Varrea: Plant City's main new-home community
D.R. Horton's Farm at Varrea sits off Charlie Taylor Road, which the builder describes as less than five minutes from I-4. As of September 2026 the builder listed:
- Prices from $315,990.
- 3 to 5 bedrooms, 2 to 3.5 bathrooms and 2- or 3-car garages.
- About 1,560 to 3,278 square feet in one- and two-story plans.
- Concrete block construction on both the first and second stories, and D.R. Horton's smart home package.
- Amenities including a pool with lap lanes and a water slide, fitness center, playground, dog park, half basketball court, cabana, clubhouse and walking trails.
For more on the community, see our Varrea neighborhood guide.
How the Varrea CDDs work
Varrea is served by two separate CDDs, each a special-purpose local government under Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes:
- Varrea South CDD was established on September 16, 2020 by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (Ordinance No. 20-2020).
- Varrea North CDD was established on April 22, 2024 by the Plant City City Commission (Ordinance No. 21-2024). It covers about 415 acres north of Midway Road, east of Wilder Road North, south of Knights Griffin Road East and west of Charlie Taylor Road.
Both are managed by Wrathell, Hunt and Associates. A CDD typically finances roads, drainage, utilities and amenities with bonds, then charges each lot a debt service assessment to repay them and an operations and maintenance assessment for upkeep. Both show on the annual property tax bill as non-ad valorem charges. Neither district's website publishes a per-lot figure on its home page, so ask D.R. Horton or the district manager for the current assessments on the exact lot and phase you are considering.
Note that the two districts were created by different governments. That reflects where the land sat when each was formed, and it is a reminder to check whether a lot is inside Plant City limits or in unincorporated Hillsborough County, since millage differs.
The Walden Lake golf course proposal
The other large new-housing proposal in Plant City is on the former Walden Lake golf courses. In September 2023 the landowner, Walden Lake LLC, submitted plans under Florida's Live Local Act for about 1,530 multifamily units and 468 townhome-style units on about 319 acres. The city refused to consider the preliminary plat, and the landowner sued in November 2023. Local coverage in October 2024 described the course as still closed and deteriorating, with the case unresolved.
Nothing is for sale there now. If you are buying in or near Walden Lake, ask for the current status of the case and the site.
New construction vs resale in Plant City
Plant City's typical home value was $340,391 in August 2026, down 1.2% on the year. Across the Tampa metro, homes took a typical 70 days to go pending, 31.2% of listings had a price cut, and the typical sale closed at about 97.0% of asking. With resale sellers negotiating, a new home needs to compete on total monthly cost, not just base price.
At the Freddie Mac average of 7.03% (week of September 24, 2026), principal and interest on the $340,391 typical value is about $2,044 a month with 10% down. On a $315,990 Farm at Varrea base price the same terms come to about $1,898, before CDD, HOA, tax and insurance. A resale home without a CDD can close that gap. The Plant City ZIP code guide shows resale values by area; 33565, which includes Varrea, had the highest typical value at $396,377.
What to check before you sign with a builder
- The current CDD debt service and O&M assessment for your lot, and when the bonds mature.
- The HOA fee and what it covers compared with the CDD.
- Whether incentives depend on the builder's lender or title company. Get an outside loan estimate to compare.
- Deposit amount, whether it is escrowed and when it becomes non-refundable.
- Your right to independent inspections before drywall and at completion. See our Florida home inspection checklist.
- Estimated completion date and what happens if it slips.
- School assignment for the address from Hillsborough County Public Schools.
For more choice at lower prices, compare new construction in Lakeland, where entry-level new homes were reported from the $250,000s. For Hillsborough options closer to Tampa, see new construction in Tampa.
Common questions
How much are new homes in Plant City, FL?+
D.R. Horton listed homes at Farm at Varrea, Plant City's main new-home community, from $315,990 in September 2026, for 3 to 5 bedrooms and about 1,560 to 3,278 square feet. For comparison, Zillow's typical Plant City home value was $340,391 in August 2026. Add CDD, HOA, tax and insurance to compare total cost.
Does Varrea in Plant City have a CDD?+
Yes. Varrea is served by two Community Development Districts. Varrea South CDD was created by Hillsborough County in September 2020, and Varrea North CDD was created by the City of Plant City in April 2024 and covers about 415 acres. Assessments appear on the annual tax bill, so ask for the figures on your specific lot.
Who builds new homes in Plant City?+
D.R. Horton is building Farm at Varrea off Charlie Taylor Road, the largest active new-home community in the city. Ask a local agent for a current list of other builders and communities, because phases open and sell out often. For a wider choice of builders, compare Lakeland, just east in Polk County.
What is happening with new housing at Walden Lake?+
In 2023 the owner of the former Walden Lake golf courses proposed about 1,530 multifamily and 468 townhome-style units on about 319 acres under Florida's Live Local Act. The city refused to consider the plan, and the owner sued in November 2023. The case was still unresolved in the latest local coverage we could verify, so check the current status before buying nearby.
Sources
- D.R. Horton: Farm at Varrea, Plant City
- Varrea North CDD: About the District
- Varrea South CDD: official site
- Plant City Observer: Landowner Walden Lake LLC asks judge to allow development (Nov 2023)
- Plant City Observer: Old Walden Lake golf course still falling apart (Oct 2024)
- Zillow Research: Home Value Index and market data, August 2026
- Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey, September 24, 2026
- BuildTB: New construction homes in Lakeland (June 2026)