830 Simonton Street - Old Town - Key West - Arts & Crafts Classic

830 Simonton Street - Key West

The Perfect Perch for People Watching

I have written three previous blogs about the architectural gem at 830 Simonton Street. The first time was when the bank had a "for sale by owner sign" on it (I submitted a great offer to the the local bank which countered back at full price); the second time was when the house was listed with a local real estate agent; and the third time when after sold (at a price less than what my client had offered).

830 Simonton Street was built in 1943 and photographed in 1965

830 Simonton Street as it appeared in September 2010

830 Simonton Street post-renovation 2011

The new owners have totally renovated the house at 830 Simonton Street, and it is now listed for sale at $749,000. The rejuvenated house has just about everything a second home owner in Key West could ask for: classic architectural design and exquisite updating; location near the top of Solares Hill: a new pool; off street parking; and an attractive asking price. The listing broker describes the property this way:

"Handsome first class renovation just completed! Meticulously detailed throughout, this 3BD/2.5BA Conch house has it all. Classic Dade County pine walls & floors, new kitchen with granite counters, fresh stainless steel appliances, new sparkling bathrooms, and even a new cocktail pool. Bricked & remote controlled gated off street parking, wonderful relaxing front porch & outdoor shower. It is absolutely perfect!"

Comfortable great room expands the living area through the kitchen

Dining area and kitchen blend harmoniously

Ina Garten would love this kitchen and so will you!

Third bedroom becomes a home gym

Relocated laundry room is now a tiny bath off the home gym

Retractable awning shades the kewl pool

Gated and bricked off street parking for two small cars

The new owners modified the existing floor plan by moving a couple of walls and making the rooms more functional. They jazzed the place up with subtle features like the bright white trimmed bay windows in the dining room which show off the Dade County Pine walls. They included modern additions like the kitchen cabinets that blend the old with the new. Instead of three individual rooms with individual purposes, the new great room is a tasteful re-purposing of space which enhance the original architectural simplicity. There are two spacious bedrooms with en-suite baths plus a half-bath off the third bedroom which is used by this owner as a home gym. There is even 24 hour a day video surveillance so you can see your house from anywhere in the world. I was taken by the addition of the cocktail pool and the creation of an off street parking space. A white picket fence and lush landscaping complete this property. CLICK HERE to view a progressive photo history of 830 Simonton Street.

CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos of this great property. This place would be perfect for a couple that want a Key West getaway place. There is room for family or friends. It is within easy walking distance to all of Old Town. This property would make a great vacation rental.

If you would like to see this great property, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

Beautiful Arts & Crafts Style House - Bank Owned - 830 Simonton Street - Key West

This Old House as it looked in 1965

A local bank owns the old house pictured immediately above. The old black and white photo was taken in 1965. Until a couple of months ago this property looked a little worse for wear. The years took their toll. Owners came and went. And then the lender did what lenders do when loans are not repaid as agreed: it foreclosed. But instead of letting a decent asset sit and fester like a lot of Big Banks that are Too Big To Fail do, the local bank did the unthinkable: it fixed it up. Not a little but not all the way. But it did enough to make potential buyers see the real potential of this very attractive arts and crafts style home that was built in 1943. Take a look at her now, below.

Above Photos taken March 25, 2010 - Key West

This property is located at 830 Simonton Street near Truman Avenue. It is zoned HNC-1 which is short for Historic Neighborhood Commercial-1. Uses for this zoning include include residential (including single family, duplex, and multi-family) and limited commercial including professional offices, banking and financial services, personal service shops, specialty shops, limited retail, transient accommodations and guest cottages. Rather than rely on what I write, do your own investigation to determine suitability for the use you intend. CLICK HERE to read the City of Key West zoning ordinances and consult with your own attorney. Just because some use may be permissible does not mean you will necessarily be able to do what you want.

Photo from kitchen looking through proposed bath No. 2 and into second bedroom

Photo from living room through dining area with kitchen beyond

This 1204 sq ft building (County Appraiser records) sits on a corner lot (47.33' frontage X 58.07 ' deep or 2,756 sq ft). The building has just been painted and it looks fantastic. The roof is new; the front railing on the front porch is new; the retaining wall is new; the electric is new. All of the windows are original. They all work properly! The contractors that worked on this house did a really professional job on the projects they did. The interior is currently framed for three bedrooms, two baths, and a kitchen. A laundry closet already has been framed and plumbed and awaits drywall. Extensive building plans are available. It looks to me like the interior spaces could be changed fairly easily. But I'm not builder so any buyer needs to determine how "easy" easy can be and how expensive "easy" can be as well. There is one off street parking space. After the interior is completed, put up a nice fence, add some nice plants, and you could have one sweet looking old house in Old Town Key West. Although it is doubtful that you could get a transient license, you could rent this house as a legal vacation rental. It's proximity to Duval Street with three bedrooms and off street parking make this a great candidate for a vacation rental. CLICK HERE to checkout the mls listing datasheet and to view mls listing photos. Or you can CLICK HERE to view photos I took of this property.

This arts and crafts style house is Bank Owned and is offered at $399,000 "as is". Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 for more information. This property is not in the mls. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.