Trees tower over pastel-colored Florida Ranch Homes in Harris, a fast-growing suburban neighborhood 16 miles east of downtown Fort Myers. “It’s a slower pace than Miami and other big cities, and you get more for your money,” says Dania Perez, a local real estate agent with Sovereign Real Estate Group. “People have moved here with their families; parents buy houses next to their kids.”
New construction is common in Harris, with many homes built over the past several years. Florida ranch homes with pastel exteriors and tiled roofs sit on large grassy lots. Coastal Contemporary-style builds can also be found scattered throughout. Single-family homes, many of them with screened-in backyard pools, typically cost between $300,000 and $425,000. For those looking to build their dream home, empty plots range from $17,000 to $50,000. Homeowners here are not tied down by restrictions or the congestion of an established neighborhood. “Buyers tend to like the freedom of not having HOAs and their associated fees and restrictions,” says Debra Thomas, Realtor with Express Realty and a lifelong Southwest Florida resident.
Harns Marsh borders the neighborhood’s western edge and features over 500 acres of natural Florida marshes and wetlands. The land was transformed from farmland in the 1980s and is now home to 140 species of animals, including snail kites, egrets and raccoons. Lehigh Acres Park is nearby and offers everything from baseball diamonds and football fields to a swimming pool. The Club at Westminster is a privately owned public 18-hole golf with renovated bunkers, water features and towering palm trees. The East Coast Regional Library is under a mile away. It sits next to the high school and hosts special events throughout the year. Fort Myers Beach is 30 miles away.
The highly rated Lee Country School District serves the neighborhood and features an open-choice enrollment system. Younger students can start out at Harns Marsh Elementary and Harns Marsh Middle School, both of which receive a C-plus rating on Niche. Harns Middle School is a magnet academy for arts and academics and immerses students in music classes and performing arts. The B-rated Lehigh Senior High School offers an Academy of Digital & Media Arts and the coveted AICE Diploma. Gunnery Road Christian Academy is a private education nearby for parents to consider.
Lee Boulevard is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare and features numerous shops and restaurants like Beef ‘O’ Brady, an Irish-style pub with plenty of TVs to catch the big game. Popular entrees at this local chain include buffalo wings and the Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Down the street, The Gordillo’s Melting Rolls has dessert covered with a tasty menu of milkshakes and ice cream rolls. Key Food Supermarket provides the area with fresh produce and weekly groceries. More upscale dining and name-brand retailers can be found at The Forum, 12 miles away.
LeeTran is the county’s public transportation system and services multiple bus stops along Lee Boulevard. Buckingham Field sits next to the neighborhood and offers private general aviation, while domestic and international flights can be found at Southwest Florida International Airport, 20 miles away. Highway 82 runs south and connects to downtown Fort Myers, 16 miles away. Alternatively, downtown Cape Coral is 24 miles away. Lehigh Regional Medical Center is the closest medical facility, 5 miles away.
Residents flock to the annual Wings over Water Festival, which takes place every January at Harns Marsh. The event celebrates Florida’s natural resources with presentations from local experts and an array of water and wildlife exhibits. The rubber duck race is a favorite among visitors and admission is free of charge.
Southwest Florida is prone to hurricanes, and each storm brings flooding and wind damage risks. Hurricane Ian was a Category 5 storm that hit the city directly, resulting in the costliest storm in the state’s history. The neighborhood's inland location protects against stronger storms, but homeowners are encouraged to review available flood insurance policies.
Maurice Gilmore
Realty One Group MVP
(239) 319-4209
36 Total Sales
1 in Harris
$15,600 Price
Heather Hitz PA Realtor
RE/MAX Realty Group
(239) 788-0735
50 Total Sales
2 in Harris
$18,500 Price Range
Nannette Maxson PA
RE Florida Homes
(239) 310-3275
35 Total Sales
1 in Harris
$270,000 Price
Suzanne Sherer
Epique Realty, Inc.
(239) 291-0645
34 Total Sales
1 in Harris
$9,000 Price
David Leiva
Fathom Realty FL, LLC
(786) 590-2635
46 Total Sales
1 in Harris
$15,000 Price
Iris Quinones-Gonzalez
Corporeal Realty Corporation
(786) 891-3462
10 Total Sales
1 in Harris
$12,500 Price
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Harris | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Harris, Lehigh Acres sell after 133 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Harris, Lehigh Acres over the last 12 months is $310,000, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$1,900 per month
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