Not all Ocala 55+ communities have what buyers from other parts of the country think of as a homeowner’s association, that being when the builder finishes construction that he turns over the facilities and management to the residents.

Here and in many parts of Florida the developer retains ownership of the common areas including the clubhouse, pool, fitness center and golf course and manages the community collecting fees for using the amenities. In this type of community the HOA is for social purposes like clubs and activities. Area communities with this sort or structure include Cherry Wood, Oak Run, Ocala Palms, On Top of the World and the Indigo East and Candler Hills areas.

Communities where the residents do control a homeowners association are Summerglen, Spruce Creek Golf and Country Club, Spruce Creek Preserve, Palm Cay, Spruce Creek North,  and Stone Creek when it gets built out.

I’m not sure one is better than another. Oak Run is one of my favorite communities. You get a lot of bang for your fees at Oak Run and the fees pretty much remain the same.