Are you thinking about buying a second home or investment property in Davie? It is easy to see the appeal, especially if you want more space, more privacy, and a residential setting that feels different from Broward’s denser coastal markets. Before you buy, it helps to understand what makes Davie unique, what ownership really costs, and what rules may apply if you plan to rent the property. Let’s dive in.
Why Davie stands out
Davie attracts buyers who want a lifestyle built around space and flexibility. The Town is known for its equestrian identity, green open areas, and more than 165 miles of trails, which gives it a very different feel from many nearby communities.
It also has a strong residential base. Census QuickFacts estimate Davie’s 2025 population at 110,851, with 34.89 square miles of land and a 67.1% owner-occupied housing rate. That points to a market with meaningful local ownership demand, not just a transient or seasonal housing pattern.
For many second-home buyers, that matters. You are not just buying a place to visit. You are buying into a town with year-round residents, established neighborhoods, and lifestyle features that support long-term value.
Davie lifestyle appeal
If your goal is coastal living steps from the beach, Davie may not be the obvious choice. Its appeal is different and often more practical for buyers who value usable land, suburban privacy, and access to the broader Broward area.
The Town says it has more than 40 parks and open sites totaling 1,690 acres. Places like Tree Tops Park, a 350-acre site, and Robbins Lodge, a 160-acre site, reinforce Davie’s reputation as a more open, land-oriented community.
That can make Davie especially attractive if you want a second home that feels more like a retreat. Instead of prioritizing beach frontage, you may be prioritizing room to spread out, trail access, and a less dense daily environment.
What property types you can expect
Davie offers a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and condos or co-ops. At the same time, its trail system and equestrian amenities support larger-lot and estate-style properties in some areas, which gives buyers a broader range of options than they may find in more uniform communities.
That variety is one reason Davie works for different ownership goals. You might be looking for a lower-maintenance second home, a long-term hold, or a larger property with more privacy and land.
For buyers in the luxury and upper-end market, Davie can be especially interesting because it offers a different kind of South Florida value. In many cases, you are buying lifestyle flexibility and space rather than paying a premium for direct coastal positioning.
What the Davie market is doing
Recent market data suggests Davie is active, but not overly frantic. The market is described as somewhat competitive, with about one offer on average, a median sale price of about $570,000 over the last three months, and a median of 68 days on market.
The median sale price per square foot is reported at $352. That combination can point to a market that still supports long-term appreciation potential while giving buyers more room to evaluate options than they might find in a faster-moving submarket.
For second-home and investment buyers, that balance can be useful. You may have a little more time to compare locations, lot sizes, and ownership costs before making a decision.
Ownership costs to plan for
A smart purchase decision in Davie goes beyond the purchase price. Carrying costs can have a major impact on whether a second home feels comfortable to own or whether an investment property performs the way you expect.
The Town of Davie’s FY 2026 operating millage is 5.6250 mills, plus 0.1725 mills of voted debt service. Budget materials also note that fire protection, solid waste, and stormwater assessments are approved separately, and Broward County tax-bill guidance lists Davie, Fire, Solid Waste, and Stormwater as separate line items.
In simple terms, you should expect more than a base property tax bill. When you are underwriting a purchase, it is important to account for these layered ownership costs early, especially if the property will not be your primary residence.
Homestead matters
One of the biggest tax distinctions for second-home buyers is homestead status. Broward’s homestead exemption is for a permanent residence, determined as of January 1, and only one homestead exemption may be claimed.
That means a second home or investment property in Davie generally will not receive the homestead benefit. If you are comparing a primary home purchase with a second-home purchase, this difference can meaningfully affect your annual cost of ownership.
Monthly cost context
Census QuickFacts show Davie’s median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage at $2,680. Median gross rent is listed at $2,066.
These figures are not a custom forecast for your property, but they are useful context. They show why buyers should be conservative when planning cash flow, especially once taxes, insurance, maintenance, and vacancy risk are added to the picture.
Flood risk is a key factor
Flood risk is one of the most important issues to evaluate before buying in Davie. The Town says standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood losses, and it notes that a large portion of Davie sits in the C-11 West basin and special flood-hazard areas.
Davie also states that Broward’s flood-zone maps were updated effective July 31, 2024. If you are looking at a property in Davie, flood-zone review should be part of your early due diligence, not an afterthought near closing.
The Town participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, and its CRS rating is 7. According to the Town, that gives residents in special flood-hazard areas a 15% flood-insurance discount.
That discount may help, but it does not remove the need to budget carefully. Flood exposure can affect your insurance costs, your lender requirements, and your long-term risk profile as an owner.
Renting your Davie property
If you plan to use the property as a short-term rental, Davie has rules that deserve close attention. Many out-of-area buyers assume they can rent freely, but the Town is more regulated than some expect.
Davie defines a vacation rental as a condo or co-op unit, or a single-family through four-family dwelling, rented to transient occupants more than three times in a calendar year for periods shorter than 30 days, or advertised that way. That definition is broad enough that many seasonal or flexible rental plans can fall within it.
The Town requires registration, DBPR licensure, Florida Department of Revenue registration, a Broward County tourist-development-tax number, and related fees. Violations can carry civil penalties of up to $500 per violation.
For buyers considering rental income, this is not a detail to gloss over. Your intended use should be checked against Davie’s local requirements before you buy, market, or lease the property.
Why remote ownership needs a plan
If you will not live in Davie full time, local oversight becomes even more important. Flood exposure, local code compliance, tax obligations, and vacation-rental rules can all create issues if a home sits unattended or is managed loosely.
That is why a local manager or trusted caretaker can be more than a convenience. It can be a practical risk-management tool that helps you stay ahead of inspections, maintenance needs, and compliance issues.
For many second-home owners, the right ownership strategy is not just about buying the right house. It is also about building the right support system around it.
How Davie compares nearby
Davie makes the most sense when you understand it against other Broward options. Each nearby market serves a different type of buyer.
Davie vs. Weston
Weston is generally more expensive and more uniform in feel. Census QuickFacts show a median owner-occupied value of $695,600 in Weston, and recent market data places Weston’s median sale price at about $722,000.
Compared with Davie, Weston tends to feel more master-planned and more HOA-driven. If you want a more land-oriented setting with a distinct equestrian and trail identity, Davie may offer a better fit.
Davie vs. Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is the more obvious choice if you want beaches, boating, waterways, and a more urban lifestyle. The city emphasizes seven miles of beaches, 165 miles of waterways, Riverwalk, and Las Olas Boulevard, and it has nearly the same land area as Davie but far more residents.
That means a denser setting overall. If you want more space and a less urban environment, Davie often has the advantage.
Davie vs. Plantation
Plantation can appeal to buyers who prioritize central Broward convenience and a more value-oriented price point. Recent market data places Plantation’s median sale price around $308,000, well below Davie’s citywide median.
If your focus is location efficiency and mixed housing options, Plantation may be worth comparing. If you want Davie’s acreage, trail network, and residential identity, the choice may lean back toward Davie.
Davie vs. Deerfield Beach
Deerfield Beach offers a very different lifestyle centered on direct beach access. Recent market data places its median sale price near $260,000, and the city is built around a much smaller land area and a coastal setting.
If your vision of a second home is tied to the beach, Deerfield Beach may be the better match. If you want more land and a more private suburban environment, Davie likely stands out.
Is Davie a good fit for you?
Davie is often a strong choice if you see a second home as a lifestyle purchase first and a financial hold second. It tends to appeal most to buyers who want space, privacy, trails, and a residential environment that feels grounded and usable year-round.
It can also work for investment-minded buyers, but only with realistic planning. Flood risk, non-homestead tax treatment, insurance, and local rental compliance all need to be part of your decision from day one.
If you want help comparing Davie with Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, or other Broward options, The Sklar Team brings local market knowledge, high-touch guidance, and a strategic approach tailored to how you plan to use the property.
FAQs
What makes Davie different from other Broward second-home markets?
- Davie stands out for its equestrian identity, more than 165 miles of trails, over 40 parks and open sites, and a more land-oriented residential feel than many denser or coastal Broward communities.
Does a second home in Davie qualify for homestead exemption?
- No. Broward’s homestead exemption applies to a permanent residence, determined as of January 1, and only one homestead exemption may be claimed.
What taxes and assessments should you expect in Davie?
- In addition to the Town’s FY 2026 operating millage of 5.6250 mills and 0.1725 mills of voted debt service, buyers should expect separate line items such as fire, solid waste, and stormwater assessments.
Is flood insurance important for a Davie property?
- Yes. The Town says standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood losses, and a large portion of Davie sits in special flood-hazard areas.
Can you use a Davie property as a short-term rental?
- Possibly, but Davie regulates vacation rentals and requires registration, licensure, tax registrations, and compliance with local rules.
Is Davie better than Fort Lauderdale for a second home?
- It depends on your goals. Davie usually fits buyers who want more space and a less dense setting, while Fort Lauderdale is a stronger match for buyers focused on beaches, waterways, and urban coastal living.