Beck Brothers Citrus Growers in Windermere has opened their farms to the general public with the limited opportunity to pick your own blueberries.

What better way to spend the day, then outside with a sun hat enjoying the fresh air and sampling some of the freshest berries you’ve ever tasted, right off the bush.

Prices for the you pick blueberries range from $3-$12 depending on the size of the container you choose and the picking will only be available until the crop is gone so get over there as soon as possible.

Summer wouldn’t be complete without a fresh blueberry pie and some cold lemonade and now you can make your own pies with berries picked right in your own Windermere backyard.

For more information contact Beck Brothers Citrus at  12500 Overstreet Road, Windermere, FL 34786-6517 (407) 656-4353 ‎

Open: Friday from 3 pm to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5 pm; May 5th through May 22nd, 2011. Cash purchases only!

-Windermere, FL

Stormy weather has been ripping its way through the Windermere, FL  area and most of Central Florida since yesterday with wind forces up to 75 mph and severe rain pouring down in brutal force. Yesterday the Windermere library branch had to close early when the power was knocked out by lightning and severe weather, causing many local businesses to close early due to the severity of this storm system.

I was driving back from an appointment with a client when right in front of me on Park Avenue , a tree (estimated by local law enforcement officers to be about 1,000 years old)  fell blocking the road on Park Avenue right in front of Windermere Elementary.

With such an abundance of aging trees in the area, Windermere is particularly vulnerable to severe weather storms. The presence of hundreds of grandfathered oak trees, combined with the rain softening much of the soil, and severe lightning make for a perfect catalyst for down power lines, house fires, tree obstructions and fallen trees across roadways. Almost every time there is a severe storm in Windermere, you will find lightning strikes in these trees on every street you drive down and the reports of house fires and hit power lines and outages through the small town  but it seems that the severity of Mother Nature mixed with the age of trees in this small town are beginning to pose more of a risk and a nuisance than just eye candy for this historic little town. 

This photo (seen above) was taken yesterday in my vehicle just a few feet from where a tree had fallen across the roadway just feet from my car; almost causing a fatal incident.    This is certainly not what you would expect to find on a local drive home during a  storm that seemed to appear out of nowhere; leaving little prep time for safety considerations.

Traffic on this road was stopped for hours leaving many motorists with few options to vacate the downtown Windermere area. While no one can argue the environmental benefits of these giant beauties, many have wondered if the overall presence and benefits of these aging trees outweigh the public safety risks to community members on foot and by car. With this tree being so closely located to Windermere Elementary, this could have very well landed on a school bus of children or a parent toting their child to class and we can only consider ourselves lucky that no one was injured and that this tree chose to fall during Spring Recess. 

In addition to the public risk of these trees in severe weather, there is also the cost associated with maintenance and removal of these gentle beasts.  With emergency tree services frequently being utilized immediately following severe storm weather, the cost is another concern to many local tax payers.

I remember reading an article  where an aging Cyprus tree was transplated in China (see article)  when it began to hinder the progress of a water project and I can’t help but wonder why no one has pondered transplanting some of the older trees in the area to conservation areas. Several concerned residents that gathered at the scene  to watch this historic tree get cut away from the road couldn’t help but wonder why the town of Windermere has not done more to prevent these types of incidents. Instead of taking away nearly half of this tree after it fell( blockading the road) this tree could have been transplanted to an area where it did not cause any risk to the school children that walk by it almost every single day. Aging trees impact roads, pedestrians, and motorists at alarming rates and the many storms we face in Central Florida only heighten that risk. Town council teams should be carrying out regular checks on these trees so that the risky ones are cutor transplanted before they cause damage to people, motor vehicles or even electricity cables. Town Council members could even engage institutions of higher learning so that students carry out these ‘inspections’ as part of their studies causing little to no no cost for the town.  At the very least this issue should be brought before the board for consideration.

The town of Windermere’s Tree Board was unavailable for comment when we first looked into this matter but I will be scheduling a follow up call with them after my brush with what could have been a fatal incident. While transplanting may be a solution that comes with a high cost, a future negligence/wrongful death suit certainly won’t be cheap for the town of Windermere. While we were lucky that there were no injuries to report this time, we cannot hope to be so lucky next time.  As a concerned resident, I can only hope things don’t have to get this far before something is done to initiate change as a fatal incident would be a high price to pay for the nice view of these trees; causing many in Windermere to wonder whether the benefits of these aging trees in such a highly visible community will begin to outweigh the risks to the general public.  We invite you to share your opinion in our poll on this issue below:

Windermere, FL

If you take a look around Windermere, Florida, it is easy to see that there is a lot of history in this small little neighborhood. Take a brief walk down Main Street and you’ll find a school house dating back to the 1890′s, our historic town hall,  and the Cal Palmer Memorial Building, not to mention the dirt path alongside Main Street that was once a railroad track used for transporting oranges and people alike. In true Southern Style, the plethora of historic homes in Windermere are as regal as they are rich in heritage. While a good number of the oldest homes in Windermere, FL still exist today,  many have been updated or remodeled as they’ve changed hands from owner to owner. Established in 1889, many of Windermere’s most historic homes can be found along the lakes on Palm and Magnolia.

Commonly referred to as the “Town Among the Lakes” , Windermere is surrounded by clear, sand bottom lakes in shades of pale green with Lake Bessie, Lake Butler, and Lake Down at each corner, just to name a few. Intertwining in an elaborate group of chains or canals, these lakes are intertwined with six other lakes  to form the renowned Butler Chain of Lakes. 

From the large oak trees painted with Spanish moss, to the 1800′s style architecture of yesteryear, Windermere, is for many, the Williamsburg, Virginia of Florida. Windermere’s abundant history and quaint small-town feel are just a few of the reasons why historical home lovers are so drawn to the area.  It is for this reason, that owning a historical home in the town of Windermere has become  a rare opportunity! If you have been searching for the opportunity to own a historical home in Windermere, FL you are in luck because at present, nine of Windermere’s most historic homes are currently on the market for sale; giving lovers of historical homes a wonderful opportunity to purchase not only a beautiful home but a piece of history as well.

For more information on purchasing or selling historical homes in  the Windermere, FL area, please contact me directly at 407-575-6455.

Now join me as we take a tour of  Windermere, FL top 9 most historic homes for sale:

 Windermere, FL Top 9 Most Historic Homes for Sale

For more information on the history of  Windermere, FL, please contact the Town of  Windermere’s historical committee at 407-876-2563.

 It is 2011, and as most of you have guessed, short sales and foreclosures are still not going anywhere. With distressed properties now accounting for 75% of resales in the state of Florida, there are many families that are finding themselves in a position where they need to wait two to three years before they will be allowed to purchase again; leaving leasing as their main option. 

In Windermere, this trend is holding strong and rental properties for single-family homes are flying off the MLS at record speeds. With “A” rated schools, nearby shopping and dining, a family friendly emphasis, and an abundance of  beautiful lakefront homes in low crime subdivisions, it is little surprise that Windermere, FL is a first choice for many when looking to rent.  

Like in most economies, the rules of supply and demand are also a factor and are already at war with each other here in Windermere. As of this morning, there were only 16 active single-family rental listings in the highly coveted 34786 zip code and they are being shown in strong force.  With the mortgage crunch turning many would-be buyers away, there is an increased demand for rentals in the Windermere area, but at the same time, the inventory on the market is currently very low. While some  renters looking for their perfect homes in Windermere are trying their luck on websites like Trulia and Craigslist, most of the rentals that reach these  sites are already snatched up by the time they are posted online; proving that leasing is now a must trend for many.  While website searching is good for introducing you to subdivisions you may want to take a look at, working with a Realtor is a far better choice.  A Realtor can assist you in reviewing the property histories on your rentals of interest, and help protect you from the possiblity of having to relocate months down the line because the property you rented was in foreclosure, or scheduled for sale before your lease terms were ending. If you are interested in having your possible rental checked into please feel free to contact me at info@windermeredreamhomes.com and I’d be happy to assist you. While some might say working with a Realtor will cost you more, this is a common misconception as the Realtor fees are paid with the owner’s first month’s rent and are not any cost to you directly.

What this means for Renters:

If the  idea of being couped up in a small apartment for the next few years does not appeal to you, renting a single-family house is a great option to enjoy the benefits of home ownership with the fringe perks of renting.  Interest rate increases, lack of property value retention, and costly repairs are three things you won’t have to deal with while renting and most renters also enjoy paying less than owning when you consider the cost of your yearly property taxes and HOA fees in additon to your mortgage payment.  

Due to high demand, we are starting to notice a decrease in rental inventory and a higher demand for rental housing in the single-family home genre; leaving many renters desperate to rent, even at higher rates if necessary.

What this means for Some Home Owners:

While recovering your losses is a trick comparable to walking on water, there are still many options that may help soften the blow. If you are an invester that has purchased a home in the Windermere area, or a second home owner who does not use your home as your primary residence, leasing can help to pay some if not most of the costs associated with your mortgage and fees depending on your individual loan and payment; leaving you with less to cover every month in addition to your primary home’s mortgage.

If your home has been sitting on the market and is not getting the red carpet offer roll out you imagined it would, consider leasing and re-listing in a year. With the turbulent ups and down of this market you may just find that you no longer have to tread water while waiting for your sold sign.

For more information on leasing or listing your leasing in the Windermere area, please contact me  for a private showing or listing  appointment.

Windermere, Florida

David Siegel’s modern day American palace is currently one of the most expensive homes on the market and is quickly approaching its one year mark on the market. This $100,000,000 palace which received a red carpet roll out of media attention last year is still on the market today. 

With the economy on a roller coaster ride and the ostentatious nature of such a grand estate, it hard to imagine who would be able to purchase such a high profile property.  For more information on one of America’s largest homes, plese click below for additional links below for the video tour and additional media coverage.

Take a Virtual Tour America’s Largest Home Here!

Media Coverage of Windermere, FL 100,000,000 Mansion, “Versailles”:

 Photos of Versailles

In the past year, Windermere has certainly seen a lot of inventory come and go off the market when it comes to the great deals to be found; particularly with foreclosures and short sales in the area. 

Now in 2011, Windermere is showing a total of 17 active listings over the $1M mark and 94 homes currently listed for short sale or foreclosure under the $1M mark. 

There is no doubt that with  the increasing popularity of Windermere, FL these homes and the owners who purchase them, will prove to be smart long-term investments and smart buys in the years to follow. With that said, I thought I would take this opportunity to showcase 40 Windermere, FL distressed luxury homes that you just have to see to believe. In some cases these homes are selling for twice as less than their original sold prices in years past, and some of these amazing homes are currently listed for less than 1/2 of what it would even cost to build the same home now in our current market.  With the increasing popularity and staying power of Windermere it is no wonder why sales are up in 2011 for one of America’s wealthiest suburbs and most beloved Florida neighborhoods so without further adieu;… here is the list: 

40 Windermere FL Distressed Luxury Homes You Have to See to Believe!

This year’s total sales for our lovely little Windermere suburb are holding strong at a total of 40 sales since January 1st, 2011 up from last year’s total of 34 home sales for the same time frame last year.  Let’s hope this is a trend continues for the rest of the year as many financial and real estate analysts have predicted.

Melissa A. Scire -  Luxury Realtor and Orlando Property Expert

Be sure to read all about Golden Oak and Melissa Scire’s take on the project in Go Magazine’s “Home is Where The Park Is” by Susan and Simon Veness

Go Magazine Features Melissa A. Scire – Orlando Luxury Property Specialist with Charles Rutenberg Realty in Orlando, FL:

“Although the first spec homes are currently under construction, it can’t be denied that Disney is taking a big risk opening this development at a time when the Orlando-area real estate market, like much of the country, is suffering. According to July article from the Orlando Sentinel, Metro Orlando property foreclosures are at dangerously high levels—37,352 in the first half of 2010, and 43,322 (what appeared to be a record total) in the second half of 2009. And area homes that were priced at $1.8 to $2 million at the market peak in early 2007 are now selling for $700,000 to $800,000. So will home buyers be wary?

The answer is no, according to local Realtor Melissa A. Scire, who specializes in luxury property in Central Florida. “I’m confident Golden Oak will be a big success,” she says. “If anyone can pull off a miracle in this turbulent market, it is the House of Mouse. Disney rarely goes big without a lot of research and development to back it.”

Read the full Story Now!

When it comes to real estate, Windermere, FL is always at the top of the list. With its sprawling lakefront homes and picturesque views, its no wonder why Windermere rules supreme when shopping for the best neighborhoods in Central Florida and now they have the award to prove it!

SW Bulletin recently cast their annual votes from hundreds of local readers alike for their prominent Best of SW Orlando List. The votes have been casted and counted for 2011′s list and are ready for your viewing pleasure. We all know how lucky we are to be living in the Sunshine State and with so many great neighbourhoods to choose from, narrowing the list can prove to be a daunting task.

This year’s nominees included the usual candidates including Dr. Phillips and Winter Garden. When it comes to Central Florida homes for sale, Southwest Orlando is brimming with great neighbourhoods large and small alike.

As a local SW Orlando Realtor and property expert with over 6 years of professional real estate experience, SW Orlando is by far one of my favorite areas of Central Florida and helping families locate their perfect home here is one of the best parts of my job  which is why I am proud to announce that out of all the great neighborhoods in SW Orlando, Windermere, Florida has again been crowned, SW Bulletin’s 2011 Best Place to Live in SW Orlando.    SW Orlando’s Best Place to Live for 2011, Windermere, Florida!

Courtesy of  SouthWest Orlando Bulletin

Looking for homes for sales in SW Orlando and Windermere, FL???

Search for  Southwest Orlando and Windermere Homes Now!

Call Melissa A. Scire at 407-575-6455 today! Email: info@windermeredreamhomes.com

If ever you have strolled the streets of downtown Main Street in the town of Windermere, FL, I am sure your eye has caught one of the many banners that feature the town of Windermere’s crest or town seal (see left). If you’ve ever wondered what the meaning was behind the crest, than keep reading!

At first glance the logo appears to be a bunch of pictures positioned in a crest or coat of arms however the meanings behind these images are a perfect reflection of the grand lifestyle associated with the town of  Windermere and the tradition and old-world charm that are so prevalent to the area. Established in 1889, Windermere is certainly one of the most historical towns in Central Florida and the town seal is a reflection of that grand history and design.

While the seal is technically a coat of arms, the town of Windermere refers to the seal as its town “logo” because it is based on the coat of arms in Windermere, England.

 The Coat of Arms is broken into four separate sections which each have their own symbolism and significance to the Town of Windermere, FL itself!

The top left quarter of the crest shows three Windermere class yachts, which were quite famous at one time. 

Boating is a huge part of  the Windermere, FL lifestyle with an abundance of lakefront homes and private boat slips, what better way to signify such a huge part of the town’s culture and prestige.

The top right quarter of the logo is symbolic of an ancient gate denoting Windermere as the gateway to the Lake District.

With the town of Windermere, FL tucked into so many lakes, both large and small, it is no wonder why this element would be chosen as a main symbol for the town. Windermere, FL is denoted by many in the state of Florida to be the most prominent town for luxury lakefront living so this symbol is quite fitting.

The bottom left quarter represents the flag of Saint George, the Patron Saint of England.

Bearing strong similarities to Windermere, England;  the town of Windermere, FL is a throw back to Windermere, England located just across the pond in the U.K. where the flag of Saint George is prominently flown; reminding local Florida residents of the close connection to its sister town abroad.

The bottom right quarter represents three “Artic Charr”, a rare and delicious species of trout, which are caught in Lake Windermere at a depth of at least 90 feet using gold or gold-plated lures.

With an abundance of nature all around us, fishing has also become a huge part of the Windermere, FL lifestyle and is a time-honored tradition passed down, generation to generation; making the symbol a perfect choice for part of the town’s logo.

So the next time you see the logo prominently displayed in the business district downtown, you will know exactly what you are looking at and  just what it means.

If you are interested in property in the Windermere, FL area, please contact us  today!

View Exclusive Windermere, FL home listings now!