HOA and CDD Fees in Clermont's New Communities: What You're Really Paying

Here's a conversation I have every week: a buyer falls in love with a brand-new home in one of Clermont's new communities, the payment gets calculated… and then two fees show up that nobody explained — the HOA and something called a CDD. Two nearly identical homes in this area can differ by $200–300 a month in these fees alone. So let's break down what you're really paying, with real numbers from the communities people are actually touring right now.

The HOA: the fee everyone knows (sort of)

The homeowners association fee maintains the community — the pools, gyms, trails, gates, and common grounds. Around Clermont's Wellness Way corridor and Horizon West, HOAs on new single-family communities generally run about $125 to $350 a month, and what's included varies wildly. Some cover only the entrance landscaping. Others include real money-savers — one nearly-new community in 34711 runs about $172/month and includes cable AND internet, which quietly refunds most of the fee.

The question that matters isn't "how much is the HOA?" It's "what exactly does it include, and what would I pay for those things myself?"

The CDD: the fee that surprises people

A Community Development District is different — and this is the one that catches buyers off guard. When a developer builds a new community, someone has to pay for the roads, water lines, and amenities. In many newer Florida communities, that infrastructure is financed with bonds, and the repayment lands on your property tax bill as a CDD assessment — commonly $1,500 to $3,000 a year around here, often for 20–30 years.

Three things to know about CDDs:

• It's per lot, and it varies inside the same community. Never accept "the CDD is low" as an answer — get the exact annual figure for YOUR lot, in writing.
• It doesn't show up in the advertised HOA number. A community with a "$150 HOA" and a $2,400 CDD costs more monthly than one with a "$300 HOA" and no CDD.
• Some communities don't have one. A handful of newer Clermont communities advertise no CDD at all — on an otherwise equal home, that's a real long-term savings.

Why $250 a month is really $39,000

Here's the math that changes decisions. At today's rates (about 6.66% on a 30-year fixed), every $250/month in fees carries the same monthly cost as roughly $39,000 of loan amount. Choosing between a home with $150 in total fees and one with $400? The second home effectively costs you $39,000 more house — without giving you more house. Sometimes the amenities are worth every penny. But you should make that call with the number in front of you, not discover it at the closing table.

The five questions to ask before you sign anything new-construction

• "What is the exact monthly HOA for this home, and what does it include?" (Internet and cable included can offset $80–100/month.)
• "Is there a CDD, and what is the exact annual assessment for this specific lot?" Get it in writing.
• "What are the fees projected to be in year two and three?" Brand-new communities sometimes start with builder-subsidized fees that rise.
• "Are there capital contribution or transfer fees at closing?" One-time fees of $500–2,000 are common on new builds.
• "What do the deed restrictions say about renting?" Even if you never plan to rent, it affects your resale buyer pool.

The bottom line

New construction around Clermont is genuinely worth a look right now — there's more choice at more price points than we've had in years. Just buy with the whole number: price + HOA + CDD + taxes + insurance. That's the payment you'll actually live with. When I take buyers into any new community, that complete number is the first thing we build — before anyone falls in love with a kitchen.

Know Your Real Number First  ›    Selling First? Get Both Numbers Free  ›

Or skip the forms: call or text me at 315-335-4622. Tell me which communities you're looking at and I'll pull the real fee picture on each — including the ones the sales office mentions last.

Troy Boss, REALTOR®
LIFESTYLE International Realty
315-335-4622

Fee figures reflect publicly listed ranges for select Clermont (Wellness Way corridor) and Horizon West new-home communities as of September 2026 and change without notice; HOA and CDD amounts vary by community, collection, and individual lot — verify exact figures with the community's association documents and the county tax collector before purchasing. Payment equivalence based on an approximate 6.66% 30-year fixed rate (Freddie Mac PMMS); your rate and terms will vary. Not financial or legal advice.