06/18/2026
🏡 Understanding The Bond in The Villages
The bond is not a mortgage and it's not a fee paid to The Villages developer. It is a long-term assessment used to pay for infrastructure and amenities that make the community what it is today, things like roads, utilities, recreation centers, and other community improvements.
✔️ The bond is attached to the property, not the homeowner.
✔️ If you sell your home, the remaining bond balance transfers to the new owner.
✔️ Most bonds are paid through your annual property tax bill as a non-ad valorem assessment.
✔️ Bond terms are typically 20-30 years with fixed interest rates between 5%-6%
✔️ You can pay off the bond at any time with no prepayment penalty, but we don't recommend paying it off unless this is your forever home.
Many buyers are surprised to learn that having a bond is a part of homeownership in many areas of The Villages. When comparing homes, it's important to consider both the purchase price and the remaining bond balance to understand the property's overall value.
When comparing homes, it's important to look at:
🔹 Remaining bond balance
🔹 Annual bond payment
🔹 CDD maintenance assessment
🔹 Property taxes
🔹 Age and location of the home
All homes in The Villages are originally built with a bond. Over time, that bond is paid down, which is why many of the older homes have smaller bond balances or no bond at all.
The key is understanding the total cost of ownership - not just the purchase price.
Have questions about bonds, or buying in The Villages? We're happy to help explain it all!
📞 Jim & Tami McDonald
352-340-2202
