Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition Spring 2019 by Winter Park Publishing Company

HOME CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com

BUYER

ANNUAL RELOCATION GUIDE

Custom home in Golden Oak by Derrick Builders. SPRING 2019 $3.95

C U S TOM BUILDE R SPOTL IG HT • O SC E OL A COUNT Y • NE W - COM M U NI T Y DI RE C TORY

PHOTO BY CHAD BAUMER PHOTOGRAPHY

SPRING 2019

A LEGACY PROJECT ON

PARK AVENUE Park Hill Raises the Bar on Luxury at a One-of-a-Kind Location.

Hill Gray Seven LLC is offering perhaps the last opportunity to live in a new townhome in the heart of Winter Park’s world-famous shopping and dining district on Park Avenue. Sales are now underway for Park Hill, which will encompass 10 extraordinary, three-story townhomes at the southwest corner of North Park Avenue and Whipple Avenue, across the street from the Winter Park Country Club and Casa Feliz. Features will include:       

3,300 to 4,300 square feet of living area Private elevators First-floor courtyards Covered rooftop terraces with summer kitchens Classically stylish architecture Magnificent detailing, unsurpassed craftsmanship Lush, maintenance-free landscaping

Enjoy life in the undisputed retail, dining, cultural and intellectual hub of Central Florida, in an exclusive project that can never be duplicated. Of the five homes that remain, prices start at $2.79 million for the 3,300-square-foot units and $3.39 million for the 4,300-square-foot units, so act now on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For more information, please call Zoltan Kecskes of Fannie Hillman and Associates

407-741-3081

Hill Gray Seven is a family owned company that develops high-end residential, retail, office, medical and industrial projects in more than 17 states. The company is a preferred developer to many national firms such as DaVita Dialysis, a Fortune 500 company.

FROM THE PUBLISHER SPRING BRINGS NEW-HOME CHOICES Ahh — spring is finally in the air; the holidays are behind us and visions of summer vacation have yet to become distractions. Spring also marks the beginning of what is commonly referred to in the homebuilding industry as the “spring selling season.” But in some pockets of the country that selling season has been in full gear for quite some time. And Central Florida is one of those pockets. Most local builders are reporting strong numbers for the first quarter of 2019, and the stream of visitors to their model centers remains steady. Vying for the top spot in new home sales once again you’ll find southwest Orange County’s Horizon West area and southeast Orange County’s Lake Nona. Both areas boast a plethora of choices — single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums can all be found as well as

CONTENTS | S P R I N G DEPARTMENTS 2 FROM THE PUBLISHER 4 FEATURED BUILDER

active-adult communities targeting the 55plus market. While these two communities are by far the most active in the region, buyers are finding choices all over Central Florida. Seminole county has seen a resurgence in new-home communities popping up. Their size pales in comparison to the size of those in Lake Nona and Horizon West. But they’re very much in demand and sales are brisk. Folks flocking to Lake and Osceola counties are being greeted by communities offering amenities designed for the whole family — pools, splash pads, walking and biking trails. So, whether you’re looking to be in the middle of the action or yearn for a little bit of peace and tranquility, Central Florida builders have something for you. But don’t take our word for it — check out the pages of this issue. We are sure you’ll find the perfect spot to call home.

28 SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

With so many choices, it’s no wonder relocators have little trouble finding a dream home. By Mick Lochridge

RESOURCES

FEATURES

Relocators are surprised to find that there’s not just one “Orlando.” By Mick Lochridge

20 MORE THAN MICKEY

Tourism first changed Osceola County. Now high tech is leading another transformation. By Mick Lochridge

RANDY NOLES Editor and Publisher JODI HELLER Director of Administration CAROLYN EDMUNDS Art Director MYRON CARDEN Distribution Manager MICHAEL CANDELARIA, MICK LOCHRIDGE, HARRY WESSEL Contributing Editors GREENLANDO CONSULTING, GREY STREET STUDIOS, STUDIO PECK 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

M e m be r s O f

60 PUBLIC SCHOOLS 68 COMMUNITIES

HOME HOME HOME CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com

BUYER

CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com

SPRING 2019

BUYER

CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com

SPRING 2019

BUYER

SPRING 2019

ANNUAL RELOCATION GUIDE

Custom home in the Markham Woods area of Seminole County by Dave Brewer Inc. SPRING 2019 $3.95 PHOTO BY HARVEY SMITH

ANNUAL RELOCATION GUIDE

C U S TO M B U ILD ER S P OT LIG H T • O S C EO L A CO U N T Y • N EW - CO M M U N IT Y D IR EC TORY

ANNUAL RELOCATION GUIDE

Custom home in Golden Oak by Derrick Builders. SPRING 2019 $3.95

C U S TO M B U I L D E R S P OT L I G H T • O S C E O L A CO U N T Y • N E W - CO M M U N I T Y D I R E C TORY

PHOTO BY CHAD BAUMER PHOTOGRAPHY

11 LUXURY MANORS

Your guide to planning and building a custom home, featuring custom builder Hardwick General Contracting, a state-of-the-art business using old-school values. By Michael Candelaria

THERESA SWANSON Group Publisher/Director Of Sales

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.

2019

6 FEATURED COMMUNITY

The Pomelo model applies Meritage Homes’ formula for success. By Michael Candelaria

BUYER

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

THERESA SWANSON Group Publisher theresa@thefloridahomebuyer.com

38 GRAND TOUR

8 FEATURED FLOORPLAN

CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION

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

Anchor Homes is committed to craftsmanship and personal attention to detail. By Michael Candelaria Hill Gray Seven’s one-of-a-kind new townhomes debut on Park Avenue. By Michael Candelaria

HOME

Custom home by The Einheit Company. SPRING 2019 $3.95

C U S TO M B U I L D E R S P OT L I G H T • O S C E O L A CO U N T 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 designed and built by Dave Brewer Inc. in the Markham Woods area of Seminole County; one is a custom home designed and built by Derrick Builders in Golden Oak; and one is a custom home designed and built by The Einheit Company.

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Contact Us Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B Winter Park, Florida 32789 Phone: 407-647-0225; Fax: 407-647-0145 thefloridahomebuyer.com Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition Winter 2019 is published quarterly by Winter Park Publishing Company LLC, 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Copyright 2019 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.

Built for Family, By Family

Townhomes

Sebring at Wyndham Preserve

NEW HOMES THROUGHOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA SEMINOLE COUNTY WINDSOR SQUARE Townhomes From The Mid $200S

WYNDHAM PRESERVE Single Family Homes From The High $200S WEXHAM COURT Single Family Homes From The Mid $300S MARKHAM SQUARE & SERENITY COVE Single Family Homes From The Mid $500S

VOLUSIA COUNTY COMPASS LANDING Single Family Homes From The Low $200s

MT.DORA

ORLANDO

DAVENPORT

RAVENNA Townhomes From The Mid $200S

SUMMERVIEW Single Family Homes From The Low $200s

GOLDEN RIDGE Single Family Homes From The Low $200S TRINITY RIDGE Single Family Homes From The Low $200S

KISSIMMEE HARBOR SHORES Single Family Homes From The Low $200S SEGOVIA Single Family Homes From The Mid $200S

SAWGRASS LANDING Townhomes From The Low $200S

GOLDENROD RESERVE Townhomes From The Mid $200S SAWGRASS PLANTATION Single Family Homes From The High $200S VERONA Single Family Homes From The Low $300S LAKESIDE AT TOSCANA Single Family Homes From The Mid $600S THE RESIDENCES AT DELLAGIO Single Family Homes From The Mid $700S

407.529.3108

Learn more at ParkSquareHomes.com

Pictures, photographs, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. Home and community information including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state prior registration is required or if void by law. See sales counselor for details. CRC 1330351 CGC 1520474

April 12, 2019

PUBLISHER’S PICK: BUILDER  ANCHOR HOMES

Anchor Homes’ recently completed Newport model, on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, is a modern four-bedroom home with an office, a game room, a summer kitchen and large lanai around the swimming pool. The exterior is shown on the facing page. The home was listed at $1.1 million.

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ANCHORED BY A COMMITMENT TO CRAFTSMANSHIP

he approach at Anchor Homes is a simple one: Each home is built with personal attention to detail — as if it was intended for a company principal to live there. Or, as Jordan Suglio, vice president of sales and marketing, describes it: “If a model isn’t good enough for us to live in, then we don’t expect our buyers to live in it.” With a focus on Central Florida, Anchor Homes is building a business foundation based upon long-term relationships with the region’s top craftspeople, subcontractors and real-estate brokers. Meanwhile, several decades of combined experience among the company founders in both construction and finance mean top-notch homes offering buyers plenty of bang for the buck. “We take a lot of responsibility when it comes to craftsmanship,” Suglio adds. And that all matters quite a bit in the highly desirable neighborhoods where Anchor builds and competes for the attention of savvy buyers. On Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, for example, construction was recently completed on a modern four-bedroom home with an office, a game room and a summer kitchen and large lanai

around the swimming pool. It was listed at $1.1 million. Available this summer will be a contemporary home on the shoreline of Lake Nona within the guard-gated Waters Edge community. The home will feature an oversized three-car garage, a first-floor master suite, a pool and cabana, and a second-floor “teen loft.” It will be listed for $2.2 million. One more example: In downtown Orlando, Anchor Homes recently completed a 3,200-square-foot home with four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a large front porch and an oversized covered lanai and pool. It sold for $800,000. The Anchor Homes co-presidents are Rich Browning and John Suglio (father of Jordan). Browning began his career as a banker for regional homebuilders before entering the profession himself. John Suglio began his career in Ohio in 1981 with his family’s concrete company. After moving to Central Florida in 2001, he founded ODC Construction, which grew to be one of Florida’s largest framing and shell contractors. At its peak, ODC had more than 160 employees in multiple states. ODC was sold in 2010. A year later, Browning and Suglio came together to create Anchor Homes along with other veterans from other successful homebuilders such as Ryland Homes and Rey Homes. Now, Anchor Homes is making quite a name of its own and appears to be firmly anchored in Central Florida’s most desirable submarkets.  — Michael Candelaria SPRING 2019

PUBLISHER’S PICK: COMMUNITY  PARK HILL The seven townhomes encompassing Park Hill sit directly on Park Avenue, representing the only new residential construction in Park Avenue’s historic downtown district, which is packed with upscale retailers, restaurants and museums.

ONE-OF-A-KIND NEW TOWNHOMES ON PARK AVENUE

rew Hill, a principal at Oviedo-based Hill Gray Seven Development, isn’t shy about extolling the virtues of the company’s new Park Hill luxury townhome community in historic downtown Winter Park. This is a one-of-a-kind, ultra-luxury product,” Hill says. “There are luxury products in Orlando. But no one has attempted anything like this, which is comparable to what you’d see in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. We wanted to bring that to Winter Park.” The community — located at the corner of North Park Avenue and Whipple Avenue, across from the Winter Park Country Club — has been an instant success as well as a legacy development that will almost certainly be as breathtaking in a generation as it today. “If you drive by, this fits in with Winter Park right away — and 20 years from now it will still stand the test of time,” adds Hill,

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who built the project where a small circa 1960s apartment building had incongruously previously stood. There are 10 classically styled, three-story townhomes, each encompassing 4,300 square feet, with prices ranging from roughly $2.85 million to $3.7 million, depending upon features. Seven townhomes sit directly on Park Avenue, representing the only new residential construction along the iconic stretch of the “The Avenue” that encompasses its quaint downtown district, packed with upscale retailers, restaurants and museums. In fact, Park Hill may well be the last new residential construction along Central Florida’s most famous stretch of asphalt — well, of bricks, really. There is no other vacant residential property nearby and no buildings that appear likely candidates for demolition and redevelopment. A Park Hill townhome comes with fee-simple ownership and a homeowners’ association that handles all exterior maintenance. In terms of materials, look for handmade tumbled brick, soundproof hollow-core floors, slate roofs with copper detailing, high ceilings, window walls, French doors, custom builtins, intricate trim and crown molding, custom closets and smart-home technology. Each townhome has three bedrooms plus a bonus room,

gourmet kitchen, private elevator, outdoor summer kitchen, rooftop terrace, private entrance and two-car garage. Posh? Lavish? You’d better believe it. Park Hill townhomes offer everything discriminating buyers would demand in a home five times the price, as company principals repeatedly have stated. This is ‘lock and leave,’” Hill says. “Buyers live in lakefront homes of 8,000 and 12,000 square feet and want to downsize. But they want to downsize into something that’s the biggest product in town.” The proof of success for Park Hill? At press time, more than half the units had been sold. Some were purchased before ground was broken, thanks to a Hill Gray Seven publicity blitz and the inherent appeal of a location that was previously thought to be unattainable with new construction. Further evidence of success comes from Hill Gray Seven Development itself, which has more than 75 years of combined industry experience and has been involved in planning, permitting, financing and building in 15 states. The principals have been there and done that, as the saying goes — just nothing quite like Park Hill. Then again, nobody else has, either.  — Michael Candelaria

Park Hill’s rootop terraces (above) are as comfortable and wellappointed as the interior rooms in most upscale townhomes. The gourmet kitchens (below) are sleek and state-of-the-art.

SPRING 2019

PUBLISHER’S PICK: FLOORPLAN  THE POMELO BY MERITAGE HOMES

IN BRIEF  MODEL: The Pomelo  BUILDER: Meritage Homes  SQUARE FOOTAGE: Up to 2,185  BEDROOMS/BATHROOMS: 4/3  PRICE: From $322,990

 NOTES: The gourmet kitchen overlooks a spacious great room and covered lanai. And the flex space can be made into a fourth bedroom or a private office, while the tucked-away master suite, located at the rear of the home, is an ideal retreat with a spacious walk-in closet and master bath.

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

THE POMELO APPLIES MERITAGE HOMES’ FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

COVERED LANAI

MASTER SUITE

DINING

11'-5" X 13'-2"

13'-7" X 16'-1"

MASTER BATH LINEN

GREAT ROOM

13'-4" X 21'-5"

KITCHEN W.I.C. PANTRY LAUNDRY

ince 1985, Meritage Homes has prided itself on “building better, smarter, healthier homes through game-changing, money-saving energy efficiency, thoughtful design and higher building standards.” Those words are prominently displayed on the company’s website. And for Meritage, those words are more than just a slogan — they describe the company’s culture. Evidence of that commitment can be found in the company’s Pomelo floorplan. The Pomelo is a single-story home that showcases an open design with lots of flexibility. For example, the gourmet kitchen overlooks a spacious great room and covered lanai. And the flex space can be made into a fourth bedroom or a private office, while the tucked-away master suite, located at the rear of the home, is an ideal retreat with a spacious walk-in closet and master bath. The Pomelo is priced starting at $322,990 for up to 2,185 square feet with four bedrooms, three full bathrooms and a twocar garage. Energy efficiency is exhibited in such features as weathersensing irrigation, dual-actuated toilets, Energy Star-certified appliances, low-emittance windows and spray foam insulation, among other components. The environmentally conscious approach is thoroughly integrated into the design and construction, typically making many Meritage homes twice as energy efficient as a typical U.S. home of the same size. Mostly, though, the Pomelo’s appeal is its open floorplan, where the front porch leads to an ample foyer that extends to an oversized kitchen and dining area. These gathering spaces are bordered on one side by a great room and covered lanai, and on the other side by an owner’s grand retreat. The great room measures more than 13-by-21 feet. The master suite measures more than 13-by-16 feet — not counting the master bath area. Openness plus flexibility plus efficiency, minus nothing. It’s a formula for success at Meritage — particularly for the Pomelo model.  — Michael Candelaria

BEDROOM 2

11'-9" X 11'-2"

BATH 3

BEDROOM 4

10'-1" X 10'-11"

FOYER LINEN

2 CAR GARAGE BEDROOM 1

10'-7" X 11'-4" PORCH

The single-story Pomelo (facing page) boasts an open kitchen and living area as well as a large, tucked-away master suite in a floorplan that gives buyers plenty of flexibility. SPRING 2019

life is

good

here

Come home to one of Taylor Morrison’s three Central Florida Active Adult communities. Each offering resort-style amenities, unique floor plans inspired by you,® and a premium location. Here, you’ll discover the life that you’ve been searching for.

Esplanade at Highland Ranch

Solivita

Vitalia at Tradition

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Experience the vibrant lifestyle Solivita and Vitalia offer first hand with a Discovery Days visit.

Learn more: 877.889.7055 living.taylormorrison.com All information (including, but not limited to prices, availability, incentives, floor plans, site plans, features, 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. Maps and plans are not to scale and all dimensions are approximate. Prices may not include lot premiums, upgrades and options. Community Association, club/golf membership or other use fees may be required. Photos and descriptions of any planned improvements, features or amenities are not an actual representation and are for illustration purposes only that remain subject to change. Images do not reflect a racial or ethnic preference. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. Promotional offers are typically limited to specific homes and communities and are subject to terms and conditions. For our Age-Qualified Communities only (not applicable to our Active Lifestyle Communities on this website): At least one resident of household must be 55 or older, and additional restrictions apply. Some residents may be younger than 55. For minimum age requirements for permanent residents in a specific community, please see a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager for complete details. © January 2019, Taylor Morrison of Florida, Inc. CBC 1257462. Avatar Properties, Inc. CBC 1260030. Vitalia at Tradition, LLC. CBC 1254089All rights reserved.

MANOR

T H E G U I D E T O C E N T R A L F L O R I D Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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

Check out this gorgeous custom home in the Dr. Phillips area designed by Phil Kean Design and built by Hardwick General Contracting. The front elevation (above) and the rear elevation (below) reflect the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modern style. But Hardwick is comfortable building in any architectural genre.

CUSTOM BUILDER PROFILE

A COMBINATION OF GOOD

BUILDING SCIENCE

AND MOM-AND-POP SERVICE Greg Hardwick Has Created a State-of-the-Art Business Using Old-School Values. By MIKE CANDEL ARIA

ardwick General Contracting has And why shouldn’t he be? built a successful company with a simThe president/owner of Hardwick General Conple philosophy of “good building scitracting is also the president of the Master Custom ence” and “technical sense” combined Builders Council (MCBC), which represents an with “mom-and-pop” service. elite and selective cadre of 26 of the area’s leading For a building industry professional with mulcustom home builders. tiple awards and accolades to his credit, couHe’s a proven winner. Hardwick has earned pled with respect from his peers, Greg Hardwick, Builder of the Year from the MCBC, Remodeler of who earned a master’s degree in engineering the Year from the Greater Orlando Builders Assofrom the University of South Florida, certainly ciation (GOBA) and Project of the Year in Green has an unusual method of self-promotion. Remodeling from the National Association of He begins by stating something his company Greg Hardwick’s company “can Home Builders (NAHB). doesn’t offer: “We don’t do specs or my own really build anything you bring He’s a proven leader, too. In addition to headto us.” home designs,” he says without hesitation. ing MCBC, Hardwick is a past president of GOBA Such is life (or business) when you’re at or and has served in various NAHB leadership canear the top of the food chain among the region’s general pacities. He’s also vice president of the Florida Green Building contractors. Buyers know that Hardwick is more interested in Coalition (FGBC) and has held numerous leadership positions building a home that makes a statement about its owner than within NAHB. he is in building a home that pushes a personal aesthetic. “There’s nothing more educational than learning together “We can really build anything you bring to us,” he adds. with your peers and discussing issues among your peers,” “That opens us up to unlimited styles and types of homes.” Hardwick says of his industry involvement. “Everybody is helpHardwick, as the saying goes, is comfortable in his own skin. ing each other to become better.” SPRING 2019

The Dr. Phillips-area home shown on page 12 is just as spectacular inside as it is outside. In fact, the inside and the outside are seamlessly connected, taking full advantage of temperate Central Florida weather.

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SPRING 2019

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This more traditional custom lakefront home in Maitland reflects Hardwick’s versatility. Images of the interior — the winding staircase and the lakeview living area — are shown on the facing page and page 18.

Although Hardwick is a building industry lifer, he wasn’t raised in the business. His father was an Air Force fighter pilot. Instead, he started in construction in 1992, after earning his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Florida State University. He moved to Orlando in 1997 and Hardwick General Contractors was incorporated in 2004. Another key player in the family business is Hardwick’s wife, Donna, whom he met at FSU. She’s a CPA who brings more than 25 years of construction management experience to the enterprise. Since he started building, Hardwick has cultivated a reputation for his “commitment to excellence,” according to Rick Caccavello, president of Central Kitchen & Bath, who describes Hardwick’s company as “one of the most professional builders in all of Central Florida.” Adds Caccavello: “They have a systematic, team-oriented approach to custom home building, and excel in project leadership and seamless job coordination. Their commitment to

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excellence in customer service is evident on every project.” Likewise, Mike Keesee of Keesee Associates — one of the regional building industry’s top design firms — lauds the company’s ability “to understand the building sciences and how to integrate them into the design process.” Hardwick himself, Keesee says, has the “skills necessary to make it easy to design homes for his clients.” Hardwick takes such praise in stride. He even deflects plaudits of his forward-thinking approach on green construction. His company has achieved several firsts in the sustainability arena, including the first-ever FGBC Platinum Level certification almost a decade ago. Yet, Hardwick calls being green nothing more than “good building science” that makes technical sense and saves buyers money while minimizing environmental impact. It’s also good business, he says. Hardwick and his wife rely on a handful of other principal contributors, including Justin Lednar, construction manager,

SPRING 2019

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who has a degree in physics and engineering. Office manager Jennifer Aldana plays a key role, he says. Not coincidentally, collaboration, customer service, personalized service and attention to detail are trademark characteristics of Hardwick General Contractors. For good measure, Hardwick’s two teenaged children, Grady and Haley, are involved. He notes that son Grady can name each of the company’s recent projects and when they were completed.

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Although there aren’t plans to push the children into the business, Hardwick enjoys the fact that Grady and Haley “take a lot of pride in the company, the company’s image, and in what we do.” And there’s plenty to be proud of across Central Florida — even if the president/owner isn’t especially boastful. “Quality is our mainstay,” says Hardwick. “And we’re relationship-driven. You must be, in this business. We try to be very accommodating to our clients, to our owners.” ■

IF LUXURY LIVING IS IN YOUR NATURE, WELCOME HOME. Discover the hidden gem built around the natural beauty of Florida’s most beautiful hills. Schedule an appointment and see for yourself all the splendid possibilities when you live life where luxury meets nature.

BELL ACOLLI NA .LI V E

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO, THE PURCHASE CONTRACT, AND THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS FOR THE PROJECT PROVIDED BY THE DEVELOPER. DEVELOPER DOES NOT DESIGN OR CONSTRUCT HOMES. ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER SHOULD CONTACT ONE OR MORE APPROVED BUILDERS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PLANS, DESCRIPTIONS, FEATURES, AMENITIES AND PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE AN ARTIST’S INTERPRETATION OF THE PROPOSED PROPERTY AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON FOR ACCURACY. PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ANY VIEW FROM THE LOT AND THE REMAINDER OF THE PROJECT MAY IN THE FUTURE BE LIMITED OR ELIMINATED. DEVELOPER HEREBY GIVES NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS THAT DEVELOPER IN NO MANNER GUARANTEES THE CONTINUING EXISTENCE OF ANY VIEW FROM THE LOT OR THE PROJECT. FURTHER, DEVELOPER GIVES NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS THAT DEVELOPER MAKES NO COMMITMENT OR REPRESENTATION CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANY PROPERTY IN PROXIMITY TO, OR VISIBLE FROM, THE LOT OR PROJECT. ACTUAL VIEWS MAY VARY. VIEWS SHOWN CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS THE ACTUAL VIEW FROM ANY PARTICULAR LOT WITHIN THE PROJECT. VIEWS WILL DIFFER DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS SUCH AS LOCATION, SKYLINE AND WEATHER. NO FEDERAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THIS PROPERTY. PICTURES OF HOMES IN DEVELOPER BROCHURE HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR DISPLAY BY THE OWNERS. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL REAL PROPERTY TO RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY OR OTHER JURISDICTIONS WHERE PROHIBITED OR WHERE PRIOR REGISTRATION OR ADVANCE QUALIFICATION IS REQUIRED. WE ARE PLEDGED TO THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF U.S. POLICY FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT THE NATION UNDER THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT. WE ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT AN AFFIRMATIVE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING PROGRAM IN WHICH THERE ARE NO BARRIERS TO OBTAINING HOUSING BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, HANDICAP, FAMILIAL STATUS, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.

Cheryl Grieb moved to Osceola County in 1974 when she was 6 years old. Now 51, she’s a successful businesswoman and chairwoman of the Osceola County Commission.

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MORE THAN

MICKEY Tourism first changed Osceola County. Now high-tech is leading another transformation. BY MICK LOCHRIDGE

heryl Grieb moved to Osceola County in 1974. She was 6 years old. Walt Disney World, just across the Orange County line, had opened just three years before. Osceola was home to about 39,000 residents who enjoyed the county’s rural, small-town charm. “There are many favorite memories of growing up in Osceola County,” says Grieb, now 51, a successful businesswoman and chairwoman of the Osceola County Commission. “I loved to run around in the woods and be one with nature. I used to see deer, all kinds of birds and once I saw a bobcat. Not sure my mom would have been happy about that.” Grieb says everyone knew one another — and everyone looked out for one another. “Believe me, if I was doing something I shouldn’t have been, it got back to my mom,” she says. “That was great for her. She was a single mom raising four kids on her own.” SPRING 2019

Osceola County created NeoCity, a 500-acre technology center in Kissimmee to attract high-tech jobs. The Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, which opened in 2017, serves as the site’s anchor and will research micro and nano electronics, semiconductors and photonics.

In many ways, Grieb and Osceola grew up together. The Mouse changed everything, as tourism created jobs that attracted new residents who needed places to live. Today Osceola boasts a growing population of more than 350,000 residents — that’s nearly an 800 percent increase from when Grieb moved there. Forecasts say there’ll be 560,000 residents within the next 10 years. Central Florida homebuilders find comfort in those numbers. “Osceola is growing because it’s close to major employment areas, such as Disney, and offers proximity to highways and local shopping,” says Anna Almirall, director of marketing for K. Hovnanian Homes. “It’s a more affordable area to purchase a new home.” Taylor Morrison, another Central Florida builder, “chose to build in Osceola County because it offers exceptional value when it comes to purchasing property,” says Larry Mull, vice president of sales. “It’s the perfect destination for first-time homebuyers and growing families.” In January the median price of a new home in Osceola was $216,000, according to the Orlando Regional Realtors Association (ORRA). That’s less than in Orange and Seminole counties. Richmond American Homes is another builder with Osceola projects. Builders and buyers are attracted to the county for an array of reasons, says Scott Harwood, sales director for the company’s Orlando division. He cites affordability, proximity to Orlando International Airport and Lake Nona’s Medical City as well as good schools, a thriving business community and easy commutes to employment centers. While much of the economy has centered on tourism and

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About Osceola County • Founded in 1887, Osceola County covers 1,500 square miles that reach from Orange County south to Okeechobee County. • There are more than 50 named lakes, including Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida’s sixth-largest lake at 19,000 acres. • Osceola has three commuter SunRail stops: Tupperware Station, Kissimmee/Amtrak and Poinciana Station. • There are five hospitals, a free-standing emergency room and many other medical offices and specialists. • More than 100 languages are spoken in the schools, and students represent more than 100 different countries. • The high school graduation rate surpasses the state graduation average and ranks 21st of 67 in the state. That’s up from the 61st ranking in 2010. • There are two STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Schools, NeoCity Academy and Tohopekaliga High School, as well as a SLAM (sports leadership and management) School. • Valencia College has campuses in Kissimmee and Poinciana. Source: Osceola County government

KB Home’s Hanover Square offers 75 homesites with 10 floorplans ranging in size from 1,760 to 3,530 square feet. Prices start in the mid-$200s and amenities include a pool, a cabana, a tot lot and a walking trail. The 2716 model’s great room (above) and kitchen (below).

SPRING 2019

Magnolia at Westside by K. Hovnanian Homes offers 125 single-family homes in the Four Corners area of northwestern Osceola. Prices range from $280,990 to $360,990, with sizes ranging from 1,969 to 3,636 square feet. Shown is the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sanya model, which features an open kitchen and great room (above), a posh master bathroom (below) and an outdoor living area highlighted by a pergola (facing page).

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the service industry, city and county leaders are working to bring in more diverse job opportunities. To that end, the county created NeoCity, a 500-acre technology center in Kissimmee to attract high-tech jobs. The Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, which opened 2017, serves as the site’s anchor and will research micro and nano electronics, semiconductors and photonics. “We’re on the brink of creating a high-wage economic hub,” Grieb says. “The shift toward higher-wage jobs will add to the high quality of life and simultaneous low cost of living that Osceola already provides. This will be the biggest game-changer we’ve ever seen — not just in Osceola but all of Central Florida.” Her optimism is shared by leaders in Kissimmee and St. Cloud and by Central Florida homebuilders, who see Osceola as a hot market for new homes. Kissimmee, just to the west of St. Cloud, is the county seat. Its population of more than 72,000 is expected to climb to 82,688 by 2025. There are more than 1,000 single-family homes and more than 2,200 multifamily homes either underway or in the planning stages, with northwest Kissimmee and downtown leading the way. “Kissimmee is the perfect spot for investment,” says Belinda Ortiz Kirkegard, the city’s economic development director. “Strategically located in the heart of Florida, it’s minutes from all major transportation highways across the state.” Kirkegard says the county’s flourishing medical community not only yields high-paying jobs, it’s also increasing medical services available to residents — an important feature to a community’s quality of life.

She also notes the benefits of the city’s general aviation airport — Kissimmee Gateway Airport — for its proximity to the theme parks and the Orange County Convention Center. “We’re the destination of choice for private plane traffic, as well as aerospace companies wanting to maximize the airport’s proximity to NeoCity,” she adds. Neighboring St. Cloud is one of the fastest growing cities in Florida, says Economic Development Manager David Rodriguez. The city has more than 51,000 residents — a jump of 45 percent since 2010. As of last November, St. Cloud had approved building of 11,618 new housing units with another 7,200 under review. “We’re ideally located just minutes away from the Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, Orlando International Airport, Lake Nona’s Medical City, Florida’s Space Coast and NeoCity,” he adds. Plus, Rodriguez says, the city offers affordable housing and a skilled workforce for manufacturing, aerospace/logistics and distribution companies. In the unincorporated area of Osceola, there are more than 13,000 housing units that have either been approved or are in the planning stages. In St. Cloud, KB Home (kbhome.com) is building two communities: Hanover Square and Rivercrest at Narcoosee. Both feature single-family homes. Hanover Square, on the east side of East Lake Tohopekaliga, offers 75 homesites with 10 floorplans ranging in size from 1,760 to 3,530 square feet. Prices start in the mid-$200s and amenities include a pool, a cabana, a tot lot and a walking trail. SPRING 2019

Taylor Morrison’s two-story Bella Parc Townhomes in Kissimmee are priced starting in the low $200s and range in size from 1,931 to 2,063 square feet. They feature three to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and two-car garages.

Not far to the south, Rivercrest at Narcoosee has 73 homesites and eight floorplans that range in size from 1,760 to 3,016 square feet. Prices start in the mid-$200s and community amenities also include a pool, a cabana and a tot lot. The area is attractive to builders and buyers for several reasons, says Cara Kane, senior director for KB Home. Those reasons include short drives to Orlando International Airport and Ralph Chisholm Regional Park — which offers public boat access to East Lake Tohopekaliga — and the St. Cloud Civic Center Complex, which features ball fields, basketball courts, pavilions, playgrounds and pools. Magnolia at Westside by K. Hovnanian Homes (khov.com/ orlando) offers 125 single-family homes in the Four Corners area of northwestern Osceola. Prices range from $280,990 to $360,990, with sizes ranging from 1,969 to 3,636 square feet. Residents have use of a community pool, resort-style cabanas, an outdoor fire pit, a tot lot, a dog park and an open green field for outdoor activity, according to marketing director Almirall. “Excellent schools, proximity to major highways for easy commuting and an abundance of shopping, entertainment and dining makes Osceola very appealing to many buyers,” she says. Richmond American Homes (richmondamerican.com) has three developments in St. Cloud. They are Westerly, located southeast of East Lake Toho, Deer Creek and Pinewood Gardens, both located south of the lake. Each offers single-family homes priced from the low $200s with sizes ranging from 1,600 to 2,800 square feet, according to sales director Harwood.

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He says amenities favored by buyers include their ability to personalize their homes. “Our home gallery has thousands of options to select from,” Harwood adds. “Your neighbor’s kitchen will not look like yours.” Taylor Morrison (taylormorrison.com) offers several singlefamily communities and one townhome project. The homes are priced starting in the low $200s and range in size from 1,295 to 5,646 square feet. They feature spacious living rooms, luxurious owner’s suites, covered lanais, raised ceilings and granite countertops. One of Taylor Morrison’s developments, Hickory Grove in St. Cloud, has one- and two-story homes priced starting at $251,990 with up to 2,800 square feet. The two-story Bella Parc Townhomes in Kissimmee are priced starting in the low $200s and range in size from 1,931 to 2,063 square feet. They feature three to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and two-car garages. While developers and builders stay busy putting up new houses, city and county leaders work to make Osceola a great place to call home. A resident since the second grade, Grieb has witnessed sweeping changes in the county. Today she lives with wife Patti Daugherty and their dog and cat in Kissimmee, where she owns Olde Kissimmee Realty. From her roles in government and real estate, she sees a positive future for Osceola. “New residents flock to our county because it’s a community where you’re able to live, work, and play,” she says, adding that the county is “diverse and embracing.” 

Taylor Morrison’s Hickory Grove development in St. Cloud has one- and two-story homes priced starting at $251,990 with up to 2,800 square feet. Shown is the company’s Maitland model, with an open kitchen and dining area (above) and a spacious owners’ suite (below).

SPRING 2019

Taylor Morrisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Havencrest, a gated community near Windermere in southwest Orange County, features one- and two-story homes ranging in size from 3,002 to 4,882 square feet and priced starting in the $600s. It also has an elaborate clubhouse and pool among its many amenities.

SOMETHING FOR

EVERYONE

WITH SO MANY CHOICES, ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NO WONDER RELOCATORS HAVE LITTLE TROUBLE FINDING A DREAM HOME BY MICK LOCHRIDGE

The Clubhouse at Toll Brothers’ Royal Cypress Preserve, located in southwest Orlando across from Disney’s Grand Cypress Golf Club, includes a fitness center, meeting rooms and a large pool. Within the community, the company’s two-story Bravaro model (facing page) has 2,590 square feet and is priced from $591,595.

hinking about buying a home and relocating to Central Florida? You’re not alone. Among the more than 900 people who move to Florida each day, a great many of them find their way to Central Florida. From 2016 to 2017, the Orlando Metropolitan Statistical Area — Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties — grew by 2.3 percent to more than 2.5 million people, according to the Orlando Economic Partnership. Estimates today put that number above 2.7 million. That’s the fastest growth rate of the 30 largest MSAs in U.S.

Jeffrey Fagan, president of the Orlando Regional Realtors Association and regional president with Watson Realty Corp.

Who can blame potential new residents when you consider what awaits them? An affordable realestate market with plenty of newhome choices, a strong jobs market with an unemployment rate of about 3 percent, good schools, tons of outdoor recreation, culture and sports — and, of course, the weather. “Orlando is well known for its mild weather, centralized location and world-class recreational and entertainment facilities,” says Jeffrey

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Fagan, president of the Orlando Regional Realtors Association (ORRA) and regional vice president with Watson Realty Corp. “Orlando also boasts economic factors — such as strong job growth — that supports a healthy real-estate market with a wide variety of neighborhood types and community settings.” Homebuyers like what they see. In 2018 more than 42,000 homes were sold in the MSA’s four counties, according to the ORRA. The median sales price for that area was $226,500. While most of those sales were single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses also figured strongly in the mix. Home hunters will find all manner of options, from one- and two-story dwellings to gated communities with resort-style

amenities. Prices range from the low $200s to well into seven figures. If you’re looking for it, you’ll find it in Central Florida. “Central Florida is a culturally diverse region with great yearround weather,” says Brock Fanning, area division president for Toll Brothers, which has several communities throughout Greater Orlando. The area also offers an array of distinct activities to suit residents’ varying needs and lifestyles, Fanning says. In addition to being home to some of the world’s biggest theme parks and several large corporations, Central Florida features popular annual events, numerous restaurants and shopping destinations, top-rated golf courses and state parks. And there’s just about every kind of professional sports team, except an NFL franchise — although the Tampa Bay Bucaneers (one of the state’s three NFL teams) are less than two hours away. Be they retirees or working folks, those looking to relocate to Central Florida should have no trouble finding a place to call home. A 2018 WalletHub study found that Orlando is the country’s top destination for retirees. The City Beautiful scored big on criteria such as affordability, activities, quality of life and healthcare. To attract non-retirees, Orlando consistently lands on “best of” lists for jobs and business opportunities as well as recreational options and affordable housing — although affordabil-

ity has become more problematic in a tightening market. “Of course, we expect the recent polar vortex and other extreme weather events to lead Northerners to consider relocation,” adds Fanning. And there are more plusses, not the least of which is the lack of a state income tax. Plus, of course, the beach is just a short drive away. Homebuilders know Central Florida is a growth hot spot that can only gain in popularity with relocators buyers. Builders offer a huge array of housing choices, and some provide relocation incentives for buyers. K. Hovnanian Homes (khov.com), for example, offers a “flyand-buy” program that applies up to $2,000 of the buyer’s travel cost toward closing costs, upgrades or other options. “The Orlando market is a very affordable market compared to housing prices in the west and southeast,” says Anna Almirall, the company’s marketing director. “The weather is another huge draw for people to relocate from the harsh winter states.” K. Hovnanian has several communities in the area, including Four Seasons Orlando, a 55-plus community in northwest Osceola County, and the Highlands at Summerlake Groves in Winter Garden. Four Seasons offers both single-family homes and villas. Prices range from $226,990 to $340,990, with sizes ranging from 1,435 to 2,328 square feet. Amenities in the 557-home community include pickle ball and tennis courts, a clubhouse with a fitness center, social SPRING 2019

David Weekley Homes’ Lubbock model — part of the company’s Garden Series — is priced from $313,290 and measures 2,174 to 2,188 square feet. A highlight of the home, located in Reagan Pointe in the Seminole County city of Sanford, is a screenedin patio. The Lubbock is priced from $325,790.

halls, craft rooms and a resort-style pool. “We’re also located in the heart of the Mystic Dunes golf course for avid golfers,” Almirall adds. The 121-home Highlands community offers single-family homes that range in size from 2,614 to 4,098 square feet and cost from $384,990 to $820,990. Community features include a pool, tennis courts and a tot lot. “Amenities and proximity to shopping, highways, Disney and good schools are the draw for this community,” Almirall adds. David Weekley Homes (davidweekleyhomes.com) offers a variety of communities in several settings, from lakefront living to downtown urban life. “We’ve worked with countless buyers who are building their home from afar as they prepare to relocate,” notes Brent Bartholomew, division president for David Weekley Homes in Orlando. Among the builder’s communities are: • GRIFFIN PARK The gated community in Lake Mary in Seminole County offers two-story single-family homes and townhomes. Prices start in the $290s with floorplans ranging in size from 1,529 to 2,979 square feet. • JOHN’S LAKE LANDING Located in Clermont in Lake County, the community features lakefront sites and clubhouse amenities. One- and two-story homes range in size from 1,629 to 3,801 square feet, with prices starting in the $275s. • REAGAN POINTE The gated community in Sanford in Semi-

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nole County features two-story single-family homes. Floorplans range in size from 1,608 to 2,329 square feet, with prices starting in the $260s. • LAUREATE PARK AT LAKE NONA The master-planned community developed by Tavistock Group offers one- and twostory single-family homes that range in size from 1,422 to 4,284 square feet, with prices starting in the $295s. The southeast Orlando community offers retail, dining, an amenity center, pools, playgrounds and green spaces. • SERENOA The gated community in Clermont in Lake County features one- and two-story single-family homes priced starting in the $250s. Floorplans range in size from 1,688 to 3,307 square feet. Amenities include the Serenoa Club, a 6,700-square-foot clubhouse with a 24-hour fitness center, a multipurpose room and a resort-style pool with beach entry. Residents also have access to a playground, a dog park and miles of walking trails. David Weekley Homes also has its Central Living series, which includes three high-density townhome communities in downtown Orlando locations: Concord Place, priced from $399,990; Eleven on Thornton, priced from $481,900; and Eola North, priced from $428,990. All homes are under 2,000 square feet in size. Richmond American Homes (richmondamerican.com) offers financial incentives with its “Community Champions” promotion for veterans, active military, police officers, firefighters, nurses, doctors and teachers, says Scott Harwood, Orlando division sales director.

David Weekley Homes’ Griffin Park Townhomes, located in the Seminole County city of Lake Mary, are packed with community amenities such as a pool and a dog park. The homes, which range in size from 1,529 to 1,911 square feet, are priced starting in the $297s.

The company has communities across Central Florida, including two in Orange County, three in Osceola County, seven in Polk County and one in Lake County. Single-family home prices start in the low $200s; sizes range from 1,600 to 2,800 square feet. Harwood says Richmond American’s buyers like the ability to personalize the finishes on their homes. “At this price point, it’s rare to find the ability to have those choices,” he notes. “The open concept is appealing as well.” Why do relocators gravitate to Central Florida? Harwood lists the usual reasons: “Great weather, low cost of living, it’s family friendly, there are many outdoor activities, and beaches and theme parks are close by.” Toll Brothers (tollbrothers.com) also offers a “Fly-and-Buy” incentive program to assist relocators. Through the program, the company reimburses some travel expenses and offers luxury accommodations while buyers are in town. Fanning identified three Toll Brothers communities that would appeal to relocation buyers. • LAKESHORE The Horizon West master-planned community in southwest Orange County has plans for 367 luxury, oneand two-story single-family homes and townhomes. They’re priced from the low $400s to more than $600,000, and range in size from 2,169 to 4,650 square feet. Many offer spacious outdoor living areas with lake or golf course views and covered lanais. Community amenities include parks, a community dock, a resort-style swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center

and flex room and a social room with a catering kitchen. • ROYAL CYPRESS PRESERVE The gated community in southwest Orange County features one- and two-story singlefamily homes priced from the low $500s, with floorplans that range in size from 2,199 to more than 4,100 square feet. The 11 home designs all have master suites, gourmet kitchens and expansive living areas. Many homes also feature large outdoor living areas with covered lanais. Yard maintenance — which includes lawn care, irrigation, tree pruning and fertilization — is included in the community’s homeowner fee. Amenities include a resort-style pool, fitness center, open-air pavilion and a clubhouse. There’s also a boat launch for small craft. • PARKVIEW PLACE Located near Lake Jesup in Sanford in Seminole County, this new gated community features 70 oneand two-story single-family homes priced from the mid-$200s, with floorplans ranging in size from 1,400 to more than 2,500 square feet. Features include well-appointed kitchens, spacious living areas and private master suites. The community is near the Seminole County Sports Complex. Taylor Morrison (taylormorrison.com) has nearly 30 communities in Central Florida for buyers “seeking prestige, panache and the perfect location,” says Larry Mull, vice president for sales. Taylor Morrison’s communities feature one- and two-story single-family homes and townhomes. Floorplans range in size from 1,295 to 7,013 square feet, and are priced from the low $200s to the mid-$700s. SPRING 2019

K. Hovnanian’s Highlands at Summerlake Groves, located near Winter Garden in southwest Orange County, features singlefamily homes priced starting in the mid$430s. Within the community is the Xavier model, which features a stunning master bath with a walk-in shower. At 3,636 square feet, it’s priced from $434,990.

Popular features with buyers include homes in Clermont in Lake County are planned community amenities, large priced starting in the $260s and range in Helpful Links master suites, designer kitchens with upsize from 1,800 to 4,800 square feet. Its theorlandohomebuyer.com graded appliances and granite counterlocation offers easy access to commuter orlandorealtors.org tops, and energy-efficient construction. routes and major job centers, such as Maistate27homes.com Mull also notes that the builder is oftland Center, downtown Orlando and the realtor.com fering a “2/1 Buydown” program that theme parks. houselogic.com gives buyers reduced interest rates — If you want to relocate closer to the homeownershipmatters.realtor and reduced monthly mortgage paybeach, Geosam Capital is developing ments — for two years. two communities just off State Road 44 “You have the extra cash to get the near Interstate 95 in New Smyrna Beach. things you need today while planning ahead for tomorrow,” Venetian Bay (venetianbay.info) will have more than 3,000 adds Mull. homes at build-out, and Coastal Woods (coastalwoodsnsb. Three of Taylor Morrison’s communities that are popular com) will have about 1,300 homes, according to Christopher with relocators are: Roy, asset manager for the developer. • HAVENCREST The gated community near Windermere in The homebuilders are the Johnson Group, Platinum Home Orange County features one- and two-story homes ranging in Builders, Paytas Homes, Adley Homes and D.R. Horton in Vesize from 3,002 to 4,882 square feet and priced starting in the netian Bay. In Coastal Woods, the builders are D.R. Horton, $600s. Homes have four to five bedrooms, three to four-and-aStarlight and Meritage Homes. half baths and three-car garages. “We offer different themes — Mediterranean, craftsman, • LAUREATE PARK Located in the Lake Nona master-planned coastal — and price points ranging from the $200s to more community in southeast Orlando, the community offers onethan $1 million for custom estates,” says Roy. “We have homes and two-story homes priced from the $500s and ranging in size for everybody from move-up buyers to retirees.” from 2,700 to 4,900 square feet. It’s part of a natural-gas comEach community will offer a variety of living options, from apartmunity that provides an aquatic center for homeowners. ments and townhomes to single-family homes. Sizes range from • THE CANYONS AT HIGHLAND RANCH One- and two-story 1,700 to more than 5,000 square feet in Venetian Bay and from

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The kitchen in K. Hovnanian’s Xavier is especially impressive, with state-of-theart appliances, plenty of counter space and a large center island that seats four. Just beyond is an expansive great room

Relocation Tips 1,600 to 2,800 square feet in Coastal Woods. Community amenities include a golf course, restaurants, a clubhouse, a gym, a pool and walking trails. Roy points out that residents can choose to pay for what they want to use, and the costs aren’t included in homeowner dues. Venetian Bay also offers monthly community events, such as wine walks, food trucks, movies in the park and special holiday gatherings. Ray says relocators are attracted to the area for several reasons. “There are homes for every lifestyle, and we’re close to the beach,” he says. “We offer easy access to Interstate 95 and Interstate 4 and are only an hour drive to Orlando.” Relocators will find the welcome mat out in communities all over the region. “Central Florida has proven to be an excellent place to relocate for people in all stages of life,” says Bartholomew of David Weekley. “With warm weather, theme parks, a booming hospitality industry, continued job growth and expansions, as well as proximity to beaches, golf courses and more, there’s something for everyone.” 

• Stay organized. Much of moving-related stress comes from managing all the logistics, such as leaving your current home and finding a new one. Be organized. Keep to-do lists for both your departure and arrival locations. • Know what’s available to you. Many companies offer a variety of relocation services and most are flexible in what they provide, such as home-hunting trips and assistance in selling or buying your home. Also, if your employer doesn’t typically offer relocation assistance, ask for it and negotiate. • Take time to get to know your new environment before you move. Find the neighborhood that best suits your lifestyle. Talk to people who live there and follow the local news. • Know the cost of living in the new city. There are significant differences in cost of living among U.S. cities. Do the research and plan accordingly. • Don’t make any long-term commitments. Consider renting at first to avoid buying into a neighborhood you might end up not liking. You might not like the job, either. Some companies offer temporary corporate housing. • Find out if any of your moving expenses are tax deductible. Even if your new employer doesn’t offer any financial assistance for your relocation, you might be eligible for partial reimbursement come tax time. • Build a social support network. Use online services to find others in the area who have similar interests or hobbies. Your new company may also offer clubs and interest groups to meet new people. Source: Forbes Magazine

3 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

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RELOCATORS ARE SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THERE’S NOT JUST ONE ‘ORLANDO.’ BY MICK LOCHRIDGE

Orlando’s compact but lively downtown is highlighted by its iconic fountain on Lake Eola in the city’s signature park.

Spring 2019

Lake County’s numerous lakes offer opportunities for activities such as kayaking as well as fishing and other watersports. The Mount Dora Arts Festival (facing page) packs the historic downtown district every year. But it’s always a busy and scenic place, filled with intriguing shops and restaurants, and looking like a picture postcard.

heme parks can be fun, but there is a lot more to Central Florida for those who live here — and for those who are thinking about relocating to one of the area’s six counties: Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia. While each county and its cities provide their residents with specific amenities and character, they all share the qualities that have long attracted newcomers to Florida. Here are a few highlights to make you feel at home.

STATISTICS: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, AS OF JULY 2017

LAKE COUNTY (LAKECOUNTYFL.GOV) Population: 346,000 Number of housing units: 157,233 Median value of owner-occupied homes: $155,100 Mean travel time to work (in minutes): 28.8 Median household income: $49,734 Like much of Central Florida, Lake County has seen rapid growth for the past several years. That’s not likely to change anytime soon as more homebuyers and developers extend their march north and west out of Orange County. Forecasts predict Lake’s population to grow to more than

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427,000 by 2030 and to more than 484,000 by 2040. County officials cite two notable hot spots: South Lake, including Clermont, Groveland and Minneola; and northeast Lake, east of Mount Dora. Named for the abundance of lakes within its borders, the county reaches south to Polk and Osceola counties, while the northeast section touches Volusia. Florida’s Turnpike provides easy access south to Orlando and Interstate 4 and north to Interstate 75. Nature lovers find plenty of open spaces, including the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, the Ocala National Forest and Lake Louisa and Lake Griffin state parks. Those are in addition to many city and county parks. With 14 municipalities and more than 20 smaller communities, Lake offers an array of choices for folks who relocate —

whether it’s from another state or another part of Central Florida. New residents will find a bounty of cultural and recreational opportunities, along with new developments and historic downtowns. Let’s have a look:

CLERMONT The city’s current population of more than 35,000 is expected to climb to more than 54,000 in the next decade. Part of that growth is driven by the Wellness Way Urban Service Area, a 16,000-acre mixed-use project south of the city. It will include about 16,000 homes and 12 million square feet of nonresidential uses. Clermont also is home to the annual Pig on the Pond community festival that features barbecue, live entertainment and carnival rides.

LEESBURG Lake County’s oldest city, with a population of more than 21,000, lies along U.S. Highway 441 and is sandwiched between Lakes Harris and Griffin. It is home of Lake-Sumter State College and the annual Leesburg Bike Fest, which attracts thousands of festivalgoers for music and entertainment — and motorcycles.

MOUNT DORA The city of nearly 14,000 may be the most famous city in Lake County because of national publicity. For example,

Southern Living magazine in a story on “Small Towns We Love” called it one of “five great little communities that are well worth a visit — or perhaps even a move.” It hosts several large festivals throughout the year, including the annual Mount Dora Arts Festival. Growth is heading to the eastern edge of the city because of the Wekiva Parkway (State Road 429), which will connect the city to Interstate 4 in Sanford and complete the beltway around metro Orlando by 2022.

TAVERES The county seat is home to about 16,000 residents, with another 10,000 expected to live there in the next 10 years. The Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina is a seaplane airport and recreational boating marina located on the Lake Dora waterfront in Wooton Park. Visitors can take seaplane rides and learn to fly.

EUSTIS Along with Tavares and Mount Dora, Eustis makes the third point of the so-called Golden Triangle of cities in Lake County. About 20,000 people live in the city that sits on the east side of Lake Eustis. Residents enjoy Ferran Park on Lake Eustis, the Bay Street Players community theater and the George Washington Birthday Festival and Parade, which is the second longest ongoing annual event held in honor of the first president of the U.S. Spring 2019

A highlight of Ferran Park in the Lake County city of Eustis is a stylized sculpture of a heron in cattails by local artist Doug Hays. ■ Orange County is home to a roster of the world’s most famous tourist attractions, including Walt Disney World (facing page). That’s Cinderella’s Castle, of course, which looms near the park’s entry.

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Population:1,348,975 Number of housing units: 536,788 Median value of owner-occupied homes: $192,400 Mean travel time to work (in minutes): 27.6 Median household income: $51,586 The center of Central Florida, Orange County has a lot going for its 1.3 million residents. From professional sports to arts and culture and family-friendly tourism, the county serves as the hub of business and residential growth in Metro Orlando. For residents relocating from outside of Florida or from another part of the state, the county, its 10 municipalities and smaller communities offer a wide range of options of places to move — either to retire or work or raise a family. Living close to well-known universities, including the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Full Sail University and Valencia College, high school graduates and adult students have premier educational choices at their fingertips. Two major health-care providers — AdventHealth (formerly Florida Hospital) and Orlando Health — are based in Orange and operate facilities throughout Central Florida. There are several public parks in the county for outdoor rec-

reation, including Wekiwa Springs State Park near Apopka. And, of course, visitors and residents alike flock to the long list of attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and more. The Atlanta Braves play their spring training games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex near Disney. Orange also consists of many individual communities with their own identities. Here they are:

APOPKA The county’s second largest city after Orlando, Apopka’s population of more than 51,000 has grown more than 23 percent since 2010. And that’s just within the expanding city limits. It sits at the northwest corner of the county where development continues to boom. A couple of major projects contribute to that growth. A new hospital — AdventHealth Apopka — opened in the southern part of the city, replacing an old facility downtown. On the north side, residential and commercial development will follow completion of the Wekiva Parkway, a toll road that will connect Apopka to Interstate 4 in Sanford to the east and Mount Dora to the west. Apopka also has begun work on its City Center at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and State Road 436. Plans call for it to include residential areas, along with shopping and entertainment. Spring 2019

STATISTICS: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, AS OF JULY 2017

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Winter Garden (facing page), in West Orange County, is considered one of the region’s coolest small cities, with a funky downtown historic district filled with momand-pop eateries and intriguing boutiques. The West Orange Trail runs through the center of town. At more than 31,000 acres, Lake Apopka is the third-largest lake in Florida. Ongoing restoration efforts by the St. Johns River Water Management District and Orange and Lake counties have improved the water quality and helped return the lake to its longtime position as one of Central Florida’s most important natural resources.

EATONVILLE

ORLANDO

Founded in 1887, the town was one of the first all-black municipalities in the U.S. With a population of about 2,360, Eatonville was the girlhood home of noted writer Zora Neale Hurston, who writer about her memories in such semi-autographical books as Dust Tracks on a Road and Their Eyes Were Watching God. The Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts opened in the 1990s, and each year the town stages the Zora! Festival to honor her and the town’s heritage.

The county seat is also a major metropolitan city of more than 280,000 residents. Its notable neighborhoods include College Park, Metro West, Lake Nona and Baldwin Park. The Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest in the country. Sports lovers have the Orlando Magic NBA team, Orlando City and Orlando Pride soccer clubs, Orlando Apollos professional football team, Orlando Solar Bears hockey team and the Camping World Stadium, home to the annual college football Citrus Bowl, Russell Athletic Bowl and Cure Bowl. Lake Nona Medical City is a 650-acre health and life sciences park that includes the University of Central Florida’s Health Sciences Campus, Nemours Children’s Hospital, University of Florida Academic and Research Center and the Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center. Performance venues include the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Amway Center and the Bob Carr Theater.

MAITLAND Bisected by both Interstate 4 and U.S. Highway 17-92, the city of 17,500 lies at the north Orange-south Seminole county line. Its residents and visitors have numerous water recreation choices on Lakes Maitland, Minnehaha and Sybelia, among others. As with other Central Florida cities, Maitland has a station for SunRail, the region’s commuter rail service. Cultural events and venues abound; the annual Maitland Art Festival sets up on the banks of Lake Lily. The city also is home to the Maitland Art Center — a designated National Historic Landmark — the Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida and the Enzian Theater, a beloved independent movie house.

4 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

WINTER GARDEN The historic downtown of the former citrus hub is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. Located on the south side of Lake Apopka and short drive west of Orlando, Winter Garden is home to more than 43,000 people. The West Orange Trail, popular with bicyclists and hikers, runs through the downtown area, which is filled with shops and restaurants

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Park Avenue (facing page) is the dining and retail hub of Winter Park, and one of the most eclectic commercial districts in all of Florida. It’s anchored by Central Park, a carefully manicured, 11-acre green space dotted with monuments to the city’s history. The shops and restaurants are intriguing, and draw shoppers and strollers from throughout the region as well as out-of-state tourists and even international visitors. ■ There are an array of educational opportunities in the county, including several colleges and universities. The oldest is Winter Park’s Rollins College, which is rated one of the top institutions of higher learning in the Southeast and is considered to have one of the most beautiful campuses in the U.S. Shown are the campus’ historic Knowles Memorial Chapel, the boathouse (bottom left) and the McKean Gate (bottom right), the main entryway to the college.

4 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

WINTER PARK Arguably the gem of Central Florida cities, Winter Park is known for its art and culture, elegant homes, fine dining and eclectic shopping. The city of more than 30,000 is home to two nationally acclaimed institutions of higher learning — Rollins College and Full Sail University — as well as a branch campus of Valencia College. Must-see museums include the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Housed at Rollins College, the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park presents performances by the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra. The Scenic Boat Tour takes passengers on a relaxing ride through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. Park Avenue is a paradise for shopping and dining. It runs alongside Central Park, site of the annual Winter Park Art Sidewalk Festival, which attracts artists from around the world, as well as the smaller Autumn Art Festival, which features only Florida artists.

OSCEOLA COUNTY (OSCEOLA.ORG) Population: 352,180 Number of housing units: 148,901 Median value of owner-occupied homes: $164,500 Mean travel time to work (in minutes): 32.2 Median household income: $47,343 Osceola County may be the ideal place for newcomers to Central Florida who want to live near “Old Florida” but still have access to the urban lifestyle of Orlando. Covering more than 1,500 square miles (compared to Seminole County’s 300 square miles), Osceola stretches more than 60 miles from the Orange County line south to Okeechobee County. In between are the county’s two cities, a handful of unincorporated communities and plenty of nature in the form of ranchlands and undeveloped prairie, woods and marsh. By far, most of the county’s 352,180 residents — up 31 percent since 2010 — live in the northwest part of the county, which borders Orange and Polk counties. That puts them within a halfhour drive to Walt Disney World and other area attractions. It’s no surprise that Disney is the county’s second largest employer, just behind the county school system. Away from the traffic congestion and tourist draws, there are Spring 2019

STATISTICS: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, AS OF JULY 2017

and a Farmers Market on Saturdays. The district includes the Garden Theatre, which first opened in 1935 and was the first movie house in Central Florida built for “talkies.” Restored, it reopened in 2008 and today hosts more than 450 events each season, including plays, concerts and movies.

Osceola County’s Silver Spurs Rodeo, still held every year in Kissimmee, is the throwback to the days of the county’s stature as a cattle-ranching mecca. There are still plenty of cowboys in the county, along with others who like the area’s affordable homes and array of recreational opportunities.

several state wildlife management areas, lakes and preserves. The area is also the headwaters of the Lake Okeechobee-Florida everglades ecosystem. Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida’s the sixth largest lake at 19,000 acres, sits next to Kissimmee.

STATISTICS: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, AS OF JULY 2017

KISSIMMEE The county seat is home to more than 72,000 residents. Its proximity to major theme parks encouraged several smaller attractions, such as Old Town and Fun Spot, to spring up near U.S. Highway 192, which runs through the heart of the city. Paying tribute to the county’s cowboy roots, Kissimmee also hosts the annual Silver Spurs Rodeo. The city’s Waterfront Park on Lake Tohopekaliga features walking paths, playgrounds and a fishing pier.

ST. CLOUD Located just a few miles east of Kissimmee and about an hour from the beaches in Melbourne, St. Cloud was founded in the early 1900s as a retirement community for Civil War Union veterans who paid $50 for five-acre lots. Today more than 51,000 residents live there. The city is located on the southern shore of East Lake Tohopekaliga, approximately 26 miles southeast of Orlando.

5 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

POLK COUNTY (POLK-COUNTY.NET) Population: 686,483 Number of housing units: 295,126 Median value of owner-occupied homes: $121,100 Mean travel time to work (in minutes): 26 Median household income: $45,988 Located along Interstate 4 midway between Orlando and Tampa, Polk County benefits from its proximity to both highgrowth urban areas. It’s home to about 670,000 people and lies along the so-called “I-4 Corridor,” which runs from the state’s west coast to the east coast. County leaders say citrus, cattle, agriculture and the phosphate industry remain key players in the local economy. But tourist revenue has increased in recent years, thanks in part to attractions such as Legoland Florida and Bok Tower Gardens. The county also was home to a couple of historic firsts: The first Publix Supermarket was built in Winter Haven. That city also was the location of Cypress Gardens, the first tourist attraction in Florida (which was later bought and reopened as Legoland). One of the fastest growing areas in Polk is around the small city of Davenport. While the city’s population is less than 4,000,

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In Polk County, Bok Tower Gardens is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places you’ll find anywhere. Its massive carillon tower was dedicated during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge. The gardens were founded by publishing magnate Edward Bok and his wife, Mary Louise Bok, whose home is still on the grounds and open for tours. ■ Although it barely topped 2,000 residents in the early 1980s, the Seminole County city of Oviedo today has a population of more than 37,000. Much of the business activity has moved from the “old” downtown to Oviedo on the Park (facing page), a 50-acre town center on the north side of Mitchell Hammock Road. The site encompasses homes, businesses, a lake, an amphitheater and a boardwalk as well as municipal buildings.

5 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

LAKELAND With a population of more than 108,000, Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County. It’s 35 miles from Tampa; 56 miles from Orlando. It’s home to several institutions of higher learning, including Southeastern University, Florida Polytechnic University and Florida Southern College, which houses the largest on-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. The MLB Detroit Tigers hold spring training in Lakeland.

WINTER HAVEN The city of about 41,000 lies just east of Lakeland. Winter Haven boasts 50 lakes, 22 boat ramps, 14 public docks and 30 waterfront parks. In 1936, the city welcomed Cypress Gardens, a botanical garden that was well known for its water ski shows and Southern Belles. Today it’s the site of Legoland.

SEMINOLE COUNTY (SEMINOLECOUNTYFL.GOV)

Population estimate: 462,659 Number of housing units: 190,321 Median value of owner-occupied homes: $201,900 Mean travel time to work (in minutes): 27.1 Median household income: $60,739 With a population of more than 462,000, Seminole County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida — jumping 9.4 percent since 2010. The county government and Seminole’s seven municipalities boast a variety of recreational opportunities, such as parks, trails, wilderness areas, libraries, museums and local attractions. Seminole sits between the major Central Florida theme parks and the Atlantic Coast. It’s an easy drive to visit Mickey Mouse or to get sand between your toes. Named after the Seminole Indians, the county has evolved over the years from a rural and agricultural area — Sanford long ago was known as the “Celery Capital of the World” — to a bedroom community for Orlando Today, however, many residents live and play — and work — in Seminole. Each of the county’s seven cities offers its own appeal: Spring 2019

STATISTICS: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, AS OF JULY 2017

its location near the Osceola line and near several major roadways has attracted a growing list of builders and developers. Other municipalities in the county, including Lakeland and Winter Haven, are south of Interstate 4 toward the center of the county.

The Seminole County city of Sanford was restored and rejuvenated about 20 years ago. Hugging the shores of Lake Monroe, Sanford today is a lively destination for shopping and dining, and boasts an array of antique emporiums and art galleries.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS The city of about 44,000 residents straddles Interstate 4 and abuts Orange County to its south and west. An outdoor town center called “Uptown Altamonte” features retail and residential areas and is home to the annual July 4 celebration called “Red, Hot, and Boom.”

CASSELBERRY The city of more than 28,000 lies just to the east of Altamonte Springs. Water recreation is popular in Casselberry, which has more than 30 lakes and waterways, including Lakes Howell, Kathryn and Concord and the Triplet Chain of Lakes. The city’s main roadways are U.S. Highway 17-92 and Semoran Boulevard.

LAKE MARY A few miles north along I-4, Lake Mary is home to about 16,000 residents. It’s also home to the county’s top private employer — the software company Convergys. In addition, several other of the county’s top employers are just next door in the Heathrow community. Those include Chase Bankcard Services and the American Automobile Association.

LONGWOOD Sitting on the northern edges of Altamonte Springs and

5 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

Casselberry, Longwood has a population of about 15,000. With its first settlers arriving in the 1870s, Longwood is proud of its heritage and showcases it through its Historic District, which covers about 190 acres encompassing nearly 40 structures. Located near the intersection of State Road 434 and County Road 427, the district includes the Longwood Hotel, the InsideOutside House and the Bradlee-McIntyre House.

OVIEDO Located in eastern Seminole County, Oviedo’s population has exploded since the 1970s. Much of that growth can be attributed to its proximity to the University of Central Florida and its research park, which is just down the road in Orange County. Oviedo’s population today tops 40,000. Its town center, called “Oviedo on the Park,” features townhomes, apartments, restaurants and retail areas. Its focal point is Center Lake Park, a man-made lake, a playground and an amphitheater.

SANFORD Hugging the southern shore of Lake Monroe, the county seat has a population of more than 59,000. Among destinations of interest are Seminole State College, the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the Orlando Sanford International Airport. Visitors and residents enjoy Sanford’s historic downtown and lakefront walking trail.

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In Volusia County, the Hatch Seafood Company is one of many colorful eateries near the 175-foottall Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. In DeLeon Springs State Park (below left) is the Old Spanish Sugar Mill, which is also a rustic restaurant where you can make your own pancakes.

WINTER SPRINGS Sandwiched between Casselberry and Lake Jesup, the city got its start through agriculture, as did other Central Florida cities. Settlers transported their products across Lake Jesup to Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River. The city originally was called North Orlando, with about 600 residents. Today it’s home to more than 36,000. One of its signature events is the annual Scottish Highland Games.

VOLUSIA COUNTY (VOLUSIA.ORG)

This county likely marks off most must-haves on relocation checklists: Good schools, outdoor recreation, miles of clean beaches, historic communities and new homes. There’s even a town — Cassadaga — famous for its large number of psychics and mediums. But it doesn’t take a fortune-teller to see growth in Volusia’s future. The Forbes 2017 List of Fastest Growing Cities in the country ranked the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Flagler County to the north, at No. 4.

5 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

STATISTICS: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, AS OF JULY 2017

Population estimate: 538,692 Number of housing units: 260,524 Median value of owner-occupied homes: $149,900 Mean travel time to work (in minutes): 25.4 Median household income: $43,838

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Daytona Beach’s brightly lit boardwalk is known to vacationers and spring breakers, of course. But the World’s Most Famous Beach is within easy driving distance of anywhere in Central Florida. Volusia County’s new-home developments are mostly within 15 minutes or so of the beach.

Volusia’s population of about 538,000 is divided into east and west Volusia. The St. Johns River flows north along the west side, which includes the inland cities of DeLand and Deltona. The Atlantic Ocean provides the county’s eastern border, within which are the oceanfront cities of Daytona Beach and Port Orange. Interstates 4 and 95 offer easy routes to Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami. In addition to water sports along the beach and Intracoastal Waterway, the St. Johns River and Lakes George, Monroe and Harney provide opportunities for boating, fishing and other water recreation. The SunRail commuter train makes its northernmost stop in DeBary. There are several choices for higher education: Daytona State College, a branch campus of the University of Central Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Keiser College, Stetson University and Nova Southeastern University. Among the 16 municipalities, DeLand and Deltona to the west and Daytona Beach and Port Orange in the east are the largest. Here’s a look:

DELTONA

DELAND

PORT ORANGE

Located between Interstate 4 and the St. Johns River, the county seat is home to more than 32,000 people. Founded in 1876, the city boasts a downtown historic district with many 19th-century buildings. Nationally recognized Stetson University was founded in DeLand in 1883. Today it has an enrollment of more than 4,000. Skydive DeLand, a nationally known skydiving facility, is based in DeLand.

Just a few miles south of Daytona Beach sits Port Orange, with a population of more than 63,000. The city got its start after the Civil War when Dr. John Milton Hawks, an abolitionist and U.S. Army surgeon, brought 500 freed slaves to the area. The history of their community, known as Freemanville, can be traced in a display at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church, which was built in 1911, on Orange Avenue. 

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The most populous city in Volusia, with more than 90,000 residents, Deltona sits alongside I-4 and just to the north of Lake Monroe. Originally called Deltona Lakes, it started in 1962 as a planned residential community. It has remained mostly residential, serving as a bedroom community for neighboring cities, including Orlando and Daytona Beach. For the city’s younger residents, there’s the Lake Butler Recreation Complex, which includes a skate park, a playground and basketball courts.

DAYTONA BEACH It has long called itself “The World’s Most Famous Beach.” While that contention may draw arguments from some, Daytona Beach does have many things going for it and its 68,000 residents. There are 23 miles of beaches with the Daytona Pier and Boardwalk. The city is home to the Daytona Beach International Airport, NASCAR, the Daytona International Speedway and the LPGA. It’s also is the site of Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

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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 fdoe.com.

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

LAKE ORIENTA

79.3

59.7

LAWTON

26.0

BENTLEY

64.3

LAYER

63.6

CARILLON

33.0

LONGWOOD

68.1

CASSELBERRY

77.4

MIDWAY

90.1

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

83.2

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2017

School Grade 2018

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

CHOICES IN LEARNING (CHARTER)

31.7

PARTIN

25.3

CRYSTAL LAKE

37.8

PINE CREST

92.2

EASTBROOK

60.5

RAINBOW

39.1

ENGLISH ESTATES

81.7

RED BUG

53.0

EVANS

42.0

SABAL POINT

36.6

FOREST CITY

76.9

SPRING LAKE

65.5

GENEVA

49.4

STENSTROM

47.1

GOLDSBORO MAGNET

61.6

STERLING PARK

59.9

HAMILTON

93.0

WALKER

24.2

HEATHROW

23.7

WEKIVA

37.6

HIGHLANDS

69.5

WICKLOW

88.4

IDYLLWILDE

88.5

WILSON

31.1

KEETH

35.7

WINTER SPRINGS

79.2

LAKE MARY

59.3

WOODLANDS

31.3

SEMINOLE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS CHILES

28.8

MILWEE

69.5

GREENWOOD LAKES

67.8

ROCK LAKE

42.3

INDIAN TRAILS

44.3

SANFORD

53.5

JACKSON HEIGHTS

35.3

SOUTH SEMINOLE

73.9

MARKHAM WOODS

48.6

TEAGUE

61.0

MILLENNIUM

72.2

TUSKAWILLA

58.4

SEMINOLE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS CROOMS ACADEMY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

HAGERTY

23.9

LAKE BRANTLEY

52.0

LAKE HOWELL

56.7

LAKE MARY

45.5

45.3

100

LYMAN

58.8

OVIEDO

38.7

SEMINOLE

57.4

WINTER SPRINGS

58.7

21.5

35.2

SEMINOLE COUNTY VIRTUAL FRANCHISE

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

26.8

6 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

SEMINOLE SCIENCE K-8 (CHARTER)

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

100.0

MICHIGAN AVENUE

86.6

100.0

MILL CREEK

100.0

CHESTNUT SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

100.0

NARCOOSSEE

45.5

CYPRESS

100.0

DEERWOOD

100.0

EAST LAKE

85.5

FLORA RIDGE

51.9

HICKORY TREE

65.5

HIGHLANDS

100.0

KISSIMMEE

100.0

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2017

School Grade 2018

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

CENTRAL AVENUE

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

BOGGY CREEK

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OSCEOLA COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS NEPTUNE

100.0

PARTIN SETTLEMENT

85.4

PLEASANT HILL

98.3

POINCIANA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

100.0

REEDY CREEK

98.1

ST. CLOUD

58.0

SUNRISE

97.0

98.5

100.0

KOA

100.0

THACKER AVENUE SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

LAKEVIEW

88.6

VENTURA

OSCEOLA COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS DENN JOHN

100.0

NARCOOSSEE

58.2

DISCOVERY INTERMEDIATE

100.0

NEPTUNE

91.5

HORIZON

92.3

PARKWAY

100.0

KISSIMMEE

100.0

ST. CLOUD

60.9

NEW DIMENSIONS

88.5

OSCEOLA

100.0

POINCIANA

98.4

PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL

68.5

100

ST. CLOUD

65.2

ST. CLOUD PREPARATORY ACADEMY

61.9

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

100.0

CELEBRATION

61.9

FOUR CORNERS UPPER 9-12 (CHARTER)

69.7

GATEWAY

98.0

HARMONY

44.9

LIBERTY

96.8

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

100.0

65.9

32.4

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

72.0

88.3

CELEBRATION SCHOOL K-8

28.1

100.0

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

100.0

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

FLORIDA CYBER K-12 (CHARTER)

9.7

FOUR CORNERS K-8 (CHARTER)

66.6

HARMONY COMMUNITY SCHOOL

38.9

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)

94.4

100.0

80.1

53.6

67.4

100.0

57.0

100.0

95.3

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100.0

LITTLE RIVER

100.0

APOPKA

100.0

LOCKHART

100.0

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

LAWTON CHILES

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

65.8

School Grade 2017

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

100.0

School Grade 2018

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2017

School Grade 2018

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

ANDOVER

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

ALOMA

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ORANGE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS -

AVALON

30.9

LOVELL

100.0

AZALEA PARK

100.0

MEADOW WOODS

100.0

BALDWIN PARK

40.0

METROWEST

82.5

BAY LAKE

38.0

MICHAEL MCCOY

100.0

BAY MEADOWS

44.3

MILLENNIA

100.0

BONNEVILLE

100.0

MILLENNIA GARDENS

100.0

BROOKSHIRE

53.2

MOLLIE RAY

100.0

CAMELOT

68.0

MOSS PARK

39.8

CASTLE CREEK

100.0

NAP FORD COMMUNITY (CHARTER)

100.0

CATALINA

100.0

NORTHLAKE PARK COMMUNITY

46.4

CHENEY

100.0

OAK HILL

100.0

CHICKASAW

100.0

OAKLAND AVENUE (CHARTER)

33.1

CITRUS

100.0

OAKSHIRE

100.0

CLAY SPRINGS

100.0

OCOEE

100.0

COLUMBIA

63.3

ORANGE CENTER

100.0

CONWAY

100.0

ORLANDO SCIENCE (CHARTER)

49.0

CYPRESS PARK

100.0

ORLO VISTA

100.0

CYPRESS SPRINGS

58.0

PALM LAKE

51.5

DEERWOOD

63.7

PALMETTO

100.0

DILLARD STREET

100.0

PERSHING-PINE CASTLE

88.3

DOMMERICH

22.3

PHYLLIS WHEATLEY

100.0

DOVER SHORES

100.0

PINAR

100.0

DR. PHILLIPS

39.1

PINE HILLS

100.0

DREAM LAKE

100.0

PINECREST CREEK (CHARTER)

93.0

DURRANCE

100.0

PINELOCH

100.0

EAGLE CREEK

42.6

PINEWOOD

100.0

EAGLES NEST

100.0

PRAIRIE LAKE

80.1

EAST LAKE

60.6

PRINCETON

41.5

ECCLESTON

100.0

RIDGEWOOD PARK

100.0

ENDEAVOR

72.7

RIVERDALE

100.0

ENGELWOOD

100.0

RIVERSIDE

100.0

FORSYTH WOODS

100.0

ROCK LAKE

100.0

HIAWASSEE

100.0

ROCK SPRINGS

72.7

HIDDEN OAKS

77.5

ROLLING HILLS

100.0

HILLCREST

37.0

ROSEMONT

100.0

HUNGERFORD

100.0

SADLER

100.0

HUNTERS CREEK

58.9

SAND LAKE

51.6

INDEPENDENCE

24.7

SHENANDOAH

60.9

IVEY LANE

100.0

SHINGLE CREEK

100.0

JOHN YOUNG

81.8

SOUTHWOOD

100.0

KEENES CROSSING

28.0

SPRING LAKE

100.0

KID’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE (CHARTER) OCOEE

80.1

STONE LAKES

33.6

KILLARNEY

100.0

LAKE COMO

100.0

LAKE GEM

100.0

LAKE GEORGE

100.0

LAKE SILVER

100.0

LAKE SYBELIA

62.9

LAKE WESTON

100.0

LAKE WHITNEY

25.4

LAKEMONT

55.6

LAKEVILLE

100.0

LANCASTER

100.0

LAUREATE PARK

22.1

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

SUN BLAZE

61.9

SUNRIDGE

63.0

SUNRISE

34.2

SUNSET PARK

33.6

TANGELO PARK

100.0

THORNEBROOKE

35.8

THREE POINTS

100.0

TILDENVILLE

83.1

TIMBER LAKES

46.2

UCP EAST (CHARTER)

66.8

UNION PARK

100.0

VENTURA

100.0

VISTA LAKES

59.0

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

100.0

WHISPERING OAK

25.0

100.0

WILLIAM FRANGUS

100.0

WATERFORD

54.2

WILLIAM S. MAXEY

100.0

WEST CREEK

53.4

WINDERMERE

11.3

WEST OAKS

100.0

WINEGARD

100.0

WESTBROOKE

57.6

WOLF LAKE

51.5

WESTPOINTE

71.7

WYNDHAM LAKES

100.0

WETHERBEE

100.0

ZELLWOOD

100.0

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2017

School Grade 2018

44 60

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

31 52

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

ORANGE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS APOPKA

79.1

LEGACY

72.9

AVALON

31.2

LIBERTY

100.0

BRIDGEWATER

32.4

LOCKHART

100.0

CARVER

100.0

MAITLAND

47.4

CHAIN OF LAKES

77.1

MEADOW WOODS

100.0

COLLEGE PARK

100.0

MEADOWBROOK

100.0

CONWAY

73.1

MEMORIAL

100.0

CORNER LAKE

71.8

OCOEE

80.5

DISCOVERY

48.1

ODYSSEY

70.4

FREEDOM

100.0

PIEDMONT LAKES

100.0

GLENRIDGE

52.3

ROBINSWOOD

100.0

GOTHA

66.1

SOUTH CREEK

100.0

HOWARD

51.7

SOUTHWEST

59.5

HUNTERS CREEK

57.8

STONEWALL JACKSON

100.0

INNOVATION

52.0

SUNRIDGE

36.6

JUDSON B. WALKER

100.0

TIMBER SPRINGS

58.8

LAKE NONA

46.1

UNION PARK

100.0

LAKEVIEW

73.0

WESTRIDGE

100.0

WOLF LAKE

64.9

ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS APOPKA

65.6

MAYNARD EVANS

100.0

COLONIAL

100.0

OAK RIDGE

100.0

CORNERSTONE CHARTER ACADEMY

43.0

OCOEE

78.0

CYPRESS CREEK

100.0

OLYMPIA

58.3

DR. PHILLIPS

60.8

TIMBER CREEK

39.2

EAST RIVER

61.5

UNIVERSITY

68.5

72.7

WEKIVA

100.0

71.1

WEST ORANGE

43.8

JONES

100.0

WILLIAM R. BOONE

55.0

LAKE NONA

50.6

WINDERMERE

31.6

LEGACY (CHARTER)

0.0

100

WINTER PARK

42.5

EDGEWATER FREEDOM

ORANGE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS ARBOR RIDGE K-8

61.4

ORANGE COUNTY VIRTUAL K-12

25.6

BLANKNER K-8

36.5

100.0

46.7

BRIDGEPREP K-8 (CHARTER)

ORLANDO SCIENCE MIDDLE HIGH 6-12 (CHARTER)

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

PASSPORT K-8 (CHARTER)

78.1

100.0

89.3

18.6

0.0

36.6

HOPE K-8 (CHARTER) INNOVATION MONTESSORI OCOEE K-8 (CHARTER)

6.2

23.5

LAKE EOLA K-8 (CHARTER)

0.5

33.2

100.0

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)

62.8

WEDGEFIELD SCHOOL K-8

53.1

WINDY RIDGE K-8 (CHARTER)

55.5

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

100.0

69.9

SPRING 2019

â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

KATHLEEN

100.0

KINGSFORD

100.0

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

100.0

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

100.0

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2017

School Grade 2018

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 AUBURNDALE CENTRAL

100.0

LAKE ALFRED

99.8

BARTOW ACADEMY

33.5

LAKE SHIPP

100.0

BEN HILL GRIFFIN JR.

100.0

LAKELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL HOUSE (CHARTER)

7.1

LAUREL

100.0

LENA VISTA

100.0

LEWIS ANNA WOODBURY

100.0

LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY

28.5

LOUGHMAN OAKS

97.5

MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY (CHARTER)

0.0

MCKEEL CENTRAL ACADEMY K-6

30.5

MEDULLA

93.1

NORTH LAKELAND

100.0

OSCAR J. POPE

100.0

PALMETTO

100.0

PHILIP O’BRIEN

100.0

PINEWOOD

100.0

POLK AVENUE

100.0

POLK CITY

96.3

PURCELL

100.0

R. BRUCE WAGNER

89.6

R. CLEM CHURCHWELL

84.5

SANDHILL

98.6

SCOTT LAKE

68.0

SLEEPY HILL

100.0

SOCRUM

97.9

SOUTH MCKEEL ACADEMY K-7

28.3

SOUTHWEST

100.0

SPESSARD L. HOLLAND

65.3

SPOOK HILL

100.0

VALLEYVIEW

40.4

WAHNETA

100.0

WALTER CALDWELL

97.9

WENDELL WATSON

69.9

WINSTON ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

80.4

BERKLEY

45.6

BETHUNE ACADEMY

74.7

CARLTON PALMORE

90.2

CHAIN OF LAKES

73.9

CLARENCE BOSWELL

100.0

CLEVELAND COURT

72.4

COMBEE ACADEMY

100.0

CRYSTAL LAKE

100.0

DALE R. FAIR BABSON PARK

92.2

DIXIELAND

100.0

DR. N.E. ROBERTS

89.2

DUNDEE ACADEMY

87.4

EAGLE LAKE

100.0

EASTSIDE

100.0

EDGAR L. PADGETT

93.6

ELBERT

99.3

FLORAL AVENUE

100.0

FRANK E. BRIGHAM ACADEMY

39.7

FRED G. GARNER

100.0

GARDEN GROVE

85.0

GIBBONS STREET

100.0

GRIFFIN

100.0

HARTRIDGE ACADEMY

60.6

HIGHLAND CITY

80.8

HIGHLANDS GROVE

62.7

HILLCREST

100.0

HORIZONS

93.7

INWOOD

100.0

JAMES E. STEPHENS

100.0

JAMES W. SIKES

77.8

JANIE HOWARD WILSON

100.0

JESSE KEEN

100.0

JOHN SNIVELY

100.0

POLK COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS BARTOW

89.0

LAKE GIBSON

77.5

BERKLEY ACCELERATED (CHARTER)

43.7

LAKE MARION CREEK

100.0

BOK ACADEMY (CHARTER)

63.9

LAKELAND HIGHLANDS

46.2

CRYSTAL LAKE

100.0

LAKELAND MONTESSORI (CHARTER)

17.7

DANIEL JENKINS ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY

72.9

LAWTON CHILES ACADEMY

32.6

DENISON

93.3

MCLAUGHLIN FINE ARTS ACADEMY

100.0

DISCOVERY ACADEMY OF LAKE ALFRED (CHARTER)

77.6

MULBERRY

90.0

DUNDEE RIDGE

77.1

SHELLEY S. BOONE

100.0

JERE L. STAMBAUGH

99.5

SLEEPY HILL

95.9

JEWETT ACADEMY MAGNET

43.6

SOUTHWEST

96.5

KATHLEEN

100.0

UNION ACADEMY

33.1

LAKE ALFRED POLYTECH ACADEMY

100.0

WESTWOOD

100.0

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

LAKE REGION

77.0

LAKE WALES

70.6

LAKELAND

55.6

MCKEEL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY 7-12

33.1

100

MULBERRY

74.2

POLK PRE-COLLEGIATE ACADEMY 9-10

23.0

0.7

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

School Grade 2017

57.9

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2018

67.7

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2017

School Grade 2018

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

POLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS A

2.3

100

77.1

FORT MEADE MIDDLE/SENIOR

95.3

FROSTPROOF MIDDLE/SENIOR

89.7

GEORGE W. JENKINS

38.2

HAINES CITY

80.2

KATHLEEN

78.5

LAKE GIBSON

61.3

POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE RIDGE COMMUNITY

67.9

TENOROC

87.2

67.0

66.1

71.7

77.4

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2017

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

DISCOVERY

CHAIN OF LAKES COLLEGIATE

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

BARTOW

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

AUBURNDALE

WINTER HAVEN

3.9

50.5

54.3

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

59 73

82.8

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

School Grade 2018

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

POLK COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS 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

87.2

MINNEOLA CONVERSION (CHARTER)

61.0

LAKE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ALTOONA

83.8

ASTATULA

69.1

BEVERLY SHORES

95.3

PINE RIDGE

53.6

CLERMONT

84.8

ROUND LAKE

39.1

CYPRESS RIDGE

31.8

SAWGRASS BAY

79.7

EUSTIS

81.6

SEMINOLE SPRINGS

72.6

EUSTIS HEIGHTS

90.6

SORRENTO

63.5

FRUITLAND PARK

85.5

TAVARES

76.4

GRASSY LAKE

54.2

84.7

THE VILLAGES ELEMENTARY OF LADY LAKE

81.5

GROVELAND LEESBURG

93.9

TREADWAY

80.0

LOST LAKE

51.9

TRIANGLE

89.9

UMATILLA

76.3

LAKE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS CARVER

83.3

MOUNT DORA

65.6

CLERMONT

68.2

OAK PARK

92.5

EAST RIDGE

56.6

TAVARES

71.2

EUSTIS

75.9

UMATILLA

78.9

GRAY

71.7

WINDY HILL

58.4

LAKE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS LEESBURG

78.6

MOUNT DORA

59.3

SOUTH LAKE

62.2

64.3

TAVARES

60.2

48.8

UMATILLA

73.2

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM

85.7

EAST RIDGE

56.7

EUSTIS

LAKE MINNEOLA

SPRING 2019

â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

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 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

PINECREST LAKES ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

18.2

SPRING CREEK PK-8 (CHARTER)

88.7

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2017

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

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

17.6

LAKE COUNTY VIRTUAL K-12

26.1

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

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

91.4

OSTEEN

79.4

CHAMPION

86.5

PALM TERRACE

95.6

CHISHOLM

68.1

PATHWAYS

53.6

CITRUS GROVE

73.9

PIERSON

89.6

CORONADO BEACH

42.5

PINE TRAIL

57.4

CYPRESS CREEK

38.4

PORT ORANGE

71.5

DEBARY

51.7

PRIDE

83.3

DELTONA LAKES

84.8

R. J. LONGSTREET

77.7

DISCOVERY

91.6

READ-PATTILLO

78.0

VOLUSIA COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

EDGEWATER PUBLIC

78.8

SAMSULA ACADEMY

4.1

EDITH I. STARKE

97.0

SOUTH DAYTONA

85.4

ENTERPRISE

84.3

SPIRIT

85.5

FOREST LAKE

80.3

SPRUCE CREEK

70.4

FREEDOM

59.0

SUGAR MILL

76.3

FRIENDSHIP

92.7

SUNRISE

83.8

GEORGE W. MARKS

72.0

SWEETWATER

52.3

HORIZON

68.9

THE READING EDGE ACADEMY

10.0

INDIAN RIVER

77.0

TIMBERCREST

76.4

LOUISE S. MCINNIS

91.6

TOMOKA

57.1

MANATEE COVE

77.4

TURIE T. SMALL

98.3

ORANGE CITY

85.5

VOLUSIA PINES

84.1

ORMOND BEACH

80.6

WESTSIDE

95.9

WOODWARD AVENUE

78.9

ORTONA

82.3

OSCEOLA

73.3

VOLUSIA COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS CAMPBELL

94.2

HERITAGE

79.9

CREEKSIDE

44.2

NEW SMYRNA BEACH

64.8

DAVID C. HINSON SR.

63.7

ORMOND BEACH

60.1

DELAND

74.6

RIVER SPRINGS

67.4

DELTONA

84.0

SILVER SANDS

65.0

GALAXY

81.6

SOUTHWESTERN

77.4

VOLUSIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS ATLANTIC

67.5

PINE RIDGE

75.1

DELAND

63.0

SEABREEZE

45.6

DELTONA

76.3

SPRUCE CREEK

43.4

MAINLAND

75.8

UNIVERSITY

64.5

NEW SMYRNA BEACH

57.5

T. DEWITT TAYLOR MIDDLE-HIGH

82.1

46.5

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

46.0

HOLLY HILL K-8

95.4

6 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201A; 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)

HOW TO

PICK A PRO How do you pick the right person to represent you or your home? Here are a few do’s and don’ts you should consider when selecting a real estate agent. Naturally, check to make certain the agent’s license is current. Also, find out if the agent is, in fact, a Realtor. “The National Association of Realtors has a code of ethics that will knock your socks off, and they are very strict in dealing with people who don’t abide by them,” said Donald R. Brenner, the late professor emeritus at American University and a specialist in housing issues. Also, only Realtors have access to Multiple Listing Services (MLS) through which members share listings and have access to many more properties than nonmembers. In addition, during your search you should:  ASK AROUND. Talk to people you trust for recommendations, particularly those who’ve had recent experience buying or selling a home.  LOOK ONLINE. Some websites, such as Zillow,

have agent reviews. Of course, anyone can post anything these days, so don’t rely strictly on online commentaries.  FIND A SPECIALIST. Look for someone with experience in your price range or your geographic area. Many pros advertise their areas of expertise.  CONDUCT INTERVIEWS. What is the agent’s specific marketing plan for your home? Is real estate the agent’s full-time profession? How many homes has the agent listed and sold this year?  CHECK REFERENCES. Get the names of the agent’s past clients and give them a call. Would they use the agent again?  AVOID “DUAL AGENCIES.” These are agencies that represent both the buyer and the seller. Your goal is to find someone who is in your corner exclusively. To find a Realtor, or for more information about Realtors and Orlando-area real estate, visit the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA) at orlrealtor.com.

rsh R d

15A

Main St

e Bl v d

Sipes Ave

Lake Ashby Rd

Pell Rd ill B

lvd

N Central Ave S Central Ave

St way

road

R La ed B ke ug Rd

Econlockhatchee Trl

Chickasaw Trl

Alafaya Trl

eh Pin

Snow Hill Rd

Lone Palm Rd

Hancock Lone Pine Rd

Chickasaw Trl

Snow Hill Rd

awill Tusk

Tuskawilla Rd

Alafaya Trl

Lake Howell Rd

Temple Dr

Lakemont Ave

e Exwy

Ramp

Kirby Smith Rd

Bee Lin

Conway Gardens Rd

Chickasaw Trl

Goldenrod Rd

Crystal Lake Dr

Cameron Ave

Pa rk

Sanford Ave Dr

r oD

SO rlan d

ve E Lake St

od A

Ave

rlan

Winter Park Rd Bumby Ave

Beardall Ave

S French Ave

N Airport Blvd

Upsala Rd

Rd S Country Club Rd N Country Club Rantoul Ln

gwood Lake Mary Rd

Lon

Range Line Rd

Lo n

Ora nge Ave

P r e v a t t Av e

g Jr

er Kin

D r M a rt i n Lu t h K e n t u c k y Av e

Veterans Memorial Pkwy

N No l

lto n aB De

d Blv

eall

rd B

Cha r l e s R

icha

Boggy Creek Rd

Clapp Simms Duda Rd

rco o Rd ssee

Fells Cove

Lake Myrtle

Simpson Rd eR

East Lake Tohopekaliga

Partin Settlement Rd

Kings Hwy

ore

Cypress Ave 10th St 16th St

St. Cloud

Lake Lizzie

Bay Lake

Lake Colin

Buck Lake

Alligator Lake

Hickory Tree Rd

Harmony

Cat Lake

o Br

534

Nova Rd

Trout Lake

Deer Run Rd

441

Coon Lake

rove

Kissimmee Park Rd

ek Rd

Cypress Pkwy

192

R va

Lake Preston

Lake Joel

g Sun

Lake Tohopekaliga

Lake Center

Rummell Rd

Mississippi Ave Hickory Tree Rd

tun

Vermont Ave

Nep

Tram Rd

Smith St

P rovid

Woodland Blvd

Fatio Rd Orange Blvd

Lake Emma Rd

Markham Woods Rd

Palm Springs Dr

Parramore Ave

Rio Grande Ave

Orange Blossom Trl

You Pkw ng y

John Young Pkwy

Texas Ave

Orange Blossom Trl

Bermuda Ave

Thacker Ave

Buena Ventura Lakes

Rockwood Dr

Poinciana Blvd

Irlo

Bourne Rd

Rinehart Rd

Longwood Markham Rd

Lake Markham Rd

Raymond Ave

Montgomery Rd

Maitland Ave

Orlando Ave

Bear Lake Rd

Forest City Rd

Magnolia Homes Rd

Tampa Ave

Ivey Ln

Bruton Blvd

ak Turkey L e Rd

Dr Phillips Blvd Della Dr

Wes tw Blvd ood

Appopka-Vineland Rd

Thornton Ave

Powers Dr

Hastings St

Hiawassee Rd

Kirkman Rd

Clark Rd

Good Homes Rd ApopkaVineland Rd

Forest City Rd

Lakeville Rd

Hiawassee Rd

Apopka Vineland Rd

Rose Ave

Sheeler Rd

Hu nt Club Blvd

Wekiwa Springs Rd

Thompson Rd

Park Ave Hempel Ave

Mercy Dr

Rock Springs Rd

Vick Rd

Marden Rd

World Dr

Line Dr

Plymouth Sorrento Rd

Brick Lake

Lake Gentry

on M

OSCEOLA COUNTY

em o

ria l Hw

192

Marion Rd

Poinciana Pkwy

Jack

Watkins Rd

R aw

lop

Lake

Cypress Lake

523 Lake Hatchineha

Flori

das

Tpk

Kissimmee KisRiver sim eR

e re

ive

Lake Pierce

Lake Mabel Loop Rd

Pine St

Hatc hin Cana eha l

Dr La ke sh or e

Binion Rd

opka Rd Ocoee Ap

Maguire Rd

Windermere Rd

Avalon Rd

Pine Hills Rd

Duxbury Ave

Round Lake Rd Round Lake Rd

Vineland Rd

World D

Lake

Wilson Rd Old Lake Wilson Rd

ar sP

530

Hickory Tree Rd

East

Cocoa Water Plant Rd

Lake Mary Jane Rd

Lake Mary Jane

Canoe Cre

Blvd

Dallas Blvd

Narcoossee Rd

Lake Hart

Tindall Rd

ke Floridas Tp

Powerline Rd

Hartzog Rd

528

Caspian

542

Bee Line Exwy Ramp

Pope St

sse

Sand Hill Rd

520

o rco

wy Gn

ri l Flo tra Cen

r Cre

o Tayl

Moss Park Rd

n Ca

Econlockhatchee River

417

Lake Nona

Wheeler Rd

ial D

Wewahootee Rd

Orlando Int'l Airport

d Ol

as R d

Fort Christmas Rd

Colon

Bee Line Exwy

Kissimmee Park Rd

Cr u

Ch rist m

528

sh ke

Loop Rd

r Fo

Dallas Blvd

as R

St Johns River

tt Rd

Judge Rd

Buckeye

stm

Bithlo

rl aT fay Ala

You

Chri

Lake Picke

420

Lake Pickett Rd

Riv

Lake Pickett

uota

Trl

a Gnw

436

stm

hns

Chul

Tanner Rd

420

hri

SEMINOLE COUNTY

420

l Florid

551

Hoffner Ave

Cabbage Slough

St Jo

Lockwood Blvd

aya Alf

Woodbury Rd

Little Econlockhatchee River

Curry Ford Rd

port Air lvd B

6th St

Volusia Ave

Ave

Ce ntra l

Umatilla Rd r Du nc an D

Monroe St

Haines Creek Rd

rt C

Centra

ke sh Dr ore

Bro

Alafaya Trl

erhill Rd Und

e Lak

Mills Lake Lake Mills Rd

419

Dean Rd

El Prado Ave

Chuluota

419

ORANGE

408

Puzzle Lk

Brumley Rd

E 2nd St

434

Union Park

Lake Underhill Dr

Pershing Ave

Semoran Blvd

Dean Rd

Econlockhatchee Trl

Valencia College Ln

Lake Nixon

Lake Eva

Rouse Rd

Goldenrod Rd

Forsyth Rd

Dixie Belle Dr

Old 9 Foot Rd

d Blvd

Long Lake

Bath Lake

Lokanotosa Trl

425

Round Lake

Oviedo

Alafaya Trl

University Blvd

S tat

Camp Rd

Spirit Lake Rd

Dea

Semoran Blvd Ranger Blvd

Gaston Foster Rd

Tindel

rla

halet

McCulloch Rd Rd McCulloch

Ravlerson Cv Old Mims Rd

Canal Rd

Thompson

Waverly

552

Michigan Ave

South Port Can

Lake Hatchineha Rd

Dundee

550

540

Deep Lake

417

tan YucaDr

Bee Line Exwy

Tradeport Dr

546

Cypress Gardens

Lake Proctor

Buck Lake

Puzzle Lake

Boggy Creek Rd

Lake Russell

Tim

540A

542

Conway Rd

ALT 27

Lake Hamilton

Bennett Rd

Lake Eloise

ven

ill

Eagle Lake Lake Loop Rd Mc Leod

Lake Marion

544

Lake Hamilton

Azalea Park

Koa S

Boggy Creek Rd

Lk Harney

426

Lake Hayes

Sand Rd

tur

Lake Harney

Lake Charm Geneva Dr

Chapman Rd

551

527A

Florida Pkwy

Gopher Slough

R art NH Harts Lake Geneva

Island Pond

426

417

Buen

or e

Eagle Lake

Lake Lulu

Country Club Rd

Ave

Alo

Wetherbee Rd

Meadow Wood

Lake

417

Bear Guilly Lake e

r Blvd

Buckeye Rd

Lake Winter Inwood Cannon 542 Lake Haven Lake Jan Deer Howard Lake Lake Mariam Phyl 540 Otis

Hanging Moss Rd

Lake Lake Conine Lake Fannie Smart

527

eola

Howard Ave

University Blvd

436

Blv

Lake Hartridge

544

Tradeport D

la Rd

E Osceo

Osc

Kentucky St

434

Ave

Summerfield Rd

655

Haines City

544

4th St

Marquette Ave

r ek D

Ariana

Pleasant Hill Rd

Lake Rochelle

Lake Henry Lucerne Park Rd

Aloma

426

cia

Lake Mariana

gold

Dike Rd

Howell Branch Rd

Goldenrod

Gatlin Ave

Little Lake Conway

580

17 Lake Haines

Mari

580

re on C

507

Lake Alfred

Tower Lake

Mari

urndale Lake

Lake Lowry

South Blvd

Lake

Lake Alfred

Hammock Lake

Reaves Rd

Lake Ann

Conway

528A

Kissimmee

E Airport Blvd

EL a D ke

in Po

Lake Van

Morris Rd

Reedy Creek

Poinciana Place

Davenport

Vine St

Pershing Ave Gatlin Ave

Campbell Ham Brown Rd

Lake Arietta

559

Bonnet Lake

Lake Lowry Rd

557

547

441

Lake Margaret Dr

415

Lake Cockran

Little Lake Howell

Casselberry

Landstreet Rd

Thorpe Rd

Trl

e Laurel Av

557

Lake uliana

n dendro Rhodo Ave

North Blvd

Lake Mattie

ossom

Lake St. Charles

Gum Lake

Cla

nge Bl

557A

547 4

Patrick St

Blvd

Osceola Pkwy

a cian

ell R

Old Grade Rd

Fuss

92 17

417

International Dr

Loughman

527A

Winter Springs

Curry Ford Rd

Belle Isle Conway Pine LakeNela Castle Ave

535

Osceola Pkwy

S Ora

Lake Jessamine

Taft-Vineland Rd

423

Osceola Pkwy

Osceola Polk Line Rd

582

Williamsburg

Michigan Ave

Edgewood

Lancaster Rd

Bee Line Exwy

Poin

l Rd

528

da Pkw Central Flori

Holden Ave

Sky Lake

482

d lan

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 2017-2018 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Bradford Creek 14106 Creekbed Circle, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • lennar.com

Schools/Grades: William S. Maxey (A); SunRidge (A); West Orange (B) Amenities: Gated community; children’s play area Builders: Lennar Homes, 407-796-9081 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $390s Notes: Near shopping and dining at Winter Garden Village; easy access to S.R. 429; homes feature a tankless natural gas water heater and more.

Eagle Creek 10350 Emerson Lake Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32832 • lennar.com, 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: Lennar Homes, 407-796-9088; Jones Homes USA, 407-636-9261 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid-$400s; single-family, from the $300s Notes: Village Center with elegant hotel planned; near Lake Nona’s Medical City and Orlando International Airport; 40 minutes to the Atlantic beaches.

Estancia at Windermere 1106 Estancia Woods Loop, Windermere, FL 34786 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Windermere (A); Bridgewater (A); West Orange (B) Amenities: Natural-gas community featuring elegant, environmentally efficient homes Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-618-8998 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $700s Notes: Prestigious community just minutes from downtown historic Windermere and outstanding shopping and dining; residents enjoy recreation on the Butler Chain of Lakes.

Estates at Sweetwater Country Club 2633 Roveri Avenue, Sweetwater, Florida 32712 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Clay Springs (C); Piedmont Lakes (C); Wekiva (C) Amenities: Gated community; across from Wekiva Springs State Park, clubhouse, swimming pool Builder: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-512-8120 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the low $300s; single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Lawn care provided

Gatherings of Lake Nona 7573 Laureate Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32832 • beazer.com

Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (A); Lake Nona (B) Amenities: Internet and cable included; each home has a private balcony and a one-car garage Builders: Beazer Homes, 321-445-5050 Products/Prices: Condominiums, from the $280s 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.

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Goldenrod Reserve 4190 South Goldenrod Road, Orlando, Florida 32822 • parksquarehomes.com Schools/Grades: Three Points (C); Odyssey (B); Colonial (C) Amenities: Gated community; pool, tot lot Builder: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3515 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid-$200s Notes: Complete lawncare and common area maintenance provided.

Hamlin Reserve 15349 Shonan Gold Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Keene’s Crossing (A); Bridgewater (A); Windermere (B) Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, walking trails, parks and green spaces, waterfront village and marina Builders: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-614-0175 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $320s; townhomes, from the $280s Notes: Located just 20 minutes from downtown Orlando; walk to the waterfront village and marina, which will be home to a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options as well as miles of trails and lakefront boardwalks.

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

Schools/Grades: Independence (A); Bridgewater (A); Windermere (B) Amenities: On-site clubhouse and community pool, walking trails, neighborhood parks, lakes Builders: Toll Brothers, 407-778-5200 Products/Prices: Single family and townhomes, from the high $400s Notes: Luxurious community featuring executive and estate homes with exquisite architectural appointments, outstanding standard features and hundreds of customization options.

Latham Park 14406 Shocklach Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Independence (A); Bridgewater (A); West Orange (B) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, surrounded by lakes and conservation areas Builders: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-395-9756 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $320s Notes: Features four series of single-family homes with water and conservation-view homesites available; located near schools, shopping and dining at the Lakeside Village Center, Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves and historic downtown Winter Garden.

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

Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (A); Lake Nona (B) Amenities: Pool, bike trails, dog park, pocket parks, fitness center, community garden Builders: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-543-6451; 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, mid-$200s-$800s; 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.

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ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES Oakland Park 15211 East Oakland Avenue, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • liveatoaklandpark.com, davidweekleyhomes.com, dreamfindershomes.com, jjbuilding.com, rcbhomes.com, vintageestatehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Tildenville (B); Lakeview (C); West Orange (B) Amenities: Pool and recreation area, pocket parks, West Orange Trail runs through community, charming streetscape with sidewalks Builders: David Weekley Homes, 407-865-8295; Dream Finders Homes, 407-347-3387; J&J Building, 407-476-7520; RCB Homes, 407-876-0729; Vintage Estate Homes, 407-721-0743 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Located just minutes from historic downtown Winter Garden on the shores of Lake Apopka; certified green homes in a traditionally styled neighborhood.

Orchard Hills and Orchard Park Tiny Road and Magnolia Ridge Loop, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • lennar.com, kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Keene’s Crossing (A); Bridgewater (A); West Orange (B) Amenities: Clubhouse, resort-style pool, fitness center, rec room Builders: Lennar Homes, 407-495-1272; KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s; townhomes, from the high $240s Notes: Located on the north side of Horizon West; minutes from major attractions; multimilliondollar amenities complex planned; just 7 miles from historic downtown Winter Garden.

Overlook at Hamlin 7719 Minutemen Loop, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Independence (A); Bridgewater (A); West Orange (B) Amenities: Community clubhouse, splash park, fitness center, walking trails, pool, sports lawn, fire pit, waterfront amphitheater, covered pavilion Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-905-4651 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $400s to over $1 million Notes: Located on the north side of Horizon West, just minutes from major attractions and 7 miles from historic downtown Winter Garden; multimillion-dollar amenities complex planned; waterfront homesites available.

Oxford Chase 608 Oxford Chase Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • mattamyhomes.com

Schools/Grades: SunRidge (B); SunRidge (A); West Orange (B) Amenities: Two gated entrances Builders: Mattamy Homes, 407-499-8733 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $340s Notes: An impressive variety of luxury estate homes with four to six bedrooms and old-time front porches; generous homesites; neighborhood paths and trails; near shopping and dining at Winter Garden Village.

Poe Reserve 1383 Ralph Poe Drive, Apopka, FL 32703 • marondahomes.com

Schools/Grades: Apopka (B); Apopka (C); Apopka (B) Amenities: Intimate neighborhood Builders: Maronda Homes, 866-617-3803 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $270s Notes: Located near S.R. 441 and S.R. 451 in Apopka; Florida’s Turnpike also easily accessible; excellent shopping and restaurants are only minutes away; near state parks with camping, canoeing, biking and swimming.

SPRING 2019

ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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Preserve at Crown Point 1960 Crown Point Parkway, Ocoee, FL 34761 • mattamyhomes.com

Schools/Grades: Prairie Lake (C); Lakeview (C); Ocoee (C) Amenities: Gated community; pool, park, cabana Builders: Mattamy Homes, 407-955-5113 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $280s Notes: Located on the banks of Lake Apopka, Florida’s third largest lake; a short drive to downtown Ocoee and Winter Garden as well as Walt Disney World and other theme parks.

Reserve at Sawgrass 3948 Parkhouse Drive, Orlando, FL 32824 • beazer.com

Schools/Grades: Wetherbee (B); South Creek (B); Cypress Creek (B) Amenities: Cabana and pool, playground Builders: Beazer Homes, 407-459-4952 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $380s Notes: Close to shopping and restaurants, Florida Mall, Lake Nona Town Center and Lake Nona’s Medical City; easy access to Florida’s Turnpike and major highways.

Vineyard Square II 13821 Ingelnook Drive, Windermere, FL 34786 • kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Keene’s Crossing (A); Bridgewater (A); Windermere (B) Amenities: Neighborhood pool and cabana, tot lot, passive park Builders: KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the high $290s Notes: Near major employers, including Walt Disney World, Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge and Universal Orlando Resort; close to dining, shopping and entertainment in downtown Windermere and Winter Garden Village; near hiking, walking and biking at Tibet-Butler Preserve.

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.

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7 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

SEMINOLE 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 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 2017-2018 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Enclave at Altamonte 182 Sun Palm Lane, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Lake Orienta (C); Milwee (B); Lyman (B) Amenities: Community pool, cabana, fire pit and playground, energy-efficient designs Builders: Ashton Woods, 407-960-4451 Products/Prices: Three-story townhomes, from the high $290s Notes: Only 108 townhomes; within walking distance of local shopping and dining; homes may be personalized; excellent access to I-4 and most major highways.

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

Schools/Grades: Eastbrook (C); 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: Townhomes, from the high $200s; single-family, from the mid $300s Notes: Located along the southern shores of Lake Howell.

Retreat at Lake Charm 1101 Fieldstone Circle, Oviedo, FL 32765 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Lawton (B); Jackson Heights (A); Oviedo (A) Amenities: Gated community; just 46 homesites, tot lot Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-846-0603 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$400s Notes: Near shopping, restaurants and the Oviedo Mall; convenient access to Orlando International Airport, area theme parks and major employment centers.

Serenity Cove 5827 Serene Cove, Sanford, Florida 32771 • parksquarehomes.com Schools/Grades: Bentley (B); Markham Woods (B); Seminole (B) Amenities: Maintenance of common area, mature trees Builder: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3459 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $500s Notes: Only seven homesites.

Southern Oaks 31 Robin Nest Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Lawton (B); Jackson Heights (A); Oviedo (A) Amenities: Two gated entries, two tot lots, covered bus stops and passive recreation areas Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-439-0012 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $400s Notes: Intimate, gated neighborhood of just 96 homes; close to excellent Seminole County schools; a Publix store is within 2.5 miles; the Oviedo Mall and many other major retail chains and restaurants are just a short drive; access to major transportation corridors.

SPRING 2019

SEMINOLE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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Steeple Chase 3757 Farm Bell Place, Lake Mary, FL 32746 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Woodlands (B); Markham Woods (B); Lake Mary (B) Amenities: Gated; site ponds, pocket parks, lake views Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-531-8619 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $600s Notes: Offers direct access to the Seminole Wekiva Trail; close to employment centers, including the Lake Mary business corridor; ample room for private pools; tech-ready wiring in homes.

Whitetail Run 3673 Kershaw Place Oviedo, Florida 32765 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Carillon (A); Jackson Heights (A); Hagerty (A) Amenities: Stunning lake and preserve views, oversized building sites Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $400s Notes: Community contains only 31 homesites.

Wyndham Preserve

2869 East Lake Mary Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773 • parksquarehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Hamilton (C), Midway (C), or Pine Crest (D); Sanford (B); Seminole (B) Amenities: Gated; future pool, cabana and dog park Builders: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3525 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $200s Notes: Located just minutes from S.R. 417 and I-4; 40- and 60-foot wide homesites; homes include paver driveways, entries and lanais.

OSCEOLA 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 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 2017-2018 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Eagle Lake 2783 Creekmore Court, Kissimmee, FL 34746 • lennar.com

Schools/Grades: Bellalago Charter Academy K-8 (B); Liberty (C) Amenities: Community pool and clubhouse, soccer field, tennis and basketball courts, walking trail Builders: Lennar Homes, 407-501-7764 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $220s Notes: Amenity-rich, established community with ponds, a 64-acre bald eagle preserve, two pools, clubhouse, soccer field, and basketball and tennis courts; on the shores of Lake Toho.

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OSCEOLA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

Hanover Lakes 3325 Hickory Tree Road, St. Cloud, Florida 34772 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Hickory Tree (C); 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 $200s Notes: Unique waterfront community on the Alligator Chain of Lakes.

Hanover Square 5405 Hanover Square Drive, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Narcoossee (B); Narcoossee (A); Gateway (C) Amenities: Pool, cabana, tot lot and walking trail Builders: KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $250s Notes: Easy commute to Lake Nona’s Medical City; convenient to Narcoossee Road, U.S. 192, Boggy Creek Road and S.R. 417; 20-minute drive to the Orlando International Airport; near Ralph Chisholm Park with public boat access to Lake Toho.

Harmony U.S. 192 and East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Harmony, FL 34773 • 321-805-4457 lennar.com, meritagehomes.com, richmondamerican.com

Schools/Grades: Harmony Community School K-8 (A); Harmony (B) Amenities: Golf course, tennis courts, pool, boat facilities, clubhouse, parks, town square Builders: Lennar Homes, 407-501-7298; Meritage Homes, 877-275-6374; Richmond American Homes, 407-775-7080 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $250s; active-adult community, from the $190s Notes: 11,000-acre master-planned community committed to healthy lifestyles and living in “harmony” with wildlife and nature; 70 percent of land is set aside as dedicated green space; two natural lakes for boating and fishing; numerous parks and hiking trails; Harmony Golf Preserve; schools within walking distance; town square with restaurants, grocery store, shops and swim club.

Hickory Grove Old Hickory Tree Road, St. Cloud, FL 34772 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Hickory Tree (C); St. Cloud (B); St. Cloud (B) Amenities: Resort-style pool and cabana, playground Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-930-9869 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$200s Notes: Easy access to S.R. 528, S.R. 417 and I-4 via Florida’s Turnpike; close proximity to shopping, dining, recreation and employment, including major theme parks; less than 20 minutes from Lake Nona’s Medical City and 30 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

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

School/Grades: Sunrise (C); Horizon (B); Poinciana (C) Amenities: Zero-entry resort-style swimming pool with splash pad, pool cabana, tot lot Builder: Hanover Family Builders, 407-499-8493 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $230s Notes: Convenient access to Orlando International Airport or Lake Nona’s Medical City.

SPRING 2019

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Pinewood Gardens 2851 Wadeview Loop, St. Cloud, FL 34772 • hanoverfamilybuiders.com, richmondamerican.com

Schools/Grades: Neptune (C); Neptune (B); St. Cloud (B) Amenities: Intimate community with pond-front homesites available Builders: Hanover Family Builders, 407-499-8493; Richmond American Homes, 407-775-7083 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $230s Notes: Easy access to S.R. 528, S.R. 417 and I-4 via Florida’s Turnpike; near shopping, dining and recreation, including major theme parks.

Reedy Reserve 3312 Reedy Glen Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34746 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Reedy Creek (C); Bellalago Academy (K-8) (B); Liberty (C) or Poinciana (C) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, play fields, park Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-871-6110 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $230s Notes: Phase 1 encompasses 119 homesites, each a minimum of 50 feet wide; some homesites back up to water; Phase 2 coming soon.

Segovia 1250 Myers Road, Kissimmee, FL 34743 • parksquarehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Ventura (C); Parkway (B); Gateway (C) Amenities: An exclusive community of only 83 homesites Builders: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3472 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$200s Notes: Spacious floorplans ranging in size from 1,349 to 2,798 square feet; near Florida’s Turnpike and the Central Florida GreeneWay; a short drive to downtown Orlando; convenient to Lake Toho and the attractions.

Turtle Creek South Narcoossee Road, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • dreamfindershomes.com, khov.com

Schools/Grades: Lakeview (C); Narcoossee (A); Harmony (B) Amenities: Resort-style pool, cabana, tot lot Builders: K Hovnanian® Homes, 407-279-3324; DreamFindersHomes, 904-738-0165 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Easy access to Florida’s Turnpike and S.R. 417; just minutes from Lake Nona’s Medical City and St. Cloud’s Waterfront Park on Lake Toho.

Westerly 5715 Nova Road, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • richmondamerican.com, drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Hickory Tree (C); Narcoossee (A); Harmony (B) Amenities: A quiet oasis from the hustle and bustle of city living Builders: Richmond American Homes, 321-287-6288; D.R. Horton, 844-509-7696 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Minutes from the heart of downtown St. Cloud, Harmony Square and other shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities; easy access to major thoroughfares including S.R. 417 and S.R. 528 (the Beachline), putting downtown Orlando, the theme parks, Lake Nona’s Medical City and the Atlantic beaches within easy reach.

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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 2017-2018 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

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

Schools/Grades: Grassy Lake (B); East Ridge (A); Lake Minneola (B) Builders: Dream Finders Homes, 904-738-0165; Hanover Family Builders, 407-965-2274 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $270s 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.

Bentwood 35110 Sweet Leaf Lane, Leesburg, FL 34788 • drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Treadway (B); Tavares (C); Tavares (B) Amenities: Park with pond view, meditation benches, picnic tables, grills, swing set Builders: D.R. Horton Express Homes, 844-509-7696 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $200s Notes: Naturally wooded community; easy access to Highway 441 and S.R. 44, oversized homesites, many abutting conservation areas; nearby recreation includes parks, shopping, dining, golf, boating, fishing and a movie theater.

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

Schools/Grades: Groveland (C); Clermont (B); South Lake (C) Amenities: Lakefront community pool and cabana Builders: Hanover Family Builders, 407-871-3394 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $230s 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.

RedTail 21600 Covered Bridge Lane, Sorrento, FL 32776 • redtailclub.com, arthurrutenberghomes.com, vintageestatehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Spring Creek Charter (B); Mount Dora (B); Mount Dora (B) Amenities: Golf, pool, clubhouse, fitness center, playground, tennis court, tot lot Builders: Arthur Rutenberg Homes, 352-735-3472; Vintage Estate Homes, 407-462-5671 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $400s Notes: Beautiful rural setting; 7,152-yard, Dave Harman-designed golf course; 10-acre practice facility; two practice putting greens; full-time PGA professionals on staff.

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

Schools/Grades: Sawgrass Bay (C); Windy Hill (B); East Ridge (B) Amenities: Nature trails, playground, pool and cabana, conservation areas Builders: Express Homes, 352-989-4882; Home Dynamics, 352-988-5955 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $200s 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.

SPRING 2019

LAKE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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Serenoa 17617 Serenoa Boulevard, Clermont, FL 34714 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Sawgrass Bay (C); Windy Hill (B); East Ridge (B) Amenities: Gated community; clubhouse, swimming pool, lap pool, splash pad, fitness center, playground, dog park Builder: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-512-812 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$200s Notes: Residents will enjoy a community clubhouse complete with fitness center and flex room, as well as a resort-style pool, splash park area and playground.

The Canyons at Highland Ranch 516 Bellflower Way, Clermont, FL 34715 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Grassy Lake (B); East Ridge (A); Lake Minneola (B) Amenities: Park, pool, cabana, splash pad, mail kiosk, pet stations, 4 miles of walking trails Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 352-415-4235 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$250s Notes: Three beautiful collections of homes are offered; easy access to the 7-mile South Lake Trail; five public golf courses nearby.

Venezia 202 Messina Place, Howey-In-The-Hills, FL 34737 • dreamfindershomes.com

Schools/Grades: Astatula (C); Tavares; (C); Tavares (B) Amenities: Oversized homesites, marsh and preserve views Builders: Dream Finders Homes, 904-738-0165 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $220s Notes: Walking distance from a recreational lake; close to many golf courses and Lakeridge Winery.

Windsong 5512 Windsong Oak Drive, Leesburg, FL 34748 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Leesburg (C); Oak Park (C); Leesburg (C) Amenities: Pool and cabana, playground, conservation areas Builders: Hanover Family Builders, 407-871-3422 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $200s Notes: Only 3.4 miles to Florida’s Turnpike and U.S. 27; nestled among the rolling hills for which Lake County is known.

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VOLUSIA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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On the following page 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 2017-2018 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Bentley Green 2406 Oxmoor Drive, DeLand, FL 32724 • mattamyhomes.com

Schools/Grades: Freedom (C); DeLand (B); DeLand (C) Amenities: Pool, cabana, parks Builders: Mattamy Homes, 386-401-5939 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Well-appointed single-family homes in historic DeLand; close to restaurants, antique shopping and Stetson University.

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 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Minutes to the Atlantic Ocean, the Intercoastal Waterway and Tomoka State Park.

Sawyer’s Landing at Victoria Trails Model nearby at: 134 No Name Key Drive, DeLand, FL 32720 • marondahomes.com

Schools/Grades: Freedom (C); DeLand (B); DeLand (C) Amenities: Oversized homesites Builders: Maronda Homes, 866-617-3803 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $220s Notes: Historic DeLand is home to Stetson University and unique shopping, dining and museums as well as memorable festivals.

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

Schools/Grades: Chisholm (B); New Smyrna Beach (B); New Smyrna Beach (I) Amenities: Golf course, driving range, putting green, splash pad, pool, clubhouse, restaurant, lounge Builders: Adley Homes, 386-944-9000; Paytas Homes, 386-402-8185; Platinum Home Builders, 386-690-5339; The Johnson Group, 386-767-8000 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$200s Notes: Close to beaches; miles of trails for walking or biking.

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POLK COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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On the following page 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 2017-2018 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

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

Schools/Grades: Fred G. Garner (C); Denison (C); Winter Haven (I) Amenities: Near Lake Eva Park and Lake Eva Beach Builders: KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family homes, from the high $180s 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; 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; D.R. Horton 863-420-3121; Emerald Homes, 863-420-8951; Park Square Homes, 407-529-3425; FID Capital Group, 407-868-0186 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s; golf club villas, from the low $300s Notes: Michael Dasher-designed 18-hole championship golf course; exclusive waterfront and golf course homesites available.

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

Schools/Grades: Loughman Oaks (C); Shelly 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: Townhomes, from the high $180s; single-family, from the $220s Notes: Minutes to Walt Disney World Resort; convenient access to I-4, S.R. 429 and U.S. 27.

We are proud to announce that

HOMEBUYER is now available in more than 300

in ORANGE, SEMINOLE, OSCEOLA, LAKE, POLK, VOLUSIA, BREVARD, MARION AND PINELLAS COUNTIES.

thefloridahomebuyer.com 8 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

Orlando’s Premium mium ilder Custom Home Builder

DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

Crafting a Lifestyle of Distinction for Residents of Central Florida

MOVE IN READY HOMES AVAILABLE NOW!!

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$10,000 DESIGN CENTER ALLOWANCE ON ALL NEW BUILDS* Exp. 10/31/18

HERITAGE GREEN AT PROVIDENCE Homes from the high $300’s SHERBROOK SPRINGS AT PROVIDENCE Golf Cottages from the high $200’s TOSCANA PALM COAST Homes from the high $300’s

131 Chadwick Dr. Davenport, FL 33837 abddevelopment.com CALL OUR SALES OFFICE AT

863-427-7528

*Incentive available on full price contracts only Expires 10/31/18

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