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New construction homes in Sarasota: communities, builders and CDD fees

Most new construction homes in Sarasota are being built east of I-75, in master-planned communities such as Windward and the Waterside villages of Lakewood Ranch and Taylor Morrison's Skye Ranch. Neal Communities listed Windward homes from $340,990 to $1,056,990 in September 2026. Many new neighborhoods sit inside a community development district, so check the CDD assessment on the tax bill as well as the HOA fee.

Researched September 25, 2026 · Bright Florida Homes
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Where new homes are going up around Sarasota

Land inside the City of Sarasota is largely built out, so most new neighborhoods are in unincorporated Sarasota County east of I-75, along Fruitville Road, Lorraine Road and Clark Road. ZIPs 34240 and 34241 cover much of this area. They had Zillow typical values of $744,115 and $583,450 in August 2026, blending new and older homes. Our Sarasota ZIP codes page has the rest.

Active communities to compare

Windward, Lakewood Ranch

Neal Communities' Windward has its model center at 2618 Paradise Plum Drive, Sarasota, 34240. The builder offers villas and single-family homes in four series from 1,433 to 4,443 square feet, priced from $340,990 to $1,056,990 when we checked in September 2026. Amenities listed include a pool, fitness center, tennis and pickleball, dog parks and trails. Neal lists Tatum Ridge Elementary, McIntosh Middle and Booker High as the assigned schools; confirm with Sarasota County Schools. The Windward at Lakewood Ranch CDD was created by Sarasota County Ordinance 19-050 in December 2019 and covers about 417 acres. Its website says it had not issued bonds and was being funded by the developer.

Waterside, Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch lists five Waterside villages: Bungalow Walk, Emerald Landing, Kingfisher Estates, Shellstone and Wild Blue, alongside Windward and the Waterside Place town center. In Bungalow Walk, Dream Finders Homes listed single-family homes in the $400s to $700s with a $190 monthly fee that includes maintenance. Parcels here can carry a Lakewood Ranch stewardship district levy, which appears on the Sarasota County tax roll.

Skye Ranch

Taylor Morrison builds at Skye Ranch, east of I-75 in southeast Sarasota County. Its Esplanade neighborhood has its own clubhouse for Esplanade residents, and the shared amenity center, The Hub, is at 8208 Summer Night Road, Sarasota, 34241. Taylor Morrison describes Skye Ranch as an all-ages community. Skye Ranch School, a Sarasota County public K-8 school, opened in August 2025.

Coming later: Hi Hat Ranch

Hi Hat Ranch covers about 10,000 acres east of I-75 between Clark and Fruitville roads and is planned for more than 13,000 homes in phases. A first-village application has been in county review since 2023, and in February 2025 the County Commission halted work on a proposed road agreement with the developer. Treat timelines here as uncertain until you see approvals.

Further south: Wellen Park

If you are open to the Venice and North Port area, Wellen Park is a master-planned community of about 9,600 acres, mostly inside North Port, served by the West Villages Improvement District. It is a separate market from Sarasota proper, with its own tax and district charges.

CDD fees: the cost many buyers miss

A community development district is a special government that finances roads, drainage, water and sewer lines and sometimes amenities, then repays that cost through a yearly assessment on each lot. The assessment is billed on your property tax bill, so it does not show up in the HOA fee a sales office quotes.

The 2025 Sarasota County tax roll lists more than a dozen CDDs and similar districts, including Windward of Lakewood Ranch, LT Ranch, Central Parc, Lakes of Sarasota, Toscana Isles, Stoneybrook, Sarasota National, Laurel Road, Gracewater and Rustic Oaks. For any new home, ask for:

  • The debt service assessment for the specific lot, how many years remain and whether it can be paid off early.
  • The operations and maintenance assessment, which continues after the debt is repaid.
  • The HOA or master association fee and what it covers.
  • Whether the district has issued bonds yet. If it has not, future bonds could add a debt assessment later.

Add those to property tax. The 2025 countywide rate for most of Sarasota County was 11.4737 mills before any special district. Our Sarasota County property tax guide explains the rest of the bill.

Before you sign a builder contract

  • Use your own agent. The sales office works for the builder. A buyer's agent can compare incentives and resale values across communities.
  • Read the deposit terms. Check when deposits become non-refundable and whether they are held in escrow.
  • Get independent inspections. Book one before drywall and one before closing, even on a new home.
  • Compare incentives as cash. A rate buydown and a price cut affect your payment differently. Ask the lender to show both.
  • Check flood and drainage. Ask for the lot's elevation and the finished floor height, and look the lot up on the FEMA flood map.
  • Check resale competition. In a community still selling new homes, your future resale competes with the builder.

Looking for a 55+ new build?

Age-restricted options in the Lakewood Ranch area include Del Webb Catalina and Kolter's Cresswind Lakewood Ranch, both with Lakewood Ranch 34211 addresses. Lakewood Ranch spans Manatee and Sarasota counties, so confirm the county on the parcel record. Our Sarasota 55+ communities page compares them, and our gated communities page covers controlled-access options.

Common questions

Where are new construction homes in Sarasota?+

Most are in unincorporated Sarasota County east of I-75, around Fruitville, Lorraine and Clark roads. Active communities include Windward and the Waterside villages of Lakewood Ranch and Taylor Morrison's Skye Ranch. Larger future projects, such as Hi Hat Ranch, are still in the approval process.

What is a CDD fee in Sarasota?+

A CDD fee is a yearly assessment from a community development district, a special district that pays for infrastructure in a new community. It appears on your property tax bill, separate from the HOA fee. Ask for the debt and maintenance amounts on the specific lot and how many years of debt remain.

How much do new homes cost in Sarasota?+

Prices vary widely by builder and home size. In September 2026, Neal Communities listed Windward homes from $340,990 to $1,056,990, and Dream Finders listed Waterside Bungalow Walk homes in the $400s to $700s. Add CDD and HOA fees, insurance and property tax to compare the true monthly cost.

Do I need a real estate agent to buy new construction?+

You do not have to use one, but the builder's sales team represents the builder. Your own agent can compare communities, review the contract and incentives, and help with inspections. Check how your agent will be paid before you visit the model, because some builders require the agent to register you on the first visit.

Sources

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