Day 311 – Gateway at Riverwalk Condos Sanford FL

Gateway at Riverwalk Condos Sanford FL

Sanford is not necessarily known to be a “condo city”. Even though there have been more town home developments recently (due to a lack of space and higher land prices), Sanford is a city of single family homes, some of them beautiful Victorian houses in the historic district. So it was a big surprise when the construction of the Gateway at Riverwalk Condo complex was announced. Many people were upset about it because, being a high rise building, this complex was going to block Lake Monroe with its spectacular views from the historic district. There was a big discussion and many tried to stop the construction. Nevertheless, the condos were built (finished in 2007).

Gateway at Riverwalk Condos Sanford FL

Whether it was bad timing (peak of market), the initial high prices (close to $1 million for penthouse) or just the fact that Sanford just isn’t a “condo city”, Gateway at Riverwalk has not been a real estate success. In fact phase 2, 3 and 4 of the project were stopped before they even started and to my knowledge only a dozen of the 63 units were sold. So now there is this huge condo building standing in a prime location right by the Riverwalk. Of course, that doesn’t mean that construction for the new phases won’t start at some point (I am assuming once all the units are sold).

To their defense though, I can see what the developers had envisioned. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy those breathtaking views of Lake Monroe and at the same time live in an urban setting in the middle of a cute, cozy and charming town that promises a wonderful future? I wish the plan had worked out because obviously this would have brought more people into Sanford, thereby strengthening current businesses and attracting new ones (including the ones that were meant to occupy the retail spaces on the ground floor of the buildings). There is still hope though. As the market slowly recovers, so will Gateway at Riverwalk. With more reasonable prices (now starting in the 180s), this project can still be very attractive for home buyers in Sanford and a great alternative to Sanford’s historic city living (admittedly, despite those lake views I’d personally prefer the old charming houses under huge oak trees that still offer you the convenient urban lifestyle, I’m just not into condo living). Let’s see what the future holds for the Gateway at Riverwalk condos.

Want to check out whast’s currently for sale here? Click the link to browse condos for sale at Gateway at Riverwalk Condos Sanford FL.

Day 276 – Lake Forest Community Entry Area

Brick Archway by Lake Forest Sanford

Just a snapshot of one of the brick archways in the community entrance area of Lake Forest in Sanford (right off highway 46 in Sanford FL, less than a mile from Exit 101 C, west of I-4). The community entrance area is beautiful (just as Lake Forest itself) and makes a nice spot for pictures.

Below are some more pictures I took today…

Brick Archway by Lake Forest Sanford

Day 272 – Fountain Parke Lake Mary

Fountain Parke Lake Mary

One of my favorite communities in Lake Mary is Fountain Parke. This Tuscan inspired community is located right off Rinehart Road. I just love the charm and Mediterranean flair of Fountain Parke. This shot was taken from the balcony of a townhome I showed here today. The tile roofs look great and they have done an awesome job with the landscaping in the community. I wish there were more Mediterranean style communities in the area.

Before I moved to Florida I thought the majority of homes would have tile roofs and be surrounded by palm trees. In South Florida you really do find more of those but the further North you go the less tile roofs and palm trees you will find. I guess that is what makes Fountain Parke even more special to me

Community Pool at Fountain Parke Lake Mary

Day 238 – An Afternoon in Baldwin Park

Baldwin Park

This afternoon we spent some time in Baldwin Park, inspecting a new home that we will market for K. Hovnanian® Homes®, so while there we drove to the little downtown area and took some pictures. Unfortunately it wasn’t the sunniest day but at least it didn’t rain on us…

I personally like Baldwin Park a lot because of its urban flair and the possibility of walking or biking where you want to get to the city center. I have to say though I always prefer the true downtowns and cities that have slowly developed over time. Obviously that wasn’t the case in Baldwin Park where everything was built within a short time (development started in the early 2000s), a “planned city”.

Nevertheless, Baldwin Park is a great place to live (not only because of its great amenities, urban style and great location within Winter Park, close to downtown, museums, parks and culture) or visit for lunch, dinner and drinks. In fact, we have a Sushi dinner planned in Baldwin Park this Friday. Below is a little gallery of pictures and a map (only very approximate!) to show you the location of Baldwin Park within the Orlando area.

Baldwin Park

Baldwin Park FL Map

Baldwin Park FL Map

Day 172 – Lake Forest Fixer Upper looks like Sleeping Beautys Castle

Fixer Upper in Lake Forest Sanford FL

Sorry for the comparison but when we showed this fixer upper home today in Lake Forest I couldn’t help but think of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. With plants overgrowing the front and sides of this (once certainly very beautiful) Lake Forest home it was almost hard to get in through the doors. Nevertheless we made it…

The home is listed at $279,900 which is a remarkably low price for Lake Forest, a guard gated active lifestyle community in West Sanford.

For the handymen among us: More information about this home can be found here.

Day 145 – New Town Home Communities in Sanford FL

Terracina in Sanford FL

There are two new town home communities in West Sanford that I wanted to mention here:

Terracina
Savannah Park

Both communities are located in West Sanford (the part of Sanford to the West of I-4). Prices start in the mid 100s, in my opinion well priced because of what is offered: this is prime location in terms of convenience and highway access. The communities are only minutes from I-4 and 417 and the Seminole Town Center Mall as well as Colonial Towne Park with dining and entertainment are virtually next to those communities.

Of course, what you won’t have as close are the beautiful Victorian houses of Historic Sanford and the charme of the downtown area. West Sanford is a bit of a different lifestyle since it is a very new area. So, in the end that’s the decision you will have to make. The town homes though are really beautiful and have great upgrades inside! There are town home  floor plans available with the Master downstairs. Both communities will have a community pool and a gate.

Here are some of the major differences between Terracina and Savannah Park in Sanford:

Terracina

Terracina:

• All town homes have tile roofs
• Mediterranean Style (even though Savannah Park describes itself as Mediterranean I think Terracina is the one that reflects the style better, not only because of its name)
• Some town home models offer larger floor plans with 2,000+ square feet
• Garages are in the front of the homes

Savannah Park town homes

Savannah Park:

• All town homes have 2 car garages
• All town homes have courtyards
• None of the town homes is larger than 2,000 square feet at this point; there will be a second phase with larger floor plans though
• Garages are in the back of the homes and have a special rustic look

If you would like to learn more about these gorgeous town home communities in Sanford, please text to or call 407-340-6458. Likewise, you can also leave a comment here and I will forward your Email address so you can be contacted.

Savannah Park Townhomes

Day 142 – Woodsong Subdivision in West Sanford FL

Woodsong Subdivision in Sanford

This picture was taken at the entrance of Woodsong, one of West Sanford’s subdivisions. We just listed another home here so upon entering the subdivision I took my daily picture.

The community which has just around 50 homes, is located right off highway 46 (N Oregon Street) on the West side of I-4. Most people are not even aware that there are some really nice subdivisions right there, only 2 minutes from I-4 and the Seminole Towne Center Mall. I have to say location wise it’s hard to find anything that close to I-4 in the entire Sanford area.

So here’s just a little bit more info on the house for sale in Woodsong and from there you can find also a list of homes for sale in Woodsong.

Woodsong Sanford

Day 21 – Lake Forest in Sanford, FL

Lake Forest Sanford, Clubhouse

Today we visited friends (and customers) who just moved from Preserve at Astor Farms to Lake Forest. So I took the opportunity to take some pictures of the community. Now I wish it had been sunnier because due to the rain my photos don’t do Lake Forest full justice.

I have always loved Lake Forest. It is a little peaceful world of its own, consisting of close to 500 homes. In fact many residents say if it wasn’t for work, they wouldn’t even have to leave their community because there is so much offered within. The community is very active and meets a lot in the state of the art club house with fiteness center and tennis courts. The junior Olympic size pool is also a great place to hang out and meet your neighbors. Besides the amenities, Lake Forest also offers many other benefits that homeowners in Central Florida are looking for: security (it is a gated, man guarded community) and convenience (less than a mile from I-4 and almost as close to 417, Seminole Towne Center and Colonial Town Park which some call “Downtown Heathrow”). To say the least, Lake Forest truly is one of the most desirable communities in Central Florida and definitely in the West Sanford area. Prices start already in the 300s all the way up to several million.

I still remember when I first entered the community 4 years ago: I was impressed with all the nature! It truly is a forest within the city with lush landscaping and huge towering trees – very romantic and a contrast to the typical palm tree, golf course feel that you might expect. As European I am what many would call “green”. I respect and enjoy nature (even though I have to admit I could live without mosquitoes, but that’s another story), I admire and strive to protect the environment every day with little but in my opinion effective habits. So when I saw Lake Forest I experienced something I hadn’t seen in Central Florida until that day: a community truly built into nature, into the forest. A community finally respecting nature. When the community was first built the builder protected and built around the trees thereby saving them. Unfortunately during the boom another builder came in and started building in the back of the community destroying most of those trees. That was certainly a big mistake.

Lake Forest in Sanford, it’s almost like a in a fairy tale

To see which homes are currently for sale in Lake Forest Sanford click this link.

Lake Forest Sanford, Clubhouse

Of course, there are more communities in Central Florida that respect nature by the mere way they were built and of course others that are “green” by the way they protect the environment, be it through recycling or any other activities. I wanted to mention one that I also frequently visit, it’s called “The Springs” in Longwood. VERY nice indeed, so peaceful and idyllic. But more about that another time. Whenever I come across another one I will post and, as usual, I encourage you to post yours as well if you think it meets the criteria, so I can mention it here. Go GREEN!

Day 8 – View from my Garage

View from my Garage

Maybe not so interesting, but just a normal day in one of Sanford’s communities and this is the view from my garage/driveway. Sunny as most days in Central Florida. Well, and now that it is already the end of September we are reaching a cooler time – if 85 is cool I have to admit it’s a little more pleasant, but I still prefer the HOT weather and even humidity! That’s why I love Florida even MORE!!