The $467/Month Premium
Traditions has the highest HOA in the Polk County 55+ market at $467/month ($5,604/year). But it covers more than any other community's HOA: lawn care (mowing, bush/tree trimming, mulch), exterior house painting on a ~6-year rotation, cable TV, internet, gate security, and full clubhouse access. The exterior painting alone saves homeowners $3,000–$5,000 every 6 years.
Complete Annual Cost ($300K Home)
| Item | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HOA | $5,604 | $467/mo. Covers lawn, paint, cable, internet, security. |
| CDD | $0 | No CDD — all costs in one simple HOA. |
| Property Tax | $2,600 | Polk County with homestead on $300K. |
| Insurance | $3,000 | Lennar construction 2005–2020. Newer = better rates. |
| Total Annual | $11,204 | No golf cost (no course on-site). |
vs. Lake Ashton ($350K Home, One Mile Away)
| Cost | Traditions ($300K) | Lake Ashton ($350K, bond paid) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fees | $5,604 | $2,460 |
| Property Tax | $2,600 | $3,800 |
| Insurance | $3,000 | $3,200 |
| Total | $11,204 | $9,460 |
| Exterior painting | Included | $500–$800/yr equivalent |
| Cable/Internet | Included | Partially covered |
| Adjusted Total | $11,204 | $10,260–$10,560 |
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Connect with a Specialist →When you account for the painting and cable/internet coverage, Traditions costs roughly $650–$950 more per year than a bond-paid Lake Ashton home. That gap pays for lakefront access, newer Lennar construction, and governance simplicity (1 board vs 5). For many buyers, that premium is justified.