Sunshine Tree Homes for Sale in Winter Haven, FL

Early to mid 1980s single-family · Polk County · ZIP 33880

A mid-1980s no-HOA pocket in Southwest Winter Haven, the residential read for owner-occupiers who want a right-size single-family home with low carrying costs.

Mid-1980s single-familyNo HOASouthwest Winter Haven

Live Market Pulse

50/100
Momentum

Buyer-Leaning Market (limited data)

This is a small established subdivision, so the honest read is the individual home and lot, the roof and systems, and the Southwest Winter Haven location, not a townwide average. Confirm HOA status, flood zone, and condition by address before you offer.

Free · No obligation

Unlock Off-Market Sunshine Tree

Listings before the portals, true comps, and the renovation and carrying-cost math, before you tour.

Built fromLive Stellar MLS data14 years of closingsLocal renovation analysisUpdated twice daily

LiveMarket PulseStellar MLS

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Median Price

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Supply

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Avg DOM

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Seller Leverage

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Median $/Sqft

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1-Yr Price Change

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Jon's Current Read

"Sunshine Tree is a compact single-family subdivision in Southwest Winter Haven built largely in the early to mid 1980s, so the read is a value read on modest, right-size homes rather than a master-planned amenity story. Public listing records describe one-story homes generally in the 1,100 to 1,350 square foot range with two to three bedrooms, Florida-style architecture, and no homeowners association on at least some parcels, which keeps carrying costs low but puts maintenance and reserves entirely on the owner. Because these homes are roughly forty years old, the value drivers are the roof, the HVAC, the plumbing and electrical, and whether prior owners updated kitchens and baths, not a community average. Most of the subdivision shows a FEMA flood zone X read on individual records, but Winter Haven is a city of lakes, so confirm the flood zone, elevation, and any drainage history for the exact address. Your leverage is buying the most honest combination of a sound structure, updated systems, and a good lot at an entry to core price, then verifying HOA status and flood zone per parcel before you commit."

Jon Brooks, founder, Momentum Realty · Updated June 2026

The 60-Second Overview

Sunshine Tree is a single-family subdivision in Southwest Winter Haven, Polk County, ZIP 33880 (Stellar MLS records and neighborhood listing guides, 2026). Listing data describes homes built largely from the early to mid 1980s, recorded in phases such as Sunshine Tree Ph 02, along streets including Sunshine Way SW and High Point Avenue SW near the southwest side of the city and Lake Shipp.

The housing is modest and consistent: public listing records cite mostly one-story homes generally around 1,100 to 1,350 square feet, two to three bedrooms and two baths, with Florida-style architecture, slab foundations, and wood-frame construction (homes.com and neighborhoods.com listing summaries, 2026). Many homes have two-car garages and fenced yards, and at least some parcels carry no homeowners association, so confirm HOA status and dues, if any, for the specific home.

Because this is an established forty-year-old subdivision rather than a new build, the money is made or lost on the individual home and lot, not the address. The drivers are the age and condition of the roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, the quality of any kitchen and bath updates, and the lot and exposure, all of which have to be read from the inspection and the listing for the exact home.

The pitch is an affordable, low-carrying-cost single-family pocket close to Southwest Winter Haven shopping, Highway 17 and US 17, and the Legoland Florida and Cypress Gardens corridor, with downtown Winter Haven and the Chain of Lakes a short drive away. The work is the diligence: read the inspection, price the systems, and verify the flood zone and HOA status before you buy.

Quick Match

Who Sunshine Tree is best for.

Best for

Owner-occupiers who want an affordable right-size single-family home
Buyers who value low carrying costs and, on many parcels, no HOA
Buyers comfortable budgeting for roof and systems on a 1980s home
Buyers who want a Southwest Winter Haven location near shopping and US 17

Probably not for

Buyers who want a new build with the latest finishes and amenities
Anyone unwilling to inspect and budget for roof, HVAC, and systems
Buyers who want a large home, an acreage lot, or resort amenities
Buyers who will not verify HOA status and flood zone per address

Market Pulse

How Sunshine Tree is performing right now

50/100
momentum

Buyer-Leaning Market (limited data)

Seller's marketBalancedBuyer's market

0Months of supplytight

57Median days on marketdays

0 : 0Under contract vs for salestrong demand

0Sold in last 12 monthsliquidity

+127%Median price since 2012appreciation

+0%Asking vs recent sold $/sqftroom to negotiate

Tight supply and strong demand favor sellers here. Homes still take about two months to sell, though, and with asking prices running above recent sales per square foot, a prepared buyer has room on anything overpriced. Reading each home against the real comps, not the headline trend, is where the edge is.

Live from Stellar MLS, as of June 25, 2026. Refreshed twice daily. Months of supply, days on market, and the contract-to-listing ratio are computed from current Sunshine Tree listings and the trailing twelve months of closed sales.

Where prices are going$850K2026 YTD

Median sale price by year. Tap a label to compare Cypresswood or Winter Haven. The 1-year price change is the median sold price over the most recent year versus the prior year, the same measure most listing sites and local Realtor reports use. It reflects the mix of homes that sold, not the change in any single home's value, which is why median price per square foot is shown alongside it to adjust for home size. In thinly traded neighborhoods, where a sale or two can swing the median, we lead with the mix-resistant price-per-square-foot trend instead.

Price per square foot$3072026 YTD

Median $/sqft by year. 2026 is year to date.

Supply and demand now0 : 0active : pending

For sale0

Pending0

Sold 12mo0

Active and pending listings now vs homes sold in the last 12 months.

8.6A- score

Momentum intelligence

Momentum buy score

Our proprietary read on how a home in Sunshine Tree buys, holds, and resells. See the five factors.

Interactive Map

Sunshine Tree on the map.

Every active, pending, and recently sold home, plotted. Toggle the layers, color the dots by status or lot type, and tap a home for the details.

Listing locations from Stellar MLS; lot type inferred from listing descriptions. Destination pins are approximate. Map data © OpenStreetMap, tiles © CARTO. Flood, school, and commute overlays are on the roadmap.

Nearby & Commute

How far is everything?

The takeaway

Sunshine Tree trades amenities for an affordable Southwest Winter Haven address, with shopping, US 17, downtown, and the Legoland and Cypress Gardens corridor close and Lakeland a manageable drive.

Drive times from the subdivision. They are approximate and vary with traffic and your exact home and routine.

Southwest Winter Haven shopping~5 to 10 min · everyday retail

US 17 and Highway 17~5 min · main north-south route

Downtown Winter Haven~10 min · shops and dining

Legoland Florida and Cypress Gardens~10 to 15 min · regional attraction

Winter Haven Chain of Lakes~10 to 15 min · boating and recreation

Bartow~15 to 20 min · county seat

Lakeland~30 to 40 min · regional hub

Distances and times are approximate and vary with traffic and the specific home. Confirm your real commute at your real departure time.

Nearby Communities

Explore more neighborhoods near Sunshine Tree with Momentum Realty’s local guides.

SAShores atLake SearsWinter Haven, FL · 0.1 mi QCQueens CoveWinter Haven, FL · 0.1 mi NONormandyHeightsWinter Haven, FL · 0.1 mi NONormandyHeightsWinter Haven, FL · 0.4 mi BCBrandy ChaseVillageWinter Haven, FL · 0.5 mi NHNormandy HeightsII AWinter Haven, FL · 0.6 mi IMImperialHarboursWinter Haven, FL · 0.6 mi LSLake ShippHeightsWinter Haven, FL · 0.6 mi CECentralPointeWinter Haven, FL · 0.7 mi

Browse all Florida neighborhood guides →

Carrying cost · the no-CDD edge

No CDD bond means thousands less per year than newer master plans.

Typical CDD community~$2,500/yr

Sunshine Tree (no CDD)$0/yr

Roughly $25,000 saved over 10 years in carrying cost, before resale.

Illustrative. NE Florida CDD assessments commonly run $1,500-$3,500+/yr and vary by community; verify per property.

Schools

15-Second Take

Polk County Public Schools
Verify the zoned schools by address
Magnet and choice options may be available
Confirm current ratings before relying on them
Private and parochial options nearby

Sunshine Tree is served by Polk County Public Schools. Assignment is by address and can change, so confirm the exact zoned elementary, middle, and high schools for any specific home, plus any magnet or choice options. Treat published ratings as a starting point, not the full story.

Public

Polk County Public Schools (verify by address)

Verifyrating

By address

Lake Shipp Elementary, Westwood Middle, Winter Haven Senior (verify by address)

Verifyrating

Choice

Magnet and choice options may apply

Verifyrating

Buying with schools in mind? We can confirm the exact zoned schools for any Sunshine Tree address.

The takeaway

What is actually shaping value in Southwest Winter Haven and pockets like Sunshine Tree: Florida property-insurance and roof-condition pressure on older homes, the Legoland and Cypress Gardens corridor and Winter Haven growth, and steady demand for affordable single-family entry homes. Each item is an evergreen factual observation; verify specifics per address.

Recent Developments in Sunshine Tree

Development Intelligence

Our read on what is being built around Sunshine Tree, scored for direction, significance, and how close the effect lands. The full sourced timeline follows below.

Net OutlookBullishAffordable, low-carrying-cost single-family stock supports steady demand, with the watch items being roof age and property-insurance costs on 1980s homes and per-address flood and drainage in a city of lakes.

Florida property insurance and roof-age scrutiny

2025

NeutralMajor impact

SignificanceRadius: Area

Insurers increasingly price by roof age and condition, so a newer roof and updated systems materially affect the carrying cost on a 1980s home.

Winter Haven and the Legoland and Cypress Gardens corridor

Ongoing

BullishNotable impact

SignificanceRadius: Area

Tourism and job growth around the Cypress Gardens corridor and broader Polk County support demand for nearby affordable single-family homes.

Demand for affordable single-family entry homes

Ongoing

BullishNotable impact

SignificanceRadius: Community

Right-size, lower-priced single-family homes near jobs and shopping draw owner-occupiers and first-time buyers in the current market.

No HOA on many parcels

Ongoing

BullishMinor impact

SignificanceRadius: Community

Where no association applies, owners avoid community dues, though they carry all maintenance and reserves themselves; confirm HOA status per address.

Roughly forty-year-old housing stock

Ongoing

NeutralNotable impact

SignificanceRadius: Community

Mid-1980s homes commonly need roof, HVAC, and systems attention, so the inspection and a maintenance reserve are core diligence.

City of lakes flood and drainage context

Ongoing

NeutralNotable impact

SignificanceRadius: Community

Winter Haven is a city of lakes; most records here read zone X, but the flood zone, elevation, and drainage must be verified per address.

Direction, significance, and effect-radius ratings are Momentum's proprietary, qualitative read of the sourced items below, not investment advice or a prediction for any specific home.

Development, infrastructure, retail, and school activity affecting Sunshine Tree, tracked by our team and summarized from public reporting and official sources, with links to the original coverage. Last updated June 2026.

Showing the latest, scroll for all updates ↓

May 2025
Development
Highland Homes plans a new subdivision in Winter Haven
GrowthSpotter reported that Highland Homes is planning a new residential subdivision in Winter Haven, part of continued homebuilding activity across Polk County as the area grows. Why it matters: New construction nearby signals ongoing Winter Haven demand, which can support resale interest in established, more affordable pockets like Sunshine Tree. Source

Summaries reflect public reporting and official sources linked above as of the dates shown. Project details, timelines, and approvals can change. Commentary on potential market effects is general observation, not investment advice or a prediction for any specific property. For the freshest items across the whole region, see This Week in Northeast Florida.

The Strategy

The Sunshine Tree buying strategy.

If we were buying in Sunshine Tree, this is the order of operations we would run, and the one we run for our clients.

Read the inspection and price the systems first. On a mid-1980s home, the roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical drive the real cost of ownership far more than the asking price.

Verify HOA status and any dues per parcel. Listing records show no HOA on at least some homes here, so confirm whether a fee applies to the specific address before you assume your carrying cost.

Confirm the FEMA flood zone and drainage. Most records show a zone X read, but Winter Haven is a city of lakes, so verify the zone, elevation, and any drainage history for the exact lot.

Judge the home and lot, not the average. In a small subdivision the specific roof, systems, updates, exposure, and yard set value, so price the condition of the home you are buying.

Cross-shop nearby Southwest Winter Haven pockets, such as Cypresswood, if a different era or lot profile fits your plan better.

The Quick Decision

Best Buy

An updated home with a newer roof and HVAC on a good lot

Biggest Risk

Buying deferred maintenance and underbudgeting roof and systems

Best Lot

A fenced, well-drained lot with confirmed zone X and HOA status

Smart Timing

Confirm the inspection, flood zone, and HOA status before you offer

Deep-Dive Intelligence

The full read, only if you want it.

The takeaway

On mobile, tap any heading below to open it. This is the home by home, lot by lot, club and renovation detail, organized so you can jump straight to what matters to you.

Community Details at a Glance

Sunshine Tree is a small established single-family subdivision rather than an amenitized master plan, so the lifestyle is quiet Southwest Winter Haven living on city lots. Homes are mostly one-story, mid-1980s, with two-car garages and fenced yards, and at least some parcels carry no homeowners association, so there are typically no shared community amenities. Southwest Winter Haven shopping, US 17, and the Cypress Gardens and Legoland Florida corridor are close, with downtown Winter Haven and the Chain of Lakes a short drive away. HOA status, rules, and any shared facilities vary by parcel, so confirm what applies to the specific home before you buy.

Sunshine Tree Homes For Sale

What your money buys in Sunshine Tree.

The takeaway

Three honest price bands. Condition and lot, not the square footage alone, decide where a home lands.

Here are the broad resale bands in Sunshine Tree today. The right home is the one matched to your budget and the renovation math, so seeing fitting listings early is the edge.

The Entry Home

A smaller two bedroom needing roof or systems work, the affordable way in, where condition and updates drive the real cost.

Lowest entry

The Core Home

An updated three bedroom with a newer roof and HVAC on a good lot, the heart of the resale market here.

Most inventory

The Top

The most updated homes with newer roof, systems, kitchen, and bath on the best lots, the houses that hold value best.

Strongest resale

Approximate 2026 resale bands from third-party listing data and public records, not NEFAR statistics. Confirm pricing for a specific home.

See Off-Market & Private Listings

What Your Money Buys

What ~$900K buys here.

Three realistic price bands. Where a home lands comes down to condition and lot, not square footage alone.

The Entry Home

A smaller two bedroom needing roof or systems work, the affordable way in, where condition and updates drive the real cost.

The Core Home

An updated three bedroom with a newer roof and HVAC on a good lot, the heart of the resale market here.

The Top

The most updated homes with newer roof, systems, kitchen, and bath on the best lots, the houses that hold value best.

Approximate 2026 resale bands from third-party listing data and public records, not NEFAR statistics. Confirm pricing for a specific home.

Operator Intelligence

Renovation & Resale Intelligence

The factors that actually move value in Sunshine Tree, condition, lot, and the renovation math, read from current listings and recent sales.

15-Second Take

Renovation math decides the deal
Better lots and views resell strongest
Roof and HVAC age drive the insurance quote
Interior lots are where buyers overpay

Proprietary Data

The renovation premium.

Renovated-listing inventory in Sunshine Tree is too thin right now to compute a reliable renovation premium. We read condition home by home against real comps before you offer.

Lot Value

The lot premium.

On a preferred homesite (water, preserve, corner, or a larger lot), the homesite is the part of your money the market gives back at resale. The house can be renovated; the lot cannot, so premium lots hold their value better than interior ones. How much more they command varies by frontage, view, and condition, which is why we read it home by home against real comparable sales rather than a single headline figure.

Operator Note

Most buyers overpay on interior lots in the back half of the community. A sharp renovation can distract you, but the weaker resale position follows the lot, not the finishes. We read the homesite before the kitchen.

Resale Strength Scorecard

How well Sunshine Tree holds value.

Our read on the factors that protect resale here, and the one to manage.

Home ageLargely early to mid 1980s, read roof and systems

Roof and systems riskBudget for roof and HVAC on a 1980s home

HOA and carrying costNo HOA on many parcels, low carrying cost

Flood and drainageMost records zone X, verify per address

Location and accessSouthwest Winter Haven, near US 17 and shopping

Momentum analysis based on the community's structure, location, lot scarcity, and housing stock. Not a guarantee of future value.

Operator Note

The strongest value pocket is usually a renovated home on a good lot priced just under the next tier up. Buyers chasing the single biggest house often pay top prices for what is really a renovation project.

5 Mistakes Buyers Make in Sunshine Tree

15-Second Take

Calling the listing agent (who works for the seller)
Misjudging the renovation budget
Overpaying for an interior lot
Underbudgeting the carrying costs
Skipping the roof, HVAC, and systems check

The same five mistakes cost buyers the most in any market. Every one is avoidable with the right preparation before you tour.

Calling the listing agent

The agent on the sign works for the seller. In a market where condition swings price by hundreds of thousands, negotiating against that agent with no one in your corner is the costliest move of all.

Misjudging the renovation math

A dated home looks like a deal until you price the roof, HVAC, pool, and full modernization honestly. Underbudget the reno and the bargain becomes the expensive house.

Overpaying for an interior lot

A premium homesite (water, preserve, or a preferred position) carries a real, durable premium. Pay a top price for an interior lot and you are buying the weakest version of the value.

Underbudgeting the carrying costs

Two similar homes can cost very differently to own once the HOA, any CDD, insurance, and upkeep are priced in. Buyers who do not run the full monthly carrying cost misread the real number.

Skipping the systems check

An older home means older systems unless updated. Roof age, HVAC age, pool equipment, and prior renovations drive both price and insurability, and a thorough inspection matters more here than in a new build.

“

Sunshine Tree is a small mid-1980s subdivision, not a master plan. The deal is won or lost on the home, the roof and systems, the lot, and the per-address flood and HOA read.

Jon Brooks · Founder, Momentum Realty

Momentum Intelligence

Momentum Buy Score.

Our proprietary 0 to 10 read across the five factors that decide how a home here buys, holds, and resells.

7.0B · Buy Score

Resale Strength7.0/10

Renovation Risk5.2/10

Location Efficiency7.4/10

Long-Term Defensibility6.6/10

Carrying Cost Advantage8.0/10

Momentum Intelligence Scores are our proprietary, qualitative assessment based on the analysis on this page, on a 0 to 10 scale. They are a framework for comparing communities, not a guarantee of future value or advice on a specific home.

Momentum Housing Intelligence

Why our read on Sunshine Tree is different.

Most pages on this community are an automated estimate wrapped in stock copy. This one is built from the live Stellar MLS feed, fourteen years of closed sales, and a renovation-by-renovation read of what actually moves value here, lot by lot. No Zestimate, no guesswork.

Live Stellar MLS feed14 years of closed salesRenovation-premium analysisLot-by-lot, no automated estimates

Jon Brooks, founder of Momentum Realty. A housing economist with a background in real estate investment banking at Deutsche Bank and consulting at Ernst & Young, who has built and analyzed Northeast Florida real estate from the ground up.

About the analyst · Our methodology

Which Lots & Views Hold Value Best

Proprietary Data · Lot Value Map

Where the value actually sits. Each home is shaded by its price per square foot (a value read, not just a price) and ringed by lot type, so you can see at a glance which pockets carry a real, durable premium and where a renovation play makes sense.

Value ($/sqft)

$261 value$401 premium

Lake / waterPreserveInterior

Fill = price per square foot; ring = lot type, inferred from listing descriptions. Sold homes are shown by realized $/sqft (lot type not always recorded). Asking and recent-sold figures from Stellar MLS; for orientation, not an appraisal.

15-Second Take

In a small subdivision, the home and lot set value
Updated homes with newer roof and HVAC hold value best
Confirm the FEMA flood zone and drainage per address
Read the inspection before you read the finishes
Verify HOA status and any dues for the exact home

In a small 1980s subdivision, the part of your money the market protects is the structure, the systems, and the lot, not a community average. A home with a newer roof and HVAC, updated kitchen and bath, and a well-drained lot holds value better than a comparable house with deferred maintenance. The finishes can be redone; the lot, the exposure, and the per-address flood read cannot. Read the inspection, confirm the flood zone and HOA status, and price the condition of the home against the pocket before you offer.

The 15-Second Verdict

Sunshine Tree in 15 seconds.

Best forOwner-occupiers who want an affordable right-size home with low carrying costs.

Biggest advantageA no-HOA single-family pocket on many parcels in Southwest Winter Haven.

Biggest riskRoof, HVAC, and systems on a roughly forty-year-old home if underbudgeted.

Sweet spotAn updated home with a newer roof and HVAC on a well-drained lot.

Avoid ifYou want a new build, a large home, or resort-style community amenities.

HOA Status & Carrying Costs

15-Second Take

Confirm HOA status and any dues for the exact home
With no HOA, you carry all roof and systems costs yourself
Budget your own reserve for roof and HVAC replacement
Read the inspection before you read the finishes
Verify the FEMA flood zone and drainage per address

Listing records show no homeowners association on at least some homes in Sunshine Tree, which keeps carrying costs low but means roof, systems, and exterior maintenance fall entirely on the owner. Do not assume the whole subdivision is identical; HOA status and any dues can vary by phase or parcel. Confirm whether a fee applies, and what it covers, for the exact address from the listing and the title work.

Where no HOA applies, there are no community dues, no shared reserves, and no association rules, so each owner carries the full cost of the roof, HVAC, paint, and yard. Where any fee does exist, confirm exactly what it covers. Either way, budget your own reserve for a roof and an HVAC replacement on a mid-1980s home. Verify the specifics per address before you assume your monthly carrying cost.

Run Your Numbers

Tools for a Sunshine Tree buy.

Free calculators to pressure-test the real cost before you tour.

Mortgage paymentPrincipal, interest, taxes, and insurance on a specific price.Property taxPolk County millage and the homestead picture.Rent vs buyThe breakeven on owning in Sunshine Tree.Save Our HomesProject your homestead tax cap over time.

The takeaway

Selling here is won on condition and view, not the Zestimate. The right number comes from closed comps matched to your renovation level and lot.

Selling in Sunshine Tree

Price to the home, the systems, and the lot, not a subdivision average.

Selling here means pricing to your specific home and its condition, not a neighborhood-wide estimate. The roof and HVAC age, the kitchen and bath updates, the lot and exposure, and whether the home shows a clean inspection are what set your number in a pocket of similar 1980s houses.

Momentum listings (YTD)

97.98%

Sold-to-list ratio across our market for our agents, sellers keeping more of their price.

Market average (YTD)

96.73%

The broader metro average sold-to-list ratio over the same period.

Momentum days on market

64 days

Median days on market for our listings, faster sales mean less carrying cost and stronger leverage.

Market days on market

72 days

The broader metro median over the same period.

Sold-to-list and days-on-market figures reflect Momentum Realty listings versus our market average, year to date. Your home's result depends on pricing, condition, lot, view, and preparation.

In Sunshine Tree, condition and view decide your number

Because buyers here are weighing your home against renovated comps and cross-shopping Cypresswood, a home priced to the community average instead of its true condition and view either leaves money on the table or sits. A renovated kitchen, newer roof and HVAC, and a golf or lake view all deserve to show up in your price, and a buyer pool reading renovation math needs to be shown why your home is worth it. We build that case with real comps and a pricing strategy for the current market.

What is your Sunshine Tree home worth?

Get a no-obligation home value based on real comparable sales in Sunshine Tree matched to your condition, lot, and view, not an automated guess. Tell us about your home and we will personally prepare your numbers and a pricing strategy. No obligation, no spam.

See homes for sale in Sunshine Tree on the map →
Or get your Sunshine Tree home value & selling guide →

Real comps, not a Zestimate.

The real cost & risk here

Before the list price, the Florida math the portals skip. These are Polk County typicals — your exact home, flood zone, and insurance quote will vary, so verify each before you offer.

$1,609/mo

Polk County typical true cost to own

$110/mo

Polk County typical home insurance

No CDD

No community development district bond

Check it for your address: look up your flood zone (FEMA) · insurance by county · true-cost calculator · Polk County scorecard.

County typicals from Momentum’s Florida housing data (Zillow & Realtor.com aggregates, Census, FRED), updated monthly; insurance modeled. Flood zone is property-specific — always confirm via FEMA.

Sunshine Tree Market Scorecard

Thin data

Sunshine Tree is currently a thin data. Limited supply, a median asking price of n/a.

n/a

Months supply

n/a

Median list

n/a

Median sold

n/a

Per sqft

n/a

Days on mkt

0/0/0

Active/Pend/Sold

Go deeper: true cost calculator · affordability calculator.

Live data: Stellar MLS, distributed by MLS GRID, refreshed twice daily. Typical value: Zillow Research. Market metrics only; these describe homes for sale and recent sales, not residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sunshine Tree?

It is a single-family subdivision in Southwest Winter Haven, Polk County, ZIP 33880, along streets such as Sunshine Way SW and High Point Avenue SW near the southwest side of the city and Lake Shipp.

When were the homes built?

Listing records describe homes built largely from the early to mid 1980s, recorded in phases such as Sunshine Tree Ph 02 (Stellar MLS and neighborhood listing guides, 2026). Confirm the exact year built for any specific home.

What kind of homes are in Sunshine Tree?

Public listing summaries cite mostly one-story single-family homes generally around 1,100 to 1,350 square feet, two to three bedrooms and two baths, with Florida-style architecture, slab foundations, and wood-frame construction. Confirm size, beds, and baths per home.

Is there a homeowners association?

Listing records show no homeowners association on at least some homes here, which keeps carrying costs low. HOA status can vary by phase or parcel, so confirm whether a fee applies, and what it covers, for the exact address.

Is Sunshine Tree in a flood zone?

Individual records on homes here commonly show a FEMA flood zone X read, but Winter Haven is a city of lakes. Always verify the flood zone, the elevation, and any drainage history for the specific address before you buy.

What schools serve Sunshine Tree?

It is part of Polk County Public Schools. Listing records for homes here have cited Lake Shipp Elementary, Westwood Middle, and Winter Haven Senior High, but assignment is by address and can change, so verify the zoned schools for the exact home.

What are the carrying costs like?

Where no HOA applies there are no community dues, but the owner carries all roof, HVAC, and exterior maintenance on a roughly forty-year-old home. Budget your own reserve for a roof and an HVAC replacement, and confirm taxes and insurance per address.

What should I inspect on a 1980s home here?

Focus on the roof age, the HVAC, the plumbing and electrical, and the windows, plus any kitchen and bath updates. Many homes have been updated over the years, but condition varies house to house, so read the inspection closely.

What is nearby?

Sunshine Tree is close to Southwest Winter Haven shopping, US 17 and Highway 17, and the Cypress Gardens and Legoland Florida corridor, with downtown Winter Haven and the Chain of Lakes a short drive away. Confirm real drive times for your routine.

Is Sunshine Tree a good value?

As an established, modest single-family pocket with low carrying costs and, on many parcels, no HOA, it can offer affordable entry into Winter Haven. This is not a guarantee of future value; the home, its systems, and the lot drive the outcome.

How big are the lots?

Lots here are typical city lots; one recorded example cited roughly a 5,300 square foot lot at about 59 by 89 feet. Lot size and exposure vary, so confirm the dimensions, fencing, and drainage for the specific home.

Can I rent a home in Sunshine Tree?

At least one recorded listing showed no minimum lease and no lease restrictions, but rules can vary by parcel and change over time, and any applicable HOA or city rule controls. Confirm current rental rules for the exact address before you count on income.

How does it compare to nearby neighborhoods?

Compared with nearby Southwest Winter Haven pockets such as Cypresswood, Sunshine Tree is a small, consistent 1980s subdivision. Which is the better buy depends on era, lot, condition, and your price point, so compare the actual homes.

Is this a 55+ or age-restricted community?

No. Listing records describe Sunshine Tree as a standard single-family subdivision with no senior-community designation. Confirm the community type for any specific home, but it is not marketed as 55+ or age-restricted.

Who is the best real estate agent for Sunshine Tree?

The best agent for Sunshine Tree is one who actively works Winter Haven and knows the community's pricing, HOA and CDD details, and current inventory. Tell us what you're looking for in the form on this page and Momentum Realty will match you with a local specialist for Sunshine Tree.

How do I find a top Winter Haven real estate agent who knows Sunshine Tree?

Share a few details in the form on this page. Momentum Realty has 280+ agents and more than $3.5B in closed sales, and we'll connect you with one who knows Sunshine Tree and the wider Winter Haven area.

Can Momentum Realty connect me with an agent for Sunshine Tree?

Yes. Use the form on this page and we'll introduce you to a local specialist who can guide your Sunshine Tree purchase or sale — no call center and no pressure.

The Verdict

Should you buy in Sunshine Tree?

An honest fit check. We will tell you when it is not your community.

Owner-occupiers who want an affordable right-size single-family homeExcellent fit

Buyers who value low carrying costs and, on many parcels, no HOAExcellent fit

Buyers comfortable budgeting for roof and systems on a 1980s homeExcellent fit

Buyers who want a Southwest Winter Haven location near shopping and US 17Excellent fit

Buyers who will read the inspection and price condition honestlyExcellent fit

Buyers who want a new build with the latest finishes and amenitiesProbably not

Anyone unwilling to inspect and budget for roof, HVAC, and systemsProbably not

Buyers who want a large home, an acreage lot, or resort amenitiesProbably not

Buyers who will not verify HOA status and flood zone per addressProbably not

Buyers who want a master-planned community with shared facilitiesProbably not

Get the inside read on Sunshine Tree

Whether you are buying a renovation project, comparing the lots and views, weighing the carrying costs, or selling your Sunshine Tree home, tell us what you need. Every inquiry comes straight to us. We represent you, not the seller, and what your agent is paid is negotiable and set in a written buyer agreement up front. No obligation, no spam, no high-pressure follow-up.

You are all set.

A Momentum Realty Sunshine Tree specialist will reach out personally, usually the same day.

Thinking about hiring an agent here? How to find the best real estate agent in Sunshine Tree — what to look for, questions to ask, and your local expert.

Photography on this page is sourced from active and recently sold MLS listings in this community and remains the property of the listing brokerage and/or photographer. Listings courtesy of Stellar MLS as distributed by MLS GRID. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing; deemed reliable but not guaranteed by MLS GRID.

Sunshine Tree Homes for Sale in Winter Haven, FL

The 60-Second Overview

Who Sunshine Tree is best for.

Best for

Probably not for

How Sunshine Tree is performing right now

Sunshine Tree on the map.

How far is everything?

Nearby Communities

Schools

Polk County Public Schools (verify by address)

Lake Shipp Elementary, Westwood Middle, Winter Haven Senior (verify by address)

Magnet and choice options may apply

Recent Developments in Sunshine Tree

Florida property insurance and roof-age scrutiny

Winter Haven and the Legoland and Cypress Gardens corridor

Demand for affordable single-family entry homes

No HOA on many parcels

Roughly forty-year-old housing stock

City of lakes flood and drainage context

Highland Homes plans a new subdivision in Winter Haven

The Sunshine Tree buying strategy.

The full read, only if you want it.

What your money buys in Sunshine Tree.

What ~$900K buys here.

Renovation & Resale Intelligence

The renovation premium.

The lot premium.

How well Sunshine Tree holds value.

5 Mistakes Buyers Make in Sunshine Tree

Calling the listing agent

Misjudging the renovation math

Overpaying for an interior lot

Underbudgeting the carrying costs

Skipping the systems check

Momentum Buy Score.

Why our read on Sunshine Tree is different.

Which Lots & Views Hold Value Best

Sunshine Tree in 15 seconds.

HOA Status & Carrying Costs

Tools for a Sunshine Tree buy.

Price to the home, the systems, and the lot, not a subdivision average.

In Sunshine Tree, condition and view decide your number

What is your Sunshine Tree home worth?

Price History: What Homes Here Have Actually Sold For

The real cost & risk here

Sunshine Tree Market Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you buy in Sunshine Tree?

Get the inside read on Sunshine Tree

You are all set.

Need to sell fast in Polk County?

You just read the data. Now see what your home is worth.