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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Pick The Right Agent To Sell Your Key West Home!

There are plenty of adequate real estate agents in the Key West area, but when it comes to selling your home on today’s tricky real estate market, you don’t want a good agent. You want a great one. The only way to ensure that your Key West real estate transaction goes smoothly and according-to-plan is to hire a professional with a lot of experience and a thorough knowledge of the area. As a Florida Keys real estate professional, I have come across agents who are both good and great, and I know what steps to take to find a superior one.

Even if I’m not the agent that you choose to work with, I still want to help you and the people in my community find the right person for the job. Selling your home on the Key West real estate market is no easy task, but if you do the necessary preliminary work to find the right agent, they will take care of the rest and get the job done right. Here are a few things to do to find the right real estate agent:

Find some potential prospects. Whether you choose to peruse agent databases like Trulia, Zillow and Realtor.com or get referrals from friends and neighbors, you need to come up with a list of options of people to interview for the chance to sell your home. Giving yourself options will ensure that you find the right person for the job, and it will allow you to measure whom would be the best fit for your transaction. Limit your search to agents with credentials that match your needs to further guarantee quality service.

Make sure you ask the tough questions. You are looking to hire someone to sell your home. This is a huge deal, and you need to be able to trust the professional who will take this on for you. Basically, now is not the time to be skimping on the difficult questions. Your Florida Keys real estate agent should be intimately involved with your neighborhood and know every nook and cranny. The right professional will also offer you constructive advice and guidance and a complete marketing plan.

Find out who the agent is working for. Many real estate agents attempt to utilize dual agency, or work on the behalf of both the buyer and the seller. This isn’t a bad thing, necessarily, but you might feel more at ease if the person you hire is working only on your behalf. Clarify their agency before you hire them so you understand what you’re getting yourself in to within the transaction.

Does your agent have any backup? Agents who work alone might be qualified to get the job done, but it’s hard for them to be great when they have to take care of everything themselves. It would be ideal if your real estate agent had some sort of assistant or marketing team helping them out with administrative tasks. This is a clear sign that they will have the time to work for you and on the major components of your transaction, as they will have people taking care of the more menial tasks on their behalf.

Make sure you sign the right contract. Different types of properties sell at different rates, so you want to make sure that you’re signing a contract that makes sense for your particular property. If you have a high-end home, it’s not uncommon for an agent to ask for a year to get your property off the market. For more moderately-priced homes, 3-6 months is normal. It’s important to discuss this with your agent early-on to have an understanding of what to expect during the process.

If you follow these five steps carefully, I’m confident that you will find a great real estate agent to assist you in buying your Key West home. My many years of experience living and working as a Key West real estate agent have taught me that these are the steps that sellers SHOULD be taking when they’re looking for someone to help them sell their home. It’s important to start your transaction off on the right foot, and this process can help you do that.

If you have any questions about selling your Key West home, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to meet with you and give you some advice. I hope to hear from you soon!


Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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Your Events Roundup for the Florida Keys!

One of the best parts of living in the Florida Keys is the vast array of events that seem to fill up the calendar each year. It really inserts a sense of community into what is commonly known as a group of tourist towns. Over my several years of living and working as a Key West real estate agent I have always made it a priority to emphasize the bustling activity surrounding the Keys. People want to move to an area where there are a lot of things to do and where they have an opportunity to interact with their community on a regular basis, and the lifestyle in the Florida Keys definitely provides that.

As we enter the second half of May, (can you believe how time has been flying by this year?), I thought that I’d highlight a few of the more interesting, upcoming events happening in the Florida Keys:

Finito, The Dream is Real-A Comedy, Variety, Burlesque Musical
Running May 16th-June 2nd
The Red Barn Theatre, Key West
If you’re someone who considers a staged, theatrical performance an ideal outing, than this upcoming Key West production is perfect for you. Entering into the depths of TV and movie-land, this roundup of has-beens, icons and legendary songs will have you laughing out loud. Key West Burlesque is known for providing some great entertainment, and this show will be no exception!

Key Largo’s Original Music Festival
May 17th-May 20th
Calling all music lovers! This three day festival showcasing original singers and songwriters in the area will feature live entertainment, unique performances, great food and enjoyable ambiance. Presented by the Upper Keys Business Group, this weekend-long event will be the perfect time for Key Largo locals to see what some of the island has to offer.

Keys 100-Prostate Cancer Benefit Races
May 19th-May 20th
Athletes who train hard and dedicate themselves to a cause as great as this one deserve to be recognized! This fantastic trio of ultra-marathon road races, including an individual 50-mile race, an individual 100-mile race and a 100-mile team relay, give active locals in Key West and Key Largo the opportunity to benefit the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys. Find some time to cheer for those who are training hard for this super-active event!

Southernmost Car Show and Festival Weekend
May 25th-May 28th, Key West
Presented by the First Class Petty Officer Association Naval Air Station, this annual car show commemorates the birthday of the U.S. Navy. This year, help celebrate 237 years of dedicated service to our country by checking out some fantastic cars and participating in other entertaining festivities throughout the weekend. It’s a great way to ring in Memorial Day weekend, and you’ll get to pay tribute to one of our country’s most important organizations!

Whether you’re an automobile aficionado, an active athlete, or prefer to spend time watching local talent perform, there is something happening this month in the Florida Keys that you will be able to enjoy. As a Key West real estate agent, I take it upon myself to stay in-the-know about local events in order to promote our area as an active and vibrant community. One of the biggest benefits of living in the Florida Keys is the full events calendar, and this month is no exception.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the various communities in the Florida Keys, or you’re thinking about relocating to the area, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to give you some more information. I hope to hear from you soon!


Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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What Do the Latest Employment Numbers Mean for the Key West Housing Market?

As a real estate agent in the Key West, FL area who specializes in foreclosures and short sales, I make it a point to follow statistics and updates about our national economy. My industry is directly impacted by how many people can buy or sell a home in the area. My Key West foreclosure and short sale clients are also directly impacted by the economy, as their job security and monthly income is determined by the state of the job market nationally.

This month, many experts have spoken out about the latest employment numbers and are attempting to speculate about what this can mean for the future of our national economy and housing market. As a Key West real estate agent, I thought that I’d compile a few facts highlighting some of the latest figures and draw a few conclusions about what’s to come. That way, you can decide whether or not now is the best time to buy or sell your Florida Keys home or decide whether or not going through a Key West short sale or foreclosure is something that you need to consider.

•    The economy added 115,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dropped to 8.1%.
•    Economists expected payrolls to grow by 165,000 by April, but they have only grown by 154,000 as of the end of March.
•    The private sector added 130,000 jobs.

These facts suggest that while there have been signs of a national economic recovery, there will be some fear that this will slow down and eventually wither off. I think that despite the fact that job growth is slowing slightly and the projected numbers are somewhat off, growth is growth, and that while we are seeing some signs of a slow spring, the numbers may pick back up in late summer and early fall. The unemployment rate has also decreased, suggesting that more people are getting jobs and able to provide for their families than recent years. A lot of the drop-off could also be the result of a warmer winter nationally. That got more people out looking for jobs during a time when there is normally a lull, resulting in sluggish activity now that spring has come.

As a Key West real estate agent, I look at these numbers and the conclusions that I can draw from them and ask myself, “What does this mean for the housing market?” and “How will this affect my clients?” While I can’t predict the future, I can take the latest numbers and make some speculations. More job growth and increased unemployment rates, no matter how slow, has been imperative in the market showing more signs of home buyer and seller activity nationally. We even entered a brief “seller’s market” in which home values were on the rise, buyers were more active and people were getting more for their homes. The most recent national housing surveys for April will indicate that consumer sentiment is improving toward the housing market, suggesting that buyer activity will remain strong and sellers will be more enthusiastic about putting their home on the market.

As a Key West real estate agent, I follow these national statistics in order to prepare myself and my clients for what factors will ultimately affect their decision to buy or sell a home. I also work with clients who need to go through a Key West foreclosure or short sale and may be struggling financially due to economic turmoil. These numbers help me prepare myself for what to expect and communicate to my clients whether or not now is a great time to buy or sell a home. Based upon the latest numbers, I think that now is an ideal time to consider entering into a transaction on the Key West real estate market.

If you have any questions about how to start buying or selling a home in Key West, feel free to contact me at any time. I’ll use my experience and knowledge about the local housing market and I’ll guide you through the entire process. I hope to hear from you soon!


Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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Prepare Your Key West, FL Home For Sale This Spring!

Nationally, home buyer activity is at a high this spring, and that in turn has motivated sellers in the Key West area to put their homes on the market sooner. Despite the fact that activity is up, it is still a challenge to sell a home in this market. As a Key West real estate agent, I use my years of experience and skill in successfully closing many transactions to give my seller clients an edge. I let them know what they can do to prepare their home for showings in a way that will place it competitively among other homes for sale in the area. If they know how to make their home optimal to today’s buyer as they’re preparing to sell it, then my clients will find that their home will be sold quickly, successfully and for the best value possible.

There are a number of things that you can do to start preparing your Key West home for sale. Here are some suggestions that will not only whip your home into shape, but will make today’s choosiest of home buyers line up to make you an offer:

•    Amp up your landscaping. Curb appeal is a huge part of what initially reels a buyer in and makes them interested in a property. The more appealing your home is on the outside, the more likely people will want to go inside and have a look around. A large part of achieving a fantastic home exterior is clean, neat and aesthetically-pleasing landscaping, so make sure to make that a priority as you prep your Key West home for sale.

•    Clean up the outside. Clean your gutters and pressure-wash your home’s siding. A freshly cleaned exterior makes your property look well-maintained and newer. Having debris in the gutters will make things look sloppier and neglected, so don’t forget to focus on making the outside shine as much as the inside.

•    Make all repairs early. A Key West home buyer will catch what needs to be repaired, and that will affect your offer and even make some people a little bit nervous about bidding on your home. By addressing all the issues early-on, you’re putting a buyer’s mind at ease and keeping the value of your home intact.

•    Make the front door inviting. Adding a fresh coat of paint to your home’s entryway will add a cheerful element to the exterior and make it look more inviting to buyers. Add a fresh Welcome mat and make the pathway clear to the doorway in order to take your entrance to the next level.

•    Remove clutter and personal touches. When a Key West home buyer walks through a home for the first time, they’re not going to be tempted to make an offer unless they can envision themselves living in your home. This is difficult to do with your clutter and personal family items all over the house. Since you’re going to be moving out anyway, look at this as a great time to start putting things away and packing things up. That way, your home will look neat and inviting without looking too overpersonalized.

These quick suggestions are ones that are often overlooked by many sellers in the Key West area, so implementing them early-on will give you an edge on the competition. As a Key West real estate agent, I consider it my job to guide my clients through this process, and I always recommend these quick fixes in order to whip their homes into shape.

If you have any questions about preparing your Key West home for sale, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’m here to help guide you in any way that I can. I hope to hear from you soon!


Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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Welcome to the Key West Real Estate Blog!

If there is one element of being a Key West real estate agent that I enjoy most, it is being viewed as a trusted resource to the people in my community. Whether they need information about buying or selling a home in the Florida Keys or are wondering what events are coming up for the month, they know that they can rely on me to tell them everything that they need to know. My many years of experience and success in the Key West real estate market has stemmed from a variety of factors, but the one that I pride myself most on is my ability to keep the lines of communication open with my clients at all times. I feel that it is important to manage the expectations of my clients by acting as not only a guide through the real estate market in the Florida Keys, but also as an educator. The more my clients know about the transaction that they are entering in to, the better prepared they will be. In my opinion, superior customer service is a direct result of open communication, which is why I make myself accessible on Facebook, LinkedIn and now, my blog.

My primary goal to starting a blog that focuses on the real estate market in Key West and the Florida Keys is to be the professional in the area who you can view and trust as a go-to resource for your housing and community needs. Each week, I will be posting updates about the Key West real estate market, the Florida Keys real estate market, national and local housing statistics, buyer and seller tips and community updates. This well-rounded approach to my blog postings is designed to showcase both my knowledge of the area and my expertise in the local real estate market. I hope to show that I have the experience required to fulfill your buyer, seller or distressed property needs. The more information that you have about the area and the transaction you are looking to complete, the easier you will be able to utilize my services to navigate the market.

I plan on posting to this blog weekly, so you can check back often for the latest news in Florida Keys housing and community events. I strongly believe that my years of experience living and working as a Key West real estate agent will prove to be helpful to you as you begin your next transaction. The variety of information that I will be providing in these updates can be used as a go-to resource as you prepare to relocate to Key West or enter a Florida Keys real estate transaction. My emphasis is education. The more knowledgeable you are as you go in to a situation, the better prepared you will be. If I can help you be confident and prepared, then I will do so!

While I love listening to my clients’ feedback about what they’re looking for out of a buyer or seller transaction, I do feel that it’s important to give them accurate and correct information that will help them make the best decisions possible for their own situation. If this blog can help buyers or sellers in the Key West area make an informed, well-thought out decision, then I will feel as though I have done my job well. Checking back often to see what’s new will only allow you to access more wonderful information whenever you’d like.

If you have any questions about relocating to the Florida Keys, starting your next Key West real estate transaction, or would like to know more about the area, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help you in any way that I can. I hope to hear from you soon!


Melva Wagner
Sellstate Island Properties
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