Cortez Homes for Sale & Living Guide
Cortez is one of Florida's last working waterfront fishing villages, on Sarasota Bay just west of Bradenton and across the bridge from Anna Maria Island. Whether you're buying, selling or relocating, we're Eric and Traci Bolen of Sand + Sea Homes with eXp Realty, and we'd love to help.
Living here
Life in Cortez
Cortez is a historic fishing village in Manatee County on the shore of Sarasota Bay. The village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Florida Maritime Museum, housed in the 1912 Cortez schoolhouse, tells the story of Florida's fishing heritage. The museum building is closed for rehabilitation, but its grounds remain open. The Cortez Bridge connects the village to Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island. See our Bradenton guide and our Anna Maria Island guide.
Living here
Neighborhoods
Cortez is small, with older cottages, waterfront homes, condos and manufactured homes. Inventory is limited, so it helps to be ready when the right home comes up.
Market
Home Types and Prices
You'll find older cottages, waterfront homes, condos and manufactured homes.
Redfin and Realtor.com don't publish a Cortez-only market page. The closest Redfin data is for ZIP code 34215, which is small and doesn't break out the village itself, so we don't quote a median here. Ask us for current comps on the exact street or building.
Selling? See our selling page or get a free home value estimate.
Before you buy
Flood Zones and Insurance
Flood zones. Check each property's FEMA flood zone, elevation certificate and claims history, and get flood quotes before you make an offer.
Insurance. Get quotes early. See whether Florida home insurance rates are coming down.
Full cost picture. See the hidden costs of buying a home in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte County.
Education
Schools
Public schools zoned for homes in Cortez, from the official district zone maps and locators (checked Oct 20, 2026):
Elementary: Palma Sola Elementary School
Middle: Sugg Middle School
High: Bayshore High School
Districts: the School District of Manatee County.
Manatee County's new elementary and middle school zones took effect in 2026-27; new high school zones take effect in 2027-28, so the high school shown here may change. Manatee County families can also apply through the district's Controlled Open Enrollment (School Choice) window for programs such as IB at Johnson K-8 and Southeast High and AICE at Palmetto High. Manatee School for the Arts in Palmetto is a public charter school for grades 6-12 with its own application. Which school a home is zoned for depends on the exact address, and boundaries change, so always confirm with the district before you buy.
Commute & travel
Getting Around
Cortez Road connects the village to Bradenton to the east, and the Cortez Bridge leads west to Bradenton Beach and the Gulf.
Your local team
Why Work With Sand + Sea Homes
We're Eric and Traci Bolen, a husband-and-wife team of REALTORS with eXp Realty. We help buyers understand Cortez's waterfront, flood and insurance details, and we help sellers price a one-of-a-kind property in a small market. If you're new to the area, our buying page walks you through the process, and our step-by-step buying timeline shows what to expect.
Sand + Sea Homes · eXp Realty
Ready to explore Cortez? Call or text Eric & Traci at (941) 352-2121, search the homes above, or get your home's value.
Questions
Cortez FAQ
What is Cortez, FL known for?
Cortez is a historic fishing village on Sarasota Bay, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to the Florida Maritime Museum.
How much does a home cost in Cortez?
Redfin and Realtor.com don't publish Cortez-only market data, and the nearby ZIP code data doesn't represent the village. Ask us for current comps on the specific street.
How far is Cortez from the beach?
Cortez sits at the mainland end of the Cortez Bridge, which leads to Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island.
Do I need flood insurance in Cortez?
It depends on the property. Homes in FEMA high-risk flood zones with a mortgage typically need flood insurance. Check the flood zone and get quotes before you make an offer.
Which schools serve Cortez?
Zoned public schools in Cortez include elementary: Palma Sola Elementary School; middle: Sugg Middle School; high: Bayshore High School (official district zone data, checked Oct 20, 2026). The assignment depends on the exact address, so confirm with the district.
