hadn’t, however, quite lived up to its billing. Until now, that is, thanks to Toll Brothers.
Toll Brothers at Bella Collina includes one- and two-sto ry, single-family estate homes surrounded by 1,900 acres of
picturesque lakes and verdant hills. Home sizes range from 4,296 to more than 7,000 square feet and feature Coastal, Palm Beach, Mediterranean and Transitional exteriors with prices starting at $1.1 million.
A championship golf course — designed by Nick Faldo — and an iconic 75,000-square-foot Tuscan-inspired clubhouse, which sits atop one of Florida’s highest points, highlight the community amenities.
Bella Collina’s revival speaks volumes about Lake County’s growing appeal as a place to live. And the same goes for this sampling of other activity (not a comprehensive list).
Clermont
At John’s Lake Landing, David Weekley Homes is building its Cottage Series, with homes from 2,052 square feet in size and up to $722,605 in price. The community features a 2,400-acre lake for boating, water skiing and fishing. Other amenities in clude a pool, a cabana and a playground.
The Canyons at Highland Ranch, a community by Taylor Mor rison, offers homes up to 3,929 square feet in size and $821,115 in price. Highland Ranch is close to A-rated Lake County public schools, shopping, essential services, recreation and entertain ment. Another popular model is the Waterbrooke, by Mattamy Homes, which ranges in price from $388,990 to $713,990.
Among the community amenities at John’s Lake Landing are a swimming pool and cabana, a yoga lawn, a fitness center, a splash pad and a tot lot as well as substantial open green space.
Groveland
Bellevue at Estates at Cherry Lake is a collection of homes offered by Lennar. There are 128 homesites on and around quaint Cherry Lake, with home prices ranging from $341,566 to $404,456. The smallest home measures 1,555 square feet;
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Bella Collina, a 19,000-acre community that features a Nick Faldo-designed golf course and a 75,000-square-foot clubhouse, is being revived by Toll Brothers with spacious estate homes that are priced starting in the low seven figures.
the largest measures 2,582 square feet.
Both Landsea Homes and Lennar are building in sections at Trinity Lakes, with its lakeside park, pool, playground and clubhouse. Homes by Landsea range in size from 1,509 to 2,903 square feet and are priced from $334,999 to $445,999. Six plans are offered.
Lennar has its Manor, Estate and Executive collections, rang ing in price from $316,990 (Manor, with 1,461 square feet) to $566,620 (Executive, with 3,385 square feet).
Bellevue at Estates at Cherry Lake is near Downtown Fes tival Park and Cherrylake Farms, a self-sustaining tree farm and nursery. And Groveland is only a 40-minute drive from the theme parks and downtown Orlando.
Howey-in-the-Hills
Las Colinas at Mission Inn Resort & Club, by Park Square Res idential, exemplifies staying power. Mission Inn is time-hon ored, dating back to 1964; Las Colinas represents new growth that starts at $462,000 for single-family homes (three bedroom, two bathrooms) ranging in size from 1,968 to 2,138 square feet. There are two available plans, Villa One and Villa Two.
Amenities include the community’s venerable golf course. De signed by Gary Koch and built in 1992, Las Colinas (Spanish for “the hills”) is an 18-hole championship course that offers quite a different challenge from El Campeón, its companion course.
The course’s signature hole is “Alligator Alley,” the par 5, 12th hole that spans 493 yards along a tree-lined fairway and re quires absolute accuracy from tee-to-green.
No discussion of Howey-in-the-Hills is complete without a description of Mission Inn, the resort, which is a prime Central Florida location for golf vacations, dream weddings, romantic getaways and corporate events.
The resort traces its history back to 1916, when William J. Howey purchased 60,000 acres of real estate with the intent of
creating the largest horticultural empire in the world.
With an ideal climate and rich soil, Howey envisioned inves tors buying acreage from him and then contracting with his company to clear the land, plant citrus trees, harvest and ship the fruit. Howey would then return the profits to the owners.
In order to boost sales and create incentive for additional growth, Howey set out to build a golf course to complement his inn. In 1917, Chicago’s George O’Neil was hired to design the course and soon after the Florida Chain-o-Lakes Country Club opened.
Boasting rare tee-to-green elevations of 85 feet, towering forests, and sparkling spring-fed lakes, the course was wide ly acclaimed as Florida’s finest. But after the stock market crashed in the late ’20s one of the worst freezes in Florida his tory combined to end Howey’s dreams of a citrus empire. The property limped along as the Floridan Country Club but was struggling by the ’60s.
In 1964, Illinois native Nick Beucher — who had begun as a salesperson for the Morton Salt Company but became a suc cessful businessperson buying and selling cattle by-products — saw an ad in the Wall Street Journal offering to sell a country club in Howey-in-the-Hills.
He bought it, and the rest was local history. In 1969, after renovating the golf course and clubhouse, Beucher turned his attention toward creating a new resort using Spanish Colonial architecture.
Through the years, the resort has expanded to include a second golf course, freshwater fishing, a full-service spa, three restaurants and 30,000 square feet of group space for meet ings, weddings and special events. Today Beucher’s children and grandchildren own the resort.
Leesburg
Particularly family oriented, Leesburg’s Hamlets of Tavares,
22 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
The Canyons at Highland Ranch, a community by Taylor Morrison Homes, offers homes up to 3,929 square feet in size priced from $821,115. Among the amenities is a resort-style recreation area and clubhouse.
built by LGI Homes, encompasses a tot lot, a picnic pavilion, a fenced-in dog park and miles of walking trails. Prices start at $269,900 for homes that range in size from 1,574 to 1,817 square feet. Three models are available.
Seasons at Park Hill, by Richmond American Homes, offers easy access to water recreation, nature trails, golf courses and the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex. The base home price is in the upper $200s for eight floorplans of approximately 1,610 to 2,530 square feet with two to five bedrooms. Prices range up to $459,000.
Lake Denham Estates, by Meritage Homes, has one- and two-story homes priced starting at $288,990 for three to four bedrooms with sizes ranging from 1,269 to 2,168 square feet. There are five floorplans: the Denali, Everglade, Olympic, Rain ier and Yellowstone.
The community has a tot lot, a pool and cabana, and a yoga area. Lake Griffin State Park is nearby. The 620-acre park is a welcoming place for anglers or birders who may want to rent a canoe or a kayak to explore Lake Griffin’s marshes. Epic Water Boat Tours offers guided pontoon boat tours. Plus, you can see the state’s second-largest live oak tree.
Mascotte
KB Homes has big plans for The Gardens at Lake Jackson Ridge II, including oversized homesites, a tot lot and outdoor fitness stations to complement the abundant assets at nearby Lake David Park, Palatlakaha Park and Waterfront Park.
Seven one- and two-story plans sized from 1,541 to 3,016 square feet (three to six bedrooms) are available, with prices ranging from $307,990 to $396,990.
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The Yellowstone at Lake Denham Estates by Meritage Homes has four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and one half-bath in 2,168 square feet. It’s priced from $401,802.
The Slate at Seasons at Park Hill by Richmond American Homes has four bedrooms and three bathrooms in 2,070 square feet. Part of the builder’s Seasons Collection, it’s priced from $379,950.
Mascotte, named after a ship that frequently made the trip between Cuba and South Florida on a regular basis during the Spanish-American War-era, is about as close to the state’s geo graphic center as it’s possible to get.
Minneola
The Reserve at Lake Ridge, by KB Home, offers homes priced from $404,990 to $537,997. Sizes are up to 3,203 square feet with six bedrooms. Like so many others, the community is convenient to U.S 27, Florida’s Turnpike and S.R. 50.
Villages at Minneola Hills, with a Signature Series by Meri tage Homes, touts easy access to major employment centers and great schools. Homes are priced starting at $405,990 for up to 3,532 square feet with five bedrooms, four bathrooms.
Beazer Homes’ Grove Series at Park View at the Hills offers homes priced from $444,990 to $554,990 for up to 3,170 square feet. The largest model, the two-story Newbury II, features a first-floor primary bedroom and a rear covered lanai.
The community’s website notes: “This could be the new Dr. Phillips or Winter Park without insane traffic, amusement parks, and roaming tourists.”
Mount Dora
Lennar is building a collection of new homes at mas ter-planned Stoneybrook Hills. Stoneybrook Hills — Magnolia Gardens encompasses 64 homesites and five floorplans that range in size from 2,421 to 2,941 square feet. Prices range from $468,490 to $505,490.
Community highlights include a playground, a pool, a club house, a baseball field, and courts for basketball and tennis. A big selling point is the community’s location just 15 minutes from historic downtown Mount Dora, which is one of the cool est small towns in Florida. It was named by Money magazine as one of three “Best Places to Live in America.”
Mount Dora is home to one of three freshwater lighthouses in Florida and is known as the “Festival City” for its plethora of activities, including an annual Mount Dora Arts Festival.
Tavares
At Avalon Park Tavares, Stanley Martin Homes offers 10 oneand two-story floorplans priced from $319,577 to $365,550 and ranging in size from 1,426 to 1,839 square feet (with three and four bedrooms).
At 155 acres, Avalon Park Tavares provides a nestled, serene landscape that’s highlighted by treelined streets and multiple waterways, along with emerging neighborhood amenities that will include a pool, a cabana, a nearby marina and a splash park.
Downtown Tavares has an entertainment district encom passing an international assortment of restaurants, pubs and music venues. You’ll also enjoy Wooton Park, home of the Tavares Seaplane Base, where you can enjoy a seaplane ride or take a boat tour.
THEY CALL IT THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
The cities of Eustis, Mount Dora and Tavares make up the Golden Triangle, but the entire area is known for its bountiful lakes and old oak trees draped in Spanish Moss — a place where seaplane rides, antique shopping and Sunday brunches are customary.
Quaint bed and breakfasts are a draw for travelers to Mount Dora, not to mention the historic Lakeside Inn, built in 1883 and offering spectacular views of Lake Dora.
Live music streams out nightly from the area’s many eclectic downtown restaurants, pubs and wine bars. For a romantic meal, the Goblin Market, located down the brick alley of Dora Drawdy Way, offers fine dining at its best.
Enjoy a railway excursion through the Golden Triangle aboard the Royal Palm Railway Experience in classic rail cars. The experience offers various tours for both adults and fami lies such as the Polar Express, the Royal Pizza Express and the Valentine’s Train.
Renninger’s Twin Markets and the Mount Dora Center for the Arts and its sponsored festivals add to the allure of the Golden Triangle area.
Visitors can watch seaplanes take off and land while dining at Puddle Jumpers in Tavares, or take a ride for themselves with the Jones Brothers & Co. Air and Seaplane Adventures. Whether the view is by air, land or sea, Tavares’s Pavilion on the Lake is a sight to behold with its winding staircase and a scenic pier at Wooton Park.
Downtown Eustis, with its Lake Walk at Ferran Park, the historic Alice McClelland Bandshell, and vintage-era shops, boasts oldfashioned charm.
The Golden Triangle’s surrounding towns are also home to notable attractions such as the Mission Inn Resort & Club, featuring premier golf courses, dining establishments, a spa and the nearby Yalaha Bakery — an authentic German bakery attracting visitors from far and wide to indulge in delectable breads and pastries.
For more European treats, take a scenic drive off the beaten path. Visit A Wish or Two Ago French Bakery in Grand Island, a distinctive rural community west of Eustis.
24 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
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FALL 2022 25 TrustcoBank.com Since 1902. Home Town
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2020
STATISTICS: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU,
volusia County
At a Glance
Land Area: 1,103 square miles
Population: 555,000 2010-2020 Population Growth: 14% 2025 Projected Population Growth: 573,800
Mean Travel Time to Work (Minutes): 25.9 Mean Household Income: $49,494 Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 23.7%
Geographically, Volusia County sits 50 miles northeast of Or lando, between the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean. But these days, in a region where the growth is pushing outward in all four directions, geography doesn’t mean as much as it once did.
Indeed, as metro Orlando spreads north and east along In terstate 4 through Seminole County, west Volusia is directly in growth’s path.
Today the area, once identified almost exclusively with Day tona Beach (population 72,600), is emerging as a suburb of Orlando. For example, with 96,000 residents, Deltona has long since surpassed Daytona Beach as the largest municipality in the county. It has seen monumental growth since 1980.
Much of the activity is spurred by commercial development along the High-Tech Corridor, which runs the length of Inter state 4 between Tampa and Daytona Beach.
In addition, the widening of the Interstate 4/St. Johns Riv er Bridge alleviated one of the region’s most annoying traffic bottlenecks, making the western portion of Volusia an easy 30-minute commute to downtown Orlando.
Buyers have discovered the impressive stock of historic homes west of downtown DeLand (population 37,700), which is clearly one of the coolest small towns in Florida.
The quaint downtown district, which is on the National
Register of Historic Places, is thick with eateries and antique shops. And stately Stetson University, which has been located here since 1883, adds an air of permanence.
Meanwhile, tiny Lake Helen (population 2,800) is holding its breath as Victoria Park adds 4,000 homes and 10,000 residents right near the city’s border. The rural enclave is expected to grow nearly 20 percent by 2025.
Those interested in more natural settings, plus an unusual lunch, may head north on U.S. 17 to De León Springs State Park, where you can cook your own pancakes at the Old Span ish Sugar Mill and then paddle a canoe through the wilderness.
In the winter, manatees seeking warmer water can be seen lolling around at Blue Springs State Park. In the summer, hu mans seeking relief plunge into the same bubbling blue oasis.
Many of the changes in Volusia County involve Daytona Beach, especially around Interstate 95 and LPGA Boulevard.
Five or six years ago, big stories included the arrival of a Trader Joe’s distribution center, the opening of Tanger Outlets Mall and the Tomoka Town Center, and the completion of a new head quarters site for TopBuild Corp., a Fortune 1000 company.
Then came more retail, restaurants, apartment complexes and the massive live/work/play communities of Mosaic and Latitude Margaritaville.
leading employers
AdventHealth System
Halifax Hospital System
Publix Supermarkets
Walmart Associates Inc.
Stetson University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Florida Healthcare Plans
Sykes Communications
Winn Dixie Supermarkets
Brunswick Corp.
50 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
Daytona Beach’s brightly lit boardwalk is known to vacationers and spring breakers, of course. But the World’s Most Famous Beach is within easy driv ing distance of anywhere in Central Florida.
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School grades provide an easily understandable way to measure the performance of a school. Schools are graded A, B, C, D or F, and the grade is determined using up to 11 components. There are four achievement components, which are calculated using student performance on statewide standardized assessments, including comprehensive assessments, end-of-course (EOC) assessments and Florida Alternate Assessments (FAA). The achievement components measure the percentage of full-year enrolled students who achieve a passing score. There are also learning gains components and a middle school acceleration component, as well as high school acceleration and graduation rate components. Each component is worth up to 100 points in the overall calculation. The four achievement components — English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies — are shown on the following pages. Also shown are school grades for two years, high school graduation rates and the percentage of students on free or reduced lunch programs. For more information about the complexities of school grading, and to see results of the other components that determine school grades, visit the Florida Department of Education website at fldoe.com. School grades were not given for two prior years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2021-22
SEMINOLE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
52 52 57 B C 71.7
ALTAMONTE
BEAR LAKE 55 56 56 C B 56.4
BENTLEY 59 53 50 C B 65.4
CARILLON 72 71 72 A A 29.0
CASSELBERRY 60 72 48 A A 70.6
CHOICES IN LEARNING (CHARTER) 83 79 74 A A 21.7
CRYSTAL LAKE 68 64 66 B A 49.6
EASTBROOK 54 58 54 B C 59.1
ENGLISH ESTATES 51 48 51 C C 68.4
EVANS 74 78 80 A A 36.7
FOREST CITY 64 60 53 C C 68.0
GENEVA 63 70 70 B B 43.2
GOLDSBORO MAGNET 71 66 69 B B 41.4
HAMILTON 48 49 58 C C 83.8
HEATHROW 81 82 83 A A 20.8
HIGHLANDS 68 66 61 B B 59.9
IDYLLWILDE 43 46 43 C C 78.5
KEETH 75 73 71 B A 29.4
LAKE MARY 66 68 64 B A 46.5
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
LAKE ORIENTA 53 62 55 B B 69.8
LAWTON 74 77 66 A A 30.1
LAYER 63 55 60 C B 51.5
LONGWOOD 62 63 54 B A 59.5
MIDWAY 48 58 47 B C 84.8
PARTIN 81 79 82 A A 24.0
PINE CREST 27 27 30 D C 87.4
RAINBOW 81 86 76 A A 37.7
RED BUG 73 65 65 B B 48.1
SABAL POINT 77 86 84 A A 30.6
SPRING LAKE 40 42 37 C C 77.4
STENSTROM 72 68 64 B A 40.9
STERLING PARK 58 57 52 C B 54.3
WALKER 82 83 73 A A 25.2 WEKIVA 78 75 80 A A 36.1 WICKLOW 40 42 32 C B 82.6 WILSON 79 79 77 A A 24.3
WINTER SPRINGS 56 53 44 C C 76.5 WOODLANDS 76 76 65 A A 36.5
SEMINOLE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS
WINTER SPRINGS I B 52.6
SEMINOLE COUNTY VIRTUAL FRANCHISE I A 52.1
SEMINOLE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS
SEMINOLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS 52 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
SEMINOLE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS CHILES 69 73 68 84 A A 29.2 GREENWOOD LAKES 55 50 53 76 B B 66.2 INDIAN TRAILS 61 61 66 76 B A 46.1. JACKSON HEIGHTS 67 73 71 88 A A 33.9 MARKHAM WOODS 55 63 59 73 B B 50.4 MILLENNIUM 48 49 51 69 C C 72.2
66 69 68 82 A A 49.6 SOUTH
53 56 48 74 B B 70.8
52 57 48 78 B B 58.5
54 60 54 79 B B 54.8 CROOMS ACADEMY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 75 65 85 90 A A 42.8 100 HAGERTY 71 69 81 83 A A 23.6 98 LAKE BRANTLEY I B 47.1 LAKE HOWELL I B 54.5 LAKE MARY 59 43 67 68 B B 44.2 97
MILWEE 56 56 56 66 B B 65 ROCK LAKE 66 76 62 74 A A 37.1 SANFORD
SEMINOLE
TEAGUE
TUSKAWILLA
LYMAN 55 37 69 64 B B 54.7 97 OVIEDO 64 66 84 84 A A 32.5 99
SEMINOLE 51 37 61 60 B B 56.5 91
FOR GIFTED
(K-8
63 63 54 92 A A
GALILEO SCHOOL
LEARNING
CHARTER)
30.4
SCIENCE (K-8 CHARTER) 80 85 80 95 A A 29.8
MAKING THE
GRADE
OSCEOLA COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
BOGGY CREEK
49 41 42 C B 100
BRIDGEPREP ACADEMY OF ST. CLOUD (CHARTER) 61 53 38 B 51.5
CENTRAL AVENUE 30 28 18 D C 100
CHESTNUT SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 44 39 34 C B 100
CREATIVE INSPIRATION JOURNEY SCHOOL OF ST. CLOUD (CHARTER) 48 29 33 D 34.3
CYPRESS 38 40 36 C B 100
DEERWOOD 43 41 37 C C 100
EAST LAKE 47 50 42 C B 78.2
FLORA RIDGE 38 36 34 C C 95.7
HARMONY 68 65 54 B A 37.4
HICKORY TREE 57 61 48 B B 41.3
HIGHLANDS 37 30 28 D C 100
KISSIMMEE 39 39 37 C B 95
KOA 30 36 35 C C 100
DENN JOHN 31 31 36 59 C C 100
DISCOVERY INTERMEDIATE 33 22 39 57 C C 100
HARMONY 55 59 55 74 B 35.3 HORIZON 40 40 51 73 C B 70.7 KISSIMMEE 32 33 32 56 C C 100 NARCOOSSEE 56 58 61 83 B A 52.3
LAKEVIEW
52 55 48 C B 93.7
LINCOLN-MARTI (CHARTER) I 66.7
MICHIGAN AVENUE 56 57 41 C B 85.5
MILL CREEK 44 45 51 C C 100
NARCOOSSEE 65 64 59 B A 33.1
NEPTUNE 47 51 55 C C 91.6
PARTIN SETTLEMENT 51 48 47 C C 62.6
PLEASANT HILL 42 44 39 C C 100
POINCIANA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS 43 33 33 C C 100
REEDY CREEK 40 35 42 C C 97
ST. CLOUD 59 62 43 C B 70.3
SUNRISE 44 38 38 C B 91.1
THACKER AVENUE SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES 37 39 40 C C 100
VENTURA 49 45 44 B C 100
VICORY (CHARTER) I 83.5
NEPTUNE 52 51 55 65 B B 82.7 PARKWAY 35 28 34 53 C C 94.7
SPORTS LEADERSHIP ARTS MANAGEMENT (CHARTER) 72 85 85 100 A D 69.9
ST. CLOUD 48 55 62 79 B B 79.2
CELEBRATION 51 40 63 62 B B 56.8 94
FOUR CORNERS UPPER (CHARTER) 45 41 39 61 B B 35.7 100 GATEWAY 45 37 57 59 C C 85.3 88 HARMONY 46 40 55 66 B B 35.7 95 LIBERTY 32 14 39 43 C C 96.1 89
MATER BRIGHTON LAKES PREPARATORY (CHARTER) 43 29 29 32 D 76.9
AMERICAN CLASSICAL ACADEMY (K-12 CHARTER) 60 49 54 85 B 12
ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER)
BRIDGEPREP ACADEMY OSCEOLA COUNTY (K-8 CHARTER)
CANOE CREEK ACADEMY (K-8) 59 59 61 79 B 43.7
CELEBRATION SCHOOL (K-8)
FLORIDA CYBER ACADEMY AT OSCEOLA (K-12 CHARTER) I C 70.2
FOUR CORNERS (K-8 CHARTER) 52 59 52 B B 79.7
ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER)
MATER ACADEMY ST. CLOUD (K-8 CHARTER) 44 35 33 67 C C 60.3
MATER BRIGHTON LAKES ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER) 40 37 28 47 C B 80.9
MATER PALMS ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER) 55 51 39 71 B A 70.5
NEOCITY ACADEMY 95 86 90 A A 28.4
NEW DIMENSIONS (CHARTER) 60 55 71 84 A A 79.9 99
OSCEOLA 33 25 55 51 C C 88.4 91 POINCIANA 32 17 44 51 C C 92.4 93 PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL 85 70 87 97 A A 69.3 99 ST. CLOUD 51 39 65 75 B B 66.7 97
TOHOPEKALIGA 43 28 47 61 C D 54 97
OSCEOLA COUNTY SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (6-12) 89 87 83 94 A A 33.4 100 OSCEOLA SCIENCE (K-8 CHARTER) 64 60 56 80 A B 63.7
OSCEOLA VIRTUAL (FRANCHISE) 77 55 67 81 A A 14.7 98 P. M. WELLS ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER) 47 44 35 65 C A 83.4
RENAISSANCE AT BOGGY CREEK (K-8 CHARTER) 50 50 44 71 C C 68.7
RENAISSANCE AT POINCIANA (K-8 CHARTER) 48 49 52 69 B A 88.7
RENAISSANCE AT TAPESTRY (K-8 CHARTER) 44 48 49 76 B B 77 ST. CLOUD PREPARATORY ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER) 37 30 35 59 C C 75.6 100
VICTORY (6-12 CHARTER) 24 17 18 33 D C 80.5 97 WESTSIDE (K-8) 41 35 42 69 C B 76.3
PUBLIC SCHOOLS fall 2022 53
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS OSCEOLA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS
OSCEOLA
OSCEOLA COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
BELLALAGO
50 40 45 78 C B 80.4
32 30 22 49 D D 79.6
67 66 71 88 A A 28.8
KISSIMMEE
48 37 42 51 C C 79
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement
% Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
ORANGE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
ALOMA 57 62 48 B C 89.5
ANDOVER 60 66 64 A A 67.3
APOPKA I B 79.8
AVALON 79 83 73 A A 23.7
AZALEA PARK 54 58 51 B C 100
BALDWIN PARK 79 79 77 A A 31.9
BAY LAKE 71 77 72 A A 31.7
BAY MEADOWS 72 76 71 A B 31.8
BONNEVILLE 49 56 59 B C 100
BROOKSHIRE 65 65 69 B B 37.8
CAMELOT 58 60 49 C A 78.7
CASTLE CREEK 53 59 51 B C 100
CASTLEVIEW 74 75 74 A 29.8
CATALINA 24 31 25 F C 100
CHENEY 53 63 54 B B 100
CHICKASAW 49 46 46 C B 100
CITRUS 55 54 53 B C 98.1
CLAY SPRINGS 53 55 53 C C 90.4
COLUMBIA 71 79 81 A A 83.1
CONWAY 44 47 41 C B 100
CYPRESS SPRINGS 67 74 76 A A 65.7
DEERWOOD 71 76 74 A A 71.5
DILLARD STREET 47 48 37 C C 89.7
DOMMERICH 89 93 92 A A 13.9
DOVER SHORES 54 55 45 B B 100
DR. PHILLIPS 71 76 65 B A 28.6
DREAM LAKE 50 60 49 B B 100
EAGLE CREEK 80 80 75 A A 24
EAGLES NEST I C 100
EAST LAKE 63 58 49 C B 80.1
ECCLESTON 31 32 37 C C 100
ENDEAVOR 67 64 66 B A 66.9
ENGELWOOD 34 38 32 C C 100
FORSYTH WOODS 50 52 52 B B 100
HIAWASSEE 36 40 34 C C 100
HIDDEN OAKS 57 59 59 B B 77.8
HILLCREST 87 84 88 A A 27.2
HUNGERFORD 39 47 41 C C 100
HUNTERS CREEK 67 72 67 A B 38.4
INDEPENDENCE 83 88 85 A A 18.8
IVEY LANE 33 56 40 B C 100
JOHN YOUNG 61 61 70 B A 89.4
KEENES CROSSING 80 77 75 A A 19.1
KILLARNEY 49 42 43 B A 100
LAKE GEM 39 43 39 C D 100
LAKE GEORGE 53 65 43 B B 94.2
LAKE SILVER 41 36 34 D C 100
LAKE SYBELIA 49 51 52 C C 85.1
LAKE WESTON 25 47 33 C B 100
LAKE WHITNEY 82 89 81 A A 18.2
LAKEMONT 61 62 59 B A 71.6
LAKEVILLE 38 48 39 C C 100
LANCASTER 32 40 34 C B 100
LAUREATE PARK 82 82 73 C B 13.9
LAWTON CHILES 48 63 64 A A 100
LITTLE RIVER 50 51 42 C C 100
LOCKHART 36 36 38 C D 100
LOVELL 36 42 40 C C 100
LUCIOUS & EMMA NIXON
English Language Arts
Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement
% Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
ACADEMY (CHARTER) 58 63 B D 100
MEADOW WOODS 46 54 39 C C 100
METROWEST 46 48 44 C C 88.2
MICHAEL MCCOY 42 54 49 B C 100
MILLENNIA 43 37 31 C C 77.5
MILLENNIA GARDENS 33 30 27 D C 100
MOLLIE RAY 26 52 23 C C 100
MOSS PARK 72 76 73 A A 24.9
NORTHLAKE PARK COMMUNITY 77 85 80 A A 21.1
OAK HILL 44 45 56 C C 100
OAKLAND AVENUE (CHARTER) 65 65 74 B B 21.8
OAKSHIRE 57 66 42 B B 81.7
OCOEE 43 44 38 C C 100
ORANGE CENTER 38 56 45 B D 100
ORLANDO SCIENCE (CHARTER) 78 81 76 A A 32.5
ORLO VISTA 34 52 31 C C 100
PALM LAKE 64 68 71 A A 41
PALMETTO 32 42 42 C C 100
PHILLIS WHEATLEY 31 58 64 B D 100
PINAR 45 54 54 B B 100
PINE HILLS 35 36 27 C C 100
PINECREST ACADEMY AVALON (CHARTER) 75 80 63 A A 38.5
PINECREST CREEK (CHARTER) 76 68 A A 87.6
PINELOCH 25 30 25 F C 100
PINEWOOD 43 46 38 C D 100
PRAIRIE LAKE 48 51 57 B C 90
PRINCETON 77 69 73 A A 31.7
RIDGEWOOD PARK 32 33 31 C C 100
RIVERDALE 51 53 53 C B 100
RIVERSIDE 40 48 49 C B 100
ROCK LAKE 23 56 30 B C 100
ROCK SPRINGS 46 50 53 C A 91.4
ROLLING HILLS 30 32 34 D B 100
ROSEMONT 31 46 33 C B 100
SADLER 26 36 33 C D 100
SALLY RIDE 50 53 45 C A 100
SAND LAKE 69 69 63 A A 34.7
SHENANDOAH 58 64 56 B C 91.3
SHINGLE CREEK 38 46 47 C C 100
SOUTHWOOD 63 69 63 A B 85.2
SPRING LAKE 47 52 52 C B 100
STONE LAKES 76 81 73 A B 25.8
SUMMERLAKE 77 82 72 B 15.7
SUN BLAZE 72 77 65 A A 23.9
SUNRIDGE I B 76.9
SUNRISE 77 77 77 A A 29.8
SUNSET PARK 66 70 66 B B 24.3
SUNSHINE 55 57 45 B 71.7
TANGELO PARK I C 100
THORNEBROOKE 80 83 78 A A 30.3
THREE POINTS 38 42 39 C C 100
TILDENVILLE 66 69 73 A A 60.6
TIMBER LAKES 77 79 77 A A 30.4
UNION PARK I D 100
VENTURA 43 52 37 B D 100
VILLAGE PARK 67 76 63 A 28.9
VISTA LAKES 65 68 66 B A 47.5
PUBLIC SCHOOLS 54 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
ORANGE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
55 67 63 A 84.4
VISTA POINTE
WASHINGTON SHORES 27 19 19 F C 100
WATER SPRING 72 74 70 A 21
WATERBRIDGE 49 53 52 B C 87.4
WATERFORD 68 65 62 B C 66
WEST CREEK 65 68 63 A A 31.9
WEST OAKS 37 35 37 C C 100
WESTBROOKE 72 83 75 A B 37.2
WESTPOINTE 68 67 54 A B 68.2
ORANGE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS
APOPKA I C 91.5
AVALON 70 79 66 87 A A 20.8
BRIDGEWATER 71 73 70 86 A A 16
CARVER I C 100
CHAIN OF LAKES 37 42 40 54 C B 77.2
COLLEGE PARK 31 37 39 61 C C 100
CONWAY 38 47 38 58 C C 96.6
CORNER LAKE 49 51 56 65 B C 86
DISCOVERY 52 65 61 79 B A 43
FREEDOM 45 56 48 72 B B 67.5
GLENRIDGE I B 69.8
GOTHA 54 53 52 64 B B 70.3
HORIZON WEST 64 74 65 81 A 24.3
HOWARD 77 76 66 83 A A 29.9
HUNTERS CREEK 60 74 57 75 A A 37.4
INNOVATION 62 68 62 90 A A 29.1
JUDSON B. WALKER I C 100
LAKE COMO 53 59 46 67 B B 84.7
LAKE NONA 69 79 74 88 A A 25.8
LAKEVIEW 45 48 37 70 C C 77.4
ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS
APOPKA 45 26 58 71 C B 66.8 98 COLONIAL 35 18 51 65 C B 96.6 99
CORNERSTONE CHARTER ACADEMY 61 52 79 75 B A 34.3 99 CYPRESS CREEK 41 23 53 61 C B 68.9 99
DR. PHILLIPS 44 23 51 66 C B 68.7 98
EAST RIVER 43 33 59 69 B B 71.3 99
EDGEWATER 44 17 54 61 C B 81.8 99 FREEDOM 52 39 54 71 B B 43.4 100
HORIZON 65 52 77 75 B 18.5
INNOVATION MONTESSORI (CHARTER) 56 46 72 81 B A 32.7
JONES I C 100
LAKE BUENA VISTA 48 29 54 71 C 38.7
WETHERBEE
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
68 72 69 A B 68.5
WHISPERING OAK 85 89 83 A A 16.2
WILLIAM FRANGUS 43 45 35 C C 100
WILLIAM S. MAXEY 57 71 47 B A 100
WINDERMERE 85 89 85 A A 9
WINEGARD 40 49 33 C C 100
WOLF LAKE 64 74 68 A A 35.3
WYNDHAM LAKES 60 63 51 B C 71.3 ZELLWOOD 40 43 39 C C 95
LEGACY I C 84.2
LIBERTY 42 38 42 60 C C 100
LOCKHART 32 37 31 58 C C 100
MAITLAND 58 61 63 77 B A 37.7
MEADOW WOODS I C 81.6 MEADOWBROOK 28 41 37 53 C C 100
MEMORIAL 29 30 29 68 C C 100 OCOEE 41 42 50 63 C B 85.1
ODYSSEY I B 71.5
PIEDMONT LAKES I C 100 PINECREST COLLEGIATE ACADEMY (CHARTER) 92 92 A 50
ROBERTO CLEMENTE 41 43 40 55 C C 100
ROBINSWOOD I C 100
SOUTH CREEK 49 50 43 70 C B 70.6
SOUTHWEST I A 63.6
SUNRIDGE 69 75 62 88 A A 24.6
TIMBER SPRINGS 58 71 63 77 A A 39.7
UNION PARK 31 36 28 54 C D 100
WESTRIDGE 27 38 35 45 C c 100 WOLF LAKE 50 61 58 68 B B 70.8
LAKE NONA 67 49 72 77 A A 29.7 100
LEGACY (CHARTER) 63 53 79 53 B B 0 100
MAYNARD EVANS 27 20 45 58 C C 98 100
OAK RIDGE 28 19 49 55 C B 98 100
OCOEE 39 35 64 76 B C 80.1 99
OLYMPIA 52 26 61 76 B A 39.4 98
TIMBER CREEK 68 52 80 86 A A 25.9 99
UNIVERSITY 49 34 62 80 B A 70.2 98
WEKIVA I C 95.8
WEST ORANGE 61 35 70 76 B B 29.9 97
WILLIAM R. BOONE 59 39 68 76 B A 37.8 98
WINDERMERE 66 52 74 68 A B 19.5 98
WINTER PARK 64 47 75 81 A A 30.4 99
ORANGE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS
ARBOR RIDGE (K-8)
67 78 66 82 A A 64.9
BLANKNER (K-8) 72 77 75 75 A A 32.5
BRIDGEPREP (K-8 CHARTER)
CENTRAL FLORIDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER)
CORNERSTONE
INNOVATION MONTESSORI OCOEE (K-8 CHARTER)
I A 21
LAKE EOLA (K-8 CHARTER) I A 0
LEGENDS ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) 39 46 23 65 C C 100
OCPS ACADEMIC CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE (PK-8) 23 21 19 47 C C 100
ORANGE COUNTY PREPARATORY ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER) 40 31 18 76 D C 95.8
I A 0
ORANGE VIRTUAL (FRANCHISE)
PUBLIC SCHOOLS fall 2022 55
31
22 18 51 C D 100
33
29 37 82 C B 43.9 93
ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER) 67 71 70 81 A A 32.7
HOPE (K-8 CHARTER) 74 78 59 78 B A 0
English Language Arts Achievement
% Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
ORANGE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS
ORLANDO GIFTED ACADEMY (2-6) 96 95 89 98 A A 22
ORLANDO SCIENCE (6-12 CHARTER) 82 84 80 90 A A 34.2 99
PASSPORT (K-8 CHARTER) 49 40 28 73 C C 100
PERSHING (K-8) 56 56 55 78 B C 63.1
PINECREST PREPARATORY ( K-8 CHARTER) 77 84 77 96 A A 75.6
RENAISSANCE AT CHICKASAW TRAIL (K-8 CHARTER) 36 38 32 67 C C 100
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
English Language Arts Achievement
% Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
RENAISSANCE AT CROWN POINT (K-8 CHARTER) 47 42 39 53 C B 59.7
RENAISSANCE AT GOLDENROD (K-8 CHARTER) 35 34 34 64 C C 66.2
RENAISSANCE AT HUNTER’S CREEK (K-8 CHARTER) 56 60 54 79 A A 52
WEDGEFIELD SCHOOL (K-8) 62 70 71 82 A A 40.6 WINDY RIDGE (K-8 CHARTER) 62 70 71 82 A A 40.6
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
POLK COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
ALTA VISTA I D 100
ALTURAS 45 54 39 C B 100
AUBURNDALE CENTRAL 39 33 22 D C 100
BARTOW ACADEMY 73 61 57 B B 51.2
BELLA CITTA 47 49 37 C 77.6
BERKLEY (CHARTER) 72 80 52 A A 29.3
BETHUNE ACADEMY 54 51 45 B C 100
CARLTON PALMORE 45 52 46 C B 100
CHAIN OF LAKES 58 62 39 C A 73.8
CLARENCE BOSWELL 39 53 25 C B 100
CLEVELAND COURT 72 83 68 A A 81.7
COMBEE ACADEMY OF DESIGN & ENGINEERING 44 47 44 C C 100
CRYSTAL LAKE 26 28 29 D D 100
DALE R. FAIR BABSON PARK (CHARTER) 61 69 63 B A 68.2
DAVENPORT 38 36 22 D 100
DIXIELAND 28 50 25 C D 100 DR. N.E. ROBERTS 41 49 40 C C 100
DUNDEE ACADEMY 57 55 33 C B 91.8
EAGLE LAKE 36 45 31 D C 100
EASTSIDE 37 45 29 C D 100
EDGAR L. PADGETT 41 46 29 C C 100
ELBERT 30 21 16 F C 100
FLORAL AVENUE 44 49 41 C C 100
FRANK E. BRIGHAM ACADEMY 72 74 62 B A 62.9
FRED G. GARNER 32 36 29 C D 100
FROSTPROOF BEN HILL GRIFFIN JR. 41 41 34 C D 100
GARDEN GROVE 42 49 36 C C 89.6
GRIFFIN 39 42 39 C D 100
HARTRIDGE ACADEMY (CHARTER) 89 91 63 A A 74.9
HIGHLAND CITY 48 60 61 C A 91.2
HIGHLANDS GROVE 64 77 63 A B 69.8
HILLCREST (CHARTER) 57 68 39 B B 98.1
HORIZONS 41 36 26 C C 86
INWOOD 33 33 44 D D 100
JAMES E. STEPHENS 24 25 35 D D 100
JAMES W. SIKES 54 55 41 B B 71.5
JANIE HOWARD WILSON (CHARTER) 32 38 25 D C 100
JESSE KEEN 22 26 28 D C 100
JOHN SNIVELY 46 55 43 C D 100
KATHLEEN 39 30 34 D C 100
LAKE ALFRED 47 54 41 B B 96.2
LAKE SHIPP 40 36 17 D C 100
LAKELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL HOUSE (CHARTER) 87 81 53 A A 3.5
LAUREL I D 100
LENA VISTA 42 39 35 C C 100
LEWIS ANNA WOODBURY 42 39 26 C C 100
LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY 86 83 89 A A 40.7
LOUGHMAN OAKS 44 35 26 D C 75.9
MCKEEL CENTRAL ACADEMY K-6 78 85 78 A A 36.6
MEDULLA 43 50 49 C B 100
NORTH LAKELAND 37 33 36 C C 100
OSCAR J. POPE 33 33 32 C D 100
PALMETTO 33 24 28 D D 100
PHILIP O’BRIEN 33 38 23 C D 100
PINEWOOD 46 50 26 C B 100
POLK AVENUE (CHARTER) 34 35 36 D B 100
POLK CITY 43 43 38 C C 100
PURCELL 37 44 39 C D 100
R. BRUCE WAGNER 48 51 40 C C 92.3
R. CLEM CHURCHWELL 48 54 34 C B 96.4
SANDHILL 37 33 32 C C 100
SCOTT LAKE 56 69 55 B B 72.2
SLEEPY HILL 44 47 40 C B 100
SOCRUM 36 36 26 D C 100
SOUTH MCKEEL ACADEMY K-7 (CHARTER) 72 76 53 B A 30.6
SOUTHWEST 43 60 60 B B 100
SPESSARD L. HOLLAND 55 54 45 C C 87.4
SPOOK HILL 31 26 28 D D 100
VALLEYVIEW 74 75 67 A A 57.1
WAHNETA 33 46 24 C C 100
WALTER CALDWELL 39 37 34 C C 100
WENDELL WATSON 51 50 48 C B 78.9
WILLOW OAK SCHOOL 44 49 39 C 100
WINSTON ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING 74 74 59 A B 75.8
PUBLIC SCHOOLS 56 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
English
School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21 English Language
BARTOW 33 36 36 61 C C 98.3
BERKLEY ACCELERATED (CHARTER) 70 78 76 81 A A 33.7
BOK ACADEMY (CHARTER) 52 52 44 82 B A 61.8
CRYSTAL LAKE 29 30 32 52 C C 100
DANIEL JENKINS ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY 44 43 36 74 C B 93.9
DENISON 27 31 28 61 C D 100
DISCOVERY ACADEMY OF LAKE ALFRED (CHARTER) 46 47 35 74 C B 74.8
DUNDEE RIDGE 51 58 45 73 B A 89.9
EDWARD W. BOK ACADEMY NORTH (CHARTER) 53 51 36 70 C C 57.5
JERE L. STAMBAUGH 24 25 27 59 C C 100
JEWETT ACADEMY MAGNET 56 42 49 79 C B 72.5
KATHLEEN 30 35 32 53 C C 100
POLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS
34 29 43 44 C C 84.5 90
LAKE ALFRED POLYTECH ACADEMY 42 47 49 61 C C 95
LAKE GIBSON 36 35 33 56 D C 88.9
LAKE MARION CREEK 27 22 16 45 D C 100
LAKELAND HIGHLANDS 49 60 52 82 B B 62.5
LAKELAND MONTESSORI (CHARTER) 87 83 A A 15.4
LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY 71 68 66 80 A A 45.3
MCLAUGHLIN FINE ARTS ACADEMY 38 37 28 60 C D 100
MULBERRY 39 35 31 71 C C 98.9
SHELLEY S. BOONE 25 30 22 52 C C 98.7
SLEEPY HILL 32 32 34 75 C C 100
SOUTHWEST 35 29 29 59 C C 100
UNION ACADEMY 68 64 68 81 A A 53.9
AUBURNDALE
BARTOW 48 32 57 63 C B 69.9 96
CHAIN OF LAKES COLLEGIATE (CHARTER) A A 0 100
DAVENPORT 40 26 51 42 D 72.7
DISCOVERY (CHARTER) 50 35 57 67 C C 69.2 97
GEORGE W. JENKINS 53 39 61 62 B B 59.1 97
HAINES CITY 34 20 49 56 C C 92.9 86
KATHLEEN 31 17 54 47 C C 92.7 89
LAKE GIBSON 40 24 54 51 C C 79.5 95
LAKE REGION 26 13 33 32 D C 95.5 89
POLK COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS
CITRUS RIDGE - A CIVIC ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER) 38 38 28 77 C C 88.4
CYPRESS JUNCTION MONTESSORI (K-8 CHARTER) 73 65 35 88 B C 0
DAVENPORT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (K-8 CHARTER) 71 70 59 95 A A 62.7
FORT MEADE (6-12) 41 41 36 56 C C 100 97
FROSTPROOF (6-12) 37 35 40 55 C B 96.2 90
JEWETT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (K-8 CHARTER) 51 46 41 70 C B 72.2
MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY (K-7 CHARTER) 87 75 38 92 A A 5.5
LAKE WALES (CHARTER) 48 44 59 61 C B 58.2 91
LAKELAND 54 33 64 71 B B 66.5 88
MULBERRY 37 22 49 67 C C 92.3 91
POLK PRE-COLLEGIATE ACADEMY (CHARTER) 76 68 84 56 A A 27
POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE (CHARTER) A A 0 100
RIDGE COMMUNITY 38 22 57 57 C C 83.2 90 TENOROC I D 100
WINTER HAVEN I C 81.2
MCKEEL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY (7-12 CHARTER) 73 75 77 85 A A 35.1 100
MI ESCUELA MONTESSORI (K-8 CHARTER) 55 37 C 40
NAVIGATOR ACADEMY OF LEADER SHIP DAVENPORT (K-8 CHARTER) 46 44 33 60 C 22.9
POLK VIRTUAL I 0
RIDGEVIEW GLOBAL STUDIES ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) 75 68 64 87 A A 88.4
ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS K-8 (CHARTER) 58 58 51 90 B B 75.9
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS fall 2022 57
Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher
Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher
Achievement %
Higher Social
Achievement % Satisfactory
ROSABELLE W. BLAKE ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) 45 38 35 85 C B 100 Higher
Science
Satisfactory or
Studies
or
School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
POLK COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS
WESTWOOD 25 22 19 72 D C 100
LAKE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
ALTOONA (CHARTER) 57 68 57 B C 74.3
ASTATULA 53 50 49 C B 96.3
BEVERLY SHORES 36 40 36 C F 100
CLERMONT 40 40 33 C C 100
CYPRESS RIDGE 80 80 77 A A 32
EUSTIS 41 52 46 C C 100
EUSTIS HEIGHTS 42 48 41 C C 100
FRUITLAND PARK 44 48 43 C C 100
GRASSY LAKE 65 60 50 C A 54.3
GROVELAND 28 24 31 D C 100
LEESBURG 31 41 24 C D 100
LOST LAKE 66 65 51 C A 53.9
LAKE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS
CARVER 39 42 45 61 C C 100 CLERMONT 48 49 52 62 B B 78.2
EAST RIDGE 60 67 61 75 A A 57.7 EUSTIS 40 48 33 58 C C 94.2 GRAY 40 41 44 64 C B 80.2
LAKE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS
EAST
LAKE
MASCOTTE (CHARTER) 45 43 35 D C 100
PINE RIDGE 54 58 53 C A 61
ROUND LAKE (CHARTER) 72 81 62 87 A A 53.1
SAWGRASS BAY 44 46 47 - C C 82.3
SEMINOLE SPRINGS 56 61 47 B B 92.2
SORRENTO 53 58 46 C C 80.8
TAVARES 46 49 42 C C 100
THE VILLAGES ELEMENTARY OF LADY LAKE 60 61 53 B A 100
TREADWAY 53 58 46 C C 100
TRIANGLE 37 43 33 D B 100
UMATILLA 55 61 52 B B 89.2
MT. DORA 44 49 47 64 C C 82.3 OAK PARK 33 31 36 54 C C 100
TAVARES 39 44 35 72 C B 97.7 UMATILLA 44 56 50 68 C B 93.6 WINDY HILL 54 56 58 72 B B 61.8
PINECREST
PUBLIC SCHOOLS 58 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
52
35
RIDGE 49 38 69 73 B B 54.6 98 EUSTIS 42 53 54 64 C C 71.6 96 LAKE MINNEOLA
47 67 65 B A 47.6 98 LEESBURG
24 46 47 C C 97.8 87 MT. DORA 48 40 53 72 B C 63.1 97
LAKES PREP (CHARTER) 75 76 89 A 27.1 SOUTH LAKE 40 31 51 62 C C 66.9 96 TAVARES I C 74.1 UMATILLA 40 45 76 59 B C 87.7 89
COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS IMAGINE SCHOOLS AT SOUTH LAKE (K-8 CHARTER) 77 87 74 96 A A 19 LAKE POINTE ACADEMY (K-8) 43 40 28 69 C 57 LAKE VIRTUAL (FRANCHISE) I B 28.7 MINNEOLA CONVERSION (PK-8 CHARTER) 65 66 64 90 A B 56.2 PINECREST ACADEMY FOUR CORNERS (K-8 CHARTER) 55 51 49 86 B 56.2 PINECREST ACADEMY TAVARES (K-8 CHARTER) 74 68 56 93 A 34.8 PINECREST LAKES ACADEMY (K-8 CHARTER) 82 84 69 99 A A 31.1 SPRING CREEK (PK-8 CHARTER) 46 47 44 81 C B 100 English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21 English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
VOLUSIA COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
BEACHSIDE I C 78.4
BLUE LAKE 35 32 40 D C 83.4
CHAMPION 41 47 55 C D 82.4
CHISHOLM 67 73 72 A C 57.2
CITRUS GROVE 60 57 66 B B 70.2
CORONADO BEACH 76 77 84 A A 34.5
CYPRESS CREEK 76 76 73 A B 41.2
DEBARY 64 69 74 B A 42.5
DELTONA LAKES 52 54 47 C C 77.9
DISCOVERY 41 42 53 C C 85.8
EDGEWATER 57 66 71 B C 77.6
EDITH I. STARKE 28 54 47 C C 95.2
ENTERPRISE 46 52 47 C B 79.6
FOREST LAKE 57 54 60 B B 74.1
FREEDOM 56 57 62 C B 56.3
FRIENDSHIP 41 38 49 C C 84
GEORGE W. MARKS 54 53 54 B C 74.4
HORIZON 61 63 57 B B 64.1
INDIAN RIVER 56 61 68 C B 74.1
LOUISE S. MCINNIS 39 47 56 C C 84.1
MANATEE COVE 50 50 54 C C 73
ORANGE CITY 41 34 37 D C 82.1
ORMOND BEACH 71 81 77 A B 70
VOLUSIA COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS
CAMPBELL 29 30 29 50 D C 91 CREEKSIDE 62 67 71 77 B A 42
DAVID C. HINSON SR. 48 49 55 74 C B 59.9 DELAND 38 38 43 59 C C 69.8 DELTONA 38 38 46 49 C C 78 GALAXY 39 33 51 59 C B 74.8
VOLUSIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS
ATLANTIC 46 27 65 66 C B 61.4 92 DELAND I C 56.7 DELTONA 49 39 70 60 B B 68.6 97 MAINLAND 36 24 55 61 C C 71.3 88 NEW SMYRNA BEACH 51 38 75 67 B B 48.5 96
English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher School Grade 2022 School Grade 2019 Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students Graduation Rate 2020-21
OSTEEN 56 53 74 B B 69.3
PALM TERRACE 34 40 33 C D 92.2
PATHWAYS 67 65 65 B A 49.6
PIERSON 42 41 56 D C 82.8
PINE TRAIL 70 74 71 A A 52.7
PORT ORANGE 58 63 62 B B 75.2
PRIDE 45 39 51 D C 75.8
R. J. LONGSTREET 55 54 74 A C 73.6
READ-PATTILLO 58 59 65 B B 68.5
READING EDGE ACADEMY (CHARTER) 51 55 42 C A 7.1
SAMSULA ACADEMY (CHARTER) 56 60 61 B C 4.5
SOUTH DAYTONA 40 43 40 C D 85.9
SPIRIT 49 49 64 C C 80.3
SPRUCE CREEK 61 71 65 B B 65.6
SUGAR MILL 60 59 59 B B 76.2
SUNRISE 35 28 44 D C 78
SWEETWATER 79 85 89 A A 42.7
TIMBERCREST 59 66 61 B B 71.9
TOMOKA 63 66 56 B A 55.2
TURIE T. SMALL 27 28 34 D C 94.8
VOLUSIA PINES 51 52 64 B C 76.9
WESTSIDE 32 32 32 C D 91
WOODWARD AVENUE 46 50 54 C C 77
HERITAGE 36 42 55 62 C B 76
NEW SMYRNA BEACH I C 62.7
ORMOND BEACH 54 61 63 74 B B 57.6
RIVER SPRINGS 48 45 50 69 C B 59.4 SILVER SANDS 52 55 60 77 B A 67.6
SOUTHWESTERN 45 45 46 74 C C 74.3
PINE RIDGE I C 69.7 SEABREEZE 51 32 66 61 C B 45.7 92
SPRUCE CREEK 58 33 75 67 B B 41.8 93 UNIVERSITY 45 28 63 65 C B 58.6 92
VOLUSIA COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS
BURNS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL (K-8 CHARTER) 69 68 71 95 A A 58.4 HOLLY HILL (K-12) 29 30 44 58 C C 87.5
IVY HAWN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (K-8 CHARTER) 70 66 71 84 A A 37.5
T. DEWITT TAYLOR (6-12) 34 33 40 53 C C 74.4 91
VOLUSIA VIRTUAL (FRANCHISE) I B 36.2
VOLUSIA VIRTUAL (PROGRAM DISTRICT PROVIDED) I 42.9
PUBLIC
fall 2022 59
SCHOOLS
Visit Central Florida’s largest searchable new-home database at thefloridahomebuyer.com
On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Orange County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2022 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-21 or 2021-22 school years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bridle Path
5486 Palomino Place, Apopka, FL 32712 • drhorton.com
Schools/Grades: Zellwood (C); Wolf Lake (B); Apopka (C) Amenities: Walking trails, pool and cabana Builder: D.R. Horton Homes, 321-733-2080 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Easy access to S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway); nearby shopping, dining and entertainment.
Eagle Creek
10350 Emerson Lake Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32832 • joneshomesusa.com
Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (A); Lake Nona (A) Amenities: Gated community; golf course, tennis courts, pool, health/fitness center, clubhouse Builder: Jones Homes USA, 407-636-9261 Products/Prices: Single-family and townhomes, call for pricing details Notes: Village Center with an elegant hotel planned; near Lake Nona’s Medical City and Orlando International Airport; 40 minutes to the Atlantic beaches.
Fire Creek
10109 Brocksport Circle, Gotha, FL 34734 • taylormorrison.com Schools/Grades: Thornebrook (A); Gotha (B); Olympia (B) Amenities: Gated community, tot lot Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, call for pricing Notes: Intimate community of 42 oversized homesites offering easy access to S.R. 429 (the West ern Beltway), I-4, theme parks, entertainment and shopping.
Gatherings of Lake Nona
7573 Laureate Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32837 • beazer.com
Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (A); Lake Nona (A) Amenities: Internet and cable included; each home has a private balcony and a one-car garage Builder: Beazer Homes, 321-445-5050
Products/Prices: Condominiums, from the high $300s Notes: 55-plus active-adult community featuring new condos with elevator access; residents enjoy maintenance-free living with easy access to Lake Nona’s Medical City and S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay).
Laureate Park at Lake Nona
South Narcoossee Road, Orlando, FL 32827 • lakenona.com/live/neighborhoods/laureate-park Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (A); Lake Nona (A) Amenities: Pool, bike trails, dog park, pocket parks, fitness center, community garden Builders: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-543-6451; Cardel Homes, 813-612-8001; Craft Homes, 407-443-0528; David Weekley Homes, 407-865-8296; Dream Finders Homes, 904-738-0165; Pulte Homes, 866-300-4793; Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-671-8838 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$400s to over $1 million; townhomes, from the low $400s Notes: Traditional neighborhood development adjacent to Lake Nona’s Medical City; variety of architectural styles available; planned Village Center; streets named for Nobel Prize winners.
60 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
SPONSORED BY R Your Home Town Bank TRUSTC O BANK ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES
Mezzano
Mezzano Lane, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • parksquarehomes.com Schools/Grades: Summerlake (B); Hamlin (N/A); Horizon (B) Amenities: Lake views, Future Community Pool and Cabana, recreation area Builders: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3108 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid-$400s Notes: Located between the Orange County National Golf course and Sawgrass Lake; close proximity to S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway), shopping, restaurants, healthcare, recreation and entertainment.
Oakland Park
15211 East Oakland Avenue, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • liveatoaklandpark.com
Schools/Grades: Tildenville (A); Lakeview (C); West Orange (B) Amenities: Pool and recreation area, pocket parks, West Orange Trail runs through community, charming streetscape with sidewalks Builders: Brierhill Homes, 407-363-6913; David Weekley Homes, 407-865-8295; J&J Building, 407-476-7520; RCB Homes, 407-876-0729; Rockwell Homes, 407-890-0425
Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $400s Notes: Located just minutes from historic downtown Winter Garden on the shores of Lake Apop ka; certified green homes in a traditionally styled neighborhood.
Phillips Grove
7965 Wandering Way, Doctor Phillips, FL 32836 • pulte.com
Schools/Grades: Sandlake (A); Southwest (I); Dr. Phillips (C). Amenities: Gated community, lawn care included, outside summer kitchen, pool and cabana, sports courts. Builder: Pulte Homes, 407-449-8039
Product/Prices: Single-family, call for pricing Notes: Located within minutes of I-4; near Central Florida’s “Restaurant Row;” convenient to schools and shopping; limited number of lakefront homesites on the Butler Chain of Lakes available.
Pinewood Reserve
5973 Wooden Pine Drive, Orlando, FL 32829 • pulte.com
Schools/Grades: Hidden Oaks (B); Odyssey (I); Colonial (C) Amenities: Pool and cabana, playground, dog park Builder: Pulte Homes, 407-845-9049 Product/Price: Single-family and townhomes, from the low $400s Notes: Easy access to S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay) offers easy access to top shopping and dining areas such as the Waterford Lakes Town Center and the Lake Nona Town Center.
San Sebastian Reserve
2100 Emerald Springs Drive, Apopka, FL 32712 • khov.com Schools/Grades: Rock Springs (C); Apopka (I); Apopka (C) Amenities: Gated community, resort-style pool, cabana, playground, dog park Builder: K. Hovnanian Homes, 321-263-2644 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $500s Notes: Close to S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway), 414 (the Apopka Expressway) and Florida’s Turnpike.
FALL 2022 61 SPONSORED BY R Your Home Town Bank TRUSTC O BANK ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES
Sunset Preserve
4125 Sunset Preserve Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32820 • pulte.com
Schools/Grades: East Lake (C); Corner Lake (B); East River (B) Amenities: Gated community, private boat ramp, lakefront pavilion, children’s playground Builder: Pulte Homes, 407-676-7843
Product/Prices: Single-family, from the low $600s Notes: Tucked among the trees off of Lake Pickett in East Orlando; features a private community boat ramp, a lakefront open-air pavilion and a children’s playground; located near S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay) and S.R. 408 (the East-West Expressway).
The Brix at The Packing District
3025 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804 • tollbrothers.com
Schools/Grades: Lake Silver (D); College Park (C); Edgewater (C) Amenities: Bike lane leading directly into College Park; food hall and beer garden; regional park with a pond overlook; 40-acre urban farm; sports fields and entertainment stage; scenic walking and jogging trails Builder: Toll Brothers, 877-431-0444
Product/Prices: Townhomes, from the high $400s Notes: Near downtown Orlando and College Park; an exclusive community featuring 135 townho mes; home designs will feature urban, transitional and industrial-inspired architecture.
The Oaks at Kelly Park
2424 Park Ridge Street, Apopka, FL 32712 • tollbrothers.com
Schools/Grades: Zellwood (C); Wolf Lake (B); Apopka (C) Amenities: Future swimming pool, cabana, tot lot, two parks with walking paths Builder: Toll Brothers, 407-753-6191
Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$400s Notes: Located less than a mile from S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway) and near I-4 and major roadways, residents have easy access to schools, entertainment, shopping and dining and neigh boring cities; nearby outdoor recreation includes hiking, biking and swimming in a natural spring at Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Waterleigh
10482 Atwater Bay Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • drhorton.com
Schools/Grades: Water Spring (A); Bridgewater (A); Windermere (A) Amenities: Waterfront or water access; walking and nature trails; exercise and fitness center; two resort-style amenity centers; lakes, ponds and swimming pools; tot lots and sports fields; beach volleyball and minigolf; a community garden Builders: D.R. Horton Homes, 407-395-9707; Emerald Homes, 407-395-9707
Product/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Located in the Horizon West area with 1,400-plus acres encompassing more than a dozen lakes and clear water ponds; near shopping, dining, major attractions and top-notch medical facili ties; served by excellent schools.
Waverly Walk
9119 Waverly Walk Drive, Orlando, FL. 32817 • ashtonwoods.com
Schools/Grades: Riverdale (C); Corner Lake (B); University (B) Amenities: Walking Trails, community playground Builder: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-787-9995
Product/Prices: Single-family, from the $600s Notes: Close to the University of Central Florida and S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay); four parks and vibrant dining and shopping scene nearby.
62 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION SPONSORED BY R Your Home Town Bank TRUSTC O BANK ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES
Westhaven at Ovation
8818 Lakeshore Pointe Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • tollbrothers.com
Schools/Grades: Panther Lake (NA); Water Springs (A); Horizon (B) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, wetlands and water features Builder: Toll Brothers, 877-431-0444
Product/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid-$400s; single-family, from the low $500s Notes: Nestled in a natural setting; embodies tranquility with a picturesque location just minutes to shopping, dining, entertainment and schools.
Westridge Park
11142 Amber Ridge Drive, Zellwood, FL 32798 • drhorton.com
Schools/Grades: Zellwood (C); Wolf Lake (B); Apopka (C) Amenities: Park, tot lot, pool and cabana Builders: D.R. Horton Homes, 877-415-0030
Product/Price: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Great location with easy access to S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway); Zellwood Station Golf Club and the West Orange Trail are nearby as are shopping and entertainment venues.
FALL 2022 63
SPONSORED BY R Your Home Town Bank TRUSTC O BANK ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES lake
“#1 K–12 Private School” by Niche.com | www.lhps.org • 407-206-1900 ext. 1 Caroline
I love everything about being a Highlander! My teachers, friends, learning, and playing are the best! I can’t wait to go to school every morning. EDUCATION CHARACTER
BY Highlanders receive an unparalleled education with long-lasting life lessons rooted in integrity, grit, and grace.
highland preparatory school
Lane Kindergarten
EMPOWERED BY DEFINED
On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Seminole County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2022 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Celery Oaks
2040 Celery Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771 • LandseaHomes.com
Schools/Grades: Hamilton (C); Markham Woods (B); Seminole (B) Amenities: Recreation area, dog park, green space Builders: Hanover Family Builders, 407-565-7450 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $400s Notes: Located less than a mile from the Downtown Sanford Historic District with its award-win ning restaurants, boutique shops, eclectic art galleries, tree-lined streets, parks and nature trails as well as a spectacular marina with boating, fishing and dinner cruises.
Eastgrove
3230 Eastgrove Terrace, Sanford, FL 32771 • drhorton.com
Schools/Grades: Midway (B); Millennium (C); Seminole (B) Amenities: Gated community, pool and cabana, walking trails Builders: D.R. Horton Homes, 877-415-0030 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Easy Access to I-4 and S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay); convenient to Orlando International and Sanford International airports and nearby Lake Mary and Historic Downtown Sanford.
Monterey
East Palmetto Ave, Longwood, FL 32750 • drhorton.com
Schools/Grades: Longwood (B); Milwee (B); Lyman (B) Amenities: Abundant water features Builders: D.R. Horton Homes, 877-415-0030 Products/Prices: Townhomes, call for pricing Notes: Walk to Longwood SunRail station, close to heavily amenitized Reiter Park.
Grayson Square
Jergo Road and Orava Lane, Winter Park, FL 32792 • pulte.com Schools/Grades: Eastbrook (B); Tuskawilla (B); Lake Howell (I) Amenities: Abundant water features Builders: D.R. Horton Homes, 877-415-0030 Products/Prices: Townhomes, call for pricing Notes: Minutes to shopping and downtown Winter Park, three miles to S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay).
Riverbend
4101 Silverstream Terrace, Sanford, FL 32771 • drhorton.com
FINAL OPPORTUNITY
Schools/Grades: Midway (B); Millennium (C); Seminole (B) Amenities: Pool and cabana, park Builders: D.R. Horton Homes, 407-878-2284 Product/Price: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: The Downtown Sanford Historic District features art studios, local dining, unique shops, farmer’s markets, dog parks, performing arts theaters and Sanford’s Riverwalk.
64 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
BY SEMINOLE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES R Your Home Town Bank BANK TRUSTCO
SPONSORED
River’s Edge
1501 Missouri Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771 • mybellavista.com
Schools/Grades: Wilson (A); Sanford (A); Seminole (B) Amenities: Gated community, tot park, walking trail Builder: Bellavista Homes, 407-873-6316
Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the high $300s Notes: Located in a highly rated Seminole County school district, this gated community is near major transportation arteries and the Seminole Towne Center, the Downtown Sanford Historic District, Lake Monroe as well as the Central Florida Zoo.
Riverside Oaks
3682 Arbordale Loop, Sanford, FL 32771 • tollbrothers.com
Schools/Grades: Hamilton (C); Millennium (C); Seminole (B) Amenities: Gated community, private residents’ clubhouse with a cabana and a swimming pool Builder: Toll Brothers, 407-605-6377 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $400s Notes: Located along the St. John’s River, close to golf courses, the Sanford Riverwalk and the Downtown Sanford Historic District; near regional universities and colleges, shopping and dining, beaches, and major highways, including I-4 and S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay).
On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Osceola County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2022 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alexander Park
2652 Ham Brown Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746 • mybellavista.com
Schools/Grades: Sunrise (C); Horizon (C); Poinciana (C) Amenities: Community pool, cabana, tot park, recreation field Builder: Bellavista Homes, 407-873-6316
Products/Prices: Townhomes, new phase coming soon, call for pricing Notes: Intimate townhome community offering easy access to major roads and employment centers as well as shopping and dining.
Bellalago
1520 Gateway Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34746 • taylormorrison.com
Schools/Grades: Bellalago Academy (K-8) (C); Liberty High (C) Amenities: Two 7,000-square-foot clubhouses, lifestyle center, multipool aquatic center, fitness center, water park, tot lot, tennis and basketball courts; nature and bike trails including a 1,300-foot lakefront boardwalk with gazebo, fishing pier and community boat ramp and lift Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-853-8598
Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $400s Notes: Village Shoppes at Bellalago, located just outside the community, encompasses shops, restaurants, banks and a Publix supermarket with a drive-through pharmacy.
FALL 2022 65 65 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION SPONSORED BY SEMINOLE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES R Your Home Town Bank BANK TRUSTCO
SPONSORED BY
OSCEOLA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES
Your Home Town Bank
TRUSTC O BANK
Cypress Cay
4511 Cypress Cay Way, Kissimmee, Florida 34746 • centex.com
Schools/Grades: Flora Ridge (C); Kissimmee (C); Poinciana (C) Amenities: Community pool, playground, walking trail, half-court basketball Builder: Centex Homes, 407-863-6587
Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid-$300s Notes: Located just minutes from The Loop and area attractions.
Cypress Hammock
1237 Regal King Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34758 • LandseaHomes.com
Schools/Grades: Reedy Creek (C); Horizon (C); Poinciana (C) Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, playground Builder: Landsea Homes, 407-305-3701 Products/Prices: Single-family and townhomes, from the upper $300s Notes: Located on Poinciana Boulevard within walking distance of the Kissimmee SunRail station; interest list now forming.
Glenwood
5354 Douglas Fir Drive, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • drhorton.com
Schools/Grades: Narcoossee (B); Narcoossee (B); Harmony (B) Amenities: Pool, walking trails Builder: D.R. Horton Homes, 407-850-5207
FINAL OPPORTUNITY
Product/Prices: Single-family, from the low $400s Notes: Located just off Florida’s Turnpike and near Lakeshore Park, with a beachfront playground, outdoor dining, a boat ramp and marina, picnic pavilions, a children’s splash pad and more; easy access to the Cocoa and Melbourne beaches, Orlando International Airport, Lake Nona’s Medical City, and regional attractions via S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay) and S.R. 528 (the Beachline Expressway).
Hanover Lakes
3325 Hickory Tree Road, St. Cloud, FL 34772 • LandseaHomes.com
Schools/Grades: Hickory Tree (B); St. Cloud (B); Harmony (B) Amenities: Resort-style pool and splash pad; boat access to pristine chain of lakes; homesites with private docks available; nature park with dock and pavilion; low HOA dues Builder: Landsea Homes, 407-315-2628
Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$400s Notes: Unique waterfront community on the Alligator Chain of Lakes.
Kindred
1508 Park Side Avenue, Kissimmee, FL 34744 • drhorton.com
Schools/Grades: Neptune (C); Neptune (B); Gateway (C) Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, cabana, tennis, trails, playground, pavilion picnic areas, dog park, beach volleyball court, soccer fields Builder: D.R. Horton Homes, 407-978-6035 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid $300s; single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Located in the heart of Kissimmee, with direct access to Florida’s Turnpike, Osceola Parkway, I-4; Osceola County’s NeoCity, a master-planned tech center, is nearby.
66 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
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Reedy Reserve Townhomes
3312 Reedy Glen Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34758 • taylormorrison.com
Schools/Grades: BellaLago Charter Academy K-8 (C); New Dimensions (A) Amenities: Pool and cabana, playground, dog park Builder: Taylor Morrison, 407-756-5025
Product/Price: Townhomes, from the low $300s Notes: Featuring thoughtfully designed floorplans from Taylor Morrison’s Canvas Studio.
southern Pines
3921 Southern Vista Loop, St. Cloud, FL 34772 •taylormorrison.com
Schools/Grades: Michigan Avenue (C); Saint Cloud (B); Saint Cloud (B) Amenities: Community pool, cabana, tot lot, ponds and conservation areas Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-250-8109 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Located within the city of St. Cloud; easy access to Florida’s Turnpike as well as the employ ment and retail corridors of Narcoossee Road and U.S. 192.
split oak reserve
Franklin Road and Leon Tyson Road, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • pulte.com
Schools/Grades: Narcoossee (B); Narcoossee (B); Harmony (B) Amenities: Resort-style pool, playground, walking trails Builder: Pulte Homes, 407-554-4438 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $500s Notes: Located just three miles south of Lake Nona with no CDD; dining and shopping located off Narcoossee Road.
TOHOQUA
1706 Flourish Avenue, Kissimmee, FL 34744 • tohoqua.com
Schools/Grades: Neptune (C); Neptune (B); St. Cloud (B) Amenities: Resort-style pool, clubhouse and events room, fitness center, tennis courts, playground and five miles of community trails Builders: Lennar Homes, 866-495-4059; Pulte Homes, 407-550-5534; Pulte Active Adult, 407-554-53733
Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $300s Notes: New amenities center now open; located adjacent to a 370-acre conservation area with trails to Lake Tohopekaliga; five minutes from Florida’s Turnpike and walking distance to schools; wide variety of home designs and prices.
FALL 2022 67 SPONSORED BY OSCEOLA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES R Your Home Town Bank TRUSTC O BANK
facebook.com/florida-homebuyer-orlando Won’t you be our friend? Okay, well, at least like us?
On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Lake County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2022 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ardmore Reserve
1312 Blarney Street, Minneola, FL 34715 • LandseaHomes.com
Schools/Grades: Grassy Lake (C); East Ridge (A); Lake Minneola (B) Builder: Landsea Homes, 407-965-2274 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $400s Notes: Located in the rolling hills of Minneola, close to elementary and high schools and just minutes from shopping, restaurants, and indoor and outdoor entertainment options including the Minneola Athletic Complex and the South Lake Trail.
Bella Collina
16690 Cavallo Drive, Montverde, FL 34756 • bellacollina.com
Schools/Grades: Grassy Lake (C); East Ridge (A); Lake Minneola (B) Amenities: Nick Faldo-designed championship golf course, tennis club, fine-dining clubhouse, com munity pool, full-service spa and fitness center.
Builders: Dream Finders Homes, 888-208-0483; Vogel Building Group, 407-230-4660; Primo Homes, 407-632-4501; J. Drewes Construction, 407-744-3133
Products/Prices: Condominiums, from the $300s; single-family, from the $500s to over $1 million Notes: Near Florida’s Turnpike, S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway) and S.R. 528 (the Beachline Express way).
Crestview
2691 Ridgetop Lane, Clermont, Florida FL 34711 • taylormorrison.com
Schools/Grades: Lost Lake (C); Windy Hill (B); Eastridge (B) Amenities: Planned amenities include gated entrance, resort-style pool, splashpad and cabana as well as tots lots and pocket parks.
Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the high $400s Notes: Gated community tucked in the rolling hills of Lake County; offers easy access to commut er routes and major job centers like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Maitland Center and downtown Orlando.
Hills of Minneola
2394 Gold Dust Drive, Minneola, FL • ashtonwoods.com Schools/Grades: Astatula (C); East Ridge (A); Lake Minneola (B) Amenities: Tot lot, dog park, 60-acre green space.
Builder: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-787-9995 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the $400s Notes: Located just off Lake Apopka; near Winter Garden as well as Lake Louisa State Park.
Sawgrass Bay
Sawgrass Bay Boulevard, Clermont, FL 34714 • homedynamics.com
FINAL OPPORTUNITY
Schools/Grades: Sawgrass Bay (C); Windy Hill (B); East Ridge (B) Amenities: Nature trails, playground, pool and cabana, conservation areas
Builder: Home Dynamics, 352-988-5955 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $500s Notes: Near Chain of Lakes, Lake Louisa State Park and Lakeridge Winery; 25 miles west of down town Orlando; Sawgrass Bay Elementary School on site; close to championship golf courses.
68 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
SPONSORED BY R Your Home Town Bank TRUSTC O BANK LAKE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES
lake lincoln
19530 Lake Lincoln Lane, Eustis, FL 32736 • LandseaHomes.com
Schools/Grades: Eustis (C); Eustis (C); Eustis (C) Amenities: Dog park, walking trail, playground Builder: Landsea Homes, 407-392-2601 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: The stylish boutiques and restaurants of Eustis and the charm of historic downtown Mount Dora are both just a short drive away; greater Orlando is also easily accessible.
Summerbrooke
2250 Natoma Boulevard, Mount Dora, FL 32757 • parksquarehomes.com
Schools/Grades: Triangle (D); Mount Dora (C); Mount Dora (B) Amenities: Pool, trails, basketball courts, fitness center, tot lot, clubhouse, dog park Builder: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3108 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Set among the rolling hills of Lake County, the scenic beauty of Mount Dora is perfect for enjoying nature walks and the outdoors; just two miles from Mount Dora’s historic downtown shopping district.
preserve at Sunrise
121 Green Branch Boulevard, Groveland, FL 34736 • LandseaHomes.com
Schools/Grades: Groveland (D); Gray (C); South Lake (C) Amenities: Conservation areas Builder: Landsea Homes, 407-325-9838 or 352-348.5949 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Low HOA dues, convenient to Florida’s Turnpike
The Canyons at Highland Ranch
516 Bellflower Way, Clermont, FL 34715 • taylormorrison.com
Schools/Grades: Grassy Lake (C); East Ridge (A); Lake Minneola (B) Amenities: Park, pool, cabana, splash pad, mail kiosk, pet stations, four miles of walking trails Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $500s Notes: Three beautiful collections of homes are offered; easy access to the seven-mile South Lake Trail; five public golf courses nearby.
FALL 2022 69
SPONSORED BY LAKE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES R Your Home Town Bank TRUSTC O BANK
Visit Central Florida’s largest searchable new-home database thefloridahomebuyer.com
On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Volusia County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2022 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lincoln Oaks
2011 Buckhanon Trail, Deland, FL 32720 • ashtonwoods.com Schools/Grades: Citrus Grove (B); Deland (C); Deland (I) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, nature trail Builder: Ashton Woods Homes, 321-204-6254 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Historic Deland, known as “the Athens of Florida,” offers easy access to Orlando, Lake Mary and Daytona as well as popular beaches, regional parks and one of Florida’s oldest private colleges, Stetson University.
Halifax Plantation
3500 Merritt Drive, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 • halifaxplantation.com Schools/Grades: Pine Trail (A); Ormond Beach (B); Seabreeze (C) Amenities: Gated community; clubhouse, restaurant, lounge, golf course, tennis courts, pool, fitness center Builders: D.R. Horton Homes, 877-415-0030, Landsea Homes, 407-759-6329, Vanacore Homes, 888-519-1309
Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Minutes to the Atlantic Ocean, the Intercoastal Waterway and Tomoka State Park.
Venetian Bay
424 Luna Bella Lane, Suite 122, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 • venetianbay.info Schools/Grades: Chisholm (A); New Smyrna Beach (I); New Smyrna Beach (B) Amenities: Golf course, driving range, putting green, splash pad, pool, clubhouse, restaurant, lounge Builders: Paytas Homes, 386-402-8185; Platinum Home Builders, 386-690-5339; The Johnson Group, 386-767-8000; D.R. Horton Homes, 844-509-7695; Meritage Homes, 855-588-6374 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s; townhomes, from the low $300s Notes: Close to beaches; miles of trails for walking or biking.
70 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
SPONSORED BY R Your Home Town Bank TRUSTC O BANK VOLUSIA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES We are proud to announce that HOMEBUYER is now available in more than 300 in ORANGE, SEMINOLE, OSCEOLA, LAKE, POLK, VOLUSIA, BREVARD, MARION AND PINELLAS COUNTIES. thefloridahomebuyer.com
On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Polk County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2022 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cypress Park Estates
339 Bottle Brush Drive Haines City, FL 33844 • parkquarehomes.com Schools/Grades: Eastside (C); Shelley S Boone (C); Ridge Community School (C) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, tot lot, dog park Builders: Park Square Homes 407-5290-3108 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $300s Notes: Haines City residents and visitors enjoy proximity to beautiful lakes, golf courses, sports venues and the Legoland theme park; minutes from grocery stores and shopping and dining and options.
Providence
131 Chadwick Drive, Davenport, FL 33837 • providenceflorida.com
Schools/Grades: Loughman Oaks (D); Shelley S. Boone (C); Ridge Community (C) Amenities: Gated community; Michael Dasher-designed 18-hole championship golf course; clubhouse and restaurant, resort-style pool, tennis courts, fitness center, volleyball court, children’s playground and picnic area Builders: ABD Development Company, 863-427-7528; Lennar 877-821-4943; FID Capital Group, 407-868-0186
Products/Prices: Single-family and townhomes, from the mid-$300s Notes: Exclusive waterfront and golf course homesites available.
Tierra del sol
5219 Tuscany Lane, Davenport, FL 33897 • taylormorrison.com
Schools/Grades: Bella Cita (C); Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy (C); Davenport (D) Amenities: Pool, cabana, tot lot Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-934-0075 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Convenient to major employers including Walt Disney World Resort, Sea World and Universal Studios; nearby Posner Park, an 80-acre open-air shopping mall, offers an impressive variety of stores and restaurants as well as a Cinepolis IMAX Theater.
FALL 2022 71
SPONSORED BY POLK COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES R Your Home Town Bank TRUSTC O BANK
thefloridahomebuyer.com for current and previous editions of homebuyer magazine, visit our website HOME BUYER CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com Goehring&MorganConstruction FALL 2022 LAKE COUNTY ROUNDUP • NEW SOUTHERN HOME • school guide HOME BUYER CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com summer 2022 REGIONAL RELOCATION GUIDE ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITIES School Guide Customhomeby ConstructionRichardWatson Company HOME BUYER CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com winter 2022 REGIONAL RELOCATION GUIDE ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITIES • School Guide
AT HOME WITH MARNI JAMESON
DON’T JUDGE ME BY MY CURB APPEAL
BY Marni Jameson
Iwant a T-shirt that reads: “Don’t Judge Me by My Curb Appeal.”
Or maybe a tattoo. I’m tired of making excuses for my front yard. If I haven’t made this clear: Just because I know what to do doesn’t mean I do what I know. (Another T-shirt I need.) I mean, if everyone did what they knew they should do, the world would be full of veg etable-eating, sunscreen-wearing, physically fit, nonsmoking, kind people with good hygiene who floss daily.
I know curb appeal is important. And I will get to it, after I am done paying for college, and pay off the cars and finish helping our veterinarian pay for his curb appeal.
Meanwhile, I feel I should come home wearing a stocking cap to avoid ugly rumors.
“Isn’t that where that home columnist lives?”
“Can’t be.”
“A shame.”
I almost had curb appeal once. Last summer, my husband and I finally had some money for landscaping. I lobbied to fix the front yard. He lobbied for the back.
“But the front yard is what everybody sees,” I argued.
“The backyard is what I see.”
This only begins to cover the many different ways we view the world.
However, early in our marriage, we made a pact. Whenever we don’t agree on a home improvement, I get the last word on the inside; he gets the last word on the outside. So the backyard looks better, but — sorry neighbors — the front has to wait.
I confess all this to a Realtor friend who put the whole mess in perspective: “A house is like a marriage,” he said. “You have to continually re-evaluate what you can do to make the rela tionship better, and rekindle the feeling it inspired when you first moved in.”
“How does this relate to curb appeal?”
“First impressions! To attract a mate, you have to put your best self forward. Especially in today’s market, buyers can be really picky. Many won’t get out of the car if the house doesn’t grab them within eight seconds.”
“What if your home isn’t for sale?”
“Pride of ownership — or its lack — is always evident.”
“Honey,” I say to my husband, after spritzing on some perfume. “I want to spice up our marriage.”
His eyebrows make a teepee.
“Starting with our front yard.” According to the National Association of Realtors, boosting curb appeal is one investment you’re almost guaranteed to re coup. Here are 10 top curb-appeal tips:
n TAKE A FRESH LOOK. After living in a house, it’s easy — and convenient — to stop noticing what needs fixing. For sellers in denial, a smart Realtor should show them pictures of competing homes for sale.
n VIEW YOUR HOUSE AS A PORTRAIT. Create a com position where everything — hardscape, softscape, entryway, exterior walls and the roof — works together. Have the big pic ture before you proceed.
n GREEN UP THE GRASS. If it’s brown, or has bald spots, fix it. While you’re at it, prune, weed and clean up the rest of the yard.
n FILL FLOWER BEDS. Plant flowers and shrubs that will look good now and later. That is, after summer annuals go, have something in planters that will bloom or change color in fall. Tier planters so taller shrubs are in back, smaller ones in front.
n REFRESH PAINT. If you can’t afford to paint the whole house, at least repaint the trim. Make doors and windows pop. If a buyer walks up to a door that’s neglected, they think, “This is a project house.” That can kill a deal.
n COLOR IT CAREFULLY. Pick a palette that conforms to the neighborhood yet sets your house apart — a fine but crit ical line. Neutral isn’t the same as boring. Don’t be that house where people drive by and say, “What happened here?”
n REVISIT YOUR APPROACH. Design a welcome path from street to door, which should be the focus. Punch up walkways and driveways. If replacing them with good-looking pavers is out of the budget, add a stone or brick border. Fix or replace uneven or boring walkways
n ADD POLISH. If your outdoor light fixtures look weath ered, or your door handle looks worn, repaint or replace them. Shiny, new metal makes people say, “Oooo.”
n TEND TO THE SMALL STUFF. Simple details like new address numbers, a new doorbell, a handsome mailbox and a fresh doormat say you care.
n ADD AN ELEMENT. A pediment over the entry, an up graded front door, a cover over the porch, or some columns can add major drama for less money than you’d think.
Marni Jameson is the author of six home and lifestyle books, including What to Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want; Downsizing the Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go; and Downsizing the Blended Home: When Two Households Become One. Reach her at marnijameson.com.
72 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
improvements, recreational features and amenities described are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change and under no obligation to be completed. Maps and plans are not to scale, are not intended to show specific detailing and all dimensions are approximate. Prices may not include lot premiums, upgrades and options depending on stage of construction. Community Association or other fees may be required. This communication is not intended to constitute an offering in violation of the law of any jurisdiction and in such cases our communications may be limited by the laws of your state. Please see a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager or Internet Home Consultant for details and visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers and complete licensing details per jurisdiction. For our Age Qualified Communities only: At least one resident of household must be 55 or older, and additional restrictions apply. Some residents may be younger than 55 in limited circumstances. For minimum age requirements for permanent residents in a specific community, please see a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager for complete details. © February, 2021, Taylor Morrison, Inc. (“TM”). The TM LiveWell™ registered and unregistered marks are owned by TM. All rights reserved. ORL 02/18/21 3281
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HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
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