Ocala Preserve (Trilogy at Ocala Preserve)

Independent Assessment

Independent research confirms Ocala Preserve and Trilogy at Ocala Preserve are marketing names for the same Shea Homes community, that it does have an on-site golf course designed by Tom Lehman and Tripp Davis, and that a CDD assessment was added starting with Phase 13 in 2022 (reported at roughly $700-$1,200/year). Golf is present on-site, and a CDD assessment applies on later phases, according to independently verified facts.

Who May Find This Community Appealing

Buyers who want fee-simple ownership, a single, relatively transparent HOA fee, and a smaller, newer-construction alternative to On Top of the World or Del Webb Stone Creek — with golf included — are a strong fit for Ocala Preserve. Its natural-preserve trail system and lake access also appeal to buyers who want outdoor recreation beyond golf.

Homes, Builders & Development History

Ocala Preserve has been built by Shea Homes, marketed under its Trilogy active-adult brand, since approximately 2014, toward a planned 1,800 homes across 623 acres. Homes generally range from about 1,562 to 2,641 square feet. Which model lines are currently in active sales versus resale-only has not been independently confirmed; buyers should confirm current availability directly with Shea Homes.

Current Pricing & Market Positioning

Reported new-construction pricing has run roughly $200,000 to $406,000 for specific listed homesites, with broader estimates across sources extending toward $550,000 for larger or premium-lot homes; resale activity is also present as the community matures. Buyers should request current builder pricing and comparable resale sales for the specific phase and floor plan under consideration.

New Construction vs. Resale Considerations

Shea Homes continues to build new phases at Ocala Preserve, so buyers are choosing between new construction with a builder warranty (and potential CDD exposure in later phases) and a growing resale market. Resale sellers currently compete with active new-construction sales, which buyers should factor into pricing expectations.

Taxes, Insurance & Special Assessments

Homes are subject to Marion County property tax, with the standard Florida Homestead exemption and Save Our Homes cap available to homesteaded owners. A CDD assessment applies to parcels in Phase 13 (2022) and later, reported at roughly $700-$1,200/year, appearing as a separate line item on the property tax bill; this is not covered by the Homestead exemption and should be confirmed for the specific parcel before making an offer.

Golf

Ocala Preserve's golf course was designed by PGA Tour player Tom Lehman with Tripp Davis, built on a smaller roughly 50-acre footprint than a conventional full-length course, which allows flexible play formats. Independent sources confirm the golf course exists and is a core amenity.

Community Layout & Lifestyle

Ocala Preserve's Oak House clubhouse and its on-site restaurant anchor a resort-style social calendar, supplemented by an unusually strong outdoor-recreation program — kayak and paddleboard access and an extensive trail system through surrounding conservation land — that few other Ocala 55+ communities offer. As a smaller, newer community than On Top of the World or Oak Run, it offers a more intimate club culture with less amenity crowding at its current build-out stage.

Shopping, Healthcare & Airport Access

Ocala Preserve sits on the northwest side of Ocala, Marion County, near the US-27/NW 55th Avenue corridor and roughly 1.5 miles from I-75 (Exit 354), in the 34482 zip code. Specific drive times to hospitals were not independently measured; buyers should confirm current travel times to AdventHealth Ocala or HCA Florida Ocala directly.

Age Qualification & Material Ownership Restrictions

Ocala Preserve is consistently and independently confirmed across multiple sources, including Shea Homes' own marketing, as a legally age-restricted 55+ community. The recorded HOPA deed language has not been independently pulled; buyers should confirm current age-verification procedures directly with Shea Homes or the HOA before purchasing.

Tradeoffs & Limitations

Ocala Preserve carries one of the higher HOA fees among Ocala's active-construction 55+ communities, and buyers in later construction phases (2022 onward) should expect a CDD assessment on top of that fee. As an actively building community, resale sellers compete directly with new-construction inventory, which can affect near-term resale pricing and timelines.

Comparison With Nearby Communities

Ocala Preserve sits near On Top of the World on the broader Ocala 55+ corridor and is most often compared to it: Ocala Preserve offers newer construction, fee-simple ownership throughout, and a golf course on a smaller, more contained footprint, while On Top of the World offers a much larger amenity ecosystem (54 holes of golf, 10,000+ homes) at generally lower entry prices, with some sections carrying a leasehold structure that Ocala Preserve does not have. Buyers who want fee-simple ownership with lower fees and a larger golf package should also compare Del Webb Stone Creek.

Current Listings

A connected local agent can provide current available new-construction and resale homes, confirm whether a specific parcel carries a CDD assessment, and pull the current HOA fee and inclusions.

Is Ocala Preserve the same as Trilogy at Ocala Preserve?

Yes — independent sources confirm these are marketing names for the same Shea Homes community, though listings under each name have contained conflicting claims about golf and CDD status.

Does Ocala Preserve have a golf course?

Yes — an on-site course designed by Tom Lehman and Tripp Davis.

Is there a CDD fee at Ocala Preserve?

For parcels in Phase 13 (added in 2022) and later, yes — reported at roughly $700-$1,200/year. Earlier phases were built without a CDD. Confirm the specific parcel's status directly.

Is Ocala Preserve age-restricted?

Yes — it is consistently confirmed as a legally age-restricted 55+ community across independent sources and Shea Homes' own marketing.