Anyone purchase in Key West, FL?

[Anonymous]

Looking to purchase a SFH directly on the beach in a semi-private area and in a tropical domestic location. Key West seems like a great place for this and is relatively affordable. Anyone get down there for vacation or have any tips about buying something on the beach.

[Anonymous]

I'd looked into this at a couple points in time. The one thing that everyone told me universally was that termites are an issue in the Keys, so make sure you check that out with the appropriate inspection. The Keys are divided into 3 areas as far as Realtors go, Upper, Middle and Lower. If you find an agent you like to help you, they may not be licensed or want to go to other areas in the Keys.

Flood insurance will be a huge cost, and required by lenders so you can't really avoid it. I know you said house, but condos have high fees to cover that insurance. Most condos I found didn't allow pets, so that was tough for rental purposes plus our own pets.

Key West is tough to get to unless you fly. The drive through the Keys is beautiful - one of the most beautiful in this country, but after you leave Marathon it's a lot of nothing until Key West. If you always planned to fly then you would be okay, but flights to Miami and the Keys are costly. I've always found it cheapest to fly to Ft. Lauderdale and drive the rest of the way.

Good luck! I'll live vicariously through you! I'm jealous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd looked into this at a couple points in time. The one thing that everyone told me universally was that termites are an issue in the Keys, so make sure you check that out with the appropriate inspection. The Keys are divided into 3 areas as far as Realtors go, Upper, Middle and Lower. If you find an agent you like to help you, they may not be licensed or want to go to other areas in the Keys.

Flood insurance will be a huge cost, and required by lenders so you can't really avoid it. I know you said house, but condos have high fees to cover that insurance. Most condos I found didn't allow pets, so that was tough for rental purposes plus our own pets.

Key West is tough to get to unless you fly. The drive through the Keys is beautiful - one of the most beautiful in this country, but after you leave Marathon it's a lot of nothing until Key West. If you always planned to fly then you would be okay, but flights to Miami and the Keys are costly. I've always found it cheapest to fly to Ft. Lauderdale and drive the rest of the way.

Good luck! I'll live vicariously through you! I'm jealous.

Hey thanks! I've been down to the Keys a few times and it really is just spectacularly beautiful. I've been dreaming about the sort of place where I can walk out of my door onto the sand and into the water in less than 60 secs. Having a private stretch of sand would be ideal.

I hadn't considered the termites might be such a major consideration but should I move forward I'll definitely have it checked out. The insurance is something to make sure I budget for but I have no interest in condos anywhere, ever.

As far as getting there is concerned, I have no problem getting on a plane to go down at least once per month for 4-7 days and perhaps a month during milder weather months.

[Anonymous]

Not a problem and I totally agree but we had to focus on the primary home first since we just added to the family with a baby due this summer, and now have to move. Ha.

But we wrote a contract that wasn't accepted in the Upper Keys - around MM 90. I think there's a premium to Key West properties, not 100% sure you could get your own stretch of beach there for less than a small fortune, but - there are tons of other Keys totally worth checking out.

I went to college there and have made it my mission to go back regularly so I know a bit here and there about the Keys. I've watched the changes over the last 20+ years and it's been fascinating. I personally think Key Largo is slightly trashy. I found out on my last real estate mission that it's because a lot of people rent in Key Largo and actually commute via bus to the southern parts of Miami to work, and the southern parts of Miami are a bit...off. Filled with lots of criminals. (Homestead, Florida City, etc.) Fun stuff.

Islamorada is gorgeous. Expensive and gorgeous. Marathon is affordable but there's definitely a mix of people there. There's a little part of Marathon called Key Colony Beach where you could get what you want - stretch of beach all to yourself. It's on the east side though, which brings me to my next tip. You might want to decide if you want sunrises or sunsets. With sunrises you get the ocean, sunsets you get the Gulf side which has bodies of water with various names along the way down the Keys. You may not care. My husband wanted sunsets so that limited us to 50% of the options.

If you want to get in the spirit, read some Carl Hiassen books - many take place in the Keys. Light summer reading so the timing is perfect for it! Of course if you want something a little higher caliber, there's always Hemingway. Sigh. You're living my dream! I had to table this idea for a while but it's still in my plans.

[Anonymous]

My impression of Key West is that it is on a downward spiral of environmental degradation . The mangroves are disappearing and there is too much development in relation to the water/sewage systems.

[Anonymous]

If you've got the bucks, buy in Ocean Reef in North Key Largo.

[Anonymous]

My family had houses in the Upper Keys and Islamorada and I would agree with much of what the PPs said about cost, termites, flood insurance, and the environmental issues in Key West (and in all the Keys, for that matter). There are ongoing battles around development, due in part to the sewer issues.

Key West is extremely expensive for the kind of thing you're seeking (SFH on the beach). I like Key West as a place to visit briefly rather than a place to live even part time, because the scene there doesn't quite fit my lifestyle. I agree with suggestions about some of the quieter, smaller Keys if you're buying a place. You may know that actual sandy beach isn't all that plentiful when it comes to house options, unless you have a lot of money to spend. Many waterfront houses are on canals (though I think they have another name for them there). Islamorada is one of my favorite areas, but expensive. I personally don't like Key Largo or Marathon and would go further south. Some of the smaller Keys between Islamorada and Key West are very beautiful. In general the further south you go the more expensive and tricky in terms of buying, so I would find a good local agent down there and lay out your criteria for her or him. You will also probably need to find a good caretaker who can look after the property for you, especially during hurricane season.

Enjoy!