This month took me from the Keys all the way to California for a girls trip with my childhood best friends. It was the first time all of us had been together in over 10 years!! Experiences like these remind me how important it is to pause long enough to really enjoy the people who have shaped my life. Have you had one of those moments lately? Everything sort of slows down and you feel fully present. I love it!
It truly was the ultimate girls getaway. One of my favorite days was driving along 17 Mile Drive with the top down in our little Mini Coop, snacking on local deli sandwiches, while blasting our playlist called “No Boys Allowed.” Just think Michelle Branch, Natalie Imbruglia, Pussycat Dolls, Celine Dion… all the oldies but goodies from the 90's that instantly took us back in time.
So grateful to share those moments with my girls. There was something really special about being together again after all this time, older and living completely different lives now, but somehow slipping right back into the same laughter and connection we’ve always had.
Grouper Season…and Mango Season!
May always feels like the start of a really fun season in the Keys. Grouper season officially opened on May 1st, which is kind of a big deal down here. Locals wait all year for it, and the excitement around opening day is always fun! I was off on my girls trip this year, but I definitely needed to throw in a throwback grouper opener photo for appreciation!
And speaking of seasonal excitement… mango season is officially upon us. If you know us personally, then you probably know about Aaron’s ongoing emotional journey with our mango trees. 😂
We are officially on tree number THREE.
So here's the deal…the first little guy sadly didn’t make it after we planted it too close to the canal and the roots got hit with saltwater. The second one survived for a while, but Hurricane Ian flooded our yard and took her out too.
At that point, we realized growing mango trees in the Keys is apparently not for the weak.
So this time around, we did our research. We planted the new tree in the center of the yard, built up a raised bed, learned all about soil management, and even used broken up cinder blocks underneath to help the roots secure themselves as they grow.
And honestly… third time might be the charm! 👀
Our newest Carrie mango tree is HUGE, basically balcony height now, and despite getting hit during the freeze earlier this winter, she made a full comeback and is covered in fresh leaves and flowers.
Thank goodnessfor Aaron being so determined to have fresh mangos and learning all the ins and outs of how to successful grow a mango tree! We are very excited about future mangoes over here. Wish us luck!!
Okayyy… this is one of those very “only in the Keys” weekends.
Wetstock is officially returning to Picnic Island on May 30th and 31st, and if you love boats, live music, sandbars, and sunshine…you’ll probably love this.
Think: floating stage, boats anchored everywhere, people hanging in waist deep water all day, and live music across the island.
Presented by Reggae Lou, the weekend lineup includes Xperimento, Marshall Morlock, Soulfiya, Benjammin, Reggae Lou & The Kind Budz, and more. Plus special guests including Grammy-winning artists Trae Pierce and the T Stones!
If you’ve got a boat, you're in luck. If not, there’s shuttle service running from Looe Key Reef Resort all weekend long.
Definitely one of those unforgettable Lower Keys weekends. I've been once, and just might attend again! Oh and how could I forget? It'sFREE.
You know what’s so fun? When I’m out and about bopping around town and someone says, “Are you Paddlin’ Madeleine?” and I’m like… “yes, I am!”
I absolutely love getting to take people out on the water and show them how magical the mangroves really are. Summer is definitely hot, but it’s also flat calm a lot of the time, which makes for some epic paddling conditions.
If you or anyone you know wants to get out on the water this summer, let’s do it!
Wondering what’s happening in the Lower Keys & Key West real estate market? Whether you're planning to buy, sell, or just stay informed, this quick snapshot has you covered! Have questions on the data? Reach out and I can break it down and discuss how this affects your situation.
Key Takeaways | April Market Snapshot
Inventory tightened slightly, with active listings dropping from 792 → 708 month-over-month. While buyers still have options, we’re starting to see some inventory compression compared to earlier this year.
Days on market increased noticeably, rising from 82 → 112 average DOM month-over-month. Median DOM also climbed to 72 days, showing that buyers are still active, but taking more time to make decisions.
Sold-to-list price ratios remain stable, with most homes continuing to sell around 94–95% of final list price and approximately 88–90% of original list price. Buyers are negotiating, but well-priced homes are still commanding strong offers.
Madeleine’s Market Interpretation
April’s market tells a story of a market that’s stabilizing, but still selective.
The biggest shift this month was pace. After March’s faster-moving activity, April slowed back down with DOM climbing significantly. Buyers are still engaged, but they’re being patient and price-conscious.
Inventory is slowly tightening, which could help support pricing moving into summer if that trend continues. There are still plenty of homes available, but fewer than we saw recently.
Pricing strategy remains everything. The sold-to-list ratios continue to reinforce that buyers will pay strong numbers for homes priced correctly, but overpricing still leads to longer market times and reductions.
Overall, April feels like a more normalized market: less frenzy, more negotiation, and a stronger emphasis on value, condition, and presentation.
