Found 21 blog entries tagged as florida keys.

PUBLIC NOTICE 

April 6, 2023 Special Meeting 

The Board will convene at the Marathon Government Center, 

2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon FL 33050 

Public participation will be via Communications Media Technology at: 

Zoom webinar: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/88280298409 

To report problems with the broadcast or Zoom webinar, please call (305) 872-8831. 

The April 6, 2023 Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL will be a hybrid format with the County Commission meeting live at the Marathon Government Center, but the public will be able to participate via Communication Media Technology (“CMT”) using a Zoom Webinar platform. The meeting will commence at 10:00 A.M. Below are the various options available to the…

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By Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

Keeping a clean and orderly home is a challenge for many of us. Between busy work schedules, social obligations, and family commitments, it’s tough to keep up with daily chores—let alone larger seasonal tasks.

The effort is worthwhile, however. A sanitary environment can keep you and your family healthier by minimizing your exposure to germs and allergens.1 Plus, researchers have found that organized, uncluttered homes have quantifiable mental health benefits, too, including reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, and increased productivity.2

The reality is, we enjoy our homes more when they are in good order. It’s much easier to relax without piles of unopened…

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by Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

Last year, one factor drove the real estate market more than any other: rising mortgage rates.


In March 2022, the Federal Reserve began a series of interest rate hikes in an effort to pump the brakes on inflation.1 And while some market sectors have been slow to respond, the housing market has reacted accordingly.


Both demand and price appreciation have tapered, as the primary challenge for homebuyers has shifted from availability to affordability. And although this higher-mortgage rate environment has been a painful adjustment for many buyers and sellers, it should ultimately lead to a more stable and balanced real estate market.


So what can we expect in…

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 by Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD


The annual inflation rate in the United States is currently around 7.5%—the highest it has been since 1982.1 It doesn’t matter if you’re a cashier, lawyer, plumber, or retiree; if you spend U.S. dollars, inflation impacts you. 

Economists expect the effects of inflation, like a higher cost of goods, to continue.2 Luckily, an investment in real estate can ease some of the financial strain. 

Here’s what you need to know about inflation, how it impacts you, and how an investment in real estate can help. 

 

WHAT IS INFLATION AND HOW DOES IT IMPACT ME? 

Inflation is a decline in the value of money. When the rate of inflation rises, prices for goods and services…

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 by Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

Last year was one for the real estate history books. The pandemic helped usher in a buying frenzy that caused home prices to soar nationwide by a record 19.9% between August 2020 and August 2021.1


However, there were signs in the fourth quarter that the red-hot housing market was beginning to simmer down. In the month of October, only 60.3% of sales involved a bidding war—down from a high of 74.5% in April.2 While this trend could be attributed to seasonality, it could also be a signal that the real estate run-up may have passed its peak.

 

So what’s ahead for the U.S. housing market in 2022? Here’s where industry experts predict the market is headed in the…

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by Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

According to the FBI, more than one million burglaries are committed in the United States each year, with victims suffering an estimated $3 billion in combined property losses.1 Fortunately, there are some proven tactics you can use to decrease your likelihood of a home invasion.

Most burglars won’t go to extreme lengths to enter a residence. They are looking for easy access with minimal risk. A monitored security system can be an effective deterrent—homes without one are 300% more likely to be burglarized—but it isn’t the only way to protect your property.2 The strategies below can help to maximize your home’s security and minimize your chances of being targeted by…

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One Thing is for Certain: 

Time Passes, Whether We're Ready for It or Not!

This year feels different and is undoubtedly unique as people are spending more time than ever at HOME. 

Holiday decorations adorned houses earlier than normal, beginning with Halloween decor blowing in August's wind.   Some Christmas trees even went up directly after All Hallows Eve.  White lights lined roofs, as they twinkled in the nights before Thanksgiving.  

People are craving something to celebrate, whether it's around a holiday or not.  This year has just been one huge reminder to CELEBRATE;  to learn from the bad and enjoy the smallest of moments;  to support and love on each other;  to ask for help;  to be more giving;  to remember we're human but always…

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3 Steps to Ready Willing and Able Certification

 

We are continuing to see the slight shift to a Seller's Market in the Florida Keys.  New inventory has consistently been equal to or less than exiting inventory (properties sold or pending to sell). The market sways between being balanced and shifting slightly in favor of sellers.  If you know you'd like to Buy or Sell, OR you have been contemplating it, consider becoming RWA Certified.

With the help of your Local Realtor...it really is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

  1. READY- Sellers, is your house literally ready to sell?  Has whatever needs to be fixed/updated been done?  Will it pass inspection to the best of your knowledge.  Having thought about this and taking action now, saves time later…

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#6 Aspects to Consider When Purchasing Investment Property in the Florida Keys

  1. Location!  It’s no secret to YOU how magnificent the Florida Keys are.  And lucky for an investment property owner here, it isn’t a secret for the rest of the world either!  The Florida Keys, as a whole, are a Top Tourist Destination resulting in vacation and short term rental price increases.  Additionally, monthly and longer term rentals are also increasing in year round demand (not just the typical “high season” months of Jan-May).  Limited properties in general, drive up appreciation of rentals and overall home values year after year.
  2. Financing! If using financing to purchase, keep in mind you will have to bring more money to the table of an investment property…

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