Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Drone Technology Not Just for Deliveries ... Real Estate Applications Are Here Now!

Amazon, UPS, Domino’s Pizza and Google are all looking into its validity. Now, so are we at Seaport Realtors! We’re taking the latest drone technology and using it to … help you sell your home!

The headlines were abuzz in June when Domino’s Pizza’s independent U.K. franchisor released a YouTube video of a drone delivering pizzas. The one-minute video featuring the “DomiCopter” flying over fields, trees and homes was viewed more than a million times in the first week.

Recently, Amazon announced its “Prime Air” delivery to “get packages into customers' hands in 30 minutes or less using unmanned aerial vehicles.” Check out the footage from a recent test flight. And just last week, DHL released its own video footage of drone delivery in action.

In all cases, the technology of putting drones into commercial use for delivery is years away as companies advance the technology and wait for the necessary FAA rules and regulations.

Drone Photography in Action at 405 Olivia Street in Key West
What’s NOT science fiction, though, is the capacity to use drones to take stunning pictures from above ground, with significantly lower costs than hiring a pilot and taking a plane or helicopter. Today, aerial photography and videography are becoming more accessible to enthusiasts and hard core hobbyists through the use of drones and GoPro cameras. You can even buy your own aerial drone quadcopter online for under $500 (but not the expertise to use it!).

Right here in Key West, we hired Grant Roland of Keys Aerial Productions and his drone to shoot the property for sale at 405 Olivia Street. Stay tuned for footage coming up in our next blog.
Grant Roland shows off his drone that will shoot the property at 405 Olivia Street in Key West

The latest DRONE technology for aerial photography is just one of the marketing tools we have to assist you in getting your home sold more quickly, putting more money in your pocket! List your home with Seaport Realtors today. Contact me, Steve Schwartz, at 305-304-1708 or nexxthome@yahoo.com.

(For more information and photos of 405 Olivia Street, see the MLS listing.)

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Boat Slips in Key West: Conch Harbor Marina

photo courtesy: Conch Harbor Marina
Conch Harbor Marina Docks (center)
There are lots of ways to grab a slice of paradise in Key West, whether it be renting or buying a home, condo, timeshare, duplex or investment property. But here’s one you might not have considered: purchase a boat slip (and a boat?).

While this option may seem a little out of reach to most, consider this: There are a limited number of places to park your yacht in Key West. Since we are a small island, there is a finite amount of space for houses and boats. Also consider this: Nearly all the prized Key West inner harbor is owned by the State of Florida. The state leases that bay bottom to the City of Key West and a couple lucky businesses on limited 5- or 10-year terms. To ensure public access to coastal waters, Florida offers incentives to marinas that offer at least 90 percent of slips for rental by the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that less than 10 percent of those slips are for “sale” – on land that they don’t actually own and through a lease that could easily expire in a couple years! Not exactly the ideal long-term investment or terms. Finally, the majority of “Key West” slips for sale are actually located OUTSIDE OF KEY WEST on Stock Island. Not bad as long as you don't mind a 20-minute, 6-mile drive each way from Old Town.

Conch Harbor Marina sign
So, “What’s left?” you ask. Conch Harbor Marina is located at 951 Caroline Street right in Key West! With the Ferry Terminal on one side and the Key West City docks on the other, you will be right in the center of the action at this phenomenal location. You’re directly across from Dante’s Pool Bar and Restaurant and the famous Turtle Kraals and Half Shell Raw Bar. There’s a great restaurant called Prime Steakhouse attached to Dante’s and a brand new mega West Marine just beyond that – only a two-minute walk from your new boat! How’s that for convenience? You’re also a stone’s throw away from Key West Bait & Tackle and Half Shell Fish Market, just in case you don’t catch your own.

map of the area around Conch Harbor Marina

Another favorite is Cuban Coffee Queen, offering café con leches the locals love, along with other favorites including Cuban favorites, sandwiches, salads and smoothies. There’s a general store called The Little Red and a sports bar called JDL's Big Ten Pub. Three locals’ favorite restaurants are located a block away: Harpoon Harry’s, Pepe’s and B.O.s Fish Wagon. These are just the very closest stores and restaurants. EVERYTHING is walkable from here – Duval Street is just six blocks away – but you don’t need to go even that far for most all of your needs.

Entrance to Conch Harbor Marina main dock
Now, about the slips. There are currently 5 slips for sale at Conch Harbor Marina, ranging in price from $235,000 to $395,000. As you can imagine, prices are based on size, so the cheapest slip (#4) is 37 feet long and does not have any kind of “finger dock.” That means you can only enter your boat from the main dock, so at the bow or stern of your boat, depending on how it’s docked. The next cheapest slip (#10), at $269,900, is also 37 feet long, but it does have a finger dock on one side. Slips #9 and #22 are both 45 feet long and have one finger dock. They are located on opposite sides of the dock, with #22 further from the entrance, but closer to the fuel dock and ship store. They are priced at $345,000 and $325,000, respectively.

Map of Conch Harbor docks. Courtesy: Conch Harbor Marina
The most expensive slip is the only 50-foot slip currently for sale at Conch Harbor, listed at $395,000. It also has a finger pier for ease of boarding. According to the listing it’s the “Largest beamed 50ft. Slip in Conch Harbor Marina.” View the MLS listing here.

All the slips at Conch Harbor have DEEDED BAY BOTTOM OWNERSHIP. You OWN the underlying bay bottom, and your investment is secure!

The location has great ingress and egress to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean and a draft of 6- to 12-feet. Some slips are designated as commercial, so you could put your downtown Key West Harbor sailing, fishing or snorkeling charter business here. If you’re looking more for occasional personal recreational use, Conch Harbor has an on-site property management rental program so you make money on your slip when you’re not there.

View from Conch Harbor Main Dock

Amenities include pool, high-speed fuel dock, two pump out stations (main dock & yacht dock), dock box, electric/water/cable hookups, marina store, full-time security and gated access, private restrooms, showers and laundry room exclusively for the marina owners and guests, public parking garage and two restaurants on site!

Photo courtesy: Conch Harbor Marina
Dante's Pool Bar & Restaurant is part of the amenities at Conch Harbor Marina
Now is a great time to invest in Key West! Contact me, Steve Schwartz, to learn more about the available slips at Conch Harbor or your other real estate needs. You can reach me by phone at 305-304-1708 or by email at nexxthome@yahoo.com. Search more properties at www.keywestlistings.com.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Business Opportunity in Key West: Smallest Bar, Guest House & Restaurant


We’ve all heard the mantra, “Quit your job and move to Key West,” but here’s a chance to do it AND still earn a living. This is a rare opportunity to own a business right on the world famous Duval Street! The Smallest Bar in Key West is for sale!

This highly-profitable business has a proven track record of more than 14 years and includes a 6-room guesthouse (Old Customs House Inn) and 33-seat full-service café – ALL ON DUVAL STREET! Included in the purchase is the lease of a non-transferable 5-COP license with a highly favorable new 10-year lease in place. A 5-COP license is a full-service liquor license valued at $400,000 to $500,000. There are a limited number of these licenses available in Key West. This is a sale of the business only, not the real estate.

Smallest Bar in Key West, located at 124 Duval Street in Key West

Full-Service Cafe Entrance at 124 Duval Street

Old Customs House Inn has 6 charming guest rooms and suites on Duval Street
At 72-square-feet – about  the size of a jail cell – The Smallest Bar is decidedly upbeat and tropical. Right in the 100 block of Duval Street, it's been a famous hot spot for years and is officially the smallest bar in Key West, Florida. A search of YouTube finds that tourists love this place! According to the website: “The drinks are inexpensive, the guests are having a blast and you just won't want to leave!" Trip Advisor ranks it #12 of nightlife spots in all of Key West.



Old Customs House Inn guest suite balcony on Duval Street
The Old Customs House Inn features quaint, clean and private rooms with a Key West tropical feel. Six units in all, either Suites with two queen-size beds or Studios with one. All rooms include a private entrance, private bath, wicker sitting area with cable TV and beautiful Key West island décor, local telephone, air conditioning, ceiling fans, efficiency kitchenettes with refrigerator and microwave. Some of the unique features of the rooms are handcrafted beds made of original Dade County Pine, Saltillo tiled baths, antique claw foot tubs and hardwood floors.
Clean, quaint, sunny suites with sitting room and kitchen

Private bathrooms with Saltillo tile from Mexico


Outdoor staircase to upstairs guest rooms
Jungle-themed outdoor cafe tucked just off bustling Duval Street
The jungle-themed café is open-air and breezy. The perfect stop for a quick lunch or a delicious dinner. Wooden tables and chairs seat 33.

You get three-for-one with this amazing business opportunity at only $995,000. View the MLS listing for 124 Duval Street here.

Now is a great time to invest in Key West! Contact me at 305-304-1708 for more information about this or other commercial or residential business or real estate opportunities in Key West! Or visit my website to browse for yourself.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

It's the Most Wonderful (Crazy?) Time of the Year!

It's one of the craziest times of the year here in Key West! We’re smack dab in the middle of Fantasy Fest, a 10-day celebration of everything weird, wacky, spooky, imaginative, entertaining and a little indecent.

Bahama Village Goombay Festival
The Fest started last weekend with Goombay, an exuberant street party that showcases island arts and crafts, music and food in the heart of Key West’s historic Bahama Village neighborhood.

On Sunday, the streets came alive – er, dead – during the Zombie Bike Ride, a local’s favorite that drew more than 7,000 painted and costumed Zombies riding bikes from Stock Island to Duval Street. In only its fourth year, the ride has grown from a couple hundred participants to this year’s peak.


Zombie Bike Ride
Throughout the week, tourists and locals alike can participate in activities and costume parties on Duval Street and beyond. Color themes have dominated recently, i.e. Rhapsody Blue Party, Finnegan's Wake Green Party, Capt. Tony's Party in Plaid, Fogarty’s Red Night and Fat Tuesday’s Pink Party. Another favorite is Tutu Tuesday, where entry is allowed only to those wearing the traditional – or not so traditional – ballet skirt.
Tutu Tuesday
Toga Party


Other highlights range from traditional to kinky and everywhere in between. It’s all up to you! Some to check out: Heroes and Villains 5K run, Decorated Bra Auction benefitting Womankind, Headdress Ball, Pet Masquerade & Parade, Redneck Party, Homemade Bikini Contest, Wet T-shirt Contest, Glow Party, Toga Party, Pajama & Lingerie Party, Leather and Lace Party, Fetish & Fantasy Party, Pirate Bash, Pimp & Ho Party and the Living Art Airbrush Expo.


Friday’s big event is the Masquerade March where costumed adults and families parade through Old Town with stops at local guesthouses for libations. The week culminates with a street fair on Duval Street and Saturday night’s Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade where 70,000 exuberant partygoers watch as hundreds of glittering floats roll down Duval Street. For a full schedule of events, click here.

It’s not always this crazy in Key West, but one thing’s for sure. There’s always something happening on our little island worth talking about. Come for a visit or stay for a lifetime.


If you're looking for a Key West home, contact me at 305-304-1708 or email nexxthome@yahoo.com. You can also browse Keys homes for sale at www.KeyWestListings.com.

Happy Fantasy Fest!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Santa Clara Condo in Key West is Truly Affordable

It's not often I get to write about a truly affordable property in Key West, so I'm excited to share with you this unit in the Santa Clara condominium complex located at 3312 Northside Drive. It’s priced at just $219,900 for a two bedroom/one bath unit measuring 856 square feet.

Unit #313 is no doubt one of the finest Santa Clara units on the market today, with very recently upgraded granite countertops, cabinets, tile, carpet, impact glass windows and sliding doors and storm shutters. You will absolutely love the pool and tennis court view from the third floor balcony!


Balcony view of tennis courts and pool!
Santa Clara is a pet-free complex with an extra large parking lot, 50-foot heated pool, two tennis courts and gated security entrance and lobby. Built in 1980, this solid concrete structure has seven floors serviced by two elevators with a laundry facility on each floor. In 2008, the building underwent a total facelift, including exterior and interior paint and new balconies and sliding doors on most units (including Unit #313). Condos in the complex range from efficiencies to three bedroom/two bath units. 

Santa Clara is in an outstanding location in New Town Key West, just behind the Searstown Shopping Center, Publix supermarket and the Regal Cinemas movie theater. I love this condo complex because it is so versatile. Perfect as a starter home for a young couple or family, a great retirement home, a rental income or an investment property.
Aerial view of Santa Clara Condominium Complex.
Large parking lot, gorgeous pool and two tennis courts.

Santa Clara is located in New Town Key West,
near shopping, restaurants and transportation

Condo fees for Unit #313 are just $580 per month and include cable, trash removal, building exterior maintenance, common area maintenance, pool maintenance and building insurance. Your only bills will be electricity, water and homeowners insurance!

There are currently three other units for sale at Santa Clara. Give me a call at 305-304-1708 to schedule an appointment to view the units and the complex. Unit #313 is vacant and easy to show.

Now is a great time to invest in Key West, and at this price, how can you not?

Santa Clara building with balconies overlooking the pool and tennis courts in New Town Key West.

Private, relaxing, beautiful pool area

Look-through kitchen and bar in Unit #313
View more listings and search properties at KeyWestListings.com.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

"Little Hemingway House:" One-of-a-Kind Property in Key West

I'm excited to share with you one of Key West's most unique properties: 713 Whitehead Street! This wonderful Mediterranean-style home, located in the heart of Old Town Key West, is known as “Little Hemingway House” because it was inspired by the Ernest Hemingway Home (and is located just two blocks away).

I love this location because it’s so close to everything. One block off Duval Street and just under a mile to the best beach in Key West: Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. For you history buffs, this home is located at the site of the former Samaritan Hall, an icon in Key West history.

713 Whitehead Street is located two blocks from the Hemingway Home and less than a mile from the best beach in Key West.

Janis Taylor is pictured in front of Samaritan Hall, 713 Whitehead Street, in 1961.
Photo credit: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/153517
The exterior of the home makes you feel like you’re at an elegant European villa with a beautiful, private fenced-in tropical garden and lush landscaping. Its oversized lot means there are three off-street parking spaces and room for a pool or to expand. For the practical-minded, you’ll be happy to know this home is constructed of poured concrete on an elevated foundation high out of the flood zone: built to survive a hurricane! This also makes for low insurance costs and easy maintenance.

The 2,028-square-foot interior is spacious and gracious with 10-foot ceilings, Mexican tile and lots of light. The home features three bedrooms and three bathrooms plus a commercial grade kitchen. The large master bedroom and bathroom suite has a Jacuzzi tub for four.





As an additional perk, this home is zoned for office and professional use, which gives you the flexibility to use it as a grand single family home or to convert it into a professional office or combination office and residence. Its location near the Key West courthouse would make it an excellent choice for an Attorney, but it certainly could be used by a doctor, architect or other professional, as well.


If you'd like to be the next owner of this one-of-a-kind property in Key West, please email or call me at 305-304-1708 to schedule a viewing.