The "Fantasy Fest Festival" began last Saturday and is now in full swing in Key West or Key Weird, whichever you prefer. This Saturday is the grand finale with the parade at 7PM up Duval Street. Its quite a sight. I'll be there to check it all out.
The fishing reports are good with Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Yellowtail being caught in plentiful numbers with an occasional Sailfish boated. There also has been some Swordfish success reported. The weather has been great with no storms to report.
The real estate market is sluggish but this is traditionally the slow season in the Keys for visitors and real estate sales. There has been total residential sales of $471,608,557 in the Keys through the first 9 months of this year.
Good news is that the company I work for Century 21 Prestige Realty is number One in the Keys with 17.74% of the market share.
I'm here to help you find the property your looking for so please contact me and I'll help you find what your seeking.
Rob Skeel Realtor Century 21 Prestige Realty Group
305-393-6300
www.RobSkeel.com
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Waterfront properties are selling in the Keys
An article in the Keys Sunday section of the Miami Herald indicates that there has been strong sales of waterfront homes between July 1 and Sept. 30Th. Another point made is that the overall inventory of homes for sale is declining.
Condos and non waterfront homes sales are still slow but it won't be long before the winter buying season begins which should start a resurgence of sales in these segments too.
If someone wants to own in the Keys, the time is right to start buying. The people waiting for the bottom should get down here and start buying before they may miss good opportunities.
If your not sure about what kind of property you want, why not tie a house hunting trip in with a nice vacation. The Upper Keys is located less than a two hour car ride from Ft. Lauderdale International and even closer to Miami. There is always something to do even during the slow season. Its nice and warm and the restaurants aren't crowded. The chart boat's aren't busy and you can make a deal to get out and catch some fish. The same holds true for the dive boats.
As always, I'm here to help you find the property your looking for so give me a call or send an e mail.
Rob Skeel RealtorCentury 21 Prestige Realty Group
305-393-6300
http://www.robskeel.com/
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/
Condos and non waterfront homes sales are still slow but it won't be long before the winter buying season begins which should start a resurgence of sales in these segments too.
If someone wants to own in the Keys, the time is right to start buying. The people waiting for the bottom should get down here and start buying before they may miss good opportunities.
If your not sure about what kind of property you want, why not tie a house hunting trip in with a nice vacation. The Upper Keys is located less than a two hour car ride from Ft. Lauderdale International and even closer to Miami. There is always something to do even during the slow season. Its nice and warm and the restaurants aren't crowded. The chart boat's aren't busy and you can make a deal to get out and catch some fish. The same holds true for the dive boats.
As always, I'm here to help you find the property your looking for so give me a call or send an e mail.
Rob Skeel RealtorCentury 21 Prestige Realty Group
305-393-6300
http://www.robskeel.com/
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Keys Update
There hasn't been any noticeable change in the real estate market in the Keys since my last posting and vehicle traffic has dropped off because it is our slow season.
The good news is there are plenty of fish out in the Ocean with excellent reports of Tuna, Maui Maui, Snapper from Islamorada to Key Largo and Sailfish starting to reappear. The weather is good so if your looking for something to do come on down.
If your interested in Festivals: Fantasy Fest in Key West starts around Oct 20th and ends with the big parade Oct 27th.The parade is really something to see. If you have an open mind its a lot of fun and the people watching is great.
If you need information on the Festival check the Key West web site for details. If you need help with real estate, please
305-393-6300
http://www.robskeel.com/
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/
The good news is there are plenty of fish out in the Ocean with excellent reports of Tuna, Maui Maui, Snapper from Islamorada to Key Largo and Sailfish starting to reappear. The weather is good so if your looking for something to do come on down.
If your interested in Festivals: Fantasy Fest in Key West starts around Oct 20th and ends with the big parade Oct 27th.The parade is really something to see. If you have an open mind its a lot of fun and the people watching is great.
If you need information on the Festival check the Key West web site for details. If you need help with real estate, please
305-393-6300
http://www.robskeel.com/
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Mortgage Market--HEALTHY
All the doom and gloom regarding sub prime mortgage by the Talking Heads is making folks think that they can't get a mortgage or will have difficulty obtaining one at a decent rate, if their considering buying a home. I've talked with a number of Mortgage Brokers and its not true, mortgages are available. There was an article in Sunday's Miami Herald and the one below, dispelling the myth.
MORTGAGE MARKET HEALTHY FOR MOST The widespread notion that the entire mortgage market is in crisis is just plain wrong, say lenders in various parts of the country. The majority of mortgage products have been unaffected by troubles in the sub prime segment. Interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rated loans remain in the low 6 percent range for people with reasonably good, though not necessarily perfect, credit records, according to Kenneth R. Harney, managing director of the National Real Estate Development Center and a syndicated columnist. While there is plenty of money to lend, Harney says underwriting standards are more strict than they were a year ago. Jumbo loans, for example, often require two appraisals – one by an appraiser selected by the lender and the other by one working for the investor. Similarly, FICO credit-score standards generally are higher than a year ago, stated-income mortgages with no verifications are hard to find and lenders are especially wary of excessive “layering of risk” – combining low downpayments with marginal credit scores and high debt-to-income ratios – in markets where prices are trending lower.Source: The Washington Post Writers Group, Kenneth R. Harney (09/29/2007)© Copyright 2007 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
There is plenty of inventory in the Keys just waiting for the right buyer. If your considering a purchase, I can assist you!
Check out the links below
http://www.robskeel.com/
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
MORTGAGE MARKET HEALTHY FOR MOST The widespread notion that the entire mortgage market is in crisis is just plain wrong, say lenders in various parts of the country. The majority of mortgage products have been unaffected by troubles in the sub prime segment. Interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rated loans remain in the low 6 percent range for people with reasonably good, though not necessarily perfect, credit records, according to Kenneth R. Harney, managing director of the National Real Estate Development Center and a syndicated columnist. While there is plenty of money to lend, Harney says underwriting standards are more strict than they were a year ago. Jumbo loans, for example, often require two appraisals – one by an appraiser selected by the lender and the other by one working for the investor. Similarly, FICO credit-score standards generally are higher than a year ago, stated-income mortgages with no verifications are hard to find and lenders are especially wary of excessive “layering of risk” – combining low downpayments with marginal credit scores and high debt-to-income ratios – in markets where prices are trending lower.Source: The Washington Post Writers Group, Kenneth R. Harney (09/29/2007)© Copyright 2007 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
There is plenty of inventory in the Keys just waiting for the right buyer. If your considering a purchase, I can assist you!
Check out the links below
http://www.robskeel.com/
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Good reason to carry Flood & Windstorm Insurance
Thought this was an interesting article regarding the need to have Flood Insurance on your property. It doesn't cost that much and with it and Windstorm coverage on the property your better protected if a storm hits.
Supreme Court limits insurance company liabilityTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Sept. 21, 2007 –
Insurance companies can be required to pay only for actual damages and just those resulting from covered perils such as wind storms or fires – not other causes – the Florida Supreme Court said Thursday in two rulings affecting homeowner policies.The opinions, both unanimous, rejected prior appellate court decisions that let hurricane victims whose homes were a total loss collect up to their windstorm policy limits even though flooding was at least partly to blame.One ruling could affect an undetermined number of people who lost homes to hurricanes in 2004. Nearly all are victims of Hurricane Ivan and did not have federal flood insurance or their damages exceeded flood policy limits.Most are customers of the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which stands to save nearly $150 million as a result of the ruling, said Citizens spokesman Rocky Scott. Citizens general counsel Perry Cone said the decision affects about 200 lawsuits pending against the company including class actions with multiple plaintiffs.The Legislature in 2005, though, changed state law to clarify that wind policies provide coverage only for wind damage – not flooding.“The Legislature only fixed something the courts should have gotten right in the first place,” said William Stander, a spokesman for the Property Casualty Association of America.
Supreme Court limits insurance company liabilityTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Sept. 21, 2007 –
Insurance companies can be required to pay only for actual damages and just those resulting from covered perils such as wind storms or fires – not other causes – the Florida Supreme Court said Thursday in two rulings affecting homeowner policies.The opinions, both unanimous, rejected prior appellate court decisions that let hurricane victims whose homes were a total loss collect up to their windstorm policy limits even though flooding was at least partly to blame.One ruling could affect an undetermined number of people who lost homes to hurricanes in 2004. Nearly all are victims of Hurricane Ivan and did not have federal flood insurance or their damages exceeded flood policy limits.Most are customers of the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which stands to save nearly $150 million as a result of the ruling, said Citizens spokesman Rocky Scott. Citizens general counsel Perry Cone said the decision affects about 200 lawsuits pending against the company including class actions with multiple plaintiffs.The Legislature in 2005, though, changed state law to clarify that wind policies provide coverage only for wind damage – not flooding.“The Legislature only fixed something the courts should have gotten right in the first place,” said William Stander, a spokesman for the Property Casualty Association of America.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Positive thoughts for Florida Real Estate
I recently came across this article and thought I should share excerpts from it.
Real Estate is a long term investment and there are plenty of good buys in the Keys right now if your looking for a second home or a vacation property. If you wait too long you may miss a chance to own a piece of Paradise.
I went out his weekend and the tuna were hitting and sailfish should be showing up soon. Of course it was nice and warm and the dip in the pool after fishing was great. You can't beat the Upper Keys your only 2 hours away, at the most from to two world class airports and the great city of Miami and at the same time close to a funky place like Key West.
Article:
National Association of Realtors senior economist Lawrence Yun said: there has been a negative flow of news – like foreclosures, hurricanes, property taxes and insurance increases – that has left buyers with the impression that the bottom is far from being hit, Yun said.“They have jobs, their income is rising but they are saying, ‘I’m going to step back,’ “ Yun said.So, what does Yun say real estate agents can do to help matters?Tell Florida’s story, he said.Yes, foreclosures have risen fast but they are now just at the national level, Yun said.As for hurricanes that scare some buyers, only six Category 3 or greater storms have landed on Florida’s mainland from 1950 to 2003, although eight touched down in between 2004 and 2005, Yun said.“The chances of that happening again are low,” Yun said of the disastrous two-year period. “I would not be surprised to see insurance companies coming in to grab profits.”Yun predicts that the Florida housing market will get stronger in 2008 and will be booming again by 2010, once people again realize that Florida’s assets are unique.Yun said it’s the perfect time to buy while buyers are sleeping.
© Copyright 2007 Florida Association of Realtors®
Check out my web site for information about the Keys and property listings.
http://www.robskeel.com/
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
Real Estate is a long term investment and there are plenty of good buys in the Keys right now if your looking for a second home or a vacation property. If you wait too long you may miss a chance to own a piece of Paradise.
I went out his weekend and the tuna were hitting and sailfish should be showing up soon. Of course it was nice and warm and the dip in the pool after fishing was great. You can't beat the Upper Keys your only 2 hours away, at the most from to two world class airports and the great city of Miami and at the same time close to a funky place like Key West.
Article:
National Association of Realtors senior economist Lawrence Yun said: there has been a negative flow of news – like foreclosures, hurricanes, property taxes and insurance increases – that has left buyers with the impression that the bottom is far from being hit, Yun said.“They have jobs, their income is rising but they are saying, ‘I’m going to step back,’ “ Yun said.So, what does Yun say real estate agents can do to help matters?Tell Florida’s story, he said.Yes, foreclosures have risen fast but they are now just at the national level, Yun said.As for hurricanes that scare some buyers, only six Category 3 or greater storms have landed on Florida’s mainland from 1950 to 2003, although eight touched down in between 2004 and 2005, Yun said.“The chances of that happening again are low,” Yun said of the disastrous two-year period. “I would not be surprised to see insurance companies coming in to grab profits.”Yun predicts that the Florida housing market will get stronger in 2008 and will be booming again by 2010, once people again realize that Florida’s assets are unique.Yun said it’s the perfect time to buy while buyers are sleeping.
© Copyright 2007 Florida Association of Realtors®
Check out my web site for information about the Keys and property listings.
http://www.robskeel.com/
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Foreclosurer Information
I have had a number of buyers tell me they are interested in foreclosed properties. You have to be very careful when your looking to purchase foreclosures as the following article explains.
To date there hasn't been too many foreclosures in the Upper Keys but I have heard of a few. Educate yourself before you try to find a deal or you could get burned.
tal Association of REALTORS® 2007 Outstanding Design Winner
Be careful when considering purchasing foreclosed properties, official saysSHALIMAR, Fla. – Sept. 11, 2007 – Foreclosures are at a record high across the county, and you’re looking to snag a deal.The first step? Proceed slowly and carefully, says Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts Don Howard.“Anytime you’re buying foreclosed property ... there is some risk involved,” Howard said. “It takes some effort and legwork.”Only basic facts such as the judgment amount and the names of the defendant and plaintiff are listed in a foreclosure filing. Third parties looking to invest must research the properties on their own.“What the general public needs to understand is they’re buying this property as is,” Howard said. “They need to do their homework.”That means visiting the courthouse, looking through records, checking with the tax collector’s office and possibly driving by the property to check it out.“The buyer also needs to make sure the mortgage being foreclosed upon is the first mortgage,” Howard said. “It’s truly a buyer beware type of market.”Although he has no official numbers, Howard suspects more people may be tempted to see what the foreclosure basket has to offer.“The availability of foreclosures is much more simply because the filings are up,” he said. “Considering the falling prices, it might not be a bad time to look.”But some real estate agents say it makes more sense to concentrate on the current market, which has started to correct itself.“I’d much rather be buying today than two or three years ago,” said Jim Gilliland, a veteran Realtor on the Emerald Coast. “Prices are much lower.”In a foreclosure situation, there are many unknowns, such as title issues and repairs, he added.“As a buyer, I don’t think it would be wise to look only at a small percentage of houses on the market,” Gilliland said. “I would prudently look at all the homes.”After a foreclosure is filed at the county courthouse, it is advertised in the local newspaper and a public auction is scheduled.“We, as the administrative arm of the courthouse, hold the sale on the courthouse steps,” Howard said. “The defending party can resolve the foreclosure at any time before the sale.” By law, auctions are held on the courthouse steps – in Crestview and at the annex in Shalimar – at 11 a.m. any weekday. A successful bidder must post a deposit of 5 percent of the sale price.The remaining balance must be paid at the clerk’s office with certifiable funds by 4 p.m. that same day
.Copyright © 2007 Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Kari C. Barlow.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
Please visit my Web Site www.RobSkeel.com & http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
To date there hasn't been too many foreclosures in the Upper Keys but I have heard of a few. Educate yourself before you try to find a deal or you could get burned.
tal Association of REALTORS® 2007 Outstanding Design Winner
Be careful when considering purchasing foreclosed properties, official saysSHALIMAR, Fla. – Sept. 11, 2007 – Foreclosures are at a record high across the county, and you’re looking to snag a deal.The first step? Proceed slowly and carefully, says Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts Don Howard.“Anytime you’re buying foreclosed property ... there is some risk involved,” Howard said. “It takes some effort and legwork.”Only basic facts such as the judgment amount and the names of the defendant and plaintiff are listed in a foreclosure filing. Third parties looking to invest must research the properties on their own.“What the general public needs to understand is they’re buying this property as is,” Howard said. “They need to do their homework.”That means visiting the courthouse, looking through records, checking with the tax collector’s office and possibly driving by the property to check it out.“The buyer also needs to make sure the mortgage being foreclosed upon is the first mortgage,” Howard said. “It’s truly a buyer beware type of market.”Although he has no official numbers, Howard suspects more people may be tempted to see what the foreclosure basket has to offer.“The availability of foreclosures is much more simply because the filings are up,” he said. “Considering the falling prices, it might not be a bad time to look.”But some real estate agents say it makes more sense to concentrate on the current market, which has started to correct itself.“I’d much rather be buying today than two or three years ago,” said Jim Gilliland, a veteran Realtor on the Emerald Coast. “Prices are much lower.”In a foreclosure situation, there are many unknowns, such as title issues and repairs, he added.“As a buyer, I don’t think it would be wise to look only at a small percentage of houses on the market,” Gilliland said. “I would prudently look at all the homes.”After a foreclosure is filed at the county courthouse, it is advertised in the local newspaper and a public auction is scheduled.“We, as the administrative arm of the courthouse, hold the sale on the courthouse steps,” Howard said. “The defending party can resolve the foreclosure at any time before the sale.” By law, auctions are held on the courthouse steps – in Crestview and at the annex in Shalimar – at 11 a.m. any weekday. A successful bidder must post a deposit of 5 percent of the sale price.The remaining balance must be paid at the clerk’s office with certifiable funds by 4 p.m. that same day
.Copyright © 2007 Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Kari C. Barlow.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
Please visit my Web Site www.RobSkeel.com & http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
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