Desiree "Des" Pelletier | REALTOR® & Lakefront Specialist
Polk · Hillsborough · Lake
Central Florida Lake Living, Curated to Your Next Move
I'm Desiree Pelletier, REALTOR® and Area Leader with Epique Realty. Whether you're buying, selling or moving to Florida's lake country, you'll have a plan, a partner and the key to your next move.
Where are you headed?
Start Where You Are
Every move is a new chapter. Choose yours.
Pick your path and I'll meet you there with the tools, guides and local lake knowledge you need for the very next step.
Find the right home
First home or forever home, we start with your budget, your must-haves and the lakes and neighborhoods that fit your life. Then I guide every showing, offer and inspection.
- Every Polk County listing, updated live
- Frontage, dock and seawall built into your search
- Trusted local lenders & inspectors
Sell on your terms
Pricing, presentation and timing decide your result. You get a local value, a prep plan and marketing that shows off your home, your dock and your view.
- A free home value report
- Pre-listing prep & staging guidance
- Lake, frontage & upgrades priced right
Arrive feeling at home
Moving from out of state or across Florida? Get honest, local answers about the lakes, towns and lifestyle so you can choose with confidence from anywhere.
- A personal relocation consult
- Custom lake & neighborhood comparison
- Lakeland, Winter Haven & more side by side
Move once, in the right order
Selling one home and buying the next? I sequence every step so you're never caught in between, whether you sell first, buy first or need a bridge.
- Sell-first or buy-first plans
- Bridge loans & rent-back options
- A calm plan for big decisions
Get to know Central Florida's lake country
Three Counties, One Trusted Guide
Lakes, towns, commutes and lifestyle, county by county.
Each guide walks you through the cities, the lakes, the schools and the everyday lifestyle, so you can picture daily life before you ever book a tour.
Polk
County · 554 Lakes & Home Base
The heart of Florida's lake country, between Tampa and Orlando: Lakeland's historic lakes, Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes and the rolling Ridge around Lake Wales.
Featured cities
Living in Polk CountyHillsborough
County · Tampa Bay & Suburbs
Big-city Tampa and the bay to the west, with growing suburbs like Brandon, Riverview and Plant City just a short drive from Polk.
Featured cities
Living in Hillsborough CountyLake
County · Hills & the Harris Chain
True to its name, with more than a thousand lakes, the Harris Chain, Clermont's rolling hills and small-town charm in Mount Dora and Tavares.
Featured cities
Living in Lake CountyDon't see your city? These are just the featured guides. I serve every community in between. Ask me about your area →
Complimentary Concierge Services
White-Glove Service, Tailored to Lake Life
Every detail considered, so you can focus on what matters.
Relocation Consult
A personal call about how you want to live on, or near, the water.
Custom Lake Comparison
Lakes and neighborhoods matched to your boating and lifestyle needs.
Tailored Home Search
Frontage, dock, seawall and budget, all built into your search.
Trusted Local Pros
Lenders, inspectors, dock builders, seawall inspectors and marine services.
Keys & Beyond
Closing day, plus my local list of favorite spots and services so you feel at home fast.
How we work together
A Plan From the Very First Call
Calm, organized and always a step ahead.
The first conversation
Where you are, where you want to be and your timeline. Real talk, zero pressure.
Your plan
Pricing or budget, lakes and neighborhoods, timing and the order of every move.
Every detail handled
Showings, negotiation, inspections, lenders and title, start to keys.
Keys & beyond
Closing day and my local list of trusted pros whenever you need them.
Let's connect
Three Easy Ways to Start
Your next move, your way.
Call or Text
Quick questions or a first hello. Reach me directly at 863-225-3517.
Call 863-225-3517Book a Call
Pick a time that works for you, perfect for relocating buyers and busy schedules.
Book a CallThe Market Right Now
Live Central Florida Market
Powered by Stellar MLS, Florida's largest MLS.
Real-time homes sold, median prices and days on market from the same database REALTORS use every day. Filter by city, price or home type.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
(OCT 02, 2026 - NOV 01, 2026)
MARKET SNAPSHOT
Start browsing
Find Homes That Fit Your Life
Pick a starting point; I'll fine-tune the search with you.
Docks, seawalls and sunsets across Polk, Lake and Hillsborough.
Estates and premium waterfront homes.
Brand-new communities and builder incentives.
Your own backyard resort.
Great value in Central Florida's lake towns.
Active-adult living near lakes, golf and healthcare.
Want something specific? Search all homes →
Plan your payment
Mortgage Calculator
See your full monthly cost, not just principal and interest.
Slide to adjust. Estimates include Florida property taxes, homeowners insurance and HOA dues so there are no surprises.
Estimated monthly payment
Loan amount
Estimate only, not a loan offer. PMI is estimated at 0.5% a year when you put less than 20% down. Florida taxes depend on assessed value and your homestead exemption, and flood insurance isn't included. I'll connect you with a trusted local lender for exact numbers.
Your home, season by season
Fall in Polk County
Hurricane season winds down November 30, the humidity finally breaks and lake country comes alive outdoors. Here's how to protect your home, your dock and your wallet this fall.
Outside & On the Water
- Check the roof, soffits and gutters for storm damage
- Inspect your dock, boat lift and seawall after summer storms
- Trim trees and palms away from the roof line
Inside
- Schedule an AC tune-up and replace filters
- Test smoke and CO detectors and replace batteries
- Restock your hurricane kit while supplies are on sale
Money & Paperwork
- File your homestead exemption by March 1 if you bought this year
- Review homeowners and flood insurance before renewal
- Property tax bills arrive in November; paying early earns a discount
Meet your REALTOR®
Hi, I'm Desiree
"After moving to Central Florida from Key West, I fell in love with the lake life that exists right here in Polk County."
I'm Desiree "Des" Pelletier, a REALTOR® and Lakefront Specialist with Epique Realty. I specialize in lakefront and lake-adjacent homes, and I help you understand not only the homes, but the lakes, the neighborhoods and everything that comes with living near the water.
I'm not here to give you a sales pitch. I'm here to be your trusted local resource, whether you're buying your first home, your forever home, or selling the one you have.
Free guides
Everything I Wish Every Client Knew
Living in Polk County
Towns, lakes, seasons and the new-resident checklist
Read →Home Buyer's Guide
Step-by-step buying, Florida homestead and inspections
Read →Seller's Guide
Pre-listing prep and room-by-room staging
Read →New Construction
Builders, upgrades, inspections and negotiating
Read →Buying & Selling at Once
Sell first, buy first, bridge loans and rent-backs
Read →Real Reviews From Real Clients
What My Clients Say
REVIEWS
a c
Kelly oxford
Ruth Miller
On YouTube
Latest Town Tour Videos
See the towns before you visit, with honest local takes.
Questions, answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about buying, selling and lake life in Polk County.
What areas do you serve?
I serve Polk, Hillsborough and Lake Counties, with a focus on lakefront and lake-adjacent homes. That includes Lakeland, Winter Haven, Polk City, Lake Wales, Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Clermont, Mount Dora and every community in between.
Do I need to live on the water to enjoy lake life?
No. Many buyers choose lake-adjacent neighborhoods with parks, boat ramps and lakeside trails nearby. I'll show you both options so you can decide what fits your budget and lifestyle.
How do I find out what my home is worth?
Start with the free home value tool, then I'll follow up with a local comparison that accounts for your lake, frontage, dock and upgrades, which online estimates often miss.
Can I buy my next home before I sell this one?
Often, yes. Depending on your situation, options include a bridge loan, a contingent offer or a rent-back after closing. My Buying & Selling at Once guide walks through each one, and we'll map the right order for you.
How do I get started?
Book a free call or reach me at 863-225-3517 or desireepelletier@epique.me. There's no pressure and no rush, whether you're moving next month or next year.
Ready when you are
Let's Talk About Your Next Move
Welcome to lake life. Let's find the life that fits you.
Local photos via Wikimedia Commons: Lake Mirror, Lakeland by Kiran891 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Tampa skyline by Alvesgaspar (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Citrus Tower, Clermont by Freeholdman12 (CC BY 4.0) · Lake Morton swan by Butter142 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Lake Hollingsworth by Austindmunday (CC BY 4.0) · Lake Howard, Winter Haven by Floodmfx (CC BY-SA 3.0).