Esplanade at Highland Ranch

Independent Assessment

Through the community HOA's own published materials, it was independently confirmed that Esplanade at Highland Ranch is governed under the federal Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) as a legally age-restricted 55+ community — a meaningful distinction from some other Esplanade-branded communities elsewhere in Florida (such as Esplanade on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota County) that are actively marketed to 55-plus buyers but are not legally age-restricted. The community's sold-out, resale-only status, its 475-home count, and its natural gas utility service were also confirmed through the builder and multiple independent sources. Reported HOA fee figures (commonly cited around $350/month) were not independently confirmed directly with the association.

Who May Find This Community Appealing

Buyers who specifically want a legally age-restricted 55+ community with Taylor Morrison's higher-end standard finishes, natural gas utility service, and a smaller, more intimate scale (475 homes) than mega-communities like Kings Ridge, are well suited to Esplanade at Highland Ranch. It also suits buyers with dogs, given the community's frequently cited pet-friendly infrastructure.

Homes, Builders & Development History

Esplanade at Highland Ranch was built by Taylor Morrison, with construction running roughly 2014 to 2022 across 475 single-family homes on 579 acres — a comparatively generous land-to-home ratio for the region. Floor plans reported by multiple sources range from roughly 1,722 to 3,006 square feet, with two to three bedrooms and two- to three-car garages. The community is now fully sold out, and all current sales activity is resale.

Current Pricing & Market Positioning

Reported resale pricing spans roughly the $380,000s to $650,000s, reflecting the mix of floor plans, lot premiums, and updates. Because the community is fully built and resale-only, buyers should pull current comparable sales for the specific floor plan and section they are considering from a local agent rather than relying on the blended range.

New Construction vs. Resale Considerations

This community is fully sold out and built out, so all current activity is resale — there is no active new-construction phase or remaining builder warranty. Buyers should budget for a standard home inspection appropriate to a roughly 5- to 12-year-old build, depending on the specific home's original construction date within the 2014-2022 build-out window.

Taxes, Insurance & Special Assessments

Homes here are subject to Lake County real estate tax; buyers should confirm the current millage rate and a specific parcel's assessed value with the Lake County Property Appraiser. Whether a meaningful CDD assessment applies to specific parcels in this community remains unconfirmed — verify directly with the seller's most recent tax bill before making an offer.

Community Layout & Lifestyle

The community's clubhouse and amenity package follow Taylor Morrison's Esplanade resort-style formula, with a resort pool, fitness center, card and billiards room, and pickleball, tennis, and bocce courts, plus a full-time Lifestyle Director. The 475-home scale is intentionally smaller than mega-communities like Kings Ridge, producing a more intimate social dynamic where residents commonly report knowing most of their neighbors. Natural gas service is a frequently cited practical advantage over the region's typical all-electric new construction.

Shopping, Healthcare & Airport Access

Esplanade at Highland Ranch sits in Clermont, on the rolling hills of southern Lake County near Old Highway 50 West and Blackstill Lake Road. It offers reasonably convenient access to the Florida Turnpike, Winter Garden, and the West Orange Trail, with Orlando Health South Lake Hospital roughly 10 minutes away.

Age Qualification & Material Ownership Restrictions

The Esplanade at Highland Ranch Homeowners Association's own published materials state that the community is intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older, governed under the federal Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA), which requires at least 80 percent of occupied homes to have at least one resident aged 55 or older. The recorded HOPA certification documentation was not independently pulled; buyers should confirm current certification and occupancy compliance directly with the association before purchasing.

Tradeoffs & Limitations

Because the community is fully sold out and built out, all current activity is resale — there is no new-construction option or remaining builder warranty. There is no on-site golf course, so golfing residents will need a membership or daily-fee arrangement at a nearby course. Reported HOA fee and CDD figures were not independently confirmed directly with the association or a specific tax bill, so buyers should verify current numbers before making an offer.

Comparison With Nearby Communities

Within the Clermont active-adult market, Esplanade at Highland Ranch's clearest comparison is against the golf-inclusive Kings Ridge and Heritage Hills communities — Esplanade carries no on-site golf course, but offers Taylor Morrison's higher-end standard finishes and natural gas service that those communities lack. Buyers who specifically want a confirmed legal age restriction should note that this differs from some other Esplanade-branded communities elsewhere in Florida that are age-targeted but not legally restricted; Esplanade at Highland Ranch's own HOA materials confirm its HOPA status directly.

Current Listings

A connected local agent can provide current available resale homes, recent comparable sales, and the current HOA fee and CDD status for a specific parcel.

Is Esplanade at Highland Ranch age-restricted to 55 and older?

Yes. The community HOA's own published materials state it is intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 and older, governed under the federal Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) — a legal restriction, not just active-adult marketing.

Is new construction still available?

No — the community is fully sold out and built out (construction ran roughly 2014-2022), so all current sales activity is resale.

Does it have natural gas?

Yes, multiple sources describe natural gas utility service available for cooking, water heating, and fireplaces — a genuine rarity among Central Florida active-adult communities, which typically default to all-electric.

Is there golf?

No on-site golf course. The community's amenities center on its resort pool, fitness center, and sports courts instead.