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
Check Out Our Website
View Florida Keys Homes for Sale
Search Florida Keys Homes
Become my Facebook Fan
Follow me On Twitter
Connect with Me on LinkedIn
Contact Me

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
Check Out Our Website
View Florida Keys Homes for Sale
Search Florida Keys Homes
Become my Facebook Fan
Follow me On Twitter
Connect with Me on LinkedIn
Contact Me

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
Check Out Our Website
View Florida Keys Homes for Sale
Search Florida Keys Homes
Become my Facebook Fan
Follow me On Twitter
Connect with Me on LinkedIn
Contact Me

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
Check Out Our Website
View Florida Keys Homes for Sale
Search Florida Keys Homes
Become my Facebook Fan
Follow me On Twitter
Connect with Me on LinkedIn
Contact Me

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
Check Out Our Website
View Florida Keys Homes for Sale
Search Florida Keys Homes
Become my Facebook Fan
Follow me On Twitter
Connect with Me on LinkedIn
Contact Me

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
Check Out Our Website
View Florida Keys Homes for Sale
Search Florida Keys Homes
Become my Facebook Fan
Follow me On Twitter
Connect with Me on LinkedIn
Contact Me

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
Check Out Our Website
View Florida Keys Homes for Sale
Search Florida Keys Homes
Become my Facebook Fan
Follow me On Twitter
Connect with Me on LinkedIn
Contact Me