Fort Myers Beach occupies Estero Island, a narrow barrier island between Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The market was severely impacted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, with a large percentage of island properties sustaining major damage. As of 2025–2026, the market is in active recovery — roughly half of pre-Ian structures have been rebuilt, razed for new construction, or remain in the permitting process. This creates both risk and opportunity. Buyers should obtain current insurance quotes and flood elevation certificates before any offer, and verify permit status for any post-Ian rebuilt structure.