The Keys are En Vogue! Check Out The Keys' Own Pasta Pantaleo on Public Television!

VERY COOL!  

NEW EPISODE TONIGHT!Islamorada artist "Pasta Pantaleo."

Check out this great program tonight on Public Television Channel 2 in South Florida, featuring the Keys' own uniquely talented Artist, and my Friend, Pasta Pantaleo. Must see TV for Sure...

Then remember at 9PM on the Weather Channel is Reel Rivals, the Fishing Reality series from Bud N' Mary's Marina.  

Wow..The Keys certainly are en vogue. 

Call me today to grab your own slice of our Key Lime Pie!

Work with an Agent who make Real Estate and Art.  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.

Tonight!! Look Out Dutch Harbor...Here Comes Islamorada!!! We have our own Fishing Realty Series!! "Reel Rivals"

Is this Cool or What???!!!
Tonight, from Islamorada, Florida Keys, actually right down the street from my office,  it's the first episode of the Weather Channel's "Reel Rivals" at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
These guys are some of the very best Captains here in Islamorada, the sport-fishing capital of the world. Guy's guys...badasses.
These guys KNOW how to fish!
Forget Dutch Harbor ("Homebase of Deadliest Catch")....Islamorada is where the ACTION is
Below is an expert from Keysnet.com about the new series.
  
"Keys anglers star in 'Reel Rivals'

Florida Keys sportfishing is destined for primetime broadcast attention when a new television reality series debuts May 7 on the Weather Channel.

The first episode of "Reel Rivals" is to air at 9 p.m. featuring the daily competiveness of Keys sportfishing

Cast of Reel Rivals - Photo by Andy Newman

captains George McElveen, Nick Stanczyk, his uncle Scott Stanczyk and Augie Wampler. The four skippers base their boats at Bud N' Mary's Fishing Marina in Islamorada.

"'Reel Rivals' is about the competition between four sportfishing captains in the sportfishing capital of the world," said Brad Hebert, co-executive producer for Optomen Productions, which created the show for the Weather Channel. "It centers on relationships on and off their boats.

"They're entertaining, comical and [episodes are] full of twists and turns," he said about the 30-minute shows.
Hebert and his video production crew focused a slew of cameras on the four skippers for almost a month. They subsequently spent four months in post-production to create six shows that are to air with the anticipation the series will be extended on an annual basis.

Hebert says viewers should be forewarned that "Reel Rivals" is not a typical nuts-and-bolts fishing show, although plenty of sportfishing action is included. He added that the natural attractions and climate of the Keys add to the show's appeal.

"The location is beyond what is advertised in terms of beauty as well as the diversity of species," Hebert said.
Following the premiere, subsequent episodes are slated to air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. through the end of June. Programming dates and times are subject to change.

The Hampton Inn at mile marker 80 plans to host a premiere party May 7 and the show's principal characters are expected to attend. Happy-hour drink specials are to begin at 4:30 p.m. and complimentary appetizers are to be served starting at 8."

Work with an Agent who knows how to reel in Buyers.  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.

Here's Looking at You Kid! The Curtain Rises For The Inaugural Humphrey Bogart Film Festival Set in Key Largo!!

Talk about starting a Festival in Style!!

Stephen Bogart and Film Critic Leonard Maltin aboard the African Queen

Stephen Bogart, son of legendary film icon Humphrey Bogar and screen siren Lauren Bacall, arrives with Critic and Film Guru Leonard Maltin by way of boat to start the inaugural Humphrey Bogart Film Festival.  But they didn't just come by boat, oh no. They came in the ORIGINAL African Queen from his Dad's film!! How Cool is That!

We here in The Keys are so excited that the Bogart Estate has agreed to this Festival, and to have it set in Key Largo, the setting for one of Bogie's most cherished films. This is sure to be a yearly festival that is certain to rank on any cineaste's, must attend list.

With a multitude of showings of many of Bogie's classic films and workshops and talks with current filmmakers such as Billy Corban, Director of Cocaine Cowboys and Square Grouper, and even a visit from Director John Houston's Grandson, this event is sure to be a film lover's dream come true.

The Humphrey Bogart Film Festival runs from  May 2 thru May 5.

For more info and film schedules visit BogartFilmFestival.com

So Round up the usual suspects, put your lips together and blow, and Play it!
It's time to put on your trench coat and get your inner Bogie on.

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.

African Queen photo by Andy Newman.

Your Conchquistador is Now President-Elect of Florida Keys MLS, INC.!!! Veni, Vidi, Vici.

WOW!!
What an incredible HONOR.
I am extraordinarily proud to announce that your humble Conchquistador has been elected as President of the Florida Keys MLS  INC for 2014.
The Florida Keys MLS is the backbone of the REALTOR community, providing the tools necessary for our members to provide in depth information regarding properties in the Florida Keys to their Buyers and
Sellers.
I have been privileged to sit on the executive board for the last year and am now excited to take the baton of leadership from sitting President Jaime Engle of Coldwell Banker.
I look forward to the challenge of providing our members the absolute best tools available for their real estate research needs and the SERVICE  to assist them in their ultimate goal of guiding their Buyers and Sellers to make intelligent informed decisions regarding real estate.
For Agents, a good MLS system is essential to keying in on your principal's real estate needs, a great MLS gives the Agent the opportunity to shine and provide outstanding info, statistics, drip marketing, custom portal activity, virtual shopping carts, and just overall bad ass tools to get the job DONE!!
Our MLS system is currently the Best that I have ever worked with.
It IS a Great MLS,
That being said, I want it to be GREATER.  I want our members to come to me with their ideas on how to deliver an even better MLS experience that will ultimately trickle down to our most prized clientele....the Buyers and Sellers themselves.
This is my Mission, which I am happy and enthusiastic to accept.

Work with a Real Estate Leader. 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.

Our Office Is Hosting the "Home for your Art, Art For Your Home" Exhibit and Party This Thursday!!

We at American Caribbean are SUPER excited to be hosting our very own Art Gallery Show!!

Noted Keys Artists Staci Krupa and Liz Queeny have transformed our Office at Mile Marker 82 into a Keys Art gallery featuring impressive and stunning works from these two Dynamic Artists.
Please join us, Thursday, March 21, 2013, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 
We are hosting the "Home for Your Art" "Art for Your Home" exhibit, and serving Art-Tinis, Wine & Hors d'oeuvres.  

As the Exclusive Affiliate Of Christies's International Real Estate, the real estate arm of the famed Christie's Art House, we believe that Real Estate and Original Art... are perfect compliments!

This is Sure to be a Great Time!!

Work with an Agent with an Artistic side.  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 a Podcast!! Take a Listen!

I am super excited and proud to announce the creation of my New Podcast for the Florida Keys Real Estate Conchquistador available at ConchShow.com!! 

Please follow the link to CONCHSHOW.COM and be sure to subscribe to us when you are there.

It is my goal to provide my new listeners with unique insights into our Florida Keys Real Estate Market and our Tropical Lifestyle in the fun and irreverent way that you have come to enjoy my blogs. New Properties, Recent Sales, Trends and Island life will all be featured.

Thanks for Listening!!

Work with an Agent with creative marketing strategies.
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.

Ten Keymandments for Keys Conservation!

The Florida Keys are an incredible destination for travelers the world over.  

That being said, it is imperative, that in order to maintain this tropical paradise, we as locals, and visitors alike adhere to a few "Keymandments".

I saw this great list of directives on the Florida Keys and Keys West website at fla-keys.com, geared at educating our valued visitors on the protocols to Keys living and conservation:

‘Ten Keymandments’ for Keys Travelers

While the Bible's Ten Commandments advise people what not to do, these "10 Keymandments" are designed to guide visitors in what you CAN do to have meaningful, memorable vacations while respecting and helping preserve the Florida Keys environment.

Great new button on the Fla Keys and Key West Website

Plant a coral (or adopt one of the cute little things, but don't touch them on the reef).

Use a mooring buoy at dive sites. (save your back and leave the anchor alone).

Support the wildlife (volunteer food, funds or time to a local wild bird center).

Take out the trash (especially if it’s floating in the water).

Capture a lionfish (any time and any size — we can show you how).

Leave a digital footprint (share pictures with fans, friends and followers).

Hike it, bike it or hoof it (it’s low on eco-impact and high on fresh tropical air).

Catch dinner (and release all the fish you know you can’t eat).

Conserve vs. consume (reduce, reuse and recycle even on vacation).

Get off the beaten path (you can hike, bike, walk, kayak or paddleboard along Keys trails).

Make sure to do your part to keep our Keys pristine!

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 and My New Friend Guy Harvey...What a Pair!

Wow, talk about an Honor! I had the distinct pleasure to meet one of my true inspirations, my new Friend, Dr. Guy Harvey!

Guy is an amazing individual, not just as a superb artist of enormous talent, but also as a big game fisherman, conversationalist, philanthropist and ecological educator.

My wardrobe consists mostly of his line of fishing shirts, and his brand has become somewhat of a cottage industry.

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Guy, and found him to be most delightful and engaging.  We both spoke of our love for the sea and the Florida Keys in particular.  Kindred spirits for sure.

Guy's marine wildlife art is among the best in the world, and his floor to ceiling mural at Fort Lauderdale's airport is breathtaking.   Another Hemingway devotee, like yours truly, Guy got his start with his exhibition in 1985 of pen and ink drawings inspired by "The Old Man and The Sea".  From there, his career has flourished and his commitment to our sea life has been unparalleled, and he now joins the ranks of Jacques Cousteau, as an Ambassador of The Sea.

Guy Harvey's " Blue Runner".  Yet Another Stunning Piece  from this World Renowned Artist!

So, I look forward to more opportunities to hang with Guy and share our love and passion for the water, the sea life, and the essence of what makes the Florida Keys such a magical world.

Be sure to visit Guy's website at GuyHarvey.com, where you learn more about Guy and visit his online store where you can purchase his dramatic art and super cool clothing line.

Work with an Agent who is an artist at what he does,.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 Here! Our Stunning, Keys Island Collection Magazine! You HAVE to See it!

As your Conchquistador, I am extraordinarily proud to announce that our latest issue of the Island Collection of Homes is now in a full fledged magazine format!

A joint venture between American Caribbean Real Estate and our sister company, Marr Properties, this spectacular issue contains not only some of The Keys' finest real estate opportunities, but great, useful, and insightful articles from such Keys Luminaries as Captain Matt Bellinger of Bamboo Charters discussing Islamorada sportfishing, Diver Extraordinaire Amy Slate writing about the Majesty of the Duane shipwreck, and Chef Michael Ledwith of the incomparable Chef Michael's sharing his delicious Lionfish Ambassador recipe, and so much more!

With this edition, we have grouped our properties in according Mile Marker sections, enabling you to easier pinpoint the location of your Florida Keys Dream Home

Please click on the picture below to be instantly connected to our online version or visit TheKeysIslandCollection.com.

If you would like a hard copy just contact me and I will be happy to get it to you immediately.
So, crank up the Buffett and Marley, grab an ice cold Key West Ale and dig into our fantastic latest edition and begin YOUR search for YOUR OWN Keys Oasis!


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.

Dutch Harbor Meets Islamorada! Deadliest Catch's Captain Wild Bill Meets Your Conchquistador!

As extremes go, Islamorada, here in The Fabulous Florida Keys and Dutch Harbor, Alaska are about as opposite as you can get here in the US geographically.  But we are definitely in unison when it comes to our love of fishing.

Why do I bring up Dutch Harbor??? Well for those uninitiated, Dutch, as they call it, is home base for the Alaskan King Crab Fishing Fleet and center stage for those stalwart mariners on my favorite TV show, Deadliest Catch.  Let me tell you, fishing in the Bering Sea is BRUTAL!!!! These guys are BAD ASSES!!  And I just got the great opportunity to meet one of the baddest, Captain Wild Bill Wichrowski of The Kodiak.

Bill was down here enjoying our much much calmer waters and partaking in the recent.Islamorada Sailfish Tournament.  Your Humble Conchquistador met up with Bill at Wahoo's after the weigh in, where we had the chance to chat about what else...Fishing!!  What a great Guy.  Big, Rugged and Burly...the kinda guy Hemingway would have wanted to hang with.

Bill, as far as I am concerned you are now an Honorary Conch!  

Work with an Agent who is no Green Horn when it comes to waterfront 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.

Thanksgiving in The Keys...You KNOW I Am Thankful!!!

As we once again come onto Thanksgiving here in the Fabulous Florida Keys, I  like to take pause to consider all that I am Thankful for during these tumultuous times.
Of course after Happy and Healthy Family and Friends, some of the things that I am thankful for include:

• Being able to have the Greatest Job in the World in The Greatest Place in Earth!!  I am Blessed to be able to impart my LOVE of this Fabulous Island Chain and its magnificent waters and reefs to my new Clients as they consider a new residence in our tropical oasis, and the opportunity to work with my Sellers as well, to find new enthusiastic caretakers of their beloved homes.
• Being able to share my off kiltered observations with you my readers.  I love hearing your feedback about the Real Estate Market and our fun, funky lifestyle.
• Of course I am Thankful and Grateful for all of our brave men and women thought the World in our Armed Forces.  These are our true heroes and one of my proudest moments this year was being able to assist one of these great individuals find a new home for he and his family.
• Our Great Country.  When I look around the world and see all of the tumult that currently exists, both economical and political, I am comforted that we still have the greatest nation on earth and even with our own differences we are able to rise above and maintain a safe haven.  So much so that we continually see foreign investors sinking their $$$ here in our shores.
• The phenomenal ecosystem that we have here in The Keys.  The rich and close combination of Everglades, estuaries, bays, reefs, keys, deep water and Gulf Stream, make up one of the most unique and diverse ecosystems on the Planet.  This System is truly the backbone of our Keys economy, the honey that draws tourists to visit and ultimately to become locals. May we continue our best efforts to keep it clean and pure.

These are but a few of the things that I am Thankful for, not just on Thanksgiving, but everyday that I have the opportunity and privilege to enjoy our 127 mile stretch of limestone.

I wish You and yours a Joyous Thanksgiving!!

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.

Fall Is In The Air and Our Real Estate Market Is Strong. It's Time For Season!

Falls in the air, here in the Keys.
The oppressive heat melts back and soothing breezes come byway of the North and Northeast.
The fisheries change, the mackerel start to put a hit on, and life...life is pretty good.
Our Northern Brethren are making their way back to our 127-mile Oasis between the Gulf and Atlantic.
Actually, our Northern folks and International folks in particular are lapping up our "special sauce" like crazy!

As you will see, in my Real Estate Resource Report below, property sales have once again been on the incline in the Upper Keys.  Property sales are up 13.5% from October 2011 vs October 2012.  This represented sales in a broad spectrum of Oceanfront and Bayfront Properties, Canalfront, Non Waterfront Homes, Mobiles and Condo and Townhomes.

The average Sale Price for these properties was $388,805, from $304,627, up over 27.6%!!  The $388,905 number accounts for a good chunk of non waterfront home sales this period.

In terms of new available properties our number has remained pretty constant and the List Price for all new properties now averages out at $652,972 up a very healthy 24.7 %.

So, the picture these details reveal is a nice healthy real estate market that still allows Buyers to grab a slice of our pie at a very reasonable price, while also allowing property owners to see some upward movement on their investment.

Click to enlarge

All in all, Fall is in the air and we are heading into Season with a good head of steam with benefits of being on either side of the Buyer/Seller Coin.  Just remember to work with LOCAL Professionals.  Monroe County is it's own particular universe and has unique laws and restrictions.  Insist on working with LOCAL Experienced REALTORS, Title Agents, Inspectors, and Appraisers.  Benefit from their knowledge and expertise.
 
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.

Fantastic Florida Keys Real Estate Opportunities

 Take a look at some of the fantastic properties that I currently have available for purchase.  There is something for everyone.  Open Waterfront homes to incredible investment opportunities to Waterfront Townhomes.

I also have a great selection of dock slips available a well, and raw land to build your custom Keys dream home.

Now, is a great time to buy in The Keys.  Prices are still low and money is cheap, and the water and lifestyle beckon you. Opportunity is knocking, are you going to answer??

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.