* The Villages spans across three Florida counties: Sumter, Marion, and Lake.
* Depending on where a property is located, it falls under a different county’s jurisdiction.
Community Development Districts (CDDs):
* The Villages uses special-purpose local governments called CDDs to manage infrastructure and amenities.
* CDDs are funded through annual assessments on your property tax bill.
* Each neighborhood belongs to a specific CDD, and fees can vary depending on the district.
Property Taxes:
* Total property taxes include:
* County tax (based on location: Sumter, Marion, or Lake)
* CDD assessments
* City or municipal fees (if applicable, such as in Lady Lake)
* The exact amount varies by home value, county, and district.
Sales Tax:
* Florida has a 6% state sales tax.
* Most counties (including those in The Villages) add a discretionary surtax of 0.5% to 1%, depending on the county.
* Large purchases (like appliances or furniture) only get surtaxed on the first \$5,000.
Tourist & Lodging Taxes:
* Short-term rentals (less than 6 months) may be subject to tourist development taxes, which can total up to 13%, depending on the county.
School Zones & Maps:
* Listings often include information on local public school zones, which are mapped by address.
* Properties are matched to specific elementary, middle, and high schools based on location.
Neighborhood & ZIP Code Data:
* The Villages contains multiple ZIP codes (e.g., 32162).
* Listings and market data are often grouped by ZIP or neighborhood.
* Maps are used to show home locations, school zones, and comparables within a specific radius.
Driving & Commute Info:
* Many listings show estimated driving times to nearby amenities.
* Tools on the site may include commute maps and travel-time overlays.
