Lake Mary - Central Florida Real Estate

Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain, said the great and powerful OZ.  Why am I channeling ruby slippers and the yellow brick road?  Because what my customers don't see behind the scenes is the reason that they need me.

I had the pleasure of spending 2 days last week with a couple moving back to the Central Florida after living in Ohio for two years.  They missed the warm weather and couldn't see themselves living through another winter up-north.

They found me online, I'm hearing that more and more these days and we hit it off right away...  We had several conversations about the areas that they were interested in, where they have to drive to work and their lifestyle.  Many properties were emailed back and forth over the course of 3 days so that I could get a "feel" for what they were looking for.

The buyers were interested in a variety of homes and we scheduled to meet the first day at a new home community that they had seen online.  We never looked at the homes in the community, once they were there, it wasn't what they were looking for. I had a feeling that it wasn't going to be right for them, but I wanted them to see it anyway.  

They jumped into my car and I took them straight to the house that I knew they would buy.  They fell in love the minute that they walked in the door.  It was within their budget, it was new, the builder was willing to include the pool they wanted and it was a mere 20 minute commute to work.  It was perfect, I knew and they knew it... they just needed to be sure.

We spent the next 3 hours that day and 3 hours the following day looking at about 7 other homes, but nothing compared to the "perfect house" that I showed them first.  Last Friday they wrote a contract for the home and they close in a little over 2 weeks.  They have already made a new friend in the neighborhood, their next door neighbor who I brought to the community too.  I already had one happy customer there... now two.

What didn't they see behind the curtain?  The choice I made over 20 years ago to move to Central Florida, 12 years of building experience as a project manager for a general contractor, countless hours I've spent driving around different communities, talking to builders, learning about different neighborhoods, staying current on road projects, walking through builder's models, studying the market, reading blogs, writing blogs and the endless enthusiasm I have for helping others reach their goals.

It's what my customers will never see that makes me an asset to their home buying experience.

If you are considering a move to, in or around Central Florida and are interested in a drive down the yellow brick road, call or email me... Put my years of experiences in Central Florida to work for you. 

 Contact Debbie Summers, REALTOR®, ALHS, e-PRO, RE/MAX Central Realty

Please contact Cas and Debbie for all of your real estate needs in Seminole County, Lake Mary, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Winter Park, Maitland, Apopka and Orlando.

407-758-1020 or Debbie@CasAndDebbie.com  

Sanford, the county seat of Seminole County has long been our Historic Waterfront Gateway.  The city of Sanford was incorporated back in 1877 and has been at the heart of Seminole County ever since.

Sanford is home to all of the county services of Seminole County. Downtown Sanford is being revitalized with a multi-million dollar waterfront walking trail, the business district and the restoration of historic homes set among ancient oaks and beautiful parks.

There are a wide variety of housing options from apartments, historic homes, new planned subdivisions to luxury gated communities in Sanford to fit any Florida lifestyle.

The Orlando Sanford International Airport continues to grow and Allegiant Air even offers domestic flights to many airports across the country.  The Orlando Sanford International continues to bring European visitors to Central Florida and is the first stop for many of our tourists.  The area around the airport continues to develop and bring additional business and jobs to the area.

Sanford has a hometown feeling with some great attractions for visitors and residents alike.  You can spend the afternoon at the Central Florida Zoo where my nieces from Idaho really enjoyed their afternoon with the animals.  I'm looking forward to taking a cruise on the Rivership Romance in February.  We are taking the Sunday Brunch Cruise and I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with friends as we meander up the St Johns River.  I can't tell you how many people get excited about a flea market... Sanford is home to FLEAWORLD, America's largest Flea Market or so they say.  If you are a bargain hunter this is your place.  If you are looking for your favorite retailer, Seminole Towne Center is a great place to start.  There is also a new Super Target, Circuit City, Sports Authority, Best Buy and Super Walmart within minutes of the mall.

If you have questions about Sanford or any city in Seminole County please contact me @ Debbie@CasAndDebbie.com. 

Please contact me with your questions about Central Florida Real Estate @ Debbie@CasAndDebbie.com

If you haven't read my first installment Living In Seminole County (Part 1).  I will wait for you to take a look... 

When people think about Central Florida the first thing that comes to mind is Orlando, home to Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios.  My nieces and nephews in Seattle think that I live next door to Mickey Mouse, needless to say they all want to come to my house.

Sandwiched between  Orange County to the south (with it's theme parks, convention center, hotels, and tourist attractions) and Volusia County to the north (home of the LPGA, Daytona International Speedway and Daytona Beach) Seminole County is a retreat from the hustle and bustle of tourist attractions, spring break and national conventions.  Seminole County offers a diverse selection of housing types and has community services that address the needs of the changing population.  From first-time buyers to seniors that require assisted living services, you will find what you are looking for here in Seminole County.

Seminole County is touted as "Florida's Natural Choice" we are so fortunate that we are close to all the conveniences of great shopping, restaurants and businesses... but minutes away from the great outdoors.  Just a 15 minute ride from Lake Mary, you can be out on an air-boat on Lake Jesup.  It's been said that there are more than 10,000 alligators in this lake and the day that we took my brother, his wife and son from Seattle out for a taste of the "real Florida"  they were out there waiting for us.  My nephew had never seen a real alligator before and he was an expert spotter by the end of our 45 minute ride.  It was a welcome break from the Tourist attractions and they really enjoyed the fresh air.

If you want to get a glimpse of one of the 10,000 gators select the links below:

• The Black Hammock  - A restaurant on Lake Jesup where you can not only see Gators, you can eat them too!  Yes, they taste like chicken...
• Black Hammock Air Boat Rides 

Interested in buying or selling a home in Seminole County?  Please contact me @ Debbie@CasAndDebbie.com or 407-758.1020 

For facts and history of Seminole County, please click here...

I was inspired earlier today by Jessica Horton who has started a new group for  "Cliff Hangers".  Now those of us who are writing a series have a unique place to group all of our posts together.  Thank you Jessica!

I've been wanting to write a series on Seminole County, Florida.  Seminole County is north of dowtown Orlando and is the home to the cities of Lake Mary, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Casselberry, Winter Springs and Oviedo.

Lake Mary was voted the #4 Best Place To Live by Money Magazine and Winter Springs was in the top 40...  Two cities in the same Central Florida County, there must be something to this place and there is.  You can be at Disney World or the beach in less than an hour from Seminole County.  Some large companies have Corporate offices here including AAA.  There are highly regarded schools, parks, wildlife areas, recreation areas, river cruises, malls, fantastic restaurants, challenging golf courses and GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS TO LIVE IN. 

I hope that you will "Hang Out" and learn more about Seminole County, its great cities and neighborhoods.  I've lived in Seminole County for over 20 years and I'm looking forward to giving you the inside scoop on Living in Seminole County.

Thinking about moving to Seminole County?  Please email me @ Debbie@CasAndDebbie.com for the inside scoop!

Debbie Summers, RE/MAX Central Realty, Lake Mary Florida