Sell Your House or Commercial Property for Cash in the Florida Keys (Monroe County, FL)
From an Old Town conch cottage in Key West to a stilt home on a Big Pine canal or a motel along the Overseas Highway, Libera Capital Group buys Keys property for cash, as-is, with no commissions.
- No commissions or fees
- Any condition — no repairs
- Close in as little as 7–14 days
- Houses & commercial
Get Your Florida Keys Cash Offer
No obligation. No fees. No repairs. Tell us about the property and we'll follow up with a cash offer.
There is no place in Florida quite like the Keys. More than a hundred miles of islands strung along the Overseas Highway, from Key Largo in the Upper Keys to Key West at the end of US-1, create a real estate market that follows its own rules. Land is scarce, new construction is tightly limited, nearly every property sits in a flood zone, and almost everything about owning a home here, from insurance to permitting to finding a contractor, costs more and takes longer than on the mainland.
Those realities can make selling difficult, especially for properties that need work. A ground-level home that flooded in Hurricane Irma, a stilt house with an unpermitted downstairs enclosure, a condo facing a large assessment, or a commercial building that needs a new roof and code upgrades can all scare off financed buyers. A cash buyer who understands the Keys can be the simplest path forward.
Libera Capital Group is a Florida cash buyer of houses and improved commercial real estate. Our home market is Southwest Florida, the closest region on the Gulf side to the Keys, and we buy statewide. This page covers what you need to know before selling in Monroe County. It is general information, not legal advice; for permitting, flood or title questions specific to your property, consult the county or city building department, a Florida attorney or a licensed professional.
Why Keys Property Owners Sell to Libera Capital Group
No Keys-sized repair bills
Contractors are scarce and expensive on the islands, and materials have to be trucked down the Overseas Highway. We buy as-is, so you never have to manage a Keys renovation before selling.
Your equity, not the middlemen’s
Keys prices are high, and so are commissions on them. With no commission and normal closing costs paid by us, more of your sale price stays in your pocket.
Built for absentee owners
Many Keys properties are second homes or rentals owned by people who live elsewhere. We can handle access, remote signing and closing without requiring you to fly or drive down.
Not dependent on a lender
Flood insurance, wind coverage, condo approvals and appraisals can all stall a financed sale. Our cash purchase does not rely on any of them to close.
Selling in the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys
Monroe County has five incorporated municipalities: the City of Key West, the City of Marathon, the Village of Islamorada, the City of Key Colony Beach and the City of Layton. Much of the population lives in unincorporated areas such as Key Largo, Tavernier, Big Pine Key, Stock Island, Cudjoe Key and Summerland Key. The county also includes a large mainland portion, nearly all of it within Everglades National Park and Big Cypress, with very few residents. We buy throughout the inhabited Keys.
Key West
Key West is the county seat and the most populous city in the Keys. Its Old Town historic district is filled with wood-frame conch houses, Victorian homes and shotgun cottages, many more than a century old. Renovating these properties can involve historic-preservation review, and many sit at low elevations. Outside Old Town, neighborhoods such as New Town and the areas near Key West International Airport and Naval Air Station Key West offer block homes, condos and townhomes. Key West has detailed rules on transient (short-term) rentals, so the permitted use of a property can affect its value. We buy conch houses needing restoration, older block homes, condos and commercial buildings throughout the city.
Marathon
Marathon, in the Middle Keys, is a family-oriented city spread across several keys near the Seven Mile Bridge. It has a working harbor, a hospital, an airport and many canal-front homes with boat docks. Hurricane Irma hit the Middle and Lower Keys hard in 2017, and some Marathon homes and mobile homes still show the effects. We buy canal homes, ground-level homes, mobile homes and commercial properties along the Overseas Highway.
Islamorada
The Village of Islamorada covers several Upper Keys islands, including Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper and Lower Matecumbe. Known as a sportfishing capital, it has oceanfront and bayfront homes, older fishing cottages, resorts and marinas. We buy homes, small resorts and marine commercial properties, including those needing significant updating.
Key Largo and Tavernier
Key Largo is the largest island in the chain and the first stop from the mainland via US-1 or Card Sound Road. It is unincorporated, with neighborhoods ranging from canal-front subdivisions to mobile home communities and gated waterfront enclaves. Tavernier, just to the south, has a mix of older homes, small commercial properties and a historic district. Proximity to Miami-Dade makes the Upper Keys popular with weekenders and commuters. We buy single-family homes, mobile homes, condos and commercial buildings throughout Key Largo and Tavernier.
Key Colony Beach
Key Colony Beach is a small city on its own island next to Marathon, laid out with canals, single-family homes and low-rise condominiums. Many buildings date from the 1960s and 1970s, and condo associations are dealing with structural inspections, reserves and aging infrastructure. We buy homes and condo units here as-is.
Layton
Layton, on Long Key in the Middle Keys, is one of the smallest incorporated cities in Florida, with a handful of streets and homes near Long Key State Park. If you own a home in Layton, we can evaluate it like any other Keys property, with attention to elevation, flood zone and condition.
Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys
Big Pine Key, Cudjoe Key, Summerland Key, Ramrod Key, Sugarloaf Key, Big Coppitt Key and Stock Island make up the unincorporated Lower Keys between the Seven Mile Bridge and Key West. Big Pine is home to the National Key Deer Refuge, and many homes here sit on canals with boat access. Hurricane Irma made landfall at Cudjoe Key in September 2017, and Lower Keys homes, particularly ground-level homes and mobile homes, took the brunt of its winds and surge. Stock Island, just east of Key West, has a working waterfront, marinas, mobile home parks and workforce housing.
Flood Zones, Insurance and the 50% Rule in the Keys
Almost every property in the Florida Keys is in a FEMA special flood hazard area, and much of the Keys is in high-risk coastal zones. That affects nearly every sale.
Flood insurance
Buyers who finance a purchase must carry flood insurance. Premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program depend on elevation, construction type, distance to water and other factors, and older ground-level homes can face very high costs. When a buyer sees a large flood premium on top of wind insurance and property taxes, the monthly payment can rule out the purchase. A cash buyer does not need a lender, so there is no mandatory flood policy before closing.
Ground-level vs. elevated homes
Older Keys homes were often built at or near ground level. Newer and rebuilt homes are typically elevated on pilings or block walls, with only parking, storage and access permitted below the flood elevation. Ground-level homes can be harder to insure and finance, and they are more vulnerable to storm surge. We buy both.
What is the FEMA 50% rule?
Under the floodplain management rules that participating communities adopt, when the cost of improvements or repairs to a building in a flood hazard area equals or exceeds 50% of its market value, the building must generally be brought into compliance with current flood requirements, which often means elevating it or rebuilding. Local governments in the Keys administer this rule, and the details, such as how market value is determined and whether improvements are counted cumulatively, can vary by jurisdiction. If your home was damaged or you are planning major renovations, check with the building department. If compliance would be unaffordable, selling as-is to a cash buyer is often the most practical option. Learn more on our hurricane and flood damage page.
Unpermitted downstairs enclosures
One of the most common issues in the Keys is a ground-level enclosure under an elevated home that was converted into living space, a bedroom, an apartment or a bathroom without the required permits. Because these enclosures sit below the flood elevation, they can violate floodplain rules and lead to code enforcement, insurance problems and difficulty selling. We buy homes with these enclosures as-is; see our page on code violations and unpermitted work.
Storm History and Damaged Homes in Monroe County
The Keys have a long history of hurricanes, from the 1935 Labor Day hurricane in the Upper Keys to Hurricane Georges in 1998, Hurricane Wilma’s storm surge flooding in Key West in 2005, and Hurricane Irma in 2017. Irma came ashore at Cudjoe Key as a Category 4 storm on September 10, 2017, causing extensive damage across the Lower and Middle Keys, destroying or heavily damaging many homes and mobile homes, and disrupting the local workforce and housing supply for a long time afterward.
Can I sell a home that was never fully repaired after Irma?
Yes. We still see homes with patched roofs, partial repairs, open permits or water damage from past storms. Open or expired permits can complicate a sale to a financed buyer because they often show up during the title and lien search. We buy homes with open permits and incomplete work, factoring in the cost to close them out.
Mobile homes in the Keys
Mobile homes are an important part of Keys housing, both in parks and on individually owned lots. Older mobile homes can be difficult to insure and finance, and replacement can be constrained by local rules. We buy mobile and manufactured homes on owned lots, and we evaluate mobile home parks as commercial properties.
Building Allocations, Permitting and Why Existing Homes Matter
Because the Florida Keys are designated an Area of Critical State Concern, growth is managed closely. Monroe County and the Keys municipalities use building permit allocation systems, often referred to as ROGO (Rate of Growth Ordinance) in the unincorporated county and similar programs in the cities, which limit how many new residential units can be permitted each year. Hurricane evacuation clearance times are one of the factors behind these limits.
For sellers, the practical takeaway is that an existing, lawfully established dwelling unit in the Keys has value beyond the structure itself, because the right to have a home on that lot can be difficult to obtain from scratch. That is one reason we look carefully at a property’s permitting history, including whether a unit is recognized as lawfully established, whether there are transient rental licenses, and whether additions were permitted. Rules are complex and change over time; the county or city planning department and a Florida land-use attorney are the right sources for property-specific answers.
Open permits and code cases
Open, expired or unfinalized permits are extremely common in the Keys, especially after hurricanes when many owners rushed repairs. Code enforcement cases, from unpermitted enclosures to fences and docks, can result in fines that become liens. We buy properties with these issues and work with the title company to resolve them at or after closing.
Commercial and Hospitality Property in the Keys
Tourism drives the Keys economy, and much of the commercial real estate reflects that: motels and small resorts, marinas and dive shops, restaurants and bars, retail along Duval Street and the Overseas Highway, and mixed-use buildings with apartments above shops. Workforce housing, including small apartment buildings and employee housing, is in high demand.
- Motels and small resorts: We evaluate older lodging properties, including those needing renovation or with storm damage. See hotels and motels.
- Mixed-use buildings: Retail or restaurant space with residential units above. See mixed-use property.
- Mobile home and RV parks: Parks in the Middle and Lower Keys. See mobile home and RV parks.
- Multifamily: Small apartment buildings and workforce housing. See multifamily and apartments.
We can structure sale-leasebacks for operators, close on a delayed timeline, or align with a 1031 exchange. Visit our page on how we buy commercial property.
Selling a Keys Second Home or Vacation Rental
A large share of Keys homes are owned by people who live elsewhere and use the property seasonally or rent it out. Over time, the math can stop working: insurance renewals rise, a property manager’s fees eat into rental income, a storm leaves damage you cannot easily inspect from a distance, or rental rules change the property’s permitted use. Some owners simply find they visit less than they expected.
If you are in that position, a cash sale can be a clean exit. We can buy the home furnished, take over any existing bookings or leases where the contract allows, and close on a date that avoids disrupting peak season if that matters to you. If the property has a transient rental license or permit, let us know, because the license status is an important part of how we value a Keys home. If you have tenants on an annual lease, we can buy with them in place; see our problem tenants page if the relationship has become difficult.
Cash Sale vs. Listing in the Florida Keys
Updated, elevated homes in good condition often sell well on the open market. For ground-level homes, storm-damaged properties, condos with assessments and properties with permitting questions, a cash sale can deliver a comparable net with far less risk. The ranges below are typical and not guarantees.
| Consideration | Cash sale to Libera Capital Group | Listing with an agent |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | None | Often 5–6% of a high Keys price |
| Repairs | None; as-is purchase | Buyer and lender repair demands are common |
| Flood and wind insurance | Not required for our purchase | Buyer’s lender requires both; high premiums can end deals |
| Open permits and enclosures | Priced in; resolved by us | Often must be closed out before closing |
| Concessions | Typically none | Often 1–3% or more |
| Closing costs | We pay normal closing costs | Seller usually pays doc stamps and owner’s title policy |
| Holding costs | Minimal | High insurance, taxes and dues during marketing |
| Timeline | Often 7–14 days or your chosen date | Frequently several months |
How Selling Your Keys Property Works
- Tell us about the property. Use the form above or call (239) 686-0823. Let us know the mile marker or address, condition and timing.
- Get a written offer. We research permits, flood zone and comparable sales and typically present an offer within 24–48 hours, sometimes after a walkthrough.
- Choose your closing date. A Florida title company handles title, liens and permits research. With clear title, we can often close in 7–14 days.
- Close from anywhere. Sign remotely or in person and receive your funds at closing.
More details are on our how it works page, our cash offer vs. listing comparison and our guide to selling your house fast.
Situations We Help With in the Keys
Cities and Towns We Buy In
- Key West
- Marathon
- Islamorada
- Key Colony Beach
- Layton
- Key Largo
- Tavernier
- Big Pine Key
- Stock Island
- Cudjoe Key
- Summerland Key
- Ramrod Key
- Sugarloaf Key
- Big Coppitt Key
- Duck Key
Areas Served Nearby
We buy statewide; see all Florida locations, or visit the mainland counties closest to the Keys:
- We buy in all five Keys municipalities and unincorporated areas from Key Largo to Stock Island.
- Flood zones, ground-level homes, Irma damage, open permits and downstairs enclosures are not deal-breakers.
- Existing, lawful dwelling units carry real value because new building allocations are limited.
- No commissions; we pay normal closing costs. Southwest Florida is our home market and we buy statewide.
Unfinished or Half-Elevated House in the Florida Keys? Monroe County Projects We Buy
Building in the Keys is unlike anywhere else in Florida. New homes in unincorporated Monroe County generally need a building-permit allocation under the county’s Rate of Growth Ordinance, known as ROGO, and nearly every structure must be elevated to meet flood rules. Since Hurricane Irma’s 2017 landfall at Cudjoe Key, many owners have started rebuilds or elevations that stalled when costs climbed or contractors overcommitted. The Monroe County Building Department has offices along the Keys for unincorporated areas, while Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, Key Colony Beach and Layton handle their own permits. That patchwork makes an unfinished Keys house a technical puzzle.
We buy these properties as they stand, from bare pilings to a dried-in shell. We also buy homes with expired or inactive permits, code cases, builders who went out of business, contractors who lost their license or ran out of money, lis pendens filings and overgrowth liens. Before making an offer, we look closely at whether the permit and any allocation remain valid, which the relevant planning office must confirm. Our half-built home guide explains more. Call (239) 686-0823.
Who Buys Houses in Monroe County?
Libera Capital Group is one of the buyer types Monroe County owners can weigh when selling in the Florida Keys. Sellers here generally compare local cash buyers like us, national “we buy houses” franchises and iBuyers that rarely bid on island property, investors seeking vacation rentals or building rights, and retail second-home buyers who purchase through a listing agent, frequently with cash of their own.
A Southwest Florida buyer with a Fort Myers office understands Gulf storm surge and FEMA rules, which matter for Keys homes: a below-base-flood-elevation house on Big Pine that took water when Irma came ashore near Cudjoe Key, a Marathon stilt home with a ground-floor enclosure built without permits, a Key West cottage short on its transient-rental license, or a lot whose value depends on a building allocation. Buying as principals, we can address these as-is and close remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions about Selling in the Florida Keys
Who buys houses in Monroe County, FL?
Libera Capital Group buys houses in Monroe County for cash from Key Largo and Islamorada through Marathon and Big Pine Key to Key West. We look at canal homes, mobile homes, condos, vacant lots that may carry ROGO considerations, and motels or marinas, and northern owners can close without traveling. Call (239) 686-0823 or send the form below. Keys properties in good condition often draw second-home buyers, so listing with an agent or comparing offers is a fair choice; read cash offer vs. listing.
Can I sell a ground-level Keys home that flooded?
Yes. We buy flooded and storm-damaged homes as-is. If repair costs could trigger the FEMA 50% rule and require elevation, selling to a cash buyer lets you avoid that expense. Check with your insurer about any open claim before closing.
Will you buy a stilt home with an illegal downstairs enclosure?
Yes. Unpermitted enclosures below flood elevation are common in the Keys. We buy the home in its current condition and handle any required removal or permitting after closing, which saves you from dealing with code enforcement yourself.
Do you buy Keys properties with open permits?
We do. Open and expired permits from post-hurricane repairs are very common. Our title company identifies them, and we account for the work needed to close them out rather than requiring you to do it first.
Does the building allocation system affect my sale?
It can affect value. Because new residential permits are limited, a lawfully established home has value tied to the right to have a dwelling on the lot. We review permitting history in our offer. For legal questions, consult the local planning office or a Florida land-use attorney.
Do you buy condos in Key West or Marathon?
Yes, including units in buildings with pending milestone inspections, reserve shortfalls or special assessments. We can close without a lender’s condo approval, which often stalls financed buyers.
Do you buy vacant Keys lots?
Libera Capital Group buys houses and improved commercial property only. For vacant lots or acreage, our land division, SWFLLand.com, buys land throughout Florida.
Can I sell a mobile home in the Keys?
Yes. We buy mobile homes on lots you own, including older units and those with storm damage. If the home sits in a park where you rent the lot, contact us and we will explain what options may be available.
I live up north. Do I need to come to the Keys to close?
No. We arrange access to the property, and the title company can coordinate remote signing with a mobile notary or an approved online process. Funds can be wired to you at closing.
Do you buy motels or marinas in the Keys?
We evaluate motels, small resorts, mixed-use buildings and other improved commercial properties throughout the Keys. Each deal is underwritten individually, and we can discuss sale-leasebacks, delayed closings or 1031-friendly timing.
How much will a cash buyer pay for a canal home in Marathon or Big Pine Key?
We price it from what comparable elevated, updated canal homes nearby sell for, then subtract repairs, holding and closing costs and a margin for risk. In the Keys, elevation, flood insurance cost, seawall and dock condition, open permits and any downstairs enclosure move the number most. We show you the full calculation in writing before you decide.
How fast can I sell a Key West conch house for cash?
Often within 7–14 days once title is clear and any open permits are identified in the lien search. Old Town conch houses and shotgun cottages can be sold without restoring them first, so historic-preservation review becomes our task after closing. If you live off-island, the title company can arrange remote signing.
Can we sell our Florida Keys second home as part of a divorce?
Yes, a jointly owned Keys home can be sold for cash while a divorce is pending or after it is final. Both owners typically sign, or a court order authorizes the sale, and the title company splits proceeds as directed. Each spouse should have a Florida family law attorney confirm the terms, especially if the home was rented.
Can I sell a Key West property that is not licensed for short-term rentals?
Yes, we buy Key West homes and condos whether or not they carry a transient rental license. The permitted use affects value, so we price the property on its legal use rather than past rental income. If short-term guests have been booked without the right license, mention it upfront so the title company and your attorney can review it.
What does it cost to sell a house in Monroe County?
Selling to us carries no commission or fees, and we pay normal closing costs; your mortgage payoff, liens and any permit fines come from your proceeds. A listing usually costs a commission, often 5–6% of a Keys-sized price, plus repairs, buyer concessions and months of flood and wind insurance while you wait for a buyer.
What happens to my ROGO allocation if I sell an unfinished house in the Keys?
It depends on the permit’s status, so the county or city planning office has to confirm whether the allocation remains valid. Allocations are generally tied to a building permit and the project moving forward, and lapses can create complications. We review the records and factor any risk into our offer. A Florida attorney familiar with Keys land use should also advise you.
Can I sell a Marathon or Big Pine Key house whose elevation project stalled?
Yes, we buy Marathon and Big Pine Key houses with stalled elevation projects, whether the home is on jacks, on new pilings or partly demolished. We review the engineering, permit and inspection record, then estimate what is needed to finish. Our offer reflects the property’s current condition. You can sell without managing a complicated island construction job any longer.
Nearby Counties We Also Serve
Beyond Monroe County, we buy houses and commercial property for cash in every neighboring county. Explore the local guide for each one below, see our Southwest Florida home-market page, or browse all 67 Florida counties.
Get a Cash Offer on Your Florida Keys Property
From Key Largo to Key West, tell us about your home, condo or commercial building and receive a no-obligation cash offer, usually within 24–48 hours.