What to Know Before Moving to a Winter Park Luxury Home

Toni Marie Cafferty | June 9, 2022

Winter Park

Moving to a new area can be both an exciting and daunting task. There's a lot to think about, like noteworthy market trends and ways to familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood. Don't worry, we're here to help! Here are some things to keep in mind when you're making the move to a Winter Park luxury home.

Winter Park market trends

If you have not yet purchased Winter Park real estate, you might be pleased to hear that the median listing price remains far lower than it was last summer. From July through October of 2021, the median price was approximately $730,000, but since February 2022, it has remained below $600,000.

You may be less pleased to hear that the market still heavily favors sellers, with fewer than 300 Winter Park homes for sale right now. On the bright side, the trend in the number of homes for sale is climbing after lingering in the low 100s for the majority of the time between July 2021 through February 2022. The current number of homes listed is actually the highest number since September 2020.

With the market being so tight, buyers should expect to move quickly and be prepared to make their best offer upfront. You should also be patient and know that you may have to submit offers on several properties before one of your submissions is accepted. Another fact that is sure to make you happy (as a buyer interested in Winter Park real estate) is that the median of homes' days on the market is currently 50, which means you should be able to close on a home within two months of when it was listed, as long as your offer is accepted.

Familiarize yourself with the area

Before you move in, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood in which you plan to live. Here are some suggestions for aspects of your life like food, DIY projects, and activities outside the home.

Groceries

One of the most important things to do before moving into a new home is to familiarize yourself with the local grocery stores. This is especially important if you are moving to a new city or town since you won't want to have to search too far in order to stock your cabinets and fridge shortly after moving in. Buyers interested in Winter Park homes for sale should be pleased to note the abundance of grocery stores in the area, which includes Publix Super Market, Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe's.

Home goods

When moving, it is not uncommon to realize you need to replace some of your existing furniture and decor due to wear and tear. If you are moving to a larger property, you may also need additional furniture and accessories to make the space feel like home. Owners of Winter Park real estate have many local furniture and home decor stores to choose from, including Summer Classics Home Winter Park, Ethan Allen, 1010 on Orange, and Hometown Furniture and Decor Market.

Summer Classics Home's Winter Park Showroom offers new owners of Winter Park homes for sale all the furniture or decor possibly needed for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and outdoor entertaining areas. The showroom also features light fixtures. Stop by or reach out by phone to schedule a design consultation, or simply drop in to browse current collections.
1010 on Orange near Winter Park real estate stocks furniture, accessories, wall decor, rugs, and lighting curated by local interior designer Brianna Michelle in partnership with furniture brand Verellen. Visit here for everything from wingback chairs to silverware.Hometown Furniture and Decor
Market sells art, home decor accessories, and custom furniture made by local artisans. Perfect for new owners of Winter Park homes for sale looking to support local artists, this store also offers classes and workshops to help those interested in art discover their own inner artist.

Dining

_{Photo Courtesy of Soseki Modern Omakase}

When buying a new home, it is useful to learn about dining options nearby so you have a place to enjoy a great meal after all the unpacking that comes after closing on Winter Park homes for sale. Some favorite local eateries include Hillstone Restaurant and Soseki Modern Omakase.

Hillstone Restaurant is the perfect location for date night, with the majority of tables seating only two guests. A few tables are available for double-dates or dinner with friends, though no tables seat more than four guests. The restaurant serves residents of Winter Park real estate and other guests delicious selections like rotisserie chicken or pan-fried snapper.
Soseki Modern Omakase provides a multi-course small bite experience where every offering is selected by the chef. With only10 total seats, this restaurant near Winter Park real estate is another way to have an intimate night out. Reservations must be paid in advance, but it is worth it for this unique experience.

Things to do

While your first thought may be to head to one of the nearby theme parks, such as Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, there are plenty of other things to do in Winter Park itself! Some local pastimes include visiting a garden, playing a round of golf, and catching a musical theater show.

If you enjoy garden parks, be sure to check out Kraft Azalea Garden, which covers a little more than five acres near Winter Park homes for sale. The Exedra monument in this park doubles as a popular location for weddings. The park itself has a lovely walking path with different lakeside views.
Another popular garden is the Mead Botanical Garden near Winter Park real estate, which sprawls across 48 acres. This is a popular spot for geocaching and guided hikes, but residents are most happy about the community garden and the annual events like the Great Duck Derby, which was last held on April 30th. The event features rubber duck races and is fun for the young and young at heart.
If a day playing golf is your preference, be sure to check out the Winter Pines Golf Club, where you can play an 18-hole course designed for players of all skill levels. The course has been open since the late 1960s and has a par of 67.
If you enjoy musical theater, be sure to check out what's on at The Winter Park Playhouse near Winter Park real estate, which has upcoming shows like "Pump Boys and Dinettes," "Steppin' Out with Irving Berlin," and "Desperate Measures."

Search for Winter Park luxury homes for sale

There's plenty to love about Winter Park and its luxury homes, so be sure to stop by and see what this great area has to offer! For help with the buying process, contact Toni Marie Cafferty today.

Toni Marie Cafferty

Luxury Property Specialist

Primary phone
(904) 449-2184
Email
[email protected]
Address
7940 Via Dellagio Way, Suite 100,
Orlando, FL 32819

About the Author

A true native, Toni Marie Cafferty calls Florida home. Originally from Jacksonville, she moved to Central Florida while attending the private university of Stetson where she graduated with a degree in Marketing and International Business. With time spent in Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, she loves to explore other cultures. In her real estate career, she’s had the pleasure to work with buyers from around the world.

As a Realtors® daughter, Toni Marie was raised in the real estate industry and contributes her high level of client care to that of her mother. Toni Marie caters to the luxury market with a white glove-style all her own. Just as the Golden Rule states, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Toni Marie takes this to the next level offering superb client care. When asked, she says “it’s all about the details and being present with those you are working with whether it be in-person or over the phone. Be ahead of your client’s questions and help provide clarity and honest feedback.”

Toni Marie Cafferty’s Gold Standard (#tmcgoldstandard) has garnered respect from her colleagues and clients alike as she grows her real estate profession. In the past 5 years, she has managed over $74 million in sales and she’s not slowing down; rather she is expanding her reach with Compass to help more buyers find their place and continue to shatter records for her sellers. Most recently, Toni Marie has been the highest priced estate under contract in Windermere, Florida since 2019 and set a new price per square foot high in the exclusive community of Isleworth Golf & Country Club.

Toni Marie rounds out her career with a balance of time spent with her friends and family. Her husband, Brett, and their two dogs are looking forward to growing their family over the next few years as they continue to call Central Florida their home.