Hello Clients, Family & Friends.  First off, we hope you all are healthy and safe.  A home has a new meaning to most of us. We are here on the ground in the Keys if we can help you with anything if you are away.

Please reach out to me if you would like for me to check on your home or Facetime you from that listing you've been checking out.

The real estate market in Key West, Lower Keys and Middle Keys has faired extremely well through Covid-19.  In those markets, year to date, we are seeing the number of sold homes outpacing last year by 2% but the real change that sticks out is the sold volume and average sale price.  Sold volume is up 6% and the average sale price is up 5%.  Inventory and interest rates are leading factors in our local real estate market.  Inventory is up slightly on some Keys but down slightly on others.  Overall, we continue to see low inventory on the market which is leading to upward pressure on our prices.

For the most accurate and updated data trends on your island or in your neighborhood, reach out to your Berkshire Hathaway Forever Agent today!

A stunning property in the heart of Old Town, Key West. This 3 bedroom, 3 bath home has ''windows to the clouds'' that capture you upon entering. There is a 2nd story open air office space which would also serve as a great children's space with enormous amount of hidden air conditioned storage. The newly renovated kitchen with high end appliances is perfect for the chef in the family complete with a great large pantry! A generous amount of covered outdoor dining space overlooking a beautiful private heated pool with waterfall is a great entertaining area in any type of weather. Beautiful orchids are sprinkled amidst the lush tropical landscape. These home is peaceful and tranquil and you simply cannot beat the front porch for people watching. Outdoor shower and a COVERED CARPORT!

We invite you to our 
Parade of Homes Mega Open House Event October 23rd from 11-3pm!

Don't miss the chance to see some of the best properties in PARADISE during out Parade of Homes!
 

See www.keysrealestate.com for a full list of Open Houses and check our Facebook page!

Do homebuyers want the same things in their next home as they did before the COVID pandemic? In some ways, yes, and in others, no. According to the latest summer Realtor.com survey, post-COVID homebuyers are willing to spend more money on a home, have saved more money toward a down payment as they sheltered in place, and plan to buy a home sooner than they did in the spring of 2020.

A greater majority of homebuyers surveyed also said they want a three-bedroom home, with two bathrooms, an updated kitchen, and a garage. In a comparison of surveys conducted in both the spring and summer, a notable share of homebuyers wanting move-in ready homes has gone up 10 percent and six percent more buyers are willing to take on longer commutes to get the home they want. In addition, low mortgage interest rates, combined with additional personal savings, are making conditions attractive for them to buy a larger home in a nicer neighborhood.

Six percent fewer homebuyers plan to put more earnest money down, plan to offer above listing price, or offer all cash. Three percent plan to put down more than a 20 percent down-payment.    

The trend in these numbers appears to point toward less willingness on the part of homebuyers to compromise on what they want. They may spend more for a home, but plan to preserve as much cash as possible. Homebuyers may be planning to stay in their next homes for a longer period. 

Have you ever toured a home and just wanted to run right back outside? Maybe something hit you negatively, but it could be easily fixed. If the location and price are good, updates could be the answer. Ask yourself: what would you do to make a creepy home warm and inviting?

Improve lighting –Dark rooms can be spooky. Low light, especially from too few windows, can also be depressing. Can windows be enlarged? Can the electrical be updated to allow for the installation of sconces and ceiling lights? 

Re-design living areas – Low ceilings, awkward layouts, or rooms too small for their purpose can make a home feel claustrophobic. Can the ceilings be raised into the attic? Can a wall or two be removed? Can space be “borrowed” from another room for better flow?  

Simple maintenance – Keeping a home in good condition shows that it’s loved, while neglect makes homebuyers feel uncomfortable. Can obvious flaws be fixed and at what cost? 

Freshen - If the problem is odor, it could be pets, smoking, old furnishings, or musty spaces. Dampness can suggest a leak in bathrooms or kitchens.  Can the smell be identified and eliminated through cleaning or remodeling?

Modern updates – Homes stuck in the past need updating which can eliminate a lot of problems? Is there enough room in the budget to remodel to get the home to meet your criteria?

You could turn the spookiest house in the neighborhood into the home of your dreams.