Building a Home in the Florida Keys

Building a Home in the Florida Keys
Buying a lot and building your dream home may be the way to go. The cost of building will vary widely from $50.00 per square to $300.00 and up.
Basically lots in Florida as far as price goes will run as follows.
Most expensive
• Open-water—Atlantic or Gulf
• Open-water Inter-Coastal or other Rivers-Lakes
• Canal Homes with Open water views (Bay or Atlantic-Gulf)
• Canal homes-Boat able and quick access to open-water
• Dry Lots—price widely varies based on the community and area.

*As to canal lots and how boat ability affects prices.
If the depth of the canal and the width allows for a 50ft boat or sailboat-it will be more expensive than a lot on a canal that is shallow and usually not as wide. The bigger the boat, the more room needed to turn around.

*Access to open water is another factor that influences prices.

If you’re only minutes (half hour) to good fishing-diving, expect to pay more.
Also homes on shorter canals will generally have better water quality. In the Keys we call these swimming canals. The tides flush them out easier and the water is clear.
As of September 2005, per an MLS search,

Vacant lots-Location-Number available and starting price.
• Key Largo, 89 starting at $30,000
• Marathon, 446, starting at $35,000
• Key West 20, starting at $275,000

For prices on the individual keys see the real Estate section and contact a REALTOR. The prices will vary depending on depth of boating etc—see information below.

Permit prices and restrictions will vary in each community. Generally the more environmentally sensitive the area is, the more restrictions there are in getting a permit. (Since the water is one of the main reason people want to be here, the state and the communities want to keep it that way.

Important:

Regarding pricing. The closer to the water and the deeper the boating,(boat draft-a 50 foot requires deeper water and wider canals than a flats boat) the higher the prices.

Another thing to do is find out what flood zone the property is in per FEMA maps and then talk to a local insurer on how that will affect your rates. Do this ahead of time.

#In all cases if you find a lot that you like, my suggestion is that you ask for a letter of build ability from the local zoning commission as a clause in your sales contract. Always-always, talk with the county yourself to get the update on the laws.

So, yes, you can build here and it’s done all the time, but make sure you ask all the necessary questions and if you can, get it in writing.