Del Webb Stone Creek vs Ocala Preserve

The Setup

Del Webb Stone Creek at Ocala is a PulteGroup (Del Webb brand) development — the largest active adult builder in the country. Ocala Preserve is a Shea Homes development — a family-owned, California-based builder with a different construction philosophy. Both communities are on SW 80th Street in Ocala, within a few miles of each other. Both have been building since the mid-2010s and are still adding phases.

These are the two most directly comparable active-construction 55+ communities in Ocala. Buyers choosing between them are essentially choosing between the nation’s dominant production builder and a boutique competitor with a different approach.

Side-by-Side Comparison

HOA: Ocala Preserve Is More Expensive Than It Looks

Ocala Preserve’s standard single-family HOA is $527.88/mo — significantly higher than Stone Creek’s Classic Series at $250/mo or even Garden Series at $395.50/mo. The Ocala Preserve HOA is more all-inclusive: it covers lawn care and a broader amenity package including the kayak launch and trail access that defines the community’s identity.

For buyers comparing listing prices, the HOA difference ($133/mo or $1,596/yr between Stone Creek Garden and Ocala Preserve) needs to be accounted for in the all-in cost. Over 20 years, $1,596/yr compounded adds approximately $53,000 in cumulative cost difference.

The Builder Quality Question

PulteGroup is a production builder operating at enormous scale. The Del Webb brand maintains quality standards, but the process is optimized for efficiency at scale. Shea Homes is family-owned and builds at lower volume. Industry surveys consistently rank Shea above national production builders on customer satisfaction scores — though both builders have market-specific variation.

Neither advantage is absolute: the quality of a specific home at either community depends heavily on the specific construction supervisor, the build phase, and material supply conditions at the time of construction. Get a third-party inspection at pre-drywall and at final walkthrough regardless of builder.

True All-In Annual Cost — Side by Side

Who Should Choose Which

Choose Stone Creek if: HOA cost is your primary driver, you prefer a larger community with more resale liquidity, or the Del Webb brand’s national resale recognition matters to you. The Classic Series entry pricing is also significantly lower than anything at Ocala Preserve.

Choose Ocala Preserve if: The kayak launch and trail-connected outdoor identity resonates with your retirement lifestyle, you prefer a smaller community footprint (~1,200 vs ~2,600 homes), you want Shea’s construction reputation, or the villa HOA structure at $566/mo fits your budget better than Stone Creek’s $727/mo villa tier.