The number most buyers see first at WaterSong is the HOA fee: approximately $5 per month. That figure is accurate but it tells almost nothing about your real annual housing cost here. The actual cost structure runs through a Community Development District assessment on your property tax bill — a separate charge that does not appear in any builder's marketing and is only visible when you pull the parcel record at the county property appraiser.
This page gives you the complete cost picture: HOA, CDD, property tax, and a 10-year projection at two home price points.
| Cost Item | Annual | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| HOA fee | ~$60/year | ~$5/month |
| CDD assessment | Verify at sjcpa.us | — |
| Property tax on $425K home (year 1) | ~$5,051 | ~$421/month |
| Property tax on $500K home (year 1) | ~$6,082 | ~$507/month |
| Homeowners insurance (estimate) | $3,500–$5,500/year | $292–$458/month |
| Flood insurance (if in flood zone) | $800–$2,400/year | $67–$200/month |
St. Johns County 2025 millage is 13.47 mills. Florida's standard homestead exemption removes $50,000 from assessed value for primary residents. On a home you buy at $425,000:
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price (assessed at market value, year 1) | $425,000 |
| Minus homestead exemption | −$50,000 |
| Taxable value | $375,000 |
| Multiply by millage (13.47 mills = 0.01347) | × 0.01347 |
| Year-1 annual tax bill | ~$5,051 |
| Monthly equivalent | ~$421 |
The seller's current tax bill is lower — often significantly lower — because Florida's Save Our Homes Amendment caps annual assessment increases at 3% for existing owners. A seller who has owned for 10 years may show a bill under $2,500 on a $425K home. Your bill resets to market value the year you close. Full Save Our Homes explanation →
Assumes $425K purchase price, CDD estimated at $2,000/year (verify — this is illustrative), HOA at $60/year, 3% annual property tax assessment cap after year 1, and no insurance changes. Actual costs will vary.
| Year | Property Tax (est.) | HOA | CDD (est.) | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,051 | $60 | Verify | $5,111 + CDD |
| 2 | $4,900 | $60 | Verify | $4,960 + CDD |
| 3 | $4,753 | $60 | Verify | $4,813 + CDD |
| 5 | $4,471 | $60 | Verify | $4,531 + CDD |
| 10 | $3,869 | $60 | Verify | $3,929 + CDD |
The CDD amount is the critical unknown for WaterSong. Once you identify the specific parcel you are considering, add the confirmed CDD to each year's total above. If the CDD is $2,500/year, your 10-year housing cost (excluding insurance and maintenance) is approximately $50,000–$55,000 above your mortgage.
Parkland Preserve has a published CDD range of $2,390–$3,924/year with an HOA of $230/quarter. Reverie at Silverleaf has no CDD and an HOA of $198–218/month. Depending on where WaterSong's CDD lands for your specific lot, your total annual carrying cost at WaterSong could be lower or higher than either alternative. See the side-by-side comparison →
Get the confirmed CDD amount for the specific WaterSong homesite you are considering — and compare it to what you would pay at Parkland Preserve or Reverie at Silverleaf.
Talk to a Local Agent →Property tax estimates use 2025 St. Johns County millage of 13.47 mills with standard $50,000 homestead exemption. CDD amounts vary by parcel and must be verified at sjcpa.us or via seller tax bill. Insurance estimates are ranges only — obtain quotes from licensed insurers. This page is for research purposes only.