Greetings from Key West!

As we enter November, the lower keys and Key West continue to be one of the most sought after communities. A mix of pent-up demand, our natural busy season and the migration of people away from large metropolitan areas around the country has driven real estate demand, and in turn sales. Demand is exceeding supply. Well-priced properties in good condition are selling quickly.

For those considering selling, there has not been a better time with interest rates hovering at all-time lows and an engaged and active buyer pool. Sellers can benefit from the current state of the market.

For buyers, the speed of the market means that preparing in advance for your home purchase is a must.  If you are financing a property, having your pre-qualification letter in-hand is critical.  Those in town need to be prepared to view a property quickly when it becomes available. Those out of town should be ready to make offers remotely. I can build in time to see the property in person if necessary.  New technological tools have made the home buying process more accessible from afar and I am able to guide you through the entire process.

Questions about your home or area of interest. Please call, email, Zoom, Text me. I’m here to help you anyway.

Best,

Joanne

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 "Deep Dive Into" photo for a 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 is your opportunity to build the home of your dreams on one of the last available oceanfront lots on a stunning private island that is unlike anything in the gorgeous Florida Keys. Situated in the heart of Key West harbor, Sunset Key is a private 27 acre residential community that offers a sweeping view of sea and sky and an elegant offshore lifestyle. This automobile-free island is only a 7 minute ferry ride from Key West, which is accessible 24 hours a day. One quarter of the island is shared with a 5 star resort that blends in seamlessly with the tropical atmosphere. The award winning Sunset Key Cottages have become a popular worldwide destination for sophisticated travelers and can provide accommodations for your guests as well. Residents can enjoy the sensational Latitudes oceanfront restaurant and sunset bar, a full service spa in serene surroundings, 2 tennis courts and their own beautiful private beach. Delight in the sunset view every night from this unique spot where aquatic meets celestial!

RACE WORLD OFFSHORE KEY WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS
Offshore Racing in Key West since 1917
November 7th – 14th

Race World Offshore is excited to bring teams and fans to Key West for an amazing Offshore World Championship experience. Due to COVID-19, there will undoubtedly be some changes this year. However, RWO is the premier Offshore Racing Sanctioning body in the United States and our team is dedicated to producing an unforgettable week. With the most experienced team in all of offshore racing around the world, RWO anticipates another spectacular event even with the mandatory guidelines that all will need to follow. Continue to follow us for updates as available!

For a full schedule of events visit --> www.raceworldoffshore.com

When you apply for a mortgage, you may not pay the advertised rate. The best rates are for those homebuyers with the best credit scores. However, lenders are competitive, so you’d be wise to apply to several lenders at once. You’ll receive a loan estimate that you can compare side-by-side.

First, compare the interest rates. According to Nerdwallet.com, there are many factors that affect interest rates, from the economy to inflation, to the Federal Reserve’s overnight borrowing rates to banks. You can’t do much about that, but you can influence the factors that lenders look for.

If you have a credit score of 740 or higher, the risk of default is low enough that you will receive the lender’s best rate. A credit score of 620 or lower will give you fewer loan options and the highest rates. Lenders also look for the loan-to-value - code for how much money you’ll put down as a down payment. The more you put down the better the ratio.

The true rate you’ll pay is the annual percentage rate (APR). The APR is your mortgage interest rate plus other costs that have been rolled into the loan, such as points, fees, and other charges. You’ll be able to find that number under the “comparisons” section of your loan estimates.

Make sure that you’re comparing loans that the APR is consistent. For example, if the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 3.030%, then the APR is 3.250%.

“Free parking — $500 for me.”

“Boardwalk, with a hotel, that’s gonna cost ya.”

“You have won second prize in a beauty contest.”

We all know the game of Monopoly, high-stakes real estate deals brokered on a living room floor somewhere on a rainy day. We all had older brothers who cheated little sisters, hid money under the board or traded us railroads for more valuable property. But oh, the nostalgia.

And now the traditional game’s Atlantic City addresses have been replaced by familiar Key West businesses and locales.

Casey Arnold, who owns Key West Scavenger Hunt and works at the Conch Republic Seafood Co., recently celebrated the release of his Key West version of Monopoly, complete with licensing agreements from Hasbro.

Arnold celebrated the game release — and his birthday — with a party on Oct. 15.

“The actual pallet of games didn’t arrive at my storage unit until 45 minutes before this party,”
a stressed-out but relieved Arnold told the Keys Weekly at the gathering. “But this has been great. The game looks fantastic and sales have been really brisk.”

Each color-coded property section on the game board represents a local business or agency, including Realtors, bars and restaurants, tours and attractions, construction companies and others.

Arnold kept the Key West “occupants” of Boardwalk and Park Place a secret until the game was released. What are the dark blue properties on the Key West board? Charley Toppino & Sons inhabit the usual Boardwalk and Monroe Concrete is on Park Place.

The metal game pieces add further local flair. Instead of a horse, a top hat, an iron, a thimble and a car. There’s a manatee, a rooster, a flip flop, a conch shell, a lobster boat and Kermit, the Key lime pie master.

Games retail for $50 and are for sale at the Conch Republic Seafood Co. and various other locations around town.

Article provided by Keys Weekly | To purchase the Key West Monopoly select image above

Fighting Against Excessive, Discriminatory and Unaffordable Insurance Rates Since 2006

FIRM fights for fair, equitable and affordable property insurance coverage for homeowners, residents and business owners, which protects property values and contributes to housing affordability.

FIRM was created to ensure fair insurance rates for Monroe County and the Florida Keys and was the first organized group of community activists to bring insurance inequities to the attention of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation; to Florida’s Legislature, Cabinet and Governor; and to the Florida delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Our grassroots organization has grown from 32 active members to over 3,000, and we continue to welcome new members every day.

For additional information visit --> www.firmkeys.org