Key Largo is the largest and northernmost island in the Florida Keys, as well as one of the best vacation destinations in the state. Millions of visitors flock to the island each year just to experience its tranquil, beachfront lifestyle, exciting ocean activities, and beautiful marine sanctuaries. Its tropical climate also makes it the perfect place to relax and unwind any time of the year.
You can turn this vacation dream into a permanent reality. Here’s what you need to know during your search for Key Largo homes for sale:
Owning a Key Largo waterfront home offers a rich and active lifestyle
Home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary, and the world’s largest artificial reef (the USS Spiegel Grove), it’s easy to
understand why Key Largo claimed the title of Dive Capital of the World. Aside from scuba
diving and snorkeling, the island also offers a variety of sport fishing activities, glass-bottom
boat rides, eco-tours, and dolphin therapy programs.
Key Largo also has a diverse culinary scene, ranging from homegrown, family-owned
establishments like the Key Largo Conch House and DiGiorgio’s Cafe Largo to must-try
waterfront restaurants such as The Buzzard’s Roost and Snappers Oceanfront. If you’re looking
for seafood, The Fish House offers fresh fish catches like Florida lobster and yellowtail
snapper, as well as the best Key Lime Pie in the state. You can even find authentic Neapolitan
wood fired pizzas at C&C Wood Fire Eats, a local favorite for over 20 years.
Buying Key Largo homes comes with certain building and development Restrictions
Because it is susceptible to hurricanes and houses a diverse range of ecosystems and
endangered species, all property development in The Florida Keys are subject to the Rate of
Growth Ordinance (ROGO). This competitive permit allocation system only issues building
permits to those with the highest scores in terms of infrastructure quality and distance from
velocity zones and environmentally sensitive areas.
While this might impose certain restrictions and limitations on what or how much you can build on your property, the emphasis on slow growth and development offers a host of long-term benefits: better city planning, efficient evacuation protocols, and effective environmental protection standards, all of which play a part in maintaining the island’s pristine landscapes and the exclusivity and stability of its real estate market.
Different types of waterfront homes come with different costs and benefits
Why do you want to own a waterfront home? To have gorgeous panoramic views or simply to have a place to dock your boat? It’s important to prioritize what you want before searching for waterfront homes for sale in Key Largo.
Oceanfront properties have unobstructed views of the sunrise and are usually close to great diving spots. Bayfront homes, on the other hand, face lush mangrove forests and colorful sunsets. They are also near the best fishing spots. Both types typically have their own private deepwater docks, which is ideal if you’re looking for a place that can house larger boats.
The home buying process for waterfront properties takes more time
Unlike your traditional single-family home, there are more considerations when purchasing a waterfront home. Since it’s a special and more expensive type of property, getting approved for a loan might take longer than usual. So getting a mortgage pre-approval before beginning your home search is highly recommended.
Not only will it make loan approval faster and easier during escrow, but it will also add weight and security to any offer you put down on a home, giving you an edge over other buyers who’ve skipped this part of the process. Take the time to shop for special insurance policies that cover risks for flooding, hurricane damage, and other water-related repair costs as well.
To help you on your buying journey, be sure to enlist the help of local real estate agents. They’ll not only be able to give guidance on the best properties given your criteria, they’ll also likely have the network that makes buying and managing a property in the Keys a successful venture.