About Viera's Heritage Isle

Cost of Living in Heritage Isle (and Master Planned Communities)

While discussing costs associated with living in Viera's premier 55+ community Heritage Isle with a caller yesterday afternoon, I realized many prospective buyers fail to understand all the costs associated with living in a master planned community.

Buyers appear to look primarily at the taxes on the property which are based on the assessed value minus all the exemptions. To understand property tax exemptions in Brevard County, check with the Brevard Property Appraisers Office.

Buyers in master planned communities and developments like Heritage Isle need to look at the other associated costs.

Most prospective buyers understand there will be association dues (around $300 a month in Heritage Isle as well as the other 55+ community in Viera, Grand Isle).

Heritage Isle residents pay an additional assessment with their annual taxes called a Heritage Isle Community Development District. Property owners in Heritage Isle see this non-ad valorem assessment on their annual property tax bill. Some of the things the CDD is responsible for are sidewalks, water management, conservation areas, common area landscaping, parks.

The current Heritage Isle CDD is around $866 (single family homes), $628 (villas), and $630 (condos). There appears to be some variation so check the tax account for specific properties. Also the CDD budgets annually so there is no permanent set amount.

Heritage Isle at Viera Community Development District (CDD)

What does the CDD offer its residents?

"The CDD’s business is conducted in the “Sunshine,” which means all meetings and records are open to the public. Public hearings are held on CDD assessments. and the CDD’s budget is subject to annual independent audit."


By the way, there are other assessments added to your tax bill. These non-ad valorem fees include solid waste collection, an annual county fire assessment, solid waste disposal assessment, stormwater assessment, and likely others.

When you are ready to buy your Heritage Isle or Grand Isle home, call me at 321-693-3850 or email me.

***The above is presented as general information. I am not a tax expert, CPA or attorney.

Heritage Isle Condos in Viera–Market Activity through June 8, 2011

Back on March 26,2011 I posted a market report about the Heritage Isle condos in Viera's popular gated 55+ community.

After reviewing the recent activity in the Heritage Isle condo market I chose to just edit the March 2011 report to emphasize the changes in the market.

The original text is in black print with the current status is the blue print.

I am not sure why - can't be the prices - the condos at Heritage Isle, Viera, Florida's premier 55+ community, seem to be taking forever to sell!

Presently there are fourteen fourteen condos listed for sale. Of these, there are three four short sales.

Listing prices for the condos in Heritage Isle range from $99,950 $89,000 to $139,900 $135,000. With seven eight of the active listings at Heritage Isle priced at or below $120,000, it is obvious the prices are going to stay down for a while.

So what has happened in the previous several months…list prices have fallen and the last sale was on March 23, 2011 for $109,000.

For information on homes and condos for sale in Heritage Isle (or Grand Isle – Viera’s other Lennar built 55+ community – call me directly at 321-693-3850 or email me.

Heritage Isle - Chosen one of America's top 50 Master Planned Communities in 2011!

Lennar Builders has recently re-started construction of the larger estate model homes in Viera’s Heritage Isle 55+ community. I am writing this as a real estate agent who works with buyers in the Heritage Isle community - not as a representative of the company.

For some time it has been the smaller manor models and the patio or villa style homes that were being built in Heritage Isle. I am not sure but I think it is the lot size limitation in the previous phase.

While the manor models are smaller with roughly 1,600-2,000 sq.ft. under air, the estate homes are larger offering about 2,000 to 2,600 sq.ft. under air.

The estate models currently being built in Heritage Isle include:

• Devonshire model – 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3-car garage, 1,930 sq.ft. living area from $215,990
• Kennedy model – 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3-car garage, 2,267 sq.ft. living area from $239,990
• Monroe model – 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3-car garage, 2,599 sq.ft. living area from $269,990

For information on new homes for sale in Heritage Isle (as well as re-sales) including those offered by Burgoon-Berger Builders, just drop me an email or give me a call directly at 321-693-3850.

Grand Isle - The Other 55+ Community in Viera

Condos for sale in Heritage Isle

New Construction in Heritage Isle

Indian River Colony Club - Not the usual 55+ community in Viera, Florida

Retirees searching for an active adult community in the Central Atlantic Coast area of Florida should take a look at Heritage Isle by Lennar and Burgoon-Berger. The community has won numerous awards including being voted the “Best 55+ Community in Brevard County” in 2005 by the readers of Florida Today as well as being names one of “America’s Best Master-Planned Communities” by Where to Retire Magazine” in 2007. Heritage Isle grand opened in 2003 and is scheduled for completion in 2013. Overall this stunning 55+ Florida community will have 1,600 homes including condominiums, duplex, single family homes and villas.

Lennar is the main developer of Heritage Isle and offers all of the home designs mentioned above with prices beginning in the low $100’s. Those looking for a more custom home will be pleased with the selection of semi-custom homes available from Burgoon-Berger. These homes are single family style available in either one-story or two-story floor plans with high-end options galore.

The amenities of this Florida active adult community are centered around the amazing 21,000 square foot clubhouse. The Heritage Isle Club is home to a state-of-the-art fitness center, aerobics studio, library with computer stations, numerous multi-purpose rooms for arts, crafts and games, the Heritage Isle Restaurant plus a grand ballroom for special events and social gatherings. There are also a wealth of outdoor amenities including an outdoor resort style swimming pool, basketball courts, a tennis facility, bocce ball courts, fishing ponds and miles of beautifully landscaped walking paths.

Right next door to Heritage Isle, FL is the award-winning Duran 18-hole golf course. This premier championship course features a development center and even hosts special PGA events for the longest drive thanks to its amazingly long driving range.

Searching for an active adult retirement community in Florida can be a big task. There are hundreds of wonderful options for 55+ living in Florida. Be sure to look at all of your options and visit your favorite communities in person to get a good feel for the entire community including the homes, the amenities and the lifestyle. Most active adult communities have a full-time Lifestyle Director on-staff coordinating special events and social clubs. Heritage Isle residents enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle highlighted by special events every month and numerous clubs to encourage residents to join in the fun, meet new people and make new friends.

For more information and photos of this and other FL active adult retirement communities please visit 55Places.com. To stay in touch with us please join our Facebook page by clicking the Facebook link below.

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Viera's premier 55+ community remains fairly active as homes seem to be moving as we move toward the warmer weather.

The gated 55+ community of Heritage Isle offers several residential property types that will match any desire, from the Terrace Condos at Heritage Isle to the large manor style homes with over 3,000+ square feet featuring three car garages!

As of May 1st there are 24 active properties listed in Heritage Isle. These active listings range from a 2 bedroom 2 bath 1 car garage patio style home listed at $137,000 to a large 4 bedroom 3 bath 3 car garage (over 3200 sq ft) listed at $589,500 [rather extravagant and pricey for the neighborhood].

I always get asked so here is my opinion - a comfortable 3 bedroom 2 bath home in Heritage Isle can be purchased for around $200-240,000.

If you are looking for a short sale in Heritage Isle there is only one property on the market although there are about a half dozen under contract.

With 13 properties under contract (8 contracted within past 5 weeks), properties are beginning to move. Three units closed in April with selling prices ranging form $174,000 to $260,000. The days on the market ranged from 7 days (a cash deal) to about 80 days for the longest period.

If a 55+ community in Florida is on your list, then Heritage Isle definitely is worth a look as well Viera's other 55+ community - Grand Isle! If you are just starting your research, this is the place to start!

Call me at 321-693-3850 or email me if I can assist you with buying or selling a house or condo in Heritage Isle at Viera Florida!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida working with buyers and sellers along Florida's Space Coast!