Independence and Signature Lakes (Horizon West): Prices, Amenities, Fees and Commute (2026)

What are Independence and Signature Lakes?

Independence is a master-planned community in the Village of Bridgewater, one of the villages Orange County laid out for Horizon West. Many of its plats are recorded as Signature Lakes, so MLS listings often show that name, or both names together. The community association lists about 1,300 acres and 1,876 properties, including single-family homes, four townhome communities and one apartment community. It was founded in 2004 and completed in 2017 (Independence Community Association, Sep 2026). For how the villages relate to each other, see our Horizon West neighborhoods guide.

What do homes cost in Independence in 2026?

The median sold price was $524,950 across 50 closings from Jan 5 to Sep 25, 2026, with a median of $254.39 per square foot and 24 days on market (Stellar MLS, 2026 YTD). Single-family homes had a median of $600,000 across 35 sales, and townhomes $410,000 across 15 sales.

The range is wide. The lowest sale was $315,000 and the highest $3,050,000, with most sales between about $333K and $1.67M (10th to 90th percentile). The top of the range is a small set of larger single-family homes, many with private pools, so compare homes by type, size and lot rather than by the community median.

Is Independence new construction or resale?

Resale. Every home that sold here in 2026 was built between 2005 and 2021, and the middle half were built between 2006 and 2013 (Stellar MLS, 2026 YTD). That is different from Horizon West villages where builders are still selling, such as Hamlin’s Town Center and Ovation in Village I. If you are weighing an existing home here against a new build nearby, our Winter Garden new construction guide covers how builder purchases work.

With homes of this age, roof, HVAC and water heater ages matter more to your monthly budget than they do on a new build. Ask for those dates on any home you consider, and have it inspected.

What amenities does Independence have?

The Independence Community Association lists two residents clubs, at Town Square and Lake Trail, each with its own fitness center and resort-style pool (the Lake Trail pool includes a whirlpool spa). It also lists tennis and basketball courts at Lake Trail, an arcade and game room and a business center at Town Square, a billiards lounge, a community room, 15 parks, 4 playgrounds, more than 6 miles of bike and walking trails, and two boat ramps: Settler’s Landing on Lake Hancock and the Lake Speer ramp (Independence Community Association, Sep 2026).

The association also runs a lifestyle calendar with seasonal festivals and weekly events. Amenity access is managed by the association, so ask the association about the rules for a specific home before you buy.

Does Independence have HOA or CDD fees?

No CDD line showed on any of the 3 Signature Lakes parcels we checked, and each carried $709.62 a year in county non-ad valorem assessments for garbage, stormwater and street lights (OCPA, tax year 2026). That is a sample, so check the specific parcel. Our CDD fees guide explains how to read the tax bill.

Independence has four HOAs: a master association plus townhome associations, managed by FirstService Residential (Independence Community Association, Sep 2026). Townhome owners belong to both the master and their townhome association, and the association states that townhome owners must carry HO3 insurance that covers the exterior as well as the interior. Dues are not posted publicly, so call 407-706-5000 for current dues on a specific home, or see our HOA fees guide.

How long is the commute from Independence?

From a central point in the community’s 2026 sales, our map check shows about 33 min (21.3 mi) to Orlando City Hall, about 26 min (14.5 mi) to Magic Kingdom’s Transportation and Ticket Center, about 18 min (8.7 mi) to Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden, and about 8 min (2.6 mi) to the new Horizon West library at 4657 Hamlin Groves Trail (map check, Sep 2026). These are free-flow estimates, so drive your own route at the hour you’d actually commute.

SR 516, the Lake/Orange Expressway, is a new 4.4-mile corridor connecting State Road 429 at Horizon West with US 27 in Lake County. A partial opening is planned for spring 2027 (Central Florida Expressway Authority, Sep 2026).

Which nearby communities do buyers compare with Independence?

Buyers looking here often also look at Summerlake, which is also in the Village of Bridgewater, and at Hamlin’s Town Center to the west. See living in Summerlake and our Hamlin guide for those numbers. The right comparison depends on the home type, age, price range and commute you want, and a sales count is not a quality measure.