Longwood

“To foster citizen trust by practicing open, accountable and responsive government; providing quality core services; promoting long-term prosperity; encouraging smart growth in harmony with the cities unique heritage and urban surroundings…” this is the beginning of Longwood Florida’s mission statement and it speaks to two of the most important parts of this city’s fabric- quality and heritage.

Longwood’s population is roughly 18,000 and this city has done a great job of preserving it’s rich history. Home to many exclusive Country Club communities Longwood is a great place to both live work and enjoy recreation. Longwood has its roots as a past citrus and lumber shipping center. Downtown Longwood has a remarkable historic district of two blocks that are filled with homes built in the 1870’s. Longwood it’s a great family town and one of the reasons for this is all of the community activities that fill the calendar each year. An annual arts and crafts festival, ‘Founders Day’ are both popular events that are held in the spring and in the fall. Several car shows and a seafood festival are additional fun community events that Longwood also promotes.

Money Magazine once voted Longwood in the list of ‘Top Places to Live in America’ and one of the factors that played in that recognition was the school system. The Seminole County school system is time and again recognized for its high measures and is one of the reasons that Longwood attracts a lot of young and growing families.

Longwood is only a short drive to the Disney area, and a minor commute to some of the surrounding attraction areas that sit along the main central Florida interstate, I-4. In addition to having Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and International Drive less than 45 minutes away you are equally close to Central Florida’s coastline. New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach are a great weekend destination on those days when a dip in the ocean is a great reprieve from the Florida sun. In less than an hour’s drive from Longwood, you can have your toes in the coastal sand!

In Longwood you will find gorgeous neighborhoods, for a range of budgets. Home to several well-known golf courses some of this town’s most well-known communities are gated and this privacy and security is the reason that some people move to this part of Central Florida.
Markham Woods Road is one of this city’s main thoroughfares and as you drive down this tree shaded road you will see the sprawling entrances to several such communities.

Alaqua—– Alaqua is one of the golf course communities that locals will name when asked to name the prettiest -and most prestigious- neighborhoods in the area. In addition to the outstandingly large lots sizes the homes boast beautiful architecture and plenty of square footage. If you enjoy nature, you will be in heaven living in Alaqua as this area is packed with friendly deer, turkeys and other wildlife that roam free amongst the palm trees. When you take a tour of Alaqua Karen will show you the recently renovated clubhouse. Karen describes this community as the ‘big sister to Alaqua Lakes’, a neighboring community. “I love that the lots are so large and many of my buyers have agreed. When asked ‘why’ they choose Alaqua they often note the custom construction as one of the top reasons they made their decisions. One of the other top comments I receive is around the guard gate and how safe they feel with the 24 hour manned gate.”

In Florida if there is one thing you will have a lot of- it’s the number of days you will have to enjoy the great ‘Sunshine State’ weather.

The Springs is also a community in Longwood for those who enjoy living in a natural setting. Built around one of Florida’s great natural springs, The Springs offers unparalleled tranquility and natural beauty. I have had many clients that bought in The Springs because of the features they have for horse owners- such as stables and a riding ring- right inside the community! It really has a little bit of everything that natural Florida has to offer” explains Karen. The Springs includes townhomes, cluster homes and single family homes across 10 different villages. All the homes have the benefit of being built amongst 100 acres of naturally preserved waterways and a wildlife habitat. You won’t believe your eyes when you see the crystal clear waters of the swimming area that is fed by a natural spring. It looks like a swimming pool but is simple a natural wonder made by Mother Nature.

Sweetwater Club is another development in Longwood that has received national attention. Karen receives phone calls from people every day, as a result of her extensive nationwide marketing and advertising campaigns, and there are several communities that are consistently asked about when someone is looking to buy a luxury home in the Greater Orlando area. Sweetwater is one of those neighborhoods.

Karen explains that many business professionals love this community. “Because the grounds are very large in this subdivision it gives you the feeling that you are out in the country, however you are really in the heart of the city with access to everything that Longwood has to offer. I describe these homes as ‘estates’ because of their large size and design elements. This is definitely a community that some people wait for a long time to move in to because there is a high demand with not a lot of homes for sale.” Karen continues, “Some communities are tougher to buy in because their homes simply don’t come on the market often. It is a good sign that the homeowners love their neighborhood and they don’t want to move- but it’s tough for a new family that is wanting to move in. I check the report of new listings every day to watch out for new homes that come on the market for sale. In fact, one of the reason’s I represent so many ‘sellers’ is because I contact existing homeowners to try and find options for my buyers. If there is nothing actively on the market in the area that my clients want to purchase, then I start making calls to see if I can find an unlisted home for them. It takes a lot of calling, but that is one of the ways that I help my clients. It is also one of the reasons I get so many listings.” details Karen.

Karen has represented hundreds of clients to both buy and sell within the gated communities of Longwood. If you would like to hear the history of many of the individual homes, Karen usually has a story to share from every street. She can also give you the background on prior and future development plans as she lives and works in this area herself. “I have represented many homes more than once because I have been a realtor for so long in this very area. It is fun when I list a home that I previously helped to sell years before, as I like to see how different homeowners decorate and renovate their houses. I also enjoy sharing the history of the different neighborhoods, because if I were moving to a new area, I would appreciate knowing all of these details.” professes Karen.

One of many benefits you get when working with Karen is having her vast knowledge of the area help you in your own home search. Online information is great, but nothing is a substitute for ‘real life’ personal experience. Karen has personally lived in the heart of Seminole County for over 20 years and she can share the differences between all the communities you may want to consider when moving to Longwood.