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.

Whether you are looking to buy or sell, I can offer the highest levels in real estate expertise and professionalism.  Don’t hesitate to contact me and allow me to help guide you through that process!  

We continued to see low supply, fewer new listings, mix that with increased demand and that leads to upward pressure on prices.

Click on the "Market Review" photo for a deep dive into market trends for all the Florida Keys and then broken down by regions.  Key West to Shark Key, North of Shark Key to Big Pine Key, the Middle Keys including Marathon and Key Colony Beach and then the Upper Keys.  Interest rates and inventory continue to push the residential real estate market forward. 

As always for the most accurate and updated data trends on your island or for your property, reach out to our forever agents today at www.keysrealestate.com

This beautifully remodeled Island hideaway has it all. Location! Space! Pool! Parking! Privacy! Modern comfort, and Island charm! Feel at home the moment you enter the fully fenced, mature tropical garden and step into the alluring 4 bed/ 3 bath home which boasts soaring cathedral ceilings and a gourmet kitchen complete with a six burner gas stove, wine cooler, pantry, solid porcelain counters, and more. The stylishly relaxing living room seamlessly incorporates the outdoors through a sliding glass wall that opens into the spacious back yard terrace and bar overlooking the 14 X 27 pool and spa. Fully remodeled bathrooms, new pool equipment, an outdoor speaker system, new outdoor lighting and sprinkler system, and wood floors are a few of the amenities this impressive home has to offer.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

We are incredibly honored and humbled to be nominated this year for BEST BUSINESS, BEST REAL ESTATE OFFICE & our Broker as BEST REALTOR! 

The 2021 Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards! This marks the 8th year of celebrating the community, businesses and people who make Key West the greatest city on earth.

As always, your vote and participation support a local nonprofit organization, and this year’s recipient is Wesley House Family Services. To date, the Bubbas have raised over $100,000 for local charities through the support of our sponsors. We thank you for participating. Above all, let us remind everyone this is all designed for fun and charity, as Key West boasts an array of deserving choices in each and every category. 

You can vote once per day -->  VOTE HERE.

Home prices are going up, but in some areas of the country, it may be cheaper for you to save money for your own home by renting another year. According to Move.com, renters can save thousands on a lease in the nation’s largest tech hubs, compared to pre-pandemic prices. In February 2021, the U.S. median rent, which is calculated by averaging the median rent of the 50 largest metros, was up 0.6% to $1,452, well below its pre-COVID growth rate of 3.2%.

Meanwhile, the median mortgage payment, reports TheBalance.com, was $1,100 in 2020. Monthly mortgage payments are based on the loan amount, interest rate, and the term, typically 30 years.

Renters are required to pay hefty security deposits that are often not refundable. Landlords can raise rents when your lease expires. Homeowners make down payments which reduce the amount of money they need to borrow to purchase a home; they pay ongoing expenses such as property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and private mortgage insurance in many cases. However, mortgage interest and property taxes are tax-deductible, if you file long form.

TheMortgageReports.com suggests that buying is a long-term investment, with prices going up over time. The amortization of your monthly mortgage means that at first little money goes to reduce the principal and the majority goes to pay interest to the lender. The longer you own, that slowly reverses until you’re paying mostly principal and little interest.

Over time, you’ll own something, whereas with renting, you get no ownership stake.

For 2021, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac raised the maximum conforming loan limit for a single-family property from $510,400 in 2020 to $548,250. In high-cost areas, including parts of California, New York, Washington D.C. and others, the limit for conforming mortgage loan limits is 150% of that limit, or $822,375. You can also get a jumbo FHA loan, which follows the same limits as for conforming loans, with the exception that some counties in Hawaii, Alaska and Guam have limits as high as $1,233,550.

What if you need to borrow more? You’ll need a jumbo mortgage loan, defined as a loan that’s any amount over conforming limits. If you’re wondering whether you will need a jumbo loan to buy your next home, check conforming loan limits for your area here and FHA loan ceilings here.  

What does it take to qualify? Ally.com suggests that non-conforming loans pose a higher risk to lenders. Qualification requirements can vary among lenders, but you will likely need higher credit scores, down payment and cash reserves, and you’ll pay higher interest rates and experience greater scrutiny of your financial sources.

Not all lenders provide jumbo loans, so it’s wise to shop around to get the best terms. You can also ask your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network professional for referrals to lenders who are experienced and willing to make jumbo loans or that offer other loan products that allow you to meet the FHFA limits for high-cost areas.

.

"Our Mission:

United Way of Collier and the Keys (UWCK) is committed to improving lives and strengthening our community so all individuals and families have an opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential. As a local volunteer-driven organization, UWCK advocates for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE) residents in our communities looking for a hand-up by providing them information and referral and supportive tools and resources. We accomplish this through improving education, economic stability and health, as well as providing access to food and critical safety net services for all Collier and Monroe County residents."

Get Involved- United Way impacts the lives of up to 50 million people every year. Together, we can accomplish more. You can give money to fuel community change, volunteer your time or lend your voice to a cause that matters to you.