key west: Old Town Parking - 05/15/14 06:02 AM
I currently have a listing in Old Town on a walking lane (no off street parking) and I keep getting asked where to park.  So I say on the street, but then there have been some more questions about what restrictions there are pertaining to parking on the street.  For instance if you bought the home as a vacation home could you leave a car parked on the street when you weren’t in Key West.   I made some calls and this is what I found, but remember these rules really apply only to Old Town because although they might apply elsewhere they … (0 comments)

key west: Key West Changes - 12/20/10 09:15 AM
A pleasant surprise to boaters after Hurricane Wilma was the creation of a new little island with sugar white beaches off of Boca Grand that apply become know as Wilma Key. Four years later after currents, winds and the shifting of sand Wilma is almost gone As we approach the end of the year it is always interesting to remember the changes that have occurred on shore as well. Living in Key West you probably have experienced shopping at Ross Dress for Less. The clothing and house wares store comes close to creating the atmosphere of a scavenger hunt. High energy … (0 comments)

key west: Key West Dogs to Return - 08/29/10 11:00 AM
    Bone Island throws the dogs a bone.  Dogs are almost allowed back into the Key West restaurants and bars. Certain establishments like Schooner Warf Bar and Blue Heaven have allowed dogs for years unitl it was realized that we needed a local ordinance on the books for the State to allow it to continue. I don't own a dog but it seems only right that those establishments that have been allowing it for years are not allowed to continue. We have almost finished the dog days of summer with no dogs. The City Commission approved legislation  on August 20, but now has to wait … (1 comments)

key west: Right to Dry - 05/20/10 09:36 AM

I recently read about a town in Massachusetts that recently under went an environmental movement to not only ban the sale of bottled water but also to gain the right to dry your clothes outside. The town did not outlaw outdoor drying, but homeowner's and condominium associations within the town did. Can you imagine that in uber-tidy communities in Naples Fl where you are not allowed to even park your car in your drive way (it must be in the garage)? But, speaking of Naples, the real Naples (Italy), tourists find it charming to see laundry hanging across the balconies … (0 comments)

key west: I Break for Iguanas - 04/26/10 08:55 AM

I was driving down College Rd today and an Iguana began to run across the street. He was about ½ way, saw another automobile coming towards us and turned around running back in front of my car! I slammed on the breaks. As I calmed down and headed back to my office I wondered about this. I would die if I ever hit a cat, a dog, a chicken or raccoon but I realized I would not mind too much if I ran over an Iguana. I would not try to run over one, but I think that they are … (0 comments)

key west: Strategic Foreclosure - 02/12/10 07:55 AM
A new term has emerged in the ever changing real estate world. Just as none of us knew what a "short sale" was 4 years ago or a "flipper" 9 years ago, we now have chance to expand our vocabulary and incorporate "strategic foreclosure". A strategic foreclosure is when a property owner has the ability to pay their mortgage but chooses not to. This group now accounts for about one in every four foreclosures. This has created an ethical discussion for those involved. You borrowed the money, you owe the money. Why should you not pay it back? Yes the property … (0 comments)

key west: Golfing and Real Estate - 01/04/10 07:58 AM

Not really sure this is the right title for this blog, but I find dry titles make what I have to say less interesting to a prospective reader then what it really is.  Golfing is fun and a sport.  You wear oxford type shoes with little nails on the bottom to play. What does golf have to do with real estate? You ask yourself that question and want to read on to see just how it does.  A local developer named Pritam Singh, Aka Paul Labombard developed the property surrounding the Key West Golf Course in 1995 and appropriately named it The … (0 comments)

key west: The William Pope Crawl - 12/15/09 06:18 AM

In our small town of Key West, one street remains the most popular tourist destination on the island. Packed with bars, restaurants and shops, the mile long stretch is a must see for the millions of tourist who continuously stroll down its sun covered sidewalks. Sure, many can say they've thrown back Margaritas and beers in some of the most famous bars in the world, but how many can say they know who the street is named after?
That man was William Pope Duval, adventurer, lawyer, cavalry man and former state governor. He was born in 1784, a boy who … (0 comments)

key west: Key West Real Estate Moves Back in Time with the Smurfs - 12/09/09 08:48 AM
We all know that our real estate market has been a roller coaster ride this decade.  I find it interesting to go back and look at how prices have changed dramatically over the years in one Key West neighborhood. 
Any one who has spent much time in Key West off Duval Street probably has heard of Key West Estates nick named "Smurf Village".  Why the Smurf moniker?  Some say that the mansard style roofs make them look like mushrooms where the cartoon Smurfs makes their homes.   These homes, in New Town on Duck, Eagle and Harriet Ave, four to a building … (1 comments)

key west: Things Are Moving, but... - 04/03/09 08:11 AM
It has been a busy season so far. It's a good thing that most of March has been too windy for boating or my husband would be real unhappy that I was working so many weekends. I have to say, I am enjoying it being busy again. With five properties under contract and waiting to close it feels like the "old days".
At the same time, it seems like the short sales are starting to get some movement finally. But as we know, in the Keys and the rest of the nation, foreclosures are up. The nice thing about a bank … (0 comments)

key west: Attention Yankees': Are you looking for the REAL Key West? - 03/09/09 09:09 AM
Most people who move to Key West from places like New York or Massachusetts come here for the island lifestyle, the freedom of being able to walk or bike anywhere on the island, the beach, to work, or even the grocery store. But, BEWARE my Northern friends. Not all in Key West is this easy. To truly find this type of lifestyle, you must seek Old Town...
With that being said, check out these two listings in the heart of Key West (and before you think this is a shameless plug for my listings, only one of them is mine), both … (1 comments)