100+
Successful SWFL Closings
5★
Google Rated, Lee & Collier
#1
YouTube, Greater Fort Myers
20+
Years in Construction
🗺️

Not Sure Where in SWFL
You Should Be Looking?

Lee County has 675+ communities, gated, waterfront, golf, 55+, new construction, and everything in between. Answer 7 questions about your lifestyle, budget, and priorities, and we'll pin your top 5 best-fit communities on an interactive map, complete with school ratings and flood zone data.

📍 Your Top 5 Communities
Pinned on an interactive map of Lee County, filtered to match your lifestyle, budget, and must-haves.
🏫 School Data Included
119 schools color-coded by grade level, mapped alongside each community result.
💧 Flood Zone Context
Know which communities carry flood risk and what that means for your insurance before you fall in love with a home.
Start the 90-Second Quiz →

7 questions · 90 seconds · Custom map emailed to you · 100% free

Rather browse all 675 communities yourself first?

Browse the Full Community Directory & Map →
🔨 20 Years in Construction

Most Agents Walk Through a Home.
Rick Reads It.

Before real estate, Rick spent 20 years in construction, starting in 2004. That's not a tagline. It's the difference between an agent who hands you a disclosure packet and one who can tell you, standing in the kitchen, whether you're looking at a $3,000 fix or a $30,000 problem.

🏗️
Pre-Inspection Eyes
We walk every home looking for what an inspector will find, before you pay for one. Roof conditions, truss damage, drainage issues, foundation concerns. You'll know what you're buying.
📋
New Construction Quality Assessment
Not all new construction is created equal. We know which builders cut corners, where the common defect patterns show up, and how to negotiate punch-list repairs that stick.
💡
Repair Cost Reality Checks
When something comes up in due diligence, you get an honest estimate, not guesswork. That's negotiating leverage most buyers don't have.
🌀
Florida-Specific Risk Awareness
Wind mitigation, roof age, 4-point inspections, hurricane straps, flood elevation, we know what Florida homeownership actually requires, not just what Zillow shows you.
2004
Year Rick started in construction
, before most agents got licensed
20+
Years reading homes,
structures, and build quality
100+
SWFL closings, resale,
new construction, and investment
35+
SWFL builder contracts reviewed
for traps and hidden costs
The Process

How We Guide You Home

Seven steps. Full transparency. No surprises. Here's exactly what working with us looks like, plus the resources to help you at every stage.

1
Understand Your Budget & True Costs

We go beyond the pre-approval letter. You'll know the real cost of homeownership in SWFL, property taxes, insurance, HOA, CDD fees, flood zone implications, before you fall in love with a home that doesn't fit your actual number.

2
Find the Right Community, Not Just the Right House

In SWFL, where you buy matters as much as what you buy. We help you narrow 675+ communities down to the handful that actually fit your lifestyle, commute, school needs, and flood tolerance, before you start touring homes you'll never buy.

3
Access the Full Market

Most buyers only see what Zillow shows them. We give you access to the complete picture, MLS listings and new construction builder inventory across 35+ SWFL builders, so you're comparing real options, not just what happened to pop up this week.

4
Tour Homes, With Construction Eyes

This is where the contractor background earns its keep. We walk every home looking for what an inspector will find before you pay for one, roof conditions, drainage, structural indicators, build quality, and coach you on what you're actually looking at.

5
Write a Winning Offer, Without Overpaying

Offer strategy in SWFL is nuanced. New construction contracts are completely different from resale, and heavily favor the builder by default. We analyze every deal on its own terms: price, concessions, contingencies, and seller motivation. You win the right deal, not just any deal.

6
Navigate Inspections, Insurance & Florida Due Diligence

Florida due diligence is more complex than most states. Roof age, 4-point inspections, wind mitigation reports, flood elevation certificates, FEMA maps, we walk you through every one, give you honest cost context on what we find, and connect you with the right professionals to protect your investment.

7
Closing Day & What Comes After

We coordinate the final walkthrough, closing documents, and your transition. And with our Buyer Protection Plan, including a 1-Year Home Warranty and access to our vetted vendor network, we don't disappear the day you get the keys.

🏗️ New Construction Specialists

Buying New Construction in SWFL?
Get representation, it costs you nothing and matters a lot.

The builder's sales agent works for the builder. Not you. New construction contracts in SWFL are loaded with unilateral closing extensions, nonrefundable deposit structures, and escalation clauses most buyers don't catch until it's too late. We've reviewed contracts across 35+ SWFL builders, we know exactly where to look.

Search New Construction →

Download the Free SWFL Relocation Kit

Everything you need to plan your move to Southwest Florida, community comparisons, cost of living breakdown, school directory, and a step-by-step relocation checklist. Whether you've visited once or never, this is where to start.

Get the Kit →
Why Rick Harrison III

Why More SWFL Buyers
Choose to Work With Us

📺
The Most In-Depth Community Coverage in Southwest Florida
Our YouTube channel, ranked #1 for Greater Fort Myers real estate, exists specifically so you can research SWFL communities the same way a local would, from wherever you are right now. Street-level neighborhood tours, new construction walkthroughs, school district breakdowns, cost of living breakdowns, built for buyers who are doing their homework before they visit. Start there. Then come talk to us.
Watch the Channel →
#1 Ranked · Fort Myers
🔨
20 Years in Construction
Rick reads homes differently than other agents. You'll know what you're buying before the inspection bill arrives.
🛡️
Exclusive Buyer Protection Plan
1-Year Home Warranty plus our vetted contractor and vendor network, included with every purchase.
💰
Negotiation Backed by Build Costs
Repairs and concessions get priced from real construction costs, so your asks are specific and a lot harder to wave off.
🏗️
New Construction Expertise
35+ SWFL builder contracts reviewed. We know where the traps are, and how to negotiate around them.
💬
Communication Guarantee
Response within 4 hours. In writing. Every time.
🌎
Built for People Who Don't Know SWFL
We built this business around relocation buyers starting from zero local knowledge, which means we've had to know everything. Lifelong locals learn something here too.
🛡️ Exclusive Buyer Protection Plan

We Protect You After the Keys Too.

Every buyer we represent gets our Exclusive Buyer Protection Plan, designed to cover the gaps most buyers don't think about until after closing.

1-Year Home Warranty included with your purchase
A direct line to Rick for 12 months after closing, not a call center
Access to our vetted contractor and vendor network after closing
New construction punch-list walkthrough support included
Learn More at Your Strategy Session →
Client Results

What Our Buyers Say

★★★★★

"Rick was very helpful and efficient with our quick relocation from out of state and his YouTube videos are informative too. He never pressured us even though we struggled to make our minds up!"

Jennifer Wallace
Out-of-State Relocation · Verified Google Review
★★★★★

"While purchasing our new construction home, we wanted a realtor who was knowledgeable, trustworthy and able to help us navigate the process from nearly two thousand miles away. We found Rick thru his YouTube videos and he exceeded our expectations every step of the way."

Daniel Wells
New Construction · Remote Buyer (2,000 mi) · Verified Google Review
★★★★★

"Rick is super knowledgeable and informative. He has helped me and my family navigate the real estate world. He finds creative ways to increase your chances of your offer being accepted. He is honest and patient with helping find the right home. I would highly recommend using Rick as your realtor."

Britney Creed
Family Home Buyer · Verified Google Review
FAQ

Questions Buyers Ask

What does it cost to work with you as a buyer's agent?

In most resale transactions, the seller covers buyer's agent compensation, so working with us typically costs you nothing out of pocket. For new construction, we're usually compensated directly by the builder. We'll walk you through the compensation structure fully during your Strategy Session, no surprises.

Do I need to be pre-approved before booking a Strategy Session?

No. A Strategy Session is a great place to talk through the financing process and get pointed to the right lenders. That said, if you're ready to start touring homes, a pre-approval (or proof of funds for cash buyers) is required before we can schedule showings.

Can you help me buy new construction and still represent me?

Absolutely, and you should always have representation on a new construction purchase. The builder's on-site sales agent legally represents the builder, not you. We've reviewed contracts across Lennar, Pulte, GL Homes, Maronda, and 30+ other SWFL builders. We know what to watch for, and we know how to negotiate repairs that actually get done.

I've never been to Southwest Florida. Where do I even start?

Start with the Community Quiz on this page, it narrows 675+ Lee County communities down to your top 5 based on lifestyle, budget, and priorities, and emails you a custom map. Then watch a few neighborhood tours on our YouTube channel. Then book a Strategy Session and we'll build a plan together. Most of our buyers close on homes they didn't even know existed when they first reached out.

I'm moving from out of state, can you help me buy without being here in person?

Yes, and this is our specialty. We do video tours, live FaceTime walkthroughs, and have managed full purchases for remote buyers from contract to close, without them setting foot in Florida until moving day.

What's included in the Buyer Protection Plan?

Every buyer we represent gets a 1-Year Home Warranty with their purchase, access to our vetted vendor and contractor network after closing, and a direct line to Rick for 12 months. For new construction buyers, we also provide punch-list walkthrough support. The protection doesn't end at closing.

What areas of Southwest Florida do you cover?

We're active throughout Lee and Collier Counties, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Babcock Ranch, Bonita Springs, Estero, Naples, and beyond. If you're buying in SWFL, we've worked in that community or right next to it.

Ready to Find Out Which SWFL Home
Is Actually Right for You?

Book a free 45-minute Buyer Strategy Session. No sales pitch. No pressure. Just clarity on your budget, your best-fit communities, and a step-by-step plan built around your specific timeline and situation.

Book My Buyer Strategy Session →
45 MinutesNo-obligation conversation
Expert PreparedReal market analysis
No PressureInformation first, always
Protection PlanIncluded with every purchase

Recently Closed

Real homes. Real closings.

A sample of Southwest Florida homes we have recently helped clients buy and sell, straight from the MLS.

Sold$1,660,000
Buyer Represented
$1,660,000

2203 SW 52nd St, Cape Coral

14593 Aeries Way Drive, Fort MyersBuyer Represented
$485,000Jul 2026

14593 Aeries Way Drive, Fort Myers

3 bd · 2 ba · 2,002 sqft

1808 SW 30th Terrace, Cape CoralBuyer Represented
$775,000Jun 2026

1808 SW 30th Terrace, Cape Coral

3 bd · 2 ba · 1,945 sqft

8761 Timber Run Court, Fort MyersBuyer Represented
$600,000Jun 2026

8761 Timber Run Court, Fort Myers

3 bd · 3 ba · 2,307 sqft

3249 Baravaldo Circle, Cape CoralBuyer Represented
$359,000Mar 2026

3249 Baravaldo Circle, Cape Coral

4 bd · 2 ba · 2,032 sqft

4340 S Canal Circle, North Fort MyersBuyer Represented
$435,000Mar 2026

4340 S Canal Circle, North Fort Myers

3 bd · 2 ba · 1,635 sqft

1203 SW 11th Place, Cape CoralListed & Sold
$375,000Mar 2026

1203 SW 11th Place, Cape Coral

3 bd · 2 ba · 1,767 sqft · sold in 19 days

22854 Forest Ridge Drive, EsteroBuyer Represented
$390,000Jan 2026

22854 Forest Ridge Drive, Estero

3 bd · 2 ba · 1,691 sqft

17544 Saddleback Loop, North Fort MyersBuyer Represented
$365,000Jan 2026

17544 Saddleback Loop, North Fort Myers

4 bd · 3 ba · 2,032 sqft

Closed transactions from the MLS. A sample of recent activity, not a complete list.

Buyer Questions

Buying in SWFL, FAQ

What's the first step to buying a home in Southwest Florida?
Know your true number before you fall in love with a house. Get pre-approved, then factor in the real carrying costs, taxes, insurance, flood, HOA/CDD, with the cost cheatsheet. Relocating? Start with the free Relocation Kit.
How much do I need for a down payment and closing costs?
Down payment depends on your loan (as little as 3-3.5% for many first-time buyers), and buyer closing costs typically run ~2-5% of the price. There are down-payment assistance programs many buyers miss, the First-Time Buyer Guide walks through them.
Should I buy new construction or a resale home?
New construction means builder warranties and incentives but longer timelines and bare lots; resale means established landscaping, negotiable price, and faster move-in. I help you weigh both for your situation, and if you're selling and buying at once, the Selling & Buying Guide covers the timing.
Do you help first-time and out-of-state buyers?
Yes, both are a specialty. Out-of-state buyers get remote video tours and full coordination; first-timers get loan-program and assistance guidance. See the Relocation Kit and the First-Time Buyer Guide.
How do I search homes for sale in SWFL?
Search every active MLS listing on the home search page, or use the community map to find the right neighborhood first, then tour homes that actually fit.