Home Sweet 2nd Home – Elite Property Management & Services

For much of Paul Montealegre’s life, Texas was home.

He had roots in Miami, where he went to high school and college, but Houston was where he built a career, started and sold a chemical distribution company, remodeled and flipped homes, and spent more than two decades competing as a professional shotgun shooter.

Then, at his 30th high school reunion, home became a person.

Paul and Lori had been friends in high school in Miami, but life took them in different directions. For Lori, that path eventually led back to the Florida Keys, where her grandparents’ longtime home had been her second home throughout her life. She settled in Islamorada and started Island Blooms, her wedding and event floral business.

By reunion weekend, Lori and her identical twin sister were helping with the planning, Lori had done the flowers, and a group of old friends planned to meet for lunch near their former school in South Miami. When someone mentioned Paul had arrived, Lori offered to give him a ride from the airport.

That ride turned into a weekend of easy conversation, shared memories, and the feeling of, “Where have you been my whole life?”

Paul flew back to Texas. Lori returned to Islamorada. Within two weeks, they were visiting each other. Within two months, they were engaged. And within no time at all, the Keys became their home.

The move to the Keys was a big change, but Paul brought with him the drive, discipline, and work ethic that had shaped his life in Texas: business ownership, hands-on real estate experience, and a professional shooting career that landed him on podiums around the world. In the Keys, those qualities found a new direction in his life with Lori and the business they are building together.

“Paul embraced the Keys in his own way,” Lori says. “He traded Texas for flip-flops, boats, and orchids, but he brought with him the same business-minded drive — and found work that lets him be outside, solve problems, and help people.”

Island life came with a learning curve. Paul learned that even a nice evening out might still include shorts and flip-flops, while the water, fishing, boating, and slower rhythm began to feel like home. But he also needed something meaningful to do. After years of remodeling and flipping properties in Texas, property management was a natural fit.

Today, through Elite Property Management & Services, Paul helps other homeowners protect and enjoy their own piece of the Keys, whether they are here full-time or only part of the year.

For many luxury second homeowners, owning in the Florida Keys is both a privilege and a responsibility. Behind the beauty of a waterfront property is a simple truth: salt air, moisture, wind, storms, heat, pests, and constant exposure can quietly take a toll. Even the finest homes need regular attention.

“Small problems rarely stay small,” Paul says.

A slow drip from an A/C unit, overflowing gutters, moisture intrusion, termites, mold, plumbing concerns, or storm damage can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs before a homeowner ever knows something is wrong. Many Keys homes sit empty for parts of the year, and when areas of a property go unchecked, issues can quickly materialize.

That is why Paul ensures Elite lives up to its name. As an Accredited Member of the National Home Watch Association, Elite is part of an organization that helps establish professional standards for the Home Watch industry. Accreditation reflects a higher level of training, accountability, insurance, background checks, and ongoing approval requirements, giving clients confidence that the person watching over their home is not simply someone with a business card, but someone who understands the responsibility of protecting a valuable property.

“Home Watch is really about being your eyes and ears when you’re not here,” Paul says. “When you arrive, you should be able to enjoy your home. You shouldn’t have to spend the first two days fixing problems.”

Elite customizes Home Watch plans based on each property and homeowner’s needs, whether that means routine checkups, frequent visits, or additional oversight while the owner is away. Paul checks interiors and exteriors, looks for visible concerns, coordinates maintenance, and reports back before small issues become expensive surprises.

Beyond Home Watch, Elite can also handle or coordinate the ongoing care a Keys home may need, from maintenance, cleaning, painting, pressure washing, epoxy floors, landscaping, storm preparation, tree trimming, landscape lighting, and concierge services to larger renovation or restoration projects. When contractors, architects, or vendors are involved, Elite can coordinate, oversee, and protect the homeowner’s investment from afar.

Still, Paul’s focus is not simply on offering a long list of services. It is on trust.

“When people hand you access to their home, that is a big responsibility,” he says. “We take that trust seriously.”

He also brings a practical eye that comes from decades of hands-on property experience. Lori recalls one early client visit when Paul noticed something unusual on a ceiling during what was meant to be a quick look around. It turned out to be a sign of subterranean termites.

“He caught it right away despite it being renovated only a year prior,” Lori says. “That is the value of having someone who knows homes and knows what to look for.”

Lori is his partner in the business, handling accounting, billing, administrative details, and client communication. Together, they bring a balance clients respond to: Paul with field experience and direct problem-solving, Lori with organization, warmth, and business background. Their work also intersects naturally with Lori’s own business. As a third-generation florist and owner of Island Blooms, she can also help clients with flowers for private parties and special occasions.

Even with two growing businesses, Paul and Lori still make time to enjoy the life that brought them together. They like to get out on the boat, spend time at the sandbar, or head to Miami every now and then for a dressier night out. Paul also spends hours in the yard, where his love for plants has become one of his favorite parts of Keys living.

“If I’m not on the boat, I’m usually messing around in the yard,” Paul says.

He grows hundreds of orchids, studies what they need, and keeps improving the space around him. It is personal, but it also reflects the way he works. He understands that properties need consistent care, especially in a place as beautiful and demanding as the Florida Keys.

“Owning a home in the Keys should be a joy, not something you’re worrying about when you’re away,” Paul says. “Our job is to watch over it the way you would if you were here, so the character, value, and beauty of the home are protected for years to come.”

For homeowners who want to arrive to peace of mind instead of a to-do list, Paul’s goal is simple: watch carefully, communicate clearly, and make sure the Keys still feel like the escape they are meant to be.

After all, a second home should still feel like home.

To learn more about Home Watch and property care services in the Florida Keys, contact Paul and Lori at Elite Property Management & Services.
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– Jerrica Mah is a writer, Army wife, and freelance book editor who loves to travel vicariously through stories.