Sand Lake Cove
A mid-price Dr. Phillips family community with amenity center and A-rated schools.
Live the MaxLife.
$780K
Median Price
$550K – $1.1M
240
Homes
$80–$140
Monthly HOA
1994
Established
Dr. Phillips Elementary (A-rated)
School Zone
Background
A brief history
Sand Lake Cove was developed in the mid-1990s as a family-oriented production community on a parcel off Turkey Lake Road — part of the second wave of Dr. Phillips development after the original gated communities filled in. Build-out ran from 1994 through 2001, with homes delivered by a handful of regional production builders rather than custom contractors. The community was designed with a shared pool, playground, and tennis court as core amenities, which was forward-thinking for a mid-price community at the time. A wave of kitchen and bath renovations has moved through the community since 2015 as the original owners have aged out.
The feel
What it's like to live here
Sand Lake Cove is the Dr. Phillips community most often recommended to young families who want the school zoning but can't stretch into the $1.5M+ gated communities. It has the feel of a real suburban neighborhood — kids walk to the community pool, school buses stop at the front gate, and the interior streets support the kind of bike-and-scooter daily rhythm that older gated communities don't have. Architecture is 1990s production traditional — two-story colonials, hip-roof ranches, a few faux-Mediterranean — on 0.15 to 0.3 acre lots. The community has a non-staffed gated entrance for deliveries and a keypad for residents.
The details
What to expect
Architecture & Lots
1990s production traditional — two-story colonials, hip-roof ranches, and a minority of faux-Mediterranean. Main homes 2,200–3,400 square feet, 3–5 bedrooms, 2-car garage. Lots 0.15 to 0.3 acre. Architectural shingle roofs predominate; a few tile roofs on original Mediterranean plans.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Community pool, playground, tennis court, and open-space park. Keypad gated entrance. Sidewalks throughout. Active community social calendar (summer pool events, holiday gatherings). The pool is the daily-use amenity — heavily used by families in spring and summer.
HOA Rules & Fees
Monthly dues $80–$140. Modest architectural review for major exterior changes. Short-term rentals prohibited; standard 7-month minimum lease. Fencing permitted with HOA approval. Less-restrictive than the luxury gated communities nearby.
Schools
Zoned for Dr. Phillips Elementary (A-rated), Southwest Middle, and Dr. Phillips High (A-rated) — the primary reason families buy in. The First Academy is 12 minutes.
Access & Commute
Five minutes to Restaurant Row, 8 minutes to I-4 at Sand Lake Road, 15 minutes to Disney, 25 minutes to MCO and downtown Orlando.
Community
Amenities
- Community pool, playground, and tennis court
- Keypad gated entrance
- Sidewalks throughout
- Active family-oriented community calendar
- Lowest entry-point gated community in Dr. Phillips school zone
Know Before You Buy
HOA rules worth knowing
- Monthly HOA $80–$140
- Short-term rentals prohibited; 7-month minimum lease
- Fencing permitted with HOA approval
- Major exterior changes require architectural review
Education
School assignments
- Dr. Phillips Elementary (A-rated)
- Southwest Middle School
- Dr. Phillips High School (A-rated)
- The First Academy (private)
School zone assignments change. Verify with Orange County Public Schools before purchase.
Market Commentary
What the market is doing
Current median trades in the $720K–$830K band. Smaller 3-bedroom originals move $550K–$700K. Larger 4–5 bedroom homes with updates trade $850K–$1.1M. Renovation status is the dominant value driver in the community — a fully renovated kitchen and primary bath can add 10–15% to comparable sale prices. Price-per-square-foot runs $230 for dated originals to $300 for well-updated homes. Days-on-market has averaged 25–40 days; the community turns faster than most Dr. Phillips communities because the price point sits in the highest-demand band for school-zone buyers.
Recent Work
Recent sales in Dr. Phillips
Representative closings across Dr. Phillips. Our Sand Lake Cove off-market pipeline is larger than what's shown here.
No recent listings shown yet for Sand Lake Cove. Join the VIP list to see upcoming inventory first.
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Information on this page is compiled from public records, MLS data, community associations, and broker observation. Price ranges, HOA fees, school assignments, and community amenities change — verify all details with MaxLife Realty and the relevant community association before making a purchase decision. Ryan Solberg, Broker, License #BK3354351. MaxLife Realty, 321.373.3536.