Palmer Project

Discovery Begins Here

Every successful project begins with understanding the place before designing the home.

Rather than searching for "the perfect property," I selected five representative locations that each offer a different way of living. Some prioritize privacy and nature, others place you closer to restaurants, historic towns, or the water. Together, they provide a framework for comparing what matters most to you.

As you review each property, don't focus on whether it's the one. Instead, pay attention to what you like, what you would change, and what feels most like home. Those observations will help guide the direction of our search and, ultimately, the home we design together.

Why It Made the List

Introduces the Georgetown Cove lifestyle.
Wooded setting with mature canopy.
Affordable entry point into the region.
Close to Lake George and the St. Johns River.
Existing Wanderhaus project gives us a real-world benchmark.

Things to Consider

Quarter-acre lot offers less flexibility than larger acreage.
Future neighboring homes may reduce the sense of privacy.
Long water views are limited because of the tree canopy.
Restaurants and shopping require a longer drive than some other areas.

What I See Here

Georgetown Cove became our first Wanderhaus project because it captures many of the qualities that originally inspired the concept—quiet roads, mature trees, abundant wildlife, and a genuine sense of Old Florida. I wanted to include it first because it provides a useful benchmark as we compare other regions. While I think the area fits much of what you and Stuey are looking for, I also believe we should explore properties with more acreage and stronger long-distance views before narrowing our search.

Why It Made the List

Represents the Mount Dora lifestyle.
Combines acreage with a true spring-fed lake.
Strong balance between privacy and access to town.
Excellent candidate for a detached guest cottage.
Demonstrates what a higher land investment can provide.

Things to Consider

Land investment is significantly higher than Georgetown Cove.
Waterfront property introduces additional due diligence.
Well and septic will be required.
We would want to verify setbacks and determine the ideal building location before becoming attached to a specific design.

What I See Here

This property represents a very different version of the lifestyle you're describing. Rather than emphasizing complete seclusion, it combines the privacy of a wooded homesite with the convenience of being only minutes from Mount Dora, Eustis, and Tavares. The spring-fed lake provides the kind of long, peaceful water views that are increasingly difficult to find in Florida, while the acreage creates enough room for a detached guest cottage, gardens, and a private outdoor living environment. I included this property because it helps answer an important question: how much value do you place on being close to restaurants, shopping, and community activities compared to being deeper in Old Florida? I don't know that answer yet, but I think comparing this property with Georgetown Cove will help us discover it.

Why It Made the List

Demonstrates the unique character of the St. Johns River.
Nearly four acres provide exceptional flexibility for a family compound.
Large water views create a completely different experience than most inland lakes.
Plenty of room for the main residence, detached guest cottage, gardens, and natural buffers.
Introduces a property type that balances privacy with dramatic scenery.

Things to Consider

Riverfront property requires additional due diligence regarding setbacks, elevations, and flood considerations.
Larger parcel means higher overall land investment and more site planning.
The best building location would need to balance preserving trees with maximizing the river views.
This property is intended as a representative example of the St. Johns River lifestyle rather than a recommendation to purchase this specific parcel.

What I See Here

One of the reasons I wanted to include this property is because the St. Johns River surprised me the first time I really explored it. It doesn't feel like what most people imagine when they hear the word "river." In many places it feels more like an inland lake, with broad horizons, changing light, abundant wildlife, and a sense of openness that's difficult to find elsewhere in Florida. Knowing how important long views are to you, I thought it was important to include at least one property that shows another possibility beyond traditional lakefront living. Whether this specific parcel is the right fit isn't as important as understanding what this type of setting has to offer. It gives us another point of reference as we begin narrowing the search.

Why It Made the List

Introduces a different lifestyle than Georgetown Cove.
Over an acre provides flexibility for the main home, guest cottage, gardens, and outdoor living.
Close enough to enjoy St. Augustine's restaurants, history, and beaches without living in a busy tourist area.
Demonstrates that larger acreage doesn't always require a six-figure land investment.

Things to Consider

This is a developing rural community, so infrastructure and neighboring homes can vary.
Well and septic would typically be part of the project.
While wooded and private, it doesn't provide the expansive water views found on the St. Johns River or Bay Lake.
As with every Discovery property, this serves as a representative example of the area rather than a recommendation to purchase this specific lot.

What I See Here

This property isn't about waterfront living—it's about balance. It offers enough land to create a private home surrounded by nature while keeping one of Florida's most enjoyable towns within an easy drive. For someone who values quiet mornings at home but also wants to spend an afternoon walking historic streets, enjoying a good restaurant, or heading to the beach, this area strikes a compelling balance. I included it because I think it asks an important question: How much do you value being close to everything, while still feeling like you've escaped it?

Why It Made the List

Demonstrates that you don't have to choose between privacy and convenience.
Large wooded acreage with room for a primary residence, guest cottage, pool, and outdoor living.
Close enough to enjoy the Atlantic beaches and Ormond Beach amenities while maintaining a quiet residential setting.
Shows another price point for larger acreage in a well-established area.

Things to Consider

Well and septic may still be part of the development strategy depending on final utility availability.
While heavily wooded, it doesn't offer the long water views found along the St. Johns River or Bay Lake.
As with all representative properties in this Discovery, the value lies in understanding the lifestyle this area offers, not necessarily in purchasing this specific parcel.

What I See Here

This property caught my attention because it challenges an assumption many people have about Florida. We often think we have to choose between living on acreage or living near the coast. This area suggests you can have a little of both. You can wake up surrounded by trees, enjoy the privacy of a larger homesite, and still decide over coffee to spend the afternoon at the beach or dinner by the water. I included it because it represents another way of living—one that balances nature with convenience. Whether this specific parcel is the right fit isn't the point. The question is whether this blend of privacy and accessibility feels more like home than being farther from the coast.

Palmer Residence | Discovery

Discovery Begins Here

936 Paradise Blvd - Represented Property

Georgetown Cove

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

8 Mitchel Way - Represented Property

Bay Lake / Eustis

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

332 Cedar Creek Road – Palatka. - Represented Property

St. Johns River

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

4810 Noel Street – Hastings - Represented Property

St. Augustine Countryside

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

402 Juniper Ln, Ormond Beach - Represented Property

Ormond Beach Woodland Estates

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

Next Steps

Palmer Residence | Discovery

Discovery Begins Here

936 Paradise Blvd - Represented Property

Georgetown Cove

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

8 Mitchel Way - Represented Property

Bay Lake / Eustis

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

332 Cedar Creek Road – Palatka. - Represented Property

St. Johns River

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

4810 Noel Street – Hastings - Represented Property

St. Augustine Countryside

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

402 Juniper Ln, Ormond Beach - Represented Property

Ormond Beach Woodland Estates

Why It Made the List

Things to Consider

What I See Here

Next Steps

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