Hojin Chang

Lake Sheen Reserve is a gated community of newer homes near the back entrance of Disney. I think one of the biggest attractions is the deed lake access on the Butler Chain. The builder Beazer Homes did a nice job and the lots are spacious for a newer community. The only downside is that it's considered far from the main part of Dr. Phillips. Most people want to be a little closer to the Sand Lake Rd. and Apopka Vineland corridor where all the shops and restaurants are located but most the communities there are a bit older. The only new communities in that area are Vizcaya and Toscana but the lots do tend to be on the smaller. If you don't mind slightly older homes, I'd check out Brentwood Club, Bristol Park, and Torey Pines. If you want newer, then I'd check out Kensington Park, Vizcaya, or Westminster Landing. You may also want to consider Reserve at Belmere, Belmere, and Windsor Landing. I maintain a blog about the area at http://sworlandoscoop.com that's worth checking out if you're moving to the area. Hope this helps. - Wed Jul 16 2008, 20:14

It seems like everyone is recommending the Dr. Phillips area and it just so happens I maintain a blog about the area at http://sworlandoscoop.com. The FCAT score is the standard by which all schools are measured in Florida and I have a post regarding this topic at http://sworlandoblog.com/2008/05/08/fcat-scores-affect-home-…

It's tough to say which is area is going to be best for you until you figure out which schools you prefer and the price range you'd like to be in. You may want to ask yourself what size home, lot, age of home are appropriate for you. A popular alternative to Dr. Phillips is the section of Ocoee along Maguire Rd. where you get a little more for your money. The area off CR 535 is also popular for giving a little more for your money. Both these areas are a little further away but good schools, a value price, and close proximity to the Florida Turnpike, East West Expressway, and the Greenway make it a popular alternative. If you desire a larger lot, then you'll have to opt for communities built prior to 1991 at least here in SW Orlando. As a general rule, older properties have larger lots and newer properties have smaller lots. Hope this helps. - Thu Jun 5 2008, 08:39

I think you'll really like Alaqua Lakes, Cypress Point, Ballaria, Waterstone, and Lake Butler Sound but all are a pretty good distance from Lake Highland. I have no clue why you're going to Independence but perhaps Isles at Lake Hancock will fit your needs. You may also want to consider Turtle Creek, Tilden's Grove, Phillips Landing, Casa del Lago, The Gardens at the Village of Windermere, Chaine du Lac, and Keene's Pointe. There's also some newer homes not in a subdivision in Windermere on Bayshore, Park, Main, 2nd Ave., etc.

I also maintain a blog about the Dr. Phillips, Windermere, and the Butler Chain of Lakes at the address below.

The areas near Lake Highland all have older homes and Windsong + Baldwin Park are the closest to new home communities. If you want to stay near Lake Highland, then I suggest you find some of the scattered new construction in old Winter Park. - Fri May 30 2008, 12:00

The average price per square foot is currently $131 per foot. I have this stat and others for 32837 on a blog post at http://sworlandoblog.com/2008/04/29/hunters-creek-showing-st… - Tue May 6 2008, 19:46

The only new construction of a courtyard plan that I know of is available at Providence in Davenport. There is a model of the Courtyard IV plan by ABD development there. The builder has sold the model to a private owner, but it just so happens that I know the person who purchased it from the builder and will gladly get you in contact with him because he's a business partner and trying to sell it.

The model is not on the golf course, but you can still build this home a golf course lot at Providence.

ABD development has built the courtyard plan in Stoneybrook and Palma Vista which are golf communities and also in Phillips Landing, Vizcaya, and Vista Royale which are not golf communities but numerous top notch clubs close by.

There's also a courtyard plan for sale at Bristol Park in Dr. Phillips. It's not a golf community, but Orange Tree Country Club and Bay Hill are really close by.

I specialize in SW Orlando, so I know the ones that are available here but I'm sure there's some in Lake Mary as well. - Tue May 6 2008, 19:43