Key West Truman annex

Truman Annex

The Truman Annex was named after The Truman Little White House where President Truman and many other Presidents stayed when in Key West. Truman Annex is a very upscale gated community just two blocks from Duval Street. It gives the luxury of being downtown and the privacy of a gated community and off street parking which is a big plus being down town. Many of the homes in Truman Annex are transient Licensed which allows them to be rented by the week whereas the rest of Key West has a 28 day minimum rental period by law. This makes Truman Annex very popular as an investment rental property.

Relocating to Key West from Canada and the UK

Relocating to Paradise can offer you and your family a life of unparalled freedom, with
endless summers and the future of your dreams.

The economic climate is perfect at this time for Canadians and Brits investing into the States – the pound and the Canadian currency is strong against the US dollar making your choices in real estate endless.
I am happy to assist you in every step of the way with your real property investment and
to introduce you to those people who can help you find financial support for Brits and Canadians based on their credit status with no questions asked.

I have prepared a number of useful links for you to browse through in an effort to answer
those hundreds of questions you and your family may have at this time. Please use these
links and make direct contact with any or all of my associates.
Some of the individuals listed below are ex-pat Brits and will completely understand the questions you pose and the information you seek.
Let me help you to realize your dream and to start again on an adventure you will never regret...
It does not have to be a dream any more…let me Turn your Dream into Reality……
Don't Hesitate - Call me today, let's chat.

Property is the best investment you will ever make... and Property in the Keys
will make you more than you ever dreamed possible.

Links... Helping the Canadians and Brits make it in America

Great Mortgage sites http://www.britishhomeloansflorida.com/
http://www.floridamortgagesinternational.com/Home
Mortgages - Paul Lovelady - pvlovelady@aol.com
Attorney at Law - Mike Cummings - mikecummingsGB@aol.com
Florida car Insurance for Canadians-http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=558899
More car insurance info http://www.carinsurance.com/Products.aspx
Flights Sunbird Travel - peter@sunbirdtravel.com
Canadian Passport service http://www.canadian-passport-support.com/
UK Passport Office in USA - www.Britain-info.org
Accountant - Arnott Ferguson - GAF7120@aol.com
Pensions - Mark Solomon - ukpensions@adelphia.net
Citizenship and Immigration Services - www.uscis.gov
Immigration Attorney - Matt Selby - greencard@legalimmigrationservices.net




These are just some of the contacts I know you will be seeking if you are considering
relocating to America.
Call me if I can help with Property Investment in any way.
I am here to work for you in Turning your Dream into Reality

Sunset Key Florida

Sunset Key is a 27-acre exclusive resort island in the city of Key West, Florida, United States located about 500 yards off the coast of the island of Key West. The island is privately held among its residents, one of which is the Key West Westin which operates a small number of guest cottages. The island is only accessible by a shuttle boat that runs from the Westin Marina out to the island. The island consists of a total of 48 single-family homes and 21 vacant lots, all of which are valued at over $1.5 million.
Its closest neighbor is Wisteria Island, about 200 yards north.

History
Sunset Key's official name is Tank Island. The United States Navy constructed Tank Island to serve as a fuel tank depot during the Cold War. Dredging began in 1965 to form the island as well as to build passageways for submarines and other large vessels. However, the Navy's plans changed and the island saw little military action. Only two of the twelve planned fuel tanks were constructed, and although the fuel lines were run, the tanks were never filled.
In 1986, the Government sold off Tank Island and other anchorages in Key West in an auction. In 1988, the tanks were dismantled while the remaining fuel lines served as conduits for water, sewage, and utility. Power cables were later laid alongside the existing fuel pipes.
In 1994, the island was re-purchased and renamed to Sunset Key. The island is now owned by Tom Walsh, who also owns the Westin Key West Resort & Marina.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Old town Key West

Old Town Key West

Living in Old Town Key West gives residents the option, to not own a car. Due to the parking situation and streets, Bicycles, mopeds or walking is the preferred way to move around town. If you do use a car, be aware that parking can be difficult in Old Town. There are however parking lots and garages just off Duval that can definitely help the situation.

The original Key West neighborhood in the west (although perceived as south) is called "Old Town" and comprises the Key West Historic District. It includes the major tourist destinations of the island including Mallory Square, Duval Street, the Truman Annex and Fort Zachary Taylor. It is where you find the classic bungalows and guest mansions.
Generally, the structures date from 1886 to 1912. The basic features that distinguish the local architecture include wood frame construction of one to two-and-a-half story structures set on foundation piers about three feet above the ground. Exterior characteristics of the buildings are peaked "metal" roofs, horizontal wood siding, gingerbread trim, pastel shades of paint, side-hinged louvered shutters, covered porches (or balconies, galleries, or verandas) along the fronts of the structures, and wood lattice screens covering the area elevated by the piers.
PS-There are several Old Town neighborhoods. Among them the Solares Hill area, The Meadows, Downtown Key West, Bayview Park, Casa Marina and Bahama Village. These neighborhoods are loaded with charm. Check out these beautiful streets: William, Frances, Fleming, Southard and Elizabeth. Explore little-know lanes like Bakers Lane, Penny Lane, Love Lane, and Nassau Lane.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Taking advantage of a changing market

Real estate is a local issue.
Since the real estate climate in the Keys varies from subdivision to Island, it is important for you to know and understand how all the pricing fluctuations work here.
In addition, conditions can also change quickly, so you need the most up-to-date information available to make a well-informed decision. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, contact me for an overview of current market conditions. I can determine the value of your existing home or help you estimate the cost of a home in an area you may be considering.

Over the past five years, the United States real estate market has experienced record sales and price appreciation. The real estate boom has been especially strong in the South East, with home values doubling and even tripling in some cities.

Real estate is cyclical. In some areas, particularly those that have seen annual appreciation rates of 20 percent and more a year, the real estate market is cycling back to more normal conditions. The normalizing of home prices is a natural part of the real estate cycle. It’s also healthy for the market, serving to rebalance supply and demand, and to bring prices more in line with what consumers can afford.

Remember that housing markets are all local. At the height of the real estate boom, some areas of the country experienced annual appreciation rates in just the low single digits. And even in regions that are seeing home prices moderate today, there are properties in highly desirable neighborhoods that continue to receive multiple offers.

What’s important is how to make the best possible real estate deal in your market. That’s where I can help. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home, here are some strategies that will help make your real estate transaction more successful.

Florida Insurance rate relief

Lawmakers wrangle more Citizens rate relief

TALLAHASSEE – Jan. 22, 2007 – Lawmakers turned their attention to Citizens Property Insurance Corp. on Sunday, wringing some additional rate relief for customers in the state pool after reaching a broader agreement over the weekend to roll back private homeowners’ insurance rates.
A House-Senate compromise bill goes to the full Legislature today, the last day of the special session tackling runaway rates. It then goes to Gov. Charlie Crist, who on Sunday expressed optimism but didn’t tip his hand as to whether he intended to sign or veto the bill.

A breakthrough in negotiations late Saturday brought a deal indicating that Floridians can expect to pay roughly 25 percent less on their insurance bills beginning this summer, although the amount could vary widely depending on location and which company provides the coverage. A cross-section of sample companies that the state Office of Insurance Regulation tested with provisions of the new legislation reported that rates would fall anywhere from single digits to more than 30 percent.

When it appeared Sunday that Citizens’ customers wouldn’t do as well, lawmakers went back at the legislation and tweaked the bill to provide a rollback of about 20 percent for those in the state pool.
“We’ve delivered very, very substantial rate relief – higher rate relief than any of us thought possible a month ago,” said state Sen. Steven Geller, D-Hallandale Beach, an architect of the Senate bill.Late-night and weekend arm-twisting settled a key provision of the bill – expanding the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to provide more and cheaper state-backed reinsurance. The cost of reinsurance in the private markets had been identified as a key driver in Florida’s soaring rates.Lawmakers were clearly pleased with the outcome of the special session.

things to consider in buying a vacation home

Things to consider when buying any waterfront vacation home.

First off, congratulations at looking to the Keys for a possible vacation home. The good news about the Keys from an investment angle are:

1. There is only so much waterfront or Coastal property available.
2. The Keys have strict environmental laws that affect building permits. This means there are only so many homes and always will be a limited number of homes here. One big reason for this is there is just ONE Highway in and out of the Keys. (US1) If there is an emergency, people need to have the ability to leave quickly and so for this reason alone, the Keys will never be California. The other main environmental consideration is the water quality. The Keys main attraction are water sports and Monroe County is going to make sure that our waters are clean and usable.

To consider when purchasing any waterfront vacation home and how the Keys measure up:

Is there a view?
Views really do matter. An unobstructed Ocean view adds as much as 60% to the value of a home per the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics. Proximity to Golf courses or a park can add as much as 20% to a homes value. This is per an article by a much published author named Soren Anderson, a writer from Manchester College.

Consider the recreational activities…
The What and the When.
For example in a Ski resort area, your options are limited due to weather considerations and the total amount of activities available is definitely less.
*In the Keys, about the only thing you cannot do year round are mountain climbing and white water rafting.

Nearby Medical and shopping options
These are very important considerations. If there is an accident, how far away is a hospital?
In the Upper Keys we have Baptist hospital in Tavernier which is an excellent option.
If you need groceries or restaurants, what is nearby?
Oftentimes vacation properties can be secluded and don’t offer easy access to the above. At first being remote can seem as desirable, but in the end it can grow old quickly.
This also affects home values by the way. If you can have the vacation feel and recreation, yet have amenities nearby, the prices go up.
On thing about the upper Keys is that Miami and South Beach are just about an hour away and World famous Key West, 2 hours.

How much room do you need?
If you own a home with nearby recreation and sightseeing, expect people to come out of the woodwork. Everyone will be your friend. Larger homes, with more bedrooms, a 3/2 and up always rent better. So if you can, get a home with extra space.

Type of Construction or is it built to last.
The age of the home will determine the building code that it was built to. In the Keys newer homes have to be built to strict specs as to wind handling characteristics.
Also, look for low maintenance homes.
Lots of homes in the Keys are made of concrete block and have pea-rock for yards and the outside is stucco over concrete or frame. This means lower maintenance, which is very important for an absentee owner.

Finding renters
Does the home have good rental potential and is there local rental management available?
This is a very important consideration, both for long term and short term vacation rentals.
Remember, even if you don’t want to rent, this can be an important consideration for a future buyer or if your situation changes.

Home maintenance.
Are there nearby electricians, plumbers, appliance stores and general contractors.
If anything does happen, the prices to have things repaired or replaced will be less if there is competition and service people are nearby.
Check with the REALTOR you are talking with to get a Vendor list of who the Real Estate company uses to service their rentals and offices.

Rules and Regulations
Make sure you are clear on and have copies of any deed restrictions or condo docs as to what is allowed and what is not. Too many rules can be appetizing for some but a turnoff for future buyers. For example if you have children who will want to use the property in the future as a college break, lots of communities can prohibit it.

In conclusion, the upper Keys offer good investment potential from an appreciation aspect and income potential from renters.
Regarding Appreciation.
Because Miami and Ft Lauderdale are a short drive away, people there look to the Keys as a getaway. Think New York and the Jersey shore. We sell a majority of homes to people from these areas.
Income potential.
About 50% of the vacation renters in the Keys are from Florida. They come here because the Keys are a completely different experience. This means as Florida grows (it is on pace to be the 2nd largest state in the USA by 2010) we will have more people looking to vacation here. This will drive prices up and make rental occupancy rates climb even more.

Key West Dining out

Dining Out

These areas outside of Duval, in my opinion with the exception of the Atlantic side of Duval are where the good restaurants are. Places like Louie’s Backyard, Blue Heaven, and Michaels to name a few are popular with the locals and the tourists who have visited here many times and have found them. My neighbor on Cudjoe Key, a longtime Florida and Keys resident, says to add Café Sole, Mangia Mangia, and Antonia’s to that list. (Café Sole is right across a quiet little street from what just might be the best Haitian art gallery in America.) Well, truth is, everybody’s got their favorites when it comes to restaurants and the hidden gems you can find here. Part of the fun is walking around and discovering them.

Buying an existing business in the Keys

BUYING AN EXISTING BUSINESS.
There are opportunities for buying an existing business or starting up your own version. Utilizing a better idea or service, better marketing or any other angle that really makes sense to a customer is always welcome. I'd recommend you look at a business that is not just tourist related, one that will draw customers year round. If you currently have a business and/or have an entrepenurial spirit-you'll quickly see where the holes or opportunities exist here. Existing business's generally return at most about 10%...that is from strictly an investment standpoint- if you're going to be working the business-then there's management fees etc that you will keep.