Howey in the Hills, FL Real Estate

“The Florida Alps” is how Howey-in-the-Hills founder William John Howey described the gorgeous, green rolling hills and serene lakes of this unique Central Florida town. Mr. Howey built the first citrus juice plant in Florida in 1921 and imagined a thriving citrus empire and Howey-in-the-Hills as its home base. William Howey’s citrus juice plant has undergone modernization in the years since its inception and was purchased in 1994 by Toyota Tsusho America.

Another notable entrepreneur in Howey-in-the-Hills was Nick Beucher, founder of the famed Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort. Purchased in the 1960s, the golf course and club house had been commissioned by William Howey in the 1920s. The property underwent major renovations during the mid to late 1960s including incorporating “Spanish Colonial” designs into the architecture.

Today, Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort is ranked by Zagat’s as one of “America’s Top Courses” and also boasts the prestigious Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy. People from around the world are drawn to Mission Inn’s breathtaking beauty and amazing amenities including a convention center, two 18-hole championship golf courses, a tennis facility that is rated five stars, luxurious dining, and a restored river yacht and a marina on lovely Lake Harris.

The new exclusive community of Mission Inn is called “Los Colinas” meaning “the hills” and offers new classic Spanish-style architecture with many different floor plans including condos, villas, club homes, fairway homes, and luxurious estates. Home prices range from around $250,000 to over $13,970,000.

The just under 1,000 residents of Howey-in-the-Hills have many opportunities to enjoy the amiable Central Florida weather with activities like canoe trips in the nearby Ocala Forest, hot air ballooning, skydiving, water skiing and fishing, winery tours, and biking and hiking trails. Nearby picturesque Mount Dora offers antique enthusiasts a special treat with numerous shops.

Residents in this sought-after zip code are also close to the many fabulous amenities that Orlando has to offer such as Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Epcot, and MGM Studios. Orlando International Airport is approximately 46 minutes from the 1920s mission-style architecture of many of the homes and a little over an hour and a half to the soft sands of Tampa Bay.

Single-family homes in Howey-in-the-Hills have a median selling price of around $409,500. Astatula Elementary, Grassy Lake Elementary, Tavares Middle, East Ridge High School, and Tavares High School are all part of Lake County Schools; students living in Howey-in-the-Hills and attending public school may attend these schools depending on their address.