![]() ![]() “It has a lot to do with the hurricane, and they realized how vulnerable they are out there,” said Trent Shaw, who is also a Christie’s real estate specialist at American Caribbean Real Estate in Islamorada. Shaw and her realtor son, Trent, include among their clients many who lost homes in the Caribbean to Irma and the other powerful hurricanes of 2017 and now want the security of the U.S. ![]() In an unusual twist, Irma’s devastation is said to be a factor behind the strong demand in the Keys, mostly for second homes. It’s a quality of life decision, and if they can afford it, they’re going right ahead.” “But at the luxury level, many people have taken wealth out of the markets and are going ahead and making their moves. But we actually writing contracts through the holidays, so it’s encouraging.” “Normally this is a time of tire-kicking, through the holidays, and then the selling starts in earnest in February, March and April. “It’s shaping up to be a very nice year-lots of activity,” he said. Russell Post, president and broker/owner of Russell Post Sotheby’s International Realty in Key Largo, said he’s cautiously optimistic about 2019, barring some unforeseen circumstance, such as a catastrophic world event, or another hurricane. And while prices dropped slightly, according to data, Monroe County still ranked as the most expensive in southern Florida with a luxury entry point of $1.75 million, tied with Collier County, home to Naples. Throughout Monroe County, which encompasses the 113-mile string of small islands from Key Largo south to Key West, sales of million-dollar homes were up 13.3%in 2018 over the previous, storm-disrupted year. The average sales price was up 7% last year, increasing from $569,615 to $614,076. Even so, the market is now strongly rebounding, with listings up 23% through December compared to a year ago, as houses are rebuilt and restored. The city of Marathon, for instance, suffered widespread damage when the Category 4 storm made landfall on Sept. No part of the Keys was spared damage, but the hardest hit were the Middle Keys, around the city of Marathon. ![]()
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