The Florida Keys have been a popular destination for decades.
Considering the fact that you can drive from mainland South
Florida all the way to Key West and be in a tropical environment
is very desireable. Many investors and second home buyers have
found the Florida Keys to be convenient for traveling to with
close proximity to Miami, Marathon and Key West airports.
The Key West area was recently hit by Hurricane Wilma and Key
West was flooded along with many neighboring islands in the
Lower Florida Keys. It left our community with a lot of clean up
and a realization of why many homes in the Lower Keys are built
on stilts. The upside to all this devistation is that we will
survive this crisis and rebuild and move on. Some residents will
sell their homes and find higher ground in the mountains or just
on the mainland of Florida, but long time residents of Key West
and the Lower Keys still believe in the quality of life here and
will remain, thinking they dodged the bullet... meaning a Cat 5
hurricane.
For
Key West
real estate prices this will mean a few things. One is that
it will be a buyers market. Homes will sell for less than they
were originally priced, and many owners will be very negotiable.
If there was ever a time to own property in the Keys, it is now.
Buying real estate in Monroe County can be tricky. Not only
because of the hurricane damage that will be repaired but
because of county ordinances on land, permits, building and
rebuilding. A knowledgeable real estate agent will know all this
and can get you pointed in the right direction if you are
planning to buy in the Florida Keys.
Lori Bender, broker, of Key
West Real Estate Company offers some invaluable information on
her website. Visit the site and sign up to receive the
information. It is free and will give any new buyer the
information needed to pursue buying property in this area.
The Key West area has a lot to offer. Our hurricane season lasts
from June 1 to November 30th. The winter here is pleasant and in
the 70s. There is plenty to do on the water and festivals and
events are constant throughout the Keys. Knowing how to prepare
for a storm and having your home and belongings secured makes
the entire experience much more acceptable.
I have enjoyed living in the Florida Keys for nearly a decade
and hurricane or no hurricane, I have no regrets. Life here is
full of friendly people, beautiful blue waters, fresh seafood
and an a relaxing tropical atmosphere.
About the author:
Loren Rea lives and works in the Florida Keys. She is heavily
involved in the tourism industry for the Lower Keys & Key West
areas.
