808 Shavers Lane, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed, but not by me, 808 Shavers Lane, Key West. This 1400 square foot home sits behind a white picket fence which when opened provides off street parking for two cars. That's unremarkable in most towns, but in Key West it is quite a fete.  Look at the crisp Greek Revival style architecture. There are front and rear two story porches. You'd think this is one of the historic Conch Houses for which Key West is famous. Neigh, it was actually built in 1999 along with two adjacent homes. In fact the builder made this house a bit larger, increased the main floor ceiling height to nine feet, and created two mater suites which I will discuss later. 

 I searched my old shoebox and identified what I believe to be 808 Shavers Lane in the above black and white photograph taken half a century ago.  I added the check mark to show the property. The house with the man on the front porch definitely was 818 Shavers Lane. There was a small one level cottage in between. All three buildings were in bad condition and were razed. The three new houses look nothing like the old.

In his book The Streets of Key West author J. Willis Burke wrote "Shavers Lane, between Whitehead and Duval, is named for a black resident of the area"..."in what was called Jungle Town in less racially sensitive times". (You think!) Today this area is now recognized as being an easy stroll to the shops and sights of Duval Street and the nearby restaurants on Petronia Street including Blue Heaven, Firefly, and Santiago's Bodega. Fort Zachary Taylor Beach and State Park and the Key West amphitheater are also within easy walking distance. 

The current owner updated the most of the house including replacing drywall, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, new porcelain tile floors on the main level, new kitchen cabinets and appliances. new pool systems, as well as impact glass windows on main level side. All other windows and doors have approved shutters which make the house qualify for a 30% discount on wind insurance. The house is located in the X Flood Zone so flood insurance will not be required by a mortgage lender. The house has Hardiplank siding. The entire exterior was just painted and looks sharp as a tack.

The house has a formal entry with what I like to call a drama wall - in this floor tiles attached to the wall which look like old stressed pine boards. The drama wall is repeated in the nearby first floor guest bath. The kitchen opens into the great room where the south wall has grass cloth wallpaper. Note the crown molding and recessed lighting. Glass sliders at the rear of the living area open out to the covered rear deck and pool. The grounds are both irrigated and lighted at night.

This home sits higher than the houses on either side. The builder was going to keep this place for himself. (I like those houses. They are always better than the rest. In this instance this house has nine foot ceilings on the first floor. The second floor has two master suites while the adjacent houses have a larger master and two smaller bedrooms in front.

The front bedroom has dual doors which open out to the covered front porch. There are three closets in this bedroom along with a sitting or desk area. Note both bedrooms have vaulted ceilings. This adds so much to these rooms. If you have looked at many genuine older houses in Old Town you know some have claustrophobic sized bedrooms. That's not the case here.

The current owner added wood shutters to semi-enclose the second floor porch and added floor tiles which created a cool sitting area. I snapped a pic of a property down on nearby Petronia Street as well as pic of the pool.

Whether you are coming or going, this a place you would be proud to call home. And if you are looking for a second home that you could rent to help pay part of the cost to purchase, this could be a good investment. The house next door rents for $12,000 to $13,000 per month during season. The owner has been advised a full time rental should generate about $100,000 in gross rent.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 808 Shavers Lane offered offered for sale at $1,295,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.