Florida Keys Real Estate: Keys Luxury Living

KEY WEST LUXURY REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Key West is both a place and a state of mind. It lies about as far away as you can go in this USA, almost part of the tropics, some four hours and 150 miles south and west of Miami. You cross a lot of bridges and spectacular blue and green water to get there, and when you get there you’re only 90 miles from Cuba. Cruise ships consider a stop at Key West part of their Caribbean itineraries! The best way to describe Key West, is a vacation place. Meaning whenever you’re there, the ambience and atmosphere catches you up in it and you could well be somewhere in the Bahamas or the Caribbean.

The Key West Experience

If you’re thinking about an investment in Key West real estate, you may be onto something that few in the U.S., save a few Floridians appreciate and really understand. Key West is a vacation paradise, but at the same time, it’s also a terrific place for a second or even a primary residence. What makes Key West special: location, location, location! Being the southern-most city in the United States gives this island gem a few advantages over the rest of the contiguous states:

• Weather
• Scenery
• A funky, yet upscale ambiance
• A laid back, almost artsy lifestyle
• Water sports in the crystal clear gulf

While the real estate crisis has hit the U.S. hard, prices in Key West, while lower, still have an advantage over the rest of the country. The rental market for vacation properties in Key West is robust and a vacation home can always be rented out (depending upon local ordinances) on a weekly, monthly and seasonal basis. This alone provides additional support for prices as well as a safety net against further price erosion. For this reason, investing in Key West real estate has had fewer downsides than investment in other regions of the U.S.

Whether you’re interested in living full time in the Florida Keys or just interested in Key West as an investment, the beauty and weather are weather makes it a winner. And coming to the Keys on a “vacation” to scope out opportunity is one heck of a relaxing way to do market research!

Key West Listings include Key West, Key Haven, Stock Island, Old Town, New Town, Truman Annex, Casa Marina, The Meadows and Sunset Key.

You 've worked all your life for this. You deserve it!


TOTAL RESTORATION TO BOTH OF THESE ADORABLE ORIGINAL SHOTGUN STYLE HOMES ON THE WORLD FAMOUS DUVAL ST Price: $1,400,000 Richard Medlin Website	The Watson House on Simonton Street is a beautifully restored Victorian Mansion located within walking distance to all of Duval Street Price: $2,399,000 Curtis Skomp Website	Two prominent buildings each with a commercial unit on the first floor and a residential unit on the 2nd floor. The property sits on two old town lots 50' x 100'. Transient License Included! Price: $1,300,000 Curtis Skomp Website

First Time Offering. Family owned and built in the 1920's this has never before been offered for sale. Prime Historic Duval Street Landmark. In the Heart of the Downtown Business District. Steps to Cruise Ships. Approximately 9,000 Sq. Ft. building. Ideal for Stores and many other Retail uses. The upstairs was a dance hall in the 1920's and came to be known as the Lewinsky Building after it's owner and builder. MLS 115580 Price: $5,700,000 Gary Smith Website	Chance to own the real estate (2 parcels) and a successful business on one of Key West's busiest intersections. One block from Duval Street this business is perfectly located and has over 10,000 square feet of property on two parcels. Reception area, offices, workshop and a fenced in adjacent parcel . This business has an excellent reputation and would be perfect for someone wanting to own exceptional real estate and a cash flow positive operation. Listing#114372 Price $3,500,000 Gary Smith Website	Gorgeous Turn-of-the-Century Victorian home on secure 2 and 1/2 lots in The Meadows, with restoration and renovations by award winning architect Tom Pope. Boasting almost 4500 Sq. ft. of renovated living area, a wine cellar, outdoor kitchen, newly renovated one bedroom and one bathroom guest house, mature tropical foliage, ipe decking, theatre, solarium, Chef's kitchen, and an impressive master suite with one of the largest closets in town, this home is built for entertaining. The home has a large free form pool with granite curbstone waterfall and built in spa. The ultimate property to live the Key West lifestyle. Owner willing to trade for a smaller Key West property, resort property elsewhere, or NYC property. Owner financing possible. Jimmy Lane $3,955,000 Website


Luxurious Home w/ Vacation Rental license Large and Luxurious with almost 2000 sq. ft and furnishings suited to Architectural Digest, Casa Loca is perfect for the discriminating homeowner who wants to enjoy the finest Key West has to offer. This transiently licensed property has been renovated with a modern touch all while retaining its classic styling. Home enjoys a wonderful split floor plan with a very private ground floor master suite overlooking the heated pool and outdoor shower. Guests will love their treetop wing, complete with sitting room and full bath. The main floor features an open floor plan with breakfast nook, den, dining suite and half bath. This home also has the perfect front porch for having that morning con leche. Home is offered completely turn key. Jimmy Lane $1,195,000 Website

It’s not a big place, and it is a place where real people live. It has a year-round population of just over 26,000 and a median resident age of 39 years. Key West also includes the neighboring communities of Stock Island, where a lot of the remaining commercial fishing is based, and which used to be where Key West’s supplies were “stocked” in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and Key Haven, with wide canals and lots of pleasure boats.

Key West has been described in about a zillion travel guides and Web sites and the name used in countless movies as the place people want to finally get away to. Having lived in Cudjoe Key (23 miles away) and selling real Estate in Key West, I have a good feel for the place.

The best way to describe Key West, is a vacation place. Meaning whenever you’re there, the ambience and atmosphere catches you up in it and you could well be somewhere in the Bahamas or the Caribbean.

Key West is also a state of mind. You can watch sunsets from Mallory Square on the harbor, or from the bars and restaurants on the boat basins. You can shop or whatever on famous Duval Street. Since nobody knows how to throw a party like Key West does, you can join in at Fantasy Fest (think Mardi Gras) at the end of October, and see for yourself. This is, after all, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. Whatever you imagine about Key West is probably true.

Or you can enjoy the reality of Key West’s other state of mind too – its wonderful diversity, history, and creativity. Lots of writers, artists, artisans, and musicians have always called this state of mind/special place home, from Hemingway to the present day.

There are also plenty of areas in Key West where the locals go besides Duval Street and the sunset bars. In fact when you get off of Duval, you will find restaurants, art galleries, grocery stores and antique shops in the neighborhoods, and tree-lined little streets with lots of tropical foliage where people live.