TopTenRealEstateDeals.com recently released a list of the top 10 celebrity homes of 2018, which means that living like a star has never been easier.
Moreover, Kathie Lee's gorgeous Ocean Reef estate at 19 Card Sound Road made the top 10!

The article reads: "Kathie Lee Gifford is parting with her Florida mansion, which is located in the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. Spread across 11,400 square feet, the three-level house is equipped with eight bedrooms and eight baths. Notable entertaining spaces include a gourmet kitchen with a pantry, a formal dining area, and a spacious great room opens to a screened-in terrace with a swimming pool and outdoor kitchen beyond."
See more at: 19cardsoundroad.com

Follow the article link below to continue reading the Robb Report article:
The Top 10 Celebrity Homes to Hit the Market in 2018



More of Ocean Reef Club in the news:
Spas of America Unveils North America's Favorite Spas of 2018
Renewed Hope for Coral Reefs Around the World
Posted by Roberta Watson on January 11th, 2019 12:41 PM


Nearly $3 Million exterior improvement project is now complete!

Featuring exterior paint, concrete and railing refurbishment and a fully refurbished landscape, lighting and irrigation plan. Not to mention the dramatic improvements to its distinctive waterside amenity terrace, featuring infinity pool, spa, covered cabana and outdoor kitchen.

Harbour House’s 48 Units are among the most distinctive in South Florida. Each oversized Unit is accompanied by a separate mezzanine guest suite, assigned covered parking, marina slip, a golf cart garage and serviced by fiber optic television and data for the ultimate in modern conveniences. New security cameras and building safety system features throughout the property now secure Harbour House’s exclusive 19 acres. 

Most units have now been renovated with prices now in the low $2 million range, or $475-500 per foot. Harbour House remains Ocean Reef’s greatest value in a newly reconditioned environment, bordered by the Upper Keys most distinctive mangrove estate. The Spectacular views overlook the pristine environmental wonderland of the Florida Keys, with units facing the protected mangroves of Angelfish Creek, the Atlantic Ocean or the exclusive Card Sound Golf Course. Units have gorgeous sunrise and/or amazing sunset views from the elevated 3rd through 5th floor units—all units overlooking water, whether it be the Atlantic Ocean, Angelfish Creek or the beautiful lake of Card Sound Golf Course.  

Situated at the northeast edge of Ocean Reef on the water, away from the high traffic areas and roads, but close enough to the hotel, fishing village, cultural center, library and other areas of Ocean Reef, Harbour House captures the best of both worlds—exclusivity and privacy, while being no further than a few short minutes from everywhere. 

View our Featured Harbour House Listing, 39 Barracuda Lane, by clicking here.


Posted by Roberta Watson on January 11th, 2019 12:41 PM


Apparently, downsizing is so 2016. New housing trends indicate a move to bigger (not tinier). 

Season is almost here and the Ocean Reef real estate market has already started to rev up after its summer snooze. Like the rest of the country, we’ve noticed the upsizing trend really pick up in our little hamlet; and some of our young families are skipping the starter-home size all together. 

According to Zillow.com research, young consumers are beginning to prioritize space. A whopping 56 percent of millennials said that having a large home is important to them, compared with 42 percent of Gen Xers and just 35 percent of baby boomers.
Studies argue that several factors could be impacting the shift in housing trends including the strength of the national economy. But how do you feel about the influence that television has on this trend?

When’s the last time you watched HGTV? Have you noticed the size of homes on their shows? We’ve definitely noticed the dining tables that seat 12 people! We’ve also noted that new census data shows that the median square footage of new homes is up 20 percent since 2000, from about 2,000 square feet to about 2,500 square feet. Add to that the shift in how homes are designed, with a nod to larger, open spaces. Gone are the days of rigid, closed-off eating spaces or television rooms.

What about you? Does size matter?

Check out Investopedia's thoughts: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/111715/5-reasons-retirees-are-upsizing-instead-downsizing-their-homes.asp


Samantha Ochoa, Sales Associate
Watson Luxury Properties
Posted by Roberta Watson on October 30th, 2018 2:05 PM
We are enjoying the company of dozens of refugees from the Carolinas. None of them have received news about possible damage but they obeyed their governor and got out of the way.

Our anniversary of Irmageddon striking our island chain was Monday, September 10th, and you can bet we are prayin' for leniency for our neighbors in the Carolinas. It wasn't so long ago that we were picking up debris amidst the smell of dehydrated salted sea life.

Actually, according to our county annual report, 2.5M cubic yards of debris, including 22,000 flooded appliances, were removed from the Fabulous Florida Keys. The largest number of damaged homes was in a stretch from Marathon to Big Pine Key. 1,200 homes were destroyed, 3,000 had major damage and 5,400 had minor damage. (Not including mobile homes). 1,600 boats sustained damage or sunk. 1,100 cubic yards of debris was pulled out of the canals in the Keys. That project is still ongoing a year later.

"Hurricane Irma" was the number 1 searched google topic nationally and globally in 2017.  As Hurricane Florence is likely to be in 2018. To donate for Florence Relief you can text Florence to 90999 or click here to visit the Red Cross' website. Other links: The Weather Channel: Catastrophic Flood Threat Increases This Weekend as Florence Slowly Tracks Across the Carolinas, Appalachia CNN: Florence pummels the Carolinas The New York Times: Hurricane Florence Live Updates The Wall Street Journal: Tropical Storm Florence: Live Updates

Live the luxury island life ????


Bobbie Watson, Owner, Broker, Realtor
Watson Luxury Properties
Posted by Roberta Watson on September 15th, 2018 9:11 AM



With Hurricane Irma’s first anniversary looming, we can’t help ourselves but to remember the devastation Ocean Reef and the Florida Keys experienced with Irma’s impact on September 10th. Irma was the fifth-costliest tropical cyclone on record at $64.76 billion. Those with adequate insurance coverage for their damages were truly blessed.

Recently, we were lucky enough to meet with Meg Dieppa and Cheryl Lyons of MARSH here at Watson Luxury Properties to freshen up on our insurance IQ. Apparently, we can’t navigate the world of insurance without professional help, and we aren’t afraid to admit it! We do notice that many home buyers here at Ocean Reef typically call up their insurance brokers in other states to add their new piece of paradise to their existing policy or bundle. Which we always thought to be very efficient. However, I’m sure you knew this already, Florida is a wacky state (in more ways than just insurance), which is why we now recommend to our clients to give MARSH a call and request a free review of all your policies from this state’s experts. Plus, MARSH, now recognized as the largest broker in the world, is also a member of our Ocean Reef Chamber of Commerce!

The most noteworthy information we got out of the whole meeting, was that they are salaried employees. Yes, that’s right, the policies they write for you are not commissioned. So you can trust that they are truly in this to help you (there isn't just dollar signs in their eyes). They love what they do, and they are darn good at fitting all the puzzle pieces together.

Other Links:

Email Meg Dieppa here.
Email Cheryl Lyons here.
Check out their Brochure here.

Forbes: Hurricane Insurance: Is It Important? Why Do You Need It?

WSJ: As Hurricane Season Arrives, U.S. Homeowners Haven’t Fixed Their Big Underinsurance Problem

 

Posted by Roberta Watson on September 8th, 2018 7:41 AM

We all know the feeling of sifting through our inboxes trying to decipher useful emails from spam and junk communication. While scrolling through our admin inbox here at WLP, I couldn’t help but click on an email from houselogic with the subject line “What smells so great?”

I’m a scent junkie; and truly believe that a fresh smelling home moves off the market much more quickly than a stale smelling listing. There’s just something about scent that allows a person to think “this is home.”

Rather than cleaning (or dare I say masking) with powerful chemicals, I suggest you try these easy DIY cleaners. The Lavender Linen Spray and Cinnamon and Sandalwood Air Freshener are definitely my personal favorites.



Samantha Ochoa, Sales Associate
Watson Luxury Properties
Posted by Roberta Watson on August 3rd, 2018 9:55 AM

One thing that I’ve particularly noticed this summer is the number of families that have decided to enjoy long- term rentals (one month or longer) with their little ones.

We like to say down here that “it’s so easy to raise a baby at Ocean Reef!” Which we usually chalk up to the four-hour cabana naps all our island babies are known for.

Ocean Reef’s activities department is incredibly talented in keeping the calendar jam-packed with swim lessons, live music, and unique camps for aspiring scuba divers, golfers, and sailors (just to name a few). These exclusive camps are not only a summer to remember for our next generation, but they give opportunity to our moms and dads to take advantage of the member fitness center, tee times, fishing charters, and spa schedule.

   
Check out some of our camps before it’s too late by clicking here and give our office a call with any of your rental inquiries: 305-367-0999. 

Summers at Ocean Reef are seriously a win-win for every generation!


Live the luxury island life ????


Bobbie Watson, Owner, Broker, Realtor
Watson Luxury Properties

Posted by Roberta Watson on July 20th, 2018 9:01 AM

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