Shea Homes active new construction, HOA fees of $527–$567/mo that include lawn care and high-speed internet, 18-hole golf, and a community positioned between Stone Creek and OTTOW on both price and amenity scale. What the high HOA actually covers — and whether it pencils out compared to the alternatives.
Ocala Preserve is a Shea Homes—built gated 55+ community on the northwest side of Ocala, along NW 35th Street approximately 6 miles from I-75. It opened in 2014 and is still actively building toward a planned 1,800 homes. It is the smallest of the major Ocala active construction communities and occupies a distinct price and amenity position — higher HOA than Stone Creek, similar to OTTOW, with full lawn care and high-speed internet included.
The HOA fee is the first thing buyers notice: $527.88/mo for homes and $566.99/mo for villas. That is comparable to OTTOW Central — but unlike OTTOW Central, you own the land (fee simple) and standard financing applies. Understanding what that $527/mo covers is the key to evaluating whether Ocala Preserve is the right choice for your situation.
At $527.88/mo, Ocala Preserve’s HOA is among the highest in Ocala. But unlike communities where a high HOA reflects pure amenity cost, Ocala Preserve’s fee bundles several services that residents elsewhere pay separately.
HOA fees sourced from Ocala Realty Experts HOA chart. Verify current fees and exact inclusions with Ocala Preserve HOA before purchase.
Ocala Preserve is built by Shea Homes, a family-owned national builder — not a publicly traded production builder. This matters in a few specific ways that buyers who have only shopped PulteGroup or D.R. Horton communities may not appreciate.
The water access and conservation trail system is Ocala Preserve’s most distinctive amenity differentiator — no other major Ocala 55+ community has kayak launch access integrated into the community design. For buyers who want golf plus outdoor recreation in a natural setting, this is genuinely unique in the market.
Ocala Preserve, as a community built from 2014 onward, carries CDD assessments on some parcels. The Bay Laurel Center CDD covers infrastructure financing in this area of Marion County. Always request the full property tax bill for the specific parcel you are considering — CDD assessments appear as a separate line item and are not covered by the Homestead exemption or the Save Our Homes cap.
On parcels that carry it, the CDD assessment at Ocala Preserve has typically run in the $800–$1,500/yr range depending on the specific phase. This is real carrying cost that stacks on top of the already-high HOA fee — and it is the primary financial caution for Ocala Preserve buyers.
All estimates. Verify HOA fees, CDD status, and insurance for the specific parcel. Tax based on Marion County published rates with Homestead exemption applied.
| Factor | Ocala Preserve | Stone Creek Classic | OTTOW Central |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Fee simple | Fee simple | Leasehold |
| Builder | Shea Homes | PulteGroup | Colen Built |
| HOA (single family) | $527.88/mo | $250/mo + lawn | $512–$531/mo |
| HOA effective (all-in) | ~$528/mo (all-in) | ~$375/mo (w/ lawn) | ~$512–$531/mo |
| Internet included | Yes | No | 30Mbps basic |
| Golf | 18 holes included | 18 holes included | 54 holes included |
| CDD risk | Some parcels — verify | Some parcels — verify | Minimal |
| Community size | 1,800 homes | 3,800 homes | 10,000 homes |
| Nature / trail access | Yes — kayak launch | Limited | Limited |
We can verify CDD status on any parcel, compare the true all-in cost against Stone Creek or OTTOW at your price point, and flag any current builder incentives.
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