Independence at Signature Lakes
Horizon West's largest master-planned community — lakefront living, resort amenities, and a school within the gates.
Live the MaxLife.
$575K
Median Price
$399K – $2.7M
1,900
Homes
$150–$250
Monthly HOA
2005
Established
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Background
A brief history
Independence at Signature Lakes — also simply called Independence — was platted in the early 2000s as part of Orange County's Horizon West master plan, a deliberate effort to channel growth into planned communities rather than sprawl. The first homesites broke ground in 2005 on 1,342 acres situated between Lake Hancock to the north and Lake Speer to the south. Early phases were led by Lennar, which established the community's lakefront character and resort-style amenity core. Taylor Morrison and other regional builders joined subsequent phases, giving the neighborhood a variety of architectural styles and price points uncommon in single-builder communities.
Development continued through the mid-2010s boom years, when Horizon West became one of the fastest-growing corridors in Florida. By 2022 the community reached close to 1,900 homes across its townhome, single-family, and custom estate product lines. The community's Signature Lakes branding refers to the two natural lakes that define its geography and give the larger development its distinctive waterfront identity.
Today Independence is a fully established neighborhood with all infrastructure in place — schools, retail, and the SR-429 interchange — rather than an emerging development. Resale activity is healthy, and the combination of existing community character and proximity to Walt Disney World has kept demand consistent even as newer Horizon West villages have come online.
The feel
What it's like to live here
Independence has a resort-community feel without the transience of a vacation enclave. Streets are wide and shaded, the trail system winds past two natural lakes, and the twin clubhouses give residents a social hub year-round. You'll see families on golf carts heading to the pool, kayakers launching from the community boat ramp on Sunday mornings, and parents walking kids to Independence Elementary without ever leaving the neighborhood. It is the kind of community where people buy intending to stay.
The housing mix gives Independence a range that few communities in this price band can match. Townhomes facing interior ponds sit blocks from custom lakefront estates on Lake Hancock with private docks. The variety means the community ages in place across multiple life stages — first-time buyers, move-up families, and downsizers from larger homes all find a product tier that fits. That diverse mix keeps the community active and the owner pool stable.
The details
What to expect
Architecture & Homes
Independence offers single-family homes ranging from approximately 1,500 to 5,400 square feet, along with two-story townhomes in the 1,500–1,800 square foot range. Primary builders were Lennar and Taylor Morrison, producing mostly traditional Florida and transitional architecture with tile roofs, stucco exteriors, and covered lanais. Lot sizes on interior streets typically run 5,000–8,000 square feet; lakefront parcels on Lake Hancock can exceed half an acre. Custom and semi-custom estate homes occupy the community's most coveted Lake Hancock frontage. New construction activity through 2025 has been limited to scattered resale — the community is fully built out.
Amenities & Lifestyle
Two resort-style pools anchor the amenity package alongside two full clubhouses available for private events. A fitness center with cardio and weight equipment serves both clubhouse locations. Recreational lake amenities include a community boat ramp and dock on the lake system, on-water ski ramps, and designated kayak and paddleboard launch areas. The trail network connects interior streets to nature preserve paths along the lakefront. Additional facilities include tennis courts, a basketball court, multiple playgrounds, and a dedicated dog park. Cable television and high-speed internet service are bundled into the HOA dues for all homeowners.
Schools
Independence Elementary (Pre-K through grade 5) sits within the community footprint, making it one of the few Horizon West neighborhoods where the elementary school is literally inside the gates. Students continue to Bridgewater Middle School approximately one mile away, then choose between Horizon High School (approximately 4.5 miles) or Windermere High School (approximately 3 miles) for grades 9–12. All schools are Orange County Public Schools. The on-site elementary is a consistent draw for family buyers and a meaningful selling point in listing marketing.
Location & Access
Independence sits in the southern portion of Horizon West along New Independence Parkway, with direct access to SR-429 (Western Beltway) placing Walt Disney World roughly 10–12 miles east — a 15-minute drive in normal traffic. SR-429 also connects north to the Florida Turnpike for Orlando International Airport access (approximately 35 minutes) and south toward US-192 and Osceola County. Horizon West Town Center retail, dining, and medical services are within 5 minutes. The location sits inside Winter Garden city limits (ZIP 34787) with Orange County services.
Community
Amenities
- Two resort-style community pools
- Two clubhouses with event rental
- Fitness center
- Community boat dock and lake access
- Boat ramp on Lake Hancock / Lake Speer
- Water ski ramps
- Kayak and paddleboard launch
- Tennis courts
- Basketball court
- Multiple playgrounds
- Dog park
- Walking, running, and biking trails
- Nature preserve paths
- Cable TV and internet included in HOA
- Independence Elementary School on-site
Know Before You Buy
HOA rules worth knowing
- HOA dues ($150–$250/month for SFH) include cable and internet
- Townhome HOA dues typically $200–$300/month
- CDD assessment included in annual property tax bill (varies by phase and lot)
- Architectural review required for exterior modifications, additions, and paint color changes
- Approved paint palette — exterior colors must be submitted and approved before painting
- Boats, RVs, and trailers must be stored in enclosed garage or off-site; street/driveway parking of recreational vehicles not permitted
- Lawn maintenance standards enforced — grass height, edging, and landscaping upkeep required
- Pet waste must be removed immediately; leash required in all common areas
- Rental of homes permitted with advance HOA notification; short-term rentals (under 30 days) restricted per community rules
- Quiet hours typically enforced 10 PM – 8 AM for noise complaints
Market Commentary
What the market is doing
I track Independence closely because it is one of the few communities in the Horizon West corridor that offers genuine price stratification — you can buy in at the low $400s in a townhome or spend north of $2.5M for a lakefront estate, and everything in between is legitimate. For standard single-family homes the $525K–$750K range is where most of the volume trades, and that segment has held up well. The lakefront product is its own micro-market — when a Lake Hancock home comes available it draws a different buyer pool, often from out of state, and prices per square foot on the water run well above the community average. If you're pricing a non-lakefront home, don't let the headline estate sales inflate your expectations, but don't let the townhome comps anchor you low either. The product-tier segmentation is critical to getting the number right.
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Listings courtesy of Stellar MLS as distributed by MLS GRID
IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of June 3, 2026. All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.
Ryan Solberg, Broker · MaxLife Realty LLC · FL License #BK3354351 · Equal Housing Opportunity · Full disclaimer · DMCA