Built lot by lot, along hundreds of miles of canals

Cape Coral began as a planned community in the late 1950s. Lots were marketed to buyers across the country, and developers dredged more than 400 miles of canals through what had been flat, wet land. The result is a grid of single-family homes, most of them concrete block, built from the 1960s onward, with many lots still vacant or only recently built on.

The canals come in two kinds. Saltwater canals lead out to the Caloosahatchee and the Gulf, while freshwater canals are inland and don't connect to open water. On either kind, the seawall, dock, and boat lift belong to the homeowner, and so does the cost of fixing them.

What we check on a Cape Coral waterfront home

Ian's surge and wind hit these features hard, and some are still not fixed. We look at each one and price it into the offer rather than asking you to repair it:

  • Seawall condition, including cracks, leaning panels, and washouts behind the cap
  • Docks and boat lifts, and whether they were permitted
  • Pool cages and screen enclosures that were bent or torn
  • Signs of past flooding, and what was dried out, removed, or replaced
  • Roof age and type, which drive the next owner's insurance quotes
  • Whether the city required a substantial damage review after the storm

Wells, septic, and the Utilities Extension Project

Nearly all of Cape Coral south of Pine Island Road now has city water and sewer, but many homes farther north were built on private wells and septic tanks. The city's Utilities Extension Project is bringing water, sewer, and irrigation lines north in phases, and owners in each phase are assessed for the work. The assessment can be paid off or financed over many years, and once lines reach a street, the city requires developed lots to connect.

An assessment, or one that is coming, doesn't stop a sale. The title company confirms the balance, and the contract spells out how it's handled.

Owners who don't live in the Cape

A large share of Cape Coral property belongs to people who live somewhere else: seasonal residents, investors, and families who inherited a house or a lot bought decades ago. Managing storm repairs, insurance renewals, and a seawall contractor from another state wears people down. We've bought as-is property for over a decade, and we can run this sale with you remotely. Furniture and belongings you don't want can stay.

We also buy vacant Cape lots, including ones with a utility assessment or no utilities at all.

Frequently asked questions

Will you buy a Cape Coral home with a failing seawall?

Yes. We factor the seawall's condition and likely repair cost into our offer. You don't need a contractor's bid or a permit before selling.

Does it matter whether my canal is saltwater or freshwater?

It affects value and who the eventual buyer is, but we buy on both. We also note any bridges between your dock and open water.

Do you buy Cape homes still on a well and septic tank?

Yes. We look at the age and condition of both systems and any utility assessment that applies to the lot.

My house was damaged in Ian and never fully repaired. Can I still sell it?

Yes. Tell us what was done and what wasn't, including any insurance or FEMA claims, and we'll evaluate it as it stands.