This month’s newsletter is coming to you from the Bahamas! ☀️
Every summer, our friend group makes the trip over for our annual getaway, and it has become one of my favorite traditions.
When you live in the Keys or South Florida, taking trips over to the Bahamas is kind of the spot to be this time of year. The summer weather is usually calmer, which makes crossing by boat a lot easier if that's your mode of transportation.
From Key West to Bimini, it is about 150 miles one way and only takes a couple of hours depending on conditions (and, of course, the type of boat you're on), which still feels kind of surreal when you think about it.
Days out here are just how I like them: pretty simple. Spearfishing, cooking fresh fish, local beach bars, and spending as much time in the water as possible. Last year I read a whole book ocean side and that felt amazing!
Interestingly enough, on the boat rides over, I realized something kind of crazy.
This summer marks my 4th year as a full-time realtor.
Sometimes it is hard to believe how much life has changed in that time. When I first started, I had no idea where this career would take me. I just knew I loved the Keys, loved helping people, and wanted to build a life that felt meaningful and connected to this community.
Fast forward a few years later, and I have had the privilege of helping so many incredible people buy and sell homes here, build friendships through this business, and create a life I genuinely love.
I have learned a lot along the way too.
That consistency matters more than perfection. That relationships will always matter more than transactions. And that building a business and building a life should go hand in hand.
Big hugs to everyone in my corner who has made this possible. From family and friends, my incredible husband, to clients, referrals, and those following along on YouTube or reading this newsletter, I am deeply grateful for all of you!
Ohh…That's What She Shot?
Even though the 14th Annual “That’s What She Shot” spearfishing tournament already passed, I still wanted to give it a little shoutout because it is such a fun Keys event for an amazing cause! 💗🎣
The tournament brings together the spearfishing community for a day of friendly competition, all while raising money for Womankind, which provides essential medical services to our community regardless of insurance status. Last year, they raised and donated over $18,000, which is seriously incredible!
One of my favorite things about living in the Keys is how often the community comes together to support one another, and this event is such a good example of that.
If you missed the tournament but still want to support the cause, you can definitely do so!
One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to connect with so many incredible people in our community. Helping my clients buy or sell a home, answering a real estate question, or being a helpful local resource, I'm grateful for every conversation and connection!
With The Bubbas: Key West People's Choice Awards back for another year, I'd be honored if you'd consider nominating me for Best Realtor. Being considered alongside so many amazing people and businesses in this community means so much to me.
Thank you for all of your support! :)
Cast your nomination (look for the Best Realtor category), support your favorite locals! Voting open from June 4th -21st!🎉
There’s a very specific feeling in the Keys once June rolls around…if you know, you know. 👀
We start to get those afternoon storms popping up, everyone casually starts checking the tropics again, and locals suddenly remember it might be time to locate the hurricane shutters…always better safe than sorry!
Living down here definitely teaches you that the best time to prepare is long before there’s ever a storm cone on the map.
A few things worth knocking out early:
Schedule your A/C tune up before every unit in town is working overtime
Double check wind and flood insurance coverage
Test shutters and inspect impact windows
Restock batteries, water, pet supplies, and medications
Take updated photos/videos of your home for insurance purposes
And honestly? One of the biggest things is simply having a plan. Knowing your evacuation zone, where you’d go, and what you’d bring makes everything way less stressful if a storm ever heads our way.
Not trying to manifest anything here 😂 but future you will definitely be happy you prepared early.
4th of July in the Keys
I feel like I say this every year, but I genuinely cannot believe we are already approaching July!
The 4th of July is one of the biggest boating weekends of the year down here, and while it is always such a fun time on the water, it is also one of those weekends where boating safety becomes extra important.
There are so many people out on boats, jet skis, paddle boards, and swimming in the water, and things can happen quickly.
Personally, we usually like to keep it pretty simple. We will spend the day out at the sandbar or do a little fishing, then head home and keep things low key after a full day in the sun.
So this is your little friendly reminder to boat safely, pay attention to your surroundings, and look out for one another out there.
The Keys are such a special place to celebrate summer, and we all want to keep it that way. ❤️
Latest Market Update at a Glance
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 | May Market Snapshot
Inventory continues to tighten, with the absorption rate improving from 10.17 → 9.54 months of inventory. While buyers still have more options than a balanced market, the trend shows the market is slowly moving toward less available inventory.
Homes are still taking time to sell, with average days on market improving slightly from 112 → 97 days month-over-month. Median DOM remained steady at 64 days, showing that well-priced homes are moving, while other properties continue to require patience.
The number of closed sales increased, with 100 homes sold in May compared to 86 in April (+16.3%), showing stronger transaction activity heading into the summer season.
List-to-sale price ratios continue to tell the story: homes are still selling close to their final asking price, but the gap between original list price and sold price shows that pricing correctly from the beginning remains critical. Buyers are negotiating, but properly positioned homes are still performing well.
Madeleine’s Market Interpretation
Buyer demand is still present. The increase in closed sales combined with improving days on market shows that buyers are active, they’re just taking a more thoughtful approach.
Inventory is slowly shifting. The decrease in months of inventory is a positive sign for sellers, but buyers still have enough choices to be selective.
Pricing strategy continues to be the biggest factor. The market is rewarding homes that are priced competitively and presented well. Homes that miss the mark are likely to experience longer market times and eventual adjustments.
The market is not showing signs of a major correction. Sale prices remain steady year-over-year, and activity is improving, but buyers are still focused on value.
Overall, May shows a steady, more balanced market, one where sellers can still succeed, but strategy matters more than ever.
