Land O'Lakes has become one of the best values for new construction in the Tampa Bay area, and Connerton is the community leading that charge. This nearly 5,000-acre master-planned development in Pasco County has four active builders delivering new homes from the low $300Ks, at a time when comparable new construction in Hillsborough County starts $50,000-$80,000 higher for the same floor plan. Here is what you need to know before you buy here.
I have worked with buyers in Connerton across multiple phases over many years. The community has evolved significantly, and the questions I get from buyers today are different from five years ago. This guide covers what actually matters for buyers evaluating Connerton in 2026.
What Is Connerton?
Connerton is a master-planned community in Land O'Lakes developed by Metro Development Group. It spans nearly 5,000 acres with more than half preserved as wetlands, conservation land, and wildlife corridors. That preserved land is not just a marketing claim. The community genuinely feels more open than most Pasco County subdivisions, with wide natural buffers between sections and significant habitat connectivity.
The development includes a village center with shops and restaurants along SR-52, a resort-style amenity center, 20+ miles of paved multi-use trails, multiple parks and playgrounds, and a tennis and fitness complex. Metro Development Group is the same company that built the Southshore Bay and Mirada crystal lagoon communities in Hillsborough County, so they bring significant infrastructure experience to the project.
Which Builders Are Active at Connerton?
Lennar
Lennar is the largest and most active builder at Connerton. Their Everything's Included line bundles features that competitors charge extra for (quartz countertops, stainless appliances, smart home systems, and designer tile) into the base price. Starting in the low $300Ks, Lennar offers floor plans from compact 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-story homes around 1,600 sq ft up to 5-bedroom, 3-bath two-story homes over 3,000 sq ft. The value proposition is genuine for buyers who do not want to spend an afternoon at a design center picking upgrades.
M/I Homes
M/I Homes targets the mid-range segment at Connerton with pricing from the mid $300Ks to the mid $400Ks. M/I is known for allowing more structural customization at the design center than the typical production builder, including room additions, flex space conversions, and layout modifications that Lennar does not permit in their base floor plans. If customizing the layout matters more than bundled finishes, M/I is worth visiting.
Homes by WestBay
WestBay is a Tampa-based builder that brings genuinely higher construction quality to Connerton than the national production builders. Their homes start in the upper $300Ks and can exceed $550K with options and premium lot premiums. WestBay builds to tighter tolerances, uses thicker drywall, and offers floor plans with better flow than most production alternatives. If build quality is your primary concern and you can spend $30,000-$50,000 more than a comparable Lennar, WestBay is the right choice at Connerton.
Taylor Morrison
Taylor Morrison targets the $400K-$560K range with premium finishes included. Their Connerton homes tend to sit on larger lots than the other builders' parcels, which is meaningful if outdoor space matters to you. Taylor Morrison also has a reputation for a well-organized design center process and responsive warranty service after closing.
Builder Comparison at Connerton (2026)
| Builder | Starting Price | Typical Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lennar | Low $300Ks | $315K-$435K | Value, bundled features, quick move-in |
| M/I Homes | Mid $300Ks | $355K-$460K | Floor plan customization |
| WestBay | Upper $300Ks | $385K-$555K+ | Build quality, finishes |
| Taylor Morrison | Low $400Ks | $405K-$565K | Lot size, design center |
Understanding HOA and CDD Fees
Connerton has both an HOA and a CDD, and buyers regularly confuse the two or overlook the CDD entirely until they see their first property tax bill.
HOA (Homeowners Association): Collects monthly dues of approximately $130-$180 per month depending on your section. Covers maintenance of common areas, amenity center operations, landscaping in community spaces, and community management services.
CDD (Community Development District): A special taxing district created by the state to finance community infrastructure (roads, utilities, drainage, and the amenity centers). The CDD fee appears on your annual property tax bill as a separate line item, not as a monthly HOA charge. Current CDD fees at Connerton run $1,800-$3,600 per year ($150-$300 per month equivalent) depending on the phase and lot.
When comparing the monthly cost of a Connerton home to a Hillsborough County home, add both the HOA and the CDD equivalent to your calculation. Combined, plan for $280-$480 per month in community fees before your mortgage payment. Pasco County property taxes are lower than Hillsborough, which partially offsets this, but the math matters for your budget.
The CDD bond can typically be paid off early. Ask the builder or seller for the outstanding bond balance if you want to eliminate the debt portion of the CDD fee. The operations and maintenance portion of the CDD continues regardless of bond status.
Schools Zoned for Connerton
Connerton falls within Pasco County Schools. Most sections are zoned for:
Connerton Elementary School: An A-rated school located inside the Connerton community. The fact that a high-rated elementary school sits within walking and biking distance of homes in the community is a genuine advantage that is unusual in new construction developments of this scale.
Pine View Middle School: Serves much of the Connerton area. Verify your specific lot zoning directly with Pasco County Schools (eszoning.pasco.k12.fl.us) because newer phases sometimes fall into different zones.
Land O'Lakes High School: The base high school for this area. Land O'Lakes High offers IB (International Baccalaureate) and dual enrollment programs. Check the school's current Florida School Grades report at fldoe.org for current performance data.
Pasco County also operates charter schools and offers intradistrict school choice transfers. If the base school assignment does not meet your needs, ask the school district about available options.
Connerton Community Amenities
The main amenity center includes a resort-style heated pool with lap lanes and a separate leisure pool, a splash pad for younger children, a fitness center with cardio and weight equipment, a community room for events, tennis and pickleball courts, and basketball courts. Additional parks and playgrounds are distributed throughout the community's sections.
The trail network is one of the most appreciated features among residents I have worked with. More than 20 miles of paved multi-use trails connect neighborhoods, parks, the village center, and conservation areas. For families who bike and run, the trail system is a meaningful quality-of-life advantage over typical suburban subdivisions.
The village center along SR-52 has a Publix-anchored shopping center, restaurants, and services. For residents in the northern sections, this is accessible on foot or by bike, which is unusual for a Pasco County suburban community.
The Commute From Connerton to Tampa
Land O'Lakes is north of Tampa, so commute time depends heavily on your destination and departure time:
Downtown Tampa: 35-50 minutes via the Veterans Expressway (toll road) or 40-55 minutes via US-41/I-275. The Veterans Expressway is significantly more consistent than surface streets during peak hours.
Westshore Business District (International Plaza area): 30-45 minutes via the Veterans Expressway.
Wesley Chapel employment corridor (I-75/SR-56 area): 15-25 minutes. BayCare, AdventHealth, Amazon, and the growing office park cluster near Wesley Chapel are easily accessible from Connerton.
New Tampa and USF area: 25-35 minutes via I-75 south.
Clearwater and St. Petersburg: 45-60 minutes via Veterans Expressway and I-275.
Pasco County traffic is generally lighter and more predictable than Hillsborough County. For remote or hybrid workers, Connerton's value advantage over Hillsborough County is compelling because the commute frequency matters less.
How Connerton Compares to Nearby Communities
Riverview is the most common alternative buyers consider. Riverview offers shorter commutes to South Tampa and more developed retail nearby, but new construction there from the same builders runs $50,000-$80,000 more for comparable floor plans. The school quality tradeoff favors Riverview for high school (Hillsborough County's top schools have strong reputations), but Connerton Elementary's on-site A-rating is a legitimate selling point.
Wesley Chapel in Pasco County is similarly priced to Connerton but positioned closer to the I-75 employment corridor. If your employer is near Wesley Chapel, that community makes more geographic sense than Connerton. If you work downtown Tampa or remotely, Connerton's larger conservation land buffers and slightly lower prices tip the balance.
What to Watch Out For
The CDD fee is the item buyers most often underestimate. Always ask the sales agent for the current annual CDD assessment for the specific lot and phase you are evaluating. Add it to your monthly budget calculation before comparing to Hillsborough County alternatives.
Flood zone status varies by section. Connerton preserves significant wetland area, and some lots are adjacent to or within flood-sensitive areas. Check the FEMA flood map (msc.fema.gov) for any specific lot before writing an offer. Flood insurance on a non-flood-zone lot is optional but inexpensive. On a Zone AE lot it is mandatory and can add $800-$2,500 per year.
Builder timelines have fluctuated significantly since 2021. Current new construction timelines at Connerton run 6-12 months for most spec and build-to-order homes depending on the phase. Get the timeline in writing and understand the builder's contract provisions for delays before signing.
Related reading: Land O'Lakes homes for sale, Wesley Chapel homes for sale, Riverview homes for sale, Epperson lagoon community.
Frequently Asked Questions: Connerton, Land O'Lakes
What builders are in Connerton?
Lennar (low $300Ks), M/I Homes (mid $300Ks to $460K), Homes by WestBay ($385K-$555K+), and Taylor Morrison ($405K-$565K). Each serves a different buyer, so visiting all four model homes before deciding is worth the afternoon.
What are the HOA and CDD fees at Connerton?
HOA runs $130-$180/month. The CDD adds $150-$300/month equivalent on your annual property tax bill. Combined, budget $280-$480/month in community fees. Always ask the specific CDD amount for your lot before signing a contract.
What school is Connerton zoned for?
Connerton Elementary (A-rated, inside the community), Pine View Middle, and Land O'Lakes High School (IB available). Verify your specific lot with Pasco County Schools because phase expansions sometimes change zone boundaries.
How far is Connerton from Tampa?
35-50 minutes to downtown Tampa via Veterans Expressway. 15-25 minutes to Wesley Chapel employment centers near I-75. 25-35 minutes to New Tampa and USF.
Can I get the CDD fee paid off at Connerton?
The bond portion of the CDD can typically be prepaid in a lump sum. Ask the builder or title company for the outstanding bond amount for your specific lot. The operations and maintenance portion continues regardless.
I help buyers compare builders, negotiate new construction contracts, and represent buyers at Connerton at no cost to them (builder pays my commission). Barrett Henry, Broker Associate at REMAX Collective. Call (813) 750-0926 or email barrett@nowtb.com.