1401 Grinnell Street, Key West - Afflordable Home in the Prestigious Casa Marina Area

Just Listed, but not be me,  recently built home in the Prestigious Casa Marina Area of Key West. The listing Realtor describes 1401 Grinnell Street as:

"Great location! Corner lot in Casa Marina. Newer 3 bed, 1 bath slightly elevated home in much desired Casa Marina neighborhood." 

The home is a very simple 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1003 sq foot single level modular home constructed in 2003. You could not expect something more plain. It is built on a decent sized lot which measures 45' (on Grinnell) X 96' (on Souht) or 4,331.00 SF. A couple of nearby homes on Grinnell are smallish mid-century CBS construction. A large mid-century home is located next door to the east. The neighborhood has a mix of late 19th Century, mid-Twentieth Century, and relatively recent renovations. There is a stunning 21st Century home 900 block of South which was designed by Tom Pope with landscape and pool by Craig Reynolds.

Most of the homes in the Casa Marina Area sell for more than $1,000,000. That is why I think this home is an attractive buy at the asking price of $659,000 or $653 per sq ft.  The average price per sq ft in the Casa Marina Area was $688.49 during the past six months. This home may not have all the bells and whistles the others had, but it has the location. And since this house is of recent construction, it could be razed and rebuilt or maybe expanded. Or maybe bought as a land hold and expansion onto an adjacent lot at some future date.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1401 Grinnell Street. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a personal inspection. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

1105 Petronia Street, Key West - Petunia & Poppy are Adorable!

Just Listed (but not by me) 1105 Petronia Street which is located in the Old Town area of Key West. The listing Realtor perfectly describes this quaint abode this way as a:

"Monthly vacation rental duplex! Petunia and Poppy are absolutely adorable. Poppy is a one bedroom/one bath sanctum with brand new everything, and a sweet porch perfect for people watching in its quiet Old Town neighborhood. Petunia is a two bedroom/one bath retreat with private covered deck and outdoor shower. Both units have been meticulously renovated and appointed with a unique design aesthetic that is both whimsical and upscale. Both feature modern baths, kitchens, and laundries, and Petunia even boasts a clever Key West Coffee bar. Both units sold completely turnkey with seasonal rentals in place."

 I had the good fortune to show this adorable home a few days ago. I arrived early and sat on the front porch to take in the view. Petronia Street at this location is a one-way street from White Street. It dead-ends at the Frances Street which is the east boundary of the Key West cemetery just about 100 feet or so west of the house. This is a very quiet location. The street scape is Key West perfection!

It would be tough to decide which of the two units is the cutest. Ask any mother which of her kids she likes the most. (Well, maybe that's not the best idea, but you get what I mean.)  The front unit is the one bedroom. The vaulted ceiling in the living room and bedroom gives both spaces so much dimension. You forget you are in a small cottage. The interiors are all new and were superbly renovated and decorated. This place comes fully furnished and includes monthly rentals booked in advance. 

I am sure you noticed the traditional white picket fence at the front. But did you also notice that there are two gates, one which leads to the front unit but also a gate on the side which leads to the rear two bedroom unit?  When you enter the rear unit you immediately see a vestibule with built-in bench and pegs for hanging coats and bags and stuff. Then you turn and enter the living area. Then you say "On My Gosh! I wasn't expecting this!" It is just so damned precious. There is nothing not to like in this house. Not one thing. After you gain your composure and start to checkout the details, you notice that it is the attention to details that makes this place so charming. Everywhere you look you see some little thing that by itself is functional and uniquely attractive.

The rear covered deck is so inviting. Instead of people watching, guests here will experience the privacy and solitude a lot of people who live in big cities never get. If you want to be with people you can walk a couple of blocks to go to Dante's to lay by the pool and drink cocktails all day long  or mosey over to Duval Street at night to eat and party. But if you want to read or write a book, that covered deck might just be the place to do either.

Even the inside of the drawers in this cute little chest are painted. Details. Details. Details. The details are not tedious. They are meticulous. This place is simple. Or should I say "simply elegant!"?  

1105 Petronia Street ought to work well for the buyer who wants a place to use during season and at other occasions throughout the year but who also wants a place that can be rented as a monthly vacation rental that will generate income to help pay for the cost of ownership. I have sold houses to two different couples who have rented their places so often that they can't use the homes themselves because they would lose so much income. (One couple bought a small condo just so they would have a place to stay. And the other couple has been looking for a similar property.) Petunia and Poppy would give a new owner a place to stay and a place to rent. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of the property. 

This charming property is offered for sale at the asking price of $1,100,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view more of the listing photos. The photographer did a bang-up job on this. After you have looked at the photos, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com to schedule your own private view of this captivating property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise. 

1621 Sunshine Drive, Key West: Good Day Sunshine

I took some time off Sunday afternoon and played would-be buyer and checked out the new listing at 1621 Sunshine Drive, Key West, Florida. I had been inside this home a couple of years ago when it was still under construction. I could not believe my eyes at how quickly the landscaping has filled in and the home has taken on an identity all its own. The listing Realtor describes this 1672 sq ft three bedroom, three bath home this way:

"Located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this beautiful property was newly constructed in 2013 with custom finishes. Upgrades include travertine tile and bamboo floors, Brazilian Marinachi granite countertops, gas range, laundry/utility room with sink, custom closets and much more! French doors connect the living room to the exquisite back deck and pool area, offering the best of Key West outdoor living. Both upstairs bedrooms are en-suite and have private balconies. Built to all the latest codes, the home is elevated and has impact glass. With off street parking for two cars and a location close to the Casa Marina, Old Town and the Atlantic beaches, this Midtown Gem has it all!"

This home is one of several that were built in 2012 in a little enclave located just a couple of blocks north of the Atlantic Ocean and just east of White Street. Higg's Beach and Rest Beach are easy walking distance from here. But there is no need to go to the beach for sunshine or to swim as this home has a sunny private pool and a shady tree where the new owner can listen to The Beatles "Good Day Sunshine" and appreciate the good life in living in Key West where the days are sunny almost every day of the year. 

Lie beneath the shady tree...

Good Day Sunshine

This home is laid out somewhat similar as you would expect to find in an Old Town home where the great room is located at the rear of the main floor. The living area and kitchen are open and expansive. The ceilings are extra tall (9 feet) as compared to many homes built in earlier years. The doors at the rear open out to the covered rear porch which has steps that lead down to the sunny private pool. Three years ago this property had potential. Today it is real. Real pretty, that is! I was really amazed at how wonderful and private this pool area is and also at how sunny it is. So many houses in Key West have tiny yards and tiny pools.

Master Bedroom Balcony Overlooks Pool Below

Master Bath has a Tub and Shower plus Dual Sinks

Second Bedroom, Second Floor.

Second Floor Front Balcony

This home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. There is a first floor bed and bath which might come in handy should using the stairs becomes a challenge. Both upstairs bedrooms have private balconies. The master bath comes with a huge tub and shower.

Imagine the Sunset Views from the Front Guest Bedroom Balcony

A new owner will benefit from the materials used in the construction of this home which include Hardiboard siding, impact windows and doors, and metal roof. Hardiboard is a man-made material that looks like wood siding but bug resistant and stands up to our intense sun and humidity. The impact windows and doors and the metal roof mean your windstorm insurance costs will be much lower. And you won't have to have someone put up the shutters if we get in the path of a storm. Those lower costs multiply year over year which means your investment now will not become a money pit in the future.

Five Minutes Away by Foot

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos of 1621 Sunshine Drive which is offered for sale at $895,000 or $535 per sq ft. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule an appointment to see this home.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Maybe you'll buy this home and sing "I'm so proud to know she is mine!"

610 Griffin Lane, Key West - Stunning Update of an Old Town Charmer!

 The listing Realtor describes the new listing at 610 Griffin Lane this way:

"Nestled in the heart of Old Town tucked away on a sweet, quiet lane, you will find this completely charming oasis consisting of a main house with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, guest house with living area, loft bedroom and bath, and even a third house which could serve as a bedroom, office, or studio. Thoughtfully restored with an eye to detail and comfort, the cottages' porches overlook a delightful courtyard with native landscaping and a refreshing heated cocktail pool. The kitchen is completely renovated with stainless appliances and quartz countertop, and the bathrooms are evocative of a peaceful spa experience. This rare property is truly a haven in paradise. One off-street parking space completes this Old Town compound." 

 I found an old black and white photo of this property that was taken in 1965. Everything on the inside and most of the outside is new. The listing realtor says the house dates back to 1901.  It doesn't look that old - not by a long shot.

The front porch was opened up and steps relocated to the west end of the porch.  A bricked path was added which winds its way to the west where two additional cottages are located. There is a large court yard surrounded by various tropical plantings and trees. The rear area just stuns a first time visitor, it's that charming. It's the kind of place that immediately makes you say to yourself "I wish I could live here!" 

There are two recently (but not newly) constructed cottages at the rear. Both have been thoroughly updated by the current owner.  I unilaterally decided to call the smaller cottage a writer's cottage because it has no bath. It's perfectly adorable for just about any use including a spare bedroom, artist studio, gym or yoga studio, or a place where one could write the great American novel. The outdoor shower can be partially seen through the window in the photo above.  A guest would have to use the bathroom in the larger two story building or one of the bathrooms in the main house. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this really charming property.

The original house has been updated as well. The kitchen is all new and features beautiful cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and quartz counter tops.The kitchen doorway opens out to the cocktail pool which you'll see shortly. The kitchen floors are new porcelain tiles. The wood floors in the house are original to the home and have been refinished.

There are two porches that open from the the living and kitchen areas. The front porch runs the length of the house from the front gate and the courtyard side covered porch provides both sitting and outdoor dining space.

There are two good sized bedrooms and baths in the main house. And there is separation between the rooms so the other occupants can't listen to bickering or anything else. That's an important part of any home, whether it is permanent housing or a space that is used as a vacation rental. People want privacy. This property provides it.

The French doors visible in the photo second above open out to cistern that was converted into a cocktail pool. No diving allowed unless you want to crack your noggin. The space is smallish, but there is a pool and a place to sun.  If you want to be near people and lots of semi-naked bodies, Dante's is located just a couple of blocks to the north. Five Brothers Deli is one-half block away on the corner of Southard at Grinnell Street. Duval Street is a five minute walk to the west.  

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos of 610 Griffin Lane which is offered for sale at $1,495,000. This is a 1600 sq ft property with three bedrooms, three baths, an outdoor shower, cocktail pool, and one off street parking spot.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. You're gonna fall in love with this one!