Lakeside Preserve is a new-construction community by Highland Homes in Lakeland, Polk County priced from $300K to $450K. The community features offering single-family homes. Zoned for Polk County Public Schools. Contact Barrett Henry for free buyer representation and current incentive details.
Lakeside Preserve at a Glance
| Price Range | $300K – $450K |
| HOA Monthly | $38/month |
| School District | Polk County Public Schools |
| Status | Now Selling |
| Home Types | Single-Family Homes |
Amenities
Current Incentive
Save up to $60,000
Highland Homes Special Offers
SAVE up to $60,000 on your dream home!
Up to $60,000 off — not all homes qualify. Contact Barrett to verify terms and negotiate.
Full terms at Highland HomesScraped Jul 19, 2026 — verify current terms with Highland Homes or contact Barrett
About Lakeside Preserve
Lakeside Preserve has the feel of a neighborhood where people actually know their neighbors. It's gated, which right away tells you something about who's buying here — people who want a little separation from the outside world without paying Lakewood Ranch prices to get it. The amenity package leans family and weekend-oriented: a pool and cabana for the summer heat, a playground, fire pit with a seating wall, covered shelter, and charcoal grills that actually invite people to hang around together. It's not a resort-style community trying to impress you on a tour — it's a functional, livable setup for families who want their kids to have somewhere to go and their weekends to feel a little more relaxed. Expect a mix of young families and first-time buyers who did the math and figured out they could get more house for their money in Lakeland than almost anywhere else in the Tampa Bay region. You're living in Polk County here, which means I-4 is your main artery. Downtown Lakeland is a short drive west, and from there you've got quick access to everything from Lakeland Regional Health to the Polk Parkway (SR-570) if you need to loop around. Tampa is roughly 45 to 55 minutes east to west depending on traffic and where exactly you're headed — doable for a commute, though most people living here are intentional about that trade-off. Orlando sits about an hour in the other direction, which makes this a legit option if you're splitting the difference between both metros. Day-to-day, you've got solid retail along US-98 and the Lakeland corridor — Publix, Target, and the usual lineup aren't far. Polk County Public Schools serves the area, so you'll want to confirm the specific school assignments for this community when you visit, as zoning can shift depending on the exact address. Highland Homes is a Florida-based builder, which matters more than people realize — they build to the state's conditions, they understand concrete block construction, and they're not a national builder trying to figure out Florida from a spreadsheet in another state. At $300,000 to $450,000, you're getting a well-specified single-family home without a lot of the upgrade pressure you'd feel at some of the bigger national builders. The HOA runs $38 a month, which is low — don't expect it to cover much beyond maintaining the common areas and amenities, but that also means it's not going to be a line item that surprises you three years in. There's no CDD listed here, which is genuinely worth noting since a lot of newer Polk County communities carry CDD assessments that can add meaningful cost to your annual tax bill. Build timelines with Highland tend to be reasonable, but get a specific estimate from the sales team at the time you're shopping — supply chain and labor realities still vary. Walk the community on a Saturday morning before you commit. That'll tell you more than any sales brochure will.
New Homes From
$300K – $450K
Barrett's Take on Lakeside Preserve
Here's my take on Lakeside Preserve — Highland Homes is one of the few builders operating in Florida that I actually respect for being upfront with buyers. They're Lakeland-based, they build exclusively in Florida, and their pricing structure is more transparent than most of the national builders you'll find scattered across Polk County. At $300K–$450K for a gated community with a pool, cabana, walking trail, and fire pit amenity area, the value proposition here is real. That $38/month HOA is genuinely low — you're not getting hit with a $200/month fee on top of everything else. What I'd confirm before you sign anything is whether there's a CDD district attached to this community. CDDs in Polk County can add anywhere from $1,000–$2,500+ annually to your property tax bill, and that changes your monthly payment math in a hurry. Ask the sales rep directly, get the full CDD payoff amount if one exists, and look at the tax roll history for the area — not just the base price on the brochure. On negotiations: Highland Homes will flex on closing costs and sometimes on design center upgrades more readily than they'll move on base price. That $60,000 incentive they're advertising right now sounds big, but read it carefully — typically that number is a bundled figure that includes rate buydowns through their preferred lender, closing cost credits, and maybe design center allowances. The rate buydown portion disappears if you bring outside financing. My standard advice applies here: get a Loan Estimate from an independent lender before you commit to their in-house financing, and compare the total cost over the life of the loan, not just the monthly payment. On lot premiums, expect pond-view or conservation-view lots to carry a $10K–$25K premium in a community this size — corner lots usually run a few thousand less but come with more yard maintenance. It's worth asking what's available in the base tier before you fall in love with a specific lot that adds $20K to the price. For day-to-day living: Lakeland is genuinely underrated in the Tampa Bay market right now. You're on the I-4 corridor, which means Tampa is roughly 45–55 minutes west depending on where you're going, and Orlando is about the same distance east. If you work downtown Tampa, plan for that commute — it's manageable but not nothing. If you work in Lakeland itself, at places like Publix's headquarters, Watson Clinic, Lakeland Regional Health, or along the US-92 and SR-37 employment corridors, this is a strong location. Polk County Public Schools is a mixed district — check GreatSchools ratings for the specific elementary, middle, and high schools assigned to this address rather than assuming district-wide. The neighborhood itself, being gated with that amenity package, will have a quieter, more close-knit feel than the big open DR Horton or Lennar communities you'll find in nearby Auburndale or Davenport. If you're a first-time buyer or someone looking for honest value without paying Hillsborough County prices, Lakeside Preserve deserves a serious look.
Barrett Henry, REALTOR®
Broker Associate at REMAX Collective · 23+ years of real estate experience
What You'll Find at Lakeside Preserve
Home Types Available
Detached homes with private yards, typically 3-5 bedrooms with owners suites and 2-car garages.
Community Amenities
School District
Polk County Public Schools
Verify current zoning with the district before purchase.
HOA Details
$38/month
Covers community maintenance and amenities. Ask Barrett for the full HOA disclosure.
County
Builder
Why Buyers Choose Lakeside Preserve
Located in Lakeland, Polk County — easy access to Tampa Bay employment centers, beaches, and everyday conveniences.
Competitively priced from $300K to $450K — strong value for new construction in Polk County.
Built by Highland Homes, established in 1996 — a builder with a track record Tampa Bay buyers can evaluate before signing.
Community amenities include Gated Entry, Pool, Cabana and 5 more — lifestyle perks that come with your HOA.
About Highland Homes
Highland Homes is a Florida-only homebuilder — and that's not a marketing line, it actually matters. Founded in 1996 and headquartered right here in Lakeland, they've spent nearly three decades building exclusively in the Sunshine State.
Other Highland Homes Communities
Visit Lakeside Preserve with Barrett — Not the Sales Team
The on-site sales rep at Lakeside Preserve works for Highland Homes. 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.
Current Incentive at Lakeside Preserve
Save up to $60,000
Builder incentives change frequently. Barrett can confirm this incentive is still available and help you take full advantage of it.
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New Construction Buyer Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lakeside Preserve
How much do homes cost in Lakeside Preserve?
New homes in Lakeside Preserve are priced from $300K to $450K. 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 Lakeside Preserve?
Lakeside Preserve is built by Highland Homes. Highland Homes is a Florida-only homebuilder — and that's not a marketing line, it actually matters. Barrett Henry provides free buyer representation so you have an agent working for you, not the builder.
What amenities does Lakeside Preserve offer?
Lakeside Preserve amenities include Gated Entry, Pool, Cabana, Playground, Fire Pit with Seating Wall, Covered Shelter, Charcoal Grills, Community Walking Trail. The HOA fee is $38 per month, which covers community maintenance and amenity access.
What schools serve Lakeside Preserve?
Lakeside Preserve is located in Lakeland, Polk County and is zoned for Polk County Public Schools schools. School zoning can change, so verify current assignments with the district before purchasing.
Guides About Highland Homes
In-depth guides and comparisons relevant to Lakeside Preserve buyers.
Polk County New Construction Guide
Learn about all new-construction communities, builders, and market trends in Polk County.
Last updated: July 19, 2026
Ask Barrett About Lakeside Preserve
Interested in Lakeside Preserve? Barrett will schedule a private tour, check current incentives, review the builder's contract, and negotiate on your behalf. Free to you.