Florida Keys homes for sale, Gary McAdams, eXp Realty

Sunday Brunch, Little Palm Island

Little Palm Island is a luxury resort and restaurant located 3 miles off a Little Torch Key. You can get there by taking their shuttle ferry, seaplane or your own boat. Little palm island is known for many great things but one of the most popular is there a Sunday brunch.

There are two things you need to bring with you to attend Sunday brunch at Little panda island. The first is your appetite. The brunch buffet usually consists of over 100 items ranging from your typical eggs and bacon to a meat carving station with roast beef and lamb, a large array of seafood, cheese platters, a dessert bar to die for and mimosas. The other thing you need to bring is a big wallet. The price for Sunday brunch is $199 per person and that does not include any drinks or gratuity.

There are four separate seating’s for Sunday brunch. You meet the shuttle ferry at the shore station on Little Torch Key and can get on the 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 or 12:30 boat. The typical timeframe for Sunday brunch is about an hour and a half. Once done, you catch the shuttle ferry back to little torch key. One thing I can guarantee you is you will be full.

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas

Fort Jefferson, also known as the Dry Tortugas, is a national park located about 75 miles west of Key West. It was originally a military fort and prison used during the Civil War time. The building of the fort started in 1846 and completed in 1875.

There were many war prisoners housed out at Fort Jefferson. Among the most famous was Dr. Samuel Mudd. Dr Mudd was charged with helping John Wills Booth escape. Booth was the person who killed President Abraham Lincoln. He broke his leg while fleeing after he killed President Lincoln. Dr. Mudd set the broken leg and sent Booth on his way. During Dr. Mudd’s incarceration at Fort Jefferson, they had an outbreak of malaria and other inmates and prison workers were dying. Dr. Mudd made a deal where he would treat everybody and cure the malaria in exchange for his freedom.

Today for Jefferson is a national Park and a large tourist attraction. The only way to get out there is my boat or seaplane. A lot of the original fort still remains and is open for tours. You can even go inside Dr. Mudd’s cell. The waters around four Jefferson I reputed to be some of the best snorkeling in all of the state of Florida. For Jefferson is also known as a bird watch is Paradise where you can see any number of different species of rare birds. It is a trip worth taking if you’re visiting the Florida Keys.

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

No Name Key

No Name Key is a very unique island and a nature lovers paradise. People who live there absolutely love it and many people who don’t live there say they never would. No Name Key does not have any electricity. All the homes are powered by solar energy or generator. The homes tend to be much larger lots offering plenty of space and privacy.

The only way to get to No Name Key over the No Name Bridge. Just on the other side of the bridge is No Name Drive. No Name Drive ends in a dead end cul-de-sac. At the very end one of the residents put up a homemade sign made from plywood and spray paint that says “You’re nowhere”. You will see many species of unique birds, and abundance of key deer and once in a while a bald eagle on No Name Key. There is a feeling of peace and tranquility once you cross the bridge. Having no electricity of course means there are no streetlights. On a clear night there is an amazing view of the stars. When I first moved to the Florida Keys I lived in a section of Big Pine Key card the Doctor’s Arm. I lived right on the open water looking across Bogie Channel at No Name Key. It was very peaceful at night looking across the water with nothing but the star is lighting up the channel.

If you get a chance to come down to the Florida Keys be sure to add a ride over to No Name Key to your list of things to do. Don’t forget to stop at the No Name Pub which is right on the Big Pine side of the No Name Bridge. The beer is cold and the pizza is delicious. As long as you’re there, give me a call and we can go look at some homes for sale.

Gary McAdams, PA

Key West, Florida

Realtor, Notary Public

Barbara A. Anderson Realty

Serving Key West and the Florida Keys

Just Sold

Just Sold, 3029 N Roosevelt Blvd, Unit 19, Key West, $579,000.

One of the nicest homes in the desirable Key Cove community, completely renovated, stainless steel appliances, end unit super bright and aery, super low insurances- $3,700 a year for all wind, flood and homeowners. Great home in a convenient location close to everything.

If you missed this one, don’t worry, there are plenty more. Call me today for a list of available homes and Key West, Gary Mcadams, Realtor, 305-731-0501

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

Let’s enjoy a Mojito

The Mojito is a very popular rum drink in Key West. It originally got his popularity in Cuba. Rum is the drink of choice in Cuba and is well liked in Key West too.

It if common belief that the Mojito was invented by African slaves working in the fields of Cuba. It is thought that the slaves gave their aguardiente concoction the name “Mojito” from the word mojo which means “to cast a spell”. It is also believed that the Mojito was originally used as a medicine.

The recipe for a Mojito calls for 1.5 ounces of white rum, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 6 mint leaves and soda water. To prepare the drink muddle the mint, sugar and lime. Add the rum and soda water (amount of soda water can vary to your desired taste). Garnish with a couple more mint leaves and serve over ice.

Come on down to Key West and enjoy a Mojito. As long as you’re here let’s shop for your dream house.

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

Tenting your house for termites, a necessary evil

I often have buyers see houses with termite tents on them and get scared. My advice to them is not to worry, it is routine maintenance. Every house in Southern Florida has termites at some point. They are not the subterranean termites you hear about up north that will eat the house. It would require decades of untreated termite infestation to cause structural damage. Luckily, there are many visible signs of termite activity in a home in the Florida Keys. I told my clients that part of owning a home in Southern Florida is tenting it every 5-10 years. Think of it along the same lines of painting the house up North. If you lived on the ocean in New England you would probably have to paint your house every 5 to 10 years. Same idea with tenting for termites in Southern Florida.

Tenting is a fumigation process where the termite company will place tarps, the “tent” over the entire structure and release a fumigants throughout the structure. This fumigant will get into every crevice and crack throughout the structure where termites may tunnel and live killing and eliminating them. This fumigant can also be deadly to people too. The termite company will completely secure the house, lock the tents on in place warning signs around the entire property. Any people or pets must be out of the house during the tenting process which takes 3 to 5 days. After the fumigation process, the termite company will remove the tent and open all windows and doors to let the house air out for a few hours. At that point it is safe to return to the house. The termite companies and manufacturers of the fumigant claim that it is safe to come in the house and live every day life without wiping up or even washing your dishes. That very well may be the case but personally I go on the safe side and wash everything down before returning to normal life in my home.

Tenting your home is a pretty simple process. I make a vacation out of it and go out of town for the days I can’t be in the house. Sometimes I’ll get a hotel locally and play tourist vacationing in Key West. If you’re out and about looking at homes to buy in the Florida Keys and see tents on some of the houses, don’t be alarmed, it is a normal part of homeownership in Southern Florida.

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

Have fun Jetskiing around the Island

Key West has as many tourist attractions as we have tourists. Some of them are a lot of fun and some of them not so much. Whether you prefer being on the water or on land you will always have something to do in Key West. My favorite of all the tourist attractions is the JetSki tour around the island. It is approximately 28 miles and takes about two hours. There are several different Watersports companies who offer this tour and all of them are very good. My favorite is Barefoot Billy’s. They operate out of the Waldora-Astooria CasaMarina Resort.

You meet on the beach of the Casa Marina and get set up with your JetSki. The tour guide will spend about 15 minutes going over the tour, the different sites you’ll see, the rules and, most importantly, safe operation of the JetSki. At some points during the tour you could be moving across the water at over 60 mph. Safety is the most important thing so everyone has fun.

You will leave the Cassa Marina and head to the famous Southernmost Point. The tour stops here for a minute allowing people to take a picture of the Southernmost Point buoy with the view from the water. Then you continue on to the next stop which is Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. From there you drive along to Mallory Square where the famous Key west Sunset festival takes place. Next stop is at what they call “the playground”. That is where they take about a 45 minute stop and just drive around in a wide open area playing on the JetSki’s going as fast or as slow as you want, jump each other’s wakes, doing spins and usually falling off the JetSki. No worries though, it’s very easy to get back on and if you need help with the tour guide is always willing to lend a hand. From there you drive along past the Florida Keys Community College getting a few from the water. You continue under the Cow Key Channel bridge past Hurricane Hole Marina then by the marina at the Coconut Mallory Resort. Next you pass by some of the most expensive real estate in Key West. One house you will see recently sold for $5 million and another one is currently for sale for $12 million. Next is what they called the race track. That’s when you open the JetSki up as fast as it will go for about 3 miles. Often times you are exceeding 60 miles an hour, which on the water, feels a lot faster than it does in a car. The last stop is at the White street pier just off of Higgs Beach. From there you go back to the Casa Marina Resort for the end of the tour where I guarantee you will be tired.

Once the tour is over, unwind with a frozen cocktail. The Cassa Marina has a great little tiki bar right on the beach. Personally, I suggest a frozen rum runner. Enjoy!!

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

Grouper, fun to catch and delicious to eat

Grouper is one of the most well-known fish in the Florida Keys. They are both fun to catch and delicious to eat.

Although they are fun to catch that doesn’t mean they are easy to catch. Anglers travel to the Florida keys from all over the world hoping to land that large Grouper. They all have their own self claimed secret weapons to lower out these fish. Groupers are mostly found in deeper water offshore and will often hide among the rocks. This presents a couple challenges for the fishermen. Not only do they have to lower the grouper out of that rock hole but the fish will often return to the rocks once hooked which can easily break the line.

Once caught and cleaned Grouper can be cooked many ways and are considered by many to be a delicacy. You will find this fish pan-seared, baked or stuffed in a fine dining restaurant paired with a nice bottle of wine. It can also be found in a local pub or tavern served blackened or fried for fish & chips or a grouper sandwich. Let’s not forget a grouper fish taco served at a side of the road food cart which is my favorite way.

There are many different species of grouper. The ones most often found in the Florida Keys are black grouper, red grouper, gag grouper and the goliath grouper which is also known as a jewfish. The black, red and gag grouper will range anywhere from 10 to over 100 pounds. The goliath grouper have been known to grow up to over 600 pounds. Beware though, the goliath grouper are protected by law and illegal to harvest. I know it is very tempting to keep that 300+ pound fish if you catch it but the law is very strict on that and you will be prosecuted. Catch and release is the way to go with a goliath grouper.

What are you waiting for? Come on down to the Florida Keys, catch some grouper and cook up a feast. If you spend the day on the water fishing but strike out, no problem, we have hundreds of great restaurants with grouper on the menu. As long as you’re here, give me a call at 305-731-0501 and I’ll show you some great homes for sale.

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

Great White Shark returned to the Florida Keys

The movie “Jaws” was released in 1975 and the great white shark became known as a lethal killer. Although the great wehites certainly are capable of killing, they are actually fairly docile animals. Most great white sightings show them as swimming around by themselves only killing fish and sea life that they intend to eat. One well known great white shark that researchers have named Unami’ki is a 15 foot 2,076 pound shark has visited the Florida Keys in the winters just like a tourist.

Unami’ki made her “Snowbird” appearance off Key Largo. She was “pinged”about 3 miles offshore on Thursday morning. Her visit cost a lot of excitement among nature lovers in shark enthusiasts.

The nonprofit shark research group Ocearch fitted Unami’ki with an electronic tracking device in September of 2019. Scientists from the nonprofit have confirmed that she was indeed visiting Florida. She was recently seen northeast of the Bahamas about a week ago and was pinged off Vero Beach last Sunday. Scientists pinged her off of Nova Scotia in August. This shows just how far the Great White sharks will travel in a short period of time.

Similar to what she did last year, scientists expect she will circle the Florida keys and move into the Gulf of Mexico.

Ocerch is tracking Unami’ki, whose name means “Land of the fog” in the language indigenous people of Nova Scotia, along with two other large great whites in hopes of learning where the sharks give birth and exposing a new great white shark nursery.

Unama’ki It’s one of the largest great white sharks ever tracked by, Ocerch, only seconds to a 16 foot female tagged in 2016. There is no need for a residents or tourists of the Florida Keys to be concerned about this great white shark. She has never been cited closer than 2 miles to the shoreline and there is no record of her harming any humans.

Gary McAdams, PA

Key West, Florida

Realtor, Notary Public

Barbara A. Anderson Realty

Serving Key West and the Florida Keys

1317 Elizabeth Street, Key West, pick of the week

We have a lot of great homes available for sale in Key West and the Florida keys. Once in a while I’ll come across one that is such a great deal I’ll call it my “Pick of the week”. This week it is 1317 Elizabeth Street in Key West offered at $675,000. That is a great price for Old Town

Investors Special! This duplex, nestled in the heart of Old Town, is located on peaceful, one-way Elizabeth Street. From the moment you park your car in the driveway, you are greeted by your generous outdoor living area. The front one-bedroom unit offers a wonderful covered porch and outdoor space for entertaining your guests. The rear one-bedroom unit has a gated side and backyard with a relaxing patio leading off the main living area. The laundry and storage shed are also located off the back unit. The spacious yard would allow room for the addition of a pool. This idyllic location is a short stroll to the beach, restaurants, world-famous Duval Street, and all that Key West has to offer. Call today for your private showing.

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

If Once You’ve Slept on an Island

The poem below is by Rachel Lyman Field. It gives a very nice feeling of white living in the Florida Keys is like. I first saw this poem posted at Little Palm Island, a luxurious resort located about 3 miles off of Kittle Torch Key. This poem hung framed in the front lobby where you checked in to go out to the island. I was the boat captain taking guests out to spend their vacation on Little Palm Island when I first saw this poem.

If once you have slept on an island

You'll never be quite the same;
You may look as you looked the day before
And go by the same old name,
You may bustle about in street and shop
You may sit at home and sew,
But you'll see blue water and wheeling gulls
Wherever your feet may go.
You may chat with the neighbors of this and that
And close to your fire keep,
But you'll hear ship whistle and lighthouse bell
And tides beat through your sleep.
Oh! you won't know why and you can't say how
Such a change upon you came,
But once you have slept on an island,
You'll never be quite the same.

*The above poem is the work of Poet Rachel Lyman Field and is copyrighted. I am not claiming responsibility for writing or creating this poem in full or any part of it. It was just something I enjoyed and wanted to share with my Readers.

Gary McAdams, PA

Key West, Florida

Realtor, Notary Public

Barbara A. Anderson Realty

Serving Key West and the Florida Keys

Why are people born in Key West called “Conchs”?

When people speak of the Key West Conch, they may be referring to the large sea snail that lives in the depths of the Gulf of Mexico surrounding the Florida Keys. But most often the term refers to Key West natives—the first settlers and the long-time residents of Key West.

Americans loyal to the British crown after the war, Tories, were not very popular, so they fled the southern states to the next British colony, the Bahamas. Unfortunately, the British Parliament started taxing the Bahamians on their food just like they taxed Bostonians on their tea. The Bahamians said they'd rather eat conch than pay taxes and that is just what they did. They came up with 27 different ways to eat this animal.

Throughout the years, many came to know and use the term Conch to describe the locals, and those who made the island their home were proud to be nicknamed Key West Conchs.

The story continues when in April of 1982, the city of Key West declared itself the Conch Republic. This historic event was an act of protest against the United States Border Patrol when a blockade was set-up on US Highway 1, just north of the entrance into the Florida Keys. Visitors and residents alike were stopped, asked for identification and forced to prove their American citizenship. An uproar ensued—how could the United States shut-off the only land route into the Keys? Key West tourism suffered and as such the economy in the Keys began to decline.

Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow and several determined Key Conchs went to Federal court in Miami to seek an injunction to stop the federal blockade. When their plea was denied, the Mayor told TV reporters that the following day the Florida Keys would secede from the Union. The next day, as promised, Mayor Wardlow stood in Mallory Square and led the Conch Republic Rebellion which lasted tapproximately one minute and was followed by a surrender to the US Navy Admiral in Key West. Dennis was actually a groomsman in my wedding.

Although these events took place nearly 39 years ago, the name Conch Republic stuck and those who live in the Florida Keys officially hold dual citizenship—they are American Citizens and Conchs!

Today, visitors to Key West are likely to meet an assortment of interesting Conchs out and around town - and if you’re in the mood for even more adventures, stop by a local watering hole for a refreshing cocktail and a smoldering bowl of authentic Key West Conch chowder. And don't miss the best conch fritters which you can find at Mallory Square.

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

Orchids in Key West and the Florida Keys

One of the many great things about living in the Florida keys is that we are able to grow orchids year-round. I have both indoor and outdoor orchids in my home. I am fascinated by the outdoor orchids that I can just use the cloth from a pair of women’s nylons to tie them to a tree or the side of the house, water them for a couple weeks, remove the nylon and the orchid has adhered to the tree or house and will grow from there. They are really pretty simple plants to maintain once you understand a few of the basic needs. I had one grower tell me that the worst thing you can do to your orchids is love them too much. What she meant was water them, prune them and try to maintain them more than what is necessary. People may not think we have a winter season in the Florida Keys but if you ask anyone who lives here we will tell you it gets colder. Below are a few tips on how to care for your orchids as the cold weather comes.

Just like people, orchids needs change with the seasons. Water and fertilizer requirements change. Watch temperatures carefully and tailor your watering to the needs of the orchids, rather than to a rigid schedule which worked during the hotter summer months.

Watch the changing light conditions – Spring and fall are times when you need to pay particular attention to changing light conditions. As the sun moves, the light conditions on both your indoor and outdoor orchids are also changing. Make sure that low light orchids are not suddenly in a hot spot of sun. High light plants should be watched for too much shade. Mid-late fall is the time to remove shade covers and extra shading from windows.

Prepare to bring plants inside – If you’ve been lucky enough to be able to summer your orchids outside, start preparing them for the move back inside. Check for insects in the media by dunking in a pail of water to force the insects out and kill any that you find. Roaches love to live in orchid mix and will eat roots while they are there. Clean and cut back old growth so that when a sudden weather change comes you can easily move your plants inside.
Clean up your indoor growing area – Prepare your indoor area for your plants. Clean any areas and straighten up supplies. This is easier to do when you have fewer orchids in the space. Are you planning to add humidity trays or fans for this growing season? Go ahead and order the items and install them so that your plants will have the best conditions you can supply.

Check your orchid labels – As you are checking your plants, make sure that the labels are clear and readable. It normally only takes about three years for the labels to deteriorate — less time if they are of poor quality. Use heavy labels and an indelible marker to clearly identify your plants. Even if you have only a few plants it is important to know what they are so that you can give them the proper conditions to grow and bloom.
Phals need a cooling period – Fall is the time to move your Phals to a cool spot, around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit or 10-15 degrees centigrade at night, until you see inflorescences starting at the base of the plant. When the growths are about 2 inch or 5 centimetres long, the plants can be moved back to their normal growing conditions and the spike will continue to grow.
Another good tip my friend who is an orchid grower gave me was just experiment and don’t be afraid of one dies. Orchids are relatively inexpensive and an easy hobby to get into with a small amount of money invested and a little bit of your time.

Gary McAdams, PA

Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara Anderson Realty

Key West, Florida

Key West Eyebrow Houses

When I first started working as a Key West Realtor I would try to spend an hour each day driving around the island looking at the different houses and architecture. We really have some beautiful homes in Key West. The eyebrow houses are by far my favorite. The roof overhanging the top windows not only off of privacy but they keep the house cooler during the high sunlight hours. One of the things I like most about the eyebrow houses is they are unique to Key West.

Many a Key West visitor has spotted the disproportioned roof on an eyebrow house and thought, The carpenter must have really screwed up on that one. But Key West’s trademark form of architecture is supposed to look that way.

The Classical Revival style eyebrow houses are side oriented gable-roofed buildings usually five bays wide and 1 1/2 or two stories tall. They are distinguished by a gable roof extension that creates a large awning over the top floor windows. The roof extension is the reason they have the eyebrow moniker, though I think “eyelid house” would be more fitting.

Most of Key West’s historic residences were built with one goal: block out the sun. Eyebrow houses take this to the extreme. Back in the late 1800’s when most of these houses were constructed, sun-shading vegetation was sparse in Key West. There is no natural source of freshwater on the island, so, historically, Key Wester’s relied on cisterns and desalination plants–and they sure weren’t going to waste that precious liquid on water-chugging trees and plants. That changed once a water pipelines reached Key West in 1942, and the junglelike Key West we know today was born. The proliferation of shady trees–along with air conditioning–has freed up Conchs to focus on more important features when building homes, like where they’re going to put the bar.

Alex Caemmerer suggests in his “The Houses of Key West” that the eyebrow house is derived from either the Louisiana 5 Bay Center hall house or salt box of New England. Key West’s residents were inspired by both locales, so either makes sense.

The eyebrow houses repelled rays, but they probably didn’t do much for airflow on the top floor. Maybe that is why they seem to be limited to Key West. According to the Historic Florida Keys foundation, approximately 75 historic eyebrow houses exist. Photographed below are those I spotted while biking around the city last month.

If you find yourself driving or walking around Key west looking at The different types of architecture, be sure to make note of the eyebrow houses. Better yet, call me at 305-731-0501 to show you a couple of them. You too can live in Key West and I can help you make that dream come true.

Gary McAdams, PA

Key West, Florida Realtor and Notary Public

Barbara A. Anderson Realty

Serving Key West and the Florida Keys