Search for Key deer on Big Pine Key.
Key deer are an endangered species that live only in the Lower Keys. These shy, appealing creatures are about the size of a large dog and can be found grazing all around Big Pine Key, especially in the early morning hours and around dusk. Spotting these “Bambi-like” creatures isn’t always easy, but it’s an adventure. To learn more about Key deer and other native species, visit the National Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center, located one-quarter mile north of the traffic light on Key Deer Boulevard in the Big Pine Key Shopping Plaza. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Florida Keys News Bureau
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
What is Dade County Pine?
The first thing a Realtor points out in an old Conch house is the "Dade County Pine". But what exactly is it and what 's so great about it?
Dade County Pine is a subspecies of the Longleaf Yellow Pine, which is more commonly known as Heart Pine. In the 1800's vast forests stretched from southeast Virginia to Florida and around the gulf coast to eastern Texas. It was North America's version of the Amazon rain forest, and the supply seemed endless. By the 1920's , these forests were essentially gone with only about 2% remaining today.
What made this slow-growing variety so desirable as a construction material was its very high heart wood content. The tree is nearly all heart wood core as opposed to the outer sapwood. It is this high content of the resinous heart wood that makes the species so rigid and strong and accounts for its inherent resistance to rot and insects.
The southeastern part of the country was lierally built on Heart Pine. The Dade County Pine grew between the Everglades and the Atlantic ocean and even on some of the northern keys. The wood is actually white when cut, and takes on the familiar redish tone when exposed to air.
source: Livining in the Key West Styly anywhere!
Dade County Pine is a subspecies of the Longleaf Yellow Pine, which is more commonly known as Heart Pine. In the 1800's vast forests stretched from southeast Virginia to Florida and around the gulf coast to eastern Texas. It was North America's version of the Amazon rain forest, and the supply seemed endless. By the 1920's , these forests were essentially gone with only about 2% remaining today.
What made this slow-growing variety so desirable as a construction material was its very high heart wood content. The tree is nearly all heart wood core as opposed to the outer sapwood. It is this high content of the resinous heart wood that makes the species so rigid and strong and accounts for its inherent resistance to rot and insects.
The southeastern part of the country was lierally built on Heart Pine. The Dade County Pine grew between the Everglades and the Atlantic ocean and even on some of the northern keys. The wood is actually white when cut, and takes on the familiar redish tone when exposed to air.
source: Livining in the Key West Styly anywhere!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Top Ten Attractions in Key West!
Top Ten Attractions In Key West, Florida You Probably Never Heard Aboout!
By: Barbara Weibel
I’ve been visiting Key West for years. Like most people, I did all the normal tourist things on my first few visits. I walked from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic along Duval Street; stopped into Sloppy Joe’s bar to soak up the atmosphere Hemingway so loved; set foot on the southernmost point in the US. and tried to make out Cuba, just 90 miles away; spent an afternoon the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory; toured Hemingway’s house; climbed 88 steps to the top of the Key West Lighthouse for a bird’s eye view of the island; took the Conch Tour Train to learn some local lore; wandered around the historic Seaport district; and attended the daily ‘Sunset’ celebration at Mallory Square.
While all of the above are worthwhile and certainly should be done at least once, over the years I have discovered many other things to do that are just as fascinating as the hyped activities. The following is my list of the top ten Key West attractions that you probably never heard about but are absolutely worth a visit:
Little White House at Truman Annex
Little White House at Truman Annex
Historical photo of Truman family at Little White House, 1948
Eisenhower had Camp David and George Bush has Kennebunkport, but when President Harry Truman wanted to relax he came to Key West. Truman spent 11 working vacations in Key West, staying at a sprawling white clapboard house on the south side of town that eventually became known as the Little White House. The restored home, now a living museum, offers a fascinating glimpse into history beginning in 1890, when it initially served as the command headquarters of the naval station during the Spanish American War, through the World War I and World War II years.
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Truman Annex, Key West
This relatively new educational facility has more than 6,400 square feet of exhibits, including a 74-seat movie theater, which screens an excellent 20-minute film on the underwater ecosystems of the Keys. Other displays include an interactive map of the Keys that shows the location of shipwrecks, coral reefs, and historic forts; a replica of the Aquarius underwater laboratory; an underwater video camera that allows guests to observe coral spawning, assess damage from a boat grounding or monitor the health of a coral reef; and a baby conch farm. Admission is free!
Heritage House Museum & Robert Frost Cottage
Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage
Hemingway wasn’t the only writer to fall in love with Key West. Tennessee Williams, Thornton Wilder, Gloria Swanson, Sally Rand, and Robert Frost are among the more famous literary figures that have been drawn to its shores. Robert Frost spent many winters in a cottage in the garden at what is now the Heritage House Museum. Visitors can sit in the same flowering tropical garden and listen to recordings of Robert Frost reading his poetry.
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Treasure hunter Mel Fisher, ever the eternal optimist, arose each morning declaring, “Today is the day.” His perseverance paid off when, after 18 years of searching, he discovered the wreck of the Spanish galleon Atocha in 1985. The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum displays many of the items from the Atocha, including ropes of pure gold and fist-sized emeralds, as well as artifacts from numerous other salvaged shipwrecks around the world.
Key West Cemetery
This intriguing graveyard is tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood on the west side of Old Town. Established in 1847 following the disastrous hurricane of October 11, 1846, its headstones read like a historical who’s who of Conchs. The wealthy and prominent ordered fancy stone monuments to mark their graves, while those of modest means placed grave markers of brick, cement or tile. Symbols on the graves provide insight into a person’s career, family life, participation in the community, and personal sentiments. The Historic Florida Keys Foundation has produced a Key West Cemetery Map & Self-Guided Tour that is an invaluable source of information for a walking tour of the site.
Fort East Martello Museum
Fort Martello and Tower East
Within the restored fort, displays chronicle the economic ups and downs of Key West
The displays at Fort Martello Tower East, one of three historic forts in the Key West, tell of the industries that alternately made Key West the richest city in Florida (shipwrecking, cigar making) and the poorest (sponge harvesting). The three story brick citadel in the center of the restored fort holds a collection of sculptures by Stanley Papio, known locally as “the dynamic junkman.” Papio welded together scrap metal from junk autos, appliances, beds and other discarded iron and steel to create his unique sculptures, which often represented actual people, animals or objects, and then displayed them in his front yard. Since his death, Papio’s pieces have become recognized as culturally important American artworks.
Fort West Martello Gardens
Lush tropical gardens at Fort Martello West are a lovely place for quiet reflection
The interior Citadel, surrounded by tropical plantings
Originally meant to be a twin to East Martello, this fort was never completed. By 1949, the dilapidated structure was an eyesore and would have been razed but for the intervention of the Key West Garden Club. Although still undergoing restoration, the West Martello Tower is now one of Key West’s most beautiful sites. Stroll past native and exotic trees and plants, including blooming orchids and bromeliads, all of which have been creatively planted around the original vaulted brick ceilings, partially completed central Citadel, and gun mounts. And since this fort is located in the center of Higgs Beach, it provides a cool, shady escape from the mid-day heat. Admission is free, although donations for the ongoing restoration are gladly accepted.
Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas
Aerial view of Garden Key, largest of the seven Dry Tortugas Islands. Photo courtesy of National Park Service.
Yet another in the series of forts that were originally constructed to protect against piracy, Fort Jefferson is located 68 miles west of Key West, on Garden Key, one of the seven coral reef islands that make up Dry Tortugas National Park. Fast ferries provide access to this remote site, leaving daily from Key West’s historic Seaport. Once on the island, visitors are free to wander the grounds of the fort and lighthouse, take a 45-minute tour of the facility provided by the Park Service, or hit the stunning beach, where snorkeling in the crystal clear waters is a favorite activity.
Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
Audubon House houses 28 original bird sketches by the famous naturalist
Named for John James Audubon, world renown ornithologist, this house was the first ever to be restored in Key West. During his visit to Key West in 1832, Audubon drew 18 new birds for his “Birds of America” folio. It is believed that many of those drawings were conceived in the Audubon House garden. In addition to displaying 28 first edition Audubon works, the The 19th-century home contains furnishings that would have been found in a prosperous Key West home during the 1800’s.
Pan American Airlines Original Headquarters
Sign tells brief history of the original headquarters of Pan Am Airways
Original headquarters of Pan American Airways is now Kelly's Restaurant, which offers delicious alfresco dining
Aviation buffs will want to visit the original home of Pan Am airlines. Although the building now houses Kelly’s Bar & Restaurant (started by the actress Kelly McGillis), numerous Pan Am artifacts are scattered around in display cases and the owners have been true to the airline theme. The bar is shaped like an airplane wing and ceiling fans look like the rotary engines of an airplane. Coops hanging over the bar are the original ones that held homing pigeons that were released when the plane reached its final destination, signaling the folks back home that it had landed safely. As an added bonus, the food at Kelly’s is fabulous, so it is a great mid-day break from touring, or end-of-the-day final pit stop.
Key West is a fun-filled destination where history mingles with revelry. Every time I think I have seen everything it has to offer, it surprises me with another intriguing discovery.
By: Barbara Weibel
I’ve been visiting Key West for years. Like most people, I did all the normal tourist things on my first few visits. I walked from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic along Duval Street; stopped into Sloppy Joe’s bar to soak up the atmosphere Hemingway so loved; set foot on the southernmost point in the US. and tried to make out Cuba, just 90 miles away; spent an afternoon the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory; toured Hemingway’s house; climbed 88 steps to the top of the Key West Lighthouse for a bird’s eye view of the island; took the Conch Tour Train to learn some local lore; wandered around the historic Seaport district; and attended the daily ‘Sunset’ celebration at Mallory Square.
While all of the above are worthwhile and certainly should be done at least once, over the years I have discovered many other things to do that are just as fascinating as the hyped activities. The following is my list of the top ten Key West attractions that you probably never heard about but are absolutely worth a visit:
Little White House at Truman Annex
Little White House at Truman Annex
Historical photo of Truman family at Little White House, 1948
Eisenhower had Camp David and George Bush has Kennebunkport, but when President Harry Truman wanted to relax he came to Key West. Truman spent 11 working vacations in Key West, staying at a sprawling white clapboard house on the south side of town that eventually became known as the Little White House. The restored home, now a living museum, offers a fascinating glimpse into history beginning in 1890, when it initially served as the command headquarters of the naval station during the Spanish American War, through the World War I and World War II years.
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Truman Annex, Key West
This relatively new educational facility has more than 6,400 square feet of exhibits, including a 74-seat movie theater, which screens an excellent 20-minute film on the underwater ecosystems of the Keys. Other displays include an interactive map of the Keys that shows the location of shipwrecks, coral reefs, and historic forts; a replica of the Aquarius underwater laboratory; an underwater video camera that allows guests to observe coral spawning, assess damage from a boat grounding or monitor the health of a coral reef; and a baby conch farm. Admission is free!
Heritage House Museum & Robert Frost Cottage
Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage
Hemingway wasn’t the only writer to fall in love with Key West. Tennessee Williams, Thornton Wilder, Gloria Swanson, Sally Rand, and Robert Frost are among the more famous literary figures that have been drawn to its shores. Robert Frost spent many winters in a cottage in the garden at what is now the Heritage House Museum. Visitors can sit in the same flowering tropical garden and listen to recordings of Robert Frost reading his poetry.
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Treasure hunter Mel Fisher, ever the eternal optimist, arose each morning declaring, “Today is the day.” His perseverance paid off when, after 18 years of searching, he discovered the wreck of the Spanish galleon Atocha in 1985. The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum displays many of the items from the Atocha, including ropes of pure gold and fist-sized emeralds, as well as artifacts from numerous other salvaged shipwrecks around the world.
Key West Cemetery
This intriguing graveyard is tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood on the west side of Old Town. Established in 1847 following the disastrous hurricane of October 11, 1846, its headstones read like a historical who’s who of Conchs. The wealthy and prominent ordered fancy stone monuments to mark their graves, while those of modest means placed grave markers of brick, cement or tile. Symbols on the graves provide insight into a person’s career, family life, participation in the community, and personal sentiments. The Historic Florida Keys Foundation has produced a Key West Cemetery Map & Self-Guided Tour that is an invaluable source of information for a walking tour of the site.
Fort East Martello Museum
Fort Martello and Tower East
Within the restored fort, displays chronicle the economic ups and downs of Key West
The displays at Fort Martello Tower East, one of three historic forts in the Key West, tell of the industries that alternately made Key West the richest city in Florida (shipwrecking, cigar making) and the poorest (sponge harvesting). The three story brick citadel in the center of the restored fort holds a collection of sculptures by Stanley Papio, known locally as “the dynamic junkman.” Papio welded together scrap metal from junk autos, appliances, beds and other discarded iron and steel to create his unique sculptures, which often represented actual people, animals or objects, and then displayed them in his front yard. Since his death, Papio’s pieces have become recognized as culturally important American artworks.
Fort West Martello Gardens
Lush tropical gardens at Fort Martello West are a lovely place for quiet reflection
The interior Citadel, surrounded by tropical plantings
Originally meant to be a twin to East Martello, this fort was never completed. By 1949, the dilapidated structure was an eyesore and would have been razed but for the intervention of the Key West Garden Club. Although still undergoing restoration, the West Martello Tower is now one of Key West’s most beautiful sites. Stroll past native and exotic trees and plants, including blooming orchids and bromeliads, all of which have been creatively planted around the original vaulted brick ceilings, partially completed central Citadel, and gun mounts. And since this fort is located in the center of Higgs Beach, it provides a cool, shady escape from the mid-day heat. Admission is free, although donations for the ongoing restoration are gladly accepted.
Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas
Aerial view of Garden Key, largest of the seven Dry Tortugas Islands. Photo courtesy of National Park Service.
Yet another in the series of forts that were originally constructed to protect against piracy, Fort Jefferson is located 68 miles west of Key West, on Garden Key, one of the seven coral reef islands that make up Dry Tortugas National Park. Fast ferries provide access to this remote site, leaving daily from Key West’s historic Seaport. Once on the island, visitors are free to wander the grounds of the fort and lighthouse, take a 45-minute tour of the facility provided by the Park Service, or hit the stunning beach, where snorkeling in the crystal clear waters is a favorite activity.
Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
Audubon House houses 28 original bird sketches by the famous naturalist
Named for John James Audubon, world renown ornithologist, this house was the first ever to be restored in Key West. During his visit to Key West in 1832, Audubon drew 18 new birds for his “Birds of America” folio. It is believed that many of those drawings were conceived in the Audubon House garden. In addition to displaying 28 first edition Audubon works, the The 19th-century home contains furnishings that would have been found in a prosperous Key West home during the 1800’s.
Pan American Airlines Original Headquarters
Sign tells brief history of the original headquarters of Pan Am Airways
Original headquarters of Pan American Airways is now Kelly's Restaurant, which offers delicious alfresco dining
Aviation buffs will want to visit the original home of Pan Am airlines. Although the building now houses Kelly’s Bar & Restaurant (started by the actress Kelly McGillis), numerous Pan Am artifacts are scattered around in display cases and the owners have been true to the airline theme. The bar is shaped like an airplane wing and ceiling fans look like the rotary engines of an airplane. Coops hanging over the bar are the original ones that held homing pigeons that were released when the plane reached its final destination, signaling the folks back home that it had landed safely. As an added bonus, the food at Kelly’s is fabulous, so it is a great mid-day break from touring, or end-of-the-day final pit stop.
Key West is a fun-filled destination where history mingles with revelry. Every time I think I have seen everything it has to offer, it surprises me with another intriguing discovery.
Monday, August 9, 2010
To see this homecall me today!
305-776-2025
Beautiful historic home with a unique floor plan. French doors open from the living room and kitchen to a wonderful private deck with spa/jacuzzi. Upstairs master suite. Home is fully fenced for privacy. Porch in the front and off street parking.This home received an Award for Excellence for the highest ideals and concepts of historic preservation by The Historic Florida Keys Foundation. Steps away from all that living in Key West has to offer.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Buying a resale verses a new construction home.
One of the most common debates a buyer may have internally, or actually debate over with a spouse, is whether to buy New Construction or Resale. Purchasing a home is a gigantic commitment, so lets weigh the pros and cons of BOTH. There is no correct answer here, only things that should be considered.
New Construction Pros
New Construction will charm you with its newness and readily maintained associations. It can be exciting to pick your floor plan (or have blue prints drawn for a custom built home).You are also able to choose your building materials and flooring. Modern floor plans better suite today's lifestyle of gathering in the kitchen area, and having a formal and non formal living space. A newly built home will have BRAND NEW EVERYTHING, be built to withstand mother nature, have larger rooms and offer luxury. A newly built home in most cases comes with a builder's home warranty and has up to date wiring ready to suite modern technologies.
New Construction Cons
When purchasing new construction, you can be limited geographically. If you are looking to live in a certain area, or in a specific school district then it may not be an option! Today's home lots are often much smaller than the lot of a resale home. When buying a newly constructed home, you may have to purchase appliances and window treatments because they might not be included in the price of the build-out. Many new home communities do not have mature landscaping yet and the associations are in their infancy, so the condition of the area in years to come will be left up to speculation. Let's not forget to mention that building can create budget and time restraints, which can cause stress until you get to the closing table.
Residential Resale Pros
Finding a house that fits all of your wants and needs in a specific school district or metro area may be easier with a resale home. Older resale homes can have charm, distinction and character that cannot be purchased or recreated in a new home. Often a resale home has existing window furnishings, mature landscaping, appliances and finished upgrades or fencing that would otherwise have to be purchased with New Construction. When looking at resale residential homes for sale, you can see immediately the kind of neighborhood you will be moving into and whether or not the association is actively involved in deed restriction. Another pro to purchasing resale is timing. If you don't have time to build - a resale is waiting for you to move into! Potential 'Sweat Equity' is also a great reason to purchase resale. You may have an opportunity to upgrade or modernize an existing home to increase its equity much quicker than you could increase the equity of a newly constructed home.
Residential Resale Cons
Now that we've discussed all of the 'charm' you can experience with a resale, lets talk about the 'not so charming' realities of resale. Resales can be out-dated, so money will have to be set aside in your budget for up-dating. Older homes can have issues with mold, older wiring and plumbing or need a roof replacement soon. A thorough inspection will outline these concerns for you with respect to the home. Dated floor plans and smaller rooms can really turn a buyer off from an older home as well. Often the most valuable part of a resale home is going to be in its location, location, location.
What does it all mean?
Whether you decide to buy new, or existing, you need representation. A mistake we see too often is a prospective buyer decides they want a NEW home, so they go straight to the builder. Remember, the community sales office represents the BUILDER not you the buyer. Home inspections should be completed on a new or existing home as well.
By Jamie Bullock
www.USA-FloridaHomes.net
New Construction Pros
New Construction will charm you with its newness and readily maintained associations. It can be exciting to pick your floor plan (or have blue prints drawn for a custom built home).You are also able to choose your building materials and flooring. Modern floor plans better suite today's lifestyle of gathering in the kitchen area, and having a formal and non formal living space. A newly built home will have BRAND NEW EVERYTHING, be built to withstand mother nature, have larger rooms and offer luxury. A newly built home in most cases comes with a builder's home warranty and has up to date wiring ready to suite modern technologies.
New Construction Cons
When purchasing new construction, you can be limited geographically. If you are looking to live in a certain area, or in a specific school district then it may not be an option! Today's home lots are often much smaller than the lot of a resale home. When buying a newly constructed home, you may have to purchase appliances and window treatments because they might not be included in the price of the build-out. Many new home communities do not have mature landscaping yet and the associations are in their infancy, so the condition of the area in years to come will be left up to speculation. Let's not forget to mention that building can create budget and time restraints, which can cause stress until you get to the closing table.
Residential Resale Pros
Finding a house that fits all of your wants and needs in a specific school district or metro area may be easier with a resale home. Older resale homes can have charm, distinction and character that cannot be purchased or recreated in a new home. Often a resale home has existing window furnishings, mature landscaping, appliances and finished upgrades or fencing that would otherwise have to be purchased with New Construction. When looking at resale residential homes for sale, you can see immediately the kind of neighborhood you will be moving into and whether or not the association is actively involved in deed restriction. Another pro to purchasing resale is timing. If you don't have time to build - a resale is waiting for you to move into! Potential 'Sweat Equity' is also a great reason to purchase resale. You may have an opportunity to upgrade or modernize an existing home to increase its equity much quicker than you could increase the equity of a newly constructed home.
Residential Resale Cons
Now that we've discussed all of the 'charm' you can experience with a resale, lets talk about the 'not so charming' realities of resale. Resales can be out-dated, so money will have to be set aside in your budget for up-dating. Older homes can have issues with mold, older wiring and plumbing or need a roof replacement soon. A thorough inspection will outline these concerns for you with respect to the home. Dated floor plans and smaller rooms can really turn a buyer off from an older home as well. Often the most valuable part of a resale home is going to be in its location, location, location.
What does it all mean?
Whether you decide to buy new, or existing, you need representation. A mistake we see too often is a prospective buyer decides they want a NEW home, so they go straight to the builder. Remember, the community sales office represents the BUILDER not you the buyer. Home inspections should be completed on a new or existing home as well.
By Jamie Bullock
www.USA-FloridaHomes.net
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Market check for Jan-Jun 2010!
The inventory of available homes for sale is continuing to decline. This may be the time to buy! The average list price is 13% less compared to same time last year and the average sale price is 18% less to same time last year. Even though we've had some bumpy weeks the pending transactions are 18% more than same time last year.
For more information call me at 305-776-2025 or sign up for my newsletter!
For more information call me at 305-776-2025 or sign up for my newsletter!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Just listed!
Vacant lot in the Histrorical Area of Key West!
Lot is located in the Historical Preservation Area of Key West, includes 2 ROGO units. Existing structure on property needs to be preserved. Plans for 2 single family 2 story homes which implement the existing structure with pool and 2 off street parking available. Plans for one 3BD/2,5BA and one 3BD/3,5BA. Tremendous value!
For more information call me today: 305-776-2025!
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