What Wildlife Is In the Water by Your Key West Home?

Owning Key West Real Estate is a fantastic idea. Surrounded by water and friendly people is a perfect way to spend your days. But, do you really know what is in that water? If not, go explore it!

Some of the best reefs int the country are found in the Key West area. The Sand Key is one of the most popular found in the Key West area. Viewable from either snorkeling or scuba diving, this natural beauty is over 10 miles long and varies in depth.  Another area to visit under water is the The Cayman Salvor, a 180 foot buoy tender, made from steel, was originally dropped to create an artificial reef in 1985. With a variety of fish calling this buoy their home, it is a wonder to see. 

While many enjoy the water, some enjoy it more from above, than from underneath. With all the fresh seafood in Key West, it is no surprise that fishing is one of the biggest past times here.  There are all types of fish, not just to catch, but to see swimming in the water.  Surrounded by sand and grass flats some of the most popular fish found here are the Bonefish, Snook, Barracuda, and Tarpon.  Fly fishing is a popular way to catch them.  Deep sea fishing is also found in Key West area. Whether you want to go out with your family, relax and fish, or if you are out to catch dinner for the night, Key West residents always enjoy deep sea fishing. 

For those that are animal lovers, a nice way to spend your days in Key West, is going on a Dolphin Encounter tour. With a variety of tours, taking you to different places, sit back as your tour guide takes you to the most popular areas for dolphin sightings.  This is a great way to educate yourself on your surroundings, and to get a view of these gorgeous creatures swimming in the water right outside your front door.

If you would like any more information on Key West wildlife, or are interested in buying or selling a Key West home, feel free to contact me! I can’t wait to hear from you!

Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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Is An Open House Good For Your Key West Home?

The debate over whether open houses are beneficial has been going on for years now. The real question should be, is your Key West home perfect for an open house?  Some reports show that holding an open house is great for selling your home. However some also say that while it doesn’t hurt the sale of your home, it also does not help it. Here are some ways to make your open house great!

The first thing a buyer sees when walking into your home is the outside. What kind of curb appeal does your home have? Some simple maintenance helps considerably! Make sure your yard is weed free. Also, landscaping your home is great, but make sure there is a clear entry way to the house. Don’t let plants and flowers block a walk way. The quicker a buyer gets into your home, the quicker they will fall in love with it.

The little things matter too. Whether it is a room that has mismatching outlet covers, or a dab of paint on the ceiling, buyers look at these things as flaws. You need to make your home match, and orderly. Usually these fixes can be made quickly and cheaply. 

Make your home more welcoming. Key West real estate is great for anyone, and having a warm feeling in your home will make buyers want to stay longer. A brochure about your home is a great touch, so as they walk from room to room they can read and see all of its features. Also, this will be a great reminder of your home once they leave. For those that come with kids, maybe provide some kid friendly activities! Something that is mess free such as crayons and scratch paper work perfectly.  Another great touch is adding music, usually something classical and on a low volume works best.

Brighten up your home. Opening the blinds in every room will let the sun shine in, and will make your home feel cozy and inviting. Pushing apart the curtains will make the room feel bigger and will accentuate its features.  Another way to brighten your home is to turn lamps on! Having some extra light will show off an area of the room that may be hard to see. 

Overall, hosting an open house can be in your favor, if you take the time and see your Key West home from a buyers point of view.

If you have any questions about Key West real estate, feel free to contact me! I can’t wait to hear from you!

Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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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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The Top Five Reasons to Live in the Florida Keys!

As a Florida Keys real estate professional, a large part of my job is to sell the area I service as rigorously as I sell the properties within it. The more drawn to an area a buyer is, the more likely it is that they will potentially buy a home there. In order for me to successfully serve my seller clients and get Florida Keys home buyers interested in purchasing their property, I have to be knowledgeable about my area and forthcoming about what makes the area such a great place to live.

Throughout my many years of service as a Florida Keys real estate agent, I have discovered that there are quite a few qualities that distinguish the area as a great place to live and work. These are the five that those who relocate here find to be the most enticing:

The weather. This one seems too obvious, but think about it: instead of being stuck with snow flurries and icy winds, wouldn’t you rather be somewhere that is mild year-round? Sure, we have a hurricane season, but overall the sun shines and the weather is perfect for sitting poolside. You really CAN live in paradise, should you choose to move to the Florida Keys.

There is plenty of housing available. I’ll be the first one to admit that housing in the Florida Keys isn’t terribly affordable. The real estate here is expensive, but when you’re in such close proximity to the ocean, prices will be higher than average. The good news is that there is a variety of housing options available, so you can find one that works in your price range. Real estate agents are abound in the keys, and they can help you find a nice place. Alternative housing styles, like boat living, are common, and there are several distressed properties on the market if you’re looking for something a little less expensive.

The employment rate is high. There are plenty of jobs up for grabs in the Florida Keys area, so you need not worry about finding employment. Our tourism industry is strong, and as a result many different types of local businesses thrive year-round. The “Mom and Pop” stores do well in our area. There are always businesses for sale, and you’ll find a lot of work opportunities out here.

It’s ideal for those who prefer an active OR relaxed lifestyle. One of the greatest components of living in the Florida Keys is that they’re islands. You are surrounded by water. This is the ideal climate for a variety of people. Whether you have an adventurous streak and want to partake in the variety of water sports offered in the area or you would rather have a relaxing ocean view and peaceful day at the beach, you can find it in the Keys.

There is always something to do. “Boredom” is not a word that you hear associated with our area. Festivals, races and fishing tournaments keep the calendar full of fun-filled events all year round, so if you’re looking for something to do, you need only look at what the Keys have planned next. The vibrant and vivacious lifestyle found in the area creates an upbeat and positive atmosphere. It makes living here nothing short of a blast.

If you have any questions about what life is like in the Florida Keys, don’t hesitate to contact me and ask! I’d be happy to share all of the information that I have with you and help you find the right home for your lifestyle and needs. I hope to hear from you soon!

Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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