Highland Lakes vs Royal Harbor
Two Lake communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-09-19.
| Metric | Highland Lakes | Royal Harbor |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $248K | $342K |
| Price per sq ft | $162 | $178 |
| Avg days on market | 56 days | 69 days |
| Months of supply | 3.0 mo | 7.5 mo |
| Market | Seller's Market | Buyer-Leaning Market |
| 1-year price change | False | False |
| Recent closings | 56 | 32 |
The verdict
Royal Harbor carries the higher median price — about 38% above Highland Lakes. Homes in Highland Lakes sell faster (56 days on market vs 69). Highland Lakes is the tighter market on inventory (3.0 months of supply).
Where each one is
| Highland Lakes | Royal Harbor | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Lake County, FL | Lake County, FL |
| City / area | Leesburg | Tavares |
| ZIP | 32720, 34748, 34788 | 32778, 34757 |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | 84% of 25 homes outside a flood zone (Zone X) | all 27 sampled homes outside a flood zone |
Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.
What is for sale today
| Highland Lakes | Royal Harbor | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 14 | 20 |
| Under contract | 7 | 1 |
| Asking prices today | $215K to $375K | $270K to $825K |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence, Villa | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Highland Lakes homes for sale · Royal Harbor homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Highland Lakes | Royal Harbor | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 1,076 | 421 |
| Built | 1970–2024 (median 1994) | 1990–2022 (median 2006) |
| Typical living area | 1,529 sq ft | 1,870 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 78% | 83% |
| Vacant lots | 10 | 0 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | Highland Lakes median | Royal Harbor median |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $114K (42 sales) | $125K (13 sales) |
| 2013 | $108K (65 sales) | $167K (28 sales) |
| 2014 | $117K (39 sales) | $178K (49 sales) |
| 2015 | $116K (30 sales) | $172K (22 sales) |
| 2016 | $134K (33 sales) | $202K (34 sales) |
| 2017 | $138K (28 sales) | $213K (27 sales) |
| 2019 | $181K (8 sales) | $215K (5 sales) |
| 2021 | $207K (4 sales) | $335K (3 sales) |
| 2022 | $257K (32 sales) | $327K (22 sales) |
| 2023 | $280K (18 sales) | $388K (6 sales) |
| 2024 | $275K (45 sales) | $332K (26 sales) |
| 2025 | $255K (47 sales) | $342K (28 sales) |
| 2026 | $248K (43 sales) | $342K (22 sales) |
Since 2012, Highland Lakes's median sale price is +117% and Royal Harbor's is +174% — Royal Harbor has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| Highland Lakes | Royal Harbor | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 91.3% | 94.4% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,634 sq ft | 1,908 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 20 (cold) | 36 (cold) |
Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.
Schools the listings are zoned for
| Highland Lakes | Royal Harbor | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Leesburg Elementary | Astatula Elem |
| Middle | Oak Park Middle | Tavares Middle |
| High school | Leesburg High | Tavares High |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Highland Lakes is the lower entry point (median $248K vs $342K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Royal Harbor; Highland Lakes trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Highland Lakes (56 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.
Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.
Questions people ask
Is Royal Harbor more expensive than Highland Lakes?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Royal Harbor is $342,000 versus $248,000 in Highland Lakes, about 38% higher.
Which has newer homes, Highland Lakes or Royal Harbor?
Royal Harbor: its homes were built 1990–2022 with a median year of 2006, versus a median of 1994 in Highland Lakes (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
Royal Harbor. The typical home there is 1,870 sq ft of living area, versus 1,529 sq ft in Highland Lakes.
Which has appreciated more, Highland Lakes or Royal Harbor?
From 2012 to 2026 the median sale price rose 117% in Highland Lakes and 174% in Royal Harbor (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Royal Harbor — sellers there received 94.4% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 91.3% in Highland Lakes.
What high schools serve Highland Lakes and Royal Harbor?
Listings in Highland Lakes most often report Leesburg High; listings in Royal Harbor report Tavares High. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Highland Lakes homes, photos & schools · Royal Harbor homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.