Archive

Design Ideas – House Style

House Style The Florida Keys are known, somewhat, for a tropical style. Most homes do not express a particular style. Older homes were usually constructed on the ground. The new regulations require home to be built on piers, above grade. The higher above grade you build the “safer” you are, and the cheaper your flood insurance will be. I have seen different styles such as Bahamas style, Bermuda style, Caribbean style, Mediterranean style, Victorian style, contemporary style and everything else.…

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The Planning Approval Process

The Planning Approval Process The planning approval process was mostly a blur, as we started about 11 years ago. At the time most real estate transactions were handled by attorneys as well as real estate agents. I was a very nervous buyer. There were CC&R’s (covenants, conditions and restrictions), many local, county, state and federal (FEMA) approvals, including environmental and biology approvals or waivers. The attorney was important to me. Back then I did not have much confidence in Florida…

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Our Lot

Our Lot There were four lots available at the time of “get it now or else!” I chose the corner lot. It was a little farther from the state park beach but close to a large lagoon (connected to the Atlantic) and is more amenable to stealing views from at least 2 directions. If we built up as high as possible, we could see over the existing houses of the neighbors as well.   As you can see from the…

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The Search

The Search Some of the lots I looked at were canal front, but in areas without neighborhood amenities. I did not think we would want to be on the road every time we needed something. The only road through the Keys is Highway 1 (the Overseas Highway). Basically; one lane in each direction for 100 miles. Most accidents are head on collisions; a bigger car is part of the agenda, too. Other lots were at lower elevations, yes; lower than…

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Getting Started

Getting Started I never took the initiative to talk to a real estate agent until the market got hot in 2004. I woke up early one morning and decided I would walk into the local real estate agency, Coldwell-Banker Schmitt in Marathon, to ask a few questions. I bought into the “better get it while you can” story. I did go to different parts of the Keys to speak with other real estate agents to investigate other opportunities. I tried…

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