Search This Blog

Saturday, January 31, 2015

306 Peacon Lane, Key West

The house at 306 Peacon Lane dates back to circa 1850.That makes this one of the older homes on the Island of Key West. The house was originally located in Peary Court and relocated to this location several generations ago. I checked the historic Sanborn Fire Maps and learned a smaller house existed at this address until at least 1899 because the present house appears on the 1912 map. The address itself appeared on earlier maps as 104 Grunt Bone Alley and later as 104 Grunt Bone Lane. The property was first identified as 306 Peacon Lane in the 1912 map.
In 2004 the current owner added a rear addition which includes the new kitchen and great room, rear deck and pool, and a new second floor where the master suite is located. Today the renovated and expanded home has 1803 sq ft of living space under air conditioning. There are two bedrooms on the main floor plus a large bath with adjacent outdoor shower.
The listing Realtor, not me, describes this property as:
"Delightful home that has been superbly renovated in the heart of the Historic Seaport District. Mere foot steps to the hotspots of Caroline St while simultaneously being tucked away on a very low traffic and quiet lane, this home takes location to the max! All the historical charm of a home built in the mid 1800's combined with thoughtful updates like an open concept kitchen, pool with water feature, tons of closet space and even an outdoor shower! High ceiling and Dade county pine artfully blended with newer Ipe floors in the addition, Jenn-Air & Bosch appliances outfit the kitchen, off street parking and so much more that has to been seen to be appreciated. This home was also featured on HGTV's Island Life series."

The last photo above helps you understand how this house is laid out. The front door opens into an extra wide front hall. The two downstairs bedrooms and bath are on the right side. The covered porch is on the left side. Both bedrooms open onto the main hallway. There is also an interior door between the two bedrooms. I have seen this type of interconnection in many of the old houses. Notice the Dade County Pine on both the wall and ceiling. The walls in both bedrooms have an antiqued or weathered appearance. A door in the bedroom below opens directly into the bath. The walls in the downstairs bath are painted. A door at the rear of the bath opens out to the outdoor shower. That's a must have if you are to become a true Key Wester. There is nothing better than taking a shower outside in January when all your northern friends are freezing their behinds off! The white panel door at the back of the bathroom opens into the hallway just under the stairs to the second floor.
The above photo shows a TV on the rear wall of the original house. The 2004 addition is the open living area and kitchen. Two sets of full glass panel doors, four windows, lighted upper kitchen cabinets give this kitchen a bright and welcoming feel.  The room is painted a bright white which stands in contrast to dark IPE floors and mahogany doors, cabinets, and trim. This home is made for an owner who lives a gracious but non-pretentious lifestyle.
The IPE floors seen on the inside continue to the rear deck, only this section has not been stained. The pool has a lagoon like appearance. The tropical foliage and palm trees make you forget you're located just two blocks from one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world.
The new master suite is well thought-out. The vaulted ceiling employs wood slats reminiscent of the walls and ceiling below to keep this home in tune with its historic past, but updates the usage for modern needs. There is abundant closet space (a rarity for many houses in Old Town) and a very large en-suite bath.
I found the above photo that was taken of 306 Peacon Lane fifty years ago. My how things have changed - for the BETTER! This house is crisp, clean, and sophisticated without being a bit stuffy. It is located within easy walking distance to the Historic Key West Seaport and Duval Street. You can tell from the photos this house is now a functioning "family" home. But it could work just as well as a primary or second home for a single person or a couple. It would be a sure winner if it were offered as a vacation rental.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. 306 Peacon Lane is offered at $1,229,000. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this very pretty home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Where Have All the Houses Gone? - The Lack of Houses For Sale in Key West



I just returned to my desk after showing homes to a couple who are looking to purchase a home in Key West. I sat down at my desk and brought up my mls website. Eight properties went under contract since last night. I just checked the mls again and learned that we have 136 houses under contract of which 99 went under contract since January 1 of this year. Here's the kicker: 39 of the 99 went under contract during the past seven days. (Within thirty minutes of writing the above, another property went under contract. I did not change the data.)

If you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for prices to "fall", you may have made a faulty assumption about the direction the housing market is going in Key West.  If you have been waiting for more inventory to hit the market, it will. People are always dieing, getting divorced, getting fired or voluntarily leaving their jobs and moving to some other location. These are predictable life events. It's just that we can't predict when these events will occur in the future.

The supply of houses is rapidly diminishing. CLICK HERE to search the Key West mls database for homes that are still available.  There are 322 condos, single family homes, duplexes, and multiple family houses available. The least expensive place is a 12' X 12' condo priced at $130,000 located in Bahama Village. There are 149 properties priced between $500,000 to $999,000. 102 properties are priced at $1,000,0000 or higher which are still available. The most expensive home is offered at $9,000,000 - it will probably be on the market for a while. I don't think I can make that prediction about the rest of the market.

If you are looking to buy a place in Key West and need a buyer's agent please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise. 






Thursday, January 29, 2015

2601 South Roosevelt Blvd #609 A, Key West - Key West By the Sea


 I found an artist's conception of Key West by the Sea and knew it had to be the lead photo for today's blog about 2601 South Roosevelt Unit #609A. The front two buildings marked "A" and "B" were built in 1964. The "C" building was built in 1967.  Like any project built around fifty years ago, Key West By the Sea has changed a bit. The buildings are the same on the outside. There is a second pool in the courtyard behind the "A" building. The landscaping has matured, but it has not overgrown. The interior courtyard still has a big green lawn. There's an orchid garden and a tennis court as well. The difference with the property is how individual condo owners have changed their own units or how some units remain pretty much unchanged.The aerial photo above shows Key West By the Sea. The arrow points out the "A" building. The body of water behind the complex is the Key West Salt Ponds.
The listing Realtor describes this listing as an:
"Unique opportunity to own a stunning renovated Penthouse with incredible views of the Atlantic's tropical blue waters. Located only steps from the Beach; grab your towel, hat and sunscreen for a fun-filled day. Sip your morning coffee on the lanai while enjoying sunshine and fresh ocean breezes. The kitchen is a Gourmet's Delight and a Chef's practical workplace, complemented by a large granite bar and matching granite floors. The spacious open floor plan allows you to enjoy conversing with family and guests while putting the final touches on a meal, perfect for entertaining. Situated on 8+ acres, this Private and Gated Community has Two Pools, Two Tennis Courts, Lush Landscape and Community Rec Room. Exceptional furnishings are negotiable."
I showed Unit #609A last week. It is located on the top floor of the "A" building which is located opposite Smathers Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. My buyers were impressed by the recently updated interiors but fell in love with the place when they stepped out to the balcony and saw the pools below and the Atlantic Ocean across South Roosevelt Boulevard. The sun was bright and the temperature was balmy on that January day. This is kind of weather and maybe the view many would-be buyers dream of when they think about moving to Key West.
Unit 609 A has been updated throughout. There is new flooring, a new kitchen, new appliances, and flooring. New whisper quiet mini-split A/Cs were added as well in the living room and both bedrooms. This unit is in move-in condition. Since the seller is willing to part with the furnishings, all a new owner might need to bring would be a toothbrush and tanning lotion. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. I did not take any pics myself.
The Key West By the Sea Condominiums is a professionally managed association. Monthly condo fees for this unit are $588.81 and include cable tv, exterminating, building maintenance, building insurances, common area and pool maintenance, security, and management. Pets are permitted. Rentals are not permitted until a new unit owner has owned the unit for one year. There is on site laundry as not all units have a washer and dryer in the unit. 609A does have a washer and dryer.
I went over to Smathers Beach early this morning to take a couple of pics of the complex and the beach. It was another beautiful day in Key West. Locals and tourists were at the beach walking, running, tending to their dogs. One guy was sitting on the beach watching the waves. The beach groomsman was raking the beach for today's beach-goers. 

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

1308 Reynolds Street, Key West - Conch Cottage in the Casa Marina


Just Listed by Preferred Properties, 1308 Reynolds Street. On the outside this home looks like so many of  the Conch Cottages that make up Old Town. But this home is actually located just five blocks from the Atlantic Ocean in the tony section Casa Marina Area of Key West. And on the inside, it is not like any other Conch Cottage I've seen.
The front door opens into a center hallway which leads to the open living area at the rear. There is a smallish room with closet on the left side that could work as a study or bedroom and a much larger bedroom with bath on the right.
The bedroom on the right introduces us to the possibilities this home has to offer. First we notice the larger bedroom on the right is all wood which is typical of most homes in Old Town, but this place is decidedly different. We notice all the wood trim and even the crown molding is dark wood. Then we see a semi-open carved wood closet festooned with colorful flora and fauna. The closet interior is lined with cedar. When we walk into the bathroom we see the sunken tub with a large window that slides back into a recess in the wall. Whether you are soaking or taking a shower you'll feel like you are one with nature.  Then we notice the wood carvings over the window and then over the mirror. Aha! This place may have other architectural influences from Thailand or perhaps Bali. We open the small double doors and walk from the bathroom in to the open living area.The bath does double duty as a guest bath.
The newly remodeled kitchen is separated from the living space by a high polished wood counter-top that also serves as an informal eating space. Meal preparation is done on earth toned tile counter-tops. Clerestory windows were added over the range wall. What might have been a dark room became an inviting space instead.CLICK HERE and ALSO HERE to view more of the photos I took of this home.
The second floor bedroom is absolutely dreamy. What a perfect place to take nap or sleep the night away. You'll notice there is no door to shut the space off from down below or even the adjacent open bathroom. If that bothers you, stop reading today's blog immediately. If not, I'm sure you could get used to this space. I know I could.
A covered breezeway bridges the space between the main house and the rear cottage. As I moved toward the back of the property to take photos I suddenly understood this place. This is not a normal main house with rear cottage type of place. Instead both buildings, the grounds, the pool, and the landscaping really are integrally connected.
Then I noticed the door from the main floor bedroom opens out to the backside of the pool area. The sliding window in the main floor bath likewise opens out to the same outdoor space. When I was taking photos I noticed the French doors at the rear of the main floor bedroom which open out to the garden. Then I saw the bathroom window recess which also opens out to the garden. This I saw the doggie door that is a part of the double door in the kitchen which opens out to the breezeway.  and the covered breezeway. The breezeway really does bridge the two homes into one space. The use of natural woods and natural tiles and flagstones gives this house a very comfortable feel.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1308 Reynolds Street that is offered for sale at $1, 249,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Don't wait too long. This place was only listed on Tuesday and the listing agent had a bunch of showings requested as soon as it hit the mls. There is a scarcity of houses for sale in Key West. Wait at your peril, Pauline.


Disclaimer

The information on this site is for discussion purposes only. Under no circumstances does this information constitute a recommendation to buy or sell securities, assets, real estate, or otherwise. Information has not been verified, is not guaranteed, and is subject to change.
Powered By Blogger

Counter



Free Counter

Key West

Key West
You could be here!

Blog Archive

Gary Thomas in a Nutshell