Tips for Finding Single Family Homes in Fort Myers

Southwest Florida has grown significantly since 2010 and more people are moving to the area every month. If you are considering the purchase of a single family home in Fort Myers in the near future be sure to work with a real estate agent who has in-depth knowledge of the area and can provide you with an historical perspective.

Fort Myers has a year-round tropical climate that promises sunshine and an annual average temperature in the mid-70s. Single family homes in Fort Myers are increasingly in demand, especially homes within proximity to the city’s approximately 50 golf courses.

International investors and those looking for a sunny and warm vacation home are beginning to consider Fort Myers as a realistic option. Single family homes in Fort Myers along McGregor Boulevard are particularly attractive.

Its new fame is reflected in the February 2019 US News & World Report article that ranked the city as number six on its list of “Best Places to Live Near the Beach.” The list was based on the order of appearance on US New & World Report’s overall “Best Places to Live” list, which factors in the area’s affordability, job market, morning commute and access to quality health care, among other attributes.

This follows the April 2018 US News and World Report article ranking it as number 41 in its “Best Places to Retire” list.

Fort Myers is famous as the winter home to Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. As Thomas Edison famously said about his adopted winter home, “There is only one Fort Myers and soon 90 million Americans will discover it.”

As you consider single family homes in Fort Myers, or other real estate options be sure to work with an exclusive buyer agent who will only be loyal to you, the buyer.

Fort Myers Real Estate: Invest In Beautiful Condos For Sale

Fort Myers condos for sale are an attractive option for those seeking a sunny and warm winter vacation home or investment property. Fort Myers and its surrounding area have experienced strong growth since 2010 and the forecast is for more of the same. In April 2018 and in February 2019 U.S. News & World Report ranked the city as an attractive retirement and near-beach location.

The city of Fort Myers has placed emphasis on developing its downtown core over the past 10 years and businesses have responded by moving to the area. The city’s restaurant and art scene are expanding and large sporting events are drawing visitors year-round. Taken together Fort Myers’s downtown has the potential to become a draw for year-round visitors and conventions, with its walkable areas, arts scene, myriad bars and restaurants, all offering a diverse selection of options.

Real estate developers have also seen the future opportunities for housing along the Caloosahatchee River and Fort Myers condos for sale are increasingly available in downtown.

In the past Ft. Myers was considered by many to be merely a stopping off place for those headed to Sanibel or Captiva islands or elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico. Today Ft. Myers is becoming the destination itself and with their easy access and low maintenance Fort Myers condos for sale are an attractive second home or investment option.

As you consider a purchase remember that your future profit will be made on your purchase and that your choice of Realtor will be an important first step in making that profit. Realtors who list property will not be able to represent you exclusively as they have divided loyalties. They are transactional agents, not an exclusive buyer agent. If you want your needs to be fully represented by your Realtor, you need to work with an exclusive buyer agent.

Cape Coral Vacant Land for Sale

Thinking of building a new home? Cape Coral’s vacant land for sale offers a wide range of possibilities. On the top end are direct access canal lots which will allow for sailboat access to the Gulf of Mexico. There are also more affordable canal lots which simply require navigating under a bridge(s) and fresh water canal lots which give you a canal system with lakes but no Gulf access. For those not requiring a canal there are a multitude of dry land lots.

Cape Coral covers an area of almost 150 miles. This means that there is still plenty of space for all, even as it is listed as one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Cape Coral’s vacant land for sale is still abundant and affordable.

The modern city of Cape Coral came into existence in the late 1950’s as a planned community. It was developed by the Rosen brothers who dug more than 400 miles of canals and marketed the property to snow-weary visitors from the north, as a place to retire or a new home in the sun. The brothers called the city a “Winter Wonderland” that would have more canals than the city of Venice, Italy. Today, Cape Coral attracts people from all over the world.

Investing in Cape Coral vacant land is also a popular option for those feeling limited by the investment options they have for their retirement funds. Self directed IRA’s allow the investor to choose where to invest their IRA money, as permitted under IRA rules. This includes real estate and many vacant land parcels have been purchased for this purpose. If you are interested in this as an investment alternative I can work with you to help you determine whether this may be an option for you.

Fort Myers Real Estate Agents

Fort Myers, FL was ranked by US News & World Report as number six on its list of “Best Places to Live Near the Beach” in February 2019. The list was based on the order of appearance on US New and World Report’s overall “Best Places to Live” list, which factors in the area’s affordability, job market, morning commute and access to quality health care.

Fort Myers was on US News & World Report’s 2018 list of “Best Places to Retire”, ranking number two and “Best Places to Live”, ranking number 41.

As you consider a real estate purchase in Fort Myers remember that your future profit will be made on your purchase. Your choice in Fort Myers real estate agents will be an important first step in making that profit. Fort Myers real estate agents that describe themselves as a buyer’s agent, but list property and also represent sellers have divided loyalties. They are transactional agents, not an exclusive buyer agent. If you want your needs to be fully represented by your Realtor, you need to work with an exclusive buyer agent.

Fort Myers City Council Approves Final Version of Midtown Vision Plan

On January 7, 2019 the Fort Myers City Council received and approved the Midtown Vision Plan. Midtown is an area immediately south of downtown Ft. Myers and sits between Cleveland Avenue to the west, Evans Avenue to the east, Edison Avenue to the south and Dr. MLK Blvd. to the north. According to a consultant with the University of South Florida there are currently fewer than 100 residents in the area.

The Plan calls for approximately 4,000 new residential units of affordable and work-force housing and close to 600,000 square feet of office and commercial space. Public and civic spaces are also included in the Plan. Under the Plan the City of Palms Park would be demolished and replaced with a town center.

The first phase of development could occur within the next four to six years and would include the town center, some housing and transportation improvements. The final phase of the Plan is scheduled in the next six to seven years.

In conjunction with the revitalization of downtown, the larger city of Ft. Myers has the potential to become a draw for new business, year-round visitors and conventions.

The Ft. Myers of the past was considered by many to be merely a stopping off place for those headed to the white, sandy, shelling beaches of Sanibel Island or elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico. Soon Ft. Myers could become the destination itself.

As we begin 2019 this may bode well for someone hoping to buy a condominium along the Fort Myer’s waterfront, a single family home along McGregor Boulevard or find affordable housing in Midtown. As the old real estate adage says, “The best time to buy real estate is today and ten years ago.”

Sanibel Island and the Algiers

   Courtesy of Betty Anholt

The Algiers was originally a car ferry operating on the Mississippi River. After 25 years of service it was sold at auction in 1958 to Helen and Lathrop Brown. The Browns were a wealthy couple from the east; Lathrop Brown was a former congressman from New York, Franklin Roosevelt’s college roommate and best man at his wedding. Helen Brown was a shipping heiress.

In 1959 the Browns brought the Algiers to a 25-acre plot of Sanibel beach-front property they had purchased. To reach the property they had workers cut a channel through the island’s interior which was filled in after the 150-foot ferry passed through. With a huge paddle wheel, feathered smoke stacks, thirteen rooms, five baths, pool, restaurant-quality kitchen and gold bath fixtures the Algiers was a whimsical marvel.

Before moving to their new home the Browns wanted to sell an existing home in Ft. Lauderdale. Helen sent Lathrop back to the east coast to sell the house but while there he contracted an illness and died. Helen left Sanibel and never returned. In 1981 she sold the beach-front property to the newly incorporated city of Sanibel for $550,000. 

The Algiers sat neglected and decaying on its Gulf-front property for 23 years until 1982 when it was finally stripped of anything salvageable that could be auctioned. Three pieces of the ferry, the captain’s wheel, the anchor and the bell are on display at the Sanibel Historical Village.

Today the 25-acre plot of beach-front property is home to Gulfside Park and what was once vacant land, directly on the beach is now a prime spot for beach-front condominiums.

Now, as then, Sanibel Island is a special place for special people.

Points to Consider When Choosing A Fort Myers Real Estate Agent

Fort Myers is Lee County’s center of government and the spring training home to the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox. It has a year-round tropical climate that promises sunshine and an annual average temperature in the mid-70s. The city was ranked as a very desirable location for second home buyers and investors in April 2018 by US News and World Report with approximately 1,000 people moving to Lee County each month. 

Whether you are considering Fort Myers property as an investment, for a second home, or are simply moving into the area for work, below are some things to consider when choosing a Fort Myers real estate agent:

• Are you working with an exclusive buyer’s agent?  An exclusive buyer agent represents you exclusively and does not take listings. In many Florida real estate transactions the Realtor will represent the transaction (transactional agent) and not the buyer (exclusive buyer’s agent). Ask the agent if their agency lists property. If they do they have a relationship with the seller which can cause a conflict of interest for them.

• Can the Realtor direct you to professional and reliable mortgage brokers, insurance agents and home inspectors and will he/she be able to guide you through the buying process?

• Can the Realtor help you understand the additional costs you should expect to incur?  Even without a mortgage a home will cost money for things such as insurance, annual maintenance, or lawn and pool services. If the property is for rentals there may be property management fees to be paid.

• Does the Realtor know who is professional and can close on time and with the fewest surprises?