Star Farms Home Loans in Lakewood Ranch

Star Farms homes run from townhomes in the $300,000s to custom homes over $3 million, so the right loan depends on which builder and home type you choose. Most Star Farms homes fit a conventional or FHA loan, while the Homes by WestBay, Perry Homes and John Cannon Homes estates often need a jumbo loan.

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Call or Text Greg: (941) 315-2112
Available 24/7 | Free Consultation | Fast Pre-Approvals

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Braun Mortgage Group's office is on Lake Osprey Drive at University Parkway in Sarasota. Meetings are by appointment, and Greg answers calls and texts evenings and weekends.

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Star Farms at a glance

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Star Farms is a private, gated, multigenerational village in the Manatee County part of Lakewood Ranch (ZIP 34211), developed by Forestar, a majority owned subsidiary of D.R. Horton. Announced in 2020, it has grown to about 1,300 acres and roughly 2,800 planned homes, with four resort amenity campuses, pools, a fitness center, pickleball and tennis courts, a cafe and an onsite Lifestyle Director. Saddlestone is the newest neighborhood within the village.

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D.R. Horton
Home types: Townhomes, attached villas, single family
Price range: Townhomes from the $300s; villas high $300s to $400s; single family $400s to $800s
Usual loan fit: FHA, conventional, VA, DSCR for investors

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Homes by WestBay
Home types: Single family
Price range: $600s to $3M+
Usual loan fit: Conventional to jumbo

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Perry Homes
Home types: Single family
Price range: $700s to $2M+
Usual loan fit: Conventional to jumbo

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John Cannon Homes
Home types: Custom single family
Price range: $1.8M to $3M+
Usual loan fit: Jumbo

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HOA dues are about $250 to $360 a month, with some maintenance included. Prices and dues from Lakewood Ranch's Star Farms village page, October 2026. Builder pricing changes often.

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2026 loan limits that apply in Star Farms

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Conventional (conforming): $832,750

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FHA: $547,400

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VA (full entitlement): No VA loan limit

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Above $832,750 you need a jumbo loan. Manatee and Sarasota counties share the same 2026 limits.

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What changes your Star Farms mortgage

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Special district assessments
Star Farms carries a community development district assessment on the property tax bill, on top of HOA dues. One recent D.R. Horton listing showed about $2,170 a year. The amount depends on your phase and lot, and it counts in your monthly housing payment when you qualify, so get the exact figure before you set a budget.

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Manatee County taxes
Star Farms is north of University Parkway, in Manatee County. Use Manatee County millage when you estimate your payment, not Sarasota's.

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New construction timing
Many Star Farms homes are still under construction. If yours won't be finished for months, ask about extended rate locks before you sign. A quick move in home needs a different plan than one finishing next summer.

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Builder incentives and the builder's lender
Star Farms builders, especially D.R. Horton, often advertise rate and closing cost incentives through their affiliated lender. For a standard file with W-2 income, those offers are often a great deal. Where we help is when the builder's lender can't approve you. Self employed buyers can qualify with a 12 month bank statement loan, investors with a DSCR loan, and other buyers with Non-QM programs. Most builders let buyers keep incentives when an outside lender approves them, but it isn't guaranteed, so get it in writing. See our guide, Turned Down by the Builder's Lender in Lakewood Ranch?

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Insurance
Get a homeowners insurance quote early, and a flood quote if the home backs to a lake or preserve in a flood zone. In Florida, insurance can move your approval amount.

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Which loan fits which Star Farms buyer

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• First home or a tight budget: D.R. Horton townhomes and villas, conventional with as little as 3% to 5% down, or FHA with 3.5% down.
• Veterans: VA with no down payment on eligible homes; the HOA dues and district assessment still count in your payment.
• Growing families and move up buyers: D.R. Horton and Homes by WestBay single family homes, conventional with 5% to 20% down.
• Luxury buyers: Perry Homes, upper Homes by WestBay plans and John Cannon Homes, often jumbo. Self employed buyers may use bank statement income.
• Investors: check the HOA's leasing rules first. If rentals are allowed, a DSCR loan qualifies on the property's rent instead of your income, and can close in an LLC.

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A real Star Farms example

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A buyer found us online after he was already under contract on a D.R. Horton home in Star Farms. The builder's in house lender declined him because he was self employed and his tax returns showed too little income after write offs. We qualified him on his last 24 months of bank statement deposits, and he kept his builder incentives even though he used us as an outside lender.

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Frequently asked questions

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Is Star Farms in Manatee or Sarasota County?
Manatee County. It's north of University Parkway, the county line through Lakewood Ranch, with a Lakewood Ranch 34211 address.

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What are HOA fees in Star Farms?
About $250 to $360 a month, per Lakewood Ranch's village page as of October 2026. A community development district assessment on the tax bill is separate.

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Does Star Farms have a CDD fee?
Yes. It's collected on your property tax bill and varies by phase and lot. One recent listing showed about $2,170 a year. It counts in your monthly payment when you qualify.

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Can I use FHA or VA in Star Farms?
On many homes, yes. FHA goes up to $547,400 in 2026 and VA has no loan limit with full entitlement. The community must meet FHA or VA requirements, so confirm early.

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Can I keep D.R. Horton's incentives if I use another lender?
Sometimes. Most builders let buyers keep incentives when their lender can't approve them and an outside lender can, but it isn't guaranteed. Get it confirmed in writing before you switch.

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Written by Greg Braun, NMLS 407115. Braun Mortgage Group, LLC, NMLS 1798086. Licensed in all of Florida and Ohio. Equal Housing Lender. All loans subject to credit and property approval; Non-QM terms vary by lender. Last reviewed October 2026.

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Sources: Star Farms village page (Lakewood Ranch) · Forestar announces Star Farms (Lakewood Ranch, 2020) · Star Farms D.R. Horton listing (Momentum) · FHFA 2026 conforming limit · 2026 Florida FHA limits