1218 Packer Street, Key West

New to the market is 1218 Packer Street, Key West. I checked the historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine when this house was built. The 1889 and 1892 maps both showed a group of similarly sized cottages located in this immediate which were flanked the much larger Cubano Boarding House once located at the corner of Packer and United Streets. The group of small cottages totally disappeared from the 1899 map. The current house at 1218 Packer Street appeared on the 1912 map. I looked in my old shoe box and found a photo of the house taken in 1965. I then searched the mls and found the color photo (two below) that shows the same property which had been updated in 2007, but not very well in my opinion.

I must admit that I was wrong about the house at 1218 Packer Street. I'm not a politician and I can admit when I a mistake. I recently viewed the new listing and was surprised to see what I had previously missed when this house was before its recent total renovation. The prior layout was clumsy. I failed to recognize the opportunity to reconfigure spaces just a bit to achieve much more utility inside the same basic box. The current owner not only moved walls but also replaced windows and doors so that more light entered the spaces to make them much more inviting and functional. New wood floors were added and the whole house looks totally different. It appears larger and more has a more user friendly layout.

The listing Realtor describes 1218 Packer Street this way:

"Exquisite Renovated 2BD/2BA Historic Home, located in highly desirable Old Town Key West and x-flood Zone. Walking distance to both Duval St. and White St. and all the main attractions. An Eyebrow style cottage, with stunning hard wood floors throughout, Beautifully appointed Kitchen and dining area in the rear, opening up via French doors to a sun filled patio and outdoor dining. One bedroom on main floor, adjacent to laundry area with a spacious master suite located on the second floor. Being sold turnkey with designer furniture package. Excellent Vacation Rental Potential."

The 1200 sq ft house sits on a 1550 sq ft lot situated behind a cute white picket fence with two giant coconut palms in the front yard. It's a little dream house come true. When you open the front door your eyes are drawn through to the new French doors in the combined kitchen and dining area at the rear. The living and dining spaces seem to merge into one larger space. The dining area is now flooded with sunlight.

The windows and French doors are impact glass which means you won't need to put up shutters if a wind storm approaches and that your will receive a substantial discount on wind insurance. Plus there is now more light entering this home. The old house had window unit air conditioners that hogged light. Now there is central air.

The back yard area now has a Trex deck and privacy fence. The listing agent told me the back area is flooded with sunshine all the time. Except the day I took these photos.

The first floor bedroom has much more space than I imagined it would. The adjacent bath also serves as a guest bath. The laundry closet is hidden from view to the left.

The second floor bedroom and new en-suite bath look so much different than before. Dual openings into the closet provide much more utility to the closet. The new dual sinks and marble shower enclosure real doll-up this once drab space. The bath is now flooded with light. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this lovely restored home. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos of 1218 Packer Street which is offered for sale at $895,000. The 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.