Published August 31, 2026.
Buying 297 Bonaventure Dr is about more than the purchase price. The monthly cost of owning any home also includes HOA dues, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and utilities, and each of those lines looks a little different in Johnston County than it does in Wake County. This guide walks through the carrying costs that Portofino buyers should budget for, so you can look at the price tag with a complete picture in mind.
Two Lines Anchor Your Monthly Budget
For a home in Portofino, the two biggest annual carrying costs are the property tax bill and the HOA assessment. Getting both of them right matters, because together they add a real amount on top of your principal and interest payment.
Property taxes in Johnston County
Johnston County, which includes the Town of Clayton, collects property tax as an "ad valorem" tax based on the assessed value of your home, not the price you pay for it. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the combined rate inside Clayton is $1.01 per $100 of assessed value, made up of a Johnston County rate of $0.52 and a Town of Clayton rate of $0.49. A fire service district tax may also apply in some areas.
To estimate a bill, take the assessed value, divide by 100, and multiply by the combined rate. As one illustration, a home assessed at $300,000 would carry an annual county and town bill of about $3,030 before any exemptions or additional district taxes. Johnston County revalued all real property effective January 1, 2025, so the bill for 297 Bonaventure Dr will track the county's assessment of the property, not the sale price.
HOA dues in Portofino
Portofino is a gated community with its own homeowners association, so an HOA assessment applies on top of taxes. Dues are typically quoted around $1,150 per year, though the exact annual assessment is set by the Portofino Subdivision HOA and can vary, so it pays to confirm the current figure. Your buyer's agent can do that, and the number is spelled out in the community disclosure documents. For that fee you gain access to the amenities that make Portofino feel so resort-like in the first place.
What Your HOA Dues Pay For
Before you budget, it helps to know exactly what the association covers. Portofino HOA dues generally go toward common-area landscaping and maintenance, insurance, the upkeep of the two swimming pools and the Piazza and Lodge clubhouses, gated security, and community management. In exchange, residents get two pools, miles of nature trails, a fishing pond, access to the Neuse River, and optional boarding at the community equestrian center, along with golf-cart access around the neighborhood.
The tradeoff is a real one. Some buyers see an HOA as just another line item; in a community like Portofino it is also what keeps the gates, landscaping, pools, and trails at the standard that protects the neighborhood's appeal year after year. The association's architectural guidelines set rules for exterior changes, so it is worth reading them before you plan any customizations.
Insurance, Utilities, and Everyday Costs
Beyond taxes and dues, budget for homeowners insurance. North Carolina can bring its share of storm and flood risk, so confirm with your insurer what your policy covers and whether separate flood insurance makes sense for your specific lot, independent of anything a lender requires. Because 297 Bonaventure Dr sits on a half-acre wooded lot at the edge of the community, it is also worth a conversation about tree coverage and the surrounding landscape.
Utilities around Clayton run comparable to the rest of the Triangle: electricity, natural gas, water and sewer, plus internet and streaming. The home itself helps here. 297 Bonaventure Dr pairs durable luxury vinyl plank flooring with a walk-in crawl space that supports moisture control, and the garage is set up with an electric vehicle charger, practical details that keep day-to-day ownership running smoothly.
Review These Documents Before You Make an Offer
Because Portofino is a governed community, the association paperwork matters as much as the house itself. Before you commit, review the actual governing documents for 297 Bonaventure Dr: the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions, the Architectural Control Guidelines, the Community Disclosure (Owners' Association Disclosure), the new resident welcome letter, and the CMA summary. You can open each of these on the documents page, and your agent should walk you through what they mean for your ownership.
Budget for the Whole Picture
A great home is one you can comfortably carry. Add your property tax estimate, HOA dues, insurance, and utilities to the mortgage payment, and you get the real monthly number. For a home like 297 Bonaventure Dr, that full-picture view is exactly what lets you buy with confidence instead of surprise.
See the Numbers and the Home for Yourself
The most accurate way to understand what owning in Portofino costs is to sit down with someone who knows the community and the numbers. Phil Slezak can walk you through the property tax math, the HOA documents, and the home itself in a single conversation.
Schedule a private tour: Book a meeting with Phil Slezak
Call directly: 919-899-2320
Phil leads one of the top-producing real estate teams in the Greater Triangle and Brunswick County areas — with over $100 million in sales.