The Lakes at Chestnut Creek: Waterfront Scenery and Established Venice Living

by Hunt Brothers Realty

The Lakes at Chestnut Creek, legally identified in property records as Lakes of Chestnut Creek, is an established single-family neighborhood within the larger Chestnut Creek community in Venice, Florida. Primarily developed during the 1980s, The Lakes offers fee-simple detached homes along mature tree-lined streets, with lakefront and lake-view homesites represented throughout the neighborhood. Recent records also show relatively low annual association assessments compared with Chestnut Creek sections that provide neighborhood-specific recreation and exterior maintenance. For buyers seeking traditional Venice homeownership with mature landscaping and opportunities for waterfront scenery, The Lakes is a distinctive Chestnut Creek option.

Quick Answers About The Lakes at Chestnut Creek

Where Is The Lakes at Chestnut Creek?

The Lakes is part of Chestnut Creek in Venice, Florida 34292, north of Center Road and near the Jacaranda Boulevard area. Lakes properties are concentrated around streets including Sugarwood Drive, Sugarwood Trail and Sugarwood Way.

What Types of Homes Are in The Lakes?

The Lakes consists of fee-simple detached single-family homes. Recent property records show primarily one-story residences with two or three bedrooms, attached garages, block or block-and-stucco construction, screened outdoor spaces and a variety of individually updated interiors.

Are There Lakefront Homes in The Lakes at Chestnut Creek?

Yes. Recent property records document direct lake frontage and lake views at selected homes. Other properties are interior lots without direct water frontage, so buyers should evaluate the exact homesite rather than assume every Lakes residence is waterfront.

How Much Are HOA Fees in The Lakes?

Multiple 2026 sales report an annual association assessment of approximately $600, equivalent to about $50 per month when averaged over a year. Other records report different amounts, so buyers should verify the current assessment and every association obligation affecting the specific property.

Does The Lakes Have a Community Pool?

A Lakes-specific community swimming pool was not established in the current property records reviewed for this guide. Private swimming pools are available at selected homes. Buyers should not assume that pools or recreational facilities belonging to The Isles, Villas or Patio Homes are available to residents of The Lakes.

Is The Lakes a 55+ Community?

No age qualification was identified for The Lakes in current property records. A 2026 Lakes property record specifically identifies the community as not a senior community. This differs from The Villas of Chestnut Creek, which is a separate age-qualified section.

Is The Lakes Gated?

The Lakes is an established deed-restricted neighborhood rather than a guard-gated community. Buyers who require controlled gated access should verify the current access configuration before purchasing.

What Is The Lakes at Chestnut Creek Like?

The Lakes provides a traditional single-family ownership experience within one of Venice's established lake-oriented master communities. Its homes are surrounded by mature landscaping, sidewalks and residential streets that have developed over several decades.

The larger Chestnut Creek community encompasses more than 250 acres and approximately 20 lakes, according to community information reviewed by Hunt Brothers Realty. The broader development is also known for a central lake with an island bird rookery.

The Lakes is only one section of Chestnut Creek. That distinction is important because other sections can have their own associations, recreation, maintenance arrangements and restrictions.

Why Is Water Such an Important Part of The Lakes?

The Lakes was developed within Chestnut Creek's extensive system of lakes and ponds. Recent resale records document properties where rear living spaces, lanais and yards face the water, creating open views that are a defining feature of selected homesites.

For example, a 2026 sale on Sugarwood Trail documented a home with direct lake views from multiple areas of the residence. Other recent Sugarwood properties have been marketed with pond or lake views, while still others have no direct water frontage.

Does a Lake View Make a Home Waterfront Property?

Not necessarily. A property can have an attractive water view without the owner's lot extending into or directly adjoining the water. Even when a property has documented lake frontage, that does not automatically create boating, docking or unrestricted shoreline rights.

Buyers should review the survey, title information, recorded easements and association documents when lake boundaries or waterfront rights are important to the purchase. Questions involving property boundaries, easements or ownership rights should be reviewed with an appropriate surveyor, title professional or qualified Florida real estate attorney.

What Is the Chestnut Creek Bird Rookery?

One of the broader Chestnut Creek community's most recognizable landscape features is a central lake with a vegetated island used by birds. This island rookery contributes to the natural character associated with Chestnut Creek's entrance and lake system.

Wildlife and water are part of the environment, but buyers should also understand the practical realities of living near Florida lakes and natural areas. Seasonal bird activity, insects, reptiles, vegetation and changing water conditions can all be part of the setting.

What Are Homes in The Lakes at Chestnut Creek Like?

The Lakes is an established resale neighborhood rather than a community of standardized new-construction floor plans. Recent 2026 transactions document detached homes built primarily during the mid-to-late 1980s.

Examples from 2026 include homes with approximately 1,124, 1,272 and 1,521 square feet of living area, along with additional properties of varying sizes. Historical sales also document larger residences, demonstrating that home size is not uniform throughout The Lakes.

Features represented in individual Lakes homes include:

Fee-simple detached ownership
Primarily single-story layouts
Two and three-bedroom floor plans
Attached one-car or two-car garages
Block or block-and-stucco construction
Cathedral or vaulted ceilings in selected homes
Split-bedroom layouts at selected properties
Screened lanais and Florida rooms
Private swimming pools at selected residences
Lake or pond views at selected homes
Mature landscaping and established yards

These are documented examples rather than features guaranteed for every property.

Are Private Pool Homes Available in The Lakes?

Yes. Private pools are represented among individual Lakes properties. A February 2026 sale on Sugarwood Drive, for example, included an in-ground swimming pool with a screen enclosure and covered outdoor living area.

Other homes do not have pools, which gives buyers the option to compare the additional recreation and maintenance of a private pool with a simpler yard or lanai configuration.

Pool buyers should evaluate the surface, equipment, plumbing, screen enclosure, deck, electrical components and any heater with appropriate qualified professionals when those items are material to the purchase.

How Much Are the HOA Fees in The Lakes at Chestnut Creek?

Several 2026 Lakes sales report an annual association assessment of $600, or approximately $50 per month when averaged across the year. Examples include properties on Sugarwood Drive and Sugarwood Trail.

One June 2026 lakefront transaction reported a $500 annual assessment, and another property portal contained inconsistent fee information. Those differences make current verification important rather than treating one advertised number as a permanent neighborhood-wide fee.

A June 2026 Lakes transaction reporting the $600 annual assessment identified common-area taxes, reserve funding and management among included association expenses.

Before purchasing, buyers should verify:

Current annual assessment
Every association applicable to the property
Services included in the assessment
Current budget and available financial information
Pending or approved special assessments
Architectural restrictions
Pet provisions
Leasing restrictions

Does The Lakes Have Its Own Recreation Center?

Current Lakes property records reviewed for this guide do not establish a neighborhood-specific clubhouse, community swimming pool or court complex for The Lakes. This is an important distinction within Chestnut Creek.

Other Chestnut Creek sections have their own private recreational facilities. For example, The Isles of Chestnut Creek has association recreation that includes a clubhouse and swimming pool according to its official association, while the separate Villas section maintains its own recreation.

Those facilities should not be advertised as Lakes amenities unless current association documents specifically establish access for a particular Lakes property.

Is The Lakes Maintenance-Free?

Current records do not support describing The Lakes as a maintenance-free neighborhood. It is better understood as a traditional fee-simple single-family section with relatively low association assessments.

Homeowners should expect responsibility for the individual residence and property except for specific items assigned to an association under the governing documents. Roofs, exterior components, yards, private pools, mechanical systems and other home expenses can therefore remain important parts of the ownership budget.

Are Pets Allowed in The Lakes of Chestnut Creek?

Multiple 2026 Lakes property records identify pets as permitted. Buyers should nevertheless review current governing documents for any limits involving number, type, size, fencing, behavior or other restrictions before purchasing based on pet eligibility.

Can You Rent a Home in The Lakes?

A June 2026 Lakes transaction documents lease restrictions and a three-month minimum lease period. The same record directs buyers to association documents for the lease approval process.

Rental rules can change, and a single property record should not replace the governing documents. Buyers considering seasonal or investment use should verify the current minimum lease term, annual rental frequency, tenant approval requirements and any other restrictions directly with the applicable association before purchasing.

Is The Lakes at Chestnut Creek a 55+ Community?

Current property records identify The Lakes as not age restricted. Buyers should not apply the age qualification of The Villas of Chestnut Creek to The Lakes or to the broader Chestnut Creek master community.

The broader Chestnut Creek community contains several distinct residential sections, which is why the exact subdivision should be identified before evaluating restrictions or amenities.

Is The Lakes at Chestnut Creek in a Flood Zone?

Flood status is property specific. A recent Sugarwood Way property record identifies Flood Zone X, and a June 2026 Sugarwood Trail listing also represented that particular home as outside a designated high-risk flood zone.

Those examples should not be generalized across the neighborhood, especially because lakefront position alone does not determine FEMA flood designation. Buyers should check current official flood information for the exact parcel.

Insurance availability, coverage, deductibles and premiums can vary substantially by property. Buyers should obtain property-specific homeowners and flood insurance quotes as applicable and review coverage with a qualified Florida insurance professional before making a purchasing decision.

Does The Lakes at Chestnut Creek Have a CDD Fee?

Recent property records for Lakes homes report no Community Development District assessment. Because non-ad valorem charges are property specific and can change, buyers should still review the current tax bill for the exact parcel before relying on a no-CDD representation.

How Does The Lakes Compare With Other Chestnut Creek Sections?

The Lakes is best understood in comparison with Chestnut Creek's other residential sections. All share the broader established setting, but ownership expenses, housing and recreation can differ substantially.

Chestnut Creek Section	General Character	Important Distinction
The Lakes	Traditional fee-simple detached homes, with lakefront and interior lots	Low annual association costs in recent records, no Lakes-specific recreation package established
The Estates	Detached single-family homes with larger-home and larger-lot opportunities	Individual yards, pools and larger homesites are represented
The Manors	Detached single-family homes in a separate residential section	Separate property characteristics and neighborhood rules
The Isles	Maintenance-oriented fee-simple homes around six lakes	Private clubhouse, pool and recreational facilities
The Villas	Villa-style residential neighborhood	Age-qualified community with separate recreation and maintenance structure

This structure is why a listing's exact subdivision name matters. A home marketed broadly as being in Chestnut Creek may have very different recurring expenses and amenities from another home only a short distance away.

How Does The Lakes Compare With The Isles of Chestnut Creek?

Both neighborhoods offer lake-oriented surroundings, but their ownership structures differ in important ways.

The Isles of Chestnut Creek contains 115 homes and six lakes according to its official association. It also provides association-maintained grounds and neighborhood recreation that includes a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis court and shuffleboard court.

The Lakes offers a more traditional detached-home ownership structure. Recent Lakes records show substantially lower annual association assessments than current Isles records, but Lakes homeowners generally have more direct responsibility for maintaining their individual property.

Neither arrangement is automatically preferable. Buyers should compare the services received, personal maintenance responsibilities, desired recreation and total annual ownership cost.

How Does The Lakes Compare With The Estates?

The Estates at Chestnut Creek is another detached single-family option within the broader community. The Estates includes larger-home and larger-lot opportunities, while The Lakes includes a range of more compact single-family residences as well as larger examples.

Water views are available in both areas. Buyers comparing the two may want to focus on the individual home's living area, lot size, lake exposure, private pool, renovation history, association obligations and overall condition rather than choosing by neighborhood name alone.

What Should Buyers Inspect in an Established Lakes Home?

The age of the housing stock makes property-specific inspection particularly important. Two homes built in 1987 can have dramatically different maintenance histories after nearly four decades of individual ownership.

Recent Lakes listings illustrate the range of updates buyers may encounter, including replacement roofs, newer HVAC equipment, impact-resistant windows or doors, updated water heaters, remodeled kitchens and renovated bathrooms. Those improvements are property specific and should be verified through permits, invoices, inspections and other appropriate documentation when material.

A buyer's inspection and due-diligence review may include:

Roof age, materials and condition
Windows, exterior doors and storm protection
HVAC equipment and ductwork
Electrical system and panels
Plumbing and water-heating systems
Drainage and grading
Mature trees near structures
Irrigation systems
Lanai and screen-enclosure condition
Private pool and pool equipment when applicable
Lake-edge conditions when applicable
Permits for significant improvements

Inspection findings should be evaluated with the appropriate licensed home inspector, roofer, electrician, plumber, HVAC professional, pool specialist, contractor, engineer or other qualified professional before the buyer makes a property-specific decision.

What Should Lakefront Buyers Verify?

A lake view can be one of the most attractive characteristics of a Lakes property, but waterfront scenery should also trigger additional due diligence.

Before purchasing a lake-oriented home, buyers may want to determine:

The surveyed property boundary
Whether the lot has direct lake frontage or only a water view
Drainage or maintenance easements
Who maintains the lake and shoreline
Landscaping restrictions near the water
Rules concerning docks, boats or other structures
Current flood designation
Property-specific insurance implications

A licensed surveyor, title professional, association representative, insurance professional and qualified Florida real estate attorney can address different parts of that review when individualized guidance is required.

How Convenient Is The Lakes to Downtown Venice and the Gulf?

The Lakes is a mainland Venice neighborhood rather than a beachfront community. Its location north of Center Road provides road connections toward Jacaranda Boulevard, U.S. 41 and Interstate 75.

Traveling west provides access toward historic Downtown Venice, Venice Island and Gulf Coast recreation. Downtown Venice offers restaurants, cafes, boutiques, parks and community destinations, while coastal areas provide access to beaches and other waterfront recreation.

Actual travel times vary with the specific destination, traffic, road construction and seasonal conditions, so buyers should test the routes that matter most to their daily lifestyle.

What Should Buyers Verify Before Purchasing in The Lakes?

Buying in The Lakes involves evaluating both an established home and the association framework that applies to it.

Important property-specific questions can include:

What is the home's actual living area and lot size?
Does the property have direct lake frontage or only a lake view?
What is the current association assessment?
Which association or associations apply?
What are the current leasing and pet restrictions?
What exterior modifications require approval?
What is the roof age?
What major systems have been replaced?
Are renovations properly permitted where permits were required?
What is the current flood designation?
What will homeowners and flood insurance cost for this property?
What property taxes and non-ad valorem assessments apply?
What is the realistic total annual ownership cost?

A licensed real estate professional can help buyers evaluate current listings and relevant market information. Association, legal, title, survey, inspection, engineering, insurance, lending and tax questions requiring individualized guidance should be reviewed with the appropriate qualified professionals before a buyer makes a decision.

Who Should Consider The Lakes at Chestnut Creek?

The Lakes may be worth comparing for buyers who want a traditional detached home in an established Venice neighborhood without the larger recreational and maintenance package associated with some other Chestnut Creek sections.

The neighborhood may be especially relevant if your priorities include:

Fee-simple detached single-family ownership
An established Venice neighborhood
Mature trees and landscaping
Lakefront or lake-view opportunities
Primarily single-story homes
Private pool opportunities at selected properties
Relatively low annual association costs in recent records
Individual yards and homeowner-controlled outdoor spaces
An established resale market rather than active new construction
Driving access toward Downtown Venice and Gulf Coast recreation

Is The Lakes at Chestnut Creek Worth Considering?

The Lakes at Chestnut Creek is worth comparing for buyers who value mature neighborhood character, traditional single-family ownership and the possibility of a scenic lake setting.

Unlike Chestnut Creek sections built around association-maintained homes and private recreational facilities, The Lakes offers a more conventional ownership model. Recent association expenses are comparatively modest, while homeowners retain greater responsibility for maintaining their individual residences and yards.

The strongest property choice will depend on the individual home. Lake exposure, renovation history, roof and mechanical systems, private pool condition, insurance, flood information, association restrictions and total ownership costs should all be evaluated before making a purchasing decision.

Explore Chestnut Creek With Hunt Brothers Realty

Hunt Brothers Realty can help buyers identify homes specifically within The Lakes and compare them with other Chestnut Creek sections based on home size, lake exposure, private pools, association obligations, maintenance structure and current availability.

Read the complete Chestnut Creek Venice guide, compare The Isles of Chestnut Creek, review The Estates at Chestnut Creek, or explore additional Florida Gulf Coast communities.

When you are ready to compare current Venice properties, contact Hunt Brothers Realty to discuss your home search.

This article provides general real estate and educational information only and is not individualized legal, financial, tax, insurance, lending, inspection, engineering, construction, title, association or other professional advice. Association assessments and restrictions, property condition, waterfront characteristics, flood information, insurance costs and other ownership considerations can change or vary by property. Buyers should verify material information for the specific home with the applicable association, a licensed real estate professional and the appropriate qualified insurance, inspection, engineering, survey, legal, tax, title, lending or other professionals before making a purchasing decision.