I had this dream last week…. I dreamt I was on a beach, the water was crystal clear and the sugar sand was the color of cream laced iced coffee.  There were ocean birds galore, gulls and egrets were trolling the waters while pelicans occasionally drifted over my head.  I could hear the palm trees rustling in the breeze and subtropical flowers looked like photographs rather than reality.

Then I woke up.  It was no dream.  I was at the beach at Bahia Honda near Big Pine Key.  

My travel magazine told me that Bahia Honda was one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida and I had to find out for myself.  I’d been to Destin Beach in the Florida Panhandle, Daytona Beach on the east coast –  could Bahia Honda be even better? 

You’ll find that unlike Destin Beach or Daytona Beach, the water is quite deep and great for snorkeling!  There are numerous picnic spots, clean rest rooms ,and outside showers to wash off that gorgeous sand.

A State park, this park is big – 524 gorgeous acres of flowers and palms – found no where else but the West Indies.  Hurricanes, ocean waves, sea birds all “planted” the species.  They not only grew but thrived.

I’m a history buff and the Old Bahia Honda Bridge, constructed by Henry Flagler in 1917 was a destination place for me.  In 1903, Flagler began work on his most challenging engineering feat – a railroad from Miami to Key West.  The project spanned 50 miles through the Everglades and 106 miles over and between islands.  Workers encountered mosquitoes, quicksand lakes and hurricanes during construction and sadly the bridge was destroyed in 1936 by a hurricane.  Bring your camera because what was once the railway for the rich and famous has become one of the most photogenic structures in the Keys.  Hint:  My black and white photographs were spectacular!

If you want more structure, there are also planned activities available.  Dive and snorkel trips leave for the Loee Key Reef three times a day in the summer, weather permitting.  Charter boats and guides are booked in advance and when the fish are running, you better hustle if you want to use their services!  Be sure and read the regulations regarding spear fishing or the collecting of tropical fish – both are prohibited.

So if you’re ready to kick back and enjoy the island life in Key West or any of the Lower Keys, call Margarita Villoch! She is the only local real estate resource you’ll need.

Many people go to the Florida Keys because of the beauty and quiet.  But there is another reason to vacation in the Florida Keys; it is a great place to go if you want to keep your vacation green.  There are opportunities for green transportation, green accommodations and even eco-attractions.

First, you have to get to Key West, FL, which is closer to Havana, Cuba, than to Miami.  Since Key West is one of a group of islands off the Florida coast, you have a beautiful adventure ahead after you pass Miami.  You can take a “puddle jumper” airplane or drive across bridges on US-1.  Once you’re there, you might be able to do without a car, so consider alternative methods of travel such as a bike or scooter.  There are also hybrid taxi cabs and public transportation that make getting around Key West  very easy.  The Florida Green Lodging Program provides environmental guidelines for water usage, energy saving techniques, reduction of solid waste and preventing pollution.  Some lodgings provide additional energy saving measures such as energy efficient light bulbs, towel and sheet changing options, guest room recycling baskets and food related waste control.  There is also a new Water Conservation Hotel and Motel program in which enrolled establishments commit to reduce water usage.  These hotels and motels use high efficiency aerators in all the faucets and encourage customers to use linens more than once prior to replacing them.

There are multiple eco-attractions that can be found in the Florida Keys.  Conservation museums and preservation museums are popular ways to appreciate the Keys and learn about the history as well as current environmental efforts.  The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was established to protect a portion of the Florida Key’s barrier reef.  It is America’s first underwater preserve and was established in 1963.  The Marathon Wild Bird Center is another interesting eco-attraction it is one of the leading wild bird rescue centers in the Keys.  Other unique and interesting eco-attractions in the Florida Keys are the Dolphin Research Center, the Turtle Hospital and the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

Another important part of vacation is eating!  And Florida’s restaurants are also becoming more green.  Restaurants in the Keys have programs for recycling, use of biodegradable take-out containers, use of eco-friendly cleaning products and the installation of low-flow bathroom fixtures.  You can make you dinner a little greener by choosing local sustainable seafood like spiny lobster, Key West Pink shrimp or stone crabs.

If you enjoy your green vacation so much that you decide to make the Florida Keys your new home,  the person to contact is Margarita Villoch.  She is an excellent local resource on Florida Keys real estate.  Call Margarita and start packing!

If you are going to be in or near Key West on the 4^th of July, there are a variety of different activities that you could participate in.  All you have to do is decide which ones sound like the most fun!  Of course, there is a fireworks display courtesy of the Key West Rotary Club, but there are also other activities scheduled to take place during the day.

At 7:30 AM, there is an annual race sponsored by Crime Stoppers.  The race, which includes both a run and a walk, starts at Smathers Beach on South Roosevelt Blvd.  Following the race, Sheraton Suites Resort is sponsoring a post-race party.  It will take place at 2001 S. Roosevelt Blvd.  Then later in the day the Hospice/Visiting Nurse Association will be hosting its annual picnic at the Casa Marina.  The picnic is scheduled from 5pm – 9pm and will have a barbecue, a silent auction and raffles.  Additionally, the marina provides a great spot to watch the fireworks.

In Marathon, there is a Fourth of July parade that  starts on U.S. 1 and continues along Sombrero Beach Road to Sombrero Beach.  Once it reaches Sombrero Beach, there is a picnic with food, drink and entertainment.  Once the picnic is over, this is another great spot to watch fireworks!

Of course, the Fourth of July isn’t the only time there are activities in Key West.  July 20 – 25 are the 30^th Annual Hemingway Days.  This interesting festival includes a running of the bulls, a Hemingway look-a-like contest,  a short story contest, and a billfish tournament.  Other unique festivals throughout the year include  the 38^th Annual Poker Run where 10,000 motorcycles ride to Key West while collecting poker cards and the Fantasy Fest, Key West’s biggest Festival. 

Key West is a great place to live year round!  So contact your local real estate expert, Margarita Villoch and get ready to move!

Great news for members of the Armed Forces trying to buy a home in Key West! Congress has granted a one-year extension for service members who may have been serving overseas when the Home Buyer Tax Credit was originally offered.

The extension was provided with good reason. Many members of the military were serving overseas and could not take advantage of the program within the original deadlines. If you are a qualified service member, you can take advantage of an extension of the program. The new program deadline is April 30, 2011.

In the original tax credit, if the home buyer moved out of the home within the first three years of ownership, they had to repay the Tax Credit. This contingency has been waived for service members if the move is related to an official extended duty.

If you’d like to see if you qualify for the Armed Forces extension, check out Home Buyer Tax Credit site.  The main requirement is that you must have been on “official extended duty” between the dates of December 31, 2008 and May 1, 2010, with duration of duty being at least 90 days. Also, service members who returned to the US for medical care may still qualify for the extension.

Some guidelines remain the same. The income limits of $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for couples filing jointly still apply. The extension applies to both first time home buyers and repeat buyers, and is available to members of the military, Foreign Service, and intelligence communities.

So if you’re ready to kick back and enjoy the island life in Key West or any of the Lower Keys, call Margarita Villoch! She is the only local real estate resource you’ll need.

Heaven can be found in Key West, well Blue Heaven can be anyway! Located at 729 Thomas Street, this restaurant is a local favorite. Everything about this little slice of heaven reflects life in Key West. A colorful history and laid back atmosphere might make you do a double take at the wonderful foods that exit the kitchen.

Having been everything from a bordello to an ice cream parlor, you can still see hints of Old Key West. In the upstairs Bordello Gallery you can still see the peep holes in the walls. The courtyard still boasts the slate pool table tops from days gone by. It is said Ernest Hemingway officiated a boxing match or two on the property as well.

If the rich Key West history doesn’t pique your interest, the food will. Breakfast is a leisurely affair running from 8 am until noon. Order a Mimosa and sit back to enjoy lobster bites, Betty’s Banana Bread, or even some pecan pancakes. Of course, you have to try the Shrimp and Grits too!

If you are ready for lunch you can try a Vermont White Cheddar grill cheese or Goombay Gumbo. For dinner the choices may make your mouth water too! Caribbean BBQ Shrimp, Jamaican Jerk Chicken and fresh seafood entrees. According to one patron, Chef Dan’s scallop sauce “would make cardboard taste good.”

Blue Heaven restaurant has lots of Key West character! Check it out and enjoy good food and good company in true island style. When you are ready to relocate to Key West or the Lower Keys, call Margarita Villoch! She can help you find a home to suit your tastes!!

When you move into a new home, wouldn’t it be great to have assurance that everything will be right?  Even though you have had your home inspected, appliances and systems can surprise you with sudden outages.  Home warranties can be very beneficial to buyers who are looking at purchasing a pre-owned home in Key West.

A warranty protects you as the buyer by paying for covered repairs or replacement of major appliances and systems in the home if they should break during the time frame covered of the policy. Even sellers can benefit from a home warranty by purchasing a policy to cover the home during the listing period.  The coverage can then be transferred to the buyer when the house is sold. Even if the seller does not have a policy in place, the buyer can purchase a policy of their own or negotiate it as part of their contract.

Most of the home warranties cover the home for one year from purchase. They average in price from $250-$500 depending on the coverage you chose. There are many home warranty companies in Florida so you can compare rates and coverage to find the plan that works best for you.

You can be covered for such things as major appliances, heating and air, plumbing, and hot water heaters so that if there is a problem within the 1st year, you simply call the insurance company and they will send a repairman to fix the problem. There is usually a service charge outlined in the policy that can range from $45 -$75. If a covered problem cannot be repaired, the appliance will most likely be replaced! Just like any insurance policy, it is fine if you don’t need to use it, but a life saver if you do!

A home warranty can help save some of the expense and frustration in dealing with these unexpected repairs.  If you have more questions about home warranties or about Key West properties for sale, call Margarita Villoch, your local real estate resource! If you are ready to live the island life, come on down to the southernmost point of the USA!

So where can you go in Key West to sample great dishes from more than 50 top restaurants and help in the fight against AIDS at the same time? At the Taste of Key West event on April 19^th! This is the 15^th year for the culinary feast and each year it gets better.

Held at the Truman Waterfront, the top chefs from the area will be creating samples of their best work. Of course with great food you need some great wines. Republic National Distributing will be providing wines from over 100 vineyards and wineries. Admission is free and those attending can purchase food and wine tickets for $1 each. Each sample costs three to eight tickets.

The 15^th Annual Taste of Key West will benefit Florida Keys’ AIDS Help Inc. Established in 1986; the organization is dedicated to ensuring the quality of life for those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Monroe County. They offer assistance in everything from holding clinics to helping clients create an Individual Care plan. If you want to be a part of reaching out to those in need, there are volunteer positions available.

In Key West we are all One Human Family! If you are ready to live the island life right here in the good ol’ USA, call Margarita Villoch. Whether it is the Lower Keys or Key West she can help you find the right place to call home and relax.

 A small island in the Florida Keys, No Name Key has been the center of attention in recent months. For the last twenty years, the debate has continued about bringing commercial electricity to the island. Currently, no power lines or water lines run from the mainland to No Name Key.

This little island is about 30 miles from Key West. 820 of its 998 acres are a federally protected Key Deer Refuge. The earliest record of people living on the island, date back to the 1870’s. No Name Key was a landing site for the ferry in the early 1900’s. Traveling by ferry was the only way to get from the Upper Keys to Key West before the bridges were built.

The ferry station did have a hotel and even a utility pole, but that was for telephone lines for the station. In 1967 the old wooden bridge was replaced by a concrete bridge and people began to move onto No Name Key again. The residents have long been divided on bringing electricity to their community.

While all the homes are off the grid, not everyone can agree that the 42 homes on the island can be considered “green.” Using lead acid batteries and generators as a back up to solar power, some residents argue that commercial electricity is actually a cleaner solution. They also maintain they have no intention of doing away with solar power being the primary source of energy.

If electricity is brought to the island, it will likely increase property values. Those who do not wish to hook into the grid don’t have to. And that is where the heart of the debate lies; most residents feel they should have the choice. Everyone on No Name Key agrees they want what is best for their community and the ecosystem around them.

If you are interested in living in a “green” home in the Florida Keys, call Margarita Villoch! She is your Key West and Lower Keys real estate resource. Enjoy island living right here in the USA!

Key West is truly a cultural melting pot. One of the biggest influences you can see from our many cultures is in the cuisine. From Conch fritters to Tostones Rellenos at El Meson de Pepe’, the Keys have a flavor all their own! Then there’s the coffee! One thing that definitely needs to be on your list of Key West things to try is a Café Cubano!

Café Cubano is known by several names: Cuban coffee, Cuban shots, cafecito, buchito, and Cuban espresso are the most well known. The basics are the same. Café Cubano is an espresso shot sweetened with sugar as it is being brewed. The result is a sweet and smooth espresso that can be drunk on its own or used for the base of some amazing café drinks!

The traditional Cuban breakfast starts with Café Con Leche and toasted Cuban bread! Café Con Leche is the espresso served in a cup of steamed milk, somewhat similar to a latte, only presweetened. Bucci is the local Key West name for a small shot of Cuban espresso.

Of course, if you want to be the star of the office, swing by and pick up a Colada on your way to work. This large cup of café is served with 4-5 shot glasses so you can share with your friends! Definitely a great way to win friends and influence people!!

So the next time you are in Key West, head over to the Cuban Coffee Queen with a group of good friends and enjoy a Colada together. Once you have tried it you’ll understand why in Key West, “hello” is often followed by an invitation to have some café!

When you are ready to live the island life, call Margarita Villoch! She is your resource for real estate in Key West. Whether you want a winter home or a year round residence, her team can help you find the perfect place to enjoy your morning bucci!

Want to stay in the Key West home you love but finding it hard to make the payment?

If you can hold on  a little longer, hope may be on the horizon for you and other distressed homeowners in the state. Florida will be receiving $418 million dollars to help those who are unemployed and behind on their mortgage. Assistance will also be available for those who are overleveraged on their homes here in Key West and throughout the state.

The Housing Finance Agency Innovation Fund for the Hardest-Hit Housing Markets (HFA Hardest-Hit Fund) is aimed at preventing foreclosures by offering help to those most in need. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation, a state funded agency, will be providing updates and information on the status of the stimulus.

Florida is one of only five states that will be part of the program. (The others are California, Nevada, Arizona, and Michigan.)  1.5 billion dollars is allocated for the fund and distribution was based on how hard the area had been hit by the housing crisis and unemployment. Homeowners can sign up for email updates through Florida’s Housing Finance Corporation.

Each state’s proposals will be in by mid-April so the program should start going into effect in late summer or early fall. By lowering the number of foreclosures on the market, the government is hoping to stabilize housing prices in the affected states. There are several ways the program hopes to accomplish its goal.

Primarily the program will focus on mortgage modifications, but incentives for financial institutions are being offered if they agree to write-down portions of unpaid principal balances where there is a drastic negative equity. Help with short sales and deeds in lieu of foreclosure will also be provided under the proposed plan.

Making the short sale process easier helps homeowners and buyers. If you are interested in short sales or distressed properties in Key West or the Lower Keys call Margarita Villoch, your real estate resource for island living in the USA!