WQBQ Talk Track: What Today’s Homebuyers Should Know About Buying New in Mount Dora

The Chamber, The “Q,” and You on WQBQ is a free on-air opportunity for Chamber members to share insights, highlight their services, and connect directly with the community.

For prospective homebuyers, today’s market can raise plenty of questions before the house hunt even begins.

Are higher interest rates a reason to wait? Is new construction automatically more expensive? How much can a buyer actually personalize? And what options exist for someone who wants to live near downtown Mount Dora without purchasing an older home?

Representatives from KB Home joined The Chamber, The “Q,” and You on WQBQ to talk through those questions and share what they are seeing from buyers across Lake County.

Buying a Home in Today’s Market

Affordability remains one of the biggest considerations for buyers, particularly those purchasing their first home.

During the conversation, KB Home representatives Fred Wyborski and Cara Kane discussed the importance of looking beyond the interest rate alone and considering the entire homebuying picture — including available incentives, financing options and how long a buyer expects to remain in the home.

One phrase shared during the interview summed up that approach: “Marry the home, date the rate.”

The idea is that buyers should focus first on finding the right home and location for their long-term needs, with the possibility of refinancing later if interest rates decline.

KB Home also discussed buyer incentives currently available that may help offset some of the upfront costs associated with purchasing a home.

New Construction Doesn’t Have to Mean “Cookie Cutter”

One of the major differences KB Home highlighted is the ability for buyers to personalize their home before it is built.

Rather than simply choosing from completed houses, buyers can select a homesite, floor plan and exterior before moving on to interior finishes and design choices.

That gives buyers the opportunity to make decisions about their home before moving in instead of immediately planning renovations or replacing finishes selected by a previous owner.

For buyers choosing the personalization route, the process typically takes approximately four to six months.

Those working on a shorter timeline still have options. KB Home also maintains move-in-ready inventory for buyers who need or want to close sooner.

New Homes Near Downtown Mount Dora

A major focus of the conversation was Hillside at Mount Dora, KB Home’s community located roughly a mile to a mile and a half from downtown Mount Dora.

That proximity gives residents access to Mount Dora’s restaurants, shops, events and downtown activity while still purchasing a newly constructed home.

At the time of the interview, KB Home representatives said the community had seven move-in-ready homes available.

With Hillside nearing completion, the community also represents one of the remaining opportunities to purchase a newly built KB home close to downtown.

What Buyers Get With a New Home

The conversation also touched on some of the practical differences between buying new construction and purchasing a resale property.

Newer homes can include modern building standards, updated technology and energy-efficient features, while also eliminating some of the immediate maintenance and renovation projects that can come with an older property.

For some buyers, however, the ability to make choices during construction may be the biggest advantage.

Rather than adapting to someone else’s floor plan, finishes or design decisions, buyers can create a home around the way they expect to live in it.

KB Home’s Growing Lake County Presence

KB Home’s presence extends well beyond one Mount Dora neighborhood.

Wyborski said the company builds approximately 400 homes each year in Lake County and about 1,000 homes annually throughout the greater Orlando market.

Other communities discussed during the program included Silver Lake Estates, Cypress Bluff and Laurel Oaks.

The company’s communities are also not age-restricted, something the guests clarified during the interview as they discussed the range of buyers currently entering the market.

Building One Home — and One Relationship — at a Time

Despite KB Home’s size, Wyborski and Kane repeatedly returned to customer service as a central part of the company’s approach.

“The customer comes first” was one of the recurring themes of the conversation, along with the idea that a builder’s reputation ultimately depends on the experience homeowners have long after they sign a contract.

As the guests put it, a home is only as good as the people who build it.

For anyone weighing whether buying a newly constructed home makes sense, the conversation offered a useful reminder: there is no single version of today’s homebuyer.

Some need something move-in ready. Others want months to personalize every detail. Some are focused on financing, while others care most about location.

Understanding those options is often the first step toward figuring out what kind of home — and what kind of buying process — makes the most sense.