What Makes East Orlando Special
With various shopping and dining options, family attractions, golf courses, and charming neighborhoods, East Orlando is a bustling area of Central Florida — so much so that it feels like a city of its own! Less than four miles from the University of Central Florida and near Valencia College, many students and alumni enjoy calling this area home. Given its close proximity to beaches as well as downtown Orlando, it’s the perfect spot for many people, especially young families. Plus, thanks to Blanchard Park, an 84-acre park with trails, fishing, and sports fields, and Downey Park, which includes a dog park, locals (and their pets!) can enjoy the beautiful outdoors too.
Favorite Spots in East Orlando
East Orlando is known for its central location and well-planned neighborhoods. Below, we rounded-up three of our (and our clients’!) favorite locations.
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Winter Springs
Many young professionals and families call Winter Springs home. The community boasts 12 city parks as well as nature trails, fishing piers, sports fields, playgrounds, and more. With 18 veterinarians, 15 pet groomers, and 5 dog parks, your pets will be just as happy with their hometown as you are.
Waterford Lakes
The community, located on 840 acres in east Orange County, includes 25 subdivisions and over 3,100 homes. Even better, Waterford Lakes Town Center is one of the premier open-air shopping centers in Florida.
The History of Orlando
In 1838, in the midst of the Seminole Wars, the United States Army built Fort Gatlin in an effort to protect the people who had settled just south of present-day Orlando. A small community soon developed there, called Jernigan in honor of the Jernigan family, who established the area’s first permanent settlement. By 1856, as the community grew into the northern territory, the name was changed to Orlando. The town, with 85 residents, was incorporated in 1875.
There are four stories told about the inspiration behind the name Orlando. In the first tale, Judge James Speer, who played an important part in securing Orlando as the county seat, named the city after a man who previously worked with him. The second story claims that Judge Speer used a character in Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It for inspiration. The third anecdote argues that Mr. Orlando, during a trip to Tampa, got sick, died, and was buried in the community. Following his death, travelers would say, “There lies Orlando” as they passed through the town. In the fourth and final story, during the Seminole Wars, after fighting back the Indians near Lake Minnie (now Cherokee), soldiers spent the night in the area. Sentinel Orlando Reeves was standing guard when he noticed a floating log and realized it was a disguised Indian. He fired his gun, warning his fellow soldiers of the ambush, and then died by the Indians’ arrows. He was buried near Lake Eola, which is now part of a public park in Downtown Orlando.
For more information about East Orlando and surrounding areas, check out our blog series,
Thinking About Relocating to Central Florida? Find the Right Neighborhood for You!
Questions to Ask for Home Sellers
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Should I use a real estate agent? The answer is yes! You may want to sell your home on your own in an effort to save money, but chances are, you’ll lose money if you forgo an expert’s help. You may list your house for less than its value or miss out on potential buyers without the guidance of a real estate professional.
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When is the best time to sell my house? Research reveals that spring and summer are home-buying seasons, with May, June, and July being the most popular months for relocation. Even the day you list your home matters: Houses that are put up for sale on Thursdays sell for more money and quicker than homes listed on other days.
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Should I update my house before listing it? It’s really up to you. If you know of a problem, you should fix it or adjust your listing price accordingly and disclose the issue to potential buyers. People often prefer a move-in ready home, so it’s best to fix any major problems, like a leaky roof or damaged pipes.
Questions to Ask for Home Buyers
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Why do I need to talk to a lender before I find a house? Having a pre-approval letter for your finances helps to set your budget and gives your realtor a sense of the houses you can afford. Plus, it makes you a more appealing buyer for home sellers, many of whom require this document to be sent with an offer.
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What should I consider about a location before submitting an offer? It’s true what they say: The most important part of your home search is location, location, location! It goes beyond the city or neighborhood; the exact location of the lot within a neighborhood matters too. You need to know if it’s on a safe street, if it’s near a park or walking trail, if it has good schools, and more.
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How can a realtor help me in my house hunt? Without access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the information you have about a home may not be accurate or timely. Plus, a real estate professional can give you deeper insights, like whether the house is over- or under-priced, what the neighborhood is really like, and more.
