The Southwest Florida housing market is filled with surprises that few real estate professionals know about. Such is the case with Cypress Creek in Bradenton, a gated community where house hunters can still find one-acre waterfront lots begging for development.

The Cypress Creek neighborhood is located on the banks of the Manatee River, just west of the River Strand Golf and Country Club. Although Cypress Creek is just east of I-75, most drivers zip by the neighborhood on their way across the river or south towards Sarasota.

Development at Cypress Creek started in the 1980s with a couple of Florida ranch-style homes. Most of the properties are Mediterranean-style estates that feature between three and five bedrooms and face the Manatee River or one of the various lakes and ponds.

A late 2015 listing is typical of what prospective home buyers can find in Cypress Creek: five bedrooms, three bathrooms, bay windows, French doors, open floor plan, a covered lanai overlooking the river, mature landscaping, three-car garage, and swimming pool. This waterfront estate was listed under $500K and features over 3,468 square feet of living space.

Most of the homes at Cypress Creek are custom-built on spec; to this effect, a few lots are still available for development. In late 2015, a one-acre home site bordered by a creek and with a view of a pond was listed for $125K, a very reasonable price for waterfront land near Bradenton these days.

With Downtown Bradenton just 10 minutes away and public schools nearby, Cypress Creek is a very desirable neighborhood for families. The Tom Bennett Park and Playground Pavilion is within walking distance, and a Walmart Supercenter is also just a short walk away. Driving to Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island takes about 20 minutes, but many residents of Cypress Creek prefer taking their boats down the Manatee River.