Inside Waterbury Park With Diano Benallo (A New Lakewood Ranch Community)
This week I took you inside Waterbury Park, one of Neal Signature Homes' newer communities right in the heart of Lakewood Ranch — and if you didn't catch the video, I wanted to break it all down here too, numbers and all.
Where it sits, and why that matters
Waterbury Park sits right at the corner of Masters Avenue and Bourneside Boulevard, just east of Lorraine Road, in Manatee County. That location matters more than it sounds like on paper — you're a few minutes from everything Lakewood Ranch has built a reputation for. And Lakewood Ranch itself has been recognized as one of the top-selling multi-generational communities in the country year after year. So when you buy here, you're not just buying a house — you're buying into that whole ecosystem: the shopping, the dining, the amenities, all close by.
It's a gated community, built by Neal Signature Homes, and here's the distinction I want you to walk away with: this is a semi-custom builder. You're not picking from three cookie-cutter floor plans off a shelf — you're sitting down with a design team and making real decisions on finishes. That's a genuinely different experience than walking into a spec home where every choice has already been made for you.
What you'll actually see when you drive in
There are only 21 homesites in this community, which means real space between homes — something that's getting harder to find in new construction right now, where a lot of what's being built is dense, smaller lots, tight setbacks. This is the opposite of that.
Architecturally, these homes pull from British West Indies and modern Farmhouse style — board-and-batten siding, metal roof accents, big covered porches. It's a real look, not just a house with a roof on it. There are walking trails built into the community if you want to get a morning walk in without leaving the neighborhood, and a lot of the homesites back up to quiet lake views, which isn't something every community out here offers.
Floor plans run from just over 3,100 square feet up to about 4,200 — so if you've outgrown a smaller footprint, this is worth a look.
My honest take
If you want brand-new construction with real room to customize, and you don't want to be squeezed onto a small lot, I think this is worth serious consideration. The semi-custom process means you're actually involved in the finish decisions, not just picking a house off a menu.
Price-wise, this is a luxury price point, and it moves. So if budget is a factor — and it should always be a factor — have that conversation early, before you fall in love with a floor plan you may not qualify for. Figure out your full number first: the mortgage, the HOA, the CDD, the insurance, the whole picture. I never want a number to catch my clients off guard at the closing table.
The real numbers
This is the part I think matters most, because it's where I see buyers get surprised if nobody walks them through it ahead of time. These figures come from the developer's official 2026 Summary of Association Fees for the community, so this is about as close and accurate as it gets right now.
There's a home on the market currently — the Kingfisher 2 floor plan, about 3,400 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3-car garage, priced in the $1.9–$2 million range. Here's the breakdown on carrying costs:
HOA & maintenance: just over $2,000 per quarter — that's your recurring, ongoing cost.
Initial one-time assessment: a little over $8,300, collected separately at closing. This is the part people miss — it's not your annual dues, it's an extra one-time charge on top of your regular HOA. I call this out specifically because if you only budget for the quarterly HOA and forget this exists, it can catch you off guard at the closing table.
O&M charge: just under $700.
No Stewardship District debt — worth knowing, since some new-construction communities carry CDD debt service that adds a much bigger number to your bill for years.
For schools, this address is zoned for Robert E. Willis Elementary, Nolan Middle, and Lakewood Ranch High School.
One more honest note: the developer's own paperwork states these figures are estimates and subject to change, and that oral representations — including what I'm telling you here — shouldn't be relied on over the actual disclosure documents. So treat this as a solid, grounded starting point, and always get the current disclosure summary when you're ready to move forward.
The bottom line
If Waterbury Park looks like something you'd want to see in person, I'd rather walk it with you than have you go see it alone. Reach out and I'll set up a time to tour it together.
This post is for general informational purposes and isn't intended as legal, financial, or tax advice. Figures are estimates as of publication and subject to change — always confirm current numbers with the developer's disclosure documents. Always consult the appropriate professional for your specific situation. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Have questions about buying or selling in Lakewood Ranch? I’m here to help, whenever you’re ready.
I’m Diano Benallo with Michael Saunders & Company. Call or text me at 941-730-1900, email me at DianoBenallo@MichaelSaunders.com, or visit LakewoodRanchFloridaHomes.com to get started.
Diano Benallo
Diano Benallo, REALTOR®, is a second-generation real estate advisor with Michael Saunders & Company, serving Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and the surrounding Suncoast. A RELO: LeadingRE Relocation Specialist, he works with buyers, sellers, relocation clients, and investors, combining local market knowledge, a data-driven approach, and clear, honest communication throughout every step of the transaction.
