Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition Summer 2021 by Winter Park Publishing Company

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION

A PRICE BUBBLE? EXPERTS SAY NOT Realtors and builders alike are saying the same thing: This is the strongest housing market they’ve seen in decades. And homebuyers and homeowners are asking the same question: Can this continue or is this 2008 all over again? Because housing is as strong as it has been since the 2008 housing bubble, it makes sense that many folks are nervous. The 2008 housing crash was one of the most financially disruptive events of the century. People saw their net worth disappear, and foreclosures and short sales were on every block. The situation impacted every socioeconomic demographic — no one was immune. So, what makes 2021 different? Most economists agree that this is no bubble. They’re looking at several key factors, low interest rates, historically high home prices, historically high wages and historically low unemployment. So, what does it all add up to? Well, the National Association of Realtors takes those same numbers and calculates

what’s called the housing affordability index. Basically, the number tells you what percentage of the population can afford to buy an average-priced home. When the index is too low, it’s a warning sign that a market correction could be on its way. But for now, the Central Florida market isn’t too badly out of whack. As of May, the local index was 125.15 percent. An index of 99 percent means that buyers earning the state-reported median income are 1 percent short of the income needed to purchase a median-priced home. Conversely, an index over 100 means that median-income earners make more than is necessary to qualify for a median-priced home. All that said, and weighing all the charts, graphs and expert opinions out there, when I’m asked my opinion on where the market is headed, I just smile and say: “Sorry my crystal ball is in the shop.”

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DEPARTMENTS

Here comes an intimate legacy community in one of Southern Living’s Best Small Towns in the South. By Michael Candelaria

M AP

SPECIAL SECTION

MC1 What’s new and what’s coming in the region’s fastest-growing community.

16 EFFICIENT IS THE NEW SEXY

Technology has advanced to the point that once-exotic extras have become standard on new homes. By Mary Shanklin

MICHAEL CANDELARIA, MARY SHANKLIN Contributing Writers HARRY WESSEL Contributing Editor MICHAEL LOWRY PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENLANDO CONSULTING Contributing Photographers W i n te r Par k Pu bli shi n g Co m pany L LC

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

Larry and Joanne Adams; The Albertson Company, Ltd.; Richard O. Jr.; Jim and Diana Barnes; Brad Blum; EBaldwin DITIO N John and Dede Caron; Bruce Ken and Ruth Bradley; 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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FEATURES 11 Started during the crash, Basso Homes has boomed ever since. By Michael Candelaria

MYRON CARDEN Distribution Manager

RESOURCES

Explore the Possibilities

MANOR MANOR

CAROLYN EDMUNDS Art Director

M e m be r s O f

8 FEATURED FLOORPLAN

Ideal for entertaining, K. Hovnanian’s Lucena Loft is another winner for the company. By Michael Candelaria

PHYLLIS M. MILLER Director of Administration

C o m m u n i t y Partn e r s

4 FEATURED BUILDER

6 FEATURED COMMUNITY

RANDY NOLES Editor and Publisher

10 T H

2 FROM THE PUBLISHER

Flush with land with a veteran builder at the helm, Avex Homes is shifting into overdrive with growth. By Michael Candelaria

THERESA SWANSON Group Publisher/Director of Sales

MICHAEL OKATY, ESQ. General Counsel, Foley & Lardner LLP

THERESA SWANSON Group Publisher theresa@thefloridahomebuyer.com

MMER 2021 CONTENTS | S UG U ID E

BUYER

Custom home by Goehring & Morgan Construction

L AK E N O N A U P DAT E • EN ERG Y EF F IC IEN C Y • N EW CO M M U N IT Y D IR EC TORY

Custom home by Hardwick General Contracting

L A KE N O N A U P DAT E • E N E RG Y E F F I C I E N C Y • N E W CO M M U N I T Y D I R E C TORY

Custom home by Posada Custom Homes

L A KE N O N A U P DAT E • E N E RG Y E F F I C I E N C Y • N E W CO M M U N I T Y D I R E C TORY

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 Hardwick General Contracting; and one is a custom home by Posada Custom Homes.

2 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B Winter Park, Florida 32789 Phone: 407-647-0225 thefloridahomebuyer.com Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition Summer 2021 is published quarterly by Winter Park Publishing Company LLC, 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Copyright 2021 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.

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PUBLISHER’S PICK: BUILDER  AVEX HOMES

FLUSH WITH LAND, AVEX HOMES SHIFTS INTO OVERDRIVE

ric Marks has been around the block more than a few times in the homebuilding business. In 2005 Marks joined the Avalon Park Group, a diversified family of companies that, among other ventures, develops master-planned communities and has a significant ownership stake in Avex Homes, where Marks is now president. Avex Homes (avexhomes.com) was formed in 2012 by Avalon Park Group and sitEX Properties USA, and controls some 3,500 homesites across the Orlando and Tampa markets. Further, before coming to Avalon, Marks — an attorney who graduated in 1997 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law — was a shareholder at Akerman Senterfitt, a prestigious Florida firm with more than 400 attorneys. (Adding to his local cred, Marks is a 1990 graduate of Winter Park High School.) During his nearly eight-year tenure at Akerman Senterfitt, Marks served as lead counsel to local developers and national retailers in all types of real estate transactions. As a result, Marks largely has pretty much done it all in the development arena. “We’re in a transition period right now,” he says of Avex. In this instance, transition means acceleration. During 2019 and 2020, according to Marks, Avex Homes typically had 11 active new-home communities in Central Florida. This year, he expects to close out six of those communities — and by 2023 will have broken ground on 19 others. Locally, Avex Homes is still building in Dillard Pointe (Winter Garden, single-family homes from the low $500s); Lake Denhem Estates (Leesburg, single-family homes from the $200s); Parkview at Lakeshore (Kissimmee, single-family homes from the $200s); Poinciana (Kissimmee, single-family homes from the $190s); West Village at Avalon Park (townhomes from the $300s); and Wiregrass (St. Cloud, single-family homes from the low $300s). The most imminent new Avex Homes community is Simmons Trace in Kissimmee, which encompasses 108 homesites. Construction is set to begin in October with the builder’s traditionally styled (and energy-efficient) one- and two-story homes with high ceilings, tiled floors, open floorplans, two-car garages and ample community amenities. Marks describes the company’s flurry of activity as simply “closing out some legacy communities, opening new communities and spreading our footprint.” The timing, he adds, is right. “We’re in a strong land position at the moment,” adds Marks. “And the locations, I think, are in the region’s prime growth markets. And because many of those deals were put under contract a couple years ago, our pricing is very competitive.”

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Marks expects to close on approximately 400 homes this year — a nearly 100 percent increase over 2020 — and then to close 700 homes in 2022. Avex Homes, which entered the Orlando market in 2014, notched just 30 sales six years ago. Marks says the company’s “opportunistic” land buying has served it well as demand has exploded. “I’ve not seen demand like this since 2006 and 2007,” he notes. “And I think the demand is much more rational at this point than it was then.” In addition, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have Beat Kahli, CEO of Avalon Park Group/sitEX, heading the parent company. Kahli’s real estate investments encompass single-family, multifamily, commercial, retail, office and industrial projects. Kahli is perhaps best known locally as the developer of east Orlando’s Avalon Park, among the first wave of local master-planned communities that combined residential neighborhoods with a retail town center. The Swiss-born Kahli has also expanded his operations into Europe with Avalon Park AG in Zurich, Switzerland, where he serves as CEO of the publicly traded Swiss company sitEX Properties AG. Avex Homes, as a result, benefits from deep pockets and strategic expertise. The company’s financial strength has allowed it to focus on providing affordable homes that can be customized by owners after they move in. As an example, at Simmons Trace, located near the intersection of Florida’s Turnpike and U.S. Route 441, 1,300-square-foot townhomes will be priced starting in the $200s. Single-family homes, starting in size at 1,550 square feet, will be priced from $250,000. Marks revels in delivering homes at increasingly rare low price points, citing special pleasure in meeting the needs of buyers in the entry-level and first move-up segments. “You can call it a cliché, but that keeps you motivated,” he says. Not coincidentally, Marks prefers winning customers to winning industry awards, although he’s won a few. He’s particularly proud of the Avex Homes Google star rating among homebuyers — 4.2 out of 5 stars. He adds: “If there’s anything that can make my day, and frankly if there’s anything that can kill my day, it’s either a customer survey when they take the time to tell us about their great experience, or when they tell us they didn’t have a great experience — that really hurts.” Fortunately for Marks’ peace of mind, Avex Homes nearly always wins raves. Which is saying something these days, at a time when a shrinking labor pool and rising materials costs pose persistent challenges. Marks believes he can mitigate the labor challenge: “If you take care of people, and you get a reputation in the community of taking care of people, you tend to be able to find good, quality subcontractors.” Says Marks: “I truly enjoy this. I would be very happy to be sitting here three to five years from now with the group of people I have around me.”  —Michael Candalaria

Avex Homes is busy in the Wiregrass community in Winter Garden. The Hawthorne model, at 1,869 square feet, boasts a sleek island kitchen (above) and an adjacent great room (below) as well as three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a two-car garage.

SUMMER 2021

PUBLISHER’S PICK: COMMUNITY  THE COTTAGES ON 11TH

The Cottages on 11th will feature just 27 homesites (see site plans on facing page) in Mount Dora, a historic city named by Southern Living magazine in 2021 as one of the South’s Best Small Towns. Homesites — mostly 50 feet wide — are priced from the $200s with homes priced starting from the $600s. “We wanted to do a very nice, well-appointed, custom-home community with timeless architecture that fits in with the character of Mount Dora,” says developer Tom Lightsey. In keeping with the homey ambiance, most homes (above) — excluding the few lakefront lots — will feature rear garages with alleyway entrances. Buyers will select from four pre-approved builders — who had not been announced at press time — and pick from styles that include Coastal, Craftsman, Cape Cod, Florida Farmhouse, Spanish Colonial and Victorian.

A HOMEY COMMUNITY IN ONE OF THE SOUTH’S COOLEST SMALL TOWNS

he Cottages on 11th (cottageson11.com) will feature just 27 homesites for a new niche community in a historic city named by Southern Living magazine in 2021 as one of the South’s Best Small Towns, according to developer Tom Lightsey. Serendipity smiled on Lightsey about a half-dozen years ago. He and development partner, Dennis Casey, were exploring parcels of land in Mount Dora when, to twist a popular phrase, preparation met luck to create opportunity. That neighbor, as it happened, was also a land broker who had the listing for the property that Lightsey and Casey would eventually buy to build their newest community. Since 2015, the duo had been searching for just the right tract, including a parcel owned by the Mount Dora Christian Academy. It was former orange grove acreage donated by the Edgerton

6 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

family, longtime residents and community leaders dating back to the early 1900s. From Lightsey’s perspective, the land was the “nicest, largest piece close to downtown.” Lightsey had, in fact, asked about the property previously. But, until that chance introduction, nothing had happened. After talking a bit, the broker pulled Lightsey aside and told him to call because the school might be ready to make a deal. The sale of that prime 10.9 acres — on a hillside overlooking Lake Dora — to Lightsey’s Florida Realty and Development Group was finalized in 2018. Three years later, The Cottages on 11th is set be a small but charming neighborhood with homesites — mostly 50 feet wide — priced from the $200s and homes priced from the $600s. Buyers will select from four pre-approved builders — who had not been announced at press time — and pick from styles that include Coastal, Craftsman, Cape Cod, Florida Farmhouse, Spanish Colonial and Victorian. The specific location is on 11th Avenue between Old U.S. Highway 441 and Helen Street near downtown. Site development work, such as land grading, installation of underground utilities and road work, started in May. Those roads could be in place by August. The marketing for homesite sales began in

July, while the construction of custom homes — with no models — will start this fall. Meanwhile, the target market for prospective buyers is empty nesters — not to exclude families, of course — with smaller homes that require less yard maintenance. The first residents are expected within a year, and the community could be built out within 24 to 36 months. That’s the quick scan of The Cottages on 11th. The longer view is represented by the lengthy resumés of both Lightsey and Casey. Lightsey, a native Floridian, has more than 35 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate brokerage and development. He formed Colony Realty Group in 2000, and in 2010 established Florida Realty and Development — the two operating companies he uses for residential development, sales and marketing. Casey, a graduate of Rollins College, has 30-plus years of real estate development and brokerage experience. Collectively, the duo has been involved in the development of than 3,500 lots in Central Florida. For their Mount Dora project, Lightsey and Casey wanted something distinct — something classic, not cookie cutter. “We wanted to do a very nice, well-appointed, custom-home community with timeless architecture that fits in with the character of Mount Dora,” says Lightsey, who graduated from the University of Florida with bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1982 and obtained a real estate broker’s license a year later. Lightsey and Casey also sought to be good stewards of the land. The development-approval process was slow, finally completed in late 2019. “City officials and what they have there is precious to them,” Lightsey adds. “So, they’re always very con-

cerned about any type of new development. We had to get everyone to understand that this is a very high-quality project.” The cost of infrastructure was substantial, says Lightsey, and the landscaping will be lush throughout the neighborhood. More than one-third — 37 percent, to be exact — is reserved for open space. Also, the developers donated one acre of lake frontage to the city for a park that could eventually be used as an area trailhead. In keeping with the welcoming ambiance, most homes — excluding the few lakefront lots — will feature rear garages with alleyway entrances. “As you drive down the street [in the community], you won’t see garages; you’ll only see the front of homes,” Lightsey notes. Early work already has made a difference, says Carroll Jaskulski, who as project manager now is the person most responsible for the plans becoming a reality. Says Jaskulski: “Several people have come to me since the project was approved and basically just said: ‘We’re really excited about this now, and we’ve come to believe that what it’s really going to do is increase our property values.” Jaskulski lives in Mount Dora and plans to remain “for the rest of my days. So, that speaks to the fact that I’ve wanted to be involved with this, and expect to be proud of it as part of my Mount Dora legacy.” A legacy community? It looks that way so far. Says Lightsey: “To be able to acquire this property, we understand how important this is to everyone — the school, the city, the folks who end up purchasing there and to ourselves. We’re very excited about it. We want it to be another premier community.”  —Michael Candelaria SUMMER 2021

PUBLISHER’S PICK: FLOORPLAN  THE LUCENA LOFT

KHOV’S LUCENA LOFT EPITOMIZES A LEGACY OF QUALITY BUILDING

First Floor

Second Floor

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Hovnanian Homes (khov.com) has a rich tradition of success, dating back to 1959 when Kevork S. Hovnanian emigrated to the U.S. and began a homebuilding company with his three brothers. As the story goes, that start was out of a trailer in Toms River, New Jersey. Now, the company with such humble beginnings is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and is ranked among the nation’s top builders. That success wasn’t by accident. These days, KHov, as it’s often called, remains at the top of its game with a wealth of popular models. One of its newest is the Lucena Loft, available in a limited number of communities including San Sebastian Reserve in Apopka. In all, the two-story Lucena Loft measures 1,992 square feet, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage. Prices for the single-family home start at $383,990. A cursory glance at the layout reveals an impressive kitchen with a large center island, complemented by a spacious dining area. There’s also a luxurious owner’s suite with a spa bath and an oversized walk-in closet. From the garage, direct access is provided to the builder’s signature HovHall, which combines a walk-in pantry with a large laundry room. An outdoor patio sits conveniently off the great room and creates an ideal space for entertaining. The first floor accommodates the owner’s suite and a second bedroom. The third bedroom is upstairs, adjacent to an ample loft. In addition, the Lucena Loft offers nine structural options, such as a 9-foot sliding glass door, a gourmet kitchen, a hall bath shower and triple windows in the owner’s suite. The model boasts 36-inch wood cabinetry in the designer kitchen, along with Wilsonart laminate countertops. There’s a stainless-steel drop-in sink with a Moen faucet and vegetable sprayer. An energy-saving gas range is part of a stylish GE appliance package. Smaller kitchen details aren’t neglected either, such as the ½-horsepower garbage disposal and ice maker. Lux bathroom in the owner’s suite? You bet. The decorative lighting and 42-inch-high, full-width mirrors over vanities make a statement. So do the wood cabinets in all the full bathrooms, which enhances storage, and ceramic tile flooring, which adds a touch of elegance. The exterior is highlighted by a covered front-door entryway with ¾-inch glass and a concrete backyard patio. Meanwhile, the model is HERS-certified (Home Energy Rating System) by a third-party home energy rater.  —Michael Candelaria

K. Hovnanian Homes’ 1,992-square-foot Lucena Loft model features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage. Prices start at $383,990. The model features an impressive kitchen (below left) with a large center island, complemented by a spacious dining area. There’s also a luxurious owner’s suite (below right) with a spa bath and an oversized walk-in closet.

IN BRIEF  HOME: The Lucena Loft  BUILDER: K. Hovnanian Homes  BEDROOMS/BATHROOMS: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms  SIZE: 1,992 square feet

 PRICE: $383,990  NOTES: The Lucena Loft offers nine structural options, such as a 9-foot sliding glass door, a gourmet kitchen, a hall bath shower and triple windows in the owner’s suite.

SUMMER 2021

“The Seal of Homebuilding Excellence” 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. Basso Homes Cahill Homes Charles Clayton Construction Dave Brewer, Inc. DeLorenzo Homes, Inc. Derrick Builders, Inc. Farina & Sons, Inc. Goehring & Morgan Construction

custombuilt.com | facebook.com/ MasterCustomBuilderCouncil

Hannigan Homes Hardwick General Contracting Issa Homes Jones Clayton Construction J. Richard Watson Construction LunDev Custom Homes McNally Construction Group Phil Kean Design Group

Posada Custom Homes PSG Construction Sorenson Construction Silliman Cityside Homes Stonebridge Homes The Einheit Company Woodruff Construction and Development

P.O. Box 536732 Orlando, Florida 32853 | 407.875.2121

MANOR

T H E G U I D E T O C E N T R A L F L O R I D A’ S L U X U R Y B U I L D E R S A N D C O M M U N I T I E S

Basso Homes, says custom builder Justin Basso, caters to those who “really want to enjoy family, friends and community — we build for that purpose.” To make certain those criteria are met, Basso leans on his engineering eye for detail and his rapport with customers to make sure that they’re getting the home they envisioned.

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CUSTOM BUILDER PROFILE

BOOMTIME FOR BASSO Custom builder says a great home doesn’t have to be 10,000 square feet. By Michael Candel aria

hese days, Justin Basso can take his sense of timing in stride. In 2008, with the idea of growing his family and despite the increasing certainty of a prolonged economic slowdown, he decided to start his own cus-

tom homebuilding company. The official start date for Basso Homes was February 2009 — just after the housing industry’s subprime mortgage crisis had taken hold and squarely in the middle of the Great Recession. Basso, who graduated from the University of Florida in 1999 with a degree in mechanical engineering, first went into commercial development as an estimator with industry titan Turner Construction. He was part of the team that built The Sanctuary, a downtown Orlando luxury high-rise, in 2006. At about that time, a friend in residential construction reached out and offered Basso an opportunity to manage home remodeling projects. He responded with the fateful decision to go to work for himself. “At that time, there wasn’t very much to do at all,” Basso recalls. “It was a tricky time to start [a business] because there was no work.” Well, there wasn’t much work — but there was enough to get by if you were smart and careful. About nine months later, Basso Homes finished its first solo project — a remodeling gig in the gentrifying Colonialtown neighborhood, not too far from the luxurious condominium tower he had helped to build three years earlier. Says Basso: “The jobs just

slowly grew from there and kept going.” In 2019 and 2020, Basso Homes completed a total of six custom homes ranging in size from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet and priced in the low seven figures. All the company’s construction last year was on homes that already were under contract before the pandemic hit. “We worked all the way through it,” says Basso. “I got so busy that we had almost more than we could handle.” Basso, a member of Central Florida’s prestigious and highly selective Master Custom Builder Council, would prefer simultaneously juggling relatively few projects. About four or five custom homes at any one time is about right, he says. Downtown Orlando, College Park and Winter Park are the sub-markets in which Basso likes to build. And, although he builds true custom homes, they aren’t necessarily mansions. “Some projects don’t make sense for us,” Basso says. “They make more sense for other builders. Our homes don’t have to be 10,000 square feet. Our approach is [to build] homes that make their owners better. We want to build homes that create a better quality of life for the people who live in them.” Basso Homes, he continues, caters to those who “really want to enjoy family, friends and community — we build for that purpose.” To make certain those criteria are met, Basso leans on his engineering eye for detail and his rapport with customers to SUMMER 2021

make sure that they’re getting the home they envisioned. “They’re interviewing us and we’re interviewing them because it has to be the right fit for both the builder and the homeowner,” notes Basso, pointing to his company’s formal preconstruction program. Adds Basso: “We like to work out our details up front. It gives the client another chance to know us. It gives us a chance to know the client. It gets us one step closer in our relationship before getting married into a long construction project.” As part of the preconstruction program, customers who chose Basso Homes pay a retainer. This allows the company to “really dig down” during the preconstruction phase. “We feel like if the preconstruction is done well, the construction can be accomplished so much easier,” he adds. Basso has his personal preferences, such as warm classic architecture that’s going to stand the test of time. Yet, he quickly adds this disclaimer: “As long as the design team is thinking about how families are going to live in the home for the long term, and as long as it’s a quality design, we can appreciate all of the styles.” His emphasis on efficiency has allowed Basso to prosper when prices are low as well as when they’re high. Efficiency also means fewer headaches for the buyer and the builder, and a more positive experience for everyone involved. After all, that family Basso was hoping to grow all those years ago is here and still growing: a wife and three children ages 10, 12 and 13. Ultimately, he wants to spend time with them: “Right now, because of the kids’ ages, my fun is doing things with them.” ■

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“We like to work out our details up front,” says Basso. “It gives the client another chance to know us. It gives us a chance to know the client. It gets us one step closer in our relationship before getting married into a long construction project.” It certainly doesn’t hurt that Basso’s home boast such gorgeous kitchens (above) and bathrooms (below).

Basso has his personal preferences, such as warm classic architecture that’s going to stand the test of time. Yet, he quickly adds this disclaimer: “As long as the design team is thinking about how families are going to live in the home for the long term, and as long as it’s a quality design, we can appreciate all of the styles.” SUMMER 2021

EFFICIENT NEW SEXY is the

Technology Has Advanced to the Point that Once-Exotic (and Expensive) Extras Have Become Standard on New Homes. BY MARY SHANKLIN

1 6 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

SUMMER 2021

LED lighting has become the expectation instead of the exception. Installed in homes, they can use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.

new lineup of energy-savers may not be the sexiest part of a new home, but reduced power drag has its seductions. The reason the most unglamorous features deserve the most attention is because savings from them helps afford trips, tuition, cars or even more house. “I tell people if they’re going to spend money, spend money on insulation and conservation,” says east Orange County builder Robert Goderis. “The cost of energy is only going to get more expensive. These are the legacy costs you have to pay every month.”

As technology drives greater efficiencies, several new-home energy misers have become mainstream enough to affordably fit into both production and custom houses. In the guts of the home, what’s old isn’t new again — the old stuff is only becoming more obsolete by the day.

• A whole-home approach to conservation lets owners automate lighting and thermostats from the controls on a phone app. The words “I forgot to turn down the AC” should no longer be spoken in an era of programmable, WiFi-connected homes.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS:

And while builders are quick to market themselves as energy-efficient, some features that once impressed buyers have become the norm. Energy Star appliances, for instance, are more of a standard than a stand-out, says Hardwick General Contracting President Greg Hardwick, a board member of the Florida Green Building Coalition and past president of the Master Custom Builder Council.

• Hybrid water heaters increasingly compete with tankless ones as an efficient option. • Solar panels have gotten smaller, more powerful and less expensive.

1 8 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

A whole-home approach to conservation lets owners automate lighting and thermostats from controls on a phone app.

SUMMER 2021

A hybrid water heater system is ideal for the garage and makes that space more comfortable, even while using minimal electricity.

2 0 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

A range of phone apps can program thermostats and zones within homes from anywhere. New technologies have put the controls at the fingertips of homeowners.

LED lighting has become the expectation instead of the exception. Installed in homes, they can use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, according to federal energy research. Even the old standby — ceiling fans or pre-wiring for them — are still as integral as bedroom doors, but they now struggle to compete as an energy-saving feature. “I don’t think ceiling fans cool the room,” Hardwick says. “They just make your skin feel cooler.” Other components of a sustainable new homes in Central Florida include:

A TANKLESS JOB

Hardwick General Contracting President Greg Hardwick is a board member of the Florida Green Building Coalition and past president of the Master Custom Builder Council.

Hybrid water heaters have a heat pump that “steals” heat from the room and returns cooler air, Hardwick says. When the demand for hot water is high, a hybrid water heater switches to standard electric heating. The system is ideal for the garage and makes that space more comfortable, even while using minimal electricity. Units can be noisy, so they may not be ideal for interior spaces. Tankless water heaters, Hardwick adds, have their place. But

the return on investment varies and they tend to use more water — particularly with the promise of endless hot showers. Here’s how they work: Turn on the hotwater tap and cold water travels through a pipe and into the “on-demand” water heater. A gas burner or an electric element heats it up and delivers a constant supply of heated water. Gas-fired heaters can supply more water than electric ones. The cold shower may come when the dishwasher, washing machine, sink or other showers demand hot water at the same time.

AN APP FOR THAT?

Earlier generations of programmable thermostats allowed owners to set one temperature for the daytime when fewer people were home, another for evening hours and yet another for overnight hours. The idea was to stay comfortable while saving as much as 10 percent on bills by setting the temperature a recommended 7-10 degrees from the normal comfort zone for eight hours a day. Now, a range of phone apps can program thermostats and zones within homes from anywhere. New technologies have SUMMER 2021

It’s not expensive to simply install a higher grade of insulation into the walls and the attic. And spray-foam insulation has become more finetuned in sealing out heat — and cold — from the rest of the home.

put the controls at the fingertips of homeowners regardless of whether they’re at the beach or sitting on the back porch. Forget to adjust temps while heading out of town? Just tap “vacation mode” on the phone app.

ATTIC ATTENTION Vasu Persaud, owner of Winter Garden-based EcoVision Homes, says it’s not expensive to simply install a higher grade of insulation into the walls and the attic, going with R-20 rated materials in the walls and R-40 for the roof. “It’s a small improvement that lasts the lifetime of the home,” says Persaud. His company also layers the attic ductwork under insulation to better moderate temperatures for the air ducts, which remain accessible for repairs. Homes also benefit from radiant barrier roof systems that help shield the attic, ducts and overall home from extreme temperatures. The barriers are made of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it. They don’t, however, reduce heat flow in the way thermal insulation materials can, according to the federal energy department. And spray-foam insulation has become more fine-tuned in sealing out heat — and cold — from the rest of the home. Builders also favor the foam for its effectiveness in reducing noise.

BUILD THAT WALL! In East Orange County, Goderis is among builders who for-

2 2 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

tify exterior concrete-block walls with foam to better withstand Florida temperatures. The technique has been around for years — but the materials have become more effective. “We do core foam in the block walls. It’s really permeable and goes in the consistency of thick soap bubbles,” says Goderis, whose workers drill every 8 inches into the blocks to pump in the material. Doing so more than doubles the R-rating of typical concrete walls, he added.

DOUBLE-PANE DELIGHT Passive solar is a home orientation that brings in sun from the southern skies during the winter while minimizing the summer sun’s impact with overhangs and window placement. But in Central Florida during the last decade, the choice of homesites has dwindled — and homesites that are available are generally smaller — so buyers don’t usually get much flexibility in placing the home for the optimal solar exposure. With those limitations, window materials and styles have become increasingly important. Buyers should now expect double-pane windows covered with low-emission film to reduce the magnifier effect of windows from years ago. “I don’t think you can even meet (building) code with single pane windows anymore,” says Hardwick.

HERE COMES THE SUN Many Central Floridians have had the knock on the door (or the

Homebuyers should now expect double-pane windows covered with low-emission film to reduce the magnifier effect of windows from years ago.

SUMMER 2021

Solar technologies have evolved quickly, with a growing number of suppliers getting into the business of topping roofs with photovoltaic panels in order to harness power and reduce utility bills.

unwelcome cellphone call): “I’d like to talk lease options as well. to you about solar.” Orlando-based Brite Homes builds with Solar technologies have evolved quickhybrid water heaters, foam-filled concrete ly, with a growing number of suppliers getblock, LED lighting and other conservation ting into the business of topping roofs with features. After installing solar in homes unphotovoltaic panels in order to harness derway in Palm Bay and Palm Coast, the power and reduce utility bills. company opted to make the feature stanHardwick says he saves about $300 dard, says Christopher Sterns, the firm’s monthly on his own home and expects a team lead success manager. full return on his $30,000 solar investment Sterns says his own utility bill had within 10 years of installation. been $300 to $400 when he lived in a “My take on solar is that it’s more about 3,000-square-foot Windermere home that designing a system for your home and maxwas decades old. He now lives in Brite Christopher Sterns serves as lead success manager for Orlando-based imizing the power it can produce,” he says. Homes’ North Port community near SaraBrite Homes, which builds with “It depends on weather and trees.” sota and pays about $58 monthly to keep hybrid water heaters, foam-filled Solar panels now come with more his 1,800-square-foot home comfortable. concrete block, LED lighting and watts per module and tax credits are Like many owners who have invested other conservation features. available, although they may have softin power-saving devices, Sterns notes ened in recent years, he adds. that part of his bill covers a surge protecOptions, costs and incentives vary widetor, and it may also run “high” with his ly, and experts advise homebuyers to study their roof warranthree freezers in his garage. ties and the return on investment before proceeding with what And then there’s the constant temperature setting in his can be a major commitment. Buyers and owners can also weigh house — a comfortable 73 degrees. 

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WHAT DOES GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION REALLY MEAN? LET’S FIND OUT.

ike labels on a shirt or a purse, an increasing number of homes now carry a certain “green” brand. Homebuyers see many such seals of approval, ranging from the pinnacle LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification stamped on this year’s New American Home in Winter Park to production builders with their own seals of environmental approval. “All the certifiers are good in some ways,” says longtime Orlando custom builder Greg Hardwick, president of Hardwick General Contractors, who recently won a top-level green award from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). “It’s like a Coke and Pepsi thing.” Ratings generally measure air leakage, appliance efficiency, insulation and lighting – all features that can shave a home’s monthly utility costs. The popularity of green certifications has spread throughout Central Florida’s homebuilding industry. Some examples: David Weekley Homes works with TopBuild Home Services on its Environments for Living Program, which touches on everything from efficiency to air quality to paint durability. KB Home and Meritage Homes use Energy Star certification. Maronda Homes has its own brand called Bee Smart. “I think they all have their place, depending on what’s the best fit,” says C.J. Davila, executive director of the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). While LEED certification can be pricey, it’s better suited for large, commercial structures or for production builders who want to standardize their construction across the country, Davila adds. FGBC is a Florida-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a statewide green building program with environmental and economic benefits. It has an online database of Florida green projects, products and professionals, and holds an annual conference, GreenTrends. Using Florida stakeholders and member committees, it has created the Florida Green Home Standard, a designation for new and existing homes. Projects are scored on stewardship activities

in eight categories, with minimum scores in each category. Categories include energy performance, water conservation, site conditions, healthy interior materials and disaster mitigation (the ability to withstand a natural disaster or a termite invasion). A score of 150 or more is needed for certification. Davila advises homebuyers to research any certification programs that fall under the umbrella of services provided by the homebuilder: “It’s like a car company coming in and telling you, ‘This is the best car you can ever buy’.” Most ratings rely on independent tests that seal up a home and blast air inside to determine how much leaks out. Most also rate homes with a HERS (Home Energy Rating System). And the day may come when the score is considered for home appraisals. Hardwick, a director for FGBC, says the council’s certification is more applicable to the state’s specific climate, while the US Green Building Council’s LEED certification is better known for its detail and prestige. The costs of getting a home certified can range from about $100 for the FGBC certification to thousands for the LEED certification. Central Floridians can see what the top industry rating looks like on Morse Boulevard in Winter Park. A chic three-story home — which started life as adjacent townhomes — was built by Phil Kean Design Group for NAHB’s New American Home. With a rooftop that looks like a solar farm, the showcase of design and efficiency won the highest LEED certification. It’s also possible to get the features required for LEED certification without as much of the cost. Vasu Persaud, who owns EcoVision Homes LLC, says homeowners can get the elements of a top-certified home without the builder having to pay for certification — a cost that is likely passed along. Buyers need to talk to builders about features like solar, insulation, appliances and the home’s ability to retain thermal qualities, he says, adding that “you can build a LEED-level house and not be LEED certified.” Adds Persaud: “Certifications are mostly moving the conversation forward collectively.”

SUMMER 2021

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 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 the 2020-2021 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2019

School Grade 2018

LAKE ORIENTA

75.0

55.4

LAWTON

26.0

BENTLEY

63.2

LAYER

57.4

CARILLON

29.1

LONGWOOD

63.9

CASSELBERRY

72.8

MIDWAY

86.2

CHOICES IN LEARNING (CHARTER)

22.0

PARTIN

23.2

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

76.1

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2019

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

BEAR LAKE

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

ALTAMONTE

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

MAKING THE GRADE

SEMINOLE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

CRYSTAL LAKE

42.7

PINE CREST

94.9

EASTBROOK

60.8

RAINBOW

35.0

ENGLISH ESTATES

76.3

RED BUG

48.7

EVANS

38.1

SABAL POINT

34.0

FOREST CITY

70.9

SPRING LAKE

80.2

GENEVA

47.2

STENSTROM

43.4

GOLDSBORO MAGNET

51.5

STERLING PARK

56.0

HAMILTON

90.0

WALKER

22.5

HEATHROW

19.3

WEKIVA

34.1

HIGHLANDS

62.6

WICKLOW

88.5

IDYLLWILDE

85.3

WILSON

27.9

KEETH

31.6

WINTER SPRINGS

75.5

LAKE MARY

49.2

WOODLANDS

32.5

SEMINOLE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS CHILES

26.5

MILWEE

66.4

GREENWOOD LAKES

66.7

ROCK LAKE

39.5

INDIAN TRAILS

41.1

SANFORD

50.6

JACKSON HEIGHTS

31.5

SOUTH SEMINOLE

67.5

MARKHAM WOODS

46.5

TEAGUE

58.0

MILLENNIUM

68.1

TUSKAWILLA

52.1

LYMAN

53.5

OVIEDO

34.1

SEMINOLE

57.4

WINTER SPRINGS

52.8

SEMINOLE COUNTY VIRTUAL FRANCHISE

19.5

100

29.7

SEMINOLE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS CROOMS ACADEMY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

38.2

100

HAGERTY

20.7

LAKE BRANTLEY

45.7

LAKE HOWELL

53.6

LAKE MARY

42.6

SEMINOLE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS GALILEO SCHOOL FOR GIFTED LEARNING K-8 (CHARTER)

27.5

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SEMINOLE SCIENCE K-8 (CHARTER)

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2019

School Grade 2018

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

100.0

MICHIGAN AVENUE

87.3

100.0

MILL CREEK

100.0

CHESTNUT SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

100.0

NARCOOSSEE

38.0

CYPRESS

100.0

NEPTUNE

91.6

DEERWOOD

100.0

PARTIN SETTLEMENT

79.2

EAST LAKE

76.8

FLORA RIDGE

100

HICKORY TREE

65.5

HIGHLANDS

100.0

KISSIMMEE

92.4

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2019

CENTRAL AVENUE

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

BOGGY CREEK

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OSCEOLA COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

PLEASANT HILL

97.8

POINCIANA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

100.0

REEDY CREEK

92.4

ST. CLOUD

59.6

SUNRISE

89.8

100.0

99.0

KOA

100.0

THACKER AVENUE SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

LAKEVIEW

82.1

VENTURA

OSCEOLA COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS DENN JOHN

100.0

NARCOOSSEE

56.3

DISCOVERY INTERMEDIATE

100.0

NEPTUNE

72.1

HORIZON

92.3

PARKWAY

92.0

KISSIMMEE

100.0

ST. CLOUD

66.8

NEW DIMENSIONS

75.4

OSCEOLA

82.9

POINCIANA

83.7

PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL

58.9

100

ST. CLOUD

59.0

ST. CLOUD PREPARATORY ACADEMY

40.2

OSCEOLA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS AVANT GARDE ACADEMY OF OSCEOLA 6-12 (CHARTER)

100.0

CELEBRATION

62.1

FOUR CORNERS UPPER 9-12 (CHARTER)

GATEWAY

80.5

HARMONY

37.8

LIBERTY

84.7

OSCEOLA COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS AVANT GARDE ACADEMY POINCIANA K-8 (CHARTER) BELLALAGO ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) CANOE CREEK ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

CELEBRATION SCHOOL K-8

FLORIDA CYBER K-12 (CHARTER)

FOUR CORNERS K-8 (CHARTER)

HARMONY COMMUNITY SCHOOL

57.7

24.8

OSCEOLA SCIENCE K-8 (CHARTER) OSCEOLA VIRTUAL SCHOOL (SECONDARY) POINCIANA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS PK-5 (CHARTER)

100.0

P. M. WELLS ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

89.6

100.0

71.8

88.9

25.7

68.1

73.3

KISSIMMEE ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) MATER BRIGHTON LAKES ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

MATER PALMS ACADEMY K-12 OSCEOLA COUNTY SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS 6-12 (CHARTER)

78.8

86.9

85.1

43.2

RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT BOGGY CREEK K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT POINCIANA K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT TAPESTRY K-8 (CHARTER) ST. CLOUD PREPARATORY ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) UCP OSCEOLA PK-2 (CHARTER) WESTSIDE SCHOOL K-8

64.1

84.7

86.5

40.2

86.3

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Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

Graduation Rate 2017-18

96.1

LAWTON CHILES

100.0

54.3

LITTLE RIVER

100.0

APOPKA

91.6

LOCKHART

100.0

AVALON

26.9

LOVELL

100.0

AZALEA PARK

100.0

MEADOW WOODS

100.0

BALDWIN PARK

40.5

METROWEST

73.8

School Grade 2019

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2019

ANDOVER

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

ALOMA

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ORANGE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

MICHAEL MCCOY

100.0

41.0

MILLENNIA

80.1

BONNEVILLE

100.0

MILLENNIA GARDENS

100.0

BROOKSHIRE

48.7

MOLLIE RAY

100.0

CAMELOT

57.6

MOSS PARK

33.1

CASTLE CREEK

97.2

NAP FORD COMMUNITY (CHARTER)

100.0

CATALINA

100.0

NORTHLAKE PARK COMMUNITY

40.6

CHENEY

100.0

OAK HILL

100.0

BAY LAKE BAY MEADOWS

CHICKASAW

100.0

OAKLAND AVENUE (CHARTER)

31.3

CITRUS

90.8

OAKSHIRE

84.4

CLAY SPRINGS

89.4

OCOEE

100.0

COLUMBIA

60.8

ORANGE CENTER

100.0

CONWAY

100.0

ORLANDO SCIENCE (CHARTER)

39.7

CYPRESS PARK

100.0

ORLO VISTA

100.0

CYPRESS SPRINGS

53.5

PALM LAKE

48.2

DEERWOOD

54.4

PALMETTO

100.0

DILLARD STREET

100.0

PERSHING-PINE CASTLE

85.8

DOMMERICH

19.6

PHILLIS WHEATLEY

100.0

DOVER SHORES

100.0

PINAR

100.0

DR. PHILLIPS

37.1

PINE HILLS

100.0

DREAM LAKE

94.7

PINECREST CREEK (CHARTER)

90.6

PINELOCH

100.0

38.5

PINEWOOD

100.0

EAGLES NEST

100.0

PRAIRIE LAKE

67.9

EAST LAKE

58.4

PRINCETON

35.7

DURRANCE EAGLE CREEK

ECCLESTON

100.0

RIDGEWOOD PARK

100.0

ENDEAVOR

66.6

RIVERDALE

100.0

ENGELWOOD

100.0

RIVERSIDE

100.0

FORSYTH WOODS

100.0

ROCK LAKE

100.0

HIAWASSEE

100.0

ROCK SPRINGS

66.5

HIDDEN OAKS

70.4

ROLLING HILLS

100.0

HILLCREST

27.1

ROSEMONT

100.0

HUNGERFORD

100.0

SADLER

100.0

HUNTERS CREEK

52.4

SAND LAKE

47.6

INDEPENDENCE

18.6

SHENANDOAH

61.3

IVEY LANE

100.0

SHINGLE CREEK

100.0

JOHN YOUNG

72.6

SOUTHWOOD

83.5

KEENES CROSSING

23.9

SPRING LAKE

100.0

LUCIOUS AND EMMA NIXON ACADEMY CHARTER

100.0

STONE LAKES

29.6

KILLARNEY

100.0

SUN BLAZE

50.1

SUNRIDGE

53.2

SUNRISE

31.7

SUNSET PARK

28.7

TANGELO PARK

100.0

THORNEBROOKE

29.7

THREE POINTS

100.0

TILDENVILLE

59.3

TIMBER LAKES

40.5

LAKE COMO

88.0

LAKE GEM

100.0

LAKE GEORGE

98.4

LAKE SILVER

99.5

LAKE SYBELIA

62.0

LAKE WESTON

100.0

LAKE WHITNEY

21.4

LAKEMONT

53.2

LAKEVILLE

94.8

LANCASTER

100.0

LAUREATE PARK

17.4

2 8 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

UCP EAST (CHARTER)

UNION PARK

100.0

VENTURA

100.0

VISTA LAKES

51.5

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

Graduation Rate 2017-18

100.0

WHISPERING OAK

20.8

79.8

WILLIAM FRANGUS

99.6

WATERFORD

51.3

WILLIAM S. MAXEY

100.0

School Grade 2019

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2019

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

WASHINGTON SHORES WATERBRIDGE

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ORANGE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WEST CREEK

46.6

WINDERMERE

9.4

WEST OAKS

100.0

WINEGARD

100.0

WESTBROOKE

44.8

WOLF LAKE

WESTPOINTE

63.2

WETHERBEE

81.3

WYNDHAM LAKES

69.9

ZELLWOOD

100.0

ORANGE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS APOPKA

71.0

LEGACY

66.5

AVALON

27.3

LIBERTY

100.0

BRIDGEWATER

28.0

LOCKHART

100.0

CARVER

100.0

MAITLAND

43.3

CHAIN OF LAKES

69.3

MEADOW WOODS

80.0

COLLEGE PARK

100.0

MEADOWBROOK

100.0

CONWAY

69.3

MEMORIAL

100.0

CORNER LAKE

64.5

OCOEE

70.5

DISCOVERY

44.7

ODYSSEY

67.8

FREEDOM

85.2

PIEDMONT LAKES

97.5

GLENRIDGE

52.7

ROBINSWOOD

100.0

GOTHA

63.3

SOUTH CREEK

70.1

HOWARD

39.4

SOUTHWEST

51.8

HUNTERS CREEK

54.6

STONEWALL JACKSON

100.0

INNOVATION

42.8

SUNRIDGE

32.9

JUDSON B. WALKER

100.0

TIMBER SPRINGS

45.7

LAKE NONA

40.9

UNION PARK

100.0

LAKEVIEW

66.3

WESTRIDGE

100.0

WOLF LAKE

56.1

ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS APOPKA

55.5

MAYNARD EVANS

97.4

COLONIAL

95.7

OAK RIDGE

95.0

CORNERSTONE CHARTER ACADEMY

38.6

OCOEE

65.2

CYPRESS CREEK

67.8

OLYMPIA

50.4

DR. PHILLIPS

54.8

TIMBER CREEK

34.0

EAST RIVER

UNIVERSITY

60.1

EDGEWATER

60.2

WEKIVA

82.2

FREEDOM

61.5

WEST ORANGE

38.8

JONES

69.9

WILLIAM R. BOONE

48.1

LAKE NONA

41.4

WINDERMERE

24.0

LEGACY (CHARTER)

3.3

100

WINTER PARK

36.6

ORANGE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS ARBOR RIDGE K-8

51.3

ORANGE COUNTY VIRTUAL K-12

24.3

BLANKNER K-8

32.7

ORLANDO SCIENCE MIDDLE HIGH 6-12 (CHARTER)

39.0

100

PASSPORT K-8 (CHARTER)

100.0

75.7

100.0

54.2

81.0

62.4

BRIDGEPREP K-8 (CHARTER)

100.0

CENTRAL FLORIDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) CORNERSTONE ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

64.3

29.4

HOPE K-8 (CHARTER)

3.9

INNOVATION MONTESSORI OCOEE K-8 (CHARTER)

7.6

LAKE EOLA K-8 (CHARTER)

3.9

LEGENDS ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

100.0

OCPS ACADEMIC CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE PK-8 ORANGE COUNTY PREPARATORY ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

PINECREST PREPARATORY K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT CHICKASAW TRAIL K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT CROWN POINT K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT GOLDENROD K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT HUNTERS CREEK K-8 (CHARTER)

100.0

WEDGEFIELD SCHOOL K-8

45.0

WINDY RIDGE K-8 (CHARTER)

49.3

61.7

SUMMER 2021

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2019

School Grade 2018

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

Graduation Rate 2017-18

100.0

KATHLEEN

100.0

KINGSFORD

100.0

AUBURNDALE CENTRAL

100.0

LAKE ALFRED

100.0

BARTOW ACADEMY

45.7

LAKE SHIPP

100.0

BEN HILL GRIFFIN JR.

100.0

LAKELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL HOUSE (CHARTER)

7.8

LAUREL

100.0

LENA VISTA

100.0

LEWIS ANNA WOODBURY

100.0

LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY

32.2

LOUGHMAN OAKS

95.5

MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY (CHARTER)

0.0

MCKEEL CENTRAL ACADEMY K-6

30.8

MEDULLA

94.2

NORTH LAKELAND

100.0

OSCAR J. POPE

100.0

PALMETTO

100.0

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2019

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

ALTURAS

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

ALTA VISTA

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

POLK COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

37.0

BETHUNE ACADEMY

79.5

CARLTON PALMORE

96.4

CHAIN OF LAKES

75.8

CLARENCE BOSWELL

100.0

CLEVELAND COURT

77.1

COMBEE ACADEMY

100.0

CRYSTAL LAKE

100.0

BERKLEY

DALE R. FAIR BABSON PARK

68.9

DIXIELAND

100.0

DR. N.E. ROBERTS

95.3

DUNDEE ACADEMY

82.5

EAGLE LAKE

100.0

EASTSIDE

100.0

EDGAR L. PADGETT

95.1

ELBERT

100.0

FLORAL AVENUE

100.0

FRANK E. BRIGHAM ACADEMY

51.1

FRED G. GARNER

100.0

GARDEN GROVE

90.7

GIBBONS STREET

100.0

GRIFFIN

100.0

HARTRIDGE ACADEMY

53.5

HIGHLAND CITY

83.6

HIGHLANDS GROVE

66.1

HILLCREST

89.3

HORIZONS

91.3

INWOOD

100.0

JAMES E. STEPHENS

100.0

JAMES W. SIKES

77.3

JANIE HOWARD WILSON

100.0

JESSE KEEN

100.0

JOHN SNIVELY

100.0

PHILIP O’BRIEN

100.0

PINEWOOD

100.0

POLK AVENUE

100.0

POLK CITY

100.0

PURCELL

100.0

R. BRUCE WAGNER

97.2

R. CLEM CHURCHWELL

86.5

SANDHILL

100.0

SCOTT LAKE

71.5

SLEEPY HILL

100.0

SOCRUM

99.1

SOUTH MCKEEL ACADEMY K-7

28.3

SOUTHWEST

100.0

SPESSARD L. HOLLAND

77.7

SPOOK HILL

100.0

VALLEYVIEW

56.9

WAHNETA

100.0

WALTER CALDWELL

97.9

WENDELL WATSON

72.9

WINSTON ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

75.8

POLK COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS BARTOW

97.6

LAKE GIBSON

75.5

BERKLEY ACCELERATED (CHARTER)

38.8

LAKE MARION CREEK

100.0

BOK ACADEMY (CHARTER)

59.3

LAKELAND HIGHLANDS

58.7

CRYSTAL LAKE

100.0

LAKELAND MONTESSORI (CHARTER)

23.3

DANIEL JENKINS ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY

75.6

LAWTON CHILES ACADEMY

42.7

DENISON

95.7

DISCOVERY ACADEMY OF LAKE ALFRED (CHARTER)

76.9

DUNDEE RIDGE

78.7

JERE L. STAMBAUGH

100.0

JEWETT ACADEMY MAGNET

60.0

KATHLEEN

100.0

LAKE ALFRED POLYTECH ACADEMY

92.2

3 0 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

MCLAUGHLIN FINE ARTS ACADEMY

100.0

MULBERRY

91.7

SHELLEY S. BOONE

100.0

SLEEPY HILL

100.0

SOUTHWEST

100.0

UNION ACADEMY

41.2

WESTWOOD

100.0

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2019

School Grade 2018

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

70.9

LAKE REGION

82.2

59.6

LAKE WALES

64.1

23.2

100

LAKELAND

59.8

DISCOVERY

76.4

96.6

28.0

100

FORT MEADE MIDDLE/SENIOR

MCKEEL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY 7-12

FROSTPROOF MIDDLE/SENIOR

90.4

GEORGE W. JENKINS

49.8

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2019

BARTOW

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

AUBURNDALE

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

84.0

80.0

LAKE GIBSON

63.7

81.1

100

25.8

21.1

RIDGE COMMUNITY

68.8

TENOROC

91.8

WINTER HAVEN

74.1

66.2

75.0

81.7

Graduation Rate 2017-18

KATHLEEN

POLK PRE-COLLEGIATE ACADEMY 9-10

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

HAINES CITY

MULBERRY

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

CHAIN OF LAKES COLLEGIATE

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

POLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS

POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE

POLK COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS -

58.5

62.0

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2019

RIDGEVIEW GLOBAL STUDIES ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS K-8 (CHARTER) ROSABELLE W. BLAKE ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2017-18

85.4

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2019

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

CITRUS RIDGE - A CIVIC ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) CYPRESS JUNCTION MONTESSORI K-8 (CHARTER) DAVENPORT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS K-8 (CHARTER) JEWETT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS K-8 (CHARTER)

MASCOTTE

100.0

MINNEOLA CONVERSION (CHARTER)

64.7

LAKE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ALTOONA

100.0

ASTATULA

80.5

BEVERLY SHORES

100.0

PINE RIDGE

55.8

CLERMONT

100.0

ROUND LAKE

54.6

CYPRESS RIDGE

34.3

SAWGRASS BAY

82.8

EUSTIS

100.0

SEMINOLE SPRINGS

81.7

EUSTIS HEIGHTS

100.0

SORRENTO

68.3

FRUITLAND PARK

100.0

TAVARES

89.4

GRASSY LAKE

57.6

100.0

GROVELAND

THE VILLAGES ELEMENTARY OF LADY LAKE

LEESBURG

100.0

TREADWAY

98.1

LOST LAKE

54.1

TRIANGLE

100.0

UMATILLA

92.6

LAKE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS CARVER

100.0

MOUNT DORA

79.8

CLERMONT

78.2

OAK PARK

100.0

EAST RIDGE

54.6

TAVARES

80.9

EUSTIS

90.2

UMATILLA

92.7

GRAY

79.2

WINDY HILL

58.2

LAKE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM

LEESBURG

88.7

MOUNT DORA

64.2

87 86

EAST RIDGE

50.9

SOUTH LAKE

62.2

EUSTIS

71.0

TAVARES

60.2

LAKE MINNEOLA

45.2

UMATILLA

79.4

SUMMER 2021

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 2019

School Grade 2018

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

Graduation Rate 2017-18

PINECREST LAKES ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

32.5

SPRING CREEK PK-8 (CHARTER)

100.0

School Grade 2019

Graduation Rate 2017-18

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2019

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LAKE COUNTY VIRTUAL K-12

11.9

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2019

School Grade 2018

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

Graduation Rate 2017-18

14.5

Percent of Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grade 2018

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

LAKE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS IMAGINE SCHOOLS AT SOUTH LAKE K-8 (CHARTER)

BLUE LAKE

90.4

OSTEEN

73.9

CHAMPION

82.4

PALM TERRACE

96.1

CHISHOLM

66.2

PATHWAYS

49.9

CITRUS GROVE

70.7

PIERSON

85.9

CORONADO BEACH

37.5

PINE TRAIL

53.9

VOLUSIA COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

CYPRESS CREEK

34.6

PORT ORANGE

68.6

DEBARY

44.3

PRIDE

77.9

DELTONA LAKES

82.0

R. J. LONGSTREET

72.2

DISCOVERY

86.7

READ-PATTILLO

76.9

EDGEWATER PUBLIC

76.7

SAMSULA ACADEMY

2.9

EDITH I. STARKE

96.4

SOUTH DAYTONA

83.9

ENTERPRISE

80.2

SPIRIT

81.4

FOREST LAKE

76.6

SPRUCE CREEK

65.3

FREEDOM

57.2

SUGAR MILL

77.2

FRIENDSHIP

88.0

SUNRISE

80.1

GEORGE W. MARKS

68.1

SWEETWATER

46.9

HORIZON

64.8

THE READING EDGE ACADEMY

10.1

INDIAN RIVER

75.3

TIMBERCREST

72.4

LOUISE S. MCINNIS

87.5

TOMOKA

55.4

MANATEE COVE

72.5

TURIE T. SMALL

98.4

ORANGE CITY

79.6

VOLUSIA PINES

81.4

ORMOND BEACH

78.7

WESTSIDE

97.6

ORTONA

82.9

WOODWARD AVENUE

72.7

OSCEOLA

71.0

VOLUSIA COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS CAMPBELL

92.1

HERITAGE

73.2

CREEKSIDE

41.0

NEW SMYRNA BEACH

62.4

DAVID C. HINSON SR.

56.8

ORMOND BEACH

58.9

DELAND

67.1

RIVER SPRINGS

61.1

DELTONA

80.0

SILVER SANDS

61.1

GALAXY

75.2

SOUTHWESTERN

74.1

VOLUSIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS ATLANTIC

61.3

PINE RIDGE

69.2

DELAND

57.1

SEABREEZE

43.4

DELTONA

68.0

SPRUCE CREEK

37.9

MAINLAND

70.8

UNIVERSITY

57.2

NEW SMYRNA BEACH

51.0

T. DEWITT TAYLOR MIDDLE-HIGH

76.5

38.2

VOLUSIA COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS BURNS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL K-8 (CHARTER)

50.1

HOLLY HILL K-8

93.1

3 2 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

IVY HAWN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS K-8 (CHARTER)

A SPECIAL SECTION OF

HOME CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION

BUYER

LAKE NONA UPDATE W HAT’S NEW AN D WH AT’S COMI N G I N A N D AR OU N D THE REGIO N ’S FASTE ST-GR OW I N G COMMU N I TY.

25 Minutes From Medical City

Central Florida’s Next Great Place to Live

New Models Opening This Summer! Homes are ready now at Tohoqua, a 730-acre master planned community that is fast becoming Central Florida’s favorite place to live. Tohoqua has it all – great amenities; nearby schools, shopping, parks and health care; and a wonderful selection of homes from the mid $200s to $400s. And best of all, it’s just 25 minutes from Medical City and Orlando International Airport. Amenities include a resort-style pool, Clubhouse with an events room, Fitness Center, tennis courts, kids playground and more than 9 miles of walking and bike trails are planned. Excellent schools are nearby -- Nepture Middle School is across the street, Neptune Elementary is less than 5 minutes and Gateway High 10 minutes. An array of shopping and recreation are within 5-10 minutes, and 4 hospitals are 10 minutes away.

Now is the time to discover Tohoqua – Lennar Homes and Pulte Homes are both opening new Model Centers soon. Come see why Tohoqua is the Next Great Place to Live in Central Florida.

New Homes from the mid $200s to $400s. Go to Tohoqua.com for more information, photos and floor plans. Homes Available Now. Models Open Soon. Single Family homes from the $300s. 866-495-4059

Models Open This Summer. Single Family homes for families from the $300s. 407-550-5534

Models Open This Summer. Homes for active adults at Tohoqua Reserve. 407-554-5373

Townhomes and Single Family homes from the mid $200s. 407-845-9293

Developer reserves the right to make changes to the amenities and community plans without prior notice. Prices, terms, features, amenities and availability subject to change without notice. Please consult a representative of one of the participating builders for homesite statuses, home pricing and availability. Copyright © 2021 Tohoqua Marketing LLC. All rights reserved.

HOME CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION

BUYER

THERESA SWANSON Group Publisher/Director of Sales RANDY NOLES Editor and Publisher PHYLLIS M. MILLER Director of Administration CAROLYN EDMUNDS Art Director MYRON CARDEN Distribution Manager MICHAEL CANDELARIA, MARY SHANKLIN Contributing Writers HARRY WESSEL Contributing Editor MICHAEL LOWRY PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENLANDO CONSULTING, UNEEK IMAGE Contributing Photographers WI N TE R PA R K P U B LI S H I N G COMPA NY 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 C O M M U N I TY P A RT NERS 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.

M E M B E RS O F

WELCOME TO LAKE NONA If you want to see what the future is going to look like — if we’re lucky, that is — head to southeast Orlando and check out Lake Nona. Orlando’s fastest growing community with more than 16,000 residents, Lake Nona is a 17-square-mile, master-planned community that’s home to a wide variety of unique, desirable and walkable neighborhoods. From apartment homes — including the Orlando market’s first micro-units — to colorful townhomes, modern active-adult condos, sustainable single-family homes and sprawling estate homes, there’s truly something for everyone. Lake Nona is designed to foster wellbeing and promote activity, sustainability, social connection and learning. Recognized by the Global Wellness Institute as “the most sophisticated example in the world of what master-planning for wellness can accomplish,” Lake Nona was built from the ground up with a commitment to the health of its residents. It’s an intergenerational, family-friendly ecosystem with 40 percent green space, parks on every corner, pools in every neighborhood, dedicated cycling lanes and more than 44 miles of walking trails. Autonomous vehicles traverse its streets. This neo-urban environment inspires institutions, people and businesses to thrive. To that end, Lake Nona is education obsessed. A collaborative learning environment is designed to give students the ability to engage in real-time interactions with researchers, doctors, professors and businesses within the community. Top-rated schools, from early childhood to the graduate level, serve more than 14,000 students. In addition, Lake Nona was the first gigabit community in Florida, offering residents lightning-fast internet speeds up to 200 times faster than the U.S. average. Home to Medical City, diverse workspaces, recreational facilities and a thriving Town Center, Lake Nona is an inspired vision brought to life by Tavistock Development Co., an award-winning, diversified real-estate firm owned by Tavistock Group. To learn more about Lake Nona, visit lakenona.com.

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 Summer 2021 is published quarterly by Winter Park Publishing Company LLC, 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Copyright 2021 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.

A SPECIAL SECTION OF

HOME CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION

BUYER

LAKE NONA UPDATE WH AT ’S NE W A N D W HAT’S CO M I N G I N A N D A R O U N D T H E R E GIO N ’S FA STEST-GR O W I N G CO M M U N I TY.

ON THE COVER: Currently under construction, the Wave Hotel is scheduled to open later this year. The 17-story tower, located in the Lake Nona Town Center, will include 239 guest rooms and suites, a fitness center, a rooftop pool, a signature restaurant and more than 5,400 square feet of meeting and event space. S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A MC3

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061121

LIVE, WORK, PLAY LAKE N O NA’S RAP I D R I SE H A S BEEN T H E R E SU LT OF VI SI ON , CO MMITM EN T A N D TI MI N G. By Mary Shanklin

ne recent summer day, construction workers watched as svelte models poised for a photo shoot. The unlikely pairing of hard hats and summer fedoras seemed almost ordinary in a scene punctuated by volleyballs arching upward and planes jetting overhead. So very Lake Nona. The photography would promote Lake Nona’s newest amenity — the Wave Hotel, a brand of its own. Nearby is a brand-new health center on which guru Deepak Chopra has served as a consultant. The volleyballs, by the way, are shooting skyward from threetime Olympian and gold medalist Phil Dalhausser’s Beach Volleyball Academy in Boxi Park, an outdoor venue offering food truck-style eateries, live music and a playground. Lake Nona resident Lauren Endsley, an agent with Stockworth Realty, says her clients are taken aback when they see the mash-up of a wakeboard park, public art and urban apartments set against a backdrop of grazing cattle. “They’re just dumbfounded,” notes Endsley, who has lived in Lake Nona for 15 years. “It’s almost like they’re seeing a mirage in the desert.” Indeed, southeast Orlando’s explosive growth might look to some like a collection of the kind of car-dependent suburbs springing up throughout the region. Its fast-evolving hub — Lake Nona, which encompasses 17,000 acres — is remote from jobs in downtown Orlando, after all. But a satellite view doesn’t tell the full story of a community carved not that long ago out of pastureland. One of the fastest-growing master-planned communities in the U.S., Lake Nona — which is being developed by Tavistock Development Company in south Orlando — is recognized for

MC6 S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A

its thoughtfully designed neighborhoods, top-rated education facilities, leading-edge business and research clusters, and diverse retail and entertainment centers. Bisected by S.R. 417, Lake Nona sits southeast of the Orlando International Airport and just north of Osceola County. While thousands of residents call Lake Nona home, there also are many nonresidential projects in the community — and many more on the way. “One thing that differentiates Lake Nona from a lot of communities is the work opportunities,” says Orlando City Commissioner Jim Gray, who’s a proud resident. “A lot of communities don’t have that aspect of live, work and play.” When Lake Nona began to emerge about 15 years ago, the idea of investing in a community 25 miles from downtown Orlando may have seemed like a gamble. But the once-remote area has since filled with more new residents and businesses of every variety. Gray says the reason employers like KPMG and the VA Medical Center chose to locate in Lake Nona was a recognition that Tavistock was there to stay and to create a legacy. In addition, public-private partnerships have boosted the community’s appeal. Gray points to Orlando’s recent move to incentivize InnovaCare, a healthcare services company, to relocate from New York to Lake Nona. Tavistock Development Vice President Rob Adams has watched what’s now one of the region’s hottest submarkets mature over the years. Now, he says, it’s become richer with options for jobs, recreation and neighborhoods. “I see a real difference between what we were creating and the community we have now,” he notes. “We have more of a 2 0 2 1

Wave Hotel Living Room Bar

The Lake Nona Wave Hotel (above) will be the centerpiece of the Town Center, the community’s premier entertainment and shopping district. With its curvilinear glass edges jutting 17 stories skyward, the hotel will have 239 guest rooms and bring the community new entertainment options with a restaurant, lounge and a pool that may be visited by locals. Lake Nona’s fun and funky Boxi Park (below), in which the buildings are fashioned from repurposed shipping crates, is among the first of its kind in the Southeast. Shown is an aerial view with entry towers, the lounge and the stage for live music. There’s also a playground and a beach volleyball court.

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There’s a reason they call it Medical City. Several reasons, in fact. The 1.2 million-square-foot Orlando VA Medical Center (top) serves the region’s 400,000 veterans by providing acute care, complex specialty care, advanced diagnostic services and a large multispecialty outpatient clinic as well as administrative and support services. The UCF College of Medicine (above left) is one of the first U.S. medical schools in decades to be built from the ground up. Included is a 170,000-square-foot medical education facility, featuring the latest in lab and classroom technology, as well as the 198,000-square-foot Burnett Biomedical Sciences building. Nemours Children’s Hospital (above right) is part of a state-of-the-art health campus that also includes Nemours Children’s Clinic, an ambulatory diagnostic center, and extensive research and education facilities. Healing gardens, nature trails, pet therapy areas and water features help create a peaceful environment that fosters both mental and physical healing.

critical mass now, with amenities and schools that are more a reflection of who’s here.” When he walked into Foxtail Coffee, located on the ground floor of Lake Nona’s Pixon Apartments, not long after it opened in the winter of 2020, the shop seemed to instantly fill with a crowd of regulars. Adams wondered: “Where did they all go before?” Orange County Property Appraiser Amy Mercado says that when she arrived in the Orlando area about 25 years ago, the city was well established. But Lake Nona, near where she now lives, has taken shape in an amazingly short period of time. Visiting there, she adds, always elicits moments of “where did this come from?” “We’re seeing an entire smart city grow,” adds Mercado. “What you’re seeing in Lake Nona is all of it happening at once — it’s its own little bubble with all its components.” MC8 S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A

Mercado’s office saw residential property values increase about 10 percent in Lake Nona last year, surpassing the countywide increase of 6 percent. The Apopka and Oakland areas lead the county with annual population growth rates of about 15 percent — but Lake Nona leads for rising property values, she notes. In addition to homes, here are some of Lake Nona’s other major components:

THE CENTER OF IT ALL At the intersection of Lake Nona Boulevard and Tavistock Lakes Boulevard, the Lake Nona Town Center encompasses hotels, offices, restaurants and apartment buildings. Plans call for the open-air, urban district to eventually contain 4 million square feet of entertainment, shopping and dining space. 2 0 2 1

Boxi Park Lake Nona is in the Town Center just south of S.R. 417 on Lake Nona Boulevard. It offers a mix of restaurants and bars, beach volleyball courts and a live entertainment venue to create an outdoor entertainment destination built using 14 repurposed shipping containers arranged in one- and twostory configurations. Among the first of its kind on the East Coast, the 30,000-squarefoot park is family- and dog-friendly. Customers can find food and beverage options showcasing different cuisines, along with two full-service bars serving a selection of cocktails. A beer garden features its own craft beer line. Other dining options in the Town Center include Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen, Park Pizza & Brewing Co., Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, Island Fin Poke Co. and Foxtail Coffee Co., with more new options in the pipeline. Visitors have several hotel choices with Courtyard by Marriott for short-term guests and Residence Inn for long-term stays. The Town Center buildings are adjacent and share a lobby. Each hotel offers fitness centers and more than 100 rooms. Both include Stay Well rooms with amenities such as aromatherapy, circadian mood lighting, water-filtering systems, memory foam mattresses built from plant extracts, air-purification systems and vitamin C-infused showers. The Residence Inn also features rooms with separate bedrooms and living areas, fully functioning kitchens and grocery delivery service. Nearing completion is the Lake Nona Wave Hotel, which will be the Town Center’s crown jewel. With its curvilinear glass edges jutting 17 stories skyward, the hotel has 239 guest rooms and brings the community new entertainment options with a restaurant, lounge and a pool that may be visited by locals, according to Tavistock spokesperson Karlee Kunkle. In addition to a gym, the hotel will feature a ballroom and more than 5,400 square feet of meeting space. It will also have View Smart Windows that tint using predictive intelligence in response to the sun and outdoor conditions, voice-automated in-room controls and other high-tech features. For example, while staying at the Wave, guests can use a custom mobile app that allows them to control virtually their entire stay from their mobile devices, including ordering food and viewing a schedule of events. The architecture — by Arquitectonica, a company renowned for expressive modernism — will reflect the hotel’s futuristic vibe. And there’s so much more to come. Phase II of the Town Center will feature the 110,000-squarefoot Lake Nona Wellness Center. The facility will feature a medically based fitness program, sports performance training, physician offices and community education spaces for Lake Nona residents, families and employees as well as elite athletes. The center will also feature first-class equipment and ondemand fitness activities by Lake Nona partner Technogym. Amenities will include childcare facilities with outdoor play, a naturally lit public concourse and an indoor/outdoor demonstration kitchen. In addition, there’ll be an indoor climbing wall, indoor and

outdoor pools, an outdoor classroom, outdoor training turf, a wellness plaza, a zen garden and a sports performance area with a 40-yard sprint track.

MEDICAL CITY MIRACLE Lake Nona’s health and life sciences cluster, also known as Medical City, is home to top medical and research facilities, including the University of Central Florida Health Sciences Campus and the Lake Nona Cancer Center as well as Nemours Children’s Hospital, the University of Florida Research & Academic Center and the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Together they provide a unique collection of research, education and medical care options — all state-of-the-art. So let’s have a look at what, exactly, Medical City has to offer. The UCF Health Sciences campus includes several components. Established in 2006, the UCF College of Medicine is one of the first U.S. medical schools in decades to be built from the ground up. Included is a 170,000-square-foot medical education facility, which features the latest in lab and classroom technology, as well as the 198,000-square-foot Burnett Biomedical Sciences building. The college is unique nationally because of the large undergraduate and graduate programs in biomedicine offered through the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences. The Burnett School boasts almost 3,000 undergraduates — making biomedical sciences the third most popular major at UCF. In addition, the 204,709-square-foot UCF Lake Nona Medical Center — a partnership hospital between HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division and UCF Academic Health — has recently opened adjacent to the medical school. The 100-bed teaching hospital provides healing for patients throughout Central Florida and beyond. It also educates healthcare providers of the future and supports the work of brilliant medical researchers that will lead to lifesaving care. Such a hospital has always been the dream of the medical school’s founding dean, Dr. Deborah German, who is also UCF’s vice president for health affairs. “We needed a teaching hospital to accomplish our goal of becoming one of the nation’s premier 21st-century medical schools, anchoring a Medical City that could one day become a global destination for education, research and patient care,” she says. The hospital is already making an impact with leading-edge treatments. For example, it’s the first hospital in Central Florida to provide incisionless brain surgery to treat essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease unable to be controlled with medication. Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive, neurological disease characterized by tremors, which can make daily activities challenging. Nearly 10 million Americans are estimated to have ET. Near the hospital is the 175,000-square-foot UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center, which houses cancer researchers, clinical trials and treatment for patients. And there are other key components of Medical City, which is already the global destination S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A MC9

IMPACT FORUM GATHERS HEALTH THOUGHT LEADERS The annual Lake Nona Impact Forum, which takes place at various Medical City venues, is committed to leading the conversation for building the wellbeing ecosystem of the future by exploring the intersections of health, wellness, medical and scientific innovation, and strategies to optimize human performance. Dedicated to inspiring and championing health innovation, the forum convenes more than 300 of the brightest minds and global thought leaders in health, wellbeing and human performance. The next forum is scheduled for November 3-5, and is dubbed Health Innovation in the New Reality. Speakers include Dr. Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent for CNN; as well as Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. surgeon general; Steve Case, chairman and CEO of Revolution LLC and co-founder of AOL; Renée Fleming, artistic advisor for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Ray Kurzweil, inventor, author, futurist and director of engineer for Google; and Michelle Williams, dean of the faculty at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health The forum is an invitation-only event where leaders can learn about the latest advances in science and technology while exchanging ideas and engaging in collaborative conversations that directly lead to action and innovation that impact individuals, companies, and communities across the world.

that German envisioned. The 1.2 million-square-foot Orlando VA Medical Center serves the region’s 400,000 veterans by providing acute care, complex specialty care, advanced diagnostic services, and a large multispecialty outpatient clinic as well as administrative and support services. The VA facility is also home to the SimLEARN National Simulation Center, which is dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare services for veterans through the application of simulation-based learning strategies to clinical workforce development. The University of Florida Research and Academic Center at Lake Nona is a 110,000-square-foot facility where basic, clinical and translational research in drug discovery and development takes place. UF’s center also houses a nationally ranked Doctorate in Pharmacy program. The 92,000-square-foot GuideWell Innovation Center, located near the UF facility, is a medical innovation hub for startups and healthcare entrepreneurs. The three-story building includes coworking space for startups on the first floor, and houses clinical and research companies on the upper floors. Designed to promote collaboration and acceleration of groundbreaking ideas, the center provides the resources and collaborative environment innovators need to develop new solutions — and the connections to take concepts to market. The 30,000-square-foot, first-floor collaboration space offers leaders from around the globe access to the best thinking in health innovation. Also in the building: exhibit space for new medical technology, a presentation venue, a video production studio, a nutrition lab and meeting space. The Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute is a 35,000-square-foot global training center for the company’s employees. Also available through the institute are services to help everyone from athletes to executives be more productive and perform at their personal best in high-stress situations. The institute’s campus includes the Corporate Athlete Course, a conference center, comprehensive testing and diagnostic facilities, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a worldclass tennis center. The 630,000-square-foot Nemours Children’s Hospital is part of a state-of-the-art health campus that also includes Nemours Children’s Clinic, an ambulatory diagnostic center, and extensive research and education facilities. Healing gardens, nature trails, pet therapy areas and water features help create a peaceful environment that fosters both mental and physical healing.

CAMPUS FOR CAPABILITY Big Four professional services firm KPMG selected Lake Nona for its national training center from a competitive field of 50 prospective cities nationwide. The high-tech campus opened in early 2020 and focuses on enhancing the skills and services of KPMG professionals through immersive training in cutting-edge classroom and field environments. About 50,000 employees worldwide will 2 0 2 1

Big Four professional services firm KPMG selected Lake Nona for its national training center. The KPMG Lakehouse (top left) is the firm’s 800,000-square-foot learning, development and innovation facility. KPMG has announced that it’s building a 120,287-square-foot Capability Center (top right), which will address how the firm does business and delivers services. Set to open this summer, the Lake Nona Performance Club (above) will encompass 130,000 square feet and offer a 360-degree approach to health for everyone from infants to seniors, with specialized equipment for rehabbing injured athletes. And the performance club has partnered with Chopra Global, a leading whole-health company founded by wellness guru and bestselling author Deepak Chopra, to create the Chopra Mind-Body Zone and Spa.

train each year in various accounting disciplines. First was the KPMG Lakehouse, the firm’s 800,000-squarefoot learning, development and innovation facility. In May, KPMG announced that it was building a 120,287-square-foot Capability Center, which addresses how the firm does business and delivers services. As the local economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 350 new jobs brought by the Capability Center will be a welcome boost for the region. “We’re very excited about the opening of the Capability Center, and further enhancing our partnership with Orlando and Lake Nona,” says Carl Carande, KPMG’s U.S. vice chair and global head of advisory. He adds: “To ensure we continue to deliver excellence in client service as the business environment continues to evolve, the ability to modernize our delivery model and become more digitally enabled are crucial. At the new center, our advisory professionals will help us deliver exceptional service, quality, efficiency and affordability to our clients across a wide range of consulting services.”

PEAK PERFORMANCE Set to open this summer, the Lake Nona Performance Club is 130,000 square feet — big enough to hold several grocery stores.

The concept is a 360-degree approach to health for everyone from infants to seniors, with specialized equipment for rehabbing injured athletes. Aquatics include a leisure pool, lap pool and whirlpool. The studio space for yoga, barre and Pilates is larger than most houses. The gymnasium features basketball and volleyball courts. And the performnce club has partnered with Chopra Global, a leading whole-health company founded by wellness guru and bestselling author Deepak Chopra, to create the Chopra MindBody Zone and Spa. This first-of-its-kind partnership will create Chopra Global’s first brick-and-mortar facility. “Chopra Global and Lake Nona are guided by our common mission of promoting health and wellbeing,” says Chopra Global vice president of partnerships Jaime Rabin. “The programs at the performance club will serve as a model for us moving forward as we look to continue the expansion of our physical brand presence.” A dedicated 5,500-square-foot space will be devoted to providing a variety of yoga and meditation classes plus specialty options such as aerial yoga, barre and reformer Pilates. Unique mind-body assessments based in Ayurveda — one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, which originated in India some 3,000 years ago — will also be available. The Chopra Mind-Body Zone will complement the perforS P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A MC11

On Adventure Lake adjacent to the City of Orlando’s Heroes Community Park, the Nona Adventure Park (left) is a watersports facility that features a two-track Rixen Cable System for waterskiers and wakeboarders. It also offers an inflatable aqua park with a series of floating pathways, climbing obstacles, slides and trampolines. The largest tennis facility in the country, the USTA National Campus (right), features 100 courts and innovative developmental programs that make it a training destination for professional, collegiate and amateur players.

mance club’s focus on the unique mind-body constitution of the individual, resulting in a customized experience for each guest. Access will be available to performance club members and nonmembers alike. The Chopra Global operation will be led by an expert team with oversight from Chopra himself, who recently announced plans to become a Lake Nona resident and has previously conducted mass meditation events there.

ADVENTUROUS SPIRITS On Adventure Lake adjacent to the City of Orlando’s Heroes City Park, the Nona Adventure Park is a watersports facility that features a two-track Rixen Cable System for water-skiers and wakeboarders. It also offers an inflatable aqua park with a series of floating pathways, climbing obstacles, slides and trampolines. There’s even a summer camp, which pretty much always sells out. In addition, the park has a pro shop as well as a 60-foot climbing tower with a ropes course and climbing walls. The Wi-Fi-enabled main entrance houses an upscale café with food and beverages, and a dry seating area for spectators. The park welcomes birthday parties and even has a program where the entire facility can be rented for larger gatherings and such activities as corporate team building.

TENNIS, ANYONE? The largest tennis facility in the country, the USTA National Campus features 100 courts and innovative developmental programs that make it a training destination for professional, collegiate and amateur players. Home to thousands of training players and teams and to hundreds of tournaments each year, the 64-acre campus is open to the public and serves all levels of play for all ages. The campus has hosted 675,000 visitors and attendees since opening in 2017. Current and former professionals who have visited, trained, coached and played at the facility include James Blake, Catherine “CiCi” Bellis, the Bryan Brothers, Jim Courier, Chris Evert, Ivan Lendl, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Madison Keys, Billie Jean MC12 S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A

King, Jack Sock, Frances Tiafoe and David Young. The facility was selected as the host site of the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships in 2019 and 2021, as well as the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships in 2022.

GETTING YOUR KICKS XL Soccer World will open a new 50,000-square-foot indoor athletic complex off Narcoossee Road, near Valencia College’s Lake Nona campus. The facility will feature two, six-versus-six 4G boarded turf fields and two multisurface fields. In addition to soccer, the fields can also be used to play futsal, lacrosse, flag football and volleyball. XL Soccer World is scheduled to open this summer. There’ll be camps, adult leagues, a mini sports academy for youngsters (soccer, basketball, baseball and flag football). In addition, there’ll be Youth Soccer programs and even an XL National Team consisting of selected players who’ll have an opportunity to compete in Europe.

ROAD TO REHABILITATION Construction is scheduled to start late this year on a Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital with 60 beds and a potential for double that number. The new hospital will focus on “medically complex” rehabilitation solutions in concert with Lake Nona’s Medical City. “Patients in the Orlando area often come to Jacksonville for our specialized care,” says Dr. Trevor Paris, chief medical officer for Brooks. “Building a hospital in Lake Nona will allow us to provide exceptional care now as a destination medical center.” Adds Rasesh Thakkar, senior managing director, Tavistock Group. “Innovation is a cornerstone in Lake Nona, and we’re pleased to welcome a national leader in rehabilitation and intensive therapy to Lake Nona’s health and life sciences cluster. “What impressed us further about Brooks,” Thakkar continues, “is their commitment to research and education in addition to specialized care and enhancing people’s lives not just in the present but innovating continuously with an eye to a brighter future.” 2 0 2 1

A whole new region is taking shape. Exploring big ideas. About the meaning of home. The importance of town. And the power of nature. From the creators of Lake Nona.

You’re invited. sunbridgefl.com

Hot-selling Laureate Park (above) is a vibrant, multibuilder neighborhood of brightly colored bungalows, townhomes, cottages and multistory homes decked out with state-of-the-art technology. The neighborhood sits alongside community gardens (below), an LP FIT fitness center, a resort-style aquatic center, an event venue, miles of trails, pocket parks and plenty of playgrounds. Laureate Park builders include Ashton Woods Homes, Cardel Homes, Craft Homes, David Weekley Homes and Dream Finders Homes.

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LAKE NONA SELLS ITSELF THE S O UT H EAST O R LA N DO COMMU N I TY H A S B EEN A H OT S POT FOR Y E A RS. BU T R E CE N T DEMAND HAS ACCE LE RATED TH E BOOM. By Mary Shanklin

atalia Foote and her husband saw their chance: They could get more bang for their housing buck if they bought near Lake Nona, instead of in the masterplanned community. That was in 2008, right after the housing market crashed. The couple got a deal on a home with 2,800 square feet in the East Park community. After five years there, Foote says, she might have been able to name two neighbors. “I was young and kind of dumb,” Foote says. “I just saw I could get a much larger home across the street in a place with similar amenities. I didn’t know about the area. I wasn’t aware of what Lake Nona proper was.” The Footes and their two boys moved to Lake Nona six years ago. They paid $451,000 for a home in the community’s Laureate Park neighborhood and could now “easily sell for $600,000,” Foote says. Unlike before, everyone in Laureate Park was sociable and there were plenty of opportunities for community interaction. Now Foote teaches yoga in her ‘hood. Buying might have been more challenging if the Footes tried it during the last year. Like the rest of the region — and the country — record low inventory has meant fewer options. During a year marked by people isolating at home, sales in Lake Nona increased 38 percent from 2019, reaching 645. The 17-square mile swath of homes, recreational facilities, an artsy town center and a health sciences complex dubbed Medical City was one of the top 20 bestselling master-planned communities in the U.S. for last year, according to Maryland-based RCLCO real estate advisors. Natalie Arrowsmith, president of the Orlando Regional Real-

tor Association (ORRA), says she’s seen Lake Nona homes priced at more than $1 million sell instantly during the last year, often attracting multiple cash offers. Buyers recognize what’s happening there, she adds. “I think Lake Nona is just taking something beautiful and taking it to another level,” she notes. When Mark Pacheco started trying to sell homes in Lake Nona last year, the world had hunkered down. The seasoned salesperson hoped to close on two or three sales per month. “It took a while to get started, with permitting and all, but it was more like five to eight sales a month and we sold out in three months,” says Pacheco, who works for Cardel Homes. “I wish we had more lots.” Remote buyers drove sales in the southeast Orlando community. Pacheco says about half his buyers purchased homes, priced from $500,000 to $1 million and up, sight unseen. “When this whole COVID-19 thing started, there was a lot of anxiousness,” Pacheco adds. “I sold 80 percent of the homes virtually, via Zoom, and never met 50 percent of the buyers.” In the zip code for Lake Nona during the first quarter of this year, sales prices averaged $670,988 with a $77 million sales volume, according to ORRA. In the Central Florida region, only Winter Park, Bay Hill and Windermere performed better for the quarter, according to ORRA statistics. Buyers haven’t been shy about going big. Of Cardel Homes’ buyers in Lake Nona, half spent extra to add garage apartments for either an older child or as an investment. With rents reaching $1,600 in the community, buyers understand the value of building rentable space, Pacheco says. Demand for Lake Nona homes has sustained into this year. S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A MC15

One of the top private golf and country clubs in the world, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is a sanctuary of luxury real estate and amenities nestled along the shores of Lake Nona. The community features a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, a 40,000-square-foot clubhouse with an 18-room guest lodge, a bath and racquet club with all-inclusive fitness and tennis facilities, a resort-style pool, year-round children’s programming, 24-hour gated security and outstanding water-based recreation on three lakes.

“As we’ve built things, people have embraced the vision,” says Rob Adams, vice president of Tavistock Development Group, the company that’s developing Lake Nona.” Adds Adams: “As we keep the housing coming, there’s a swath of product.” There are luxury estates, gated neighborhoods, townhome communities and active-adult projects from which to choose. The following story describes what’s existing and what’s new in Lake Nona, but Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition has not included pricing because the market was in such flux as of press time. Please check individual community websites or call in advance for current pricing. Beazer Homes’ Gatherings of Lake Nona (beazer.com) is a 55-plus community adjacent to the VA Medical Center. It offers 216 condominiums, and residents enjoy a variety of amenities and programming. PulteGroup’s (pulte.com) The Isles of Lake Nona offers singlefamily homes and townhomes nestled among a large network of ponds. More than 500 homes are planned, and the neighborhood will feature a clubhouse, sports courts and a resortstyle pool with a splash pad. One of the top private golf and country clubs in the world, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club (lakenona.com) is a sanctuary of luxury real estate and amenities nestled along the shores of Lake Nona. The neighborhood features a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, a 40,000-square-foot clubhouse with an 18-room guest lodge, a bath and racquet club with all-inclusive fitness and tennis facilities, a resort-style pool, year-round children’s programming, 24-hour gated security and outstanding water-based recreation on three lakes. Custom builders in the upscale enclave, where prices run into seven figures, include Akers Custom Homes, Arturo Barcellona Homes, Cahill Homes, DeVoe Custom Homes, Goehring & Morgan Construction, Hughes Tobin Custom Homes, Issa Homes, Maroon Fine Homes, Pellegrini Custom Homes, MC16 S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A

Phil Kean Design Group and Stonebridge Homes. Hot-selling Laureate Park (lakenona.com) is a vibrant, multibuilder neighborhood of brightly colored bungalows, townhomes, cottages and multistory homes decked out with state-of-the-art technology. The neighborhood sits alongside community gardens, an LP FIT fitness center, a resort-style aquatic center, an event venue, miles of trails, pocket parks and plenty of playgrounds. Laureate Park builders include Ashton Woods Homes, Cardel Homes, Craft Homes, David Weekley Homes and Dream Finders Homes. (The Preserve at Laureate Park, a gated neighborhood by Taylor Morrison Homes, is sold out but may have resales available.) Somerset Crossings is a low-maintenance townhome neighborhood by PulteGroup (pulte.com) featuring open-concept floor plans, one- and two-car garages, and resort-style amenities including a pool, cabana and playground. A senior-living facility, Somerby Assisted Living (somerbyseniorliving.com) consists of apartments that boast high ceilings, spa showers, kitchenettes, and washers and dryers. It offers assisted living, memory care and respite care. Looking ahead, national builder Toll Brothers (tollbrothers. com) plans to debut in Lake Nona as soon as October with the opening of gated Laurel Pointe, located off Narcoossee Road and newly constructed Luminary Boulevard. The neighborhood will include 124 single-family homes, each featuring views of water or a preserve. Brock Fanning, president of the company’s Central and Southwest Florida divisions, says he’s excited about rolling out a new line of elevations in an innovative development that’s close to shopping, jobs, theme parks and Orlando International Airport. “No sale is easy but this very desirable location makes it easier to get people into the sales office,” says Fanning, who anticipates a buyer mix of 60 percent families and 40 percent second-home buyers — which is also a trend Toll Brothers has 2 0 2 1

Beazer Homes’ Gatherings of Lake Nona (top) is a 55-plus neighborhood that offers 216 condominiums, many with water views. Somerset Crossings (second from top) is a low-maintenance townhome neighborhood by PulteGroup that features open-concept floorplans, one- and two-car garages and resort-style amenities. Toll Brothers plans to debut in Lake Nona as soon as October with the opening of gated Laurel Pointe (third from top), located off Narcoossee Road and newly constructed Luminary Boulevard. Another new neighborhood off Narcoossee Road is 65-acre Summerdale Park (bottom), launched by publicly traded homebuilder Dream Finders Homes along with Craft Homes.

seen in the southwest Orange County master-planned community Horizon West. Another new neighborhood off Narcoossee Road is 65-acre Summerdale Park, launched by publicly traded homebuilder Dream Finders Homes (dreamfindershomes.com) along with Craft Homes (crafthomes.com). “Summerdale Park is the definition of a live, work, play community,” says Gerry Boeneman, president of the company’s Central Florida division. Upscale apartments are also popular in Lake Nona. Ariel Apartments (lakenonaariel.com), located in the western portion of the community, features one-, two- and three-bedroom units designed for energy efficiency. Residents can access 1GB high-speed internet and a 24-hour fitness club featuring Technogym equipment and virtual classes. It’s even pet friendly and includes a dog park, a pet-washing station and an agility course. LandonHouse (liveatlandonhouse.com), Pixon (lakenonapixon.com) and Lake Nona WaterMark (lakenonawatermark. com) also offer luxury rental options. At LandonHouse, residents can rent one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments as well as open studio spaces for true urban living. All 279 apartments are accented by 10-foot ceilings and great views of the quickly expanding Town Center and Medical City. At Pixon, a 200-unit modern flat community featuring an impressive roster of innovative community conveniences that include a car-share program featuring Tesla vehicles and a concierge delivery system. The complex also offers 32,500 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, where you’ll find such businesses as Foxtail Coffee Co., Rukus Cycling Studios, Club Pilates and Island Fin Poke Co. The complex includes the region’s first “micro units,” which are just under 400 square feet. Lake Nona WaterMark is anchored by a 7,515-square-foot clubhouse with a resort-style pool, a fireside veranda, an outdoor kitchen and a business center. It’s located near Lake Nona’s Sports and Performance District, which is anchored by the USTA National Campus. Also planned within Lake Nona is a 94-unit assisted-living complex. Lake Nona Senior Housing LLC — a company related to Winter Springs-based Stonegate Development Co. of Florida (stonegatealf.com) — will build a 76,330-square-foot facility called Stonegate that will include 63 rooms for assisted living and 31 for memory care. S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A MC17

CHANGING THE REGION BUYERS ARE FI N DI N G LOTS TO LOVE ABO UT THE LAKE N ON A AR EA, I GN I TI N G GRO WTH IN ORA N GE A N D OSCEOLA . By Mary Shanklin

he Lake Nona area is more than just the masterplanned community. Sparked in large part by the success of Lake Nona proper, growth in southeast Orange County and north Osceola County has exploded in recent years and shows no sign of slowing. Narcoossee Road, once a rural strip of asphalt snaking its way from U.S. Highway 192 in Osceola into southeast Orlando, is now a major thoroughfare lined with new-home developments and all manner of commerce. “In less than 20 years, the Lake Nona area has transformed from a mostly rural and inaccessible region to a vibrant and modern community,” says Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, whose District 4 includes Lake Nona. “It rivals downtown Orlando in terms of amenities and convenience.” Continues Cordero: “The ideas developed in this area have proven to be successful — and it has helped Lake Nona become a great place to live and work.” It was inevitable that such growth, while starting in Orange County, would avalanche into adjacent Osceola County. In fact, the company behind Lake Nona is playing a key role in driving that development. Tavistock Development Company plans to follow Lake Nona with an even bigger master-planned community: Sunbridge (sunbridgefl.com), which is two miles east of Lake Nona. While Lake Nona has an urban vibe, Sunbridge will have more of a natural one. A canal network will connect a Marina Village to a chain of natural lakes. Whether you’re kayaking, fishing or just taking a walk, water will be an invigorating and inspiring part of everyday life. The entire 24,000-acre community, which spans nearly 5,000 MC18 S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A

acres in Orange County and nearly 19,000 acres in northwest Osceola County, will be crisscrossed with walkways, wide paths and natural trails perfect for evening strolls, rigorous hikes and exciting mountain biking excursions. A small farm is also planned in what Tavistock has dubbed a “naturehood.” With a range of neighborhoods, employment centers and commercial districts built around more than 13,000 acres of conservation land, Sunbridge is expected to attract companies and residents who want to be near Lake Nona’s innovation centers Tavistock Development Company plans to follow Lake Nona with an even bigger master-planned community: Sunbridge (map below). While Lake Nona has an urban vibe, Sunbridge will have more of a natural one. Built around more than 13,000 acres of conservation land, Sunbridge is expected to attract companies and residents who want to be near Lake Nona’s innovation centers while enjoying Florida’s natural landscape.

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while enjoying Florida’s natural landscape. There are more than 7,000 homes planned for Orange County alone, along with 9 million square feet of commercial space and 490 hotel rooms. Del Webb (delwebb.com), one of the nation’s leading developers of active-adult communities, is already there with Del Webb Sunbridge, an active-adult community offering lowmaintenance single-family homes and villas. The first neighborhood in Sunbridge, the Del Webb development will eventually have 1,350 homes and a 27,000-squarefoot clubhouse that will feature a fitness center, a movement studio, an arts and crafts area, a kitchen, a ballroom and a multipurpose space. There’ll also be a health and wellness center, a resort-style pool, tennis and pickleball courts, an event lawn and amphitheater for shows and other entertainment. A fulltime, on-site activities director will keep you as busy as you wish to be. And Westland Park (sunbridgefl.com), the second neighborhood in Sunbridge, is set to open by year’s end with multiple builders, similar to Laureate Park. “Westland Park will be more like Laureate Park, and prices will be a little less than in Laureate Park,” says Rob Adams, vice president of Tavistock Development Group. Here are other active communities in the Lake Nona region. All offer many of the same advantages as living in Lake Nona proper, including easy access to Orlando International Airport and major employment and entertainment centers.

Eagle Creek’s “crown jewel” is its four-and a-half star golf course, which boasts a two-story clubhouse with a pro shop, lounge and restaurant. Within Eagle Creek, Jones Homes USA (joneshomesusa.com) offers an impressive mix of housing options including townhomes, villas and single-family homes. In addition to the golf course, community amenities include a family recreation clubhouse with a fitness center and a gathering room, a resort-style pool and a children’s pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a covered playground and multipurpose ball field. If you’ve got kids, you’ll particularly appreciate the fact that there’s an elementary school located in the community. Glenwood, by D.R. Horton Homes (drhorton.com), offers the best of two worlds. It’s just a short distance to historic downtown St. Cloud, with its brick-paved streets lined with cafes, boutiques and even a two-screen cinema. Nearby Lakeshore Park offers a beachfront playground, a boat ramp with a marina, a children’s splash pad, picnic pavilions and al fresco dining. Hanover Lakes, by locally owned Hanover Family Builders (hanoverfamilybuilders.com), is a boater’s paradise along the shores of Osceola County’s Alligator Lake. The community, which offers access to the Alligator Chain of Lakes, also offers a resort-style pool with a splash pad, a nature park with a dock and pavilion, and homesites with private backyard docks. Hanover Family Builders offers 20 floorplans at Hanover Lakes, many with customized options. Rivercrest on Narcoossee, by KB Home (kbhome.com), features 11 one- and two-story single-family floorplans, all with twoS P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A MC19

Shores at Lake Whippoorwill (top), by Toll Brothers, is truly a one-of-a kind neighborhood nestled along the shores of Lake Whippoorwill. This intimate enclave will offer only 14 homes on estate-sized homesites of 80 to 100 feet, some featuring direct lake access. Sunbrooke (second from top), by Ashton Woods Homes, offers such amenities as a clubhouse with an activity room, a resortstyle pool and a children’s playground area. Tohoqua (third from top), located less than 30 minutes from Lake Nona, features national homebuilders PulteGroup, Mattamy Homes and Lennar Homes. Amenities include a clubhouse with a resort-style pool, fitness center, tennis courts, parks, a playground and trails that connect to county trails. Wiregrass, by Hanover Family Builders, Avex Homes and Dream Finders Homes (bottom home is by Dream Finders), offers a plethora of single-family home options. The neighborhood promises a relaxed lifestyle that includes a pool, a playground, a recreation/sports field and even a dog park.

car garages. Amenities include a community pool, a cabana, a tot lot and dog park. Shores at Lake Whippoorwill, by Toll Brothers (tollbrothers.com), is truly a one-of-a-kind neighborhood nestled along the shores of Lake Whippoorwill — affectionately referred to by locals as Lake Will. This intimate enclave will offer only 14 homes on estate-sized homesites of 80 to 100 feet, some featuring direct lake access. South Creek, by D.R. Horton Homes (drhorton.com), is offering low-maintenance townhomes in a neighborhood that features outdoor fitness stations and walking paths. Many homes offer serene water views, giving homeowners a natural respite at the end of a hectic day. Summerly, by D.R. Horton Homes (drhorton.com), offers such amenities as a resort-style community pool and cabana, a children’s playground and access to a public boat ramp fronting East Lake Tohopekaliga, which is just two miles away. Sunbrooke, by Ashton Woods Homes (ashtonwoodshomes. com), offers such amenities as a clubhouse with an activity room, a resort-style pool and a children’s playground area. It’s located just a short distance from popular East Lake Tohopekaliga. Tohoqua (tohoqua.com), located less than 30 minutes from Lake Nona, features national homebuilders PulteGroup, Mattamy Homes and Lennar Homes. Amenities include a clubhouse with a resort-style pool, fitness center, tennis courts, parks, a playground and trails that connect to county trails. Within the community is the gated active-adult Tohoqua Reserve by Del Webb. Woodland Park, by Taylor Morrison Homes (taylormorrison. com), is designed to incorporate wetlands and parks in a natural setting. Adding to the neighborhood’s allure are such amenities as a community pavilion, a pool, a multipurpose field and a playground. Wiregrass, by Hanover Family Builders (hanoverfamilybuilders.com), Avex Homes (avexhomes.com) and Dream Finders Homes (dreamfindershomes.com), offers a plethora of singlefamily home options. The neighborhood promises a relaxed lifestyle that includes a pool, a playground, a recreation/sports field and even a dog park for the fur-babies. MC20 S P E C I A L R E P O R T : L A K E N O N A

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GETTING AROUND SURE, BEEP IS CUTE. BUT IT’S PART OF A KEY COMPONENT OF A FUTURISTIC TRANSIT PLAN. There’s a secret about those cute, robotic-looking driverless vehicles that shuttle throughout Lake Nona. Humans drive them, at least through intersections. It’s a federal requirement. “I’m using air quotes in terms of drivers. We refer to them as specialists or stewards,” says Racquel Asa, chief marketing officer for Beep, the autonomous mobility service company that provides the technology for the community’s eight-vehicle fleet. “Ninety percent of the time, the vehicle drives itself.” Beep is just one cog in a futuristic transit plan at Lake Nona seeking federal approval. The star of the show is expected to be a set of all-electric jets flying at high speeds from the master-planned community to nearby Orlando International Airport and beyond. Lake Nona’s Tavistock Development Company partnered last year with German aviation group Lilium on plans for America’s first “vertiport.” With federal approvals, the system would be up by 2025. Lake Nona’s developers have parlayed close airport proximity into an asset. In addition to easing logistics for homebuyers, owners of second homes, visitors and business travelers, high-speed connections to South Florida will begin late next year. A new Orlando airport terminal is on track to connect with South Florida via a high-speed train service called Brightline. The private undertaking promises two-hour service from the airport to West Palm Beach before continuing to

Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Beep ties into the overall system by delivering passengers on the first and last mile of their trips. Based in Lake Nona, Beep has five routes in the 17-square-mile development and has served more than 29,000 passengers since September 2019, according to Asa. Passengers can tap the community’s 5G network to use the GoBeep app with live shuttle tracking and schedules. “For me, I take great pride in using Beep as my primary transportation locally, thus helping reduce my carbon footprint,” says Lake Nona resident Terri Turner, who works at the VA’s Fisher House to provide lodging for the families of patients at the Orlando VA Medical Center, a component of Medical City. Before it plugs into a multilayered transit system in the coming years, Beep will serve more basic purposes. Asa notes that it saves people from parking hassles and allows them to use their phones while traveling throughout the community. Some people use the shuttles to take unguided tours of Lake Nona. And it gets users safely to and from parties and happy-hour festivities. Turner says she appreciated Beep delivering paper towels and other donations to the Fisher House during the COVID-19 pandemic. And regardless of whether a human actually guides them through intersections, Turner says it’s fun to show off the boxy vehicles to visiting friends and family. —Mary Shanklin

Beep (left), a robotic-looking driverless shuttle vehicle, has five routes and has served more than 29,000 passengers since September 2019. Beep is just one cog in the futuristic transit plan at Lake Nona. The star of the show is expected to be a set of allelectric jets flying (right) at high speeds from Lake Nona to nearby Orlando International Airport and beyond.

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MAKE HEALTHIER MOVES They say home is where the heart is – but the rest of you lives here, too. Taylor Morrison is committed to making sure the healthiest move you can make is into a new home. That’s why we offer our TM LiveWellTM features including whole-home air filtration, clean water technologies, low VOC paint and healthy home products in every new home we build. Not as upgrades but as standard features.

Safer Paint. Healthier Air. Cleaner Water. Standard. taylormorrison.com/make-moves/Orlando | 407.756.5025 *TM LiveWell™ features are subject to availability for new purchase agreements and based on region, community and specific plans. Products may be changed for comparable or newly improved replacements or additions and may not be available in a limited number of completed homes. Details available. Nothing contained herein or in any related materials regarding the TM LiveWell™ included features as of a buyer’s Purchase Agreement Date is a guaranteed commitment on performance results and health benefits or independently verified and remain subject to change daily without notice by third party suppliers outside of Taylor Morrison’s control. All information (including, but not limited to prices, views, availability, school assignments and ratings, incentives, floor plans, elevations, site plans, features, brands, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change, availability or delay without notice. Any community 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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482

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Gen tle Rd

nal

e Vin

R hinn Brown S

Tri County Rd Deen Stil

Tangelo Park

Kaley St

527

Holden Heights

Oak Ridge Rd

423

Sand Lake Rd

atio

Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy

Sandhill Rd

Funie Oak Island Rd Steed Rd

an Fleet

POLK COUNTY

192

Conroy Rd

Big Sand Lake

rn Inte

Oak Ridge

43rd St

439

Clear Lake

East-West Exwy

Landsta

536

Mcleod Rd

25th St

Silver Lake Blvd Silver Lake Dr

ary

St Johns River

Lake Jessup

Executive Airport 408

Robinson St

Buena Vista Dr

429

192

South St

545

er Dr ent ot C Epc

Tp k

Conroy Rd

Lake Buena Vista

Vista Blvd

435

Washington St

Orange Blvd Columbia StCenter

e uir MagBlvd

kR ree B og g y C

Car Care Dr

Bay Lake

Lake Mann

Maytown Rd

Glenridge Way

Daetwyler Dr

Seven Seas Dr

Avalon Rd

474

535

50 Colonial Dr

John Young Pkwy

Bay Lake

Seven Seas Lagoon

Orlando

e Rd

427

Lake Bingham

Corrine Dr

Orange Ave

Asian Way

Seidel Rd

Smith St

Floridas Tpke

Sawgrass Lake

Raleigh St

Doctor Phillips

Lake Sheen

Lake Mabel

Old Winter Garden

e Hiawasse Metrowest Rd Blvd

rid

Lake Tibet Butler

438

2nd Ave

ock Hanc Lake Rd

416

438

431

Lake Virginia

Celery Ave

13th St

Pineway Dr

Palmer Ave

Winter Park

Fairview Shores

Ferncreek Ave

ew Lee Rd ate rD r

423

Doyl

419

Howell Branch Rd

Lake Maitland

Bumby Ave

441

North Ln

Pine Hills

E Lake M

436 Lake Howell

the Woods

Lake Ave

Eatonville

t Bl

S Triplet Lake

Horatio Ave

Ed g

r Casselberry Se m Red Bug Lake Fern oran Blv Red Bug Lake Rd d Park Lake of

Maitland

Kennedy Blvd

Prairie Lake

Maitland Blvd

Lk Butler

Big Lk

t e e n Rd Lk Bethel

Sanford

25th St Deforest Lake

434 Lake Wildmere Lake Hodge Dog Track Rd Lake Kathryn Seminola Blvd Lake Lake Dr Triplet

Adelaine LakeE Altamonte Dr

Lake Seminary

414

E nt e r p r i s e O s

Park Ave

535

Porter Rd

Lake Needham

Lockhart

Long Lake

Pine St Pine St

Bachman Rd

Hammond Lake

Island Lake

Rundle Rd

OrlovistaRd

526

91 F lo

Bay Hill

Chase Rd

Overstreet Rd

Winegard Rd

Cypress Lake

Gre Rd en S

Shell Pond Rd

Pike Lake

Conroy Rd

Dixie Lake

e ett qu Fic Rd

Doyle

L ak e sh ore

Se m in

1st St

Longwood

North St

Summerlin Ave e Orang Ave

Main

Trout Lake

W Vin inte ela r G nd dn Rd

FicquetteHancock Rd

545

Lake Louisa

Ov erl

Lake Mary

427

Longwood Hills Rd

Island Lake

Colonial Dr

408

Westover Roberts Rd

Lake Butler

Lake Nellie

lvd

435

Gotha Rd

Lake Down

Ave

Windermere

Mann Rd

Malcolm Rd

Ocoee

439

Park

Lake Butler Blvd

Beggs Rd

Silver Star Rd

Professional Pkwy

Tilden Rd

Stone Rd

Lotus

Lake Alma

Altamonte Spring Springs Lake

John Young Pkwy

545

ms A D Mi

Woodlawn Cemetary Rd

50 Roper Rd

535

Tiny Rd

Marsh

545

Hartwood Marsh Rd

Bear Lake

pka Rd

Johns Lake

561

Old Apo

Johns Lake

Colonial Dr

Semoran Blvd Mirror Lake 436

Forest City Lake

Wekiva Springs

434

Sand Lake Rd

Bear Lake

Silver Star Rd

Lake Starke

Kissimmee Ave

Story Rd

Oakland Ave

Lakewood Ave

12th St

Oakland

455

438

Plant St

Ap o

Clarcona Ocoee Rd

oee na Oc Clarco Rd

Wurst Rd

437

Winter Garden

Lake Minnehaha

429

Fullers Cross Rd

Minneola

Clermont

Keene Rd

435

Semoran Blvd

South Apopka

McCormick Rd

Ingram Rd

Montverde

Lake Minneola

Lake Apopka

455

565

437

561A

436 424

Lake Brantley

Lake Wekiva

ar y Ave

Main St

Michael Gladden Blvd

Boy Scout Rd

Harmon Rd

Lake Apopka

565A

Apopka

Lust Rd

561

Lake Mccoy Votaw Rd

Theresa Lk

l l is R

Welland Rd

455

Trl

Deltona

ed E

Grace Lake Williamson Rd

Wek iva Springs Rd

Little Crystal Lake Loch Low

Lake Mary

Greenwood Lake Green Way Blvd

Lake Myrtle

Mc Garity Lk

loss

Lake Danson Crystal Lake

Lk Ashby

ge B

Roach Rd

Twin Lakes

Lake Emma

Wekiva River

B lv d

rm an

Oran

561A

Lake Prevatt

Welch Rd

Wayside Dr

Lake Mary Blvd Rice Lake

l vd

Ave

441

E No

Lk Gleason

Dupont Ho Lk wl El k c a m B l v d Angela Lk

ole Blvd

Markham Rd Lake Irish Sawyer Lake Banana Lake Island Lake Marietta Lake

Wekiva River

Three Island Lks

Laughlin Rd

Palm

448A

435

Ponkan Rd

Sylvan Lake

Oste e n

Sadler Rd

Golden Gem Rd

Jones Ave

Kelly Park Rd

D eb

W Airp

Haas Rd

Ondich Rd

Sadler Ave

Astatula

Shepherd Lake

ORANGE COUNTY

435 Wadsworth Rd

Lake Markham

433

Neighborhood Lakes

435

Lake Ola

437

Alt 4

448

Baird Ave

437

448

561

Mount Plymouth

415

Lk Monroe

Blvd

Orange

431

Yankee Lake

F ort S m ith B lvd

D i r k sen Dr

Strickl Ba

Mount Dora

Wekiva River

Sax

B dy

46A Wolf Branch Rd

448

Lake Beauclair

St Johns River

El k camB

Highland St

11th Ave

Lake Beauclair

561

FPL Reservoir

Black Water Creek

437

Limit Ave

44B

46 Oakland Park

Lake Dora

Lake Idamere

DeBary

VOLUSIA COUNTY

Muck Lk

e le

Howlan d B l v

441

Lk Colby

H ighbank s Rd

Bay St

Alfred St

Lake Frances

Lake Helen

Sa x o n Bl v d

rise

Radio Rd

LAKE COUNTY

44A

44B

Burleigh Blvd

Little Lake Harris

44A

M a in St

Orange City

Black Water Creek

Orange Ave

Tavares

439

452 Eustis Lake Eustis

ke Harris

Blue Spring State Park

St Johns River

Lake Dalhousie

G r a v e s Av e

erp

19A

Mid Florida Lakes

Howey-inthe-Hills

450

47 472 2

Ent

Willis V McCall Rd

Bassville 473 Park

441

Lake Norris

Glenc

L ak

Isla Silver Lake

W 1st St

lda

473

Treadway School Rd

Hontoon Island State Park

Lake Umatilla

452

Orange Camp Rd

Mc G reg or Rd

SamsulaSpruce C re e k

Lk Winnemisett

S u m m i t Av e

R et

era

44 Silver Lake

Collins St

Southridge Golf Course

Ta y lor Rd

St a t e

Black Water Swamp

Umatilla

B eresford Ave

Tracy Lake

Ocala St

De Land

De Land Southwest

Lk Beresford

Blue Lk

Ne w York Av e

B l u e L a k e Av e

m Kis

450

Bear Lake

Lake Akron

Central Ave

Lake Yale

We s t De Land

K e p le r Rd

Lake Talmadge

M i n n e s o t a Av e

T South Tomoka Wildlife Management Area

North De Land

P l y m o u t h Av e

Be l t i n e

S p r i n g G a r d e n Av e

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Sp

ay edw

lvd

nd y Blvd

G r a n d Av e

Twin St Johns Lks River

Ha zen Rd

Black Water Swamp

450

Gl enwood Rd Mercers Fernery Rd

eralda Marsh

Carter Rd

Alexander Springs Creek

MARION COUNTY

Ta yl

Lk Woodruff

445

Williams Rd

ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

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 2019-2020 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-2021 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bridlewood 436 Cavesson Street, Apopka, FL 32712 • drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Rock Springs (A), Apopka (C), Apopka (B) Amenities: Tot lot Builders: DR Horton Homes, 407-850-3016 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Nearby recreation opportunities include hiking along the shores of Lake Apopka, canoeing at Wekiwa Springs State Park or cycling along the 22-mile-long paved West Orange Trail.

Eagle Creek 10350 Emerson Lake Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32832 • joneshomesusa.com

Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (A); Lake Nona (B) Amenities: Gated community; golf course, tennis courts, pool, health/fitness center, clubhouse Builders: Jones Homes USA, 407-636-9261 Products/Prices: Single-family and townhomes, from the high $300s to $1 million Notes: Village Center with an elegant hotel planned; near Lake Nona’s Medical City and Orlando International Airport; 40 minutes to the Atlantic beaches.

Gatherings of Lake Nona 7573 Laureate Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32837 • beazer.com

Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (B); 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 mid-$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).

Holly Estates 3524 Crimson Clover Drive, Mount Dora, FL 32757 • drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Zellwood (C); Wolf Lake (B); Apopka (B) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, exercise stations, soccer field, children’s playground Builders: DR Horton Homes, 352-729-4795 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the $300s Notes: Near historic downtown Mount Dora with its many lakes, a historic railroad station, vibrant dining and shopping, and one of three freshwater lighthouses in Florida.

Lakeshore 8818 Lakeshore Pointe Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • tollbrothers.com • liveatlakeshore.com

Schools/Grades: Independence (A); Bridgewater (B); Windermere (B) Amenities: On-site clubhouse and community pool, walking trails, neighborhood parks, lakes Builder: Toll Brothers, 407-778-5200 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$700s Notes: Luxurious community featuring executive and estate homes with exquisite architectural appointments, outstanding standard features and hundreds of customization options.

SUMMER 2021

ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

LAKESIDE 1068 Lakeside Estates Drive, Apopka, FL 32703 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Apopka (A); Wolf Lake (B); Apopka (A) Amenities: Gated, waterfront, resort-style amenities Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Enjoy Lakeside living in the heart of Apopka, with convenient access to S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway) and S.R. 414; less than 30 minutes to major employment centers including Maitland, downtown Orlando and the attractions area.

Laureate Park at Lake Nona South Narcoossee Road, Orlando, FL 32827 • lakenona.com/live/neighborhoods/laureate-park

Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (B); 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-$300s to $1 million; townhomes, from the low $300s 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.

Oakland Park 15211 East Oakland Avenue, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • liveatoaklandpark.com

Schools/Grades: Tildenville (B); Lakeview (B); West Orange (A) Amenities: Pool and recreation area, pocket parks, West Orange Trail runs through community, charming streetscape with sidewalks Builders: David Weekley Homes, 407-865-8295; J&J Building, 407-476-7520; RCB Homes, 407-876-0729 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$500s Notes: Located just minutes from historic downtown Winter Garden on the shores of Lake Apopka; certified green homes in a traditionally styled neighborhood.

Phillips Grove 7965 Wandering Way, Doctor Phillips, FL 32836 • pulte.com

Schools/Grades: Sandlake (A); Southwest (A); Dr. Phillips (B). Amenities: Gated, lawn care included, outside summer kitchen, pool and cabana, sports courts. Builders: Pulte Homes, 407-449-8039 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$700s 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 (B); Colonial (B) Amenities: Pool and cabana, playground, dog park Builder: Pulte Homes, 407-845-9049 Product/Price: Single-family and townhomes, from the mid-$300s 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.

6 2 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

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ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

San Sebastian Reserve 2100 Emerald Springs Drive, Apopka, FL 32712 • khov.com

Schools/Grades: Rock Springs (A), Apopka (C), Apopka (B) Amenities: Gated, resort-style pool, cabana, playground, dog park Builders: K. Hovnanian Homes, 321-263-2644 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Close to S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway), S.R. 414 and Florida’s Turnpike.

Shores at Lake Whippoorwill 12052 Sprite Lane, Orlando, FL 32832 • tollbrothers.com

Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (A); Lake Nona (B) Builders: Toll Brothers, 877-431-0444 Product/Prices: Single-family, from $1.2 million Notes: An intimate community of 14 estate homes on oversized lots; located close to Orlando International Airport, S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay) and S.R. 528 (the Beachline Expressway); nearby shopping and dining; served by top-rated schools.

South Creek 12370 Bowes Branch Road, Orlando, FL 32824 • drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Wetherbee (B), South Creek (B), Cypress Creek (B) Amenities: Outdoor fitness stations, walking paths Builders: DR Horton, 407-415-0030 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the low $300s Notes: Convenient low-maintenance lifestyle; professional lawncare and exterior pest control included.

Sunset Preserve 4125 Sunset Preserve Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32820 • pulte.com

Schools/Grades: East Lake (-); Corner Lake (C); East River (-) Amenities: Gated, private boat ramp, lakefront pavilion, children’s playground Builders: Pulte Homes, 407-676-7843 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the high $500s Notes: Tucked among the trees off of Lake Picket 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 Oaks at Kelly Park 2424 Park Ridge Street, Apopka, FL 32712 • tollbrothers.com

Schools/Grades: Zellwood (C), Wolf Lake (B), Apopka (B) Amenities: Future swimming pool, cabana, tot lot, two parks with walking paths Builders: Toll Brothers, 407-753-6191 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $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 neighboring cities; nearby outdoor recreation includes hiking, biking and swimming in a natural spring at Wekiwa Springs State Park.

SUMMER 2021

ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

Waterleigh 10482 Atwater Bay Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Water Spring (-); Bridgewater (A); Windermere (B) 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: DR Horton Homes, 407-395-9707; Emerald Homes, 407-395-9707 Product/Prices: Townhomes from the mid-$300s, single-family from the low $400s 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 facilities; served by excellent schools.

Winding Bay 15131 Mayberry Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • khov.com • rockwell-homes.com

Schools/Grades: Water Spring (-); Bridgewater (A); Windermere (B) Amenities: Pool and cabana with splash pad, playground, dog park, activity field Builders: K Hovnanian Homes, 321-221-5884; Rockwell Homes, 407-890-0425 Product/Price: Townhomes, coming soon; single-family, from the low $400s. Notes: Just minutes away from S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway), which provides easy access to all major highways; 30 minutes from Orlando International Airport and Downtown Orlando and just 10 minutes from Walt Disney World, the Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital and the Horizon West Town Center.

Woodland Park 12054 Alder Branch Loop, Orlando, FL 32824 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Wetherbee (B), South Creek (B), Cypress Creek (B) Amenities: Community pavilion, pool, parks, playground, multipurpose field Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-330-2270 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $400s Notes: Located just west of Lake Nona Medical City employment centers and 12 miles south of downtown Orlando; variety of home designs from which to choose; numerous community amenities.

Visit Central Florida’s largest searchable new-home database There are plenty of websites with new-home listings. But there’s only one that’s as detailed, current and hyper-local as thefloridahomebuyer.com. Our data-gathering staff constantly updates our web content and provides a searchable database that includes pictures, floorplans, builder information and community profiles. It’s everything you see here in print plus much more. Check out the print version of Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition, then expand your search online.

thefloridahomebuyer.com

6 4 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

SEMINOLE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

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 2019-2020 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-2021 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Celery Oaks 2040 Celery Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771 • hanoverfamilybuilders.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 $300s Notes: Located less than a mile from the Downtown Sanford Historic District with its awardwinning 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.

Griffin Park

FINAL OPPORTUNITY

1237 Chittamwood Court, Lake Mary, FL 32746 • davidweekleyhomes.com

Schools/Grades: Lake Mary (A); Greenwood (B); Lake Mary (B) Amenities: Resort-style pool with covered seating, parks, walking trails and dog park Builder: David Weekley Homes, 689-999-0093 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $600s Notes: Nearby shopping, dining and recreation at Griffin Farm at Midtown, easy access to major roads including I-4 and S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay).

Hawk’s Crest Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, FL 32792 • meritage.com • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Eastbrook (B); Tuskawilla (B); Lake Howell (B) Amenities: Gated community; splash pad, lake, pond, park, playground, community pool, cabana, play lawn, picnic tables and grilling area Builders: Meritage Homes, 407-392-3380; Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$400s; townhomes, from the mid-$300s Notes: Located along the southern shores of Lake Howell.

FINAL OPPORTUNITY NORTHERN OAKS 956 Talon Place, Winter Springs, FL 32708 • dreamfindershomes.com

Schools/Grades: Geneva (B), Jackson Heights (A), Oviedo (A) Amenities: Brick entrance, adjacent to conservation area, just 35 homesites Builder: Dream Finders Homes, 407-492-6008 or 407-692-0760 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $500s Notes: Easy access to S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay), close to UCF and the beaches.

Riverbend 4101 Silverstream Terrace, Sanford, FL 32771 • drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Midway (C); Millennium (C); Seminole (B) Amenities: Pool and cabana, park Builders: DR Horton Homes, 407-878-2284 Product/Price: Single-family, from the low $300s Notes: Near Sanford’s historic downtown district with local breweries, a trendy food scene and fun nightlife; also near the St. Johns River, New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach with direct access to S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay) and S.R. 415.

SUMMER 2021

SEMINOLE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

River’s Edge 1501 Missouri Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771 • mybellavista.com

Schools/Grades: Wilson (A); Sanford (A); Seminole (B) Amenities: Gated, tot park, walking trail Builder: Bellavista Homes, 407-873-6316 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the high $200s 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 and the Central Florida Zoo.

Riverside Oaks 3682 Arbordale Loop, Sanford, FL 32771 • tollbrothers.com

Schools/Grades: Hamilton (C); Pine Crest (C); Midway (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 low $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).

Wyndham Preserve 2714 Magpie Way, Sanford, FL 32773 • drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Midway (C), Millennium (C), Seminole (B) Amenities: Gated, pool, cabana Builders: DR Horton, 321-733-2097 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Convenient to the St. Johns River, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach and downtown Orlando with direct access to S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay) and S.R. 415; the nearby Downtown Sanford Historic District encompasses local breweries, a trendy food scene and fun nightlife.

OSCEOLA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

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 2019-2020 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-2021 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alexander Park 2652 Ham Brown Road, Kissimmee FL 34746 • mybellavista.com

Schools/Grades: Sunrise (B); Horizon (B); Poinciana (C) Amenities: Community pool, cabana, tot park, recreation field Builder: Bellavista Homes, 407-873-6316 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid-$200s Notes: Intimate townhome community offering easy access to major roads and employment centers as well as shopping and dining.

6 6 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

OSCEOLA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

Bellalago 1520 Gateway Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34746 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Bellalago Academy (K-8) (B); Liberty High (C) Amenities: Two 7,000-square-foot clubhouses, lifestyle center, multipool aquatic center, fitness center, water park and tot lot, tennis and basketball courts; nature and bike trails including a 1,300foot 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 mid-$300s Notes: Village Shoppes at Bellalago, located just outside of the community, encompasses shops, restaurants, banks and a Publix supermarket with a drive-through pharmacy.

Casa Bella 4479 Casablanca Avenue, Kissimmee, FL 34758 • kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Reedy Creek (C) Horizon (B) Poinciana (C) Amenities: Community pavilion and open spaces Builders: KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $300s Notes: No CDD fees, convenient to U.S. Hwy. 17-92 and the Kissimmee SunRail station; near hiking trails, Kissimmee Lakefront Park and wilderness preserves.

Cypress Hammock 1237 Regal King Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34758 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Reedy Creek (C) Horizon (B) Poinciana (C) Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, playground Builders: Hanover Family Builders, 407-305-3701 Products/Prices: Townhomes, pricing TBA; single-family, from the low $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 (A); Narcoossee (A); Harmony (B) Amenities: Pool, walking trails Builder: DR Horton Homes, 407-850-5207 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s 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 • hanoverfamilybuilders.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: Hanover Family Builders, 407-315-2628 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Unique waterfront community on the Alligator Chain of Lakes.

SUMMER 2021

OSCEOLA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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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 Builders: DR Horton Homes, 407-978-6035 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the high $200s; single-family from the low $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.

Overlook Reserve 4823 Marcos Circle, Kissimmee. FL 34758 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

School/Grades: Sunrise (C); Horizon (C); Poinciana (C) Amenities: Zero-entry resort-style swimming pool with splash pad, pool cabana, tot lot Builder: Hanover Family Builders, 407-543-2281 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $300s Notes: Convenient access to Orlando International Airport and Lake Nona’s Medical City.

SUNBROOKE 5809 Bullock Place, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Narcoossee (A); Narcoossee (A); Harmony (A) Amenities: Clubhouse, swimming pool, playground Builder: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-250-1565 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Short drive to employment centers such as Lake Nona’s Medical City and Orlando International Airport; conservation lots available.

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 5 miles of community trails Builders: Lennar Homes, 866-495-4059; Pulte Homes, 407-550-5534; Pulte Active Adult, 407-5545373; Mattamy Homes, 407-845-9293 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$200s; townhomes, from the low $200s Notes: New amenities center now open; located adjacent to a 370-acre conservation area with trails to Lake Tohopekaliga; 5 minutes from Florida’s Turnpike and walking distance to schools; wide variety of home designs and prices.

Wiregrass 5579 Jack Brack Road, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • avexhomes.com • crafthomes.com • hanoverfamilybuilders.com Schools/Grades: Narcoossee (A); Narcoossee (A); St. Cloud (B) Amenities: Community pool, playground, sports/recreation field, dog park Builders: Avex Homes, 866-578-2051; Craft Homes, 407-605-6150; Hanover Family Builders, 407451-3137 or 321-424-4598 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Outstanding recreation, including golf, boating and fishing, shopping and dining are all just minutes away; convenient nearby access to S.R. 417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay), S.R. 528 (the Beachline), U.S. Hwy. 192 and Florida’s Turnpike.

6 8 H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

LAKE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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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 2019-2020 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-2021 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ardmore Reserve 1312 Blarney Street, Minneola, FL 34715 • dreamfindershomes.com • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Grassy Lake (B); East Ridge (B); Lake Minneola (B) Builders: Dream Finders Homes, 904-738-0165; Hanover Family Builders, 407-965-2274 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s 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 (A); East Ridge (A); Lake Minneola (A) Amenities: Nick Faldo-designed championship golf course, tennis club, fine-dining clubhouse, community pool, full-service spa and fitness center. Builders: Dream Finders Homes, 888-208-0483; Dave Brewer Homes, 407-330-9901; Vogel Building Group, 407-230-4660; Primo Homes, 407-632-4501; Hampton Bay Homes, 407-701-7009; J. Drewes Construction, 407-744-3133 Products/Prices: Condominiums, from the $300s; single-family, from the $500s to just under $1 million Notes: Near Florida’s Turnpike, S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway) and S.R. 528 (the Beachline Expressway).

Crestview 2691 Ridgetop Lane Clermont, Florida FL 34711 • taylomorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Lost Lake (A); 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 mid-$300s Notes: Crestview is a gated community tucked in the rolling hills of Lake County; offers easy access to commuter routes and major job centers like Walt Disney World, Universal, Maitland Center and downtown Orlando.

Cypress Oaks 9309 Oglethorpe Drive, Groveland, FL 34736 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Groveland (C); Clermont (B); South Lake (C) Amenities: Lakefront community pool and cabana Builder: Hanover Family Builders, 407-871-3394 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $300s Notes: Easy access to S.R. 27, S.R. 50 and Florida’s Turnpike; adjacent to the South Lake Trail and near historic downtown Clermont.

Sawgrass Bay Sawgrass Bay Boulevard, Clermont, FL 34714 • homedynamics.com • kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Sawgrass Bay (C); Windy Hill (B); East Ridge (B) Amenities: Nature trails, playground, pool and cabana, conservation areas Builders: Home Dynamics, 352-988-5955; KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Near Chain of Lakes, Lake Louisa State Park and Lakeridge Winery; 25 miles west of downtown Orlando; Sawgrass Bay Elementary School on site; close to championship golf courses.

SUMMER 2021

LAKE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

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Sunrise Ridge 121 Green Branch Boulevard, Groveland, FL 34736 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com Schools/Grades: Groveland (C); Gray (B); South Lake (C) Amenities: Conservation areas Builder: Hanover Family Builders, 407-325-9838 or 352-348.5949 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the low $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 (B); East Ridge (B); Lake Minneola (B) Amenities: Park, pool, cabana, splash pad, mail kiosk, pet stations, 4 miles of walking trails Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s Notes: Three beautiful collections of homes are offered; easy access to the 7-mile South Lake Trail; five public golf courses nearby.

WILSON ESTATES 1825 Wilson Prairie Circle, Groveland, FL 34736 • kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Groveland (C); Clermont (B); South Lake (C) Amenities: Near Lake Hiawatha Preserve, which offers a playground, two dog parks and picnic areas Builder: KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $300s Notes: Convenient to U.S. Hwy. 27, Florida’s Turnpike and S.R. 50.

Woodbury 279 E Myers Boulevard, Mascotte, FL 34753 • parksquarehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Mascotte (C); Gray (B); South Lake (C) Amenities: Private community entrance Builder: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3108 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the high $200s Notes: Located near the Florida Citrus Tower and downtown Clermont and offers easy access to S.R. 50 and Florida’s Turnpike.

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VOLUSIA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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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 2019-2020 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-2021 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compass Landing 1000 West Rhode Island Avenue, Orange City, FL 32763 • parksquarehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Manatee Cove (C); River Springs (B); University (B) Amenities: Playground and park Builder: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3108 Product/Prices: Single-family, from the low $300s Notes: Walking distance to local elementary, middle and high schools; just three miles from I-4 with easy access to major Central Florida employers

Halifax Plantation 3500 Merritt Drive, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 • halifaxplantation.com

Schools/Grades: Pine Trail (B); Ormond Beach (B); Seabreeze (B) Amenities: Gated community; clubhouse, restaurant, lounge, golf course, tennis courts, pool, fitness center Builders: Vanacore Homes, 888-519-1309; Dream Finders Homes, 561-723-8069; Vintage Estate Homes, 407-603-3253 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s; golf villas, from the mid-$200s Notes: Minutes to the Atlantic Ocean, the Intercoastal Waterway and Tomoka State Park.

Rivington 660 Kimber Lane, DeBary, FL 32713 • khov.com

Schools/Grades: DeBary (A), River Springs (B), University (B) Amenities: Community amenity center with pool and indoor/outdoor common areas Builders: K. Hovnanian Homes, 321-263-2681 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid $200s; single-family homes, from the low $300s Notes: A 296-acre master-planned community adjacent to the St. Johns River, west of U.S. Hwy. 17-92 and south of Konomac Lake; easy access to Lake Mary and Sanford employment centers and just a quarter mile from the DeBary SunRail station.

Venetian Bay 424 Luna Bella Lane, Suite 122, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 • venetianbay.info

Schools/Grades: Chisholm (B); New Smyrna Beach (B); 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 high $200s; townhomes, from the high $200s Notes: Close to beaches; miles of trails for walking or biking.

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/florida-homebuyer-orlando SUMMER 2021

POLK COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

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 2019-2020 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors. School grades were not given for the 2020-2021 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lake Lucerne 108 Sunfish Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33881 • kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Fred G. Garner (C); Denison (C); Winter Haven (N/A) Amenities: Near Lake Eva Park and Lake Eva Beach Builder: KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $200s Notes: Near 50 lakes for fishing, boating and skiing; convenient to employers, including Winter Haven Hospital and Publix corporate headquarters; near resorts, including Legoland Florida Resort and Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo; easy access to shopping and dining in Winter Haven; convenient to U.S. 27 and Polk Parkway.

Providence 131 Chadwick Drive, Davenport, FL 33837 • providenceflorida.com

Schools/Grades: Loughman Oaks (C); 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, from the mid-$300s; golf villas, from the low $300s Notes: Exclusive waterfront and golf course homesites available.

William’s Preserve 581 Sardinia Circle, Davenport, FL 33837 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Loughman Oaks (C); Shelley S. Boone (C); Ridge (C); Davenport School of the Arts (A) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, gated entrance, tot lot, conservation area Builder: Hanover Family Builders, 407-588-9237 Products/Prices: Single-family and townhomes, from the low $200s Notes: Minutes to Walt Disney World Resort; convenient access to I-4, S.R. 429 (the Western Beltway) and U.S. 27.

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HOMEBUYER is now available in more than 300

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