Hey readers, I am not a statistician. I am a firm believer you can use statistics to justify any position you want to take. The accuracy of the information I am about to give you comes from the records of the Key West Association of Realtors mls database. The information in that database is entered by individual offices or sometimes individual Realtors. Get the point: I am hinting that the numbers are probably not 100 per cent correct. You know the phrase "garbage in, garbage out". I am certain that innocent errors were made while entering data. Also, our database contains some duplicates (long story--accept what I say.) Nevertheless, it is what we have to work with. In 2004 there were 461 single family and condo sales totaling $335,058,765 in Key West. (The specific areas are the isla... 01/08/2008

I call it Greek Revival. Conchs call it a Conch House. Whatever you want to call it, it is a Classic Key West home. This great house is located at 1113 Fleming Street and the owner wants to sell. Classic Key West architecture with an up to date interior make this perfectly located Old Town home a smart choice. The floor plan is perfect for entertaining with the kitchen/dining and living room opening onto a rear covered porch and yard with spa pool. A wonderful feature of the property is the recently built guest cottage at the rear of the 165 ft. length lot. The guest cottage is a legal separate unit and is totally private and can also be accessed from Stickney Lane. There is covered off street parking for 2 cars. Noted local architect Michael Ingram was the previous owner of the home a... 01/08/2008

1110 Curry Lane is a delightful Conch Cottage tucked away on a beautiful lane in Old Town Key West. The cottage has been lovingly restored to maintain all the character and charm you'd expect to find such as Dade pine walls, Georgia heart pine floors and beautiful attention to detail. The floor plan is open and spacious and offers indoor/outdoor living amid privacy. There are two bedrooms and two full baths plus a chef friendly kitchen with soapstone counter tops and generous amenities. Outdoors enjoy the river rock lagoon pool, an outdoor shower (which is a must in Key West!) and lush landscaping. Relax on the front porch with a cool beverage and a good book. Off-street parking for small car. The house is priced at $1,095,000 or $907 per sq ft (1207 sq ft of living space) on a 2321 sq... 01/08/2008

The Fountains Restaurant after the fire. 1912 President William H. Taft returned from his inspection of the work on the Panama Canal and boarded a train for Washington, D.C.  1923 The Casa Marina Hotel opened for the season with a dinner and dance with the largest number of diners since its first year.  1923 In two days, Key West fishermen brought in 106,000 pounds of kingfish, which was selling for 8 cents a pound wholesale.  1975 Tourists were arriving in the Florida Keys in record numbers. The Key West Chamber of Commerce reported that there was no room available and it still was receiving inquiry calls.  1983 Fire destroyed the landmark Fountains Restaurant in the Old Cuban Club building on Duval Street at the corner of Amelia Street. The fire started when a propane truck filling t... 12/29/2007

The Florida Keys have hit The Big City.  The following article was published in The New Your Times on Friday, DecembeR 28, 2007. Havens | The Lower Florida KeysJust Possibly the Best Place for Doing Nothing By CHARLES PASSYPublished: December 28, 2007, New York TimesIT'S tempting to think of the Lower Keys, a roughly 36-mile stretch of Florida islands between Marathon and Key West, as something of a lonesome no-man's land. After all, the area is home to fewer people (about 16,000) than elsewhere in the Keys (there are some 25,000 in Key West alone). And the emphasis isn't quite on people. The region, less than a half-day drive southwest from Miami, is known for being the only habitat of Key deer, a species once nearly extinct. But the Lower Keys feel less isolated these days, especially... 12/29/2007

Price just reduced. 3 Bedroom 1 Bath concrete home on Key West's only boating canal at a great price. Lowest priced house on Riviera Canal. Brand new roof in May 2005, new dual zone central AC, soundproof doors & windows, new breakers, oversized laundry room, hurricane shutters, big shed/utility room and a large back yard with a step down full sea wall are only some of the many features of this home. Plenty of room in the yard to add a canal side pool. Come see this home today before somebody else beats you to it. Gary McAdams RealtorGMAC Schwartz Property Sales305-731-0501Key West Florida 12/27/2007

The Key West Glof Club has some great deals.  I believe it is the best priced subdivision in Key West right now.  Three years ago the lower end homes were selling in the upper $500's.  Now there are several listed in the $400's and they can be bought cheep.  Over the last year I have seen many go in the $300's and a couple even under $300,000.  Private, gated security, two pools, club house, work out room, meeting hall and amazing golf course views.  The homes in The Sancuaty are even selling in the $700's.  Come jump on one of those.  Ready to move yet?  Give me a call at 305-731-0501.  Follow the Key West Market to see these and other listings every day. 12/26/2007

Fantasy Fest this year was the same craziness with painted ladies, and costumed people getting their freak on. If you aren't busy the last Saturday of October join the Mardi-Gras-like parade. If you get queezy when sweaty people rub on you, spill their beer on you and flash private parts do NOT come here. Wait a week and come during Yacht Race Week or During the World Championship Power Boat Races when everyone but the strippers have their clothes on. Get Ready... (305) 522-1398 MayaMarieThomas@Hotmail.com http://www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com http://www.myspace.com/topkeysrealtor 11/09/2007

About My Real Estate ServicesGary Smith , REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate company, specializes in the sale of fine Homes and Condos in The Florida Keys.Gary provides buyers and sellers with in-depth professional assistance in the sale and purchase of residential property. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, and want the professional assistance of a seasoned expert, who will work diligently in an effort to satisfy your needs, please call him anytime at 305-292-7456. Hopefully, you will find his website to be comprehensive, interesting, and informative.To my Buyers:As a buyer of property, you will receive personalized, professional assistance in both locating the property that suits you, and in negotiating the deal. Before buying any property, you will be a... 11/08/2007

About my Real Estate ServicesTina Masters specializes in residential real estate in Key West and the fabulous Florida Keys. She has the expertise and experience required to help buyers locate their perfect piece of paradise.Tina possesses strong communication and negotiating skills, is computer and research saavy and has a community-wide reputation for problem solving and meeting the needs of her clients.This full-time, active, award winning agent is ready and able to furnish information on ALL the properties currently available for sale. She gladly provides her buyers with information, advice and direction regarding neighborhoods, community services, zoning and all other related closing procedures and costs.Tina is and has been a top producing agent for Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Est... 11/08/2007

 3312  Northside Dr #512, Key West, FL, MLS 531350, offered at $200,000. AFFORDABLE KEYS LIFE! Exceptional opportunity to live or invest in a fifth floor 1/1 Key West condo with partial waterview. Community amenities include pool, tennis courts, on site laundry, and parking. Top location, low maintenance fee! 11/08/2007

Key West is gorgeous in November. I don't know why the hotels, bars, beaches and restaurants are not over flowing with people. There is no humidity. The sky is clear. Everyone is having a perfect hair day and all the women look beautiful. No one is sweating off their makeup and everyone has a spring in their step from the extra boost from Mother Nature. March is the beauty queen that gets all of the publicity after her crazy sister "Fantasy Fest." November is the pretty girl next door that no one knows about. If you get the chance to visit in November you will be in heaven. The hotels are cheap. The streets are empty. You have the town to yourself EXCEPT for the World Championship Power Boat Races that are going on. Don't miss Yacht Race Week either! Yes, it's so hot in the summer. But... 11/06/2007

Hi Friends!A few sellers and another REALTOR® called me this week about what happens after foreclosure.  I also went to 2 panel discussions this week with experienced bankers and mortgage lenders.  I'm sharing so you can provide better guidance to your clients and advise your clients to contact their real estate accountant or attorney.  I'm a REALTOR® and not an accountant, attorney or tax professional.  This is complicated and requires professional assistance.  With that said, every mortgage and lending professional told the audience that all people who had their homes foreclosed would get a 1099 for the forgiveness debt and would owe taxes to the IRS.  It was not worth arguing with experts.  It is worth letting sellers who are affected by foreclosure know and my fellow REALTORS® who m... 10/28/2007

FARBAR As Is Contract Revisions Key West Florida This could save you some huge headaches.  Better to prevent than correct, right?  I just went to an excellent presentation by a real estate attorney who is on the Florida FAR BAR committee.  He told us about the changes to the FARBAR As Is contract this year.  The attorney gave us some great insight that I'll share with you! The attorney reminded us of our affirmative duty to confirm a deposit.  Our failure to confirm that a deposit has been received and is in escrow is a violation of FREC rules.  The mention of points that was on line 37 of last years As Is FARBAR contract has been removed.  The attorney said that he pushed to get rid of all of the private information about the terms that the Buyer will secure from the lending institutio... 10/26/2007

Good news!  I'm working with a buyer that just relocated from Washington D. C.  She introduced me to a 203(K) loan.  It's perfect for this market.  I want to share with you what she shared with me!  My seller's feel like they have been drinking bleach when they price their home.  My buyers realize that this market IS a great buying opportunity, but feel that prices are still way too high.  A wonderful couple I'm working with finally has a down payment we can work with.  They have sacrificed for 2 years.  They wonder why they've been renting for 9 years.  They KNOW that they can handle the responsibility of a mortgage.  They now know the difference between necessity and desire.  Just two years ago these same buyers "knew" they would never own a home in Key West.  Now, in the post-bubble ... 10/25/2007

Ask anyone who has been to Conch Republic to name 5 things to do.  Not one of those 5 things will be visit a house of worship!  Not any of the people I asked, anyway. The city of Key West has 38 houses of worship.  Because no one would believe me and because someone reading this might like to visit a house of their faith the next time you visit Key West, I figured I'd save you the time of looking in the phone book or in Google because most of them aren't there. (This is where I inserted my quick correction [Many thanks to my smart friend who rescued me from my mistake with his comment below!] 2003 population of Key West was 25,811.  The island is 2 x 4 miles, or 8 sq miles.  Since there are 38 houses of worship there is 1 church per 680 people.  For questions call me at (305) 522-1398 o... 10/25/2007

My past life was the hotel industry.  My first job when I was 12 years old was cleaning cottages.  It all culminated 17 years later as a Sales Manager and Director of Sales for the 2 of the largest hotels in Key West.  I still love the hotel industry and always will.  I want to share with you a study that is also useful in the real estate business.  VFM Interactive and Omni Hotels studied the impact of visual media on hotel bookings.  The study wanted to know whether consumers who saw virtual tours were more likely to book a reservation.  The study tracked nearly 130,000 unique consumers over 34 days.  The study confirmed that viewing a tour significantly increases the likelihood of booking.  Consumers were 67% more likely to book when they saw a virtual tour.  They refer to this as the... 10/25/2007

Funny the things that come up the longer you work in real estate.... I have a new buyer that was inspired to buy because his landlord would not allow him to hang a flag outside his door.  The landlord is a Jehovah's Witness.  The buyer is in the military.  Regardless of a persons job or religious preference a landlord can not prevent a tenant from hanging a flag according to the Florida Landlord Tenant Law.  § 83.67, Prohibited Practices says, "A landlord shall not prohibit a tenant from displaying one portable, removable, cloth or plastic United States flag, not larger than 4 and ½ feet by 6 feet, in a respectful manner in or on the dwelling unit regardless of any provision in the rental agreement dealing with flags or decorations." A landlord "who violates any provision of this sectio... 10/25/2007

Tattoo Shops in Key West? So you wanna open a tattoo parlor in Key West?  Can you do it? Yes!  There was a time not too long ago when the city said, "NO!" but times have changed.  It's amazing how fast change happens when you hire a good lawyer.  Soon the city amended section 122-418 "Conditional Uses" in the Old Town Duval Street area know affectionately by zoning officials as HRCC-1. I'm not a lawyer.  I'm just a REALTOR® helping people who want to earn a living in this fine country with pen and ink. Tattoo shops didn't last long in HRCC-1, but in that short time a few shops popped up out of the coral and concrete.  The window of opportunity lasted from August 7, 2007 through September 18, 2007.  In the blink of an eye, they were practically "outlawed." According to the City of Key We... 10/15/2007

Buying a business that has employees presents some unique circumstances that you need to plan for. Think carefully about your timing.  When you make an offer, choose a closing date and open your business can affect you and your cash flow.  Do you have plenty of money to float your business or do you need immediate cash flow to stay in business?  The first 3 years are critical and difficult.  Duval Street may be the place that you need to be if you need high foot traffic and constant new faces to stay profitable.  It can be hard to make an offer if you plan to make your offer based upon a multiple of revenue. Many shop owners will make the majority of their profit during "high season," and special events.  "Shoulder season" is also very good.  Shoulder season is the 2 months prior to and... 10/15/2007