1 Nassau Lane, Key West

I have written and rewritten the story (a true story) about the time I took a couple who walked into my office one morning several years ago and told me they wanted to buy a small house.  I got on the computer and showed them various properties located in Old Town that were in their price range. I then called several Realtors to set up showings for later that afternoon. One property was located on Nassau Lane and it was owned by a fellow agent. I called him and asked if we could see it before noon. He said "Yes" and we drove over soon thereafter. We parked on Fleming Street and started to walk up the lane. The lady started to gush and said something like "Gary, I love this. This is exactly what we were thinking about." As we approach the house she said "That's it!  We are going to buy this house." I suggested she wait until we see the inside. But she had already made up her mind and that of her husband.  We were under contract within a couple of hours. We did not look at any of the houses I had lined up for the afternoon. Such was the charm of Nassau Lane. They still own their house near the southern end of this dead end lane located just south of Fleming Street between Frances and Grinnell Streets. I took a photo earlier this morning just as the sun started to light up Old Town.

1 Nassau Lane abuts a home which fronts onto Fleming Street. This cottage first appeared on the 1912 Sanborn Fire Maps.  The 1889 map identified this same lane as "Cologne Lane" at which time a structure two lots to the south was identified as being a horse shed. Maybe nobody wanted to live next to a horse shed and maybe that explains the lane change after the horse shed went away. I then looked through my old shoebox and found the black and white photo below taken 52 years ago. I took a photo earlier today with the same point of view.

When you look at 1 Nassau Lane today you will see front porch has been raised and that a spiral staircase was added along with a rooftop sundeck and garden.  I climbed up there and decided I would eliminate the deck and stairs if I owned the house.  I would removed the trees and foliage from the front, clean up the brick paves and reclaim the off street parking space. I think new plantings kept in scale with the house would make a world of difference to the facade.

This cottage has 486 square feet of living space and sits on a 748 square foot lot (22.21' X 33.68').  The rooftop deck measures 8' X 23'.  As I said, I would make that go away. In my opinion it would make this cottage look so much more appealing. Renovations to the interior were added in 1997. I think this place is almost a blank canvas upon which a new owner could create the perfect Key West getaway. 

The chief axiom of real estate is "Location, Location, Location" and 1 Nassau Lane has it. The mansions on Fleming Street are located forty feet from the front door of 1 Nassau Lane. You can walk to Duval Street or the historic seaport in a matter of minutes. There are two incredible bakeries located about three minutes away by foot. There are two nearby convenience stores on White Street also located within a five minute walk. There are several gyms and yoga studios about seven minutes to the south. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos on 1 Nassau Lane which is offered at $440,000. 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 Westhttp://www.preferredpropertieskeywest.com/.