Get To Know Historic Key West

Whether you have been a resident of Key West your entire life or you have just recently moved here, there is a possibility that you aren’t completely aware of the history that surrounds you. Getting to know your surroundings is as easy as getting on a trolley.

The Old Town Trolley Tour of Key West is filled with 12 stops, to show residents and visitors what Key West used to be like, and the history all around them. The first stop is at Mallory Square where Key West had its beginning. Now visited frequently during their famous sunset celebration, this area is the location for the start of your historic tour. Along the way the trolley stops by the Fairfield Inn, Bahama Village Market, and the Casa Marina Resort. With all of the historic significance in the area, residents can spend their days learning more about the city they love. 

Key West is filled with historic homes and places that some of the most famous people of the past once stayed.  One home to visit is Harry S. Truman’s Little White House.  Visit the President’s getaway where he spent over 170 days in Key West on the Truman Naval Station. Another home to visit is Ernest Hemingway’s Home and Museum where the Nobel Prize winner spent time writing his novels. The Flagler Station Over-Sea Railway Historeum is where Henry Flagler is represented. One of the founding members of the Standard Oil Company, this Historeum takes you on a walking tour of all Flagler did from his beginning days. You can view rare moving picture footage of Key West in 1905. 

One way to enjoy Key West is to purchase a package tour, many including the Old Town Trolley excursion. You can participate in the tour then visit the Mel Fisher Museum, which features an exhibit on the 1622 Fleet, where 28 ships left Havana on their way to Spain filled with all the riches of the 1620’s and ended up sinking due to a horrific hurricane. After over 300 years had passed, Mel Fisher developed an idea of how to find the treasures from the ocean floor, and now the museum is displaying his discoveries. Or just relax on a Glass Bottom Sunset Cruise where you can see sea creatures of all kinds swimming underneath you while you enjoy a wonderful Key West sunset. 

If you have any questions regarding historical Key West, or are interested in real estate in the area, feel free to contact me! I look forward to hearing from you!

Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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Which Waterfront Property is Perfect for You?

Waterfront properties are one of the best selling homes in Key West. One of the biggest struggles is deciding which type of waterfront home is best for you. What do you like to do in the water? Is your ideal day filled with relaxing on the dock and fishing, or would you prefer to be out on your boat participating in water sports?

There are two main types of waterfront homes in Key West. One type is living on the Gulf of Mexico. For residents that like to take their speed boats out and spend their summer days outside this is a prime location. The Gulf is also a perfect location for residents that are interested in catching a wide variety of fish.

Another example of Key West real estate on the water is buying home on one of the area’s many lakes. This is a location for residents who prefer their boats to be powered manually rather than by an engine.  Whether you are interested in exploring the lake alone in your kayak or with friends in a canoe, the lake front is wonderful for either. 

For residents that can’t decide which waterfront they prefer, owning a home on the lake, but close to the Gulf is also an option. Spending your weekdays relaxing and watching the lake, and then going out to the Gulf on the weekends to have a good time is a great way to balance your needs. 

An important factor in buying this type of home is how much time you will be spending there. Is this a Key West home you'll want to live in year round? Or do you plan on only spending time here during the summer? The Gulf is a wonderful place to stay in the summers, with many families and other residents coming out and socializing while cruising on their boats. 

Some other deciding components are how public is the land you are living on. Do you want other residents to be able to come and play in the area you consider your backyard? Or do you just want family and close friends to experience it with you? What kind of beach area is best, a sandy warm comfortably easing into the water, or a grassy area to throw down a blanket and have a picnic?

No matter what type of waterfront you decide on, spending your days on any type of water is great for a Key West home. If you have any questions or are interested in a home in Key West, feel free to contact me!

Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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How to Spend Your Summer in Key West

Among the wonderful Key West events every summer, there are many other memorable places to go to in town. With over 250 restaurants and water sports available on a daily basis, residents are likely to be found enjoying their summer celebrating the history and community they have built.  

On a warm summer night as the sun is falling go to Hogfish bar and grill to enjoy live entertainment and sit on the beach as you enjoy their fresh seafood. Hogfish has been a restaurant most residents can’t pass up. Referring to themselves as an area with the old-Keys environment, this quaint restaurant makes you feel at home with the comfortable décor and atmosphere.

When residents are looking for the new feel of Key West they travel towards The Lazy Gecko, where patrons have a choice of 12 different frozen daiquiris. This party bar serves up deli-style sandwiches and pizza while providing specials almost every day of the week. Happy hour starts and ends here for a Key West resident ending their work day.

If you are looking to spend time outside enjoying the beautiful weather, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is where you may find yourself. Originally built in the 1800’s to protect the southeastern border during wars such as the Civil War and Spanish-American War, this park is now home to bicyclists and guided tours through the historic area. 

For Key West residents that like a bit of thrill in their lives, Key Largo Parasail is a frequently visited spot. Whether you want to be 500 feet above the ocean or 1000 feet is your choice. Fly alone, with one other person, or in a set of three. This local attraction is a great way to spend your sunny days. 

If there is any information you would like about Key West, feel free to contact me! I look forward to hearing from you!

Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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How to Make Your Key West Home More Valuable

When selling a Key West home most homeowners believe that making renovations to their home will improve its value. But, is that true? It has been shown that updates do help, but not all updates. When selling a Key West Home there are rooms that should be left as is, and rooms that should be added to in order to make the home more desirable to all home buyers.

Don’t Update:
First, working from home is a great benefit for a job, saves you money on gas and gives you more time to spend with the family. However, not everyone works from home so putting thousands of dollars into remodeling a home office may not pay off in the long run. The built in shelves and hardwood flooring is great if you spend 90% of your time in that room, but if the person interested in your home will only be spending 10% of their time in the room, then the flooring and other amenities will not be important to them. 

Do Update:
When purchasing a home, one of the first rooms the buyer is eager to see is the kitchen; a room that they will probably spend the majority of their time in, whether entertaining, or just making a casual meal.  For a home that is coming equipped with appliances, having stainless steel appliances and refrigerator are essentials and something buyers are willing to spend more on. 

Don’t Update:
The master bedroom suite is by far one of the most relaxing rooms in Key West Real Estate, but as a home buyer, the comfort of the room is more important than the extra sitting room to the side or the marble countertops that are in the master bathroom. The bedroom is not a place for entertaining so when remodeling, focus more on comfort and less on the fancy upgrades. 

Do Update:
In the Key West area siding on a home is very important. If trying to sell a home that has faded, old, or broken siding, it will benefit you to replace it. The outside appearance of a home is equally as important as the inside appearance. When looking at the home the home buyers do not want to see stains or dents in their new home. Spending some money on putting up new siding will definitely pay off at the closing.

If you have any questions on how to increase the value of your Key West home, feel free to contact me and ask! I’d be more than happy to help you get the best value for your home. I hope to hear from you soon!

Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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