$624,041Average Value$442Average Price per Sq Ft35Homes For Sale
Still following that dream
Though rebuilding after a direct hit by Hurricane Ian, Matlacha remains one of Florida's most unique coastal communities, offering a small village of creative maritime homeowners who care deeply for their home's serene past, present and future. "Matlacha was built as a fill-in island for the building of the Matlacha Pass Bridge in 1926," says Realtor Mike Shevlin of Sunbelt Realty, who has lived in Matlacha for over 40 years. "It started going downhill in the 70s and 80s as it became a squatters island for rough and tumble fishermen, then a few people started doing some commercial stuff and fixing up some shacks, and all of a sudden it became a cool place."
Inspiring scenery and activities
Matlacha's artsy community is inseparable from its natural surroundings, which inspires the minds of locals to open art galleries with lush gardens, craft sculptures of dolphins and design custom mailboxes using seashells. But it is just as much an active community as it is a creative one, demonstrated by several public boat slips around town, which locals use to access the over 200 acres of the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. Before Ian, locals could use the pier at Bat House Park for fishing, but it remains temporarily closed for repairs. However, Matlacha Community Park is open again and offers basketball, baseball and dock fishing amenities.
Matlacha Community Park has many fishing and seafood related supplies.
You can go out to the open water any day you want when you live in Matlacha neighborhood.
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Older beach bungalows and modern villas
Practically every home in Matlacha is on the water, which can become a concern in high-powered storms yet offers envious access to open waters. Those homes, like the town's residents, follow no overarching pattern. Each one is unique from the last, even in similar architectural styles, because of how locals personalize their homes. But whether it is a terracotta roof Mediterranean villa, an eclectic beach bungalow or a multi-colored mid-century rambler, Matlacha does not come cheap. Most homes sell at a low end of $500,000, while newer, larger homes sell for closer to $800,000, and some have sold for over $1 million. "There's a lot of restoration still going on and we're going to get it back to better than it was before," says Shevlin. "The question our community faces now is: do we maintain our old historic design or go for something new and modern?"
You can find a few larger multi level homes in Matlacha neighborhood.
Most of the homes are built in Key West style in Matlacha neighborhood.
Blue is the dominant color when it comes to bungalow homes in Matlacha neighborhood.
There are plenty of waterfront properties to chose from in Matlacha neighborhood.
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A community for the crafty
It's easy to meet one's neighbors on the small island. Its namesake park includes a community center that serves as the meeting place for most local clubs, like open-play pickleball and the quilters club. However, like Bat House Park, it remains temporarily closed due to hurricane damage. But some recurring events have returned to Matlacha, like art classes and shows at the Pine Island Art Association.
You can take home your favorite fish as a souvenir from Matlacha.
Many local artists sell their work in Matlacha neighborhood.
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Happy hour at the Blue Dog
Some businesses have reopened their doors since Hurricane Ian and have returned to being their usual hangout spots for locals and passers-through. The Blue Dog Bar & Grill is one of the most frequented restaurants in town, offering a cutesy watering hole that serves American fare and seafood platters on its canal-side patio. And for an island community, Matlacha is well-served for weekly essentials. "Matlacha is smack in the middle of two Publixes, one in Cape Coral, just off Burnt Store Road, and another to the west on Pine Island," says Shevlin.
Blue Dog Restaurant is serving local seafood oriented menu to the residents in Matlacha.
Grab a beer and kick back at the Blue Dog Bar and Grill.
Hook'd Up Bait Co is a family-owned bait and tackle shop that is a one-stop.
When it comes to grocery locals like to visit Joes Farmers Market close to Matlacha.
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Students ride for free
Students in Matlacha have a unique school structure. Busses come onto the island every day to transport students to and from Pine Island Elementary, a small school of just over 200 students that has a Niche score of B. "Pine Island Elementary is actually a top school, but it's really a neighborhood school for kids on the barrier islands," says Shevlin. From there, students have open choice for their next school through Florida's unrestricted open enrollment system. Most choose to move on to Trafalgar Middle, which has a Niche score of A-minus, then Mariner High, which has a Niche score of B-plus.
One-way in, one-way out
With the recent reconstruction of the Matlacha Pass Bridge, traffic on and off the island is steadily improving. While students get bussed to school, there is no public transportation, so a car is necessary to reach groceries and more extensive services such as hospitals and major employers. But Pine Island Road's walkable main drag offers a cluster of limited amenities.
Locals have to cross the connecting bridge to get back to the main land from Matlacha.
You will have to protect your property from constant water and heavy weather conditions.
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Written By
Tom Jakob
Photography Contributed By
Gabor Kovacs
Video By
TJ Wengert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Denise Antonewitz,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Matlacha, FL sell after 9729 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Matlacha, FL over the last 12 months is $438,500, down 20% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Welcome to this beautifully updated stilt home in the charming coastal community of Matlacha, Florida. With three bright and airy bedrooms and three bathrooms, this home blends comfort, style, and functionality. Recent renovations include a new metal roof, helical piles, hardy board siding, and luxury vinyl plank flooring, ensuring durability and low maintenance for years. The open-concept
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