Relocating in and out of the Florida Keys

One of the first questions to answer as you search for your dream home is whether to buy an existing home or to buy property and build a home.

In the Florida Keys, it is certainly easier to buy an existing home, even if your intention is to level the exsiting structure and build your dream home. This is because Monroe County has a very strict Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO – trust me, after you’ve spent a few weeks here, you’ll be used to hearing people talk about ROGO!) in order to ensure that hurricane evacuation times can be met and that there are not more homes than the utility companies can support.

Relocating outside Monroe County?

We Have Highly Qualified Real Estate Professionals on board to Help YOU with your move outside of Monroe County!

If you are relocating outside of Monroe County I can help. Through years of working in this industry I and my company work with an outstanding group of Relocation Professionals from around the Country.
All I ask is that you CALL me before calling an agent in the area you are thinking about moving to.
Why?-Because if you call me First, then I will give you a FREE home warranty for your next home!
This is how it works: When you call me first, I will introduce YOU to the relocation agent and that agent will give us a Referral Fee. (This fee comes out of their Buyer side Commission)
In turn… I will pay for a FREE home warranty for your next home. (absolutely no cost to you) The cost/value on this runs from $400.00 an up. For more info see http://www.cbpref.com/BuyHomeWarranty.asp

Where are the Relocation Agents that we use, located?

We have Relocation Agents in every state. This geographic distribution gives you a wide selection of top real estate professionals to choose from.
So, if you are thinking about moving outside of the Florida Keys Area please use the short contact form below and request a relocation package!

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Siding: Look for dents or buckling
Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage
Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate (the higher the R value, the more effective the insulation is)
Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weatherstripping
Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts
Ceilings, walls, and moldings. Look for loose pieces, dry wall that is pulling away.
Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot
Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room.
Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation
Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating.
Furnace/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating. Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate motors.
Garage: Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor—cracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism.
Basement: Look for water leakage, musty smell.
Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof.
Septic Tanks (if applicable): Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area and the size of your family.
Driveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains.
www.REALTOR.org/realtormag Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® . Copyright 2003. All rights reserved

KAREN ANGLE
REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Schmitt
11050 Overseas Highway
Marathon Fl, 33050
(305) 289-6504 Business
(305) 731-6219 Cell
(305) 743-7012 Fax
1-800 366-5181 Ext 6504
E-MAIL
www.allfloridakeysrealestate.com

For More information aboutr any of these properties please Contact Me

Key Colony Beach is located in the Heart of the Florida Keys at mile marker 53.5 on US Highway 1 which is known locally as the Overseas Highway. Driving south from Miami on US 1, the Keys begin about mile marker 106 in Key Largo and extend to mile marker 0 in Key West. The city, called the “Gem of the Florida Keys,” is a on an island just south of the Overseas Highway connected via a causeway with a very small bridge.

Most residences are on canals with quick access to the Gulf or Atlantic Ocean or have ocean views which make the city ideal for fishing and boating activities. In addition to the residences, there are many businesses in the city, including restaurants, a charter fishing fleet, marina, boat rentals, clothing store, hair salon, dive and tackle shop, liquor store, gas station, convenience store, hotels, real estate offices and a 9-hole par-3 golf course.

There are just over 800 residents of Key Colony Beach, but the population peaks to about 4,000 in mid-winter. The city was founded in the early fifties by developer Phil Sadowski and was incorporated in September 1957. The city is situated on 286 acres and contains approximately 1,400 units of housing. Many property owners make their homes available to visitors for rent on a monthly or weekly basis. Our upscale quiet tropical island atmosphere draws people from all over the world.

KAREN ANGLE
REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Schmitt
11050 Overseas Highway
Marathon Fl, 33050
(305) 289-6504 Business
(305) 731-6219 Cell
(305) 743-7012 Fax
1-800 366-5181 Ext 6504
E-MAIL
www.allfloridakeysrealestate.com

Duck Key is a small islet located at mile marker 61 off the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys. The Hawk’s Cay Resort and Village can be seen in the foreground with the homes of the residential Duck Key community behind. Vehicles cross over the island’s canals by way of picturesque arched bridges. In the distance is Grassy Key which is part of Marathon. Sixty miles further south is Key West.

See Duck Key Listings

KAREN ANGLE
REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Schmitt
11050 Overseas Highway
Marathon Fl, 33050
(305) 289-6504 Business
(305) 731-6219 Cell
(305) 743-7012 Fax
1-800 366-5181 Ext 6504
E-MAIL
www.allfloridakeysrealestate.com
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Fl Keys Cost of Living

The cost of living index is based on the composite price of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, clothing and entertainment.
Cost of living indexes will generally be higher in areas that offer access to beaches, culture, arts and recreation. In addition areas, that offer a wider variety of services such as health and education will run higher due to higher wages, and increased quality of living.

Cost of living indexing explanation
A figure of 100 points is used as an average both for the USA and Florida. For example:
Boise Idaho is ranked at a 94.0
Boston Mass is rated at 127.60
San Francisco at 187.23
• Statewide, Florida cities come in from a low of 90 and up.
• One way to compare Florida areas to salary requirements
For example-If you were relocating from Portland Oregon (whose rate is 110.0) to Orlando, and you currently make $50,000 per year, the formula is as follows
• Take the destination index, in this case Orlando-94.2 and divide by Portland’s index-110, then multiply by a salary of $50,000. This will give you a figure of $42,818, which you would be required to make in Orlando and have the same quality of life.

*The Keys and Monroe county top out the state at an average Cost of Living at 160 plus. (this is due to the home prices in the Keys). We only have so much land and the area is heavily regulated as to building permits….A tropical paradise is in the same venue as any resort destination area, be it Martha’s Vineyard or Sun Valley.

However compared to other areas nationally and given the amenities of the Keys, it is a great place to live, work and play.
(Population Weighted-State Average=100

2008-09 stats Source C2ER formerly accra-col index and http://www.bestplaces.net/

Boca Raton-154.74
Cape Coral-Ft Myers-99.6
Ft Lauderdale-137.0
Destin-145.61
Jacksonville metro-97.1
Big Pine Key fl-132.46
Key Largo-146.9
Key West-167.97
Marathon fl-162.06
Miami metro-137.41
Melbourne-92.72
Naples Fl-250.59
Orlando metro-101
Palm Bay-84.56
Palm Coast-Flagler-125.01
Panama City-86.35
Pensacola metro-82.0
Sarasota-107.2
Tampa 97.3
St Pete-Clearwater-95.6
Vero-Beach Indian River-122.87
West Palm Beach metro-112.05
(Population Weighted-State Average=100
See national comparisons
Cost of living (100 = nationwide average)

* New York, NY -164.50
* Long Beach, CA -135.71
* Palo Alto, CA -234.42
* Boston, MA -127.60
* Malibu, CA -492.80
* San Francisco, -187.23
* Greenwich, CT 215
* Chicago, IL -126.45
* Dallas Tx -92,94
* Atlanta Ga -112.21

For more information about cost of living go to either 
Sperlings best Places http://www.bestplaces.net/
or Accra’s site at http://www.coli.org/

For Utility charges
Water
• The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority provides water for the entire Keys:
• Tavernier…..305 852-8068
• Marathon…..305 743-5409
• Lower Keys…..305 296-2454

For Electric
• The Florida Keys Electric Cooperative
• provides power for the upper Keys:
• Tavernier…..305 852-2431
• Marathon, 3421 O/S Hwy…..305 743-5344
• Key West City Electric
• provides power for the Lower Keys
• 1001 James St, Key West…..305 294-5272

Gas.
Propane is available from local dealers

Telephone Companies:
• Bell South
• Residential Services…..305 780-2500
• Business Services…..305 780-2800

• Florida Keys Electric Cooperative
• Keys Energy
• Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
• BellSouth
  Most homes in the Keys are on septic tanks with a few exceptions-Key West-Marathon. Garbage pickup is included in your taxes

Welcome to my Information Site: Everything you need to know about Marathon Fl Homes for sale and our communities- subdivisions of Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Duck Key, Sombrero Beach plus more.

Making the decision to live in Marathon or the Middle Keys is just the beginning. Searching for the Perfect Property, can be an involved and tedious process. To HELP you navigate through these property searches, I have set up Quick Search Icons. The Icons give you property breakouts based on Price points and Areas. There is also an add to email feature—whereby if you let me know what you are looking for, I will set up an automated email program that will send you listings per your parameters on a daily basis.

KAREN ANGLE
REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Schmitt
11050 Overseas Highway
Marathon Fl, 33050
(305) 289-6504 Business
(305) 731-6219 Cell
(305) 743-7012 Fax
1-800 366-5181 Ext 6504
E-MAIL
www.allfloridakeysrealestate.co