Buying in Orlando...advice and suggestions (Oviedo, Winter Park: condo, broker, townhome)

[NewOrlando]

Hello,
I am relatively new to the Orlando area and I am in the process or house hunting to purchase by the end of 2011. Currently I'm living with my parents in Winter Park but I'd love to get something of my own.

I would like to stay relatively close to them and I have a tight budget. The top of my list was Baldwin Park but it's just too expensive for me right now with their higher HOAs and taxes. So I'm back to the drawing board. I am a young professional 29yo single guy and I work from home.

Ideally I'd like a home (townhome or condo) that is in a desirable area, safe, and a nice place that will have good resale. I am considering the following areas: Oviedo (west side near 417 and Aloma), Winter Park (is there a bad part of Winter Park?) and areas in Orlando that are near to Winter Park. I considered Winter Garden and Lake Nona areas but decided that those areas were just too far away.

I'd like a good quality of life around other young professionals and in a good area that I would be proud to call home. I would appreciate any advice.

For a townhome or condo I'm looking 1300sq ft, or more 2+ bed 2+ ba, at least a one car garage, built after 2000..

[kyle19125]

Have you considered the downtown area of College Park? Having a price range would help as that could be completely off the mark. Having bought/sold three times over the past 12 years I can tell you the best way to see a return on investment is to buy in a developing neighborhood versus one that's already arrived. You're also more likely to have involved, young professional neighbors in these areas as well.

[Broker Dave]

It's Nona, yea for a while you will need to drive but the retail world is on the way.

As a young professional a little crimp now will pay off. Nona is designed with parks, walking and biking and a Baldwin style community is plan with the infrastructure currently going in, it's called Laureate Park

Hope this helps,

[Soup Not See]

Originally Posted by Broker Dave

It's Nona, yea for a while you will need to drive but the retail world is on the way.

As a young professional a little crimp now will pay off. Nona is designed with parks, walking and biking and a Baldwin style community is plan with the infrastructure currently going in, it's called Laureate Park

Hope this helps,

Did you not read the OP ? The gentleman said that Lake Nona was too far away ... and why would a young single professional want to live way out in Lake Nona away from all the action when he could be in College Park/Winter Park/downtown ?

[annerk]

I would definitely set my sights on College Park or maybe even SoDo.

[NewOrlando]

Thanks of the suggestions. I've actually opened up my home search to include single family homes as well. My price range is 200k or less for those of you that were asking..I agree it's easier to give some my solid advice when you know what price I'm working with. I do enjoy College Park and Thronton Park areas of Orlando however I'm finding there's not much on the market in my price range.

I like Lake Nona area..but it's just too far from the action of downtown for a younger guy like me. Given the price limit are College Park/Thornton Park out of my range?

Looking at single family homes is a possibility now, but I would hope to find something small, kept up and updated. Thanks!!

[keithwand]

How about Audubon Park; across the street from Baldwin Park and just a few miles to downtown Orlando and Winter Park.
Convenient to Fashion Sq Mall and everything on Colonial.
I would think 200k will get you something.