banking • bayfront • contracts • financial • Florida Keys • homeownership • Investment • Islamorada • Key Largo • property for sale • property values • real estate • Tavernier • waterfront • January 4, 2011

Year End Review – Florida Keys real estate sales, 2010 compared to 2009

by Tracy Larson

Now that we’ve got the holidays and festivities behind us, let’s take a look at how 2010 compares to 2009.

I’ve been tracking market stats all the way back to 2003. It’s interesting to look back and see how the market climbed before the inevitable decline. 2004 and 2005 were the glory days in Florida Keys real estate!

In 2010 we continued to see declines in the various market categories, but the decline was not nearly as dramatic as years past, giving hope that perhaps the market is stabilizing.

Clicking on the chart will provide a larger view of the numbers. Areas include Key Largo, Tavernier, and Islamorada

The question everyone is asking – have we hit bottom – remains unanswered as long as we continue to see decreases, but the lower percentages are a good indication that we might see the bottom soon.

Rates are still low and inventory is plentiful, making this a great time to invest in the Florida Keys. Unlike other investments, a home in the Florida Keys is something you can use and enjoy as the market continues to improve.

If you’d like more information on any particular segment of the market, please do not hesitate to contact me.

banking • bayfront • contracts • financial • Florida Keys • homeownership • Investment • Islamorada • Key Largo • property for sale • property values • real estate • Tavernier • waterfront • January 4, 2011

Year End Review – Florida Keys real estate sales, 2010 compared to 2009

by Tracy Larson

Now that we’ve got the holidays and festivities behind us, let’s take a look at how 2010 compares to 2009.

I’ve been tracking market stats all the way back to 2003. It’s interesting to look back and see how the market climbed before the inevitable decline. 2004 and 2005 were the glory days in Florida Keys real estate!

In 2010 we continued to see declines in the various market categories, but the decline was not nearly as dramatic as years past, giving hope that perhaps the market is stabilizing.

Clicking on the chart will provide a larger view of the numbers. Areas include Key Largo, Tavernier, and Islamorada

The question everyone is asking – have we hit bottom – remains unanswered as long as we continue to see decreases, but the lower percentages are a good indication that we might see the bottom soon.

Rates are still low and inventory is plentiful, making this a great time to invest in the Florida Keys. Unlike other investments, a home in the Florida Keys is something you can use and enjoy as the market continues to improve.

If you’d like more information on any particular segment of the market, please do not hesitate to contact me.

bayfront • boating • financial • Florida Keys • homeownership • Investment • Islamorada • property for sale • real estate • second home • vacation rental • venetian shores • waterfront • December 31, 2010

Neighborhood Spotlight- Venetian Shores in Islamorada, Florida

by Tracy Larson

Venetian Shores – The premiere boating neighborhood in Islamorada, Florida Keys!

This neighborhood’s location on Snake Creek provides boaters with immediate access to either Florida Bay or the Atlantic Ocean.

A good majority of the homes are located on wide, deep canals that accommodate large boats. Many have 100′ of dockage while others have 75′ of dockage.

Home that are not on the “open” canals are on plugged canals, which provide a nice backyard environment for swimming and kayaking for exercise up and down the plugged canals. These canals do not provide access to open water. Many of these homes are members of the Venetian Shores Yachting Association, which provides them with a deeded boat slip at the bayfront marina. These memberships and boat slips are connected to the individual homes and cannot be sold or transferred.

With homes starting in the mid $400’s for the plugged side and extending up to over $2,000,000 on the open side, there is plenty of inventory available in this great neighborhood to choose from. Take a look and find you new Islamorada home.

bayfront • boating • financial • Florida Keys • homeownership • Investment • Islamorada • property for sale • real estate • second home • vacation rental • venetian shores • waterfront • December 31, 2010

Neighborhood Spotlight- Venetian Shores in Islamorada, Florida

by Tracy Larson

Venetian Shores – The premiere boating neighborhood in Islamorada, Florida Keys!

This neighborhood’s location on Snake Creek provides boaters with immediate access to either Florida Bay or the Atlantic Ocean.

A good majority of the homes are located on wide, deep canals that accommodate large boats. Many have 100′ of dockage while others have 75′ of dockage.

Home that are not on the “open” canals are on plugged canals, which provide a nice backyard environment for swimming and kayaking for exercise up and down the plugged canals. These canals do not provide access to open water. Many of these homes are members of the Venetian Shores Yachting Association, which provides them with a deeded boat slip at the bayfront marina. These memberships and boat slips are connected to the individual homes and cannot be sold or transferred.

With homes starting in the mid $400’s for the plugged side and extending up to over $2,000,000 on the open side, there is plenty of inventory available in this great neighborhood to choose from. Take a look and find you new Islamorada home.

contracts • financial • Florida Keys • homeownership • Investment • Islamorada • Key Largo • property for sale • property values • real estate • Tavernier • December 27, 2010

Real Estate Activity for December 18th to December 27th

by Tracy Larson

Here is a summary of activity in the Upper Florida Keys over Christmas week.

18 new listings

4 pending sales

9 closed sales

Click
on any of the links above to view the properties.

If
you’re interested in knowing more about the real estate market or
information on any particular area of the Keys including Key Largo, Tavernier or Islamorada, contact me!

These links will remain active until January 26th, 2011

contracts • financial • Florida Keys • homeownership • Investment • Islamorada • Key Largo • property for sale • property values • real estate • Tavernier • December 27, 2010

Real Estate Activity for December 18th to December 27th

by Tracy Larson

Here is a summary of activity in the Upper Florida Keys over Christmas week.

18 new listings

4 pending sales

9 closed sales

Click
on any of the links above to view the properties.

If
you’re interested in knowing more about the real estate market or
information on any particular area of the Keys including Key Largo, Tavernier or Islamorada, contact me!

These links will remain active until January 26th, 2011

Florida Keys • Green Turtle • History • Islamorada • real estate • December 24, 2010

The Florida Keys Then & Now – The Green Turtle Inn

by Tracy Larson

Originally built in 1928 as OD King’s Rustic Inn, a roadside cafe and inn, this quaint conch cottage has become one of the longest lasting icons in the Florida Keys history.

In 1947 Sid and Roxie Siderious purchased the property and transformed it into the now famous Green Turtle Inn. The “Turtle” soon became a local favorite of fishermen and Keys’ visitors, and was known as a place where you could enjoy great food and a comfortable night’s rest. True to it’s name, the menu included turtle steaks, soups and chowders.

Today, the Turtle is stronger than ever. Transformed once again by a complete remodel, necessitated by Hurricane Wilma, the Turtle retains it’s casual Keys flair, but with a twist of sophistication. Warm, rich woods make up the new interior, with numerous items from Turtle history lining the walls paying homage to the beginnings of The Green Turtle Inn as well as Islamorada itself. There is always something happening at The Turtle. Most evenings include live music from well-known local musicians.

Located in the heart of Islamorada at Mile Marker 81.2, The Green Turtle Inn is a must-stop location on your travels in the Florida Keys. learn more about them by visiting them online at www.greenturtlekeys.com.

Florida Keys • Green Turtle • History • Islamorada • real estate • December 24, 2010

The Florida Keys Then & Now – The Green Turtle Inn

by Tracy Larson

Originally built in 1928 as OD King’s Rustic Inn, a roadside cafe and inn, this quaint conch cottage has become one of the longest lasting icons in the Florida Keys history.

In 1947 Sid and Roxie Siderious purchased the property and transformed it into the now famous Green Turtle Inn. The “Turtle” soon became a local favorite of fishermen and Keys’ visitors, and was known as a place where you could enjoy great food and a comfortable night’s rest. True to it’s name, the menu included turtle steaks, soups and chowders.

Today, the Turtle is stronger than ever. Transformed once again by a complete remodel, necessitated by Hurricane Wilma, the Turtle retains it’s casual Keys flair, but with a twist of sophistication. Warm, rich woods make up the new interior, with numerous items from Turtle history lining the walls paying homage to the beginnings of The Green Turtle Inn as well as Islamorada itself. There is always something happening at The Turtle. Most evenings include live music from well-known local musicians.

Located in the heart of Islamorada at Mile Marker 81.2, The Green Turtle Inn is a must-stop location on your travels in the Florida Keys. learn more about them by visiting them online at www.greenturtlekeys.com.

contracts • financial • Florida Keys • property for sale • real estate • Schwartz Property Sales • December 21, 2010

Real estate commissions – how do they work?

by Tracy Larson

For the first time seller or buyer, real estate commissions can be a confusing thing.

To understand who pays real estate commissions — whether it’s sellers
or buyers or both — we need to look at how real estate offices and their agents are paid, and how they share cooperating commissions.

How Real Estate Commissions Work

* Real estate agents work for a real estate broker/office.

* All commissions paid from a sale pass through the broker/office.

* The real estate broker/office pays their agent a portion of the commissions the office recieves from the sale.

* While sellers usually work with individual agents, the listing agreement is between the seller and the real estate broker/office.

* The most common type of listing agreement between a seller and her agent
gives that agent’s broker the right to exclusively market the home. In
return for bringing a buyer to the table, the seller agrees to pay a
commission to the broker. Typically, this fee is represented as a
percentage of the sales price and is shared between the listing broker
and the broker who brings the buyer.

What is the Actual Commission Rate?

It is important to note that commission rates are not fixed and are negotiable
but generally range from 5% to 7% of the sales price. Real estate commissions and transactions vary from
state to state, broker to broker and even locations within states can
be different.

When you begin to consider the sale of your home, be sure you fully understand the differences between the full services offered by Schwartz Property Sales and the lesser promises advertised by discount real estate brokers.

* Consider the true risks in trusting the sale of your most valued asset to a company that offers anything less than going beyond the expected to provide you with an outstanding full service real estate experience.

* The limited services of discount brokerages could prevent you from selling your home quickly or getting the best possible price for your home.

* Getting the best price often requires the expert negotiating services of a skilled professional who is educated in the intricacies of the most complex real estate transactions – but some discounters expect you to negotiate on your own.

* Schwartz Property Sales monitors the entire process from initial contact through closing, keeping track of all obligations and promptly resolving any issues.

contracts • financial • Florida Keys • property for sale • real estate • Schwartz Property Sales • December 21, 2010

Real estate commissions – how do they work?

by Tracy Larson

For the first time seller or buyer, real estate commissions can be a confusing thing.

To understand who pays real estate commissions — whether it’s sellers
or buyers or both — we need to look at how real estate offices and their agents are paid, and how they share cooperating commissions.

How Real Estate Commissions Work

* Real estate agents work for a real estate broker/office.

* All commissions paid from a sale pass through the broker/office.

* The real estate broker/office pays their agent a portion of the commissions the office recieves from the sale.

* While sellers usually work with individual agents, the listing agreement is between the seller and the real estate broker/office.

* The most common type of listing agreement between a seller and her agent
gives that agent’s broker the right to exclusively market the home. In
return for bringing a buyer to the table, the seller agrees to pay a
commission to the broker. Typically, this fee is represented as a
percentage of the sales price and is shared between the listing broker
and the broker who brings the buyer.

What is the Actual Commission Rate?

It is important to note that commission rates are not fixed and are negotiable
but generally range from 5% to 7% of the sales price. Real estate commissions and transactions vary from
state to state, broker to broker and even locations within states can
be different.

When you begin to consider the sale of your home, be sure you fully understand the differences between the full services offered by Schwartz Property Sales and the lesser promises advertised by discount real estate brokers.

* Consider the true risks in trusting the sale of your most valued asset to a company that offers anything less than going beyond the expected to provide you with an outstanding full service real estate experience.

* The limited services of discount brokerages could prevent you from selling your home quickly or getting the best possible price for your home.

* Getting the best price often requires the expert negotiating services of a skilled professional who is educated in the intricacies of the most complex real estate transactions – but some discounters expect you to negotiate on your own.

* Schwartz Property Sales monitors the entire process from initial contact through closing, keeping track of all obligations and promptly resolving any issues.

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