In the Florida Keys, along A1A, a thin strip of coral and bridges is all that separates you from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.  As you drive through the Keys, starting in Homestead, you will notice a distinct community that takes you back 10 or 20 years to those little towns you only find by accident on long road trips that span the United States. 

There are more churches and more bars per square foot of land, or more accurately, per square foot of coral, than any other community in the USA.  We claim more world fishing records than any other destination in the world. 

Our forefathers were fishermen, smugglers, shrimpers, pirates, salvagers, writers, priests, drinkers, brawlers, military men and the men who came to the Keys when the New Deal created jobs building Henry Flagler's rail road to Key West. 

We've been through real estate boom and bust times throughout history.  The market always comes back stronger than ever.  There is only 6 acres of buildable real estate left in the Florida Keys.  Monroe County is a in a State of Critical Concern and there are strict environmental laws and issues that critically impact real estate.  You need an expert to help you navigate the rough water.

Key West is a quick, non-stop, plane ride to your island home from Atlanta, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach.  You can take a new ferry from Miami or Ft. Myers for a quick and scenic route that gives you the opportunity to drink, laugh, talk, play cards or get a sun tan on the top deck.

If you drive from the airport in Miami you'll drive just 154 miles, yet you will feel a planet away from Miami.  Your route will take you over more than 100 bridges on your adventure journey to Key West including a trip over the 7 Mile Bridge. 

As a little girl I remember having a semi truck knock the mirrors off my grandmothers RV when we were on the 7 Mile Bridge.  My aunt was sobbing with fear.  Looking out the window from the top bunk I felt like I was flying over the ocean.  The railing was only a few feet tall and I couldn't see anything except ocean.  There were just inches separating vehicles on the 2 lane bridge.  There was no shoulder.  The new bridge is large enough to accommodate the occasional empty gas tank and the annual 7 Mile Bridge Run.

Monroe County boasts a non-discriminatory culture of acceptance regardless of race, color, economic privilege or lack of privilege.  Growing up in the Keys, I remember only "people."  Color or race was never an issue. 

All over the Keys you'll see bumper stickers that read, "One Human Race."  We are proud to accept everyone regardless of sexual orientation or political preference.  We offer open arms, a bottle of sun block and a cool drink to all of our island guests and our local full-time family.

The Keys have a population of less than 85,000 people spread out over more than 100 miles that seem to float between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.  Privacy is plentiful.

The Keys are full of wonderful restaurants, art galleries, cafés and coffee bars, wine bars and drinking saloons.  You can take your Love to the swankiest restaurant in flip flops and a dinner jacket.  There are fishing tournaments throughout the year.  We have Fantasy Fest which is our version of a naked Mardi Gras.  We have Hemingway Days, Lobster Season, and The Poker Run and dozens more festivals.  

Keys residents will make up any reason for a party and are still busy creating fun festivals.  The Christmas Boat Parade is beautiful.  The art festivals throughout the year are fun.  The Literary Festival will feed your brain.  Country music stars, rock stars, movie stars, MTV and political figures all visit the Keys with regularity.  Quite a few movies have been here including a 007 movie, Ruskies and an old black and white staring Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart.

Oprah Winfrey hosted a birthday bash for her good friend Maya Angelou in Key West.  You can visit President Truman's Little White House where he conducted important business when he was the President of the United States.  Colin Powell held a World Peace Summit at the Little White House a few years ago. 

Considering the Keys shape, there is, a lot of waterfront property.  If you want to buy or sell you have abundant real estate opportunities.  There are vacation rentals, corporate retreats, fishing shacks, vacant land, mobile homes, condominiums, time share, house boats, luxury estates and fine homes, real estate compounds, guest houses, hotels, motels and whole islands for sale. 

There are thousands of commercial opportunities including gas stations, retail stores, real estate offices, marinas, restaurants, transient rentals to add to a luxury vacation home, bars, liquor licenses, wave runner business, beach rental businesses, delivery businesses and so much more.  Your opportunities are limited only by your imagination.  

There are financing opportunities with local lenders who understand the value of our unique destination.  Local lenders understand that the Keys are always the last to be hit by a down real estate market and the first to recover.  Real estate and homes in the Florida Keys is still one of the safest investments you will ever make.