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Thursday, November 9, 2017

923 Angela Street, Key West - Now is the Time to Buy

Okay people out there who have been waiting for the market to drop so that you can get a great buy on a house in Key West, now is the time to buy 923 Angela Street.  I have written about this home several times of the years including earlier this year. And I have shown it two or three times since it has been on the market. The houses has been substantially renovated by the current owner.  I think the new lower asking price is a real value when compared to past sales of similar homes and also compared to the other homes currently on the market.
 923 Angela Street, Key West, Florida - 2017
The listing Realtor aptly describes this home this way:
"Tucked away on one of Old Town's secluded, charming lanes, this storybook cottage is perfectly located so that you can bike or walk to everything that makes Key West famous. Two bedrooms and two full baths, including an expansive upstairs master retreat with a walkout to a sweet, tree-top roof deck and a cozy office nook. Natural light plays across the interior's historic Dade County pine walls and restored floors, while a new updated kitchen and dining area provide a superb entertaining space. The second bedroom/den opens onto the new pool and landscaped courtyard with its touch-of-whimsy outdoor shower. A perfect front porch for relaxing in the cooling breeze. This home offers casual Key West living in a peaceful setting. Located in the X flood zone. 2017 recipient of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation Preservation Award."

This is a one and one-half story cottage with 1254 sq ft of compact but very cleverly designed living space. I use the word "designed" intentionally because the new owner made some very clever changes and additions when he renovated this house. What you cannot see but should appreciate is the replacement of old piers under the house and the new floor system. The Dade County walls and ceiling survive but do not overpower the place.
I snuck in a photo of the vintage kitchen as photographed in 2012 so that you can see how much the space changed and see how the space evolved. The most obvious change is the new cabinetry. A new base cabinet was added next to the wall where an open storage space got all dressed up with a door. Another base cabinet was added to the end wall to create a credenza for more kitchen storage. A custom dining space was added with wood counter top with especially fine joinery. Look just under the top to see five spaces for wine bottles. The stools get tucked out of the way when not in use.
I am not playing tricks on you. The listing agent thought it would be a good idea to furnish poolside bedroom with a sleeper sofa and nix the queen bed that was previously in the room. I left both pics in to show readers how easily the function could be changed to fit the needs of a particular buyer. The current owners live in this home full time. The main level rear is now used as a den.
I am not a fan of trendy decorating thingies. When I first noticed the hanging barn door in the first floor rear bedroom I questioned why. But if you consider this owner put the door in the bedroom and not in the dining area you realize the door is not the focus of attention but rather a convenient way to save space and create utility. Clever! Not having a pool was always a problem for this house. Now it has one. It fits right in like it was always there. But it wasn't. I stepped to the east side and found an outdoor shower where the base is a surf board. Clever again! As in the inside, the outside is minimalist in design carried out masterfully.
To explain the wondrous second floor, I must show you the previous incarnation. Look below.
East gable before
The stairway enters directly into the bedroom area which previously had no closet nor bathroom. The owner created a one level closet/room divider at the east end gable and added a new bathroom at the west rear gable. The square hatch window to the rear deck was previously existing. The A/C was elevated to the side of the deck bringing the noise up in the air making way for the pool down below. The bathroom is quite spacious. I especially loved the custom quartz sink the seems to hover over the white cabinets. This ultimate class in my opinion. The late afternoon light in this room is incredible which reminds me that the view from the deck will amaze you in May and June when the Royal Poinciana tree in the neighboring yard goes into full bloom. It's a killer. Speaking of which, this home is located opposite the Key West cemetery.
 
923 Angela Street is offered at $999,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing.  Let's take a look. You will be charmed by this storybook cottage. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.


5 comments:

FloridaAG said...

Very nice - I think there is going to be a very happy buyer of this house

Anonymous said...

Until that buyer wants to bring the groceries from their car to this house. There is no convenient way to access this house after getting stuff at the grocery store or the like. There is no parking out front and as it is a one way road you would have to drive all the way around to Margaret then down to Fleming (as Southard is also one way) back up Grinnell after dropping stuff off (and that is if you can find parking). It is a cute and amazingly well laid out house BUT unless you only go there for weekends or short stints (which many do) its not very practical (for most) for long term stays.

Gary Thomas said...

Dear Anon, Guess what, people who live in condos and town homes have to haul groceries from parking lots often located far away. Example, Shipyard and President's Walk in Truman Annex. People that live at 1800 Atlantic can use an elevator, but hey have to walk down the bowling alley hallway.

Not every house in Old Town has off street parking. That's a real selling point for a lot of buyers. And buyers pay a premium for it. You may not realize that when you start to look at houses, but you find out when you get down to the gritty part of negotiating.

When I first talk to buyers about buying a place in Old Town, I ask what they REQUIRE which includes parking. It is a real issue. And people that really must have it can get it. At a price. This house does not have it. A house with all the features this home has with parking should cost in the $1.2 or higher range in my opinion.

The current owner has the use of the next door neighbor's parking space (with permission) to use that parking space throughout most of the year.

Gary

Anonymous said...

Serious question, where does one keep a car if there is not parking? Thanks!

Gary Thomas said...

You stop the car in front of the house. Unload groceries. Drive half a block to Margaret Street. Park and walk back. Or Park on Grinnell near the cemetery Usually a place to park in that block.
The only bad time is when it is raining. But you can have the same bad luck if you own a Shipyard Condo r Presidents Walk townhomee. Their parking can be equally bad simply because of location a block away. That's life.

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