We Buy Land in Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring, FL

Updated November 6, 2026 by SWFL Land

Looking for a land buyer in Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring, FL? SWFL Land (Libera Capital Group LLC) is a direct cash buyer of vacant lots and acreage in Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring and across Highlands County. Owners usually get a written offer within 24 hours and close through a licensed Florida title company. Wholesalers and agents can submit Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring land deals and usually hear back within 24 hours.

Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring is a planned community northwest of Sebring, off US 27, built on a former citrus and cattle ranch. What makes owning land here different is the Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District, an independent special-purpose unit of local government that builds and runs the community’s roads, drainage, water, sewer, security and golf courses. Every parcel in the district pays an annual non-ad valorem assessment, and the amount depends on what kind of lot you own. Vacant lots range from wooded homesites with no road or utilities to golf course lots ready for a house. This page explains the district, its published assessment rates, the new wastewater plant assessment, permitting and what drives lot value.

If you own a lot in Sun ‘n Lake and want to sell, SWFL Land makes a written cash offer usually within 24 hours and closes in 7 to 21 days through a licensed Florida title company. There are no commissions or fees, we pay standard closing costs, and you can sell as-is from anywhere. Call (239) 686-0823 or request a cash offer online.

Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Land We Buy

• Unimproved wooded lots: lots the district describes as having no water, sewer or road access, typically in wooded areas.
• Lots with road and drainage: lots on built district roads, which the district describes as generally buildable, with water and sewer access that varies.
• Golf course lots: lots bordering the Deer Run or Turtle Run courses, which carry a golf course add-on assessment.
• Extra lots next to a home: improved vacant lots unified with a lot that has a house.
• Multi-family parcels: land the district assesses by the number of residential units.
• Multiple adjoining lots: groups of lots held by investors, heirs or estates.

How Selling Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Land Works

1. Send the address or parcel ID. The Highlands County Property Appraiser parcel number lets us look up the lot type and district assessment.
2. Get a written offer, usually within 24 hours. We check road access, water and sewer, flood zone and any unpaid assessments before pricing.
3. A licensed Florida title company opens title. It confirms taxes and district assessments and pays any amounts owed from your proceeds.
4. Close in 7 to 21 days. Sign remotely or in person and get paid by wire or check.

About Land in Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring

Location, size and history

Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring lies northwest of Sebring in Highlands County, off US 27. According to the Highlands News-Sun, the land was the Maxcy Ranch, a citrus and cattle property, which Leo N. “Jack” Weisser bought in 1969. The community was officially established in December 1974 and held its grand opening in January 1975, when lot sales began. Architect Carlos B. Schoppel drew the master plan, which called for housing, commercial areas, a hospital, schools, churches, parks and golf courses, and envisioned more than 19,000 residential units across 25 development phases. The newspaper puts the community at about 7,600 acres with roughly 13,000 residents.

The master plan was sized well beyond today’s population, and the district still bills several separate categories of vacant lot, from wooded homesites with no road to golf course lots. Built neighborhoods, two golf courses and undeveloped sections sit side by side.

The Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District

The district was created by the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners through County Ordinance 74-4, with Chapter 298, Florida Statutes, as its statutory authority, according to a December 7, 2001 informal opinion from the Florida Attorney General’s office. The Highlands News-Sun reports it was the first residential community in Florida to use an improvement district to develop and manage its infrastructure. Today the district has a five-member board of supervisors, a general manager and about 81 employees across departments that include public works, utilities, public safety, recreation and construction permits. Its office is at 5306 Sun ‘n Lake Boulevard, Sebring.

The district describes itself as an independent special-purpose unit of government, not a homeowners association. Any HOA fees in a particular neighborhood are separate from the district assessment.

District assessments for vacant lots

District assessments are non-ad valorem: they are based on the benefit a parcel receives, not its value, and county tax exemptions generally do not apply to them. They fund the 24/7 security force, roads, drainage and water retention areas, parks, golf courses, conservation areas, street lights, mosquito control, the community center, right-of-way mowing and common-area landscaping. Beginning with the 2025 tax cycle, district assessments appear on the Highlands County property tax bill.

For fiscal year 2025/2026, the district publishes these annual rates, with no increase over the prior year:

• Vacant lot without roads and drainage: $169.02
• Vacant lot with road and drainage: $421.38
• Vacant lot on a golf course: $505.88
• Single-family residential or condominium: $842.75
• Single-family residential on a golf course: $927.25

An improved vacant lot unified with a lot that has a home is assessed at half the rate, where applicable, and multi-family parcels pay the single-family rate times the number of units. The district notes that lots that cannot be built on are typically in its preservation area. Because the assessment is now on the county tax bill, an unpaid district assessment becomes part of the property tax picture that a title company checks at closing.

Water, sewer and the new wastewater plant

The district itself provides water, sewer and stormwater management, plus non-potable irrigation water. It is building a new wastewater treatment plant to replace a plant the district describes as close to the end of its life and to support growth. The plant is funded by a special assessment on all properties of $180 per year per equivalent residential unit (ERU) for 15 years, with a final due date of September 30, 2039. Construction is targeted to start by 2026. The district’s stated goal is for all properties to connect to Sun ‘n Lake utilities rather than relying on wells and septic tanks.

For a lot owner, this means two things: the wastewater plant assessment is a cost you carry while you own the lot, and future utility availability may improve the buildability of lots that lack service today. Highlands County is in the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which has limited lawn watering in the county to once per week until October 1, 2026.

Permits, zoning and the county

Sun ‘n Lake is unincorporated Highlands County, so the county sets zoning and land use and runs the Highlands County Building Department at 501 Commerce Avenue. The district has its own Construction Permits department that handles applications and inspections for work within the district. The district states that fences, sheds, pools and pool cages are permitted by the Highlands County Building Department, not the district. Anyone planning a new home should check with both the district and the county before buying a lot for construction.

Golf, preserve land and wildlife

The district manages two 18-hole golf courses: Deer Run, opened in the mid-1970s, and Turtle Run, opened in 1999. The Sun ‘n Lake Preserve, about 1,350 acres, sits next to the community. Wooded and sandy lots can hold gopher tortoise burrows. The gopher tortoise is state-listed as Threatened, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requires a relocation permit before anyone disturbs a potentially occupied burrow or works within 25 feet of one. Low lots near lakes or drainage areas may be in a FEMA flood zone.

What Affects the Value of Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Land

• District lot category: an unimproved lot with no road or utilities and a lot with road and drainage are very different products.
• Water and sewer at the lot: district utility service avoids the cost of a well and septic system.
• Golf course frontage: golf lots carry a higher assessment and draw a different buyer.
• Annual carrying cost: the district assessment plus the wastewater plant assessment add up for long-term holders.
• Preservation area: lots in the district’s preservation area are typically not buildable.
• Neighbors and street: lots in built sections near homes sell differently than isolated wooded lots.
• Flood zone and tortoises: low ground or burrows add review steps for a builder.

Common Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Selling Situations

• Behind on taxes or district assessments: See selling land with back taxes in Florida. Amounts owed are paid from proceeds.
• Inherited lot from a 1970s purchase: See selling inherited land and selling probate land in Florida.
• Wooded lot with no road: If access is unclear, read selling landlocked land in Florida.
• Code issues: See selling land with code liens.
• Unsure of value: Use what’s my lot worth, the land sale proceeds calculator and cash buyer vs. listing vs. tax deed.
• Title or deed restriction questions: We buy land with deed restrictions, restrictive covenants, clouded title, missing heirs, unreleased mortgages, old liens or boundary questions. A licensed Florida title company reviews the title, and we make our offer on the land as it stands.

Looking Up Your Highlands County Parcel

• Highlands County Property Appraiser (hcpao.org): owner of record, parcel number, lot size, land use and values. Mailing address changes for district bills go here.
• Highlands County Tax Collector (hctaxcollector.com): property tax bills, now including the district assessment, and tax certificates.
• Highlands County Clerk official records (highlandsclerkfl.gov): deeds, plats, liens and other recorded documents.
• Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District (snldistrict.org assessments): lot categories, assessment rates and district permits.
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov): the official flood zone for the lot.

For the wider county, see we buy land in Highlands County and our Florida land due diligence checklist.

Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Land Selling FAQs

What is the Sun ‘n Lake special district assessment?

It is an annual non-ad valorem assessment the Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District charges every parcel. For FY 2025/2026, vacant lots pay $169.02 without roads and drainage, $421.38 with road and drainage, and $505.88 on a golf course.

Is the district assessment the same as an HOA fee?

No. The district is a unit of local government, and its assessment is separate from any HOA fees.

How is the district assessment billed?

Starting with the 2025 tax cycle, it appears on the Highlands County property tax bill.

What is the wastewater plant assessment?

A special assessment of $180 per year per ERU for 15 years, through September 30, 2039, that funds the district’s new wastewater treatment plant.

Can I build on my Sun ‘n Lake lot?

Lots with road and drainage are generally buildable, though water and sewer access varies. Unimproved wooded lots have no road or utilities, and lots in the preservation area are typically not buildable. Check with the district and Highlands County.

Who provides water and sewer in Sun ‘n Lake?

The Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District provides water, sewer and stormwater service.

When was Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring founded?

It was officially established in December 1974 and opened in January 1975 on the former Maxcy Ranch.

Land Buyers in Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring: Quick Answers

Who buys land for cash in Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring, FL?

SWFL Land (Libera Capital Group LLC) is a direct cash buyer of vacant lots in Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring and across Highlands County. Call 239-686-0823 or email info@swflland.com for a written offer, usually within 24 hours.

Does SWFL Land buy Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring lots with back taxes or liens?

Yes. We buy lots with unpaid taxes, unpaid district assessments, tax certificates and liens. The title company pays them from proceeds at closing.

How fast can I sell my Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring land?

Most sales close in 7 to 21 days. Sign remotely or in person and receive funds by wire or check.

Ready to Sell Your Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Land?

Send us your parcel ID for a written cash offer, usually within 24 hours. Call (239) 686-0823 or request a cash offer online.

Sources

• Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District: District Assessments
• Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District: Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District: Utilities
• Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District: Construction Permits
• Florida Attorney General: informal opinion on the Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District (2001)
• Highlands News-Sun: Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring continues to transform
• Highlands County Clerk: related links
• FWC: gopher tortoise permits
• Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring, Florida (golf courses, preserve)
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center