Lake Forest is without a doubt one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Seminole County! No wonder, with amenities like a lakefront Junior Olympic size pool, 6 lighted tennis courts, a beach area, dock with canoeing on the springfed lake, playgrounds and a park. The gorgeous club house with fitness center offers residents a place to gather every week for social activities.

Walk or ride your bike through the tree lined streets of Lake Forest and you would not imagine how close you are to one of the most vibrant areas of Seminole county: you will not only find a neighborhood Publix within walking distance but you are only a few minutes away from access to I-4 and 417. The famous business corridor of Lake Mary, also known as International Parkway starts right outside of Lake Forest. Top rated schools are all within reach and the Seminole Town Center Mall and Colonial Town Park with lots of entertainment and world class dining options are just around the corner.

Moreover you are within a short drive of the Sanford Marina and historic downtown Sanford that has impressed visitors from all over the country with its historic charme. Visit the Farmer’s Market, one of the many community events, or one of the popular restaurants. Stop by one of the unique and quaint bars for a glass of wine or just go for a romantic walk along the Riverwalk. The options are endless!

More Neighborhood Info on Lake Forest, Sanford

Here is one of our latest listings in Lake Forest, Sanford:

Not a short sale or a foreclosure, just a great opportunity! This lovely home will wow you with a unique, very functional open split floor plan and great privacy provided not only by the quiet cul-de-sac location but also the backyard conservation view of this oversized lot.

View More Pictures and a Virtual Tour

As you step into this lovely, meticulously maintained and recently painted home you will immediately notice the wonderful open layout of the formal dining and living room. French doors lead out to the patio and backyard.

The spacious kitchen, featuring elegant granite counters and large tile, overlooks the large family room. From here a second set of beautiful French doors let you access the large screened and covered porch.

This home offers plenty of space for you to grow. 5 full bedrooms, a den featuring wood floors and a very nice bonus room. The good size master bedroom is downstairs. Its luxurious bath offers you a garden tub, separate glass enclosed, tiled shower and two marble vanities.

The 2nd floor offers the bonus room and the 5th bedroom w/ its own bathroom.

If all the storage space inside the home is not enough, there is also a 3 car garage.

Step outside into your private backyard oasis: The huge covered and screened porch offers a perfect space for weekend get-togethers or quiet evenings alone. With a magnificent view of the huge backyard and conservation you will be able to truly relax. When you are ready build the pool of your dreams! Until then simply keep using the Lake Forest community pool w/ its stunning lake views.

This meticulously maintained home has been recently painted inside and is ready to move in today! All appliances are included for your convenience.

Not a home for you? Check out one of the other current listings in this award winning community:

Showing properties 1 - 15 of 15. See more Lake Forest.
(all data current as of 5/22/2012)

1. $489,000 : 716 Ashgrove Ter, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 3,406 sq ft

   Lot size: 16,281 sqft

   Year built: 1999

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 22
2. $419,000 : 5229 Forest Edge Ct, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,185 sq ft

   Lot size: 15,723 sqft

   Year built: 2001

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 34
3. $879,000 : 506 Fawn Hill Pl, Sanford
   
   5 beds, 5 full, 2 part baths

   Home size: 5,407 sq ft

   Lot size: 20,450 sqft

   Year built: 1996

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 68
4. $479,000 : 4829 Shoreline Cir, Sanford (lake Forest)
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,929 sq ft

   Lot size: 16,014 sqft

   Year built: 1990

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 86
5. $349,900 : 737 Broadoak Loop, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,757 sq ft

   Lot size: 12,466 sqft

   Year built: 2002

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 90
6. $399,000 : 4963 Fawn Ridge Pl, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,683 sq ft

   Lot size: 12,073 sqft

   Year built: 2003

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 96
7. $525,000 : MLS # O5078169 in Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,007 sq ft

   Lot size: 16,187 sqft

   Year built: 1990

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 155
8. $899,000 : 796 Wetstone Pl, Sanford
   
   5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,828 sq ft

   Lot size: 20,608 sqft

   Year built: 2006

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 159
9. $874,900 : 500 Fawn Hill Pl, Sanford
   
   5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,899 sq ft

   Lot size: 32,757 sqft

   Year built: 1997

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 166
10. $799,000 : 5319 Vista Club Run, Sanford
    
    4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 3,600 sq ft

    Lot size: 18,535 sqft

    Year built: 2011

    Parking spots: 3

    Days on market: 189
11. $999,000 : 5062 Shoreline Cir, Sanford
    
    5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 4,828 sq ft

    Lot size: 39,204 sqft

    Year built: 2005

    Parking spots: 3

    Days on market: 201
12. $364,900 : 683 Treeline Pl, Sanford
    
    5 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 3,089 sq ft

    Lot size: 17,881 sqft

    Year built: 1991

    Parking spots: 3

    Days on market: 289
13. $427,900 : 4931 Shoreline Cir, Sanford
    
    4 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 2,860 sq ft

    Lot size: 15,538 sqft

    Year built: 1999

    Parking spots: 3

    Days on market: 377
14. $699,900 : MLS # O4985902 in Sanford
    
    4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 3,783 sq ft

    Lot size: 22,450 sqft

    Year built: 2005

    Parking spots: 3

    Days on market: 719
15. $1,149,000 : 4995 Maple Glen Pl, Sanford
    
    5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 5,650 sq ft

    Year built: 2007

    Parking spots: 3

    Days on market: 1,492

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Do you love Sanford but are not quite sure about the responsibilities related to living in an older home of the historic district? You might not want to deal with constant maintenance and the general upkeep of a historic home but at the same time you would love to live an urban lifestyle, within walking distance to Sanford’s popular restaurants, stores and bars. Well, there is a solution and it has become quite affordable within the past year. Did I mention that it comes with breathtaking views of the Sanford Marina, Riverwalk and Lake Monroe? Gateway at Riverwalk is a condo development that was launched in 2007. 63 units were built and the location will put you right into the heart of Sanford. This high rise condo complex is unique and in located in the middle of a cozy and quaint Historic Sanford.

When the project was first launched units here were priced up to $1 million dollars. With the recent changes in the Central Florida real estate market, units are now available starting in the 180s! Check out currently available condos at Gateway at Riverwalk in Sanford in the property slider.

Imagine life in one of these nicely upgraded new luxury condos! Watch the sun rise over Lake Monroe as you enjoy breakfast on your balcony. Walk or bike along Sanford’s Riverwalk to stay fit or just enjoy a pleasant breeze. Walk to some of Sanford’s most popular restaurants to enjoy a glass of wine with friends. Or simply enjoy all the other great things downtown Sanford has to offer, including art galleries, the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, Trivia Night, Movie in the Park, street parties and other activities. Historic Sanford residents form a close community and are proud of their beautiful neighborhood. Be part of it and meet your neighbors while participating in one of the many day and night time activities.

The units at Gateway at Riverwalk are brand new and nicely upgraded. Residents also enjoy an upscale Club Room with bar and plenty of space to hang out with friends and neighbors. Units range from 1,200 square feet (1 bedroom condo) to almost 3,000 square feet (penthouse).

Interested? Need more information? Please contact us at 407-340-6458 or send us a quick message and we will be in touch shortly.

Kays Landing Sanford Community Info

Kays Landing is a desirable gated community of about 146 homes built by Engle Homes between 2005 and 2008. The community features a playground and community pool (HOA fees run only around $75, that is very reasonable!) and has easy access to the Seminole Towne Center Mall, 417 and I-4. It is also conveniently located to Sanford and Lake Mary’s shopping, dining and entertainment areas.

Kays Landing is located in what Jose and I call the “Sanford Mall Corridor of Upsala” (I know that sounds funny but hey, we have to give areas descriptive names sometimes… click here to learn more about Sanford’s communites and areas). It is an area that people usually like because of its closeness to the mall and major highways.

Homes in Kays Landing are currently (2009) selling in the low to mid 200s. When the community was first built (at the peak of the Florida real estate market), homes were selling for up to $500,000 here!

Home sizes range between 2,000 square feet and 3,400 square feet.

Take a look at the property slider to browse homes for sale in Kays Landing.

What we like about the community:

• Community Pool: Easier to meet your neighbors and a great bonus if you do not have your own pool.
• Gate: Added security, however, remember that you can enter through any gate if you wait long enough at the entrance
• Relatively low HOA fees: at $75/month with a gate, community pool and nice playground, this community offers great benefits without breaking the bank
• Pavered Driveways: We believe pavered drive ways are an elegant upgrade to any home as they add great curb appeal. Another benefit is that they don’t crack like the regular cement drive ways do.

What we don’t like:

• Closeness to 417: Kays Landing has parts of the subdivision backing up to toll road 417. That is never a desirable location. Even though noise is low inside the home, when sitting outside on your porch you will certainly hear those cars driving up and down 417 if you are located in this area of the community.
• Just as in  many other communities built in the early 2000s, homes in Kays Landing were built quite close to each other. We wish the builder had planned for just a bit larger lots.

Streets in Kays Landing Subdivision:

• Kays Landing Drive (88)
• Porchester Drive (49)
• Hadley Lane (9)

One of the most desirable and unique subdivisions in Sanford FL is Lake Forest.

This guard gated planned community has approximately 800 homes, ranging in prices from $250,000 to millions. In fact, in the first half of 2009 10 homes sold in Lake Forest for final sales prices between $275,000 and $1,040,000. Please contact us for a detailed up to date list!

Lake Forest has an older part in the front of the community and a newer part in the back of the community. During the “boom” years in Central Florida (early/mid 2000s) the builder Morrison Homes (now Taylor Morrison) bought part of the land in Lake Forest to build newer subdivisions within Lake Forest.

Other homes in Lake Forest were built by custom home builders like Charles Ruthenberg Many of the homes have received awards for their outstanding architecture.

Here is a list of what most people like about Lake Forest:

• Top location, only minutes from I-4 and 417 with easy access to Orlando (20 minutes to Winter Park/Downtown)
• Resident convenience: there is a Publix grocery store, dry cleaner, banks and other businesses within walking/biking distance of the community. Also right at the gate area is a children daycare place.
• Security – 24/7 guard at community entrance
• Community Amenities: a junior size Olympic pool overlooking the lake, tennis courts and a club house with gym keep Lake Forest’s residents fit
• HOA fees are lower than in other planned communities of the area (e.g. Heathrow) and you get to enjoy ALL amenities without paying extra
• Amazing landscaping, “waterscaping” (because of its many lakes) and trees: Unlike many newer communities the larger old part of Lake Forest has beautiful mature trees. When you first enter Lake Forest it truly feels like entering a fairy tale forest. All of this also enhances the privacy of this beautiful subdivision.
• Award winning community: “The Best Community in the Southeastern United States” and Parade of Homes’ Grand Award for “Best Community in Central Florida”

All of these benefits have attracted hundreds of families to Lake Forest since its start in the late 1980s/ early 1990s. There are still some lots available within Lake Forest if you are interested in building your dream home with one of the custom home builders. Contact us for more info.

Following is a list of all the streets within the Lake Forest subdivision in Sanford FL 32771:

• Ashgrove Terrace
• Bridgecreek Court
• Broadoak Loop
• Champion Woods Court
• Coach Lamp Court
• Deepwoods Court
• Edgeforest Terrace
• Fawn Ridge Place
• Fawn Woods Court
• Forest Edge Court
• Forest Oak Point
• Isle Point
• Lake Bluff Terrace
• Majestic Woods Court
• Majestic Woods Place
• Maple Glen Place
• Maple Ridge Court
• Oak Burl Court
• Oakbranch Place
• Red Brick Run
• Ridge Forest Court
• Sandy Ridge Court
• Satin Leaf Court
• Shoreline Circle
• Stonebark Cove
• Summer Palm Court
• Treeline Place
• Via Veneto Court
• Vista Club Run
• Wetstone Place
• Whispering Meadows Court
• Whispering Woods Point
• Whooping Crane Court
• Woodbark Loop
• Woodbriar Loop

Take a look at the property slider on the right to preview homes for sale in Lake Forest. Any questions? We are available at your convenience! Just call 407-340-6458 or simply send us a quick message and we will be in touch!

Not quite your price range but looking to live in the Lake Forest area? How about the new town home community Terracina at Lake Forest? It is virtually located right next to Lake Forest. Click here to learn more about Terracina at Lake Forest and preview homes for sale.

The Preserve at Lake Monroe is a unique community off the shores of beautiful Lake Monroe. Nestled in a preserve and neighboring the Central Florida Zoo, The Preserve at Lake Monroe is one of the most desirable communities, secluded and close to pure nature, yet close to anything you need. Meet your neighbors at the community playground and enjoy your weekends in this peaceful community.

This subdivision was built by Fox & Jacobs (which belongs to Centex Homes) in the early 2000s. Homes range anywhere from 1,700 to 3,600 square feet. The HOA fees are low with approximately $40-50/month.

Enjoy life where things are happening in the West Sanford area! Only 5 minutes to I-4, 417, Seminole Towne Center, Colonial Town Park’s restaurants and entertainment, and the Lake Mary business district of International Parkway makes this one of the best locations you could possibly want. 20 minutes to Downtown Orlando/Winter Park, and 15 minutes to Altamonte Springs, Uptown Altamonte or the Sanford International Airport. At the same time enjoy the closeness to Lake Monroe – virtually in front of your community – Historic Sanford and the Sanford Marina with its cozy restaurants, unique bars and stylish art galleries, as well as the beautiful new Sanford River Walk where you can enjoy your spare time biking, playing in the parks or just strolling around.

Community Entrance

Community Entrance

Community Entrance

Community Entrance

One of the many ponds

When we first moved to Orlando in 2003 I was under the assumption that every community in the sunshine state would at least offer a community pool. Little did I know that less than half of all communities offer such a great amenity. Sure, most condo complexes and town home communities offer pools, but single family subdivisions rarely do.

So if you are looking in specific for a community with community pool, check out the following list for Lake Mary and Sanford, FL. I have written down all the subdivisions that have a community pool.

Refer to this list when you use our state of the art real estate listing search engine (just type in the community name in the top box of the search tab to the left of the application).

Lake Mary:

• Colony Cove
• Egrets Landing
• Heathrow (Junior Olympic size but extra fees apply)
• Highlands of Lake Mary
• Huntington Pointe

Sanford:

• Bakers Crossing
• Buckingham Estates
• Celery Key
• Hidden Lake
• Kays Landing
• Lake Forest (Junior Olympic size, see picture above)
• Mayfair Meadows
• Oaks of Sanford
• Sanora
• Tall Trees

Community pools have several advantages, for example:

• You won’t have to worry about cleaning and maintaining your own pool (if you pay someone to do it this will run you about $100/month)
• Community pools are larger than your typical backyard pool could ever be so you will truly be able to swim laps.
• It will be easier to meet your neighbors.
• It’s a nice way to keep your kids entertained, especially during the long summer break.
• For resale, even though HOA fees may be a bit higher, a community is often a plus in prospective buyers’ eyes (it is in yours, isn’t it?)

That doesn’t mean by any means that owning a home with pool is a disadvantage. I personally prefer a home with its own pool but I know that it is sometimes difficult to find such home and living in Florida you wouldn’t want to miss out on the (refreshing) benefits of having access to a pool, would you?

Sanford FL  and for the most part all of Seminole County in Central Florida doesn’t really have a lot of land available anymore. Since land has become so expensive, builders have been either constructing town homes (more homes on less land) or luxury homes. There are two new construction townhome communities Sanford (West of I-4) that we wanted to mention here:

• Terracina by Morrison Homes
• Savannah Park by Ashton Woods Homes

For now I will only talk about Terracina, please refer to one of my next blog posts or call us at 407-340-6458 for more info about Savannah Park!

Teracina Sanford FL

Prices at Terracina start in the mid 100s (have come down from low 200s since they first sarted in spring/summer 2008) – in my opinion these unique town homes are well priced because of what they offered: prime location in terms of convenience and highway access. The communities are only minutes from I-4, 417 and the Seminole Towne Center Mall as well as Colonial Town Park with its dining and entertainment virtually next to Terracina.

At the same time you’ll enjoy the closeness to the Wekiva River, Historic Sanford, the Sanford Marina and Riverwalk. West Sanford is a very new and growing area – it doesn’t necessarily offer the urban lifestyle you would find in downtown Orlando, Baldwin Park or Winter Park. It is however an area that does offer lots of recreation and outdoor activities. The Sanford/Lake Mary area has great bike trails that you can enjoy after work or during weekends. Terracina’s town homes impress with gorgeous tile roofs and a unique Mediterranean style that is hard to find in Seminole County. Amazing upgrades await you inside and there are also town home floor plans available with the Master downstairs. Sizes range from approximately 1,300 to over 2,000 square feet. The community has a community pool and gated access.

Check out the availability of homes on the right and contact us at 407-340-6458 to inquire about any current builder or move-in specials!