2021 - It was a Very Good Year in Key West Real Estate

2021 started out real shaky. January 6th scared the hell out of me. And a lot of people. Then the Inauguration happened and things started to go back to normal - at least as normal as we could get at the time. I think most people have an optimistic outlook on our future. Of course the people I come into contact with are successful people. Achievers. Winners. That is why they have money to spend. And never forget this: We live in America. Even when we are down, we get back up and thrive. I really believe we can achieve anything. 2022 will only be better.

Right after travel to Key West was allowed in mid 202o we saw the beginning of a surge of visitors that has not stopped. Many of them bought houses, condos, and investment properties.  2020 was a very good year for me. 2021 was an even better year.

Preferred Properties had a very successful year. All of the agents cranked out records sales. I sold the following properties:

727 Washington Street, Key West  March 2021

 115 Front Street #103, Key West  March 2021

1425 Washington Street, Key West  March 2021

733 Poorhouse Lane, Key West  May 2021

 317 Whitehead Street, Key West

 1104 Petronia Street, Key West  June 2021

915 Angela Street, Key West  June 2021 

724 Windsor Lane, Key West  July 2021

66 Front Street, Key West  December 2021

Most of these sales were to/from repeat customers. I appreciate their loyalty.  2022 looks very promising. I have a closing the first week of January and three new listings about to hit the market. 

 

811 Washington Street #103, Key West - Just Listed in the Casa Marina Area

 

 

Just Listed: 811 Washington Street No. 103, Key West. I snapped the top photo of 811 Washington Street ten years ago. The lower photo shows it today. I have sold this home twice and it is now my good fortune to be the listing agent again. In fact I have had four sales nine unit Casa Marina Area enclave. These are the best located and among the very best built properties just as the 2007 recession trounced America. America came back and Key West came back extra strong. Today the Casa Marina Area is as much in demand as Old Town.

The landscaping photographed in 2012 was already mature and lush. Today is regal. The HOA now maintains the front and side right of way as well as the front and rear of each home. Homeowner fees of $450 are paid quarterly Each home has its own pool with waterfall. Individual owners maintain their l pools. Each home has a rear entrance for the the pool and groundsman access

 The developer built just nine town home units. They are all alike as far as construction, layout, cabinets, appliances, bathroom fixtures, etc. The end units, such as this unit, have extra windows on the east  or west wall. This gives the living room more daytime light. The photos below first floor layout, the pool area, the second floor hallway, master bedroom with vaulted ceiling and rear second floor balcony that overlooks the pool below. The second guest bedroom is on the front of the house. I t has an en-suite and its own private covered porch. Finally you get to see the  third floor bedroom which includes built-in twin beds up front and another bed at the rear adjacent to another en-suite bath  This town home has 2240 sq ft of living space on three floors. There are front and rear balconies on the first and second floors. The interiors feature crown molding, real wood floors, expensive interior trim and high end amenities. Thee is deeded off street parking in front. And because this is an end unit, the side yard and back yard ate larger than other units. And, of course, all of this and the Casa Marina location make this an outstanding value in this price range. 

 

  Both the master and guest bedrooms have covered porches for perfect alone time. The master bedroom has both pool and sunset views. The house is located about one mile from Mallory Square where hundreds gather nightly. Here it would be just you and your Babe.

 

The third floor was designed with kids and brothers-in-law in mid. There are two sleeping areas and an en-suite bath. Let the kids and him climb the stairs. CLICK HERE to view many more photos.

Higg's Beach is just a five minute walk. Wouldn't that be fun!  There are public tennis court, Salute on the Beach, first rate children only playground, a dog park, and adjacent Bocce Ball area. Louie's Backyard is located a couple of blocks further to the west. Spend the day. Spend a little. Spend a lot. The choice is yours. People from around the world save money all year long to come here for a week or so. You can use these amenities any time you want. For Free.

 CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and more photos of 811 Washington Street No 103. Then please text me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am the listing agent at Preferred Properties Key West. This home is offered at $1,697,000.  It will be on Open House this Sunday, January 2, 2022 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM if not sold before then.

TUNE IN or MISS OUT

 

True Tales of Key West Real Estate in the Times of Covid 19 - No. Fourteen

This is a true story

I recently held an open house. I arrived at my listing about fifteen minutes before it was to begin. A couple driving a street legal golf cart was parked in front waiting for me to arrive. I asked them to wait five minutes so I could turn on the lights and get organized. I met the owner inside who agreed to turn on the lights on the second floor while I set up the first floor. The golf cart couple could not control themselves and entered before I was ready. Others quickly followed. It was crazy. People started asking questions. I never got a chance to go upstairs. The owner had departed. Everything was supposed to be just fine. 

My broker came by around 12;30 to take to a look-see. She looked around the first floor; went out to the pool; came back inside nodded her approval, and went upstairs. A few minutes later she came up to me said something like "The man in the shower scared me."

I asked what man? Had one of my open house attendees jumped into the shower to try it out? Or worse? I ran upstairs. I got up there as fast I could. I went into the front bedroom which has an en-suite bath and shut the door (visible in the top photo) only to find this:

I can't say that I screamed but it gave me a jolt. I immediately realized it was not real. But I also knew it appeared real at first glance. Real enough to scare a rational person. I started to move it out of view but then thought the owners put it there for a reason. I decided to leave it.

 

Shortly thereafter a fellow Realtor arrived and took a look around the first floor then began a Facetime tour of the home. Several minutes later she came up to ask a couple of questions but first said  "That man in the bathroom almost gave her a heart attack".  I apologized again. After that I warned people not to be frightened. I still heard a couple screams and then laughs.

 

A two hour open house turned into a three and one-hour marathon. The owner returned and explained the "man" was a cardboard cutout of his son in character as Tom Sawyer. His drama teacher made cutouts of the characters. Dad kept Tom as a remembrance and planned to have him in the guest bedroom as a  surprise for his now grown son who would be home for Christmas. 

 

The house went under contract immediately and to the agent who did the Facetime video. The owner relocated Tom to a bedroom corner during the home inspection.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Key West

'Twas the Night Before Christmas 

'Twas the day before Christmas, when all through the Key West,

Not one single house was available for sale,

Realtor listing signs were stored in sheds - instead.

Agents were gathered in bars around Old Town,

Sipping then slurping gin and tonic,

Bourbon and Seven, Vodka and Soda, and Beer with chaser,

While all the time moaning and groaning about income not earned,
As visions of missed commission checks lost danced in their heads.

Soon to be members of Alcoholics Anonymous, 

Their self pity was bottomless. 

 

I on the other hand was settled all snug in my bed watching NETFLIX.
When out by the pool there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The sun was setting oer to the west;
Gave the luster of twilight to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Santa himself, as if stuck in time,
Peering inside my window.

 

 

 

So down to the Great Room room I flew in a flash,
Hoping to grab a Selfie with the old Elfie;

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
He just stood there staring inside - WTF?
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth.

 

 

I grabbed my iPhone and snapped a quickie.
He spoke not a word as he turned with a jerk,

And fled to his sled before leaving a present!

 

 

He missed the Christmas Cheer I setup, 

On the far side of the pool,

that danged old fool.

 

 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave whistle,

And away they all flew toward Sloppy Joe's,
Where the Realtors were falling off on their bar stools,

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight -

 

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night"

 

 

 

524 Olivia Street, Key West - Income Potential

Just Listed 524 Olivia Street, Key West. This property is listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that is where I work, but this is not my listing. Currently used as a both a home and investment property, a new owner may choose to keep 524 Olivia Street it as is, renovate and turn it into a single family home,  or to make both income units.

As soon as I saw this listing I looked in my old shoebox to see what it looked like years ago. I found a photo dated 1965 which shows the property from a similar viewpoint as the photo I shot.

I also searched the historic Sanborn Fire Maps to learn more about when the house was built. The 1889 Sanborn and subsequent Fire Maps show different sized houses at that location. That is not unusual because small cottages were often razed so that larger homes or commercial buildings could be built. What interested me about the 1889 and 1892 Maps was not the house but what looked to be a walking lane on both the east and rear. Walking lanes were not uncommon in earlier days. They provided access to houses located behind other houses. I altered the Map below a bit to point out both the walking lane and the rear name with its distinctive name "Pig Sty Alley". That was the first time I came across that name. Consider what may have gone on in that interior space and what it may have smelled like. Today that area is mostly commercial with including condos with transient rental licensees, a bike shop, and a restaurant.

I altered the map to indicate where 524 Olivia Street is located today and to show what I believe was a walking land. The Map already shows Pig Sty Alley. The current Monroe County Property Appraiser records show a gap or hiatus between 524 Olivia and 528 Olivia. What the map does not show is the fantastic location -just one-half block from Duval Street to the west and Truman Avenue to the south.

When I looked at the property I noticed the extra large space to the left side of 524 Olivia. There is both a change of concrete and a small concrete curb. I also noticed someone erected a chain link fence at the rear of 528 Olivia that attached to what may be the fence line of 524 Olivia. I don't know and I only point this out as there still may be a hiatus between 524 and 528 Olivia Street. A hiatus is defined a break or a gap. An area of land that lies between two parcels but appears from legal descriptions and public records to not be a part of either. I expect a new survey may either resolve or call  into question who owns the space I have noted. Land is very valuable in Key West. This may not even be an issue. 

524 Olivia Street is located in the X Flood Zone which is good. And is it Zoned HNC 1-3 which is very good. HNC zoning allows multiple commercial and residential typee use opportunities for a new owner. The concrete block house at 522 Olivia Street was listed for sale on December 16 and immediately went under contract. I do not know but suspect that house will be taken down and a new property built. The immediate area has numerous transient and monthly vacation rentals. Redevelopment of any parcel in this area will likely prove profitable.

The property sits on 2.940 Sq Ft lot 40' wide by 70''deep. The house has 1,800 Sq Ft of living space. There is one off street parking space which is both rare and very valuable in this part of town. 

I have not been inside and suggest interested buyers view the Key West MLS  datasheet for more information and photos. CLICK HERE to view. Then please contact 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.

"I HOPE YOU DIE!"

"I HOPE YOU DIE!"

That is how part two of the three part conversation ended. The first part started this way...

About five months ago I bought a new iphone and switched carriers from AT&T to TMobile. TMobile advertised it had the fastest 5G in most places. I wanted good and reliable phone service. I bought their bate and switched. 

I soon learned my iphone did not work at my house. I live in the Casa Marina area of Key West. Big lots, open sky, not a lot of people. I had to stand outside of my house to talk on it. I had to stand in a specific spot and face south so that the person on the other end of the phone could hear me. If I turned a different direction or moved a few feet the connection would get messed up. That went on for about three months. I went to the Tmobile store where I bought the phone. I spoke to the manager who tried to help. He messed around with the phone and then confessed other customers in the Casa Marina area had similar connectivity issues meaning their phones did not work there either. Why the F$$$ didn't the salesman tell me my iphone might not work at my house. It works at my office and around town but not where I live.

I own a large house with a small guest unit which I have rented for as long as I have owned the house. Over the years I have had several different cable TV and internet providers. Comcast Cable is the most recent. It now calls itself Xfinity. The tenant in guest unit was having problems with her internet service. She called Xfinity who sent over a technician to fix her internet connection.

After fixing the tenant's internet and TV connection, the technician came to my house to announce he disabled my service to correct hers. This was on a Friday afternoon.This tech was no ordinary guy. He was a tall blonde and very cute guy who I will just call THOR. He suggested that I call Xfinity to send a different person to install a new line to my house. I asked him to install it while he was still there. He said he could not because that was not a part of his work order. He was so cute and charming that I could not be mad at him. I did, however, get Thor to call Xfinity to set up an appointment. I went the weekend without TV or the internet.

Mike from Xfinity arrived on Monday. I explained what happened. I told him that THOR had disabled my system to fix the tenant's system. Mike shook his head knowingly when I told him THOR was the technician. Mike said he remembered installing the entire system years earlier. Mike spent two hours at my house. He tested all the TVs and internet. Everything worked. He left. A couple of days later nothing worked. I followed prompts on my computer to take wires out and reboot. I did this ten times a day for about four months. It worked after a fashion but was exasperating. I pay $267 per month for TV and internet which works sometimes. I bought new cables.That did not fix the problem. I bought a brand new DELL and paid to have it installed. I have reboot it several times a day.  A week before Christmas and all through my house, not thing works like it should.

I am leading to a point. 

For some reason my iphone has perfect tele-connectivity with robo calls. We all get robo calls to sell us unwanted car maintenance programs, insurance, solicitations to support the state patrol, and more. As a real estate salesman I get targeted calls from people claiming to represent Google, Facebook, and Microsoft offering to help me boost by sales by using their companies. Sometimes I listen and then politely tell them I am not interested. Other times I hang up. 

Part two started on a hot and humid Friday afternoon after a day of dealing with my computer. I got a phone from a call some town in New York. A woman's voice mentioned Zillow and also my company's name. She said I had not responded to her email. I knew I had not received any email and decided she was a fraud. I blew up and told her not to call me again and yelled a profanity at her. 

A few minutes later I got a phone call also from New York but from a different number. I answered the phone only to hear a man say something like "Who the hell are you to talk to my wife like that?". He continued to bark. I understood I made a huge mistake. I tried to explain. He ordered me to shut up. He was talking. I listened.

He said his wife called me to discuss listing their house for sale. I knew in a split second that would  never work. I told him I was not interested. He blew up even more. He shouted at me for a minute or two and told me he would do his best to ruin my name in Key West. He ended the conversation by shouting "I hope you die!"

Part three. I have a Zillow account which includes emails from potential customers. Zillow does not forward emails to my regular email. That night I checked my Zillow account and found an email from the lady in New York. I sent her an email explaining what happened and offered my profound apology. I still did not want the listing. There could never be any level of trust from them toward me. 

I offer this tale to readers who may be tempted to tell robo callers to do something foul to themselves. Don't. 

 

1414 18Th Street, Key West - BANK OWNED

Buyers hoping to get into the Key West real estate market at a discounted price may want to checkout the new Bank Owned listing at 1414 18th Street in the New Town area of Key West.

The 6,000 SF lot measures 50'X120' and is located on the southwest corner of Eagle Avenue at 18th Street in the New Town area of Key West. CLICK HERE for GOOGLE AERIAL AND STREET VIEW. This area is noted for its large Mid-Century homes on large lots  often priced over the $2 million. This home was offered at $1,100,000 until August 2nd of this year.

The current list price is only suggestive. The property is being sold as is, no representations or warranties. Property will be included the next Auction. All auction properties are subject to a 5% buyer's premium pursuant to the Event Agreement and Auction Terms & Conditions minimums will apply.

The three bedroom / three bath home is 1,680 SF on one level. The kitchen and bathrooms have been renovated. Windows and doors were replaced and have approved Miami Dade shutters for wind insurance credit.

 

A tall privacy fence surrounds the property. Both the street aid and interior yards are tropically landscaped. There is a pool with water feature. And there are two outdoor living areas. 

CLICK HERE to vie the current Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. This home will be sold at AUCTION. Please TEXT me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, or send me an email at garyethomas@aol.com, if you would like to see this property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.