1126 Stump Lane, Key West - Open House

 Open House Today

12:00 to 2:00

1126 Stump Lane 

There is a lot of home built into this 570 square foot Key West cottage which the owners call "Little Shangri La". It has a formal entry hall that leads to the main living area with cathedral ceiling, Dade County Pine walls, a home office or spare guest room, and French doors which open out to the new AZEC deck. The bathroom has a Jacuzzi tub on the inside but there is an Outdoor Shower outside.

Offered fully furnished at $549,000.

1215 Truman Avenue, Key West - Price Reduction!

That past two weeks in Key West have been pretty amazing.  Town is like it was twenty years ago. There is a noticeable, no a remarkable, decrease in the amount of tourists. Parking is easy. Traffic is a breeze. I don't have to watch for numbskull bike riders who think they are pedaling on a pretend street in Disneyland. It's also hotter and more humid than I ever remember.  I think it may have something to do with the solar eclipse from last week. The day of the eclipse the little frogs that live out by my pool shut up all night long. The palm trees that usually go "wsssshhhhh" were equally calm and barely moved. It really was eerie. Last Friday and Saturday the air was hollow and the skies were gray - especially off to the west and northwest - toward Texas.

I wrote about 1215 Truman Avenue in early April.  I am genuinely surprised that it has not sold. But it hasn't and the price has just been reduced from $1,049,000 to $995,000.

Locals refer to this style of house as a Conch House. It is large impressive house with the strong architectural lines identified elsewhere as a Classical Revival.  In his book The Houses of Key West Alex Cammerer described Conch Houses as "...a simple rectangular block of more than one story. It has a low-pitched roof; the main entrance is on the gabled end. The attic story extends beyond the vertical plane of the vertical stories, forming a portico. Formal columns ...are an integral part of the portico structure."

 I searched for historic photos of the house and found the old black and white postcard below dated 1929. I added an arrow to identify what I believe to be 1215 Division Street (which is now known as 1215 Truman Avenue).  The house is located opposite Bayview Park to the left. The perpendicular street still exists today. The large two story house located across Division Street at the corner of Georgia Street and the adjacent cottage no longer exist.  Other homes that may have existed in that area were replaced by what became the Division St Grammar School which later became the Monroe County Office Building.  Locals and returning tourists will quickly notice that Division Street (or Truman Avenue) abruptly ended at the Garrison Bight. In later years US 1 was built around the barren ground to the east and tied into Division Street. As years became decades many of these once grand old houses became apartments, guest houses, while others were converted into commercial uses. A few stately single family homes remain.

 The listing Realtor describes 1215 Truman Avenue as an...

"Historic Conch house on great corner in the Meadows. Classic lines and built prior to to 1912, it has lots of Dade County pine throughout & is perfect for a home & home office with close proximity to White St, the “Local’s Duval St”. Relaxing pool area with a wonderfully spacious lanai surround it. Large front and side porches enhance the charm of the home. 3 or 4 bedrooms, second floor balcony, tall ceilings, huge attic space and a rare carport & off street parking off Georgia Street make this a very special one. Its ready and ripe for renovation to create your dream home."

I found the above black and white photo of this same house taken in 1965.  Notice that the three bays and porch railing appear a bit different in 2017.  The MLS datasheet shows the property as being 2120 square feet with air conditioned living space. Today the main level has approximately 1246 square feet of living space and 874 square feet on the second floor. Both floors have access to the front porches which each measure 6' X 23'.

1215 Truman Avenue is shown as a contributing structure on the Key West Historic Survey. In more recent years a part of this home was used converted to some commercial use.  The Monroe County Property Appraiser notes in its property identification card that "1215 TRUMAN AVE NO LONGER USED AS REAL ESTATE OFFICE"  The same property records show a pool was added to the property in 1997. There is a nice partially covered deck area on the west side of the house. Part of the house has been used as a residence and part was used for business purposes. I think what was a window in middle bay of the first floor was converted into an entry door. I believe the entry is on the left because opened into the stairway to the second.. The front and side yards are now fenced. Additionally, there is covered off street parking at the rear. This house is perfectly livable as it sits, but it could be a grand renovation project for the buyer who wants a big historic home. The front of  the house is minimally landscaped. There is ample room for more plantings.

So many of the grand conch houses in Old Town have already been gobbled up and restored. Few are left. This home is a rare exception. Were it located in the heart of Old Town, it would have already sold. It is not. That is why the price has been reduced. This house is worth much more than it is priced. It really, truly is. Don't let the Truman Avenue location scare you away. This is worth both seeing and buying. Take advantage of the fact that other buyers are away. They will return in a couple of months and someone will grab this one. But not if you act first.


CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

Tales from Key West Real Estate - No. 1

The normal practice in Key West is for the Listing Agent to show his/her property to the buyers and his/her agent. This is because many of our properties (especially in Old Town) are unique.

One day several years ago my customers and I were looking at fairly expensive home that was being rented on a long term basis. The tenants were single young adult Europeans. I assume they worked in restaurants.  They were too well groomed to do any manual labor.

The agent first opened a shut bedroom door and took us into the room where the drapes or blinds were shut. We were told to "Sssh!" so as to not disturb the pretty blond girl asleep on the bed. This was early afternoon. 

Next we went into the adjacent bedroom. Nobody was in that bed. The window coverings were open. I remember the place being ablaze with light. We stood inside several minutes discussing the unit. Then the bathroom door opened.  A brief blast of  bathroom humidity burst into the room. A tall blond Adonis walked out wearing a black bikini.  He didn't seem a bit phased by finding us in his room.

Harvey Hurricane Relief

We have all seen things in the past few days that most of us probably never expected. Hurricane Harvey has forced thousands upon thousands of people from their homes with only the clothes on their backs. The storm is not over, and it will take weeks to even obtain a semblance of the physical damage to the homes, businesses, infrastructure, and, most importantly, to the lives of those who have been impacted by this storm. If you have not been affected by a hurricane, consider yourself lucky.  You have no idea how demoralizing it is and how even the word "hurricane" stirs recurring images in your head. The four million people in Houston and environs lives will never be the same.

Like many of those of you reading this blog, I have often given money to the American Red Cross in response to tragic events I saw on television. I could see the need and I felt it necessary to give something to help others impacted by whatever event triggered my need to give.

Key West was devastated by Hurricane Wilma in 2005.  I remember an aid worker from the AMERICAN RED CROSS who came to my door asking if I was okay and if they offer me assistance.  Those workers went from door to door throughout Key West offering aid to rich and poor alike.

How odd it was for me to be contacted by the American Red Cross to ask if they could help me.

I urge everyone who reads today's blog to contact the AMERICAN RED CROSS and give something.  We all have more than we really need. It is time to help others.

CLICK HERE to go to the official American Red Cross website and make a donation.  You can donate by credit card or send a check.  You can even designate where you want your money go.  If you send in a check you can avoid getting on a pesky email solicitation that seems to never stop once you do give.

425 Frances Street Unit 2, Key West -Condo that Feels Like a Single Family Home

Just Listed:  425 Frances Street Unit 2, Key West, Florida. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

" This 2 BD/2 BA condo blends modern tropical charm with the historic beauty of Old Town Key West. High ceilings and lots of natural light accentuate the living space. Choose to relax in your own private backyard and swimming pool, or use the larger community pool and common area shared with just two other units. It's conveniently located less than two blocks from the Historic Seaport and just six blocks from Duval St., walking distance to some of Key West's best restaurants, bars, and galleries. This Old Town Gem is the perfect vacation home or rental property."

I dug down into my old shoebox and found two photos which show 425 Frances Street as it appeared in 1965.  The first thing you will notice is that the house did not have a wrap-around second floor balcony. The photo just above shows the neighboring house at 415 Frances Street which shows a portion of the second floor stairway at 425 Frances Street. This leads me to believe the second floor was used as an apartment for several years before the building was renovated in the late 1990s or early 2000s when the building had three separate apartments. Later those apartments were converted into condominiums and sold off separately.

The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows this property was built in the 1930s. We know that's not correct because Key West was in financial ruins during the Great Depression and no big houses or small houses were being built then. I checked the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that that 305 Frances Street existed on this site as early as the 1889 Map and was re-numbered as 425 Frances Street on the 1892 Map. In other words 425 Frances Street existed at least to 1889. I could not find any reference to the building as having been either a single family home or a multi-family residence. The top black and white photo show us it was used as a multi-family residence at least 1965 and probably earlier. 

I believe the wrap-around porch and revamped stairway were added when the apartments were made into condominiums. Today the building has three separate units. The first floor front unit occupies about 50 percent of the first floor living space. Unit 2 is located at the rear and has a private entrance off the walking path on the north side.  The third unit is located on the second floor and is accessed by the exterior stairway. The carport shown in the black and white photo above was removed. That are now has a pool and garden which is shared by the three unit owners. Unit 2 has a separate private pool.

Private Pool for Unit 2

Guests walk down a path on the north side of the building to enter into Unit 2 which has a small foyer.  The guest bedroom is at the right of the foyer entrance. The great room is located a few steps further. I think any person who enters this space will be amazed at the size of the room at least for the first visit. The room seems very wide and that is magnified by the cathedral ceiling. Multiple sets of French doors look out at the private pool and the private garden at the rear. If it weren't for the shared party wall with the unit in the front, this unit looks and flows like a single family home. 

Shared Pool and Garden

 I think buyers who are looking to purchase a single family home or a condo should take a look at this particular property. The privage pool and garden are something totally unique to this place. It really feels like a single family home. And if you compare the size (indoor and outdoor space), it offers more value than just about any other condo available anywhere near the asking price.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for 425 Frances Street Unit 2 which is offered for sale at $750,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Regrets, I've had a Few

Last May I wrote a blog about directions not taken. An ex read it and thought it was about him. Exes think like that. It wasn't - mostly.  There are several places I go on the internet when I get up each morning including the Monroe County Sheriff website to see if I know anybody who got arrested the day before; the Key West Citizen news to find out who is getting taxpayer money for some private deal and if I know anybody who died; and the Denver Post Obituary to see if anybody I knew as a kid or young man had died. I have found too many names of people in the Post that have brought me to tears. This is what happens as you get older.

The above 1959 Mercedes Benz 300 SL red roadster belonged to me for a couple of months in the early spring of 1979. I worked in a bank in Denver where the consumer lending department was auctioning off this car along with two others that were repossessed. I was the low bidder of the three people who submitted secret written bids. The first guy backed off. The second guy couldn't come up with cash to pay for it. I got it by default. For $10,500. For Real!

I remember driving it home.  I left the bank parking garage and headed home. I was getting looks from everybody but mostly guys in cars - admiring.

On another day I drove it on the West Sixth Avenue freeway almost to Golden, Colorado. I turned it around and headed back to Denver. When the coast was clear, I floored it. I had it over 100 MPH in no time. Wow!  I got over that pretty quickly and went back to normal speed. I actually remember stopping at a red light at the corner of Speer Blvd at Sixth Avenue. A guy in the right lane looked directly at me and smiled - not at me but at my car. That reminds me of a lesson I learned in college. I was at a park sunning myself.  A good looking guy arrived at the park and brought his puppy. Several different girls had to go over and talk to this guy. Puppies are chick magnets. My roadster was a guy magnet.  

I had recently split from my first partner with whom I purchased the house behind the hedge in the photo. I had a 1976 Mercedes 450 SL in the garage that I was still making monthly payments on.  I couldn't really afford two cars and the house payment. My intent was to re-sell the roadster and make some easy money.

I had no idea what the roadster might be worth. By chance one day during the lunch hour I was in a magazine store where I found an automobile magazine with an almost identical car as its cover photo. I bought the magazine to try to figure out how much my car was worth. I knew about the Blue Book but don't recall if I had looked at it or not.

I divined the asking price of $16,500.  I put classified ad in the Denver Post. I had several tire kickers come be my house. They wanted to see it, but not to buy it. A couple of weeks went by and I was getting nervous about having to pay for this big red car. I decided to put a classified ad in the Los Angeles Times for the following Sunday.

Around 9:00 AM on Easter Sunday I got a phone call from a Continental Airline pilot in Los Angeles who asked me a bunch of questions about the car. I remember the time because it must have been around sunrise out there. He said he would fly to Denver in a couple of days and begged me not to sell it. I said I wouldn't. He called later to confirm the exact time he would be at my house.

The day arrived. We took the car out on the road. We returned to my house and made a deal. Even though I made deals every day of my life for the bank where I worked as a mean son-of-a-bitch commercial loan workout guy,  in real life I am a pretty decent guy. I ended up selling the roadster to the pilot for around $15,500. He asked and I let him sleep in my guest room. He was a cheap-son-of-a-bitch.  But I got what I wanted, and he got what I wish I had not sold.

This is one of the biggest regrets in my life. I deal with people all the time who have dreams about buying a place in Key West. So many of them dream but have difficulty letting go of their money. They, like me, only see future expense.  They don't think about future enrichment.  My experience has as a Realtor has taught me that home prices in Key West appreciate year after year at ta higher rate than most of the United States. And like a fast red car, you can use it.

I used my gains on the sale of the red roadster to pay off my Ready Reserve account at the bank and pocketed the rest. I achieved my goal of selling the car at a profit.  Readers may wish to GOOGLE 1959 Mercedes 300 SL to see what that car is worth today. 

If you are looking to take your life in a different direction by purchasing a place in Key West, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-76-2642 or contact me by email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. The only regret I have about moving to Key West is that it took me so long to do it.

618 White Street, Key West - Just Listed

The cute house located at 618 White Street was just listed for sale.  I previously listed this same home a few years ago and was excited to see the updated house which the current broker describes as:

"Built in the late 1800's this charming conch home was fully renovated in 2006. Classic wood frame with two bedrooms and one bath on the first floor as well as an expansive loft with living area, sleeping area and office space. The spacious main floor features beautiful bamboo floors throughout the open floor plan. The kitchen boasts many special features and extras. The high copper ceiling is the focal point along with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, pantry, gas stove, garbage disposal and trash compactor. The new renovated bathroom is classic and modern with white tile work and glass enclosed shower. Outdoors is your oasis with privacy fence, lush and mature landscaping surrounding the new heated pool (built in 2013) and large travertine deck. Don't miss this Old Town gem."

When I first entered this house it felt the same as before - only fresher. Everything about the house is fresh and clean. There a "newness" to the "oldness". I remembered the open houses I held here and the comments from prospective buyers - they all loved. One of the most unique features is the updated kitchen with the copper barrel ceiling. It is a neat variation on a vaulted ceiling which makes spaces that are typically constrained into subjects of discussion.

I am going to discuss the history of this once smaller home, but direct your immediate attention to how it now functions. There are two bedrooms on main floor separated by a sparkling bathroom placed between. The rear bedroom is my choice for the master because it has French doors which open out to the new pool.  There is a stairway located midway thru the living area that provides access to the renovated loft area. Once up in the loft, there are two separate areas. The front area (photo immediately above) is pretty crafty construction. A prior owner extended the living area over the front porch below. That added about six feet in depth of living space which ultimately made the second level more usable. There are knee walls on either side which provide a lot of storage space. The area at the rear offers space for a small office or reading area.

The current owner added the new pool. It looks great!  The photos were probably taken around 10:00 AM as they show shadows from the east. I saw this pool around noon and the area was ablaze in sunshine.  The owner added an outdoor shower just off the kitchen.  

I dug deep into the old shoe box and found a photo that shows how this house looked back in 1965. The photo has a note that says the house was built in 1890. The other houses on this block were all built at the same time and all originally looked the same. I was told this group of houses were homes of cigar workers that worked at a cigar factory on nearby Newton Street. I dug deeper in the shoebox and found an old postcard that shows the historic Armory building located five houses to the north that shows the neighboring homes as they appeared in the 1920s.  I am sure whoever lived in 618 White Street in the 1890s would marvel at all that has changed but still appreciate that the fact that so much of Old Town Key West has been maintained. Progress, yes. Respect for our past, for sure.

618 White Street, Key West ~ Pretty as a Picture

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS for 618 White Street and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.