1. Discover the Allure of Southwest Florida
2. Affordability and Community
3. Real Estate Variety
4. Luxury Living
5. Recovery and Growth
With its powdery white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and year-round sunshine, Southwest Florida is the quintessential vacation home destination. Easily accessible from anywhere in the country and offering urban- and resort-style amenities, the area presents a top choice for second-home buyers. A report by vacation home management company Pacaso, analyzing second-home transactions from this year, reveals that Lee County ranked third overall. Another Southwest Florida region, Collier County, where Naples is located, ranked fifth. However, homes in Lee County come with a much more affordable price tag.
“The average price of a second home in Lee County is $525,000, providing a more approachable option compared to better-known communities like Naples, where the average second home price nears $900,000,” said Austin Allison, Pacaso’s CEO and co-founder.
Lee County is not solely focused on affordability; it boasts a vibrant community exceeding 780,000 residents and includes Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel and Captiva islands, Pine Island, Bonita Springs, Estero, Boca Grande, North Fort Myers, and Lehigh Acres. With 590 miles of shoreline, including 50 miles of beautiful beaches, it is evident why Lee County stands out as a vacation hot spot.
Fort Myers enjoys an average of 271 days of sunshine per year, making it Florida’s sunniest city. Visitors can relish its stunning beaches, golf courses, and recreational activities such as beachcombing, hiking, sailing, and kayaking through mangroves. The area’s rich history, dating back to Native American inhabitants in 5,000 B.C., and its evolution into a vacation spot for luminaries like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, render it an ideal getaway for history enthusiasts keen on exploring local museums and landmarks.
The Lee County real estate market also adds to the area’s allure. “Lee County offers a diverse range of homes, from historic sites in the Edison Home district to contemporary beachfront properties,” Tiffany Burns of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty noted. The most desirable properties are often located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, providing owners with breathtaking sunset views.
According to Austin, house hunting in Lee County features a plethora of options. “Seeking a luxurious condo with resort-style amenities or a family home near a golf course? There’s truly something for everyone. Waterfront properties are particularly favored, especially for those desiring easy access to boating and fishing,” he elaborated, referencing a Pacaso survey indicating that 61% of potential second homeowners wish for a water-adjacent vacation home.
Furthermore, the abundance of canals and beaches in Lee County offers an idyllic setting for those yearning for picturesque waterfront views and convenient spots to dock their boats.
Cape Coral, the county’s largest city, proudly boasts over 400 miles of canals, ranking it as the most canal-rich city in Florida.
For those in search of luxury amenities akin to upscale hotels—unobstructed bay views, concierge services, pool cabanas, and bocce courts—consider The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay in Bonita Springs, set to complete by 2025. The two towers, designed by the acclaimed architecture firm Arquitectonica, will feature 224 residences ranging from 2,600 to 3,880 square feet, with prices starting at $3 million.
Lastly, while Lee County is still in the recovery phase from Hurricane Ian, which caused substantial damages in September 2022, most parks in the area have reopened, ready to welcome vacationers this summer and the seasons to come.
