Regency Heights

Independent Assessment

Regency Heights' land-lease ownership structure, 1969 build date, 393-site count, and current operation by Sun Communities were independently confirmed through multiple consistent sources, including the operator's own website. As with any land-lease community, a 'home price' here is materially different from ownership at a fee-simple or condominium 55+ community: buyers purchase only the manufactured home structure and pay ongoing lot rent to the landowner, which is a separate and recurring cost that can and does rise over time — buyers should model total cost of ownership using both figures, not the home price alone.

Who May Find This Community Appealing

Buyers comfortable with a land-lease ownership structure, who want a lower upfront home purchase price than a comparable condo or villa and value walking-distance access to major retail (Westfield Countryside Mall directly across the street), are the best fit for Regency Heights. It suits buyers prioritizing a straightforward, amenity-light manufactured-home lifestyle within a half-hour of Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Homes, Builders & Development History

Regency Heights was built in 1969 as a manufactured home community with 393 home sites. The identity of the original park developer has not been independently confirmed. The community is currently owned and operated by Sun Communities, Inc., a publicly traded manufactured-housing and RV-community operator; homes within the park are individually owned by residents and bought/sold on the resale market while the underlying land remains leased from the operator.

Current Pricing & Market Positioning

Reported home resale prices span a wide range, from around $33,000 for older or smaller homes up to roughly $174,995-$194,995 for larger, updated 2-3 bedroom homes, positioning Regency Heights as a lower-upfront-cost alternative to comparable condo or villa 55+ communities — though buyers must add ongoing lot rent (reported around $907/month) to get a true total housing cost comparison.

New Construction vs. Resale Considerations

Regency Heights is an established, built-out land-lease community; homes turn over on the resale market rather than through new construction. Given the community's 1969 founding date, individual home ages vary; buyers should confirm the specific home's manufacture date, since older manufactured homes can face financing and insurance restrictions regardless of condition.

Taxes, Insurance & Special Assessments

Manufactured homes here are typically taxed and titled differently from site-built real property — buyers should confirm with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector whether the specific home is taxed as real property or personal property (this affects both the tax bill and available insurance/financing products). Because lot rent, not property tax on land, is the primary land-related carrying cost here, buyers should request the current lot rent, its escalation history, and the home's own insurance-eligibility status (age of home can affect insurability) before making an offer.

Community Layout & Lifestyle

Regency Heights' identity centers on its land-lease, amenity-inclusive manufactured-home format and its exceptionally convenient location directly across from Westfield Countryside Mall — a genuinely walkable major-retail amenity that most 55+ communities in the area lack. Its social calendar (bingo, card games, pancake breakfasts, exercise classes) is professionally programmed by the Sun Communities operator, giving it a more centrally managed, resort-operator feel than resident-run HOA communities.

Shopping, Healthcare & Airport Access

Regency Heights is located at 2550 State Road 580 East, Clearwater, FL 33761, directly across from Westfield Countryside Mall (JCPenney, Dillard's, Macy's, Kohl's, and other retailers within walking distance), within roughly a half-hour drive of downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Age Qualification & Material Ownership Restrictions

Regency Heights is reported as an age-restricted (55+) community with a maximum of two occupants per home, each of whom must qualify and be approved, with proof of age and proof of income required for residency. Recorded deed restrictions and HOPA certification documentation were not independently pulled; buyers should confirm current certification and occupancy-compliance status, along with the specific income-qualification requirement, directly with Sun Communities before purchasing.

Tradeoffs & Limitations

Because Regency Heights is a land-lease community, residents do not own the underlying land — lot rent is a separate, recurring cost on top of any home purchase price, and lot rent can increase over time at the landowner's discretion subject to Florida mobile home landlord-tenant law. Buyers should specifically ask about the community's rent-increase history and any planned increases before purchasing a home here. As with any manufactured home built in 1969, buyers should also confirm the home's manufacture date is not too old to qualify for financing or insurance, since many lenders and insurers set minimum age cutoffs for manufactured homes.

Comparison With Nearby Communities

Regency Heights is most directly comparable to Pelican Palms Village in St. Petersburg as a land-lease, age-restricted manufactured home community in Pinellas County — Regency Heights is centrally located near Clearwater's Countryside retail corridor, while Pelican Palms Village sits closer to central St. Petersburg. Buyers who want fee-simple land ownership rather than a land-lease structure should instead consider condo or villa communities such as Heather Ridge or Lakeview of Largo.

Current Listings

A connected local agent or Sun Communities directly can provide current available homes, current lot rent, and the community's rules and regulations for Regency Heights.

Is Regency Heights a land-lease community?

Yes — residents own their individual manufactured homes but lease the underlying land from the community's owner, Sun Communities, Inc. Lot rent (reported around $907/month) is a separate, recurring cost from the home purchase price.

Is there an income requirement to live at Regency Heights?

Reported sources describe a maximum of two occupants per home, each of whom must qualify and be approved, with proof of age and proof of income required. Confirm the current requirement and its specifics directly with Sun Communities.

What does the lot rent include?

Reported to include water, trash pickup, and basic lawn maintenance. Confirm the current rate and full coverage details directly with Sun Communities.

Is there golf at Regency Heights?

No on-site golf course. Its amenity focus is the clubhouse, heated pool, shuffleboard, pickleball, and dog park.