Areas For Homes with land & Good Schools (Orlando, Winter Garden: for sale, foreclosed)

[seethesun]

Hi,

We are relatively new to Orlando (arrived in October), and currently lease in Winter Garden. However, we are looking to buy and want to either buy a house with some land, 2-5 acres, or purchase a lot and build on it. However, we have a 4 year old and a 1 year old, which makes schools extremely important to us.

I see some houses with land that fall within our range in Groveland and a few other areas. We drove through the areas in Groveland (one was gated and couldn't get to it) and we weren't thrilled about the mobile homes and land that looked run down and uncared for. We are looking to stay less than $400k, but would go up to $450k. We would like a house 3000+ sqft. We would prefer the land to be mostly cleared, or at allowed to be cleared so that we have the open space.

We would also be open to building, but I am not familiar with the process and have no idea if we could stay under $400k with the land and the construction. Any ideas on how much per square foot a custom house would run? I know details will make a big difference, but if you can ball park it for me that would be great. Also, any suggestions on where to find lots with good schools (and stay within our budget)?

Thanks for any ideas.

David

[annerk]

Groveland schools are iffy.

You'd be able to build 3000 s/f on two acres in your price range. You'd need to find the land, then find a builder, get a construction loan. It's fairly involved but not impossible--we did it.

There are still building lots (2+ acres, no HOA) for sale in Clermont in the East Ridge HS zone (A school), I'd suggest working with a Realtor to find them.

[AONE]

There are some homes with large lots in Seminole County where the schools would be far better than Lake County.

Clermont does indeed have homes that fit your criteria handily but again it would be Lake County schools.

I have a builder that puts up a good home with nice finishings around the $121/ft price that would be granite counters and such. That doesn't leave much for buying the land, even so there are some lots that would keep you in budget. remember it will take the better part of a year to build.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by AONE

There are some homes with large lots in Seminole County where the schools would be far better than Lake County.

Clermont does indeed have homes that fit your criteria handily but again it would be Lake County schools.

I have a builder that puts up a good home with nice finishings around the $121/ft price that would be granite counters and such. That doesn't leave much for buying the land, even so there are some lots that would keep you in budget. remember it will take the better part of a year to build.

If not longer. It was 18 months for my house.

[seethesun]

Thanks for the responses. This weekend my wife wanted to go look at areas around town that we thought we might like.

First, we went to Arrowtree Reserve (FL-19 & 91 & 27), which I had that tingly feeling inside when driving through the community. It was exactly the type of community we wanted. We absolutely loved it. However, the homes that are available right now are at the top end of our price range (or out of it) and the lots are $100k+ for anything larger than an acre. I saw a house that was foreclosed on at Zillow, but it's not up for sale yet. They were working on it when we drove by.

Then, we drove all the way across town to the Wedgefield area. I saw mostly good reviews on here about it. My wife was not impressed, although it would have been the shortest drive of all the areas to get to work.

Thanks again.