Are you currently searching through listings of houses for sale in Fort Myers, FL?
I have compiled some of my top home picks for neighborhoods and areas of Fort Myers. You can skip right to them by scrolling to the bottom of this page or keep reading for my best advice for anyone looking at houses for sale in Fort Myers.

Houses for Sale in Fort Myers, Florida

Whether you’re out of state or making the move to Fort Myers from a neighboring city, I can’t stress enough the importance of working with an experienced Realtor®. Fort Myers, like any other town, has hidden gems and considerations that may narrow down your search criteria. There are so many moving parts to a home purchase, it’s important for you, the buyer, to be able to focus on your options, knowing that your agent will fill you in on any potential issues (or perks) of a particular property.

I’ve been a lifelong resident of the SWFL area and make it a point to keep up with zoning ordinances, future city plans and other city and county changes that can weigh in on your home buying decision.

Why Are Future City Plans So Important?

You may be looking at houses for sale in Fort Myers, Florida because you’ve always wanted to live here. Maybe you’re relocating for a better career option, or maybe it’s the tropical climate. *We really do have the best weather!
Whatever your reason, my advice is always to think like an investor.

Future city plans are definitely an indicator of the health of a city.
For example, if you take a look at the Downtown Redevelopment Plan for Fort Myers, Florida, the city has been steadily growing over the past 15+ years.
The redevelopment plan originated as an effort to restore and revitalize the downtown area. The plan was carried out by reaching development goals year after year, and has continued to attract more businesses and investors to the area.

Just in the past 5 years, the downtown Fort Myers area has welcomed The Luminary Hotel to it’s waterfront, several new restaurants and an upscale apartment community called West End at City Walk.
Growth.

And all this is important because…
Bottom line, you’re probably not going to stay in this house forever. The average homeowner generally relocates every 5-7 years. If you think like an investor for each home purchase, you’ll want to know about the city’s health. It can be a good indicator of property values increasing (just in time for you to sell 😉). In the case of Fort Myers, much of the city’s development plans have hinged around the downtown riverfront area. As a result, the nearby historic district has continued to experience above average property value increases.

Of course, the city of Fort Myers has plenty of areas, subdivisions, and small communities that are nowhere near the downtown area. Each area has its own growth history and property values based on the variables of that particular neighborhood. This is another reason why it’s so critically important to work with an experienced real estate agent who has knowledge of the neighborhoods

How Safe is Fort Myers, Florida?

If you’re from another city or state, looking for the right property in SWFL, you may have used tools like Google Earth to look for telltale signs of dangerous neighborhoods.
I’ve got good news.
Fort Myers, Florida has been rated as the third safest city in the United States for 2022 / 2023 by U.S. News & World Reports. This is important! When you think about moving to a tropical location with a thriving downtown riverfront and plenty of events to choose from, you don’t want to have to wonder if you’ll feel safe.

What About the Tropical Storms & Hurricanes in SW FL?

Regardless of where you choose to live, there will always be weather conditions unique to the area.
If you move to Colorado, you may lose your vehicle during one of their regular hail storms. California residents deal with earthquakes and Florida has experienced its fair share of hurricanes.

An important consideration, when looking at houses for sale in Fort Myers, Florida is to look beyond the MLS listing description that tells you “this property is high and dry” and be sure to ask your agent if the home is in a flood zone or not.
Fort Myers has low lying areas as well as properties that don’t even require flood insurance because they are unlikely to flood. This is an important factor when you’re looking at your purchase from an investor’s point of view.

10 Steps to Buying a Home in Florida

Check out our helpful 2024 guide to Buying a Home in Florida. Understanding the Home Buying / Home Selling process is your first step to real estate success!

Is Fort Myers, Florida a Good Place for Young Families?

Fort Myers, Florida is truly a beautiful place to raise a family. With local parks tucked away in neighborhoods, good schools (public, charter, private and home-school friendly), nearby beaches and plenty of outdoor activities year round, all you need is the right location.
Here’s a few more of Fort Myers’ perks:

Entrepreneur & Small Business Friendly

Fort Myers is also extremely entrepreneur-friendly. If you’re a small business owner, you’ll be in good company with the number of small businesses that have opened and are doing well here in Fort Myers. The business community has plenty of small support groups, collaboration opportunities and events as well.

Career Opportunities

If opening your own business is not right for you, Fort Myers also has a healthy job market. Lee Health, the largest healthcare system in SW Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, the Lee County School District, City of Fort Myers, Chicos FAS, and many more. Overall, there are excellent career opportunities in Fort Myers.

Healthcare

Healthcare is another reason to choose Fort Myers as your city to call home. Not only are there plenty of career opportunities in healthcare, but for growing families, Golisano Children’s Hospital is a top rated Fort Myers hospital, specializing in care from birth through childhood.

Cost of Living

Lastly, I have to mention the cost of living here in Florida because it’s an important consideration when moving here. Florida does not have a state individual income tax and the cost of living is low.

When you mix all these details with the beauty and diversity of the city, Fort Myers, Florida is one of the best places to raise a family. And because you’re looking for your property with an investor’s point of view, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes time to sell your property.

Is Fort Myers, Florida a Good Place for Retirees?

Although SW Florida is an ideal location to retire, the age distribution in Fort Myers, Florida is actually pretty evenly dispersed.
According to the United States Census Bureau, residents under 18 years old make up 21% of the population while residents over 65 years old make up 21.9% of the population.
The average median age is between 40-42 years old. Communities that are evenly dispersed age-wise are naturally going to be the best locations to put down roots, since, once again, when you are ready to sell, your home will appeal to more potential buyers. Plus, it’s just nice to be part of a community that’s not lopsided in one age range, right?

Seniors & Financial Benefits of Fort Myers, Florida

With no state income tax in Florida, Fort Myers seniors won’t have to pay anything other than federal taxes on income from retirement pensions, Social Security retirement benefits, or income paid out by 401(k) Plans or IRAs. This makes Florida extremely attractive when it comes to retirement living.

Homes for sale in Fort Myers, Florida have something for everyone. From waterfront condos and golf course villas to historical homes along the McGregor corridor to farm homes with acreage, this city has it all.

Take a look at my carefully curated Fort Myers picks below.
If you have any questions or want to schedule a tour, I’m here to help!

Shelby Tompkins, Realtor®
Schooner Bay Realty
239-464-2278