Monday, October 15, 2012

Just Closed on Adam's Cut - $850,000!! The Conchquistador Deal of the Day - 10.15.12

One of my favorite places to be in Key Largo is Adam’s Cut. Just pull the throttle back to cruise at about 5 knots, crack open a beer, turn on some Jimmy Buffett and just sit back and chill for what seems to be about a half mile or so of  easy coasting. The “Cut”, as it is known by, was built back in the 50s as a swath of a passageway cut through incredibly hard-coral that has now left a basic canyon that is a thoroughfare from the Bayside the Oceanside.

Prior to the Cut’s construction, seafarers had to go either all the way up to Angelfish Creek just north of Ocean Reef Club, or all the way down to Tavernier Creek which made getting from side to side a rather difficult and lonnnnng passage. This now makes it a really easy passageway from Blackwater Sound on the Bayside to Largo Sound on the Oceanside.

As you cross Adams Cut you get to glimpse some really marvelous homes that reside right on the Cut and one of those homes just sold, and I have to congratulate my friends and colleagues Bill Belian and Joel Young represented the Buyer in this transaction.

Here are the Details:

457 Barracuda Blvd. Key Largo

List price: $989,500 / Sold Price $850,000 

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms

Mile Marker 104

Description: Own on Millionaire's Row in Key Largo!! Beautiful 4BR/3BA, CBS pool home w/marble flooring and screened in porch. Privacy wall w/Gate surrounds almost 1/2 acre of privacy. Easy access to Ocean or Bay. Catch Fish, Shrimp or Blue Crabs from your 100ft concrete dock w/davits. Ultimate living at it's finest!!




Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.


Friday, October 5, 2012

Holy @#$% !! Look What's Happening in Our Market! The Latest Numbers Are Out.

Holy @#$% !!
Water's Edge - One of Our Estates Currently for Sale
Look what's happening in our Market.  The latest numbers are certainly eye opening that is for sure.
In a comparison of transactions in September 2011 and September 2012, we see a dramatic surge in Sales Prices of 34.7%, Days on The Market decrease of 25% , while the quantity of sales remained pretty much constant. Our Average List Price has, as well, leaped a staggering 53%!!!  Open up your wallets ...Momma needs a new pair of Shoes!!

Now some of these numbers are a bit skewed by a run of High Priced $2M Sales, but even with that taken into account, our Market is Smoking!!!

View from our Listing at 4 North Drive in Key Largo
What does this mean?  Well, a couple of things.  First it's a great time for Sellers as properties are selling, and at the highest prices and at a pace that we have not seen since the real estate bubble burst several years ago. So, an ideal time to put your home on the Market.

Paradoxically, this is as well still a great time for Buyers!!  Yes prices have gone up from last year....but money is so damn cheap right now, that if you are borrowing, a good deal of these increases are offset, AND you are still getting homes at a dramatic discount from the Hey Day.

The key, regardless of what side of the transaction that you are on is being armed with the best information regarding today's volatile market.  Work with a LOCAL real estate professional who really knows the market, work with a LOCAL lender if you are financing, INSIST on LOCAL appraisers.  Get to know the Numbers and look at the Comparables.  As Clothier. Sy Syms used to say in his commercials, "An Educated Consumer is Our Best Customer".

Below is my Monthly Market Recap:

Double Click Image to enlarge


Work with an Agent who KNOWS the numbers.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Nostalgic Hotel Signs and The Shoestrings Weekends Blog.

As a compulsive Blogger, I can appreciate other really good and entertaining Blogs.
One of my favorites is the "Shoestrings Weekends Blog", written by Art Boza who lives in Key West and writes about all kinds of super cool things to do in the Keys on a miniscule budget.
When you get the chance check it out, as you might find a new adventure to undertake!

Below is a recent post of his:

"Nostalgic Motel Signs

A while back on the internet I couldn’t believe how many websites and photo sites like Flickr have 100′s of groups with 1,000′s of photo and 100,000′s followers did I realize that there’s a massive amount of people who love looking at old nostalgic hotel signs! There are literally 100′s of hotels, motels & resorts along the 126.7 mile path down the Key’s to Key West with plenty of older style signage. Here’s what I’d say are the two best that you’ll find heading towards Paradise on US-1 South.
You can find the first one, The Seafarer Resort Hotel (seen below) with Old Man Salt Of The Sea lighting the way with his lantern at Mile Marker 97.9 on the right side of the road in Key Largo… and yes, the lantern really lights up! The second is a little further down called the Rainbow Bend Resort & Fishing Camp known for their FREE motorboat rentals for paying hotel quests. The Rainbow Bend sign can’t be missed on the left side of the road near Mile Marker 58 at the BEND in the road… hmm, wonder how they came up with Rainbow Bend as a name? :-)
These are but two of a number of antique, old & nostalgic hotel signs you’ll see. I assure you that if these two don’t tickle your fancy then there’s plenty more along the way to temp your eyes!"
Work with an Agent who knows the Signs of a great Market.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.
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Friday, September 28, 2012

"Tropical Chic" -My Latest Waterfront Listing...Super Deal at $960,000!!

Tropical Chic 

Ahhh God I Love the Keys!!  There is just something about the ambience down here that makes our little chain so damn appealing.
The Water, The Breezes, the people, the lack of time and disdain for watches. I can't put my finger on it ...just an inescapable essence that permeates the place.  From Duval to Ocean Reef and all Ports O' Call between.
It's no wonder why so may heavy hitters have been beckoned to our shiny shores, hypnotized by the Siren's call of an eternal 5 O'clock Somewhere.
Hemingway heard it....Zane Grey wrote about it, Jimmy  Buffett sang about it.  Hell, even Jay Z and Beyonce delight in our Oasis.

Well now you have a great opportunity to grab your own slice of our Key Lime Pie.
Check out the details on my latest waterfront listing:

4 North Drive, Key Largo

List Price $ 960,000

2 Bedrooms + Studio  / 3 Bathrooms

Description:
Tropical Chic!
Everything you could want in a Florida Keys Home! Wide Water Views, Exceptional Finishes, Superb Dockage, and Caribbean Elegance.  Come home to comfortable living spaces accentuated with Stone-worked bathrooms and a Granite and stainless Kitchen. Kick back and relax or Entertain, this turnkey 2 bedroom plus Studio home is perfectly suited for both. World Class Fishing and Diving are mere minutes from your custom built Dock.  A quick drive from the Mainland but an entire World Away!!




* Wide Water Views
* Ample Deep Water Dockage and Electrical Hookups
* Updated Throughout
* Impact Glass
* Gourmet Kitchen with Granite and Stainless
* Boathouse
*Offered Partially Furnished
*Gated Entry with Pavers and 2-Car Garage
* Minutes From Your Dock to World Class Fishing and Diving
* Barefoot Elegance










  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at
 DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.





Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here:

Friday, September 21, 2012

Another Keys Estate Pops for $2 Million....Seeing A Trend Here!

Two Million has become the magic number in the Upper Keys lately when it comes to estate sized parcels!  As you will note in several of my previous entries, we have had a recent run on lovely waterfront estates as of late, and they all seem to hover right around  the $2 Million mark.

Add to that, the recent sale of an Islamorada Hotel at that same range and we are really seeing a benchmark number.   The interesting factor is that we are noticing an interesting mix of Buyers.  International and Domestic.

This latest Sale, listed by and sold by, my friends Joy Martin and Joel Young respectively is another of those breath taking...I want it now..I could live here forever...When can I become a squatter until the Sheriff physically removes me, kind of locations!!!!

Over 4 Acres of  Private Bayfront. Stunning vistas and lovely Sunsets that signify all that is great about our unique oasis.  A Separate super cool boathouse and custom cut boat slip, Chickee, and dock are some of the extras that await.

4-Acre Estate
The existing home is in need of updates, but hey, you have 4 Frigging Acres for just $2 Mill.  Build Xanadu if you want to!  Put this very same package in Miami and you have a $15 Mill price tag. Trust me I know.  I spent 15 years selling in Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.

I keep evangelizing because it is so very true, The Keys are an awesome place to put your money and more and more wise buyers, both foreign and domestic are heeding the call. 

So, Pony up your $2 Mill and let me help you grab your own slice of paradise!!
$2 Mill too steep?? How about navigable waterfront homes in the upper $200s and even 300s?? In the Keys, we have something for everyone!

Work with an agent who KNOWS the numbers.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: Conchmls.com .

Friday, September 14, 2012

Come On Down to Wahoo's in Islamorada on Fridays...I Now Sponsor Their Friday Night Radio Show. Keep On Conchquering!

In my never ending quest to be King of all things Keys, (Not too full of myself am I??), I am proud to announce that in addition to sponsoring the Zane Grey Lounge Radio Show on Wednesdays, I will be sponsoring the Friday Night Radio Show at Wahoo's!!  Friday evenings from 6-7PM in Wahoo's in Islamorada at Whale Harbor Marina.

This is really cool and a hell of a lot of fun.  For me, it marks a special milestone as I used to listen to the original Friday Night "Countdown to Weekend Show from Whale Harbor" when I was a teenaged buccaneer in the 80s.  I used to enthrall at listing to Ron Harrison and his crusty group of half crocked charter captains talking fishing and all things Keys as only true locals can. My kind of show!!

Now, here we are, too many years later, and I am psyched to sponsor Captain Bill Kelly and the gang as they continue the tradition.  There's fun fish tales, community happenings, drink and appetizer specials and if you're lucky, an occasional guest appearance from yours truly, talking real estate.

So, if you are heading down to our oasis on a Friday, stop on by, say hello and have some fun (and grab some Conch...the best in the Keys!!)  If you can't join us, but need to get your Keys vibe on, tune in world wide on IHeart radio at Sun103.1. 

Work with an Agent who knows the Keys past and is Shaping its future.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.
Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: Conchmls.com .

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Local Artist Makes Second Keys Lighthouse Swim!!

Man, this is fantastic!!!
Local Artist Larry "Lighthouse" Herlth has once again made an outstanding effort in swimming to yet another of our famed lighthouses and back.  Larry does incredible metal work recreating these over century old iron beauties and these swims are helping to make light, pun intended, to their deteriorating condition.
Here is a great write up from the Free Press:

Artist completes second lighthouse swim

MARATHON -- "Lighthouse" Larry Herlth has done it again.
Alligator Reef Lighthouse
The 52-year-old artist and lifelong Florida Keys resident swam at times through jellyfish and against a strong current last Saturday to make it to Sombrero Key Lighthouse and back to shore in just under seven hours.
For the second month in a row the Islamorada resident has completed an ocean lighthouse swim in order to throw light on the need to save the deteriorating iconic structures. Herlth swam around Alligator Reef Light off Islamorada in August and says he will swim around another lighthouse in a month.
"Oh, man, what a day," he said as he emerged from the water at Sombrero Beach Park, from where he embarked on his swim six hours and 57 minutes earlier. "There were lots of blue jellyfish as well as clear globs containing what looked like red hairs. I'd burn if I touched them."
During the 9.2-mile swim, Herlth consumed three peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, two gallons of water and a gallon of Gatorade.
"I'll see how much weight I lost," he said after the swim. "I easily burned 10,000 calories. It felt every bit of 10 miles."
Herlth said the current was brutal.
Sombrero Key  Lighthouse
"I was using 80 percent of my power grid and making little headway," he said. "I can swim comfortably at two miles an hour, but I was probably doing half of that."
Herlth took four hours and three minutes to make the lighthouse against the current.
The Fighting Manatees swim club, which provides support for the Islamorada Founders Park Pool, swam tag-team style with Herlth to keep him company.
"We swim in 20-minute increments," said Manatees member Rob Dixon. Dwayne King escorted Herlth and the swimmers aboard his 25-foot SeaVee, the Lone Wolf.
Eliza Colmes, Tom Strobel, Katy LeVasseur and Beth Kaminstein, also Fighting Manatees, swam along.
Herlth hopes his effort, month-by-month, will spur the community and government agencies to step up and help save these structures, whether through a citizen-government effort, by having a club or group buy them and take over their maintenance, or having private individuals purchase lighthouses for their own use.
"I swim my butt off to raise awareness for these lighthouses with the hopes that the public will phone, email, fax, tweet and write our representatives in Washington and Tallahassee to get behind this," he said.
Herlth says he will next swim the Sand Key Lighthouse off Key West in about four weeks.
"It's in extremely bad shape," he said. "But, like the planned Carysfort Light swim, those will be one-way swims since they are at least seven miles from shore."

Friday, August 24, 2012

20 Years from Andrew, Here Come's Isaac with his Eye on The Keys ...Who's up for a Hurricane Party?

"Squalls out on the Gulfstream...Big Storm's Coming Soon / I passed Out in My Hammock...God I slept 'till way past Noon"

Jimmy Buffett definitely had the right attitude when it comes to Keys and Hurricanes in his "Tryin' to Reason with Hurricane Season", one of my favorites from the Keys' Bard.

Tryin' to Reason With Hurricane Season.
So here we are ready for Isaac, 20 years to the day of Hurricane Andrew.  20 years, hard to believe it has been that long.  I was right in the eye in South Dade on that day, hunkered in a 1960s fortress of a home, that sustained nominal damage as compared to others. We were one of the lucky ones.

Hunkered is definitely a word I would most use to remember Andrew.

Now when it comes to storms and real estate contracts there is a lot to know, something we call Force Majeure, and who is responsible for what should there be damage.  We learned a great deal about real estate and damage through Andrew. Contact me, I would be delighted to educate you on the particulars.

I am anticipating that Isaac, on the other hand should be not more than a strong Tropical Storm when he slides over our shores, but hey storms in the Keys are always a great reason to party!!. 

Storms here in the Keys are a way of life, a fact of existence.  They come, they Blow, they go.  They leave a trail sometimes benign, sometimes devastating, as in the Labor Day storm of 1935, always an event, always a buzz around town and in the bars where the storm info plays continuously on the TVs.  The hot topics of the day, Whether to put up shutters or not, whether to leave town or not, what are you going to serve at your hurricane party...yep always a buzz.

Of course we take them seriously, preparation and good insurance are they keys, but we take them with a grain of salt, a dash of humor, and a jigger of rum.

The Keys are resilient, this 127 mile stretch of limestone, we have a long history of blood, sweat, and tears, we bounce back, we work hard and God knows we play hard....so come on Isaac..we're ready for you!
Will be Waiting for Isaac with a Hurricane in my Hand!!

Work with an Agent who knows how to weather the storm.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: Conchhomes.com .

Friday, August 17, 2012

The Heavy Hitters Are Hittin' Hard!!! Another $2Million+ Home Sells in Key Largo!

The Heavy Hitters Have Come to Play!!!
Your Own Private Oasis Is Beckoning

National and International Buyers are recognizing what obscenely great values we have here in the Keys, and the latest run of Luxury Sales in Key Largo is certainly evidence of that.

With several sales in the $2Million range in the last 30 days, Key Largo is on fire.  And why shouldn't it be?? Phenomenal Sunsets and Sunrises, exceptional Fishing and Diving minutes away, and a laid back attitude are just some of the reasons that our little oasis is attracting so much attention.  That, and your investment is much safer in the US, than in other competing ports of call such as Mexico, Jamaica, or say Costa Rica.
This is the ideal time to sell in all phases of the pricing column.

This latest Estate that has closed is another Bayfront jewel that leaves you oohhhing and ahhinhg  like some bad Cinemax adult movie you'd see in a Motel 6 (Not that I would know anything about that).  Almost an acre of land and third of an acre of Bay bottom.  Simply magical.

96130 Overseas Highway, Key Largo

List Price: $2,999,999 / Sold Price: $2,750,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms

Mile Marker 96

Description: ''Lazy Palms'' This one has it all! Updated 4BD/3BA, downstairs AND upstairs master suites, open floor plan looking out to the gorgeous Florida Bay sunsets, infinity pool, sandy walk-in beach and 150' dock with boat lift. What more could you ask for?!

View Detailed Brochure with Photos

View Mapped Location

View Available Waterfront Homes in Key Largo $1M +

Work with an Agent who is an expert at Luxury Waterfront Keys Homes.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: Conchmls.com .

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Sailfish Tournament Dates in The Upper Keys

It's time for Sailfish!!
If you are ready to competitively bend some rods on the prowl for some of our majestic Sails, jump into one or several of our many tournaments here in The Upper Keys: 

                                              2012
  • November 29th thru December 2nd Islamorada Sailfish Tournament. 
      First Leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship.
  Dianne Harbaugh  305-522-4868

  • December 5th and 6th   IFC Captains Cup Sailfish Tournament. 
      Islamorada Fishing Club contact 305-664-4735

  • December 7th thru 9th   Don Gurgiolo Sailfish Classic
      Tammie Gurgiolo 305-240-9337        

  • December 14th thru 16th    Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament
            Tammie Gurgiolo 305-240-9337        

                                                2013
  • January 4th thru 6th   Key Largo Sailfish Challenge
            Tammie Gurgiolo 305-240-9337


  • January 8th thru 10th    Florida Keys Outfitters SailFly
      Sandy Moret  305-664-5423

  • January 17th thru 19th  Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament.       
            Second leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship   www.cheeca.com       
             Liz Hill 305-451-5094

  • January 21st and 22nd
       Al Flutie Over the Hill Sailfish Tournament

  • January 23rd and 24th  Islamorada Fishing Clubs Sailfish 2013.  Final leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship
      www.theislamoradafishingclub.com  IFC 305-664-4735

  • February 5th and 6th    Poor Girls Sailfish Tournament
            Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood 305-664-2012
     
  • February 8th thru 10th  Women’s Sailfish Tournament
            Tammie Gurgiolo 305-240-9337

  • February 10th and 11th     Bartenders Sailfish Open
            Dianne Harbaugh  305-522-4868


Work with an Agent who is a Pro at Fishing for Real Estate.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

It's Time for The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce's After Hours Event...Always a Great Time!

I really enjoy being a member of our local Chamber of Commerce, here in Islamorada.
One of the really fun things that we do is a month After Hours get together at one of our members' establisments.

This month it is being held at the iconic Green Turtle Inn

Last Month, our firm was privileged to host the event at one of our Waterfront Estates.

Cone on By and have a cocktail and enjoy live Keys style entertainmet.

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Your Conchquistador Keeps Conchquering!! Check Out My New Billboard as You Head to The Keys!!

Our New Billboard on US1 at the gateway to The Keys!!
OK, so talk about Coups!!
My friend and colleague Joel Young, was able to use his long time connection at the Visitor Center in Florida City on US1, the gateway to The Keys,  to score us a double sided Marquee Billboard!!!

Super excited to be able to have folks see our banner as they both drive To AND From the Keys!
We even obtained a new toll free number 888-963-KEYS. Program it into you phone now!

In my ongoing efforts to dominate Keys real estate...Veni, Vidi, Vici...this is just one more tool in my belt to offer my Clients Outstanding Service.
Zillow and Tulia Premier agent status...Check
Local Radio show sponsorship ... Check
Featured as Local Real Estate Expert on Radio...Check
Award-Winning Blog....You KNOW that's a Check
Social Media Presence...Check
Membership in a slew of local business and civic organization...Check
And Now Billboard...Gotta Love it..Check.

The whole goal is to create buyer and seller activity that in turn benefits my existing buyers and sellers, by creating more Buyers and Sellers...Confusing???  Nah...It's what I do.
Let me offer you the 5 Star Service that I am know for.
Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.
Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: Conchmls.com .

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Another Multi-Million Dollar Sale Closes in Key Largo! The Heavy Hitters Have come to Play!

The Heavy Hitters have come to Play!!!
In a mater of days, two properties in the $2Million range have closed in Key Largo!!!
Hows THAT for your 1% !!!  I just hope that we don't get an Occupy Key Largo movement.

As the Keys are certainly the best and SAFEST buy for national AND international Buyers right now looking for fun and sun and all that goes with it, more and more of our $1million+ homes are disappearing.  In fact in our office for the month of July we saw that 30%  of our pending and Closed Transactions transactions involved foreign Buyers, including buyers from Europe and South America.

And, Wow what an amazing estate this is that just Closed!  Easy Bayfront waters, gorgeous sunsets and all the pampered amenities that you could ask for.

Congrats to my friend Kim Thaler on a most impressive listing and sale.


97240 Overseas Highway, Key Largo

List Price: 2,997,000 / Sold Price: $2,800,000

4 Bedrooms / 2.2 Bathrooms

Mile Marker: 97

Description: Magnificent home on the Florida Bay featuring an open floor plan which is great for entertaining. The living areas and master bedroom over look the inviting pool and beyond to the aqua clear waters of the Florida Bay. The main home offers 3 bedrooms plus office, 3.5 baths, beautiful white sandy beach, & deep water dockage along with a detached guest house.

View Detailed Brochure with photos and Mapped Location

View Available Key Largo Waterfront Homes over $1M

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730.

Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: Conchmls.com .

Saturday, July 28, 2012

What Does $2Million Get You in The Florida Keys??? Your Own Slice of Paradise! Just Closed in Key Largo.

OK Time to get this Blog back to real estate.   Mini Season is over, the "bugs" have been caught and it's time to pay some bills!
And This incredible estate is the perfect place to start!
EVERYTHING you would want in a Keys Oasis.
Gated Community, Your own sandy beach, amazing views that  capture our famed sunsets, exceptional dockage, and an exquisite home rich in details and finishes.
Located on Coastal Drive in Key Largo, this home belongs to one of only a few gated enclaves.  Each of the homes a magnificent estate with values from 1.5 to over 5 Million Dollars.

This estate was just purchased by a very good friend of mine, also a real estate professional, and I am certain she and her family will be enjoying it immensely.  I am also certain I will be popping by as much as I can...to borrow sugar, borrow a knife...borrow the home!!

The Keys have properties to suit every budget and that is one of the kicks I get in doing this job.. In every range there are oases to be found.  Little slices of our unique paradise.  Some Grand and enthralling and some just this side of hillbilly, yet still loaded with that Keys-z Charm. 

Whatever you are looking for is sure to be found, just cross the bridge (be it Cardsound or Jewfish), take a deep breath...hold it ... and breath in The Keys.  It's always Five O'clock here, a land of eternal recreation, natural beauty, and home to Writers, Poets, Pirates, Fishermen, Movie Stars, and average Joe's , and homes and Estate's like today's deal that will take that breath away!
113 Coastal Drive, Key Largo
List Price: $2,200,000 / Sold Price $1,900,000

3 Bedrooms / 3.1 Bathrooms

Mile Marker 97

Description:: BEACHFRONT TREASURE. This custom built home has three bedrooms plus an office and recreation room. It is located in a gated community of only 15 waterfront residences. The combination of a white sand swimming beach and deep water dockage is hard to find anywhere in the Keys.
The home was built in 2003 and features marble floors throughout, hand made wrought iron interior railings, Anderson high impact windows and doors and a fabulous kitchen. The top floor master suite is extremely roomy with its own sitting area, a big walk-in closet, a sunny master bath, a separate office area and a private balcony. The main level has two bedrooms and a balcony in addition to the kitchen, dining and living areas. On the ground level there is a big storage room, a bar and a shady patio with a built-in tiled grill area. The interior and exterior ground level floors and the circular driveway are all old Chicago brick. The dock has a 16,000 lb. boat lift plus a lift for a small boat or two wave runners. From here you will enjoy watching the dolphins swim by, ever changing watercolor views and sunsets all year long. This home was featured on the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce Home Tour in 2004 and was voted Best Home.

View Detailed Brochure with Photos

View Mapped Location

View Available Waterfront Homes over $2M

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: Conchhomes.com .

Monday, July 23, 2012

Hide your Honeyhole...Here Comes Lobster Mini-Season

Tickle Stick...Check...Net ...Check...Gloves ...Check ....Secret GPS Lobster Spots (AKA Honeyholes) Check!
OK! It's time for Mini-Lobster Season!!!  Get The Butter!

Come and Get 'Em!!! Photo courtesy of Capt. Matt Bellinger of Bamboo Charters

Yes it's that crazy two days in July here in The Keys where boat gas prices soar, and Johnny Law is just itching to cite violators who don't measure or exceed their catch.

Hoards of marine hunters motor down here boats in tow like pilgrims to Mecca to hunt for our tasty crustations and catch a post dive buzz at the Tiki Bar.

For the uninitiated, Lobster Mini Season is always the last Wednesday and Thursday in July that gives recreational harvesters an edge on the commercial guys who cant start fishing until August.

It's also a great weekend for real estate as many people, especially mainlanders finally say, "I need a place down here!"  And that, my friends is when your Humble Conchquistador springs into action!  With all the great deals down here there is something for everyone.

From Mobile and Manufactured homes to Oceanfront Estates, The Florida Keys offer you your own customized Island Oasis.

So come on down, know the rules, grab some bugs (local slang for Lobster), grab a beer, and then call me to grab a slice of paradise.

Oh yeah and since you read this far I am going to share with you my faithful reader on of my favorite spots! Trust me this is a Major Gift as Spots are super secret!!! But hey...I am a benevolent Conchquistador.
Try Hog Rocks off Key Largo GPS  N24 59.550 W80 27.440.  7-15 feet down under the rocks.

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: ConchMLS.com .

Friday, July 13, 2012

Black Beard and Black Caesar with iPhones + My New Favorite App: FishRules 2012

Can you imagine Black Caesar or Black Beard with an iPhone???
Ponder if you will, the sexting, texting, emailing, and tweeting that would be going on, or even the apps!!!
"OMG Ceas, U R my BFF!!!   Just raided a English Warship - gonna have my way with their Wenches -.  Beard out. "

Anyways, in today's era we are fortunate to have tools they never even conceived of.

Apps for GPS, knot tying, celestial navigation, and a myriad of fishing apps.

Today, I just discovered my favorite new app!  Fish Rules 2012

Screen shot from Fish Rules 2012 - my Favorite new App
Fishing regulations here in the Keys are big time enforced.  Johnny Law has pulled me over several times to ensure my catch was legal....and man are the penalties steep if they are not.  From jail time to big fines...it hurts.  I am always reading about some poor sap who did not know the rules, or some idiot who did and just decided that they did not apply to him.

Well, now there is a great new tool that helps you to identify your catch AND see if it is legal.... in size and in season.  Search by name or photo.  It even knows where you are at, and can customize your regulations based on your location!! How cool is that!

And the best feature is the price....just $.99 cents!!!

Go to fishrulesapp.com for more info and to keep yourself out of handcuffs...unless you are into that sort of thing.

Work with an Agent who is up on Technology!  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.
Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: ConchMLS.com .

Friday, July 6, 2012

Summer Time and the Livin' Is Easy....Fish are Jumpin' and It's A Great Time to Buy in The Keys!!

Summertime ... and the livin' is easy.  Fish are jumpin' ....well, you know the rest.
Hmmm  Gershwin must have been contemplating the Keys.
No place I would rather be than here in our breezy windswept chain of  limestone and charm.

It's never too hot, and when the mercury does start its upward climb, just head out on the water as we did the other day. Went to the splendor of the Keys...Molasses Reef.  Always so breath taking, and even more so for out clients that we took out, as we floated 25 feet above the coral, watching the brilliant hues of seafans and the multitude of sea life that passed inches beyond our masks.  Grouper, Permit, Margate, a playful Turtle, Sergeant Majors and Blue Tangs, all danced in their own underwater Busby Berkly routine.

Even better yet was the personal escort that we had from a pod of porpoises 14 members strong!

All of this minutes from shore!!  Even as a lifelong lover of the Keys, this stuff never gets old!!  It is no wonder why guys like Zane Grey and Hemingway thrilled to be here.  The vibe of nature coupled with easy living and a dash of debauchery make our oasis a magnate for the rich, the creative and basically anyone else who is looking for our unique bouillabaisse way of life.

Below are Market Stats for June in the Upper Keys.
These numbers are interesting as it is the first month in some time that we have taken a backstep in sales values, which is good for buyers...keeping a lid on our growing prices for admission into Keys homeownership.

But don't wait too long,  the vibe is that as this great Summer Progresses more and more buyers are jumping into the waters.

Yep. It's Summertime and the Livin' IS easy, the fish ARE Jumpin' and Deals are there to be had!!!


Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.
Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: ConchMLS.com .

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Your Florida Keys Oasis Awaits! Your Piece of Paradise Just $299,900

Dreams....They are Funny.
Just like the homeless guy at the beginning and end of Pretty Woman says, "Everybody's got a Dream."
Some people even act upon them.

My Dream was being down here in the beautiful Florida Keys, fishing and diving 'till my heart's content, and bam, before you could say Jiminy Cricket, here I am ...your Conchquistador, bringing you the best real estate the Keys has to offer and living the Dream.

If Your Dream has been to grab a slice of our paradise, let me sprinkle on you some of that high octane dream dust like the Sandman in those car commercials uses, because this home could make your dream... a reality!

S. Creek Village Homeowner's Park
364 Sound Drive is located in the South Creek Village of Key Largo and is a quick dash to the mainland.  The perfect weekender or even full time residence.

S. Creek Village has one of the best homeowner's parks featuring a new cement boat ramp and dock, pavilion, and BBQ.  You can even leave you boat tied up for up to 72 hours!

A Cement Fortress, this home is like a bunker and at just $299,900 it is a steal!!!

.....when you wish upon a star.......
  
364 SOUND DRIVE
KEY LARGO FL 


Virtual Tour

$299,900 | 3 BEDROOMS | 2 BATHROOMS | 2368 SQUARE FEET

 Slide_118955

Your Florida Keys Oasis Awaits!
Located in one of Key Largo’s best kept secrets, S Creek Village on Largo Sound.  A Concrete fortress, spacious with 3 bedrooms and  2 Bathroom upstairs, with open kitchen and screened deck amongst the treetops. Nonconforming Downstairs Enclosure.
Great extras: Shed, Shutters, slight water view, and the best Homeowners' Park with deep basin, boat ramp pavilion and new dock.
Directly next to Pennekamp Park.  World Class fishing and diving are minutes away!
Seller Financing Available and no Flood Insurance required.

 FEATURES
  • Great Location on Largo Sound, Key Largo MM 103
  • Homeowners' Park with New Ramp & Dock
  • Short Term, 72 Hour Dockage
  • 3 bedrooms / 2 Bath Upstairs
  • Spacious Open Floorplan
  • Screened In Porch Amongst The Treetops
  • Minutes to Ocean and Bay World Class Fishing and Diving
  • Seller Financing Available

Friday, June 22, 2012

The Zane Grey Radio Show in The Florida Keys

Take a listen to the Local radio Show that I sponsor on 103.1 Sun FM in the Florida Keys on Iheart radio worldwide. Coming live from the Zane Grey lounge with drink specials, give aways, and some free appetizers. Every Wednesday night 6-7 PM.
Dougie Is at The Zane Grey Radio show Tonight 6p - 7p upstiars at World Wide Sportsman mm 81.5 bayside Islamorada, every wednesday. Comp apps for everyone. Drink specials too. Captn Matt Bellinger in the air chair alongside Dougie . Like old times come on out and join us Listen on our sister station sun 103.1 or sun103.com or iHeart radio Free giveaways too!

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Just Closed in Buccaneer Point Estates.Was $2.29M now Sold at $1.88M - And Introducing Buccaneer Booty!!

37 S Bounty Lane Key Largo
One of my favorite neighborhoods in the Keys is in Key Largo around Mile Marker 98 called Buccaneer Point Estates.
Hell I like it so much, that I just created a new Blog dedicated to sales, active listings and info focusing on Buccaneer Point called, I know it's cheesy, but...Buccaneer Booty at BuccaneerBooty.net..  Be sure to check it out!

Shaped like a leaping Porpoise, Buccaneer Point is made up of two primary roads, Bounty to the West and Mutiny to the East (fitting names),and between them is a landlocked lake
One of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Upper Keys, Buccaneer Point has large estate sized parcels and sumptuous homes, that really maximize enjoyment of The Keys' natural ambiance.
Many of the homes even enjoy sandy beaches where you can have, as I quote the Zac Brown band, "Your Toes in the Water, Ass in the Sand, Not a Worry in The World and a Cold Beer in your Hand!"
There are currently 106 residences in Buccaneer Point and quite often you will see a great deal of these owners walking their pets and taking a stroll.
Removed far off US1, yet close to everything, Buccaneer Point Is your premiere dream home destination!

Now, it just so happens that today's deal is located in, you guessed it...Buccaneer Point.  It is the essence of upscale Keys Living.  It was listed and sold by our Broker Joy Martin. Bravo!

 37 S Bounty Ln Key Largo
List Price $2,229,000 / Sold Price: $1.880,000
4 Bedrooms / 5 Bathrooms
Mile Marker 98
Description: BAYFRONT MASTERPIECE! Panoramic bay views and extensive waterfront are the hallmarks of this exquisite home in Buccaneer Point Estates. Sumptuous master suite, elevator, interior staircase and rooftop deck. Chef's kitchen with tumbled marble countertops. Open and screened patios. Room for pool and spa. Pier dock into the bay with two boatlifts.

View Detailed Brochure with Photos

View Mapped Location

View Available Buccaneer Point Homes

Work with a agent who puts pen to paper and fingers to keyboard about Buccaneer Point.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.