CHECKING ALL THE BOXES FOR RELOCATORS

By Mick Lochridge

Wayne and Kathie Lightfoot knew what they wanted in a home when they relocated from California to Central Florida. The checklist included a single story, a pool, a three-car garage and a yard for the dogs.

They wanted a neighborhood that was quiet, but close to medical care and shopping.

With the help of their son and daughter-in-law, their real estate agents and the Internet, they found it in Sweetwater Country Club in Orange County — and bought it sight unseen in October 2017.

“The politics and crowdedness of Southern California made us want to get away from there,” says Wayne Lightfoot, 53, a retired lieutenant with the Los Angeles Police Department.  

“We considered Idaho as well, but our son, his wife and two grandbabies are in Mount Dora, so that was a big factor. We liked the price of real estate here, too.”

Prior to moving, the Lightfoots sold a 1,352 square-foot-home without a pool for $365,000. They purchased a 2,800-square-foot home with a pool for less than that in Apopka’s Sweetwater Country Club.

Wayne and Kathie are among thousands of new residents who arrive in Metro Orlando each year. Some are retirees; many others move to the area for new jobs or to advance their careers. 

During the past 17 years, the population has jumped 65 percent, from 1.6 million in 2000 to 2.7 million in the Orlando Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties, according to the Orlando Economic Partnership. 

Toss in Polk and Volusia and that number climbs to nearly 4 million.

In 2017 more than 44,000 homes were sold in the region, according to statistics compiled by the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA). 

“There are so many factors to consider when choosing a location to start looking for a new home,” says Lou Nimkoff, president of ORRA. Those factors include such matters as school districts, healthcare and your lifestyle.

Retirees may have different concerns. “Retirees should consider lifestyle as much as home style,” Nimkoff says. “Younger people may prefer a multilevel condo in a lively downtown scene while older people may prefer a single-story ranch in a quiet, natural setting.” 

Many retirees also look for neighborhood amenities, such as organized recreational and social activities, in the communities they consider. Easy access to shopping and healthcare facilities are important consideration for retirees, adds Nimkoff.

That was the case with the Lightfoots. 

“We considered Mount Dora as well as Apopka, where we finally bought our home,” Lightfoot says. “We liked Apopka because it felt like being in the country, but everything was close, like Costco, Sam’s Club, Hobby Lobby and other places we like.”

The allure of Central Florida is as strong as ever — maybe stronger. 

“Orlando is well known for its mild weather, central location and world-class recreational and entertainment facilities,” says Nimkoff. “Orlando also boasts such strong job growth that it supports a healthy real estate market with a wide variety of neighborhoods.”

Homebuilders and developers in Central Florida echo that sentiment. Some even offer travel incentives to catch the attention of potential relocators.

“Central Florida is attractive for relocation because of the attractions and the economic boom the area is going through,” says Jenn Kjellman, national marketing manager for Dream Finders Homes (dreamfindershomes.com), which has several projects in Central Florida. 

World-class Orlando International Airport is a plus, she adds, but Mother Nature still holds the trump card: “The year-round warm weather is hard to beat.”

About that weather: The annual average temperature is 75.7 degrees. The average high is 84.5; average low is 66.9. 

But don’t be surprised when the mercury hits the mid-90s in the middle of a hot, humid summer day. A night or two of freezing temperatures in the winter are likely, but hard freezes are rare and cold weather rarely lasts for more than a few days in a row. 

That chamber of commerce weather is nice, but Central Florida has numerous other selling points for relocating here as well.

• • New homes with energy-efficient features and high-tech innovations.
• • Existing homes in established, well-maintained neighborhoods.
• • Professional sports, including NBA basketball, men’s and women’s soccer and ice hockey.
• • Higher education, including the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Stetson University and Full Sail University.
• • Nationally recognized healthcare networks and medical research centers.
• • Arts and culture offerings, including the Florida Film Festival, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orlando Fringe Festival.
• • Cruise lines at nearby Port Canaveral.
• • Mass transit, including the SunRail commuter rail service and regional bus systems.
• • Corporate headquarters, including Florida Hospital, the American Automobile Association, Bank of America and Darden Restaurants.
• • Proximity to the beaches.
• • Plenty of lakes for fishing and boating.
• • Golf courses, golf courses and more golf courses.
• • The world’s most popular theme parks, making every day seem like you’re on vacation.

And, of course, Florida has no state income tax. What’s not to love?

“Central Florida is a culturally diverse region with great year-round weather,” says Brock Fanning, senior vice president for Toll Brothers Central Florida Division (tollbrothers.com), a prominent homebuilder in the area. “It also offers an array of distinct activities to suit varying needs and lifestyles.” 

To encourage potential buyers who are looking for a new home, Toll Brothers offers a “Fly and Buy” program that provides complimentary accommodations and reimbursable travel expenses if those who participate buy a new home from the company. 

Among the Toll Brothers' projects are Lakeshore in the Horizon West area of southwest Orange County and Royal Cypress Preserve in southwest Orlando. 

Lakeshore is a master-planned community of both single-family homes and townhomes. The townhomes range in size from 1,900 to 2,500 square feet and are priced from the low $300,000s. The one- and two-story single-family homes range in size from 2,169 to 4,650 square feet and are priced from the upper $300s to more than $600,000.

“Lakeshore is conveniently located in one of the area’s fastest growing regions,” Fanning says. 

Residents enjoy upscale shopping and dining, access to major thoroughfares, easy access to the attractions, and top-rated public and private schools, he adds.

Royal Cypress Preserve is a gated community of one- and two-story single-family homes ranging in size from 2,199 to 4,100 square feet, with prices starting in the mid-$400s. There are 11 home designs from which to choose, all with large master bedroom suites, gourmet kitchens and expansive living areas. 

Many homes in Royal Cypress Preserve also feature large outdoor living areas with covered lanais, Fanning notes.

The community offers resort-style amenities, such as a zero-entry pool and fitness center. Yard maintenance is included in the homeowners’ association fee.

Dream Finders Homes builds homes in seven Central Florida communities. Two of them are Laureate Park in Lake Nona in southeast Orlando and Oakland Park in Winter Garden in west Orange County.

Single-family homes in Laureate Park range in size from about 2,000 to 2,500 square feet and are priced from $348,990 to $420,990. Single-family homes in Oakland Park range in size from about 2,000 to 3,000 square feet and are priced from $374,990 to $423,990.

“Buyers have the ability to personalize their homes to fit their personal lifestyles,” says marketing manager Kjellman. “Dream Finders Homes also pays all closing costs where allowable, when buyers use our preferred lender, Jet Homeloans.”

Among the many Central Florida communities built by AV Homes (avhomesinc.com), Solivita is recognized as one of the top 55-plus communities in the region. Located in Polk County near the Osceola line, the development includes condos, townhomes and single-family homes. Homes range in size from 1,361 to 2,840 square feet and are priced from $173,990 to $385,990.

Potential buyers can buy a “Discovery Days” package for $129 and stay in the community for three days as a preview. 

As with other builders, AV Homes sees the financial advantages for moving to Central Florida. “Many of our buyers are relocating from the Northeast, where home prices are significantly higher,” says Kelley Finley, the company’s vice president of marketing. 

Plus, he adds, property taxes are considerably lower here than in many Northeastern locations.

K. Hovnanian Homes (khov.com), in addition to other communities throughout Central Florida, offers Four Seasons at Orlando for active adults.

The 55-plus community, located in Osceola County, features single-family homes that range in size up to 2,706 square feet and are priced from the high $200s to the mid-$300s.

Many of the homes in the gated community have golf-course views, says Pete Valdes, vice president of sales and marketing.

David Weekley Homes (davidweekleyhomes.com) builds new houses throughout Central Florida. They include three Seminole County communities: Evans Square, located in Oviedo; Griffin Park, located in Lake Mary; and Reagan Pointe, located in Sanford. The company is also busy in Lake County with John’s Lake Landing, located in Clermont.

David Weekley Homes has plans for three communities in downtown Orlando: Concord Place, Eleven on Thornton and Eola North. They'll feature low-maintenance townhomes. 

“Central Florida has proven to be an excellent place to relocate for people in all stages of life,” says Brent Bartholomew, division president for David Weekley Homes in Orlando. 

He continues: “With warm weather, theme parks, a booming hospitality industry, continued job growth and expansions, as well as proximity to beaches, golf courses and more —  Central Florida has something for everyone.”