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Lauren Leslie Lortie, REALTOR® — portrait on a Southwest Florida dock at golden hour

REALTOR® · Naples · Bonita Springs · Estero

Lauren Leslie LortieReal estate, told straight.

I'm Lauren — a former Southwest Florida news reporter, now helping buyers and sellers along the Gulf Coast. Same clarity. Same research. Same accountability.

Call (239) 778-9766Start a conversation
Previously on-airWINK News, Southwest Florida44News, Evansville, INShell Point Today, Fort Myers

01—The Story

Reporter. Storyteller. Realtor.

Before real estate, I spent 10 years in local journalism — over six of them on the air at 44News in Evansville, Indiana, working my way from reporter to anchor and investigative correspondent. In 2021, I moved to Southwest Florida to join WINK News, where I covered the stories that shaped this region — from Hurricane Ian's recovery, to FEMA's trailer rollout in Collier County, to Florida's Hometown Heroes program helping essential workers become first-time homeowners. I also hosted Shell Point Today, the long-form interview program out of Shell Point in Fort Myers. Longtime viewers may know me by my on-air byline, Lauren Leslie.

That work taught me three things that still drive how I represent clients today.

Swipe for all three →

  • Ask the questions other people are afraid to ask.

    A house is the largest purchase most people ever make. You deserve an agent who pushes for clear answers on flood zones, insurance history, HOA finances, and seller disclosures — not someone who hopes nothing comes up at inspection.

  • Get the story right the first time.

    Journalism doesn't reward guessing. Neither does a real estate contract. I bring the same research discipline to comparative market analysis, pricing strategy, and contract negotiation — on either side of the deal — that I brought to a breaking-news desk.

  • Tell the story well.

    Whether it's a listing video, a neighborhood guide, or a buyer's-side narrative I'm building to win a multiple-offer situation, I know how to communicate. That's still my edge.

Ready when you are.

Get in touch

02—Newsroom Experience

What I covered then. What I help with now.

  • Then ·Hurricane Ian recovery and rebuilding across Lee and Collier counties.

    Now ·Reading flood zone history, elevation certificates, and insurance claim records before you write an offer.

  • Then ·FEMA trailer access, FPL infrastructure timelines, and county permitting bottlenecks.

    Now ·Realistic timelines on what “newly renovated” actually means and which permits are pulled.

  • Then ·Florida's Hometown Heroes essential-worker home-buying program.

    Now ·Down payment assistance, first-time buyer programs, and connecting clients with the right lenders.

  • Then ·Local government, school districts, and the everyday workings of SWFL communities.

    Now ·Honest neighborhood guidance — not a sales pitch — when you're choosing where to live.

03—How I Work

Three ways I help.

For Buyers

Whether you're relocating, purchasing your first home, or adding to an investment portfolio, I'll handle the research and the running around. You'll get neighborhood-level analysis, honest assessments of insurance and flood-zone realities post-Ian, and an agent who treats your inspection contingency like a deadline, not a formality.

For Sellers

Pricing strategy is the whole game. I build a comparative market analysis from actual sales data — not last year's wishful thinking — and bring the marketing skills of someone who spent a decade in front of a camera. Listing video, professional photography, MLS exposure, and a clear weekly report on what's working.

For Investors & Relocations

I came to SWFL the same way many of my clients do — from somewhere else. I know the questions out-of-state buyers actually need answered: insurance carriers post-Ian, true cost of pool and lanai upkeep, hurricane preparation, rental rules in different communities, and how the seasonal market changes value perception.

Lauren on a Southwest Florida beach with her dog at golden hour
“Same clarity. Same research. Same accountability.”
— Lauren
Moxie, the office dog, on a Southwest Florida beach at golden hour

On the Pet Beat

Moxie — Pet correspondent

Vets every pet-friendly listing. Specializes in fenced lanais, walkable neighborhoods, and which HOAs actually mean it when they say “pets welcome.”

04—Where I Work

Collier County. Lee County. The Gulf Coast.

I serve buyers and sellers across Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, and surrounding communities — primary residences, second homes, and investment properties.

The Office

Knowledge Base Real Estate

9148 Bonita Beach Rd, #203, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

I work under broker Kevin Bartlett at one of Southwest Florida's most respected boutique brokerages, with offices in Bonita Springs and Estero.

  • Lee + Collier · Coverage Area
  • Featured Areas · Naples · Bonita · Estero
  • Coverage Landmarks
Map of Lee and Collier counties, Southwest Florida

Coverage Area

Collier + Lee Counties

Southwest Florida · Gulf Coast

Naples

Bonita Springs

Estero

  • North Fort Myers
  • Cape Coral
  • Captiva
  • Sanibel Lighthouse
  • Fort Myers Beach
  • Vanderbilt Beach
  • Marco Island

County geometry: U.S. Census TIGER (public domain) via us-atlas.

05—Gulf Coast

Where you might end up.

A quick tour of the communities I work in across Lee and Collier counties — each with its own pace, price band, and personality.

Naples Pier extending into the Gulf of Mexico at golden hour, Collier County, Florida.

Collier County

Naples

Old Naples, the Pier, downtown 5th Avenue South.

Bonita Springs beach access along the Gulf Coast in Lee County, Florida.

Lee County

Bonita Springs

Beach access, gated communities, Bonita Bay.

Estero residential neighborhood near Coconut Point in Lee County, Florida.

Lee County

Estero

Coconut Point, family neighborhoods, growing market.

Fort Myers Beach shoreline and pier along the Gulf Coast of Lee County, Florida.

Lee County

Fort Myers

Downtown River District, McGregor Boulevard, the islands.

Aerial view of Cape Coral canals and waterfront homes in Lee County, Florida.

Lee County

Cape Coral

400 miles of canals, waterfront homes, boating access.

Sanibel Lighthouse on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island, Lee County, Florida.

Lee County

Sanibel & Captiva

Shelling beaches, post-Ian rebuild, island living.

Current imagery: CC0 stock from Pexels. To be replaced with Lauren's SWFL photography.

06—The Neighborhood Desk

What your house is actually doing — block by block.

A Zestimate is an algorithm. A Pulse Report is a two-page editorial market read on the house you actually live in — recent sales on your street, days-on-market in your subdivision, insurance and assessment shifts that change what your home is worth this month.

Free, written by me, in your inbox within 48 hours. No auto-sequence, no follow-up barrage — just the read, the way I'd write it for a neighbor.

Currently reporting from

  • Naples · Collier County

    Queen's Park

    Established East Naples community where I live. Single-family homes, lakes, mature trees — and a market that doesn't move in lockstep with the rest of Naples.

    Get the Queen's Park report

  • Naples · Collier County

    King's Lake

    East Naples lakefront community adjacent to Queen's Park — same micromarket, slightly different price-per-square-foot dynamics.

    Get the King's Lake report

See all communities I cover →

Adding more neighborhoods as I take them on personally. I cap the desk at communities I know cold — that's what makes the report worth your inbox.

Don't see your community? I work the whole Gulf Coast.

Send a note

07—Frequently Asked

Questions, answered.

  • Yes. I'm licensed by the Florida Real Estate Commission and work under broker Kevin Bartlett at Knowledge Base Real Estate. License number on request.

Different question on your mind? I'd rather hear it directly.

Call now

08—Clients

In their words.

More reviews + previous sales →

Highly recommend Lauren Leslie for your real estate needs.

“Lauren went above and beyond in her efforts to sell my home in Gateway community. There were some unusual circumstances that had to be overcome and Lauren handled them quickly and efficiently. I would highly recommend her.”
Verified Seller · Gateway, FL · via RateMyAgent

Lauren Leslie, KBRE (Knowledge Base Real Estate)

“Lauren provided support beyond just the transaction. Her recommendations and guidance were invaluable, providing honest advice on property values. She promptly answered calls, texts, and emails, keeping me informed about every development. Her dedication was evident in how she went out of her way to work with the condominium's property manager to accommodate client viewings. I highly recommend Lauren Leslie and KBRE.”
Verified Seller · via RateMyAgent

Personable, professional and very pleasant to work with

“Easy to work with, gave good suggestions on displaying inside of the house. Always informed you of appointments and Lauren herself was always prompt for any appointment. After the house sold she was always there with suggestions and help with any repairs. Except for my anxiety!! everything went smoothly at closing. I only had 3 weeks to move after signing to closing. What she said she would do she did, not like some realtors who are all talk.”
Verified Seller · via RateMyAgent

More reviews and selected closings.

The track record

09—Contact

Let's talk.

Office address
9148 Bonita Beach Rd, #203, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
I'm interested in

I respond to every message personally, usually within a few hours.