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Real Estate

You choose: Historic home vs. new construction in Lakeland

Do you prefer to live in the past, or are you looking ahead to the future? Compare a 1925 home with a newly built house that just hit Lakeland’s real estate market.

October 16, 2025 • 
Connor Jacobson
A side-by-side photo of two homes: a historic Spanish-style home (left) and a modern stone and stucco home (right).

Which type of house is calling you home?

Photos via Maggie Olivera, The Olivera Group + Jacqueline Lyons, Xcellence Realty

If you were buying a house today, what type of real estate would grab your attention? We asked our readers, and the results are in: 43% chose historic houses while 33% opted for new construction. Compare your options with a 1925 home in a historic neighborhood and a brand-new home built in 2025.

A historic Spanish Revival style home with tile roofs, original wood floors, granite bathroom, butler's pantry, and small pool
1/5

Photos via Maggie Olivera, The Olivera Group

A historic Spanish Revival style home with tile roofs, original wood floors, granite bathroom, butler's pantry, and small pool
2/5

Photos via Maggie Olivera, The Olivera Group

A historic Spanish Revival style home with tile roofs, original wood floors, granite bathroom, butler's pantry, and small pool
3/5

Photos via Maggie Olivera, The Olivera Group

A historic Spanish Revival style home with tile roofs, original wood floors, granite bathroom, butler's pantry, and small pool
4/5

Photos via Maggie Olivera, The Olivera Group

A historic Spanish Revival style home with tile roofs, original wood floors, granite bathroom, butler's pantry, and small pool
5/5

Photos via Maggie Olivera, The Olivera Group

207 W. Maxwell St. | Listed by Maggie Olivera, The Olivera Group

Just imagine who’s walked the halls of this Spanish Revival home over its century in the Beacon Hill historic district. Inside you’ll find original wood flooring and custom design details (think: arched doorways + a grand, curved stairway). It also offers nice-to-haves like a butler’s pantry and wood-burning fireplace.

A new construction home with stucco and stone walls, a spacious kitchen and living area, modern bathroom, and fenced-in pool
1/5

Photos via Jacqueline Lyons, Xcellence Realty

A new construction home with stucco and stone walls, a spacious kitchen and living area, modern bathroom, and fenced-in pool
2/5

Photos via Jacqueline Lyons, Xcellence Realty

A new construction home with stucco and stone walls, a spacious kitchen and living area, modern bathroom, and fenced-in pool
3/5

Photos via Jacqueline Lyons, Xcellence Realty

A new construction home with stucco and stone walls, a spacious kitchen and living area, modern bathroom, and fenced-in pool
4/5

Photos via Jacqueline Lyons, Xcellence Realty

A new construction home with stucco and stone walls, a spacious kitchen and living area, modern bathroom, and fenced-in pool
5/5

Photos via Jacqueline Lyons, Xcellence Realty

5087 Cliffside Dr. | Listed by Jacqueline Lyons, Xcellence Realty

If modern amenities are what you seek, step into this new home by Tapia Construction across from Little Banana Lake. It keeps things airy with an open floor plan, plenty of natural light, and tile floors. Fire up the electric fireplace in the winter, or spend time in the outdoor kitchen by the screened-in pool in the summer.

Now that you have a glimpse of what historic and new homes have to offer in Swan City, which would you choose? Historic home lovers can learn more about the city’s historic districts, and new construction fans will get a kick out of Lakeland’s latest residential developments.

Pro tip: If you know of a listing we should have our eye on, submit it here.

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