Orlando Real Estate Blog - Windermere

Living Local | Be a Fan, Walt Disney World Style

When Living Near The Magic Turns Fandom Into Something Lived, Not Just Visited.

Blog Author: Renee Funk | Exactly What to Say Certified Guide, Speaker, Trainer

There is a difference between visiting a place and living inside a lifestyle. For us, living in Windermere means waking up in a town where community still matters, where schools are not just buildings but relationships, and where daily life includes something a little bit magical just down the road.

It also means we get to be fans. Not in the surface-level, tourist way. In the deeply woven, we get to include WDW into the family lifestyle.

Fans of living in Windermere.
Fans of raising the family in Windermere.
Fans of the memories made in and around Southwest Orlando.
Fans of building a…

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Why Windermere, Florida Feels Like a Town Built to Be Outside

The history behind Windermere’s parks, paths, and lake access

Blog Author: Jeffrey Funk | Co-Founder, The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty | ICON Agent

Windermere, Florida, is often described as a small lake town in Central Florida. That part is true. Much of daily life here quietly revolves around parks, paths, courts, and water access, and that has been the case for a long time

Long before Windermere became a place people actively searched for when planning a move, parks and recreation were already part of the town’s thinking. Not as extras. Not as leftover land. As part of how the town worked.

Parks Showed Up Early, Not After Growth

Fernwood Park was formally designated in 1920, when Windermere was still very small. By the…

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Why 62% of Listings FAILED in Glenmuir, and THIS Listing DID NOT

Only 38% of homes sold in Glenmuir, in 2025. Here’s why this Property sold in 3 days, while others Continued to FAIL.

Blog Author: Renee Funk | Co-Founder The Funk Collection Brokered by eXP Realty

SOLD IN GLENMUIR | A Windermere Real Estate Case Study. If you have been watching the real estate market in Windermere, you have probably noticed some confusing trends. Homes are listing. Prices look high. And yet… not all listings on the market are selling. In fact, in Glenmuir, a gated Windermere community, of all of the listings in the MLS... only 38% of the homes listed in 2025 actually sold. The other 62% of listings in the MLS expired, canceled, or continue to remain on the market.

This case study breaks down why one home sold in just three…

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5 Things You May Not Have Known About Windermere’s Town Hall

More Than a Landmark in Windermere

Blog Author: Jeffrey Funk | Co-Founder, The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty | ICON Agent

It sits right in the heart of downtown Windermere. You've likely driven or walked past it once or a hundred times and it still anchors the town. Windermere’s Town Hall has that effect. Familiar, steady, quietly central.

It’s the kind of building that feels like it has always been there. Which is true. But not in the way most people assume.

What’s easy to miss is how much history is layered into that single structure. Not in a dusty, behind-glass way. In a lived-in, still-in-use way. The kind of history that keeps showing up because it never really left.

Here are five things that tend to surprise even people…

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A Conversation With Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn That Still Rings True 7 Years Later

A time-capsule conversation that highlights Windermere’s small-town charm, local history, and enduring sense of community

Blog Author: Jeffrey Funk | Co-Founder, The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty | ICON Agent

In the fall of 2018, Jeff sat down with former Mayor Gary Bruhn for a conversation about the community they both proudly call home. It felt like a casual chat at the time. Today, on the heels of Windermere’s Centennial, it reads like a snapshot of a town that has evolved without losing the character that makes it unmistakably Windermere.

Seven years after that interview, Windermere continues to honor its roots while moving intentionally into its next chapter. The names and buildings have shifted, but the spirit is the same.

…

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Inside Secrets to Butler Chain of Lakes Access without Butler Chain Real Estate Prices

Most real estate agents do not know this, but the Local Pro's have the inside scoop for buyers wondering, 'how do I find a home providing nearby lake access, without the higher lakefront real estate prices?'. Don't worry, The Funk Collection has you covered.

Blog Author: Renee Funk | Team Leader The Funk Collection Brokered by eXP Realty

How savvy buyers find homes with lake access withOUT paying premium lakefront pricing.

The Butler Chain of Lakes is the crown jewel of Windermere living. Residents know it. Longtime locals protect it. Newcomers want it. And yet one of the biggest misconceptions in Central Florida real estate is that you must pay multi-million-dollar lakefront prices to enjoy the Butler Chain lifestyle. That is not true.

…

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The True Cost of Hiring the Wrong Real Estate Agent in 2025

What Happens When The Wrong Agent Lists Your Home? (And How To Make sure It Doesn't Happen To You) 

In a market where 35% of listings fail to sell, The Funk Collection continues to deliver results for Central Florida homeowners with a clear listing strategy, proven marketing plan, and communication that repeatedly sell houses on a consistent basis.

For many homeowners, choosing their listing agent starts with a referral, a family member, a personal friend, a quick online search, or they decide to take it on themselves. In addition, a 2024 report from NAR (National Association of Realtors) shows that 81% of sellers contacted only one agent before listing. But is that the best strategy? 

When a listing is placed in the wrong hands, the costs show…

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Windermere Living: The Craft Beer Fest Returns in 2025

Your Guide to the 2025 Windermere Craft Beer Fest

The highly anticipated return of the annual Windermere Craft Beer Fest: Re-Tapped is set for 2025! Why are we so excited about this year's event? It's been 6 years since the last event in 2019 and with 20+ local Florida breweries, food vendors, and live music, and the addition of hometown favorite Windermere Brewing Company, 2025 promises a fun-filled evening in the heart of downtown.

What to Expect This Year

The Windermere Craft Beer Fest is a tasting-style event. Think small-pours and a relaxed vibe, perfect for an evening with friends under the canopy of oak trees along Main Street. Perfect for craft beer enthusiasts and newbies alike, it offers a chance to explore and support dozens of Florida…

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Celebrating Past and Present at the 2025 Windermere Flower Show

What Makes the 2025 Flower Show Special

This year's Windermere Flower Show isn't just any event; it's part of the town's Centennial Celebration. Hosted by the Windermere Garden Club, "Celebrating Windermere Past and Present" is all about honoring 100 years of history, the present, and tomorrow. And honestly, what better way to celebrate Windermere than with flowers, trees, and plants that truly show off the place we call home?

What you will experience at the Show

From the moment you step inside the Windermere Town Hall, you'll find find entries in three divisions (Horticulture, Design, and Education). You'll experience everything from exhibits featuring horticulture that celebrate local flowers, trees, and plants to creative floral displays that…

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Windermere Celebrates 100 Years: A Centennial To Remember

2025 marks a significant historical milestone for Windermere, Florida—its Centennial celebration! Over the course of the year, the community will honor its 100-year journey with special touches that highlight its unique charm, history, and community spirit.

Festive Updates Across Downtown

Downtown Windermere is ready to dazzle with:

• Centennial Banners: New flags now line the streets, adding a cheerful and celebratory vibe to the town’s heart.
• New Entry Signs: The town’s entryways have been updated with commemorative Centennial signs, welcoming everyone to this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

These thoughtful touches remind residents and visitors alike of the rich history that makes Windermere so special.

The Centennial Lobby: A…

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