Islamorada and The Upper Keys

Excellent entertaining home in Indian Waterways, offering views of the Bay, from master suite! This home features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3rd floor master suite, coral rock circular shower, security system, 500 gallon guardian generator, tiki bar, A/C storage, 2 car garage, new roof, concrete dock fully furnished inclusive of a 23 foot Mako boat!
Directions: Turn at Conch on inn stay left 3/4 of the way down.

DOCK PERMIT in hand. 110' of beautiful canal front on a 200' wide, 6' deep canal. Quick ocean access. Building permit expected early in 2008. House plans are available.
Directions: MM 54.5 Coco Plum Dr. to Avenue E Lot is third on left. Sign on property.

Why you should consider investing in the Upper Keys Now.

1.  Prices in the upper Keys have stabilized and are in fact even better than other destination resort areas in the United States. This includes both residential and commercial Real Estate.

2.  Real Estate sales and closings have seen a steady increase in the upper Keys since January 2006. This clearly indicates the buyers are responding to increased inventory choices and competitive pricing.

3.  The explosive growth of South Dade County,(just 30 miles away) will definitely benefit Real Estate sales as people look for weekend getaways, (Predictions for the Homestead area and just north are for one million residents by 2010) Think New York and the Jersey shore.

4.  Weekenders and potential home buyers from Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Naples will find it even easier and safer to come down weekends for a Keys experience, due to the widening of the 18 mile stretch.

5.  The Cost of Living index (stats from Accra) show the Keys now at a better rate then 24 major American markets from the East Coast into California. This means Baby boomers looking for lifestyle changes and/or 1031 and straight investments are finding the Keys competitive and affordable. See the cost of living page

The combination of all this is obvious. The Keys only have so many homes and so much land. Meaning only a small amount of new homes can be built. This is due to the fact there is only one road in or out of here,
Meaning if a hurricane is heading our way, people have to get out.That is why the Keys will never be like California or the Jersey Shore.

As more people move into Southern Florida they definitely use the Keys as a weekend getaway. The majority of our renters are from Florida, who are looking for a Keys experience.

How about going on vacation and never coming back. You know you've had this feeling before. Why don't you consider giving yourself and your family this option. The truth is, if you're going to work, why not do it in the Keys. Having beautiful weather and water and recreational opportunities are not only good for your health but good for you period. Think on it and contact me.

Using a home as a rental

Renting your home out as a seasonal(vacation rental)or long term.
Long term renters are easy to find as there is a shortage of homes for rent. So, if you want to buy something for retirement or a vacation home and rent it out to help your payments-this is typically the easiest way. (Long term rentals are considered to be anything over 6 months, as the tenants don't pay the 11.5% Florida tax)
• Generally long term rentals should be unfurnished.
• Initially we do a credit check before submitting a lease to you, then with your approval of the lease, we collect the first and last months rent plus a security deposit which is typically a months rental amount. We are very proactive in this area and I assure you the home is handled professionally.

• As to utilities- The tenants take the lease to the water, electric, phone and cable people and have the utilities put in their name and of course they pay their own deposits. Garbage down here is included in your tax bill-so there is no garbage bill.
• Seasonal rentals. Currently we can only rent monthly or 28 days, meaning the owner can only rent the home out 12 times per year. This means about 5 months of income-Jan-Feb-Mar and July-August. There are some April and June monthlies

• As to finding people to rent for the rest of the time! We deal a lot with navy transfers÷they generally need something for 2-3 months while they sell their home and buy another. So if it is the off season, Our rental department will try to fill your home up this way. Another way to fill in the gaps is to Companies that come down here. Most of the major government and private building projects are done by outside firms. Their management people will generally want a nicer situation so they will generally rent homes at better than average rates.
• As to what is the best rental situation , that is size, which areas, views, pools, how water and boating accessibility affects rental amounts and the typical rental amounts for both long and short term, plus the fees involved, please contact me. As to extra costs and what is necessary to have a Home as a Rental.
• When you rent your home out you need to license it through the County. This costs $25.00 and we handle the paperwork for you. The County and the Tax people want the home licensed so they know where there may be tax dollars coming in. When your home is used as a rental, in effect you are operating the same as a hotel or motel and so come under their safety guidelines.

Islamorada in the Upper Florida Keys is known to many as the Sport Fishing Capital of The World. With the warm waters of the gulf stream just a few miles offshore the clear water is fantastic for sportfishing, flats fishing, fly fishing, backcountry fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. This might be the only place on Earth where it is possible to catch a sailfish in the morning, and then venture into the backcountry in pursuit of bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and redfish the same day.