Ethan,

The rental market here in Lee County is fairly strong given the so called tough economic times. There are deals to be had for tenants but for investors or landlords who have been buying up rental properties cheap this past year it can be very lucrative for them as well. I hope this gives you some insight into the market here in Lee County. Please don't hesitate to let me know if I can be of any help to you or your clients here.

Thanks,
Erik Elsea
AmState Advantage Realty
239-405-4063 cell
erik@erikelsea.com

Don't believe everything (or anything) that you read in the News Press. It's a great rental market. There are great tenants out there are rental rates have been creeping up along with house prices. You just need a great property manager just like you need a great agent when buying in Southwest Florida.

John's rental prices are right on.

In Cape Coral 1400 sq ft home built after 2000 can be purchased under $100,000 and will rent for between $750 and $900 depending on what area of Cape Coral, if it has a lanai, city water and sewer or well and septic.
I have investors buying $120,000 pool homes and renting them out for around $1100 to $1200. We have a property management company that handles 550 homes on an annual basis and 100 homes and condo seasonally.
I am more into the sales and I work with a rental agent in our property management division after the sale.

John Ellwood

Miloff Aubuchon Realty

4707 SE 9th Pl

Cape Coral, Fl 33904

239-229-9904 cell

239-542-1075 office

239-542-7166 fax

jellwood@TeamAubuchon.com

The market is great if you are a tenant and challenging if you are a landlord. The News-Press ran a story about the rental market earlier in the week and described it as a "Wreck." Rental rates vary depending on location, Craig's List will give a a good view of what the competition is asking for similar homes: http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/apa/