Oceanfront Living In Islamorada!! Was Listed at $1,300,000 now Closed at $855,000! - The Conchquistador Deal of The Day 4.30.2012

114 Columbus Drive, Islamorada

WOW Do I know the waters in front of this Property!!! When I was a kid, before this home was even built, I learned to snorkel right where this home sits.  The waters were plentiful with spiky Purple Sea Urchins, Delectable Spiny Lobster and the most beautifully regal Queen Conch!! Thus my love affair with Conch began at this very stretch of water.  And now it is today's Deal.

This very lucky buyer will be enjoying unparalleled ocean front views and Caribbean sea breezes. The ideal Beach House, this Islamorada residence was a really great deal.
Originally Listed at $1,300,000, it has now sold for just $855,000!!

Wow, great snorkeling and lobster at your footsteps ...yes...a great deal, a great deal indeed.

114 Columbus Drive, Islamorada
List Price: $975,000 / Sold Price: $855,000
Original Price: $1,300,000

2 Bedrooms ? 2 Bathrooms

Mile Marker 76

Description:  Tropical living at its finest! Beautiful gated entry opens onto picturesque gardens, leading to charming oceanfront retreat. Living area and beautiful master suite have vaulted ceilings and overlooks the large porch onto the new swimming pool and magnificent ocean vistas! 80' of ocean frontage, dockage and davits


View Detailed Brochure with Photos
View Mapped Location
View Available Islamorada Waterfront Homes $750,000 to $1,000,000

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 Conch Republic : 30 Years Strong!!! We Seceded Where Others Failed! An Insider's Perspective.

 The Keys declared their independence from the U.S. calling themselves the 'Conch Republic' in: 

           1982                              

What prompted the Keys secession from the U.S.?

           Border Patrol roadblocks and inspection points

After secession from the U.S., the president of the Conch Republic requested: 
           One billion dollars in foreign aid from the US

I remember it like it was yesterday, 1982, the Mariel boatlift had just recently transported almost 100,000 Cuban dissidents and prisoners onto our shores, and square grouper was pouring in just as fast. 

Money and Blood flowed as freely as the new Rum Runners at Holiday Isle. A new type of buccaneer had emerged hauling Mary Jane and Cocaine from Cuba to Key West, and not to mention people.

It was painfully obvious what was going on. Hell, they would flaunt it at places like the Tiki Bar where they would drive up in their Maserati's to the Holiday Isle, climb into their forty footer, Cigarettes, start the roaring engines and smile like peacocks, as the gentry would wonder.."How many bales would fit in there???.

Still from the new documentary Square Grouper. 

It was seductive to watch these new Buccaneers, getting rich quick.  The first song I ever wrote was at 15 called "Modern Day Pirate" and some of the very lyrics are contained in the 3 preceding paragraphs. (Ah  Didn't know the Conchquistador was a songwriter??

But we the people were not the ONLY ones watching.. So was THE MAN!!
And in 1982, The Man decided to throw up road blocks in Florida City at the entry to the Keys...really pissing off our individualistic Conchs!!!

Search and seizure was the name of the game, and like the piratey rebels that we are ...protest soon followed...in the form of secession from the United State of America!!! Yes we became a sovereign nation...The Conch Republic!  Somewhat in jest, and tongue in cheek, yet still with some bite.  They were squeezing the gentry in order to flush out the bad guys.

Backups that lasted hours soon ensued, and the MAN did not think our ploy was funny ...AT All.

So now, here we are 30 years later and the Conch Republic is now just a state of mind and a flag and trinkets sell to tourists to take home to Kansas.

But 30 years ago it was a big FU and proudly hoisted Middle Finger to the Federal Government, that epitomized the soul and character of this 130 mile island chain.

Yes....I remember it well....

Work with an agent who was part of the Original Conch Republic.  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 .

Just Closed in Venetian Shores...Premium. Originally $2.5M now Closed at $1.7M! The Conchquistador Deal of The Day 4/21.

138 Valencia Dr Plantation Key 

I was recently discussing premium neighborhoods with a Buyer yesterday and educated her that there are really 6 premium neighborhoods in the Upper Keys.  Stillwright Point, Bayside in Key Largo at Mile Marker 106, Port Largo, Oceanside at Mile Marker 99, Buccaneer Point, Bayside at Mile Marker 98, The Port Antigua/Safety Harbor area, Bayside at Mile Marker 74, Millionaire's Row. Oceanside, at Mile Marker 89, and my Favorite, Venetian Shores, Bayside at Mile Marker 86.

Each has it's own distinct character and I sure that there are areas that I omitted that some would believe should be there and some that shouldn't, but over time, these are the areas that have gravitated to the consistent higher prices, larger homes and offer features that affluent buyers are seeking here in the Keys.  Deep water dockage, wider canals, larger homes, larger lots, consistency of the neighborhood, finishes, and open water views, are just some of the variables that most of these neighborhoods posses.

Today's deal is one of those very special homes in Venetian Shores such a coveted community.  Superbly finished with abundant charm and super location.  World Class fishing and diving are mere minutes away!!

Like most things though Price is Key.  Originally listed at $2,500,000 it took almost 2 years to sell until it was priced more aggressively at $1,895,000 to sell at $1,700,000

138 Valencia Dr Plantation Key
 
List Price;$1,895,000 / Sold Price: $1,700,000
Original List Price $2,500,000

4 Bedrooms / 5 Bathrooms

Mile Marker 86

Description: Prestigious custom pool home in Venetian Shores, offering 4 bedrooms, 5 full baths. Private master suites and 1 guest suite upstairs and 2 guest suites downstairs, interior staircase with elevator, gourmet kitchen, laundry room, garage, 100’ concrete dock, boat davits and beautiful professional landscaping. Easy access to Bay and Ocean.

View Detailed Brochure with Photos

View Mapped Location


View Available Venetian Shores Homes


Work with an agent who specializes in Venetian Shores.  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 .

How Many Islands Make Up the Florida Keys?

How many islands make up the Florida Keys?
         1,700

Although it may be hard to believe, there are actually 1700 islands that make up the Florida Keys!


From huge Key Largo at over 27 miles long to small Keys that are not much more than a few mangroves and some limestone (and maybe an old lost square grouper from the 70s), our 145 +/- stretch of islands is one of the most remarkable places in our Country. Each has its own character and charm. Only a small percentage are habitable. 


Many of these islands lie in the Everglades National Park. With its protected status, this only enhances their natural beauty, insuring enjoyment for generations to come.


As most of our Keys are accessible only by boat, do yourself a major favor and get out on the water and visit these natural and National Treasures, and if you don't contact me.  I'd be happy to be your guide, on my boat The Conch-Keys-Tador!


For More Keys-z trivia head to my Keys Trivia Page!


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 .

Century-Old African Queen to Cruise Again in Key Largo

What a Film!  What a Cast! What a Boat!! 
Now, get me some Gin!!

The iconic original vessel from John Huston's classic 1951 film "The African Queen," starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, soon is to ply Key Largo's nearshore waters again. An April 12 "re-launch" party is scheduled featuring Stephen Bogart, son of film star Humphrey Bogart, to take place dockside at the Holiday Inn Key Largo, MM 100. Nostalgia seekers and film devotees are welcome to attend.

Something about Bogart is just so damn cool.

Read more about it here.
 http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=8380

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.

Getting Springtime Philosophical Down Here in The Keys

For those of us down here in The Keys, this part of Spring gets pretty introspective.  Though enjoying and respecting the sea, is itself somewhat of a religion,  Christians celebrating Easter, Jews remembering the traditions of Passover, and even Pagans commemorating the Vernal Equinox, all add to a certain Philosophical gumbo that permeates the salty air down here this time of year.

Whatever your devotional delicacy, we've gotcha covered in our own unique laissez-faire Key's attitude.

That being said, Easter down here in the Keys has always been special for me.  Sunrise Service and off to Harriet's for breakfast, was a ritual for some time when I was young.  And then, off to some snorkeling in what is now Sea Oats Beach...back in the Day, my folks did not have a boat, but you could sill see hoards of Conch, Lobster, Sea Urchins and tropical fish right off shore.  Yes there is nothing like the feeling of renewal and being here amongst Earth and Sky here in the Keys, to give you a sense of The Divine.

This year there are a couple of fun events going on that should delight young and old alike and help to create new memories to last a lifetime.

The Underwater Easter Bunny Strike Again!!

Being the Keys..you' got to try THE UNDERWATER EGG HUNT!!! go here for details http://www.captainslate.com/newsletter.html

Latest News at Captain Slate's Atlantis Dive Center

captainslate.com

Check out the latest news, diving and snorkeling specials at Captain Slate's Atlantis Dive Center in Key Largo, 

and

Also at Holiday Isle Kid's Day Easter Egg Hunt!
April 7th is the Postcard Inn's Kid's Day Easter Egg Hunt! The event will be held at the Beach Pavilion at the Postcard Inn at Holiday Isle at 11:00 am on April 7th. There will be a Petting Zoo, Pony Rides and refreshments, as well as an Easter Egg Hunt : )
Contact: 305-664-2321

 

So get on out.come to The Keys and make a Spring Holiday of your own.

 

And Happy Easter, Happy Passover and Happy..... um ...what DO you say for Vernal Equinox????

Work with an Agent who will put some Keys Spring in YOUR step.  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 .

For Our Clients We Are Holding Our First , Reel Appreciation Invitational - Family Fun Fishing Tournament In The Florida Keys! A Tournament, a Party and Most Importantly A Thank You!

A Tournament, a Party and Most Importantly A Thank You

The Reel Appreciation Tournament is an exclusive invitation-only event open to  American Caribbean and Marr Property Buyers and Sellers and their family. 

This is an Upper Keys Event.

Our goal is to extend our appreciation to all of our clients. Our business success depends on you. The Florida Keys is a special place filled with special people. We aim to have fun while enjoying the waters of the fabulous Florida Keys

Let's get fishing!

Two event filled days starting with Friday night's Captain's Meeting and Cocktail Party complete with a cooking demonstration by Chef Ben of the the famous Ziggie & Mad Dog's restaurant featuring delicious and easy preparation of local fishes of the Florida Keys.

A fun filled day of fishing for everyone in the family. Head out for the day into the Florida Keys Bay Backcountry or the Atlantic's Offshore, fishing for your favorite species. Earn tournament points with the fish that you catch for the day.

Saturday night's Award Dinner will give you the chance to socialize and relax with the choice of cooking your own catch or enjoying a delicious paella dinner. Either way, enjoy the day and the fabulous Florida Keys.

Meet our family of agents at American Caribbean and Marr Properties and allow us to show our thanks to you, our clients.

This is gonna be a blast!!!

Work with an agent who appreciates his clients!! 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 .