Old Spanish Sugar Mill Renews Contract W/ State

​Pancake owners can now rejoice! The owners of the Old Spanish Sugar Mill at Deleon Springs State Park were uncertain about their future as the restaurant’s current contract with the state is set to run out on September 30. But Patty Schwarze, the longtime operator of the establishment, said in a Daytona Beach News-Journal article that her […]


4 Steps To Keep Your Generator Running

Hurricane Irma not only brought physical devastation to the state of Florida, but it also brought many surprises including one of the largest evacuations in state history. With that, we saw one of the largest gasoline shortages in decades, due to the uncertainty and the elevated use of generators.  Chances are that if you lost […]


September Construction Update – Subway and Pet Supermarket

We have a few more commercial updates for the month of September. On North Woodland Blvd, a new Subway restaurant is being built next to the current location. According to the West Volusia Beacon, the new restaurant is expected to be completed and open by this fall.   The other update is a second Pet […]


DeLand Getting Second Roundabout

Back in February, DeLand received its first major roundabout on west State Road 44. The highway has been rated one of the most dangerous highways in the state of Florida, and the intersection at Grand Ave. has caused fatalities in recent years. The roundabout received a lot of criticism, as other residents and frequent travelers […]


Gateway DeLand is Coming

Commercially, DeLand has seen much growth over the past few years, but there is potentially more on the horizon. There is a proposed project at the intersection of I-4 and SR 44 called Gateway DeLand. Currently, most motorists driving past the Interstate 4/State Road 44 interchange see mostly large swaths of trees and undeveloped land. In […]


4 Hotspot Trails to Bike in DeLand

Living in Florida, we get to enjoy outdoor activities like bike-riding all year.  Of course you may want to go early morning or late evening during the summer, so that it’s a bit cooler. DeLand is great for taking bike rides, and there are some nice paved trails that you can use. The good thing […]


Elegant Townhouse Living

According to Wikipedia, a townhouse is a type of terraced housing.  It usually has a smaller footprint with multiple floors. From the 18th century, the townhouse provided a city residence during the “social season”, for wealthy landowners or nobility. Today, townhouses are sought after for the simple lifestyle they provide.  On Old Treeline Trail in […]


Like Peas and Carrots, Check out These Popular DeLand Combos

Downtown DeLand is a popular spot for great drinks, delicious cuisines and sweet treats. Many locals like to pair visiting establishments with others, making their experience the perfect one-two punch. We decided to list a few of our favorites. Give them a try, if you already haven’t.   Bellini’s Deli & Restaurant and the Sweet […]


Summer Commercial Update

Once again, DeLand has commercial construction projects that are visible along Woodland Blvd. Here are a few updates on three major projects.   Goodwill on North Woodland Blvd.  Construction is well underway for a new Goodwill retail store and employment center on North Woodland Blvd, north of the Hampton Inn and Suites. The current location […]


A Guide To 5 Local Springs

It’s the dog days of summer in Central Florida, but thanks to Mother Nature, there are natural places we can cool off. Our area is surrounded by natural springs that are a cool 72 degrees year-round. Although the cool water is consistent with all of our springs, we thought we would highlight some of the […]


East Volusia Growth Spotlight – LPGA Blvd. & I-95

Volusia County commercial and residential developments are on the rise throughout the county, and one of the biggest areas of growth is at  LPGA Boulevard and I-95, thanks to the recent addition of the Tanger Outlet Mall. Since the mall has arrived, several other additions have taken place.   North of the outlet mall on […]


Vacation Lifehack – 6 Ways Locals Can Save on a Cruise

Living in Central Florida has its privileges. The summers are hot, but the other months out of the year provide some of the best weather in the country. A possible challenge that many face when they move to Florida is where do you go on vacation when you live in the vacation destination of the […]


Style: Mid Century Modern

What is it?​Mid Century Modern refers to homes built between 1933 – 1965. But what defines Mid Century Modern style? In the 1950’s the term was recognized as a style descriptor. Currently it is celebrated worldwide as a significant design movement.  The goal was to bring modernism into America’s post–war suburbs. With strong European influences, […]


Mentoring Relationship Comes Full Circle

The power of a mentor should never be underestimated. Andrew Oates is one of the newest members of the Swann Real Estate team, but his path to get here is one that he never expected. Andrew is grateful to a friend and mentor that invested in his life at an early age that brought him […]


9 Things You Should Know About Waterfront Property

In Florida, there is more waterfront property than any other state in the Continental United States, thanks to both coasts and the countless inland bodies of water. For many, waterfront living is a the ultimate real estate goal. We talked with some of our agents to discuss 9 tips to consider when it comes to […]