Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Biking

Biking in the Florida Keys:

MM 17 Sugarloaf Key (residential area)
You can park at the Sugarloaf Lodge and just across U.S. 1 is a great low traffic bike path with a round trip mileage of approximately 15 miles.

MM 27.8 Middle Torch and Big Torch (natural area, some houses)
You can park in the gravel along Middle Torch Road just off U.S. 1. Almost no traffic with nine turns, lots of wildlife. Mileage is about 15.5 miles.

Here's how to train the most important muscles for cycling.

Your bulging quads and razor-cut calves are the envy of your pack, and you start every ride strong. As the ride progresses, though, your hips seesaw in the saddle, your lower back aches, and you slow in corners. The problem? Your core cries uncle long before your legs wear out. Although a cyclist's legs provide the most tangible source of power, the abs and lower back are the vital foundation from which all movement, including the pedal stroke, stems.

"You can have all the leg strength in the world, but without a stable core you won't be able to use it efficiently," says Graeme Street, founder of Cyclo-CORE, a DVD-based training program, and a personal trainer in Essex, Connecticut. "It's like having the body of a Ferrari with a Fiat chassis underneath."

What's more, a solid core will help eliminate unnecessary upper-body movement, so that all the energy you produce is delivered into a smooth pedal stroke.

Sadly, cycling's tripod position, in which the saddle, pedals and handlebar support your weight, relies on core strength but doesn't build it. To develop your high-performance chassis, try this intense routine, designed by Street. It takes only about 10 minutes to complete and focuses on the transverse abdominus, the innermost abdominal muscle, which acts as a stabilizing girdle around your torso, and also on your lower back, obliques, glutes, hamstrings and hip flexors, so your entire core--and then some--becomes strong and works as a unit. You'll notice that it skips the rectus abdominus, or six-pack muscle, because, says Street, "it's the least-functional muscle for cycling."

Do this intense routine, in this order, three times a week to create a core that lets you ride faster, longer, more powerfully--and finish stronger than ever.

By Dimity Mcdowell

Monday, June 28, 2010

Lovely 3/2 in Key Haven $375,000!


3 bedroom/2bathroom

Best price in Key Haven! Enjoy the luxury of living in this neighborhood. Ready to move in, quiet street. Custom home theater. Large fenced backyard with plenty of room for a pool. Enclosed garage for added storage, off-street parking, roof recently resurfaced. Easy access to the Gulf.




To see this home all me today 305-776-2025

Thursday, June 24, 2010

The most important three-digit number in your life!

Your credit score!


Your credit score is the most important three-digit number in your life. Raising your credit score can lead to savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of a mortgage. In addition, a higher credit score can help you with credit card rates, auto loans, and help you get that job you wanted.
Sometimes, though, life can get a little out of hand and you may fall behind in bills, run up a lot of debt or make other mistakes that can ruin your score.



How We Raise Credit Scores go to



http://www.asapcreditfixers.com/



by asapcreditfixers.com

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Key West Botanical Garden

Key West Botanical Garden on Stock Island off College Road on the right side just over the bridge. This 11-acre, city-owned garden is opened from dawn until dusk and is free to the public. A great place to take a tour, bird watch or just hang out and have a picnic. On Saturday, volunteers are available to answer your questions.

No oil here

No oil here, but Keys still suffer
BY TIMOTHY O'HARA Citizen Staff

Authorities on Tuesday said the threat of oil reaching the Florida Keys has diminished for now, based on the observations of a Coast Guard fleet of ships and aircraft that has been patrolling the Dry Tortugas for three weeks.
The fleet has confirmed that oil from the Deepwater Horizon rig is still hundreds of miles from the Keys and Dry Tortugas. Its mission was to scout out satellite-detected "anomalies," and it found none were BP-related oil sheen or tar balls, Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Matt Moorlag said.
That and other information has prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to amend models that said oil could be present and suspend production of daily offshore trajectory maps, as no oil appears to be moving far enough away from the spill site, Moorlag said.
"It's giving us a look at what's going on and what's not going on," Coast Guard spokesman Michael Hulme said.
Because the northern end of the Loop Current has been pinched off into a large eddy for most of the past two months -- it periodically attaches and detaches -- oil has had no clear path to the Keys, satellite images show. There have been no reports of recoverable oil in the Loop Current or Eddy Franklin, as it's called, according to NOAA.
The news came the same day BP responded to the Marathon City Council's insistence last week that it would lead its own oil spill response for the Middle Keys, saying BP and others would not be as effective as locals. The council criticized BP's response plan for addressing the cleanup of oil only after it reached the Keys rather than preventative measures.
BP's letter to the council tried to assure the city that BP, the Coast Guard and others have response plans and that BP will pay to have all the right people and equipment in place.
"BP will continue to rely on the independent assessments of government experts with regard to both the potential impacts and consult with them on appropriate emergency responses for a variety of scenarios," BP spokesman Andrew Van Chau wrote. "At this time, the threat assessment among these experts is that there remains a low risk of only weathered oil from the accident, such as tar balls, making landfall in the Keys."
A Coast Guard C-130 research plane and two helicopters, fitted with computers and cameras, will continue to conduct daily flights between the Keys and Apalachicola, according to the government's Joint Incident Command. NOAA also will continue to produce daily onshore trajectory maps.
The Monroe County Commission will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Marathon Government Center to discuss the response to the oil spill and its possible impact on the Keys.

Monday, June 21, 2010

From Renter to Owner – Let's make things happen!

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.


Some people prefer renting an apartment or house because they don’t want the responsibility of a house’s upkeep. Or perhaps they know they’ll be relocating in the not-too-distant future, or the location of the house or apartment best suits their lifestyle. But if you know someone who’s renting because buying a home seems like an overwhelming undertaking and they don’t know where to start, I have a free report that will give them the answers they need now to make a smart decision about what to do next.

Call me immediately! 305-776-2025. I’ll send you our report, How to Stop Spending Money on Rent and Own a Home Instead, for you to pass along and help make this happen!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Private Living in Key West on Canal and with Gorgous Pool!


Come and enjoy the warm glow of this beautiful home just minutes from Old Town Key West.


Stroll the palm-lined streets and discover gingerbread mansions, tin-roofed conch houses, the John Audubon House and Ernest Hemingway's home, dine and relax in our fabulous restaurants and than enjoy home in this cozy setting.



Very private waterfront CBS-Canal Home with 10,000 lb boat lift. 2 Bedroom 2 Bath in the main house and 1 Bedroom 1 Bath attached guest unit with separate entrance which could be easily converted to a 3/3. New soundproof and energy efficient windows and doors. Large pool resurfaced in 2006 surrounded by lush landscaping. Inside pool light and stainless steele lighting around the pool. Operational Sky Light in the kitchen. Top of the line stainless steel appliances including in-line water purifier for clean drinking water. Bathrooms newly renovated.

To see this home call me today! 305-776-2025.
Play VisualTour

Happy Father's Day!

A Father Is…

A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us
there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.
A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.
A father is a truly rich man if his children run into his arms when his
hands are empty.
A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.
A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.

Credit is given to the author of this poem when
the original author is known.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Mistakes buyers and seller make!

The 10 Dumbest Mistakes Smart People Make When Buying or Selling a Home – and How to Avoid Them

Buyers

Mistakes
1. Not knowing how much they can afford to pay for a house before they make an offer.
Get pre-qualified for a mortgage from a Lender, so you know in advance exactly how much you can afford.
2. Not finding out in advance whom the real estate agent represents.
Asking your Realtor. Most people think their agent is working for them. But unless the agent is working as your buyer representative, he/she represents the seller.
3. Not realizing that the wrong mortgage can cost thousands of dollars in unnecessary interest and taxes.
Consulting with a mortgage consultant, accountant, and/or financial planner before making a final decision on which mortgage to choose. CPAs can tell you the long-term effects on your income.
4. Not discovering hidden defects before buying a home.
Hiring a professional to conduct a pre-purchase home inspection.
5. Not knowing how debt can affect their ability to buy or refinance a home.
Asking your mortgage professional to help you review and repair your credit file in advance.

Sellers

Mistakes
6. Setting their asking price too high because of personal need or emotion rather than fair market value.
Consulting with a professional real estate agent. He/she can assist you in pricing your home correctly.
7. Failing to “showcase” their home by highlighting the best features.
Thoroughly cleaning, repairing, and readying your home for showing before you put it on the market.
8. Signing a listing contract with no way out.
Asking your real estate agent if you can cancel your listing agreement at any time, no questions asked, prior to signing the contract or agreement.
9. Choosing an agent for the wrong reasons. (For example, listing a home with the agent who works for the most popular company.)
Selecting a listing agent with the best marketing plan and track record.
10. Not knowing their legal rights and obligations.
Consulting a knowledgeable, trustworthy professional who understands the technical and legal aspects of a real estate transaction. Contracts are legally binding. Neglected details can wind up costing sellers thousands of dollars.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Father's Day!

Don’t forget Father’s Day on June 20th!

Dad’s Lessons Of Life

Tim Russert, moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press from 1991 to 2008, did something that most of us will never do: He wrote a book expressing his gratitude for – and celebrating the wisdom of – his beloved father. The 2004 memoir was entitled Big Russ & Me: Father and Son: Lessons of Life, and it became a #1 bestseller.

Big Russ & Me did something else: It inspired more than 60,000 people to write and email Russert with their own memories of their fathers. In 2006 Russert turned some of those memories into his second bestseller, Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons, giving others an opportunity to express their gratitude for – and celebrate the wisdom of – their own fathers.

Tim Russert died suddenly in June 2008 at the age of 58. In addition to being a son he was himself a father, a husband, and in the words of a colleague, “one of the premier political journalists and analysts of his time.” He received countless awards for professional excellence, and was clear on where credit for his many accomplishments was due. In the introduction to Big Russ & Me Russert wrote, “I hope this book will encourage readers to think about the things they learned from their father. Whatever we achieve and whoever we are, we stand on their shoulders.”

You don’t have to write a book to tell the dads in your life how much you appreciate them.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Free Reports on Key West Real Estate!

Free Reports!

- How to Sell Your House For
the Most Money In the
Shortest Possible Time

Free Information!

- What did that house across
the street sell for?

Free Subscription to
My Newsletter!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Building Relationships

Building Relationships:

Part I:
Why and How to Understand People

A great philosopher and Hindu leader once asked his audience to define love. The respondents came up with a long list of answers. To each one he shook his head. Finally, he answered the question himself. "Love is nothing more or less than understanding."

Another great leader and writer, Stephen Covey, who authored "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," advised his readers with the same sentiment. "Seek first to understand and then to be understood."

What did these two great thinkers mean by "understanding?" It's better to start with what they did not mean. Understanding doesn't mean agreement with or approval of another person. It does not require you to condone a behavior; nor does it mean that you must give up your needs or feelings.

Understanding means the intellectual and emotional ability to engage in another person's perspective. The true secret to understanding is to take judgment out of the equation. The minute you catch yourself wondering whether that person has a "right" to act or feel they way they do, you have lost your ability to understand.

Understanding is essential to all healthy professional and personal relationships for three reasons: First, it helps us learn how to communicate. Second, when we understand a person, we let go of the need to control them and their behaviors, and lastly, we are able to let go of anger or frustration we may have towards them for not being exactly what we want or need.

The real question isn't whether or not we should understand others, it's how to do it. Think of someone in your life who you find challenging – a colleague, your child, a partner or a friend. Then start with these three actions:

1. Look for motives. Instead of focusing on behaviors you don't like, try to analyze the reason behind them. Does this person have a different philosophy about work and life than you do? Is this person acting from some deeper needs or insecurities? Once you identify the source behind the behavior, you are better equipped to deal with it. Put yourself in their shoes and try to see where they are coming from.

2. Identify patterns. The best way to understand people is to observe them. Repetitious behaviors provide very good insight into people's needs, as they show you what is truly going on in their conscious and unconscious minds. For example, if you have a colleague or spouse who is constantly in crisis, on some level they may get energy from chaos, or they may not want to slow down for fear of having to face some bigger issues in their lives. Patterns of behavior reveal people's deeper beliefs about the world and themselves. This helps you narrow down the key areas in which you can be more effective in your communication.

3. Listen. We all know the old adage that we were given two ears and one mouth to use in that proportion. Understanding others does not come from hearing ourselves talk. We must learn to listen – and not only to the words people say, but to the words they don't. Good listeners read between the lines, observe body language, and clear their minds of their own thoughts. That is no easy task, but it is the most important skill anyone can learn. The next column will focus on how to be a great listener and what that means to building relationships. So, stay tuned.

Most of us agree that our lives are rich not because of the things we own, but by the relationships we have. We get stuck in our needs, and our way of seeing things, and assume that things are black and white, when in truth, the answers are almost always in shades of gray. Understanding the complex personalities and needs of any other human being is among the greatest gifts we can give them, and ultimately ourselves.

By Elisa Levy

Monday, June 14, 2010

Key West,...Location, Location, Location…..

With a market that continues expanding I would like to introduce to you a rare opportunity to own an extraordinary home in the incredible Old Town location with a fabulous earning potential.


This one of a kind 3 bedroom 3 bathroom 2 story home is the largest one of 6 in the unique and secluded Old Town Compound, known as the Writers’ Compound. Stained glass, rail molding and wainscoting throughout make this home truly unique. Hidden private backyard with room for your own pool and off street parking. Drive by won’t do.
A transient license may be transferred for this home which leaves you plenty of space to customize this home for your excellent rental income!


Prices in the Keys are factually better than the majority of destinations in the United States. The explosive growth of South Dade County will definitely benefit the weekend gateways. We’ve had 283 sales as of 05/31/10 in Key West (KW-Shark Key) for this year which is 58% ahead of 2009! You are footsteps away from the Historic Seaport, the World famous Duval Street and the beaches!


Don’t miss this opportunity of a lifetime to own this fantastic Investment in Old Town.
To see this home call me today (1)305-776-2025. All offers welcome!

Play VisualTour

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Come to Key West!

Discover a city where real estate titles date back to the Kings of Spain. Stroll the palm-lined streets and discover gingerbread mansions, tin-roofed conch houses, the John Audubon House and Ernest Hemingway's home, dine and relax in our fabulous restaurants. Walk in the footsteps of Thomas Edison, Lou Gehrig, Harry Truman, and Tennessee Williams and so much more....

Saturday, June 12, 2010

England vs. USA soccer match!

If there is one word that could sum up the much hyped and anticipated England vs. USA soccer match in the South Africa 2010 World Cup it is 'hope'. 'Hope' that the U.S. would hold onto its 1 point and 'hope' that Engalnd could make it 3. While England might be disappointed following the final whistle I am confident that the U.S. will revel in the so important point scored against the favorite in their group. Many people have reported to me in disdain that England was the better side, but in the end I say the ball is round and the game lasts 90 minutes ;). Good luck to both sides in their future endeavors in this 1st World Cup on African soil!

World Cup Soccer

By definition, a World Cup in Africa will be unlike any other.
It will be the largest sporting event – make that the largest event, period – ever staged in the continent. It may also be the costliest, with a price tag of more than $4.6 billion.

The World Cup is the largest and most watched sporting event on the globe – 32 nations playing 64 matches in nine cities over 31 days.

It will be the fourth World Cup staged in the Southern Hemisphere but the first since 1978, when Argentina was host.

The U.S. has never won a game in Mexico but did surprisingly well last summer in South Africa. At the Confederations Cup, the U.S. upset Spain, 2-0, in Bloemfontein and gave Brazil a scare in Johannesburg, losing 3-2 in the championship match.

Assuming South Africa doesn't pull off the greatest upset in sports history, and discounting Uruguay, which last won in 1950, that would leave six teams in the running: Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany and Italy. Since 1966, only one team not in that group has even reached the final: the Netherlands, at West Germany in 1974 and at Argentina in 1978. The Dutch lost to the host nation both times.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Relocation to the Florida Keys!

Moving to a new location can be tough. To make your move to Key West or the Florida Keys a little easier, Monika created the following list of usefull contacts and phone numbers to help you get settled in your new home and city.

Monika has the experience and knowledge to help you through all stages of your move to the Florida Keys. Whether it's a moving truck, short-term housing or finding your dream home, Monika can help you through the process of getting here -- stress free.


Utilities:

Keys Energy Services 1001 James St.Key West,
FL 33040-6935USA
Phone: (305) 295-1000 (305) 295-1000
www.keysenergy.com

Water:
Key West and Lower Keys
1100 Kennedy Drive
Key West, FL 33041-1239
Phone: 305-296-2454
www.fkaa.com

Phone and Computer connection:
BellSouth
Phone: 1-888-757-6500
www.bellsouth.com

Cable:
Comcast
Phone: 1-800-266-2278
www.comcast.com

Garbage Service:
Waste Managment Garbage Collection
US Hwy 1
Stock Island
305-296-8297

Hospital:
Lower Keys Medical Center
5900 College Rd
Key West
Phone: 305-294-5531

Vehicle Registration:
Moroe County Tax Collector's Office
1200 Truman Ave
Key West
Phone: 305-295-5000
www.monroetaxcollector.com

Schools and Colleges:

Monroe County School District
241 Trumbo Rd
Key West
Phone: 305-293-1400
www.monroe.k12.fl.us

Florida Keys Community College
Phone: 305-296-9081
www.fkcc.cc/


The Citizen (daily Newspaper)
KeysNews.com

City of Key West
City Of Key West Code
Enforcement Jim Young 305-809-3734
Licensing & Permits Carolyn Walker 305-809-3955

Termites
Eddinger Pest Control 305-872-1008
Gulf Coast Extermination 2606 Fogarty Avenue 305-294-3494
Hammerhead 30385 Quail Roost Trail 305-515-2800