If you are looking for a 55+ community in the Lithia area, Encore at FishHawk Ranch is one of the first places you will likely come across. For many buyers, the appeal is simple: single-story homes, lower day-to-day upkeep, and a social setting built for active adult living. If you want to know what Encore offers today, how the homes compare, and what to expect as a resale buyer, this guide will help you sort through it. Let’s dive in.
Why Encore stands out
Encore at FishHawk Ranch is a 55+ age-restricted neighborhood in Lithia, southeast of Tampa. David Weekley Homes launched the community in 2016 as its first age-qualified community, with a focus on one-story living and a resident-only amenity center called The Oasis.
One important detail for today’s buyers is that Encore sits within the larger FishHawk Ranch master-planned community, which is now built out. Encore itself was already in final closeout by early 2021, so if you are searching now, you will most likely be looking at resale homes rather than a wide selection of new construction.
That matters because resale shopping often comes with more variation. You may see differences in updates, lot positions, HOA costs, and even how homes show compared with their original builder materials.
What 55+ means in Encore
Encore is marketed as a 55+ community, and that status follows the legal framework of the Housing for Older Persons Act. Under HUD guidance, housing intended and operated for people 55 and older must have at least one person age 55 or older in at least 80% of occupied units and must maintain age-verification procedures.
For you as a buyer, that means the age restriction is not just a marketing label. It is part of how the community is structured and managed, so it is smart to confirm current occupancy and association requirements for any property you are considering.
Home styles in Encore
Encore was developed with several home collections over time. Across the board, the homes were designed for single-level living, open layouts, and easier upkeep.
Villa homes
The Villa Homes are attached residences that David Weekley described as roughly 1,600 to 1,800 square feet. These homes generally offer 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 2-car garage.
If you want a more compact layout with less interior space to manage, villas may be worth a closer look. They can appeal to buyers who are downsizing but still want guest space and a garage.
Classic Series
The Classic Series was built on 45-foot homesites. Examples in the builder brochure range from about 1,570 to 2,052 square feet, usually with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 2-car garage.
These homes can be a good fit if you want a detached home with a manageable footprint. They were designed to keep everyday living simple while still offering open gathering areas.
Tradition Series
The Tradition Series sits on 50-foot homesites and offers a bit more flexibility. Builder materials show single-level plans with about 2 to 4 bedrooms, 2 to 3 full baths, some half baths, and in some cases a 3-car garage.
This collection may suit buyers who want more room for hobbies, guests, or a home office. It can also be a strong middle ground between smaller plans and Encore’s largest homes.
Signature Series
The Signature Series includes the largest plans in Encore, built on 55-foot homesites with alley-loaded garages. Brochure examples range from about 2,170 to 2,746 square feet, with 2 to 3 bedrooms and up to 4 full baths.
If you are downsizing from a larger home but do not want to feel cramped, this collection may stand out. These homes offer more square footage while still keeping the convenience of single-story living.
Features designed for easier living
David Weekley consistently described Encore homes as low-maintenance, open, and built around single-level floor plans. Expanded outdoor living spaces were also part of the design approach.
A 2016 builder release noted that halls and doorways were wider than usual to help support aging in place. That kind of design can matter if you are planning for long-term comfort and want a home that may work well for years to come.
What the HOA may cover
One of Encore’s biggest draws is the maintenance-reduced lifestyle. Builder materials for the Signature Series said the Encore HOA included lawn maintenance services such as mowing, fertilizing, irrigation control maintenance, mulching, pruning, and landscaping care.
That can be a major plus if you want to spend less time on yard work and more time enjoying the community. Still, because association fees and service levels can change, you should verify current dues, rules, and inclusions for the specific home you are considering.
The Oasis and resident lifestyle
The signature amenity in Encore is The Oasis, a 5,000-square-foot resident-only amenity center. David Weekley describes it as including a resort-style pool, fitness room, bocce, pickleball, and an entertainment room with bar and catering space.
Other builder materials also mention an adult-only pool, fire pit, and social spaces for gathering. For many buyers, this is the heart of the community experience.
Encore also uses a full-time lifestyle director to organize activities. According to the official lifestyle page, programming has included bocce, pickleball, wine tastings around the fire pit, sunrise yoga, and card games in The Oasis Game Room.
If you want more than just a house, this is one of Encore’s strongest selling points. It offers a setting built for connection, activity, and a fuller social calendar.
FishHawk Ranch amenities beyond Encore
Another advantage of Encore is its place within FishHawk Ranch. The broader community includes an extensive amenity network maintained through the CDD and layered HOA structure.
According to the FishHawk Ranch CDD and community materials, amenities in the larger community include parks, trails, pools, aquatic features, basketball courts, roller hockey, softball, tennis and pickleball courts, playgrounds, fitness centers, a game room, and dog parks.
The trail system is especially notable. FishHawk Ranch has more than 25 miles of trails connecting neighborhoods, nature preserves, shopping areas, and recreation points.
For buyers who enjoy walking, biking, or simply having more ways to get outside, that broader community access adds meaningful lifestyle value. It can also make visits from family more enjoyable, since there is more to do beyond Encore itself.
What the resale market looks like
Because FishHawk Ranch is closed out and Encore was in closeout by 2021, today’s market is mostly a resale market. That means your experience will be different from buying in a brand-new active adult development with a large menu of base plans and lots.
Instead, you will likely compare homes based on condition, upgrades, floor plan, lot placement, and current association costs. Due diligence becomes especially important in a community with multiple layers of governance and shared amenities.
Current listing and sold examples help show the range you may see. A 1,612-square-foot villa at 13908 Kingfisher Glen Dr is listed at $349,500 with a monthly HOA of $668, while recent sold examples include a 2,310-square-foot single-family home at 6003 Burrowing Owl Pl for $527,000 and a 2,670-square-foot home at 6122 Watercolor Dr for $600,000.
These examples are not a pricing rule, but they do show how much variation can exist based on home type and size. If you are comparing options, it helps to look closely at what each property offers rather than relying on price per square foot alone.
Is Encore a good fit for you?
Encore may be a strong fit if you want a one-story home, lower-maintenance living, and an active adult setting with built-in amenities. It can also work well if you still want room for overnight guests, hobbies, or flexible living space.
At the same time, it helps to go in with clear expectations. Inventory may be limited at times, homes can differ quite a bit from one another, and buyers should verify current fees, rules, and amenity access before making a decision.
If you are weighing Encore against other 55+ options in the Tampa Bay area, local guidance can make the process much easier. The right support can help you compare resale opportunities, understand the tradeoffs between home collections, and narrow in on the property that best fits your next chapter.
If you are thinking about buying or selling in Lithia or FishHawk, the Brenda Wade Team offers experienced, honest guidance backed by deep local market knowledge and a proven team approach.
FAQs
What is Encore at FishHawk Ranch in Lithia, Florida?
- Encore at FishHawk Ranch is a 55+ age-restricted neighborhood in Lithia that was launched by David Weekley Homes in 2016 and designed around single-level living and a resident-only amenity center called The Oasis.
Is Encore at FishHawk Ranch truly a 55+ community?
- Yes. HUD guidance for housing intended for older persons says at least one occupant age 55 or older must live in at least 80% of occupied units, and the community must maintain age-verification procedures.
What types of homes are available in Encore at FishHawk Ranch?
- Encore includes attached villa homes plus Classic, Tradition, and Signature single-family collections, with layouts generally ranging from about 1,570 to 2,746 square feet depending on the series.
Does the Encore at FishHawk Ranch HOA cover lawn care?
- Builder materials said the HOA included services such as mowing, fertilizing, irrigation control maintenance, mulching, pruning, and landscaping care, but you should confirm current dues and service details for any specific property.
What amenities are exclusive to Encore at FishHawk Ranch?
- Encore residents have access to The Oasis, a resident-only amenity center with features that include a resort-style pool, fitness room, bocce, pickleball, and gathering spaces.
Is Encore at FishHawk Ranch mostly resale homes today?
- Yes. FishHawk Ranch is built out, and Encore was already in final closeout by 2021, so buyers today should generally expect a resale market rather than a large new-construction selection.
What price range might buyers see in Encore at FishHawk Ranch?
- Recent examples in the research ranged from a listed 1,612-square-foot villa at $349,500 to sold single-family homes at $527,000 and $600,000, showing that pricing can vary based on size, home type, and property details.
