After years of stagnant sales and irritating defaults, the Fort Myers real estate market is rising, thanks to a mix of real estate investors and homebuyers eager to take advantage of affordable pricing and record-low mortgage interest rates before they expire. The Fort Myers home markets are not being overrun by speculators, as they were in the early years of the twenty-first century. While there appears to be a greater interest in vacation homes that can bring rental income, the region is also showing signs of development. While rent-to-own vacation opportunities are not as prevalent as they once were, they remain an excellent alternative for house-hunters searching for a fantastic place to live, especially at a time when mortgage credit and lending requirements remain very strict. While Fort Myers Beach real estate is still a retirement and vacation haven, Southwest Florida's greater quality of life is attracting many families who see the area as a promising place to develop and prosper.