We sit down with Chad and Amy who recently purchased a home here in the Florida Keys. They share their thoughts with us as they look back on their home purchase process in Marathon.
So packed full of wonderful information and interesting ideas! Thank y'all so much for this interview! Have a wonderful father's day weekend, God bless!
Just got back from the keys. 2nd time down there and are going to start planing to buy a place to rent a bit for now but retire there eventually. It’s our favorite place to be.
Yah Wisconsin! It seems alot of people from here visit Florida (we ran into a few). We just got back from the Keys 2 days ago. It would be awesome to move there, so thanks for this info!
Great video guys with lots of good info. Being a Canadian I can't live full time in the US, we are allowed a max of 6 months in a calender year in the States. I would have to rent out the home for the time we are back home in British Columbia. I agree with Chad that being on a canal with a place for a Boat is a must. I couldn't see living there if not on the water. A home built to hurricane standards and on stilts is a must for me. Thanks for the video . Brian
I agree with you Brian, a home on the water is just a must for us as well. BUT, we may have to make sacrifices before we get to that spot! The place we rent now is an awesome location but we know this won't last and the home we may could afford most likely won't be on the water.
Pretty cool interview. I live in WI about 1.5 hours from where these folks live and dream of retirement in the Key's. I got a condo reserved on Marathon next week!
We closed on a house on Sugarloaf Shores last month. In the middle of a remodel right now. It all depends on what you want and what you can afford. The market is crazy right now.
Thanks Guys, great idea for a video! My wife and I are currently looking to buy in Key Colony and the insurance discussion you had brought up is exactly what we're going through right now. You might be able to do an entire video just discussing that very topic because it's such a huge consideration when discussing real estate in paradise! Of course, so many purchase in cash down there it may not be as big of a problem for some. See ya at Lazy Days some time!
Gables On The Go that would be awesome. I know the flood maps are due to change in the near future so understanding those changes might make for a informative video, at least for me!
Cool interview. Much respect for all as every person’s goal is different. Appreciate how the couples keep working at it and listening to each other. But....that darn fishing sure is a Driver in Decision Making! Know it first hand. #SaltLife #LiveToFish Be well.
Best wishes for everybody here. I never meant to be negative in any prior comments, but this has not countered the 'Affluenza' characterization. It takes a ton of money to be able to stop working completely, or for even some months of the year. Top 1%, or as AOC calls you, "the tippy tops". Best wishes again. Just pointing out this is basically a retirement series, not a day-to-day lifestyle idea.
Love Chad and Amy's input on this subject. Especially liked Amy's voice of reasoning if you will. Thank you so much to all of you for sharing with us. Would love to see different price points on a variety of homes for sale in the keys.
That's what we love about them, they are doing something that so many would love to do , but they worked together with different opinions to make a big plan come together and if you had seen what we did , you would see what a wonderful inspiration they are to all of us! That's why we were so excited to share this with everyone! Thanks so much for joining us on the channel!!!
Great video, Im a year away from retiring and started looking to buy a place to live in the keys. Where did they buy in Marathon. Can they share information on the contractors they used for all the projects home, pool, boat lift and share cost involved. Thank you.
I will speak with Chad and Amy and see if I can the names of the contractors. If so, I will put them in the description section of the video...great suggestion, thanks!
It’s like anything else - how bad do you want it? What are you willing to sacrifice? We visited KCB in 2014 & came back home to PA thinking about how much we would love to live there. We could pull our assets together, sell everything & move there to basically live in a tiny house. So in the years since, we’ve mulled it over, but in the meantime 4 grandchildren have been born within minutes to a few hours from home, & I can’t imagine living so far away from them & only seeing them once a year in person. So nope, we’ll be happy just to visit on vacation! BUT I’m so glad I found your channel b/c when we come again, I’ll know who to contact to help with vacation rental properties! Thank you!
home prices are way higher in the keys compared to Charleston SC . We sold our 4 bed 3 bath 1800 sq ft for 275000 and paid 415000 for 3 bed 2 bath 1350 sq ft house in key largo with about half the lot size
Great video! I struggle with rent versus own question for a vacation home. I would like to hear how many weeks of the average-in-season rental rate equal the cost of yearly ownership (taxes, insurance, maintenance, mortgage, etc.) for a house like this?
I guess that would vary quite a bit depending on your individual financial situation on the home. But speaking with a few rental agents here in town it would not be unusual to keep a place rented 40 weeks out of the year if the owner chooses. That, of course, would be in a normal year without COVID or hurricanes!
It also will depend on if your home is on the water. Most vacay renters want waterfront and with good reason; the beauty of the Keys IS the water. Boating, diving, fishing, and sandbar weekends are what many are looking for and they don’t want to rent kayaks or a boat for a week with no way to launch them.
Yes, it would be good to include. We just try to be careful not to make one video too long. Let us know if you would like to know more about real estate in the Keys, we will be glad to help. Just give us a call or shoot us an email, 770-314-2893 for Laurie - lauraelaine20@gmail.com or 770-561-6091 for Mark - markgable@me.com, Coco Plum Realty. Thanks for watching!
Captain and Laurie, I love your work. This video specifically hit home. I purchased a home in N key largo, and I’m in the process of rehabbing it. I welcome meeting you and if you care to shoot a video on my journey would certainly enjoy it. I have a question on the pool that these folks did. I can’t make out the name of the company, if you can provide the name of the pool company I would appreciate it. Continued success.
Thanks so much for the kinds words Sergio! We just might take you up on that offer to do a piece about your home! The name of the company that did their pool was Dennis Kulig pools here in Marathon. www.flkeys-pools.com/
Big Thanks to Chad and Amy for being so open to be filmed. As another couple from the MSP metro area, with a similar goals of getting to the keys, this was amazing to watch and very inspirational.
My husband and I are looking to move down there. I work remotely so looking for work for me isn’t an issue. My husband is a heavy truck mechanic. Is there any potential opportunities for that line of work? Also, I would like to look into purchasing a home, renting it out to help pay off the mortgage until we’re ready to move down permanently. Any suggestions on that option? Absolutely love your videos!
I sent a reply the other day, but I'm not seeing it now....strange. Anyway, give us a call or email and we'll be glad to answer any questions we can! Mark and Laurie. 770-561-6091 markgable@me.com
Owned a home in Destin several years. Before buying it I heard so many stories about people making a killing off their rentals. After going through it, this is not common. Big money in summer for sure, steady money in winter with snowbirds. But after mortgage, HOA, etc......not really making money. This couple has the right attitude. They will make money to offset a chunk of the costs. They will have to make repairs and upkeep due to others staying on the property that they otherwise wouldn't have. It is true, the price point will weed out some types, but I found even people that could afford the place didn't always care for it like I would. I did have a couple from Minneapolis/St. Paul that were regular snowbirds that cared for the place exceptionally well. The elderly gentleman would get bored and offer to go to Lowes and pick up things to make small repairs here and there at no charge. Anyway, as long as it is understood that when one considers the full purchase price and all costs, profit may be hard to come by. But if the longer term goals is to relocate or to stay there much longer in the future, heck yes it makes sense. I loved how people that already had their homes paid off tell me they make huge profits. Yes, no mortgage = big profits. But they didn't consider what the $600,000 would get them in the stock market or other investments. Making 4% in the market on $600,000 is $24,000. Long term plan is key here. Sorry so long. Great video!
Thanks so much Tommy for the comment...and without a doubt I would think you are right on track for a rental in Destin! Man we love Destin and those beaches!....but down here in the Keys where the weather is warm all year, things look a bit different for rentals...The Keys are the only place in the US where year long vacation rentals actually make sense. Late January is still sunny and 75! Thanks for watching!
Hi we are looking to Purchase a New stilted build but like you we need to rent it out for 6months a year to be able to make it cost effective yet we have come across these Transient licenses or restrictions? We understand we need to register with Monroe County as a business but do we need to look for a pacific Zoning area?
I was fortunate to be stationed in Key West Naval Hospital two years in a row in the Winter which was ideal, and I look back fondly on that experience. However, most of the "Conchs" and other residents told me that the Summers are brutally hot. What has your experience been?
It is hot in most areas of the south in summer, we usually have nice summer breezes though. You really acclimate once you move down here though so we don't mind it.
Hey guys wanted to stop by and say thanks for your videos, my wife and I have been looking for properties in the keys for a while now and we recently put an offer on a property that we "partially" saw on one of your videos after actually going to see a property you guys featured. Your other videos were really helpful to us as we learned more about Marathon than we ever knew. Keep the videos coming!! p.s. did Jodi and Jess shut down their channel?
Oh how cool! Glad we could help in some way!! Jodi and Jess did shut down, I think they just needed a break from things for awhile. They are doing just fine so we here. Thanks for joining us!
@@GablesOnTheGo hey guys hoping you guys can help us. We the same as your friends want to put in a pool and man we can't get any companies to pay any attention. Could you ask your friends the name/s of the companies they dealt with, we are still trying to decide between a fiberglass inground or a cement inground like your friends built, i have the name of whom eventually built their pool and have reached out to them with no luck, but we also want to check into fiberglass options as we have plenty of space. Any help you can give us would be easily appreciated. Hope we run into you guys soon so we can buy you a beer or a glass of wine. Keep the good videos coming.
Shoot me your contact info and I will see if I can get you some more information. markgable@me.com, maybe Chad can give the names of the people they interviewed for their pool prior to going with Dennis Kulig. Heck, Kulig's place is a block from our house, I can take your info to them in person as well.
@@GablesOnTheGo Thanks a million. Peter and Arleen Rodriguez 305 905 9585 peter@fsbreo.com Our Marathon house is at 930 W 75th street. You guys shot your first Episode in the house next door at 928. LOL
Very expensive now. You can't get on the water for less than $600k.things sell fast. Don't hesitate because you have 10 day inspection anywsy to back out I think...Use your VA if you can. They cover more in Monroe County. No rental can cash flow anymore due to insurance, taxes. etc..But appreciation is fantastic and will continue for years. Where else can you go in this country for such beauty? I would easily expect 20% gain in next 8-10 years so it's a nice forced safe savings account. Jmho...
Oh wow...I don't know! I went and looked when you posted and I can't find them either, so strange! Maybe it's just a RU-vid glitch or something. They were up a few days ago.
Gables On The Go .. well their facebook, instagram, and other sites are gone also. So strange. And I can eat anything but okra. Ive tried it everyway u can make. Maybe ur grandmothers could be the exception...lol. You guys are doing a great job, keep going. 😎
Awesome video Idea! all questions potential Florida keys house buyers consider, considering myself one to purchase down there some day when financially it is right. Until then, I just want to rent that house haha
Hi guys, love your channel. I have a question. We had to postpone our trip, which was scheduled for late April into early May. I just spoke with friend who lives in Florida, and he says, the Keys are talking about enforcing a mandatory mask law until July of next year. Have you heard anything about this? Is this an actual thing that is being considered? Please feel free to DM me if needed. I don't want to throw away more money, if it's not needed. By the way, we love the lifestyle you two are living. We are currently looking at retiring there.
Yes, that is true. A mask ordinance has been put in place till June of next year. That is for any business that you enter and some other venues where it is mandatory. If you go to a restaurant, you wear a mask until your seated...then it's business as usual. You'll have to be the judge of whether or not that is an inconvenience to your or not. For Laurie and I, we just put on our masks rock on. Here is a link to the actual ordinance from Monroe county if you want more detail. www.monroecountyem.com/DocumentCenter/View/23565/Mask-Ordinance-Clean-version?fbclid=IwAR2paG-8nCyQuYhqJUITK3lQqq3LAkSJVi5nU4NUL35Thlzx0IKr9HkAHaw
@@GablesOnTheGo Thank you for letting us know. We will most likely still go, but it's nice to know what to expect. We are supposed to meet some friends down there, and this makes the decision easier. Thank you so much.
Hi there, what do you think about climate change and sea level rise? Just wondering because I think the keys are like 3 levels above the sea. I lived in key largo for 15 years. I am now In Texas.
Rent can vary greatly. Generally you can find long term rental 1 bedroom 1 bath for around $1800 a month, most 2 bedroom 2 bath long term rentals are around $2500 both of these not on the water. Thanks for watching!
Very interesting video , coming next year in 2021 . Would love to live there , love your positivity . As a English carpenter I could do a bit of work ? Just to keep my hand in . Everyone is soooo individual . Yes you need to make sure for sure . Cost of living is key too . Do many English people live there ?. . Would we be welcome ? . Look forward to next year . Great video , I’m going to subscribe because of this video . Regards paul from england
Thanks for watching Paul! Yes we meet English people frequently here. I would think being a carpenter you would be able to find work here easily, skilled trades are in high demand here. The Keys are a melting pot of people from all over the world....yes you would be welcome here!
@@GablesOnTheGo ahhh , you guys are too kind , you put a very positive spin on life, w3 are slowly being over run with immigrants here . Would I be welcome in Florida ?. You all seem such very nice people . I truly think your videos are so pro . Kind wishes paul
Said with the most respect possible being down here for almost a year now from TN. The rent for dumps are crazy expensive, the pay isn’t that great which is why the working man, me includes work multiple jobs. The home buying/ renting down here is for most people not a possibility. Just my opinion though. Interesting video though.
I'll have to defer to someone else to answer that as I'm not familiar with the private schools here yet. However I will tell you that if your child happens to be at Switlik Elementary in Mrs. Gable's class, they are getting the best education they can get anywhere!!
I'll have to defer to someone else to answer that as I'm not familiar with the private schools here yet. However I will tell you that if your child happens to be at Switlik Elementary in Mrs. Gable's class, they are getting the best education they can get anywhere!!
I hope you notice that No one moves to keys w kids. It's a paradise where you enjoy yourself. Not to burden yourself with baggage of crying babies and unruly teenagers.
Well...as candid as we could get. I wanted to respect those things they were willing to share and those they weren't...I appreciated all they shared with us. Thanks for watching!
But the best kept secret in the Fla Keys real estate business is RATS!There's so many rats down there it's incredible!If I knew then what I know now I would have never bought a place in the Keys,rats everywhere!!!
It's all well and good but I've lived in the keys for many years, the problem is now it's getting over populated and with that it's not going to be a paradise anymore. A lot of the land still needs to be left for sanctuary, they didn't want many people living in the keys years ago,and now just like every other nice place it'll be ruined buy too many people
Sir, this is the United States of America, and we all are Americans, who have the right to move anywhere within this country that we please. Simply because someone is a native, and has lived in a particular part of the country or town, etc., all of their lives, in no way means that you have some "special" rights to it..or that only your opinions matter. So, take that ridiculous and absurd "carpetbagger" B.S. somewhere else.
It was nice to have them agree to answer questions but as the moderator you need to be able to cut them off. If it takes 5 minutes to answer a question that is too long.
I appreciate the advice Donna. It was our first time attempting an interview style video. Our goal was to try to answer questions that our viewers ask that Laurie and I really can't answer because we are not homeowners here yet. The last thing we would have done is cut them off. Thanks so much for the feedback though, we are learning as we go!
Nah, no way. Would not interrupt great input to questions being asked. Sometimes that's how you end up finding more questions/answers to questions you may not have even thought of. I learned a lot. This was perfect.
30 years ago they said it was 10 years to point of no return. We had 5 years to stop use of oil. Read in communist paper (washington post) yesterday, that we have less than 10 years to the point of no return. Now I feel much better.
Actually, you can buy an RV lot in the Keys for around $100K with a building right. Check out our Venture Out video. Many people these days are enjoying the nomadic lifestyle, living in an RV and traveling the U.S. For those that enjoy that lifestyle buying a lot here to enjoy and rent out when they are traveling to recoup some of the investment is a possibility. We know several people here who don't care about materialist things and are happy with a RV or park model on a lot or a live aboard boat slip that allows them to focus on the ocean and friendly people here in the Keys. So from our view point it's not false hope, but thank you for bringing that up and the opportunity to share. Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas!
