And Thus, We Bid The Devil Adieu - Today Ends a Harsh Hurricane Season

The Buzz-Saw that was Irma en route to the Keys

So, every June 1^st, I do a blog post referencing Florida Keys Profanity, and that the “H Word” is the most foul.  Of course, “H” standing for Hurricane.

As you know, this Blog is quite often tongue-in-cheek, but this year, this year it rang very, very true.

Heartbreaking Devastation at one of my Buyers' Properties on Grassy Key

It's been some time coming, can't say we were surprised. But it still doesn't lessen the blow, both literally and figuratively. 

Irma came through like a buzz saw, but a buzz saw that was very, very slow moving. We were extraordinarily fortunate that it didn't do as much damage as it could have, and that the casualties were not as great as they could've been.

That being said, the wounds have definitely been inflicted and anyone driving our glorious Overseas Highway can see the scabs that are now forming.

 

Hurricanes in the Keys are a way of Life. They are part and parcel of the Keys experience. They is the Ying to the diving, fishing, drinking and revelry’s Yang. 

So what happens now???

Participating in a TV interview with NBC6 Anchors about what happens next

Well, real estate wise, Irma may have actually been a good thing on several fronts.

It's certainly showcased those homes that were well-built and can stand up to brutes. It also thinned out some of our invasive foliage that has grown here, chocking out our natives. And, it has forced homeowners to take a serious look at the condition of their properties.

And even with all the devastation that has occurred, Buyers still, still, very much want a heaping slice of our proverbial Key Lime Pie.

There is no place on Earth like the  Florida Keys. There is no place that offers all the intangibles.

Yes, there may be some places that have more vibrant for reefs, better fishing, Island lifestyle, but, as a package, and for ownership and value… I believe there’s no compare. 

"H Word"  - The Most Profane.

So, today, as we pack away our generators and store away our shutters and get ready to say goodbye to a very trying Period, we remember those that lost so much, and commend those whose efforts are unparalleled in helping us to effectively rebuild.

As once again, we try to reason with Hurricane Season

Work with an Agent whose ridden the Storms.  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.

Irma's Knockin' On My Back Door. I Told Her I'm Not That Kinda Guy

It's been going on down here for millennia ... the storm surges, wind flows ... the buzz saw action that is the trademark of a large hurricane, cruising across the warm azure waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean with aching itch to make landfall cross our Florida Peninsula.

Irma

And so, here it is,  about 36 hours before that Bad Ass Bitch, Irma, decides to say Hello.

I've been to this rodeo before. I take this very seriously. But, with that in mind, you can only do so much.  And while you can survive losing "things", you can't afford to lose your humanity.

Assisting Customers With Shutters,  First Timers. Comforting their Fears

Shutters are up, the boats are secured. My family and I will be staying at one of our parents' houses in Southwest Miami. Little concrete bunkers homes that were built for conditions such as these.

My properties… Well... we'll just have to see well, won't we.

Like we did with Andrew, we will rebuild ... we will reset… And we will learn.

Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season

As for me, tomorrow evening, I plan to be sitting in a screened-in patio, glass of Rum and Cigar in hand, and looking straight into the eyes and belly of the beast. 

I will tip my hat and say ... "Bring it on Bitch"

All my friends, please stay safe and let me know that you got out OK.

God Bless

Shalom

As-Salaam-Alaikum

Hakuna Matata

Conquistador

Come Hear Your Conchquistador Sing At a Very Special Benefit for our "King Of Cool" !!

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. 
And, in the ebb and flow of life, this is a more common occurrence than not. 

One of your Conchquistador's dear friends is unfortunately going through a difficult time in his life. 

As with all of us who own this mortal coil, he's developed an illness that needs immediate attention.

One of the things I love about the Keys is our sense of Community. My friend Joey Naples, aka "The King of Cool", is

one of the pillars of our community, and one of the best ambassadors for the Florida Keys, I've ever seen. Joey is THE voice of Sun 103.1 FM and gives tirelessly of his time to so many charities.

Well, now, it's his hour of need, and our Keys Community is rallying for him!  

As all of us know, medical expenses can be astronomical, and with the games the insurances, and hospitals, and doctors play, many times treatments and services are not covered.

So, it is with great honor, that I've been involved with a benefit to help raise money for Joey's staggering medical costs. 

And WOW!! What a phenomenal event this is turning out to be!

This Sunday, April 2nd, from 1 to 6 PM at the OceanView Inn and Sports Pub ( Lovingly known locally, as "The OV") in Islamorada, at mile marker 85, we will be featuring some of the most incredible music you've ever heard. 

Your Conchquistador belting it out

Our local talent pool of musicians is absolutely amazing, such as The Taylor King band who are featured here on this Blog. Couple that, with several national touring acts, who, when they heard this was for Joey, they just had to throw their hat in the ring, and you know this is going to be Huuuggge.

And so it is, as well, that you're humble Conchquistador will also be getting up and singing a few tunes with the OV's spectacular house band, "The Usual Suspects." 

Custom painted Guitar by Pasta Pantaleo and singed by Jimmy Buffet. Up for Auction!

We will also be having an Auction for some Very, Very, Unique, One of a Kind, Art Pieces, by world renowned Artists, Pasta Pantaleo and Derrick Crossland.

Would you please join us? 

Incredibly Sculpted Heart by Derrick Crossland, Up for Auction!

And if for some reason, you're not able to join us, could I kindly ask you to donate generously to the Go Fund Me page that has been set up in Joey's honor that is linked Below?

Go Fund Me for Joey Naples.

Drinking, music, sunshine, and Fun ... in the Keys all for a great cause!!

We are a Community ... that Cares, we are a Community ... That Loves.  We are a Community ... That Gives, and this is my Very Dear Friend.

Work with and Agent with a Love for their Commmunity!  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.

Your Conchquistador Now Has His Own Radio Show ... Hope The FCC Isn't Listening!!

Radio.

Theater of the Mind.  Descriptions and melodies that can evoke and create life long and meaningful memories.
It can keep you company like just about no other medium can.

As a Kid when I lived in Miami, I would listen to the one Keys Station that I could barely receive, so I could just hear (through the static) the commercials and listen to them talk about the places that I would go with my family, relishing all The Key-z-ness they had to offer, evoking those sentiments of so many days frolicking in the stunning and majestic waters. Striking the chord.

Fast forward way too many years later, and I have been fortunate to
have a fantastic relationship with our local station, WFKZ, Sun 103 FM.  Privileged to sponsor, for years, their weeknight talk shows coming from our coolest waterfront lounges. And quite often joining them on air to talk about and share my insights and experience regarding our

local real estate market, showcase Sellers' properties and to give the audience a Conchquistador's perspective of our unique lifestyle. Sponsorships, I look forward for years to come.

Always keeping an eye on the horizon though, of whats new to come, and burgeoning technologies that assist my clientele, I have as well developed a wonderful relationship with the folks at RadioA1A.  As I described in one of my previous posts, Radio A1A is an Internet-based streaming radio station that is geared to the Trop-Rock scene.  In fact they were just recipients of The Trop-Rock Music Associations' Radio Station of the Year! They have a huge core audience of fervent official Jimmy Buffet fan club members , aka, Parrot Heads.  They broadcast internationally via their website and downloadable Radio A1A mobile app on Iphone/Ipad or Android, and are as well available on the streaming service, Spotify.

What this all comes to is that the Folks at Radio A1A have asked yours truly to develop a Florida Keys based Real Estate Radio Show!  How Cool is That!! Broadcast Worldwide!

So, of course, not at all content with doing a dry, stuffy real estate show, I have teamed up with my good friend and colleague, Mark Mills to create, The Florida Keys Real Estate Guys Live!!

The Florida Keys Real Estate Guys concept is something that Mark and I have been working on for quite a while, as we work together on quite a few transactions and created a custom Facebook Page to that effect, which has garnered us an impressive following.

So it was only natural to flesh this out into a show.  As well as being a fantastic Real Estate agent, Mark has over 30 years of Broadcasting Experience and of course yours truly loves a Microphone!

So Here we Go....The Florida Keys Real Estate Guys Live! 

With a warm nod to the old NPR Radio show "Car Talk" and its hosts Click and Clack, The Tappet Brothers,  The Florida Keys Real Estate Guys Live! is a fun, seat of your pants, stream of consciousness, and sometimes irreverent, look at our Real Estate market, educating on highlighting important factors to consider, showcasing our exceptional property listings, hosting great guests, as well discussing, all the fun that the Keys lifestyle brings. Coming to you from two guys who imbibe the essence of this place like drunken Pirates on leave in Tortuga.

We just had our Inaugural Broadcast and wow, we had such a great listening audience with listeners national and internationally including South Africa.  Everyone wants a slice of our Key Lime Pie!!!

Grab a cocktail and Take a listen here: Inaugural Broadcast 

Informative...Entertaining...and Fun.. That's our goal!
So please listen in every Monday from Noon to 1PM, Keys Time or the rebroadcast Mondays at 5PM and available on podcast on SoundCloud.com.

We want to help YOU find Your piece of our Paradise!

The Florida Keys Real Estate Guys Live!

Radio A1A

Theater of the Mind.

Work with an Agent who's On The Air! 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.