In Rutland, quiet is the best sound. This section of Sumter County is for people who prefer expansive lots and privacy over jam-packed suburban neighborhoods. It’s also a haven for those who enjoy nature, with both the Withlacoochee River and the 9,554-acre Half Moon Wildlife Management Area right in residents’ backyards. “People can go hiking there, hunting there and horseback riding,” says Patricia Mountain, a local Realtor with RE/MAX Foxfire Realty.
The wide-open property in Rutland creates the setting for a mix of custom homes, many built after the turn of the 21st century. There are Colonial Revival-style options, manufactured homes, ranch-style houses and cottages, on at least 5 acres in many cases. Sometimes that property is utilized for horse ranches and there are some farms in the area as well. “It’s a big variety of people,” says Mountain, who has 13 years of experience. “I think it’s getting more popular. So people are buying there and taking down old [mobile homes] and building new homes.” Part of the reason the area has attracted more interest is because, as rustic as it is, it’s still less than 20 miles from the myriad commercial amenities of The Villages, an expansive retirement community in the region. Price tags in Rutland often fall between $200,000 and $400,000.
Kids in Rutland are covered by the Sumter County School District, a system with an A-minus rating on Niche. Younger students can start at either the B-plus-rated Lake Panasoffkee Elementary or the B-rated Wildwood Elementary depending on where they live — both come with music programs that provide kids with the opportunity to perform in the All-County Music Showcase. Students can then take advantage of athletics programs ranging from golf to track & field at the B-plus-rated South Sumter Middle before exploring entrance to academies focused on topics like agriscience and business at B-rated South Sumter High. Or, depending on their address, they can progress to the B-minus-rated Wildwood Middle High, which includes grades 6 to 12 and electives ranging from digital design to agricultural science.
Florida State Road 44 is the main thoroughfare running through Rutland, an artery residents can use to access the attractions of area communities like The Village and Inverness. State Road 44 also links locals with Interstate 75, convenient for commutes farther away — Tampa is an 80-mile trip on 75.
Rutland residents are often inclined to head west to Inverness for dining. That city is loaded with well-liked and locally-owned restaurants. “That area’s definitely getting more popular,” Mountain says. She adds that Stumpknockers is one of the spots people really like, a seafood restaurant that stands out in part for its catfish and its gator. Those looking to stay closer to home can hop over to Fisherman’s Cove, located by a sliver of the Withlacoochee River and popular for its grouper. People here also go to The Villages, the largest 55-and-over community in the world and an area filled with chain restaurants, from IHOP to Bonefish Grill. The Villages has multiple grocery stores, too, including Walmart, Publix and The Fresh Market.
Just beyond the residential sections of Rutland is Half Moon Wildlife Management Area, a sprawling space that can appease all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts. Half Moon has two dozen miles of trails for hiking, biking and more. “It’s pretty popular for horseback riders,” Mountain says. Other sections of this area are open to hunting at certain times and anglers can cast a line into one of the 15 ponds here to catch bass or catfish. Paddlers can toss a kayak into the water for a trip along the Withlacoochee River. The Withlacoochee River is also well-liked among pontoon and airboaters and even jet skiers, who can utilize the ramp at nearby Rutland Park. The river stretches 141 miles, offering hours and hours of boating opportunity.
Inverness isn’t just an attraction for good eats, but also for community events. The city hosts a range of festivals and gatherings, including Patriotic Evening, a concert and fireworks show for the Fourth of July. There’s also an annual St. Patrick's Parade and Festival with food, costume contests and more. People can enjoy Third Fridays on a more regular basis, a car cruise and local business showcase that takes place on the third Friday of each month.
Scott McGrath
BUYING PARADISE LLC
(689) 215-4384
63 Total Sales
1 in Rutland
$15,000 Price
Marvin Adams
REALTY PROS ASSURED LLC
(386) 888-6891
59 Total Sales
2 in Rutland
$165,000 Price Range
Nichole Roberts
All Florida Homes Realty LLC
(352) 619-8221
438 Total Sales
3 in Rutland
$340K - $375K Price Range
Fernando Barragan
RE/MAX TOWN CENTRE
(689) 220-7987
58 Total Sales
3 in Rutland
$235K - $370K Price Range
Terriann Stewart
Tropic Shores Realty
(352) 770-7627
77 Total Sales
2 in Rutland
$230K - $500K Price Range
Danny Smith
SMITH & SMITH REALTY, INC.
(352) 661-1852
34 Total Sales
2 in Rutland
$347K - $375K Price Range
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
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