Lake County · Central Florida
Clermont, Mount Dora & Lake County
Rolling hills, chains of lakes, and Florida's favorite historic small town.
The short answer
7 Waves serves Lake County, Florida — Clermont, Minneola, Mount Dora, and the Golden Triangle. It's Central Florida's hill-and-lake country: sunset views over the Clermont chain of lakes, the antique-shop charm of Mount Dora, fast-growing new-construction corridors, and typical home prices around $385,000 with Orlando about 35 minutes east.
Lake County, Florida
~410,000
County population
among FL's fastest-growing
≈ $385K
Typical home price
approx. market median
1,000+
Named lakes
incl. the Harris Chain
≈ 35 min
To Orlando
via the Turnpike / SR-429
The market right now
The typical home in the Greater Orlando metro is valued around $387K down 2.8% in a year, and homes are going under contract in about 33 days.
Zillow Research data, June 2026 — metro-level figures shown for Lake County · not an appraisal of any individual home
Life in Lake County
Lake County breaks the flat-Florida stereotype: real hills (the highest in the peninsula), citrus-grove ridgelines, and more than 1,000 named lakes. Clermont has become one of metro Orlando's favorite family markets — lakefront parks, A-rated newer schools, and hilltop neighborhoods with sunset views — while Mount Dora is the state's beloved historic small town, all oak-lined streets, festivals, and a working lighthouse on Lake Dora.
Buyers get range here: new construction across Clermont and Minneola's Hills of Minneola, established lakefront homes on the Harris Chain, acreage out toward Groveland, and Victorian-era character in the Golden Triangle towns of Mount Dora, Tavares, and Eustis. The Turnpike and SR-429 put Orlando's jobs and airport within an easy commute.
What makes Lake County worth it
Historic Downtown Mount Dora
Antique shops, lakeside dining, and festival weekends in Florida's most New England-feeling town.
Clermont Waterfront Park & chain of lakes
Swim beach, boat ramps, and the trailhead for the South Lake Trail along Lake Minneola.
Citrus Tower
The 1956 landmark built to survey millions of orange trees from the top of the ridge.
Sugarloaf Mountain
The peninsula's most famous climb — a cycling mecca with views over Lake Apopka.
Lakeridge Winery
Florida's largest winery, set on rolling grove land outside Clermont.
🎪 Around town · Updated weekly
What's happening in Lake County
Farmers markets, festivals, live music, art shows, and holiday traditions — our events guide tracks it all for Lake County, with dates, directions, and one-tap add-to-calendar.
Lake County fun facts
- Sugarloaf Mountain rises 312 feet — one of the highest points in peninsular Florida and a bucket-list ride for cyclists.
- Mount Dora hosts more than 30 festivals a year and has one of only three freshwater lighthouses in Florida.
- Clermont's National Training Center has hosted Olympic triathletes and runners who come for the rare Florida hills.
- The Harris Chain of Lakes is nationally famous bass water — pro tournaments launch from Tavares, the self-titled "America's Seaplane City."
Where the locals eat
Our team's picks — independent, unpaid, and argued over in the office. Tell us what we got wrong.
The Goblin Market
$$$Mount Dora's book-lined hideaway since 1996 — packed at lunch for a reason.
The Crooked Spoon Gastropub
$$Chef-driven comfort and a deep beer list in downtown Clermont.
Moving to Lake County: what we tell our buyers
Growth & new construction
Clermont, Minneola, and Groveland anchor one of metro Orlando's hottest new-construction corridors — the Hills of Minneola alone is planned for thousands of homes. We negotiate builder incentives and watch phase-release pricing so you don't overpay for lot premiums.
Lakefront buying
From ski lakes on the Clermont chain to big-water Harris Chain frontage, lake life is the county's premium product. We verify water access, dock permits, and shoreline ownership before you offer.
Insurance & elevation
High, dry, and inland: Lake County homes typically carry some of Central Florida's friendliest insurance quotes, with no coastal wind pool exposure.
Commute & getting around
The Turnpike, SR-50, and SR-429 connect to Orlando in roughly 30–45 minutes; Disney's west entrance is about 25 from south Clermont. Mount Dora runs SR-441 to Sanford and the SunRail corridor.
Lake County questions, answered
Is Clermont a good place to live?
Yes — Clermont pairs newer family neighborhoods and A-rated schools with a lifestyle most of Florida can't offer: hills, chains of lakes, and a 25–40 minute run to Disney and Orlando's job centers. It's consistently one of Central Florida's fastest-growing family markets.
What is Mount Dora known for?
Festivals, antiques, and charm — a historic downtown on Lake Dora with 30+ annual festivals, a freshwater lighthouse, and streets that feel more New England than Florida. Homes range from Victorian-era character properties to golf-course communities in the surrounding Golden Triangle.
What do homes cost in Lake County?
The approximate market median is around $385,000. New construction in Clermont and Minneola typically runs $350K–$500K, historic Mount Dora character homes $400K–$700K, and lakefront properties from $600K well into seven figures on the bigger chains.
How far is Lake County from Orlando and the parks?
South Lake County (Clermont) sits about 25 minutes from Walt Disney World's western gates and 35–45 from downtown Orlando and the airport via the Turnpike or SR-429. Mount Dora is roughly 45 minutes northwest of downtown.
Ready to make waves in Lake County?
Browse live Lake County listings, run your payment on real local numbers, or talk to an agent who actually lives this coast.