Hillwood Preserve is a new-construction community by Metro Development Group in Bradenton, Manatee County priced from $330K to $395K. The community features offering single-family homes. Zoned for School District of Manatee County. Contact Barrett Henry for free buyer representation and current incentive details.
Hillwood Preserve at a Glance
| Price Range | $330K – $395K |
| School District | School District of Manatee County |
| Status | Now Selling |
| Home Types | Single-Family Homes |
Amenities
About Hillwood Preserve
Hillwood Preserve has the feel of a neighborhood that's still finding its rhythm — in a good way. It's a newer community with that fresh-construction energy you get in Manatee County right now, where streets are clean, landscaping is young, and neighbors are all roughly in the same chapter of life. The price range puts it squarely in the entry-to-mid-level new construction bracket, which tends to attract first-time buyers, young families, and people relocating from out of state who want a new home without jumping straight into the $500s. The amenities — pool, fitness center, clubhouse, walking trails, dog park, playground — are exactly what that demographic wants, and they're the kind of setup that actually gets used rather than sitting empty. Don't expect the scale of Lakewood Ranch, but expect a community that feels intentional and well-kept. Location-wise, Bradenton puts you in a solid spot in Manatee County. You're close enough to I-75 to make the drive north toward Tampa or south toward Sarasota reasonable — Tampa International Airport runs about 45 to 50 minutes depending on where you're coming from in Bradenton, and downtown Sarasota is closer to 30. The beaches on Anna Maria Island are one of the better trade-offs for living in this part of the county — you're looking at roughly 20 to 30 minutes to the water, which beats most of Tampa Bay. For day-to-day errands, Manatee County has built out its retail corridors well along US-41 and SR-64, so grocery stores, restaurants, and big-box retail aren't far. Schools fall under the School District of Manatee County, which has a range of options including some strong elementary programs — worth researching specific zoning based on the lot you're considering. Metro Development Group builds communities with a lifestyle-first approach, which is why the amenity package here reads the way it does — they put effort into the common spaces. Build timelines with smaller regional builders can vary more than they do with the big nationals, so if you're under a deadline, get a realistic closing estimate in writing before you sign. HOA details weren't confirmed at time of publishing, so you'll want to request the full HOA disclosure documents — ask specifically what's included in the monthly fee, whether there's a CDD in place, and what the capital contribution or buy-in looks like at closing. Florida's insurance market is a real factor in Manatee County, so budget accordingly for homeowner's insurance and factor flood zone status into your due diligence before you fall in love with a specific lot.
New Homes From
$330K – $395K
Barrett's Take on Hillwood Preserve
Here's my take on Hillwood Preserve: Metro Development Group isn't a name you'll see on billboards the way D.R. Horton or Lennar do, but they've been building in the Tampa Bay area long enough to have a track record worth looking at. The price range here — $329,990 to $394,990 — puts this squarely in the affordable end of the Bradenton new construction market, which is increasingly hard to find in Manatee County. That's a legitimate value proposition, especially as you watch comparable communities in the Lakewood Ranch corridor push well past $400K before you've picked a single upgrade. The amenity package is solid for this price point — pool, fitness center, clubhouse, trails, dog park, playground — and speaks to a buyer who wants community infrastructure without the luxury tax. If you're working out of Sarasota, commuting to I-75, or positioned for work near the Bradenton or Ellenton corridor, the location makes real geographic sense. That said, I'd want to know exactly where in Bradenton this sits before getting too excited — proximity to US-41, SR-64, or SR-70 matters a lot for your day-to-day commute quality, and parts of Bradenton can feel very different depending on whether you're east or west of I-75. Before you sign anything, ask Metro Development directly about lot premiums and get it in writing before you fall in love with a specific homesite. Pond lots and conservation views in Manatee County communities routinely add $10,000 to $30,000 or more to the base price, and corner lots can go either way depending on how the builder values them. Metro isn't known for having the same kind of rigid, corporate incentive playbook as the national builders, which actually gives you a little more room to negotiate — especially if the community is in its early phases or if there's standing inventory sitting. Push on closing cost contributions first, and if they won't move on price, ask about upgrades: flooring, appliances, or blinds packages are often easier wins. Also dig into the HOA situation — confirm the monthly fee, what it actually covers, and whether there's a CDD fee layered on top. CDDs in Manatee County aren't unusual, and they can add a few hundred dollars to your annual tax bill without always being obvious upfront in the marketing materials. The School District of Manatee County is a mixed bag depending on which schools you're zoned for, so don't assume — ask for the specific school assignments before you buy, then go look them up on GreatSchools and the FLDOE accountability reports yourself. For commuting, you're looking at roughly 30-40 minutes to downtown Sarasota, a similar window to downtown Bradenton employment, and about 45-55 minutes to Tampa depending on traffic and your exact route to I-75 North. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is a reasonable 20-25 minutes depending on the location within the community. Day-to-day, Bradenton has gotten noticeably more built-out in recent years — you're not going to feel like you're in the middle of nowhere, but it also doesn't have the same level of walkable retail and restaurant density as, say, the Lakewood Ranch Town Center area. It's a neighborhood-first community, which fits buyers who are primarily focused on their home and their neighbors rather than being a block from a Whole Foods.
Barrett Henry, REALTOR®
Broker Associate at REMAX Collective · 23+ years of real estate experience
What You'll Find at Hillwood Preserve
Home Types Available
Detached homes with private yards, typically 3-5 bedrooms with owners suites and 2-car garages.
Community Amenities
School District
School District of Manatee County
Verify current zoning with the district before purchase.
County
Builder
Why Buyers Choose Hillwood Preserve
Located in Bradenton, Manatee County — easy access to Tampa Bay employment centers, beaches, and everyday conveniences.
Competitively priced from $330K to $395K — strong value for new construction in Manatee County.
Built by Metro Development Group — a builder with a track record Tampa Bay buyers can evaluate before signing.
Community amenities include Pool, Fitness Center, Clubhouse and 3 more — lifestyle perks that come with your HOA.
About Metro Development Group
Metro Development Group is a Tampa-based real estate development company that's carved out a specific niche in the local market — master-planned communities. Unlike production builders who focus primarily on the homes themselves, Metro Development Group operates as the land developer and community creator behind some of Tampa Bay's larger mixed-use and residential projects.
Other Metro Development Group Communities
Visit Hillwood Preserve with Barrett — Not the Sales Team
The on-site sales rep at Hillwood Preserve works for Metro Development Group. They will not tell you about the lot premium you should avoid, the upgrades that do not add resale value, or the contract clauses that favor the builder. Barrett handles all of that. His representation costs you nothing — the builder pays the commission. Call (813) 692-9099 or fill out the form below.
Builders run promotions on closing costs, rate buydowns, and design center upgrades — but they change weekly. Barrett checks for you and makes sure you get every dollar available.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hillwood Preserve
How much do homes cost in Hillwood Preserve?
New homes in Hillwood Preserve are priced from $330K to $395K. Pricing depends on the floor plan, lot premium, and design center selections. Contact Barrett Henry at (813) 692-9099 for the most current pricing and available incentives.
Who is the builder of Hillwood Preserve?
Hillwood Preserve is built by Metro Development Group. Metro Development Group is a Tampa-based real estate development company that's carved out a specific niche in the local market — master-planned communities. Barrett Henry provides free buyer representation so you have an agent working for you, not the builder.
What amenities does Hillwood Preserve offer?
Hillwood Preserve amenities include Pool, Fitness Center, Clubhouse, Walking Trails, Dog Park, Playground. HOA fees cover community maintenance and amenity access.
What schools serve Hillwood Preserve?
Hillwood Preserve is located in Bradenton, Manatee County and is zoned for School District of Manatee County schools. School zoning can change, so verify current assignments with the district before purchasing.
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Manatee County New Construction Guide
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Last updated: July 19, 2026
Ask Barrett About Hillwood Preserve
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