Focus on: Plant Street Commons

Focus on: Plant Street Commons

Introducing Plant Street Commons: A Vision for Downtown Winter Garden's Future

Plant Street Commons is the latest plan by a local developer, Atrium Capital Group, which promises to redefine the landscape of the vibrant Winter Garden downtown area.

With a dynamic blend of retail and residential spaces it could be the perfect mix, nestled along coveted Plant Street.

At the forefront of this proposed development is a three-story building that will include ground-floor retail above which there will be, ten modern apartments. Complementing the apartments are eight two-story townhomes. These townhomes are designed to integrate with the surrounding neighborhood while providing residents with all the comforts of a modern living.

The developer’s plans include ample parking provisions with total of 27 parking spaces are proposed, with dedicated allocations for retail customers, apartment residents, and townhome occupants.

While the project is still in its preliminary stages, Winter Garden’s reputation as a place for shopping, dining, and leisure activities bodes well for the success of Plant Street Commons.

This announcement comes amidst a wave of steady growth in Downtown Winter Garden, with several infill developments contributing to the area’s growth. 

 

Renderings courtesy of Atrium Capital Group.

 

Focus on: Winter Oaks

Focus on: Winter Oaks

What’s Not To Love?

The Winter Oaks community in Winter Garden falls within the much coveted “golf cart district” less than a mile from Plant Street and the historic downtown area. This makes it Winter Oaks not only the perfect retreat, but the perfect location for trips to the Farmer’s market or playing pickle ball at the Veteran’s Memorial Park next door. Right across the street is the Orange County bike and running trail. Everything is within a stone’s throw, which is what makes Winter Oaks such a gem.

winter oaks entrance

One of the first things you’ll notice when entering the community is the beautful water tower. Yes, it’s just for show, but it’s pretty cool all the same and it provides a certain gravitass when entering this non-gated community.

winter oaks water tower

The second thing you’ll surely notice is the lack of cars on the street. This is a breath of fresh air and it makes Winter Oaks feel clean and tidy. The open feel provides an immediate sense of relaxation. And yet there is ample room for parking. How do they do it? Simple. All the parking is around the back in sides streets that lead to each terrace of houses. Finally, some smart developers who were actually thinking about design and layout.

Oh, plus there’s the lake. It’s one of two ponds with fountains. And no cars, see?

Just past the water tower, you’ll find the community pool, nestled between palm trees, the perfect spot for relaxing in the shade.

winter oaks pool

All in all, Winter Oaks is the perfect location, which makes it very desirable, so it’s not cheap – but it’s also not that expensive. Nothing over a million. Yet. And there are a number of floor plans to choose, from 3- to 5-bedrooms, up to around 3,000 square feet, so it definitely doesn’t have that cookie cutter feel.

Ask me what’s available and I’ll give you the full tour — or, navigate back to our Winter Garden MLS search and see what’s cookin’!

Now Serving Oakland!

Now Serving Oakland!

Sure, and why not? it feels more like old Winter Garden in Oakland than Horizon’s West – which somehow has the same zip code as Winter Garden – yet it extends half way to Disney and really has nothing to do with the Winter Garden that most of us have come to think of.

The beautiful and much overlooked Oakland is as pretty as it gets.

Oakland Park for example, features a number of new townhomes and single family homes that are right off the Orange County bike trail, just a short jog from Plant Street.

And then there are the old time, single family homes in the backstreets that feel like they’ve been there forever, their sandy roads and driveways reminiscent of Windermere. Sshh! Don’t tell anyone.

So yes, we cover Oakland as well. Ask us about the Reserve at Oakland Park or Briley Farm! 

 

 

Crooked Can
Fed Finally Cuts Rates

Fed Finally Cuts Rates

The Fed Rate Cut

It’s September 2024 and the Federal Reserve has finally lowered its rate by .5% – a little more than we dared to hope for, with further rate cuts possible before the end of the year. This is great news because it suggets that inflation is finally trending downward and consumer confidence is gaining. However…

It doesn’t necessarily follow that mortgage rates immediately drop. The “Fed rate” is not tied directly to mortgage rates; instead it’s the fee U.S. banks pay each other to borrow or loan money overnight. The reduction does trickle down to products like credit cards, student loans and, yes, mortgages eventually we hope– but it may take a second. The good news is that homes are about to get more affordable.

New, Higher Conforming Loan Limits

You may have heard about ‘conforming loan’ limits rising. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) regulates Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac and set the limits, which are essentially a cap on the amount of a mortgage they are prepared to guarantee. The FHFA typically raises these limits every fall, according to home prices. As home prices increase or decrease, loan limits respond accordingly. 

Higher limits mean you can get a larger conventional loan while still benefiting from more flexible qualifying criteria and lower down payment options than with, say, a jumbo loan, which can be tougher to qualify for because they’re not backed by Fannie or Freddie.

However, jumbo loans etc. can still be great for the right clients. Their rates can be better than Fannie and Freddie because jumbo loans aren’t subject to loan level price adjustments (LLPAs). 

On the downside, with all the pent up demand and buyers rushing back to the marketplace together, well, home prices are likely to respond accordingly. Upward. Remember the days of multiple offers on Day 1 with each higher than the last? Yeah me too. Seems like you just can’t win – but either way, paying off your own home sure beats paying off your landlord’s home.

The Crooked Can at Dawn

The Crooked Can at Dawn

An early morning walk along Plant Street is not only more invigorating now that fall is here–but it can reveal things in a different light, quite literally.

Fewer people, a different vibe, and a sense of peace that will alow you to collect your thoughts before the day begins. A change in perspective can help alter perspective.

Schedule a walk alone at dawn and you might be surprised how it clears your mind and sets you up for the day!

Crooked Can

Finally quiet, the busy Plant Street market stands out for its bricked simplicity.

Pickel Ball Summer

Pickel Ball Summer

From dawn to dusk, the pickelball folk are at it over at the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Winter Garden. Well not right now… the gates have been closed ever since hurricane Helene. It’s been over a week already…what’s a player to do?!

Anyway, if you haven’t tried America’s fastest growing sport, now could be the time, although you’ll be lucky to find a court most of the time due to the throngs of locals who just can’t get enough.

From 7:30 am when the courts open until 10 pm when they close, the courts are full, and even the sole surving tennis court has now become another pickelball court, such is the demand.

But play around noon in the mid-day sun and you’ll find a few free courts… if you can handle it. You know what they say about mad dogs and Englshmen.

Communities like Winter Oaks and Oak Park are perfect home locations for avid pickleball players as they can walk to the courts (or jump the fence) from their own back yards.

See you on the courts!

winter garden pickel ball

The action never stops at the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Winter Garden