4 minute read
FROM THE PUBLISHER
DATE THE RATE, MARRY THE HOME
For years now, homebuyers have enjoyed historically low interest rates on their mortgages. 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 negotiating their asking price. Simply put, the uptick 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, a mortgage will most likely be about the same or less than monthly rent.
In addition, every payment you make builds equity in your home — and equity equals wealth. Finally, you need to take into 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 inventory and sellers willing to negotiate — which is starting to sound a little more like a buyer’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 down.
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. By Michael Candelaria
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
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Custom home by Goehring & Morgan Construction
LAKE COUNTY ROUNDUP • NEW SOUTHERN HOME • school guide
Custom home by LunDev Custom Homes
LAKE COUNTY ROUNDUP • NEW SOUTHERN HOME • school guide
Custom home by Phil Kean Design Group
LAKE COUNTY ROUNDUP • NEW SOUTHERN HOME • school guide
ON THE COVER 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. THERESA SWANSON 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 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.
Contact Us Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B Winter Park, Florida 32789 Phone: 407-647-0225 thefloridahomebuyer.com
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.
