$282,337Average Value$182Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Voted "America's Most Interesting Town"
Caladiums and cabbage palms – Florida's designated state tree – line some of the streets and lakes near Lake Placid’s Sylvan Shores. While it has rural appeal, it’s also pressed against Lake Clay and close to the city’s main throughway, a shopping center and all the fast-food and chain restaurants in Lake Placid. "Everything you really need is right off Highway 27, which isn't far from both Sylvan Shores or homes around the lake," says Will Dibble, a Sebring resident and Broker at RE/MAX Realty Plus. "The sense of privacy around the water without being too far away is a big draw for most people." Sylvan Shores is 2 miles northeast of downtown, dubbed "The City of Murals," as over 50 vibrant paintings decorate the historic buildings near Main Street. It has also been named "America's Most Interesting Town" by Reader's Digest Magazine. Lake Placid's location in central Florida means that Orlando, Disney World and Universal Studios, as well as Tampa and Clearwater to the west, are close enough for a day or weekend trip.
Homes replace citrus farms
Like many communities on the outskirts of Sebring and Lake Placid, properties that were once citrus farms have now been replaced by new builds and empty land. “Our citrus industry isn’t what it once was,” says Will Dibble, a Sebring resident and Broker with RE/MAX Realty Plus. “Developers are now buying up the orange groves to build a bunch of new houses here.” Some properties still have a few fruit trees and cabbage palms. A large number of homes are vacation homes or used by retired snowbirds. Compared to its master-planned neighbors, there is no homeowners association fee. Most contemporary ranch homes were built between the late 1970s and the 1990s and sit on half-acre to one-acre lots, priced between $200,000 to $400,000. Properties measuring 1,200 to 3,000 square feet sit along Lake Clay Drive and range from $400,000 and $600,000. These homes offer scenic lakefront views, along with direct access to the water via ramps and docks. A few vacant lots are available, and prices range from $20,000 to roughly $65,000, depending on acreage and proximity to Lake Clay.
Sylvan Shores has several type of homes including contemporary two story.
The residents of Sylvan Shores are used to life on the water.
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School district offers virtual program
Students in Highlands County Schools can attend Lake Country Elementary School, which earns a B-minus on Niche and serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Lake Placid Middle and Lake Placid High Schools earn a C-plus and B Niche score, respectively, and are located closer to downtown Lake Placid. For a private school option that’s closer to home, Lakeview Christian School serves kindergarten through eighth grade and is less than 3 miles away. Highlands County also offers a virtual school program for students interested in earning a diploma outside the classroom.
Lake Placid Middle School has multiple classroom buildings and serves the Sylvan Shores area.
Lake Placid High School has a central drop off area and outdoor swimming pool.
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Parks, lakes and golfing
Lake Clay, a 353-acre freshwater lake with a sandy ridge bottom, has two public access boat ramps for those fishing or seeking waterfront sunset views. In neighboring Highlands Park Estates is Lake Istokpoga, one of the largest in the state and known to have some of the best bass fishing in Central Florida. Sebring and Lake Placid are a golf lover's dream. The area boasts several scenic fairways, from Lake June West Golf Course to the sprawling Placid Lakes Golf Course. The Lake Placid Local Sugar Express Train offers two- to six-hour rides from Lake Placid to Lake Okeechobee. These rides are especially popular during seasonal events and festivals in Lake Placid, Sebring and Clewiston. Small parks are also tucked into Downtown, including Devane Park near its center. Other well-known parks include Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve and Highlands Hammock State Parks. Highlands Hammock opened four years before the Florida state park system and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The 9,000-acre state park has some of the largest oak trees in the state, believed to be over a thousand years old.
Lake Clay Drive is full of waterfront homes and boat access in Sylvan Shores.
Kids love the black bear statue at Stuart Park.
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Retail and restaurants, but more are needed
Most of the retail and restaurant scene near Sylvan Shores is located along U.S. Highway 27 and on Main Street in Downtown Lake Placid. The highway offers fast-food and chain restaurants such as GC Grill House by Golden Corral. South Highlands Shopping Center contains a few well-known retailers and grocery stores like Publix Super Market. Lake Placid’s Main Street is home to eateries, Saturday morning farmers markets, and boutique clothing and décor stores like The Blueberry Patch. Local eateries include Jaxson's, home of the Hookiemelt: an interesting appetizer of gator or chicken covered in sour cream and wing sauce. For those who enjoy a wide selection of beers, ciders and seltzers, Wet Dogs Brewing is around the corner. Live music and open-mic nights make it a hopping spot on the weekends. However, Lake Placid’s downtown desperately needs more brand-name retail options. Most businesses within Lakeshore Mall, the closest department store hub, have closed since COVID-19. Residents drive to Eagle Ridge Mall in Lake Wales, 51 miles north, for stores like Dillard's.
Jaxon's is a popular hangout for Sylvan Shores residents.
South Highlands Shopping Center has Bealles for Sylvan Shores shoppers.
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Caladium Festival brings art and vintage cars
The three-day Caladium Festival is arguably Lake Placid's most well-known event. When July rolls around, the streets of downtown are filled with art, vintage cars, floral arrangements and festival food. Lake Placid is also home to the American Clown Museum and School and the Lake Placid Historical Society & Depot Museum. Other major attractions close to Sylvan Shores include the Sebring International Raceway, which has hosted the annual 12 Hours of Sebring WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race since 1952. USA Today voted it North America's Number 1 Motorsports event, and it attracts visitors from all over the globe.
Bands play music all weekend at the The Lake Placid Caladium Festival weekend.
The Lake Placid Caladium Festival is a huge event with booths running down 5 different streets.
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Access to major roadways and Amtrak service
Sylvan Shores residents are car-dependent and farther from the condensed streets of downtown Lake Placid. Major roadways include U.S. Highway 27, which allows access to the rest of the state. Residents must drive 140 miles to Orlando, 110 miles to Tampa or 76 miles to Fort Myers to reach an airport. Immediate healthcare needs are within a 2-mile radius at AdventHealth Lake Placid. The closest Amtrak service is through Sebring Station in the Sebring Downtown Historic District, taking passengers south to Miami or north to Orlando, Tampa and New York City.
Important things to know
While Lake Placid is not immune from Florida's hurricane season, its location in the middle of the state means it might not be hit as hard as cities on the coast, like Tampa or Fort Myers. Highlands County is considered Flood Zone A and Flood Zone AE. Certain mortgage companies may require homeowners to acquire flood insurance. Caladium, citrus and sugar cane have been some of the area’s most prominent agricultural industries. However, environmental factors like hurricanes and greening, along with increasingly high labor costs, have severely impacted production over the last decade.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Gerald Meisenheimer,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Stuart Park
Sylvan Shores Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sylvan Shores, Lake Placid sell after 130 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Sylvan Shores, Lake Placid over the last 12 months is $235,000, down 52% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This custom-built, one owner home checks all the boxes and is beautifully situated on two canalfront lots leading to LAKE CLAY. It’s located in a family friendly neighborhood just minutes from downtown Lake Placid. Lake Placid has a quaint downtown with shops, eateries, farmers market, grocery shopping, etc... This home has beautiful curb appeal with brick accents and a welcoming front porch to
New New New!! Located in Sylvan Shores. Lots of upgrades. Hurricane impact windows and doors. Waterfall quartz counter tops in kitchen with shaker style cabinets and soft close, upgraded appliance package. LED lighting throughout the home. Luxury vinyl planking for years of use and designed to take it. Closets have shelving in them. Bathrooms with backlight mirrors. Irrigation for landscaping and
Welcome to 1532 Sycamore Avenue, a charming and beautifully maintained single-family home located in the heart of Lake Placid, Florida. Featuring a new roof installed in 2016 and a brand new air conditioning system added in 2022, this home offers peace of mind and modern comfort from the start making it ideal for those looking to enjoy peaceful Florida living with the potential for added income
++ WATERFRONT POOL HOME with Private Guest Room ++ Meticulously maintained & renovated, this waterfront pool home is sure to please! Located on canal, easy access into Lake Clay in a couple minutes. Lake Clay is a clean, spring-fed, sandy-bottomed lake approximately 353 acres. Perfect for fishing, swimming, water sports & more. This home is located on a quiet street; close drive into town. No HOA
Lovely and huge house in a cul-de-sac 2 sides canal and Lake access. Overside Double car garage, and 1 full bathroom (tub) in the garage. Open concept. Walking distance to the Clay Lake ramp for bigger boats. Here you can enjoy the lake life-style including boating, fishing, and breathtaking sunsets. Call us for more details and an appointment today!Se habla EspañolEncantadora y
Beachfront home on Lake Clay, in Lake Placid, known for its 2 nicknames: "Town of Murals" & "The Caladium Capital of the World". Located only 20 minutes from Sebring, home of the Sebring International Raceway and host of the 12 Hours of Sebring, this lake house is a great resort for families, with plenty of amenities to make everyone happy. This 4-bedroom lake house offers it all: an open floor
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Gerald Meisenheimer,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,434
Median Age
55
Population under 18
17.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
37%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$44,853
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$65,263
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90%
College Graduates
21.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9%
% Population in Labor Force
52.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
