Key West Florida - Casa Marina area Deals

I feel the need to crow about a sale occurred late Friday afternoon. I guess you could call it an "inside job" because the Listing Realtor and Selling Realtor are both agents at Preferred Properties in Key West. Congrats Cory and Dan. That's where I work.

1021 Johnson closed Friday afternoon at the sales price of $1,800,000 or $592 per sq ft. There are two factors that make this particular sale noteworthy. CLICK HERE to see 1021 Johnson Street.

I first wrote about this property in March 2008 when it was then a bank owned asset. CLICK HERE to see what I wrote then, if you care. I showed the house several times and I told people the place was a good deal at the "then" asking price. It was. It got purchased. It got improved. It was re-listed on May first, this time by Preferred Properties, for the asking price of $1,995,000. It went under contract within a couple of days. And there were people wanting to show it even after it went under contract. The Selling Agent told me "It was like real estate in 2004" all over again.

That is pretty amazing when you consider the amount of other large properties on the market in Key West. Yet, when you consider what the buyer got for his money, he got a really good deal. The houses is all nice and new on the inside. The outside is pretty, lush and green. The pool is huge and inviting. You cannot beat the outstanding Casa Marina location where there numerous similarly large homes with big lawns, big pools, and big price tags. The streets are wide and the neighbors are far enough removed that you don't hear them sneeze (or whatever!).

The Casa Marina Resort is a block away. (It has a very luxurious beach, gym, spa, and all the hoopla of a major resort.) And then there is Higgs Beach just next door to the east. Actually, there are three beaches within a two minute walk. I drove by this morning and saw the sand maintenance guy grooming Higg's Beach. It has a recently refurbished pier where you can walk out and dive into the ocean. There are nearby public tennis courts and parking. Higg's Beach has chair rentals and volleyball nets. But beaches are free so bring your towel and watch the sights. The Astro Land kiddie playground is located across the street. Salute Restaurant, now managed by the same people that run Blue Heaven is located just to the rear of the volleyball nets. The view at Salute is so damned great! A minute east is the Key West Garden Club. (If you love gardening, this is your new place to hang.) Just a few steps to the east is yet another beach, then the Key West AIDS Memorial. Down at the end of the White Street Pier there is fishing. Yep, I've been out there fishing at 11:00 PM. Caught an eel there once just around that time. Should have gone fishing earlier, I guess. And if you walk just a few feet further to the east there are even more beaches and sandy dunes. There are beaches with tourists and private places as well. All are within a few minutes of any house in the Casa Marina area.


All is not lost, dear reader. Preferred Properties has another Key West treasure located at 906 Johnson Street that was recently reduced to $2,695,000 or $724 per sq ft. CLICK HERE see all the features of this 3720 sq ft estate type home that sits on a commanding 10,750 sq ft lot on one the best streets in Key West. This is one of the most beautiful homes in all of Key West. It has everything a buyer that wants the very best demands. The architecture is stunning. The rooms are large and livable. There is space for live-in help. There is a separate writer's cottage and also a separate guest house with its own small kitchen and bath. The master bedroom on the second floor has a partial view of the Atlantic Ocean that is just one block to the south. Not everybody can afford a grand home like this. But it you are one of the few that can, you really ought to look at 906 Johnson Street. It is priced to sell.

If you would like to schedule a visit to 906 Johnson Street (or any other house in Key West, please give me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, a call. Or contact me by e-mail at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty Inc. We are an affiliate of Christie's Great Estates. I live in the Casa Marina area. I love it. You will, too.

Casa Palmera - Grand Casa Marina Estate - Key West

Preferred Properties Christies Great Estates is the listing office of this one of a kind Key West estate. This is how the listing Realtor describes this property:
"Casa Palmera is truly one of Key West's Grand Estates, located in the heart of the Casa Marina just 2 blocks from the Ocean. The owner is a noted designer who has spent many years fine tuning this home into a residential masterpiece, with rich wood flooring and European details throughout. The exterior gardens and pool area, are what Key West Living is about. To the Southeast of the property is the Casita which is a home onto itself. Off to the Southwest end of the home is a Writer's cottage or office with it's own bath. The main home includes 3 guest rooms, a complete mother-in-law suite, formal dining area, two living areas, wonderful large galley kitchen, breakfast room, and Laundry room, well designed with abundant storage."

Here's the rest: I've always described the house as being a Beverly Hills type house. The south wall in both the living room on the first floor and the master bedroom on the second dramatically bow outward. Unlike so many modern houses that are built for present day trendy living, this property has many areas for entertaining or living very privately. And each space whether public or private is exquisitely detailed. You just don't see that kind of detail in new construction--not in Key West, anyway.

There is an outdoor kitchen by the pool. A really sweet balcony overlooks the pool from the second floor front bedroom with en-suite bath. You can see the Atlantic Ocean from both the master bedroom and master bath. And what a view it is. But it is when you are at ground level and walking through the beautiful gardens that you really appreciate this property. Every direction you look, you see something enchanting. You feel like you have arrived in Paradise and don't want to leave.

The guest cottage is absolutely a delight. It is stunning. Each room is simple but rich in design. Your guests will never leave. And of course there is the writer's cottage on the far west end of the property. I have a writer friend that's been written up in the New York Times and featured on National Public Radio. If you are reading this: buy this house!

If you are in the market for a grand Key West property such as Casa Palmera, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. Casa Palmera is offered at $3,495,000. CLICK HERE for more detailed information and many photos. If you are looking for a home in this price range, you must see this house. You will not be disappointed.