By Juliana Bahri, REALTOR® | Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyles Realty

You’ve found the perfect home in Jacksonville or one of Northeast Florida’s beautiful surrounding communities. The location is ideal, the floor plan checks all your boxes, and the price fits your budget. But before you fall in love and make an offer, there’s one important question to ask: Are there HOA or CDD fees associated with the property?

For many homebuyers, these additional expenses can be confusing, especially when a community has both. Understanding the difference between homeowners association (HOA) fees and Community Development District (CDD) assessments can help you make a more informed decision and avoid unexpected costs.

 

What Are HOA Fees?

HOA stands for Homeowners Association. Many Jacksonville-area neighborhoods have an HOA responsible for managing certain aspects of the community, maintaining shared spaces, and enforcing neighborhood guidelines.

Depending on the neighborhood, HOA fees may cover:

Landscaping and maintenance of common areas

Community pools, clubhouses, and recreational amenities

Neighborhood management and administrative expenses

Maintenance of shared facilities

Other services outlined in the association's governing documents

HOA fees vary by community and may be collected monthly, quarterly, or annually.

Before purchasing a home, review the HOA's governing documents, current budget, and fee schedule. It's also important to understand any community restrictions involving parking, pets, rentals, or exterior home improvements.

 

What Are CDD Fees?

CDD stands for Community Development District. Unlike an HOA, a CDD is a special-purpose local government established under Florida law to help finance and maintain certain community infrastructure and facilities.

CDD assessments may help pay for improvements such as roadways, drainage systems, landscaping, recreational facilities, and other authorized community infrastructure.

These assessments generally have two components:

Debt service: Payments toward bonds or other financing used for community improvements.

Operations and maintenance: Ongoing costs associated with maintaining district facilities and infrastructure.

In many Northeast Florida communities, CDD assessments appear on the annual property tax bill rather than as a separate monthly payment.

One important distinction is that paying off a CDD's infrastructure debt does not necessarily eliminate the entire assessment. Maintenance-related charges may continue.

 

HOA vs. CDD Fees: What's the Difference?

Although HOA and CDD fees can support some similar community features, they serve different purposes.

HOA Fees 

Managed by a homeowners association

Support association services and responsibilities

Typically paid monthly, quarterly, or annually

Governed by association documents

 

CDD Fees

Managed by a special-purpose government district

Support district infrastructure, facilities, and related costs

Often collected through property taxes

Governed by Florida law and district budgets

Both can affect the overall cost of homeownership, making it important to evaluate them together.

 

Can a Jacksonville Home Have Both HOA and CDD Fees?

Yes! Some neighborhoods throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida have both an HOA and a CDD.

Because each serves a different purpose, paying one does not automatically eliminate the other.

For example, an HOA might oversee neighborhood guidelines and common-area services, while a CDD helps fund community infrastructure and maintenance.

Some properties may also have additional master association dues or separate amenity fees. That's why reviewing the full list of expenses for a specific property is so important.

 

How Much Could HOA and CDD Fees Add to Your Monthly Housing Costs?

Let's look at a simple example.

Imagine you're considering a home with the following expenses:

• HOA fees: $300 per quarter, equivalent to $100 per month
• CDD assessment: $2,400 annually, equivalent to $200 per month
• Combined monthly budgeting equivalent: $300

That's an additional $3,600 annually to consider when evaluating your housing budget.

These figures are hypothetical and do not represent Jacksonville-area averages or actual property charges.

Also, if your mortgage lender has already included the CDD assessment in your estimated monthly escrow payment, you should not count it twice. Ask your lender to clarify exactly which expenses are included.

Do CDD Fees Ever Go Away?

This is one of the most common questions homebuyers ask.

The answer depends on the specific district and its financial obligations.

Some CDD assessments include payments toward infrastructure bonds that may eventually be paid off. However, ongoing maintenance assessments can remain even after the original debt has been satisfied.

Before purchasing, ask about the district's current assessments, outstanding debt, payment schedule, and any available payoff options.

 

What Should Jacksonville Homebuyers Ask Before Making an Offer?

Before purchasing a home in a community with HOA or CDD fees, consider asking these important questions:

• What are the current HOA fees, and what services do they include?
• Does the property have a CDD assessment?
• Are there additional amenity fees or multiple associations?
• Are any special assessments or fee increases anticipated?
• What neighborhood restrictions should I know about?
• Are the CDD assessments included in the lender's estimated monthly payment?
• How might these expenses affect my long-term homeownership budget?

Getting answers early in your home search can help you compare properties more accurately.

 

Finding the Right Jacksonville Home Is About More Than the Purchase Price

When buying a home, it's easy to focus on the listing price, mortgage payment, and interest rate. However, the true cost of homeownership includes much more.

HOA and CDD fees aren't necessarily a negative. In many communities, they support amenities, infrastructure, and shared services that homeowners value.

The key is understanding exactly what you're paying for and determining whether those expenses align with your lifestyle, priorities, and financial goals.

A community with higher fees may offer amenities and services that are important to you, while another neighborhood with fewer recurring expenses may better suit your budget.

Neither option is automatically better. It's about finding the right fit.

 

Thinking About Buying a Home in Jacksonville or Northeast Florida?

Whether you're exploring a new construction community in St. Johns County, an established Jacksonville neighborhood, or a home in Clay County, understanding HOA and CDD fees is an important part of making a confident real estate decision.

As your local real estate resource, I'm here to help you look beyond the listing price, understand the expenses associated with a property, and find a home that fits your needs.

Have questions about HOA or CDD fees in a neighborhood you're considering? Let's connect! I'd be happy to help you gather the information you need to make an informed decision.

 

Juliana Bahri, REALTOR®
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyles Realty
English | French | Arabic
JulianaBahri.com

Serving Jacksonville and surrounding communities throughout Duval, Clay, and St. Johns counties.

 

Sources and Additional Resources

Florida Statutes 720.301: Homeowners Association Definitions

Florida Statutes 720.303: Association Powers and Duties

Florida Statutes 190.003: Community Development District Definitions

Florida Statutes 190.021: District Assessments

This article is intended for general homebuyer education. HOA dues, CDD assessments, community rules, and payment arrangements vary by property and should be verified with the appropriate association, district, and mortgage lender.