All Blog Entries by Dan Boyle

If you've only heard tales of Key West, the title of this article may conjure images of unrestricted debauchery and the inevitable hangover and jail time that often accompanies it. The true story of Key West is actually quite different. While you'll surely encounter some questionable conduct on your visit, Key West is really a charming place with great restaurants, an electric nightlife, and beautiful beaches. Of course, the homes for sale in Key West are like nothing else. You may be surprised to learn that the demographics on Duval Street are weighted heavily toward the over-40 and way-over-40 crowds.

We've lived on Marco Island for over twelve years, and one of our favorite things to do has always been to take a long weekend in Key West. Even

Searching for a home on the market can be an overwhelming experience, especially if its your first time. You're excited about new beginnings and yet most likely worried about the process as well. The process can be a little confusing. There are new terms to learn - like "contingent."

While searching for your next house, you think you found the perfect one. Then, you happen to notice that it has been listed as "contingent." What does that even mean? We're here to guide you through just what contingent means in real estate. We have a complete overview to fully inform you and give you the savvy you need to navigate your next real estate purchase.

Let's Define Contingent Real Estate

First things first, let's take a broad look at what the word

The Marco Island real estate market is always brisk in the winter. It's the time of year where every day seems to be sunny and 80 degrees. This year, though, it's crazy. It's crazy in a lot of places. The Covid nightmare is nearly over, and buyers are coming out and making up for lost time. With inventory at extremely low levels, bidding wars are happening all over the place. It's become unusual actually to sign a contract without one. At Land & Sea, we are applying every strategy to avoid bidding wars, but sometimes they're inevitable. 

How do you avoid a bidding war? In a word - speed. We're successfully getting contracts without a competing bidder stepping in by moving fast. Now, I'm not suggesting adopting a reckless mentality and throwing caution

Good Times

Are we experiencing a real estate bubble? By all accounts, the Florida housing market saw some vigorous activity in 2020. Some parts of Florida saw sales volumes increase over 50% year-over-year. Prices have moved up steadily during the period too. Incredibly, the pace has only increased in the first two months of 2021. Tempered only by the low inventory, it appears that the strong surge in market activity won't slow down anytime soon. With all of the disruption caused by Covid-19, many have opined that a crash, or at least a correction must lie around the corner. But does it?

The Florida Housing Crash of 2006

Yes, it's been fifteen years already since the Florida housing market reversed course and entered a freefall that would take

This beautiful home sits on a half-acre lot in the most prestigious neighborhood in Marco Island. Surrounded by multi-million dollar homes, 681 S Barfield is a rare opportunity. Boasting 4BR/3.5BA and over 3300 s.f., even large families will have more than enough room to make themselves at home. Tastefully decorated in the popular “Tommy Bahama” style with high-end furnishings and decor, all you have to do is move right in. The large outdoor living area with new Summer Kitchen and large pool and hot tub expands your entertaining space another 3000 s.f. See all of the details and more photos here.

This property has been meticulously maintained. The kitchen, baths, paint, and real wood flooring are less than 10 years old. For peace of mind, the

Why Weekly Rentals Matter to Buyers

Unfortunately, not everyone has the time or the budget to spend a month, much less three or four, vacationing on Marco Island. For our snowbirds, a months-long stay on Marco Island is typical. For the non-retired or budget conscious this simply isn't possible. As a real estate investor on Marco Island, you have to evaluate the opportunities and set your goals accordingly. An important factor in choosing the best property is going to be the minimum rental periods imposed by the various condominiums.

Most Marco Island condos require a minimum rental period of 30 days. Many owners love this. Why? Because resident turnover is minimized. It's quieter. While this is a must-have for most, it can be a negative if your

Who doesn’t want to venture to the beach for vacation? Owning a vacation property on Marco Island can be both fun and lucrative. You never have to scramble to find the best place to rent for the right price, plus you can profit by renting it to other vacationers! There are so many great properties from which to choose. It can be difficult to decide. So, why Southwest Florida? Why Marco Island? The list of reasons is a long one but for starters, it doesn’t have the touristy traffic that many other beaches and islands do. In addition, the island itself is beautiful. There are water and palm trees everywhere. Plus, there are tons of parks and green spaces to help preserve the island’s natural beauty. How do you start looking? Read below for a breakdown of