Ashton Oaks: Yet Another New Community Being Built Along S.R. 54

By Matt Wiley

Much of Wesley Chapel’s growth in recent years has occurred along S.R. 54, east of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., where numerous communities have been developing, with new ones still popping up all the time. Not too far east of Meadow Pointe and just down the street from the new Avalon Park West and New River Township is Ashton Oaks, which is being developed by Ryland Homes and William Ryan Homes, offering residents a community with no Community Development District (CDD) fees and a low Homeowners Association fee, boasting simplicity as one of its best attributes.

The owner of Ashton Oaks is Sunfield Homes, Inc., which purchased the property in 2010 and has approvals in place for up to 273 total houses, and all of those lots are being built by one of the two aforementioned prominent home builders.

Ryland Homes began building in the community in October of 2011 and is currently in its second phase of construction of 48 single-family homes. Ryland’s first construction phase of 25 single-family homes has already been completely built up. Since Ryland began building in Ashton Oaks, the company has sold 37 homes.

Ryland offers 10 different one- or two-story, 3-5-bedroom floor plans ranging from 1,200-3,000- sq. ft., with prices ranging from $145,000-$300,000. Ryland Homes has also built in nearby Watergrass and Live Oak Preserve in New Tampa.

“No CDD fees is a big selling point in this community,” says Ty Joslyn, sales counselor for Ryland Homes in Ashton Oaks. “In many communities, people pay a CDD fee, in addition to a homeowners association fee, for amenities they hardly end up using. We don’t have that expensive guard gate or an elaborate pool, but people realize that in this economy, you don’t always need all of those things.”

William Ryan Homes, who also has built homes in New Tampa’s Grand Hampton community, sold its first home in the community in August 2010. William Ryan began its latest phase of construction in September, aiming to build 46 homes by its completion. Since William Ryan Homes began building in the community, the company has sold 51 homes, 20 of which in the past six months. The builder offers six floor plan options ranging from 1,300-2,500 sq. ft. and 3-4 bedrooms, priced between $148,000-$192,000.

“This is a unique, tucked away community,” says Jan Haukos, sales counselor for William Ryan Homes at Ashton Oaks. “We appeal to all family types, whether it’s retirees or a young, working family. And, any home that’s built in this community overlooks a pond or conservation area. There are no backyard neighbors.”

In addition to no CDD fees, the community also currently qualifies for USDA (U. S. Department of Agriculture) Rural Development loans, which allow home buyers to get 100-percent financing, while putting no money down on a home, as well as a fixed, low interest rate for 30 years, which, Haukos says, is perfect for families who are tired of renting and want to purchase a home.

She gave the example of a home selling for $160,000, which is about the median value of the homes William Ryan offers in Ashton Oaks. With a USDA loan, monthly mortgage payments can be kept under $1,000.

“That’s almost cheaper than renting a home or an apartment,” Haukos says.

However, these USDA loan boundaries are set to change in March 2013, and Ashton Oaks may not be included in the new boundaries, so hurry in if you’re interested.

An Ashton Oaks Homeowners Association spokesperson says the builder also is planning to build townhomes in Ashton Oaks, but information about how many units or a contruction date were unavailable at our press time.

For more info about Ashton Oaks, please call Ryland Homes at 355-4859, or William Ryan Homes at 788-4663.