The Shaw Family is well-known in the area for their commitment to the development of Downtown Lake Mary and for their quality workmanship in both commercial and residential construction. Terry Shaw, the owner and visionary behind Shaw Construction, has been a residential and commercial builder in the area for years and has proven to be dedicated to and focused on revitalizing the historic area of downtown Lake Mary for the past ten years.
As a matter of fact, Terry's company, Shaw Construction, was instrumental in the building of the very first high-end retail space in historic Lake Mary known as "Central Park Place." "Central Park Place" is nestled on a tree-lined street behind City Hall and is home to several retail shops, a yoga studio, the DeLano Everyday Café and business suites on the second floor.
In addition to this project, Shaw Construction has also secured approval by the City of Lake Mary to build even more retail and office spaces near the "Central Park Place" building. Both two story and one story buildings will be available and all will have views of the park. Suites range from 1184 to 2468 sq feet.
In addition to their commercial projects, the Shaw Family also builds single family homes in Lake Mary. Linda Shaw, Terry's wife and the creative one in the family, custom designs each home and hand-selects the interior finishes. She has a keen sense for what Florida homeowners desire and is willing to accept only the best in finishes for their homes.
Ryan Shaw, their daughter, appears to be following in her parent's footprints. She has recently earned her real estate license and is off and running marketing their Parade of Homes Showcase property in Lake Mary, while developing a list of interested tenants for their up and coming retail & office space.
All in all, the downtown area of Lake Mary is destined to be the new "hot spot" in Central Florida. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the Farmer's Market, Movies In the Park, Concerts in the Park, boutique shops, café style dining, fitness classes and more! Even the family pet is welcomed here! What a great place to work, live and play!
For more information on space for lease or homes for sale in Lake Mary, contact LaShawn Norden, PA, REALTOR, ALHS at (321) 377-0157 or at LaShawn@LaShawnNorden.com as she's the only Florida Native You'll Need!
I've lived in Seminole County, Florida for more than 30 years! Many people ask me why I've not ever considered moving my husband and two boys to another County in Florida (or out of Florida for that matter), and the answer is simple...Seminole County has so much to offer that there is no reason to leave. Here's why I've stayed in Seminole County and why you should consider moving here too:
1. The School System is Award-Winning
Seminole County Public Schools scored higher than other school districts in the areas of reading, writing, science and math. As a matter of fact, Seminole County Schools had their highest scores in the history of the School Board during the 2006-2007 school year.
The Department of Education ranked the Seminole County School District as an "A" District for the past FIVE years! In addition, for the past 22 years, the SAT scores of students in Seminole County have consistently exceeded state and national averages.
When FCAT scores were announced, 43 Seminole County Schools earned an "A," 13 schools earned a "B," only 2 schools earned a "C" and there were no schools with a "D" or an "F."
2. Diversity in Housing
There is wide variety in the types of communities in which to live, including single family homes, townhomes, condos and loft-style apartments. Residences are available for as low as the mid $100s to over $8M.
Seminole County communities offer something for everyone. Here, you can find golf communities, gated communities, small communities with water access, larger communities with park-like amenities, condominium complexes, townhome communities, historic districts featuring homes with classical architecture , zero-lot line homes, estate-sized luxury homes and ranches with acreage to accommodate equestrian living and more!
3. Prestige
Two cities within Seminole County, Lake Mary and Winter Springs, have both been honored in Money Magazine as the #4 & #31 best cities to live, work and play. Each of these cities have earned these "bragging rights" because of the quality of life and the ability to incorporate working, living and playing within that city.
4. Lower Taxes
The forward-thinking within the County Appraiser's office and the County Commissioner's Office is citizen friendly, always keeping in mind the impact on the homeowner. The millage rate in Seminole County is sufficient to provide excellent ancillary services, but not excessive to the detriment of the property owner.
The average millage rates for Seminole County cities are less than those in most Orange County cities...which means you can buy the same sized home and pay less taxes!
5. Focus on the Future
The Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development groups in Seminole County have focused on attracting big businesses to the area which attract high-paying jobs and highly educated employees. Strong partnerships have been created between government, business, and the Chamber which have enabled Seminole County to become a destination for relocating companies.
6. Close to Everything
Seminole County is only 40 minutes to the beach and 30 minutes from the most traveled entertainment attractions in the world such as Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios and much more. There are also shopping and dining districts within each of the seven cities within the County and several new "outdoor" storefronts and well-known high end restaurants and shops.
7. Advanced Education Opportunities
In addition to the excellent public school system for grades K-12, there are also several colleges and universities within the Seminole County area, including Seminole Community College and the University of Central Florida.
8. Transportation
Making your way around Seminole County is easy. With I-4 and State Road 417, you can be anywhere you want to go in no time. The County also has an international airport, train station, and a bus system.
9. Recreation Opportunities
The opportunities are endless when it comes to having "activities" to do in Seminole County. Here are just a few:
10. People are nice here!
Just in case you aren't yet quite convinced that Seminole County is the place for you, I'd love the opportunity to give you a personal tour and show you why I (along with 400,000+ others) have chosen to call this home!
If you are a Buyer who is interested in knowing more about a Seminole County city such as Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Fern Park, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Longwood, Sanford or Winter Springs, contact LaShawn Norden, PA, REALTOR, ALHS at (321) 377-0157 or at LaShawn@LaShawnNorden.com.
If you are a Seller who has a home to sell in Seminole County and values having a marketing specialist with Real Estate license on your side, LaShawn Norden, PA, REALTOR, ALHS is the expert for you!
LaShawn Norden is the Only Central Florida Native You'll Need!
Welcome to LaShawn Norden's "Seminole County Community Spotlight"
This week, I would like to share one of my favorite communities with you, St. Johns Landing.
Saint Johns Landing is a small community of only 31 custom-built homes on the banks of Lake Jessup. Most of the homes were built in the late 1990's and early 2000's by some of the most reputable custom homes builders in the area. Homes range in size from 3,000 square feet to over 4,200 square feet. Approximately one third of the homes have frontage on the lake and several of those homes have their own dock. Homes range in price from the $600s to over $1M for those estates on the lake.
For those homes without their own private dock, the community has their own private dock, a gazebo on the water for fishing & boating and boat slips available for lease. Enjoy evenings under the gazebo gazing at the stars or take the boat out for an afternoon of nature sightings...whatever your pleasure, you can have it here.
As far a shopping goes, just up the street is the Winter Springs Town Center, which is outfitted with a Publix, restaurants, upscale boutiques, specialty shops and a wine bar. Whether you are up for a 5K run, looking for an ideal location to watch fireworks on July 4th, enjoy Fall Festivals & Spring Flings or just looking for a fun place to meet friends and neighbors for dinner, the Town Center always has something to offer. For more information on local activities, please visit their website.
Great schools are nearby as well. Winter Springs High school, which is within a few hundred yards from St. Johns Landing, is one of the most sought after schools in Seminole County and the home of last year's Teacher of the Year! Keeth Elementary and Indian Trails Middle School have just as desirable reputations. For more information on the area schools, please visit the Seminole County School Board's website.
Outdoor recreation is plentiful also. According to the City of Winter Springs Parks & Recreation department, the City's park system consists of nine park sites which are developed for public use. Many of the parks offer league sports for youth and adults and feature public basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, playgrounds and picnic areas. Central Winds Park, also within walking distance to St. Johns Landing, is a community park with competition quality league play and offers baseball, softball, soccer fields and volleyball courts. A passive area on the West Side of the park includes pavilions, picnic grills, playground, horseshoes and a nature trail. For more information, check out the City of Winter Springs website.
Since Florida is the ultimate entertainment destination, and Winter Springs was ranked in Money magazine as one of the top cities in the country to live, it's guaranteed you'll not only own a stunning home, but one in a sought after area. One word of caution though, once you move here, make sure to have an open calendar as you're friends and family will beg for a date to come visit!
Economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do, a sense of community and Winter Springs' new Town Center were some of the factors that ranked Winter Springs the 31st best place to live in the United States, according to the August issue of Money Magazine. Previously, Winter Springs was rated the best city in the United States in which to purchase a home, based upon ten quality of life criteria, by MSN Advisory Services. Click here to read the full article.
Interested in purchasing a home in Seminole County? If so, LaShawn Norden has been a Seminole County resident for more than 30 years! LaShawn is 'in-the-know" about resale, new construction, luxury estates, golf communities and more! Call LaShawn Norden, PA, ALHS, REALTOR at (321) 377-0157 today, as she's the only Florida Native you'll need!
If only I had $7M...
Today, two of my colleagues (and friends), Cas and Debbie Summers, and I toured the Street of Dreams luxury estates in Lake Club, which is located in Lake Mary, Florida. This year, the event featured three of the largest and most expensive homes ever showcased in the tour and we were each anxious to see first-hand if the hype was manufactured or truly worthy.
And so, off we went.
We met at Veramonte, which is a custom home community off of Markham Woods Road in the Longwood/Lake Mary area. Veramonte is one of the newest gated communities and perhaps one of the last opportunities to build a custom home in this desirable area. Veramonte has several speculative homes under construction, and considering the reputation of the two builders in Varamonte, Dave Brewer Homes and Signature Homes Group, it's sure to be a community worth considering for those who are looking for quality construction in an excellent location, but aren't wanting to spend $7+M or needing a home with 10,000 square feet or more, which is the minimum you'll find in these beauties being showcased in this year's Street of Dreams.
Our first stop was at the 11,026 square foot home built by Hillcrest Homes & Development Company. Honestly, this home had some features that just blew me away...the entry was stunning (above photo)...the kitchen was awe inspiring, the Master Suite had a closet bigger than most homes (with a washer/dryer actually INSIDE the closet), the Media Room was completely comfortable and the pool area...well, let's just say that you'd never have to leave home to go on vacation. There was a lazy river jet stream (picture below), two beach-style entries and a lagoon area off of the Master Bedroom that could easily make you feel like you were at a Five Star Resort on a tropical island in the Bahamas. This fine home is available for sale furnished at $9.2M.
So, now that you might be thinking this was the "best of the best," I'll leave you wondering...
Tune in tomorrow for Part II of this three part series on some of the most incredible homes in Seminole County!
For further information on luxury homes in Seminole County, Florida...specifically Lake Mary, Longwood, Sanford and Winter Springs, call LaShawn Norden, PA, Accredited Luxury Homes Specialist, REALTOR as she's the only Florida Native you'll need!
LaShawn Norden is "in the know" about luxury communities such as Alaqua, Alaqua Lakes, Heathrow, Washington Estates, Wingfield North, The Estates at Springs Landing, Soldiers Creek, Lake Forest, Magnolia Plantation, Heathrow Woods and other fine luxury estate communities within Seminole County.
The City of Lake Mary is sponsoring a "Safety Fair" on Saturday, May 31st from 9:00am-1:00pm. The Fair will be held at Lake Mary's City Hall and in Central Park, where visitors can also enjoy the Farmer's Market.
The Lake Mary Police Department, Fire Department, D.A.R.E. and other community organizations will be participating.
This year, the City is asking visitors/residents to donate their unused cell phones to the "911 Cell Phones for Seniors" Project. Donated phones are given to Seniors so that they can make emergency calls only.
This event and others like it is why I love Lake Mary! And, according to Money Magazine, Lake Mary is the #1 City in the State of Florida and the #4 City in the U.S. to live!
As a Lake Mary/Seminole County resident for more than 30 years, I would love to help you find out more about this fine place to live. For all of your Real Estate needs in Lake Mary and Seminole County, call LaShawn Norden, PA, ALHS, Realtor as she's the only Florida native you'll need!
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REALTOR & advocate for BUYERS, SELLERS & RELOCATION clients in Central Florida! Education, communication & negotiation are my passion & the key to a client's success~Serving Seminole & Orange County
A Seminole County resident for more than 35 years, I can and do share my knowledge of each city and the neighborhoods within those cities with both Buyers and Sellers. Being a Central Florida Native, I spent my early childhood years as a resident of Orlando, Maitland and Altamonte Springs. When I was 10, my family moved to the city of Lake Mary, Florida where I went to school at Lake Mary Elementary, Lakeview Middle (which is now Millenium Middle School) and Lake Mary High School. After graduating from high school in the late 80's, I worked at the Central Florida YMCA in Lake Mary and for the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce before starting my real estate career in 2002. As the Marketing Director for the YMCA and a Sales Consultant for the Chamber, I learned valuable methods of advertising and developed many beneficial relationships with area business owners and individual homeowners...all of which have been the reason for my growing success in Real Estate. It is my belief that Buyers and Sellers alike deserve an agent who will listen to their needs, understands and explains the process and is more concerned about building a relationship than in getting a sale. I pride myself on my response time, communcation skills and knowledge of the Central Florida marketplace and look forward to continuing to build lasting relationships for the next 25+ years! Fortunately, for the last five years, I have been ranked in the top 5% of agents in the Orlando marketplace and wish to continue to offer exceptional service to many more over the course of my career. We have four children: RJ, Nickolas, Konnor and Elvis (our Puggle)! We live in a Cambridge Home that my husband built in a small Sanford community in Seminole County near Lake Mary and Winter Springs.
My husband, Rick, is a residential building contractor who owns his own company, Priority One Homes. He specializes in home renovation projects such as bathroom remodels, room additions, painting, drywall, crown and trim work and general household improvements...which of course, means we talk a lot about homes and real estate in our household!
I am dedicated to my family and my clients and truly enjoy being an advisor to those I work with! I hope to have the opportunity one day to add you to my list of clients and friends as I want to be the only "Central Florida Native You'll Need!"
I have consciously made efforts to extend my knowledge and experience to all clients, regardless of their price range or level of experience. I have successfully represented first-time homebuyers as well as clients selling or buying million dollar homes and every price range in between!
Because I have lived and worked in Seminole County and Orange County for more than 35 years, the areas I feel can best service clients are:
Lake Mary, Longwood, Sanford, Winter Springs, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Fern Park, Oviedo, College Park, Winter Park, Windermere, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Orlando and Apopka...all of which are in Central Florida!
Because I have school-aged children also, I particularily enjoy working with families with children. I am very knowledgable about the area schools, recreation opportunities, YMCA locations and other interests that families might have and can relate to those who have similar interests.
Although there are many directions one can take when having a real estate license, my areas of expertise are: Buyer representation & negotiation with new home construction; Buyer and Seller representation with their home, condo or townhome sale or purchase; Buyers and Seller representation with their luxury home & estate sale or purchase and Buyer representation for those seeking investment opportunities in the residential market.
For those interested in commerical property, property management, short and long term rentals, leasing, vacation homes and time share, I do not feel that I am the best agent to service your needs...but I am happy to refer you to an experienced and effective agent who does specialize in those areas.
I am a member of the National Association of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors and the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.
I have advanced certifications as a Accredited Luxury Homes Specialist and as a Transnational Referral Certified agent.
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