Your Conchquistador is Now a Rotarian!! A Proud Member of The Upper Keys Rotary Club.

Today, your Conchquistador had the distinct Honor to have been inducted into the Upper Keys Rotary Club.

A unique honor for sure, having been invited, sponsored and finally brought into the fold.  It gives me great pride to be associated with some of the most distinguished professionals and community leaders in all of the Florida Keys.

Now, Groucho Marx once said, "I wouldn't   part of any club that would have me as a member", but here I must disagree.  Rotary is an International Club of individuals who to seek to give back to their communities.  In our Club's case, we put a very high emphasis and  focus on Education, helping those, both young and old, to better themselves by enriching their minds and spirits so that they too may one day give back to their community, and around and around it goes.  Our club is known for its generous scholarship giving.

The other thing our club is well known for is the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market!!! That buzzing Bazaar of Maritime trinkets, vessel goods, and fishing ammo sure to help you land the big ones,  held in Islamorada every year right after the Miami Boat Show.  This mammoth production is the feather in our club's cap, providing a fantastic treasure trove of funds to share with our community. All organized and produced by our Club's volunteers.

So, I look forward to jumping in, as the delicate bull in the china factory that your's truly is, and offering my insights, opinions, and efforts and service to continue to make this outstanding group the best that it can be.  The Club meets every Tuesday for Lunch at Craig's Restaurant in Islamorada

I must as well give a special Thank You to Bette Brown of First State Bank for being my Sponsor.

Now, if I can only someone will teach me the secret handshake.
What??? There's no secret handshake???
Groucho!!!!!!

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 .

As The Who Sang: "I can see for Miles and Miles...", Waterfront? We Got Your Waterfront! The Conchquistador Deal of The Day 3.23.2012

34 North Dr, Key Largo
It's funny, I was having a conversation with a Buyer recently and was explaining the uniqueness of the Keys' real estate market.

As The Who sang: "I can see for Miles and Miles..."

Never has the cliche, " Location, Location, Location" been so critical to value. Far greater than any other criteria.
Updates and Finishes...whatever, pool...ok, bedroom count...as long as we have enough space, garage...yeah right.

But...turn the conversation to Ocean or Bayside?  Water depth?? Boat Ramp?  Key Largo vs Islamorada vs Marathon, then their eyes light up and dialite like like a drunken pirate finding his chest of buried treasure!!

Today's Deal is one of those eye bulging property deals.  Located in Prestigious Stillwright Point, the first upscale community as you get into the Keys, the owners of this property actually owned the land before they built the house in 1975, and you can see,with these stunning views, why,they have owned it for so long.

34 North Dr, Key Largo

List Price: $679,000 / Sold Price: $610,000

3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms

Days on the Market: 17

Mile Marker: 105 Bayside

Description:  Bay Front opportunity! Spectacular open water views in an upscale neighborhood. Well preserved Sheffield (steel and frame) home on large lot. New metal roof & railing, large legal garage/work space down and hooked up to the sewer. Cut-in boat slip has been covered by decking, but remains. Livable as is, but view and location are worth the cost of updating!

View Detailed Brochure with Photos

View Mapped Location

View Available Stillwright Home Properties

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 .

The Sea Turtle Hospital - Public, Sea Turtle Release - If This Does Not Make You Smile you are a Cold Hearted Soul!!

The Sea Turtle Hospital in Marathon, here in the Keys is a wonderful facility, bringing care and rehabilitaion to injured sea turtles throughout the Florida Keys.  They even have their own Sea Turtle ambulance!!

They are having a very special event coming up soon that will surely warm the heart as much as it educates the mind.

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 .

Take a One-Minute Break from your World and Escape to the Beauty an serenity of the underwater world of the Florida Keys

Take a one-minute break from your world and escape to the beauty and serenity of the underwater world of the Florida Keys. Then click "like" if you were glad you did..


Recorded in 2011, the incredible underwater world of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Key Largo videographer Frazier Nivens shot this footage in high-definition in July. More information on the Florida Keys at www.fla-keys.com.


The Underwater World of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 
 
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 .

Want to Own Your Own Island?? Now you Can ...for $12 Million!!! East Sisiter Rock in The Florida Keys is Now for Sale!!

Who hasn’t dreamed of owning their own island? Well, now you can, and it’s in our very own backyard.  The Iconic East Sister Rock Island in the Florida Keys is now for sale.

Iconic Sister Rock Island, now Available for $12M

I could really get my Hemingway on, in this exotic retreat, long a landmark or shall I say seamark, as you navigate into Marathon and Key Vaca.

It's been getting a lot of hype and press, since coming on the Market a few days ago, and why shouldn't it??  The 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is situated on 1.4 acres and is about a quarter mile off the shore of Marathon, here in the Keys. It boasts over 5000 sq ft of living area, with about 2700 sq ft of veranda, helicopter pad, a pool and two docks.

Reachable only by boat or helicopter, the Island is nestled amongst a coral reef, making it great for impromptu snorkeling and fishing. Perfectly situated 2 hours from Miami and about 45 minutes from Key West, and a quick boat ride to Marathon for provisions. The house has a multitude of sliding glass doors and also features a veranda which wraps around the entire house, providing views and sublime sea breezes all the way around.

Klaus Meckler built the island by digging a moat from the coral rock and making a plateau that rises 15 feet. The house was concrete poured and rests on 75 pilings drilled into the coral rock. The current owners - who bought the island in 1995 from Meckler, made the island green by installing a wind turbine and solar panels. Water is taken from rainwater that is filtered and stored for use.

Imagine watching the sun rise from the veranda, snorkeling and fishing all day and winding down with a glass of wine or your favorite Caribbean libation, some stone crabs and lobster that you caught mere hours ago right THERE at the Island, and watching the sun set from the hammocks swaying among the trees. I have motored by in my boat many times…it’s worth the hype!  It is one of just 9 private islands in the Keys.

A long time rental property, the estate, is now available for purchase, and is listed for $12 million.

Talk about Your Island in the Stream!!! OK yes I know, another shameless Hemingway Plug...what can I say... I work next door to the Pilar and visit it almost every day. Hemingway is THE Apex preditor when it comes to Keys writers and he would have LOVED this place!

Let me help you navigate to your own Island!  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 .

Holding An Oscar ...In the Keys...and Watching a Really Deserving Family Get a Home... Does It Get Any Better???

I'd like to thank the Academy, my Agent, and Harvey Weinstein....

With Producer Jon Landau's Oscar for Best Picture, Titanic.

OK, OK...so it's not MY Oscar but it IS Jon Landau's Best Picture Oscar for Titanic!!

Talk about a great evening!
Saturday was the Habitat for Humanity of The Upper Keys' Annual Cocktail and Fundraising Party, this year hosted by Uber Film Producer Jon Landau (Titanic, Avatar, True Lies), at his exquisite Oceanfront Islamorada Estate.

Our firm is extremely active in Habitat, with one of our agents on the Executive Board for Habitat, and our firm co-sponsoring this event.

The Conchquitador's favorite First Mate, Michelle with  Producer Jon Landau

Jon was kind enough to let me pose with his Oscar when he gave my wife and I a private tour of his home to show us the renovations that he recently completed.  What a Super Guy,  and a very valued addition to our local community.

Jon also served as guest auctioneer auctioning off several items that really added to the coffers $$$!

The Food was fantastic, donated and catered by several of our local restaurants such as Tasters, Mangrove Mikes, and Braza Lena. And of course this being The Keys, Alcohol DID flow...and flow...and flow....lol.
Add to this a Beautiful, balmy Keys evening with a hint of a breeze and superb live music.

The real highlight of the evening though, was the extraordinarily gracious thank you given by the Bautista Family who are the recipients of  the first Habitat House to be located in Islamorada.

The Bautistas' New Home!!!

What a story...a hard working family of four who where living in a rental property that had toxic black mold and a landlord who couldn't seem to care less. Their son was consistently ill and times became very tough.
These folks applied to Habitat, went though the screening process, met the criteria, and were offered the opportunity to invest "Sweat Equity" to earn themselves a home. "Sweat Equity" meaning an investment of time, effort and HARD WORK in contributing to the building of this and other Habitat homes.

Now, Habitat has minimum guidelines on how much time, hours and effort are needed to qualify to earn a home.
The Bautistas invested 5 Times the minimum of Hours!!!! Almost 2500 hours!!!  Talk about grateful, and most of all, talk about DESERVING!!!

So yes, a wonderful evening indeed, with a fantastic feeling of giving back!

So again, I would like to thank the Academy, My Producer Jon Landau, My Agent American Caribbean, Habitat for Humanity of The Upper Keys, and most of all ...The Bautistas.

I'm The King Of the World!!

Work with an Award Winning Agent .  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 .

Just Closed in Prestigious Venetian Shores - Waterfront Home Originally listed at $1.4M now Closed at $950,000!

I Love Venetian Shores. It's one of my favorite Keys Communities. With its 11 peninsulas reaching out into Snake Creek like fingers thirsty to drink in the sea, it offers hardcore boaters deep water dockage and quick access to Islamorada's famed fishing grounds through the Keys' last Draw Bridge.  If you have a Hatteras or other large boat this is the community for you!

 

As, a Venetian Shores Specialist, I enjoy keeping my clients up to date with the latest available properties and real estate news, as well as recently closed properties.

As one of Islamorada's most in demand communities, Venetian Shores is always tops on everyone's list. Only minutes from Miami, yet a world away.

 

Now finding a sub- 1 Million Dollar property in Venetian Shores is becoming increasingly difficult.  That being said today's property is a very good catch indeed.  Originally listed for $1,400,000 and now Closed at $950,000!

112 Stromboli Drive, Islamorada

List Price: $1,100,000 / Sold Price: $950,000

Original List Price: $1,400,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms

Mile Marker 86 Bayside

Description: OUTSTANDING WATERFRONT FAMILY HOME! This spacious & completely remodeled home offers living space for a large family with a 2 bdrm, 2 bthrm, apartment downstairs and 2 bdrms & 2 bthrms upstairs. Outstanding entertaining back yard with a tiki hut and 70 ft. of concrete dockage w/davits, fish cleaning station, & a 2 car garage. Located in beautiful Venetian Shores with direct bay and ocean access.

View Detailed Brochure With Photos

View Mapped Location

View Available Venetian Shores Homes

View Available Islamorada Waterfront Homes $750K -1M

Work with one of the only agents to actually sell Property in Venetian Shores Last Year!  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 .

Hollywood Comes to The Keys for Charity! Producer Jon Landau Opens His Exquisite Home for Habitat Cocktail Party.

WOW, This is exciting!! I am so Very Excited to be going to this event!!

This Friday Night, March 2nd, Mr. Jon Landau, One of Hollywood's  all time most successful film producers and Keys resident is opening his very own Keys Estate to host the Habitat for Humanity's Cocktail Benefit, co-sponsored by our firm American Caribbean Real Estate.

Mr. Landau is partners with uber film director James Cameron, and has won Academy Awards and Golden Globes for the films, Titanic and Avatar, two of the most successful films of all time.  And I must say he is just one of the most down to Earth Guys you will ever meet, and has become a very active Keys Resident.

Our firm, American Caribbean Real Estate, recently sold him the beautiful Bali High Estate on Plantation Key. 

He apparently fell in love with the Keys while filming Arnold the Governator's film, True Lies, wherein Jaime Leigh Curtis had that famous Helicopter scene off the old 7-Mile Bridge.

Tickets are still available and proceeds go to a great cause.  So come out, and hang with Hollywood Elite!!

Ready to be treated like a star??? 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 Stats!!! February's Numbers are in, Upper Keys Sales and Listing Figures

So, as we close the books on February, some interesting numbers come to light for The Upper Keys.
In comparing last years' numbers to this February's we find that though the quantity of sales went down slightly, the average sales price went up 26.2% !!!
We also see that the quantity of listing that came on is up dramatically meaning more inventory and that the average list price has jumped  15.7%.
This should certainly answer the "have we hit bottom yet?" question. Yes, yes we have, some while back.
And like gas prices, property prices are going UP!! Buy em now while you still can!

Work with an Agent who KNOWS how to interpret 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 .

Originally Listed at $2,399,000 and Now Just Closed at $706,000 as a Short Sale!!! Amazing Deal!! The Conchquistador Deal of The Day 3.1.2012

225 Bristol Court, Key Largo

Hammer Point is quickly becoming one of the most in demand communities in the Upper Keys.
Originally developed as a mobile home community in the 70s is currently a hybrid f mobile home, manufactured homes and solid single family homes and transitioning into purely single family homes I believe in the very near future.  As older mobiles are purchased they are developed into single family homes.

With Old English street names such as Aberdeen, Bristol, and Westminster, Hammer point has a unique charm and an exceptional location, just north of the Tavernier section of Key Largo.

Today's deal is situated at the end of a cul de sac and offers spectacular waterfront views.  It sold as a short sale but was originally on the market for $2,399,000 and has now sold at $706,000!!!  A deal?  Yes a deal indeed!

I actually do a a walk several times a month through hammer point in the morning and wow is it pleasant.  Nice neighbors, beautiful views and 3.7 miles.

225 Bristol Court, Key Largo

List Price: $1,599,000 / Sold Price: $706,000
Original List Price: $2,399,000

3 Bedrooms / 2.1 Bathrooms

Mile Marker 93 Bayside

Description: SHORT SALE/ Elegant concrete home located directly on the Florida Bay with 62 feet of concrete dockage and 117 feet of rough beach! This gated property is surrounded by water views and features a huge master suite and a guest room on the main level and a lofted 2nd master suite on the 3rd floor; all with full bay views. Open living, soaring ceilings, granite, travertine,lifts & close to Tav Creek.

View Detailed Brochure with Photos 


View Mapped Location

View Available Hammer Point Properties 


View Available Waterfront Key Largo Homes $500-750K


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 .