FROM THE PUBLISHER

STICKER SHOCK FOR RENTERS

I have a friend who divorced many years ago. Once her divorce was final and the property was divided, she proclaimed that there were two things she would never do again. One was to get married, and the other was to own a home. She argued that she had tried them both once and decided she didn’t like either.

So, she rented. For nearly 20 years she lived in the same apartment and said it suited her lifestyle. She came and went as she pleased, and maintenance was someone else’s problem.

When COVID-19 came calling, she was concerned that working remotely would be difficult, but as time progressed, she settled into a routine and never missed a beat.

Then a couple of months ago the property management company asked her to sign a new lease. She had expected a rent increase — there had been one every year — but the nearly 40 percent jump this time was shocker.

She began looking for a new apartment only to find that rents were actually even higher than her current apartment, even after the increase.

It wasn’t long before she realized that renting was not in her financial best interest.

Still, she didn’t want a single-family home and the maintenance obligations that came with it. She had gotten rid of the lawn guy, the pool guy and the housekeeper when she got rid of her husband and didn’t want any of them back.

Working with a trusted Realtor, she was able to find the perfect townhome in the perfect community — and her mortgage payments are less than her rent had been. She’s all settled in, but now keeps asking herself why she had rented for so long.

If you’re a renter, perhaps you ought to ask the same question.

THERESA SWANSON Group Publisher theresa@thefloridahomebuyer.com

CONTENTS | SPRING 2022

DEPARTMENTS

2 FROM THE PUBLISHER 4 FEATURED BUILDER Although they’re new to the market, Landsea Homes is set for success. By Patricia Letakis

6 FEATURED COMMUNITY Avalon Park Tavares is both welcoming and self-sufficient. By Patricia Letakis

8 FEATURED FLOORPLAN Park Square’s Hampton model has a vibe that’s expansive and welcoming. By Patricia Letakis

SPECIAL SECTION

13 SUNBRIDGE Sunbridge is taking shape on property that’s rich in history, mystery and unadulterated Old Florida beauty. By Michael Candelaria

FEATURE

30 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

53 PUBLIC SCHOOLS 60 COMMUNITIES

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IS THE WEST SIDE THE BEST SIDE?

GROWTH IS HEALTHY ALONG BURGEONING WELLNESS WAY

MY VISUAL PHOTOGRAPHY Custom home by Sorenson Construction

REGIONAL RELOCATION GUIDE • WELCOME TO SUNBRIDGE • School Guide

JEFFERY A. DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY

Custom home by Farina & Sons, Inc.

REGIONAL RELOCATION GUIDE • WELCOME TO SUNBRIDGE • School Guide

HARVEY SMITH PHOTOGRAPHYUBEEK PHOTOGRAPHY Custom home by Phil Kean Design Group

NEW HOMES YOU CAN BUY NOW • CHECK OUT NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS REGIONAL RELOCATION GUIDE • WELCOME TO SUNBRIDGE • 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 Sorenson Construction; one is a custom home by Farina & Sons, Inc.; 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.

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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.