The Conchquistador Deal of the Day 3/29 - Venetian Shores Short Sale - from $2,495,000 to Sold at $825,000!

124 Gulfside Drive, Plantation Key, Islamorada

It truly is amazing...  the dynamics...how...great a course correction we have seen in the last few years. The part that really gets me is how quickly fortunes (both literal and figurative) have changed.   This week I have seen all to well the havoc that the economy and subsequent housing fiasco have created in the upper tier of homes.  Homes and owners that were once thought to be immune from such catastrophes.  This week, I joined on of my associates as we were viewing a $2.6 Million foreclosure that had sold in the 4s.

It's been a rough road.  One that I know many of my clients and quite a few colleagues have had to endure.  But ...we are fortunate, fortunate to live in a Country where possibilities are almost endless, where the human spirit and ingenuity and risk can and quite often do payoff.  Where, if we are wise and learn from our mistakes we have the OPPORTUNITY...to flourish...once again.

And THAT is what THIS MARKET is all about.   OPPORTUNITY!!!! 
There are people who are making moves right now, people with VISION who are staking their claim, and taking advantage of opportunity and purchasing homes here in the Keys that are going to reward them quite handsomely in the future.

Case in Point:

124 Gulfside Drive, Plantation Key, Islamorada
This Venetian Shores short sale was originally on the Market for $2,495,000 and has now closed at $825,000.  Yes, someone was smart...very smart indeed.

Description: RECENT BANK APPROVAL..HURRY WHILE AVAILABLE..BAYFRONT IN VENETIAN SHORES, VERY PRIVATE, SANDY BEACH, DEEDED BOAT SLIP, ROOM FOR POOL. CUSTOM BUILT DESIGNER HOME, METAL ROOF, SOARING CEILINGS, LG FOYER, CUSTOM STAIRCASE, OPEN KITCHEN, VERY OPEN, ROOM FOR 3RD BEDROOM, 3 CAR GARAGE,  AND MUCH MORE.

2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms

List Price: $850,000 / Sold Price: $825,000

Venetian Shores

Mile Marker 86 Bayside

View Detailed Brochure with Photos

View Mapped Location

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. For a quick Search of available Properties in the Florida Keys, click here: Keys MLS Search.

Jimmy Buffett Plays at Keys Wedding!

Jimmy Buffett Play at Keys Wedding
No, times have not gotten so tough for Jimmy Buffett, our own Keys Troubadour, that he has had to resort to playing weddings to make a buck or two.  And no, you can't book him for yours, nor your nephew's bar-mitzvah either.

Jimmy Buffett rocks out Saturday at Local Wedding.
Photo by Andy Newman

Rather, the Keys' favorite son made an impromptu visit to a long time friend's wedding last Saturday, on Summerland Key recently were he took to the stage, barefoot, to play a quick set that included covers of, "Brown Eyed Girl" and  "You Can't Always Get What You Want" before wrapping with his own "MargaritaVille" with some lyrics changed to cater to the occasion.
Wow!! Talk about a wedding present!!! Parrotheads all over they Keys are salivating... Nice to See Mr. Living and Dying in 3/4 Time, back in the Keys. 
What is your favorite Jimmy Buffett song???  Mine is "The Wino and I Know", with honorable mention to "Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season"

Let me sing you a song about some great Keys 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. For a quick Search of available Properties in the Florida Keys, click here: Keys MLS Search

Michael Trixx Hi-Energy Rock Magic at it's Best!!!

I LOVE MAGIC!!!

Photo from Michael Trixx Facebook page

And down here in the Keys, we have one of the very best Magicians I have seen in quite sometime.
Michael Trixx features his hi-energy Rock/Magic show at a variety of venues here in the Upper Keys, with a standing gig at Gilbet's, sundown on Saturdays.  He is definitely someone to keep your eye on.

Tonight, he is at the Lor e Lei in  Islamorada.  If you are down here today.  Take my advice and check him out, and enjoy the show, so you can say I saw him when....

Ready to make some real estate disappear???  Put the expertise and experience 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. For a quick Search of available Properties in the Florida Keys, click here: Keys MLS Search.

It's Tomorrow!! Woofstock...A Day of Peace Paws and Music....Keys Fun at Its Best!!

Click graphic for greater detail

OK, so down here in the Keys we have some incredible and notably quirky events...Fantasy Fest, Conch Republic Days, Hemingway Days, Pirate's Fest, and now we can add one more that is sure to cause a few to howl....WoofStock!!! A Day of Peace, Paws, and Music!

Obviously inspired by the iconic 60's festival Woodstock, Woofstock is now in its second year and is already a much anticipated annual event, that takes place at Founder's Park on Plantation Key and features some great local talent including my favorite local band, The Birthday Gang.

The brainchild of MarrVelous Pet Rescues and Adoptions, the standout charity organization headed by our firm's Broker, Joy Martin, and run by some of my friends and colleagues, who do an outstanding job fostering abandoned Pets as they find them new homes, this event has been exploding here in the Pet-loving Keys and is now co-sponsored by Iams and Eukanuba among others.

There is an excellent article here at Keysnet.com , that tells you all about the great work that they do, and more about this super fun festival that encourages you to bring your well-behaved dog, that includes dog diving exhibitions, Dog/Owner look-alike competition, and a wealth of booths that offer all types of pet services and information.  The only thing missing is Wavy-Gravy saying we have some bad Milk Bones going around this morning. (If you did not get that reference...there is no explaining it to you..LOL).

Ready to put a bite on some great real estate????  Put the expertise and experience 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. For a quick Search of available Properties in the Florida Keys, click here: Keys MLS Search.

Kev's Cafe At Bud n Mary's Marina, The Perfect Place to Start the Day!

Those of you who follow my Blog, know that I love breakfast joints.  The more rustic the better.  Today, I found a new one that I had been hearing some great things about.

Kev's Cafe, located at the Famous or even Infamous Bud n Mary's Marina is a fun little treasure.  They are also one of the few restaurants that consistently have lionfish on the lunch menu!

How great is it to start your day sitting by the water watching the Captains, Mates, and seafaring warriors prep to do battle on the seas, while enjoying your tasty Breakfast Wrap and coffee???

I have been frequenting Bud n Mary's since I was a kid, so it's fun to revisit this Keys Institution in a new context.

Kev's Cafe is Located Oceanside at the Southern Tip of Upper Matecumbe Key.

Check it out and tell them the Conchquistador sent you!!

Mapped Location

Hungry for a great real estate deal???  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. For a quick Search of available Properties in the Florida Keys, click here: Keys MLS Search.

Did You Know That Islamorada Has Its Own Art District???

Did You Know That Islamorada Has Its Own Art District??? Join us this Thursday, March 17, from 6 - 9 for our "Third Thursday Walkabout" in the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District on the Old Highway between Kaiyo Grill and Green Turtle Inn.  There will be visiting artists in and around our galleries. We're offering some "new" entertainment for your viewing, and MA's will have al fresco dining!    The Morada Way Arts & Cultural District's Third Thursday Walkabout returns on Thursday, March 17, 2011 with an expanded list of venues.  Joining our Walkabout this month is the Islamorada Moose Lodge which will be hosting additional artists to complement the area galleries and restaurants.  Wood Campbell of ICE (Islamorada Cultural Events) will be on hand to provide a unique cinematic experience in our District's Art Garden. Watch Gyotaku Artist David Denick demonstrate his technique of "printing" a fish.  The event continues to grow, offering more to see and do than ever.  Each month those who attend sample a deliciously diverse group of artworks, seeing art in action, enjoying refreshments and performances, and getting to know area galleries, restaurants and our artist friends. The Art Walkabout runs from 6 - 9 p.m. at MM 81.5 along the Old Highway and Morada Way.  Visitors are encouraged to stay in the area, and enjoy a night of art paired with the many nearby dining and entertainment options. Gallery Morada, Pasta Pantaleo Signature Gallery, Bluewater Potters and the Redbone Gallery's featured artists in this St. Patrick's Day Walkabout are fine art oil painter Luis Nunez, Tim Rahn Photography, Anne Schroeder a unique feather artist, realist artist David Ruhe, woodworker Brian Donahue, and glass sculpturer Chris Catlett.  David J. Denick will be demonstrating Gyotaku Fishprinting at 7 p.m. Saxophonist and keyboardist Lee Sharp accompanied by Jason Poff will be entertaining everyone as they stroll along the Old Highway. Art District restaurants will be providing special menus for our visitors' culinary experience.  MA's Fish Camp will be providing music by Kenny Channels, Kaiyo Grill has created a special Walkabout Dinner and The Green Turtle Inn has a three course dinner leading into their late night Happy Hour Jam Session featuring Dave Feder.  The Islamorada Moose Lodge will be serving corned beef, cabbage and Irish stew with entertainment by DJ Joel and a strolling bagpiper. ABOUT THIRD THURSDAY ART WALKABOUT The Art Walkabout continues to grow and gain momentum in 2011, promising an even more spectacular time for art collectors and enthusiasts.  The artists of the Morada Way District create paintings, sculpture, jewelry, studio pottery, glass, metal work and more. Area galleries will also show off work by their artists to greatly enhance the experience. The Walkabout is an opportunity for visitors to forge connections with local artists and experience the creativity and energy happening in our community.  It is our goal to work together this one day to create an intense, multi-faceted experience that our visitors will be talking about all year. ABOUT THE MORADA WAY ART & CULTURAL DISTRICT A vibrant arts district has formed in the Heart of Islamorada recently and a strongly supportive community has been the key to its growth.  The action is taking place along the Old Highway MM 81.5, beginning at the Hurricane Monument and ending at the iconic Green Turtle and along the side street of Morada Way.  Tucked away in these unassuming buildings you'll find individual galleries and artists form a teeming arts district. We are a completely volunteer, not-for-profit organization, and our wish is to bring attention to the unique selection of art and culinary choices available here, highlighting the fact that Islamorada is the year-round home to many fine locally owned restaurants and art galleries. For More Information Contact: Daniela Woody, Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, Director of Events, 81549 Old Highway, Islamorada, Florida Keys 33036, MoradaWayArt@gmail.com, 305-890-6477

Put 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.
For a quick Search of available Properties in the Florida Keys, click here: Keys MLS Search.

The Conchquistador Deal of The Day 3/14- Patios, Verandas, Scenic Vistas, Waterfront, and Style, Sold $545,000

27 Lake Shore Drive,  Key Largo

Patios, Verandas, Scenic Vistas, Waterfront, and Style....The perfect ingredients that make up today's Deal!!
Just sold by my friend and colleague her at American Caribbean Real Estate, Karan Moeller, this home is an incredible value for its new owners.
Originally listed at $899,000, it has now Closed for $545,000.  Another example of the opportunity our current Market brings, and wait until you see the photos.  Key Largo living...the way it's supposed to be.

27 Lake Shore Drive,  Key Largo
4 Bedrooms / 4 bathrooms
List Price: $599,000 / Sold Price: $545,000
Mile Marker 101 Bayside
Key Largo Park Community

Description: BAY, HARBOR & CANAL VIEWS! Unique location overlooking protected bayfront harbor, large 4B/4B home on 2 levels, 2 wide porches overlooking serene private setting, remodeled kitchen, granite countertops, hardwood floors, each bedroom has its own private bath, concrete construction w/wood overlay, garage/carport/storage, protected dockage, room for a pool plus bayfront homeowner's park w/boat ramp.

Third Level Veranda

View Detailed Brochure With Photos
View Mapped Location

Ready to make your real estate dreams come true??? 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. For a quick Search of available Properties in the Florida Keys, view here: Keys MLS Search.

In the Keys, We Know How to Take Lemons and Make Lemonaide and Turn Lionfish into Chowder!

Lionfish...stunning to look at...a true marvel of nature's engineering, delicate and deadly.  But those little bastards are putting and incredible strain on our reefs!!!!

Native of the Pacific, Lionfish were introduced to our waters by owners who grew tired of them and released them, without regard to their potential damage to their new surroundings.  They are Venomous and Voracious!! And breed like rabbits on steroids, and with no natural predators, they are decimating our juvenile snapper, grouper and lobster fisheries.

But here in the Keys, we are, if nothing, resourceful. With a diet primarily of snapper, and grouper frye, some smart old salt figured that these guys would probably taste pretty good.  And WOW do they!  Very similar to Hogfish with a nice clean whitemeat, Lionfish are now finding their place on Keys menus.

Restaurants like The Fish House Encore, have put a bounty on them and are paying fishermen a nice reward for bringing them in.

The Fish House Encore restaurant in Key Largo began serving lionfish in February, as a $13.95 appetizer that's fried whole or a $23.99 entrée whose filets are cooked in a variety of ways. Kev's Café at Bud N' Mary's Marina in Islamorada has been serving lionfish chowder since November,

Laddie Akins, founder of Reef Environmental Education Foundation, has launched a campaign to encourage lionfish consumption. REEF and others believe that developing a commercial market for lionfish is the best way to curb its numbers.  He recently stated in an interview, "I think when the fishermen realize they can get paid for those lionfish," he said, "the supply is going to increase dramatically."

So if you are out on the water and run into these little demons, know that you are looking at the Key's newest tasty treat!

Ready for some delectable 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.

The Conchquistador Deal of The Day 3/6 - Super Keysz Bungalow, I Love This Place, Sold $181,000

118 Jolly Roger Drive, Key Largo

So, if there were an award for Keyszest Get Away.  This one surely would win the prize hands down!!!!

Tropical, serene, private, and more bungalow than house, this unique oasis is anchored on , get this...Jolly Roger Drive!!

Yes it is a 1/1, and about 500 square feet or so, but it is in a really cool neighborhood with homeowner's park with boat ramp.  The perfect place to get away from it all, I am sure the new owners will be quite happy, and for just $181,000, quite the deal indeed.

 

118 Jolly Roger Drive, Key Largo

List Price: $199,000 / Sold Price: $181,000
1 Bedroom /  1 Bath
Mile Marker 98 Bayside
Pirate's Cove Subdivision

Description: A TRUE GARDEN OF EDEN on ROCK HARBOR! Lush mature trees provide shaded pathways that wind through meticulously maintained landscaping on 3 lots...you could spend the afternoon meandering here! The back patio expands the home's living area with an outdoor fireplace, stainless barbecue, & tiki hut with artistic touches. The charming home is nestled in amongst the trees. Community room & boat ramp.

View Detailed Brochure with Photos
View Mapped Location


Time to find your Keysz Bungalow???  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.