Mount Dora Business and Real Estate

North Lake County’s Distinctive Properties for October

10/1/2026

By Brooke Vermeulen
Mount Dora Buzz real estate contributor and Lake County Real Estate Broker

Some homes stand out because of their architecture. Others because of their history, setting, or features you simply don’t see every day.

This month’s distinctive properties are attention-grabbing for very different reasons. From historic character and lakefront living to unique architecture and expansive acreage, each offers something that sets it apart in North Lake County. These properties may require vision or personal touches, but their bones, features, and locations make them stand out.

1046 N. McDonald Street, Mount Dora

History and location come together at 1046 N. McDonald Street. The charming circa-1920s home sits along one of Mount Dora’s most recognizable historic streets and retains much of its original character, including wood floors and a wood-burning fireplace. Out back, a separate guest cottage, screened pool, and cabana add a few unexpected features, all just a few blocks from downtown. The 2,564-square-foot historic home is on the market for $989,500.

1535 Sunset Circle, Mount Dora

On the shores of Lake Gertrude, 1535 Sunset Circle takes a more modern approach to lakefront living. Built in 2014, the 2,788-square-foot home features disappearing glass walls that open the living space toward the water, along with soaring ceilings, a stacked-stone fireplace and a European-style kitchen. A screened terrace, upstairs balcony, and rooftop terrace offer several places to take in the home’s stunning lake views. The contemporary home with 93 feet of Lake Gertrude waterfront is listed for $1,595,000.

17730 County Road 448, Mount Dora

The wrap-around porch is the first thing that catches attention at this rural location on the edge of town. The Victorian-inspired home sits on almost an acre and a half, while the home’s warm interior combines hardwood floors, wood and beamed ceilings, detailed millwork, and a wood-burning fireplace. A pool and covered back porch make the most of the bucolic setting, so that it’s easy to forget how convenient the large property is to the charm of Mount Dora. The 3,116-square-foot home is listed for $759,900.

6892 Swain Road, Sorrento

This custom cypress home sits on more than six rural acres. Inside, Australian pine flooring, walnut details, and a large wood-burning stone fireplace give the five-bedroom home plenty of character. A large covered rear deck overlooks the acreage, with room for horses, a barn, gardens or simply more space to enjoy. The 4,067-square-foot home is listed for $1,135,000.

Learn more about these distinctive properties and others here. If you’re a homeowner or agent with a special property you think deserves the spotlight in a future edition of North Lake County’s Distinctive Properties, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Mount Dora Buzz to let us know.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram and Facebook page for more local info.

Roundabout construction near Mount Dora leaves nearby businesses struggling

10/1/2026

Just beyond Mount Dora's city limits, a Lake County roundabout project at the junction of Eudora Road, State Road 19, and Old Highway 441 is drawing complaints from business owners who say the closures have cut deeply into their sales.
Magical Meat Boutique reports its revenue is down 42 percent since construction began. The business has laid off workers and reduced hours for others just to tread water. However, since media coverage began, the restaurant has received a lot of community support to help boost sales.

Other area businesses like Dora Cafe and King's Donuts & Deli have also been negatively impacted. Dora Cafe recently expanded its service to include dinner, which brings new revenue opportunities.

Sales aren’t slumping for Set in Stone, a headstone and monument company located at the junction, but the business has experienced challenges to its operations due to the current construction. Large trucks deliver stone to the business, which is no longer a simple task.

The roundabout project has been on the radar for years, the Lake County Commission only approved the project on July 22, 2025. The Commission signed the contract with Atlantic Civil Constructors on Oct. 28, 2025, and the agreement took effect in November. The notice to proceed came on April 2, 2026.

The intersection of Eudora Road and Old 441 is now closed to north and south traffic, and crews are doing as much work as they can while east and west traffic remains open. A full closure of the intersection is expected in February 2027 and should last no more than three months. The segments of Eudora Road and Old Highway 441 that are already closed will remain closed for the full duration of the project.

A detour route was established to handle the displaced traffic, and a county spokesperson said multiple agencies helped plan alternate routes to keep service flowing to residents and businesses. The contractor updated GPS systems to steer drivers onto the detours. The detours’ impacts on emergency response times remain unclear.
Business owners in the area claim the county never warned them that prolonged closures were planned. The county disagrees. It says Public Works staff spoke with affected businesses before the closure, put out signs three to four weeks ahead of time, and communicated the project widely to the public. Other county staff have also been in touch with several owners about signage and public messaging.

At issue is whether the county provided adequate advance notice to business owners and if enough efforts were made to mitigate adverse effects to those businesses in advance.

The County says it chose the current approach because construction would have been nearly impossible with traffic still moving, given the substantial utility relocation required at the Eudora Road and State Road 19 intersection. Staying open, it says, would have added $1 million to the cost for taxpayers and extended the project by about a year.

Business &
Real Estate Buzz

North Lake County’s Distinctive Properties for October

1046 N. McDonald Street, Mount Dora

1535 Sunset Circle, Mount Dora

17730 County Road 448, Mount Dora

6892 Swain Road, Sorrento

Roundabout construction near Mount Dora leaves nearby businesses struggling

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE

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Business &​Real Estate Buzz

North Lake County’s Distinctive Properties for October

1046 N. McDonald Street, Mount Dora

1535 Sunset Circle, Mount Dora

17730 County Road 448, Mount Dora

6892 Swain Road, Sorrento

Roundabout construction near Mount Dora leaves nearby businesses struggling

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE

Archives

Categories

Business &
Real Estate Buzz