Tavares
America's Seaplane City
Tavares is the Lake County seat and one of the most distinctive waterfront towns in Central Florida. Downtown sits right on Lake Dora, where seaplanes take off from the city's own seaplane base, and the Harris Chain of Lakes spreads out in every direction. It is a magnet for boaters, pilots, and anyone who wants lake life with a real downtown.
Living in Tavares
- County Seat
- Tavares has been the Lake County seat since 1887.
- Seaplanes
- Known as America's Seaplane City, with the Tavares Seaplane Base on Lake Dora in Wooton Park.
- Lakes
- Fronts Lake Dora on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
- History
- Founded in 1880 by a railroad and newspaper executive who hoped it would become Florida's capital.
- Schools
- Tavares is served by Lake County Schools.
- Commute
- Downtown Orlando runs roughly 40 to 55 minutes depending on traffic via the Turnpike.
Why people move here
- Waterfront downtown on Lake Dora
- Seaplane base and airshow traditions
- Harris Chain of Lakes
- Lake County government and services
Tavares real estate overview
Kelly works Tavares full time and prices most Central Florida homes from roughly $300,000 to over a million, depending on the neighborhood. For the current picture, read the market report, or get a straight read on a specific home.
Homes for Sale in Tavares
Tell Kelly what you are looking for and he will pull the current list of active homes in Tavares, including off-market finds.
Find a homeWhat Is a Tavares Home Worth?
Get an instant home value read, then have Kelly walk you through what it really means for your address.
Get my home valueCurrent Tavares Numbers
What is selling, how fast, and for how much in Tavares right now? Kelly answers that in one call.
Ask KellyExplore Tavares neighborhoods
Tavares is a large area rather than a single neighborhood. For the directory of established residential communities across Kelly's service area, visit the Neighborhoods section, where you can start by choosing a city.
Explore new construction in Tavares
New construction in the Tavares area is concentrated in the nearby corridors. Browse all the communities where builders are actively selling in the New Construction section, or ask Kelly what is opening near Tavares.
Selling a Home in Tavares
Keep your equity.
Kelly's seller strategy is built around Tavares: aggressive marketing, honest pricing, and a commission structure that keeps more of the sale in your pocket. Every listing comes with all four offers.
- 1% listing fee, or a flat $3,995 for homes under $400,000
- Easy-Exit Listing Agreement, no lock-in
- 1% buyer-side fee when Kelly writes the offer for an unrepresented buyer
- 25% Buyer Agent Commission Gift on your next home
Buying a Home in Tavares
Make it possible.
From zero-down options and closing cost assistance to new construction representation, Kelly finds the creative path that makes Tavares work for your budget.
- Zero-down and low-down-payment programs
- Closing cost assistance and seller concessions
- New construction representation at no cost to you
Restaurants, parks & things to do
Restaurants & local businesses
- Wooton Park Downtown Lake Dora park, splash park, boat ramp, and the seaplane base.
- Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures Seaplane tours off the downtown lakefront.
- Cruisin' Tikis Lake Dora Tiki boat cruises from the downtown dock.
- Adventure Outdoor Paddle Paddleboard and kayak rentals on Lake Dora.
- Aesops Park A lakefront park with a fishing pier.
- Hickory Point Recreation Park County lakefront park with camping, boat ramps, and trails.
Community events
Wooton Park hosts the city's festivals through the year, and the seaplane base keeps the downtown waterfront in motion; check the city calendar for the season's events.
Parks & recreation
Schools
Tavares is served by Lake County Schools, with campuses in and around the city.
Local development
Tavares mixes a real downtown with the Harris Chain of Lakes, which keeps demand steady from boaters, retirees, and anyone who wants lake life with services in walking distance.
Moving to Tavares
Coming from out of state or across town? Kelly helps relocating buyers compare areas, schools, and commutes, and can arrange virtual tours before you land. See the relocation guide.
Kelly knows Tavares
Buying, selling, or relocating to Tavares? Kelly will walk you through the neighborhoods, the numbers, and the plan, one conversation at a time.
Book a call
Buying or selling in Tavares?
Tell Kelly what you are looking for and he will come back with options, including homes, neighborhoods, and new construction.
Next stop: Tavares.
Real local knowledge, real marketing, and a commission structure that keeps your equity. Ask Kelly for the plan.
Realtor · SL3352000 · eXp Realty · Central Florida