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Destination Resort Spectacular: The Florida Keys

By Pat & Curt Barlow

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Schmitt

September 15, 2011 03:33 AM

Destination Resort Areas

Some shining example of real destination resorts are The Florida Keys, particularly Key West, Nassau and ski vacation locales such as Telluride and Aspen. What makes the Florida Keys a premier resort location is the fact that it offers vacationers a year round destination. While it’s true that Nassau, like Key West are cruise destinations, Key West and to a lesser extent, the rest of the Keys have incredible vacation attractions year round.

This is the key advantage that Florida Keys resort properties enjoy over ski resort properties in Colorado, California or Utah. The winter vacation season in Florida starts in late January and ends sometime in April. Beginning in June, the summer season kicks in until Labor Day. However, if you walked on the streets of Key West during the “off seasons” you couldn’t fail to notice tourists taking snapshots, fishing off the pier or enjoying the sights and sounds of old Key West. Cruise ships typically make port year round in Key West, probably to a greater extent than even in Nassau.

Other Keys Resort Areas

One shouldn’t overlook other Keys destinations such as Islamorada located about 78 miles from Key West and 53 miles from Miami. That’s a one hour drive to the airport. (Key West has its own airport, albeit somewhat small with limited service). The major advantage that Islamorada offers is its beauty, easy going life style and ready access to excellent restaurants and even some funky night spots.

There are other locations worth mentioning in the Keys, especially Key Largo, with its proximity to Miami, great diving and fishing. Certainly, Marathon and some of the lesser known Keys are certainly worth considering as investment opportunities which also offers an owner a great place to stay while not rented. However, Key West will still be the major draw in the Keys as an income producing vacation area.

Investment Points to Consider

It’s a fact that more than 50% of the vacation properties owned (condos and private homes) are owned by Florida residents. Another interesting fact about the Keys, is that more than 55% of the properties that are sold in the Keys are sold to people that visited there loved and loved what they saw. Therefore, the key point (no pun intended) is that the Florida Keys are an important vacation choice for people wishing to own their piece of paradise.

At the same time, the rentals on most of the properties can be used to defray most, if not all of the costs of owning a vacation property. In fact, after a few a years, the typical owner will have a net positive income based on vacation rentals. Of course, there is a trade off: how much does one wish to use their property versus how much income they do wish to generate with their property?

A Contrast: Owning an Investment in a Non Vacation Area

One of the primary reasons people elect to rent properties in non vacation locales versus vacation properties is the belief that those renting an apartment or home are less likely to damage the property where they reside. This is a specious argument, notwithstanding the problems that might result from renting to college spring breakers. Typically, if you judiciously rent your home or condo, carefully screening to whom you rent, there is little chance of major damage occurring.

This raises the question: why? Those visiting vacation properties in the Keys are spending most of their time outdoors sightseeing, fishing, diving, swimming, etc. While those in non vacation areas in their homes, spend the vast majority of their time (24/7, as it were) within that property. Breakage and damage is statistically more likely to occur, as a result of family problems and/or the wear and tear on a dwelling occurring with daily use. Another factor is partially socioeconomic. When a vacationer throws down $1,000 or more per week for a vacation rental in addition to a sizable security deposit, they are less likely to damage a well maintained vacation rental and may typically be more advanced in their career or job.

It’s Better in the Keys

In almost all ways, Florida Keys destination properties are certainly on a par with Telluride or Nassau. However, the Keys offer the added benefit of having an extended vacation season. Moreover, whether you’re interested in the Upper Keys (Islamorada) or Key West (the Lower Keys), property values have not depreciated nearly as much as they have within the rest of Florida or the rest of the country. There are two good reasons: 1. There is an overabundance of vacant properties throughout the U.S. as homes go into foreclosure. 2. Key West or Islamorada are vacation destinations and will perpetually produce income.

With an ongoing recession, vacations within Florida will be an even more attractive alternative to vacations outside of the country. Thus, a property purchased in the Keys will be an income producing property (zoning permitting) in the foreseeable future. As an investment vehicle and as a place to enjoy some ‘fun in the sun’, few vacation destinations top Florida Keys real estate.