Although the Village of Cortez welcomes prospective homeowners from all walks of life, the following house hunters can be seen evaluating listings and visiting open houses at any given time:

* History buffs
* Anglers
* Seafood lovers
* Boaters
* Artists

Cortez is a special coastal community in Manatee County that boasts spectacular real estate along with a very relaxed way of life. This photogenic neighborhood has been features in more than one Hollywood production: Great Expectations, Palmetto and Out of Time are three known films that have chosen Cortez to represent life in coastal Florida.

Fishing has been and will likely always be the main economic driver in the Village of Cortez. A lot of the seafood consumed in Florida and across the South is caught in the Gulf of Mexico and brought to the local docks. On any given day, residents of Cortez get to enjoy the daily catch at legendary restaurants such as the Starfish Company Seafood Market and Restaurant, which enjoys daily visits from across the Sunshine State as well as from abroad.

Living in Cortez means living very close to the ocean and to the beach. This village is the last community that people drive past as they head to Bradenton and Holmes Beach; Cortez residents are within bike riding distance. There are enough small boutiques, shops, grocery markets, restaurants, and pubs for local residents to enjoy; greater convenience and amenities can be found in the City of Bradenton and its nearby suburbs.

The abundance of waterfront properties in Cortez makes it a pretty active housing market. There are many coastal mansions with private docks and sweeping views of Palma Sola and Sarasota Bays, but home buyers can also find modest cottages, cozy bungalows, Florida ranch-style homes, modern condominiums, and more. Well-preserved historic homes come on the market from time to time, and they tend to attract many bids.

Purchasing a dream home in Cortez may require prospective buyers to work closely with their real estate agents. Available listings do not stay on the market for very long before they are quickly snapped up amidst multiple bids. For this reason, it is important to work with an agent who knows the local market well.