Key West Vacation Rental Scam

I got an email a couple of days ago which read "I was reading your information about KEY West housing renovations and I saw 319 Grinnel ST.  Could you tell me if the renovation is complete.  I believe I saw it on a Forcloser list and I  am wondering if it is in liveable condition." 

I had actually walked past that house last week as I was taking photos for an upcoming blog. I wrote about 319 Grinnell Street on September 13. 2011 when it was listed as a bank owned foreclosure.   It sold very quickly. But nothing has happened since the new owner took title. At least nothing noticeable other than a "No Parking" sign that was posted by the driveway. 

I sent the email writer a response and said the house had not been renovated and told him to be weary of any rentals on Craigslist or most other non-realtor websites.  I suggested that he actually call and speak to a live person and not pay any money on anything that he could not verify.

The email writer was in fact doing his own due diligence by contacting me. A day later he sent me a new email with the link to the website which supposedly has 319 Grinnell Street in Key West available for rent.  The web address is:

I went to that link and found addresses, photos, and descriptions of the four properties shown there as available for rent. Just below you can see photos of the actual properties.  If you go to that website, your browser will reacting if you click the photos and search info for too long. So beware.

319 Grinnell Street - 2011

319 Grinnell on 9-26-2012

803 Olivia St on 9-26-2012

The supposed property rental site shows an address of 805 Olivia Street. There is no such address. See the adjacent vacant lot. It belongs to 803 Olivia. The next house to the east is 811 Olivia Street.  Google the address for yourself.

The fake website show interior photos of a Meadows townhome located in the 1500 block of Petronia Street. Our office sold out those properties a couple of years ago. I recognize the interiors. CLICK our website for proof.

510 Frances St on 9-26-2012

510 Frances St actually exists. However, this is not the same property shown on the fake website. If you bother to look at the fake website photo for this property you will see a large rectangular pool. Fraud!  The actual pool is shown immediately below.

Pool at 510 Frances Street

213 Julia St on 9-26-2012

213 Julia Street appears to be a large multi-unit apartment building in the Bahama Village area of Key West. 

I have no idea who the internet frauder is or where he or she is located. It could be some person in Key West, but I doubt it.  The supposed website has a telephone number listed. The email writer told me he has made numerous phone calls none of which get answered.

I recommend people who plan to rent a private home or condo rent through a local property management company with a physical address in Key West such as Rent Key West, Compass Realty, Historic Hideaways, At Home In Key West, Preferred Properties, and others.  Be wary properties you see on Craigslist or other sites.  It's your money and your vacation you are gambling with. Whatever you do, do not send any deposit by Paypal or Western Union.

510 Frances Street - Old Town - Key West

510 Frances Street Key West as it appeared in 1965

510 Frances Street Key West as it appears in 2010

I was born and raised in one of the western suburbs of Denver. Everybody I knew lived in new homes (then, now they are called "mid-century modern). When I decided to purchase my first house I decided to look for an old house because I thought old homes had more character and probably had more intrinsic value. I have owned three historic homes over the years. During my first trip to Key West I fell in love with this little island that was just filled with old houses. Back then there were a lot of houses that needed restoration. Today many of the older places have been updated. Such is the case with 510 Frances Street in Old Town Key West.

This is how the listing Realtor (and owner) describes 510 Frances Street in Old Town, Key West:

"Stunning and Elegant restoration of a classic large historic home on prestigious Frances Street. An architectural gem featured on the Old Island Restoration Tour of Homes. Quality renovation including new electric, plumbing, roof, central air, pool, spa, designer kitchen and baths. Granite countertops, Sub Zero and stainless appliances. Bright, open floor plan with high ceilings, crown molding, hardwood floors and Dade County Pine walls. Master bedrooms on first and second floors, 3/3 plus office with built-in cabinets. Multiple porches, brick patios, gated off-street parking and lush tropical lot. Located on one of the most desirable streets in Old Town Key West."

This property has 2294 sq ft of living space and sits on a 50' X 74' (3724 sq ft) lot on one of the best streets in Old Town. The houses was renovated in the past five years and has a new roof, plumbing, pool, spa, bricked courtyard, yada, yada, yada. It is priced at $1,695,000 or $739 per sq ft. The character of the house has not changed. The facade is nearly the same today as it was nearly half a century ago.

CLICK HERE for more detailed information on 510 Frances Street and to view photos.

The pool and spa are recent additions to 510 Frances Street

If you would like to see 510 Frances Street or any other house in Old Town Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. Our office is the Lower Florida Keys exclusive affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.