525 Simonton Street - Old Town - Key West

525 Simonton Street - Old Town - Key West

I know the property at 525 Simonton Street pretty well. That is where I first worked when I got my real estate license in 1997. The real estate offices were on the main floor. The rest of the main building and the detached cottage were The Watson House Guest House. The prior owners did a very nice job of renovating the buildings. They operated the three unit guest house to capacity all year long. The current owners converted the previous office space into residential living space and condominiumized the property as a whole.


Fast forward to the present. This beautiful Key West landmark property is now a Short Sale. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"***Short Sale****The Watson House on Simonton is an historic estate beautifully renovated and restored. It is currently being managed as an upscale 3 unit guest house with excellent revenues streams year round. The home includes high ceilings, crown molding, large open floor plan with amazing covered decks overlooking the private pool. It also offers off street parking, and a separate guest house."

This property is located on Simonton Street between high-end Marquesa Hotel to the north and Sarabeth's to the south. It is one block off Duval Street. (Guests can find their way home even in the dark!) There is off street parking, a beautiful pool, and large suite like facilities as presently configured. A new owner might keep the rear cottage as an owner's unit and rent out the rooms in the main building. There are lots of possibilities on this property.

Off street parking-in Old Town!

The asking price on this property was just reduced to $1,999,000. This dear Readers, is a bargain in my opinion. If you have been looking for a guest house and have been dismayed by the high asking prices, condition, location, or all three, this may be a workable and bankable alternative.

Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com for more information on this property. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Turn this short sale into a big opportunity.

Southernmost Point Guest House

Southernmost Point Guest House

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. (that's where I work, but this is not my listing) just listed the Southernmost Point Guest House.


The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"The Southernmost Point Guest House is a one of a kind property! The same family has been welcoming guests to this Victorian era mansion for over 20 years! Located on an enormous corner lot,the seven units are individual apartment units, not just rooms. Wide wrap around verandas offer views of the ocean, the pool and the tropical gardens. The grounds are large enough to accommodate parties on one side and peaceful solitude on the other. This versatile property could generate ancillary income through additional retail/commercial uses. Features include off street parking, a commercial grade laundry,and an A+ location in the heart of Key West's tourist area. This is a great opportunity. Seller financing possible to qualified buyer."

The county records indicate the house was built circa 1885
The above photo was taken in 1965

I went by the property this morning to take some current pics for you to see. I like to compare the way some of our grand old houses look today from yesterday. The sign on the front porch says it all -- NO VACANCY. That sign rarely moves because this place is always full.


The three most important words in real estate are location, location, location. The Southernmost Point Guest House has one of the very best locations in Key West. Click GOOGLE MAP for an aerial view that proves my point. The property is located about 200 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the rooms and verandas have ocean views. The property is one half block east of the world famous Southernmost Point so a lot of people walk by or drive by the location every day. The location is near the fun stuff and great restaurants on or near Duval Street, but it is not a the middle of the hubbub. At night the traffic is gone and the entire area is very peaceful. That is why so many visitors come back year after year.

South Beach

The current owner has a very successful business plan evidenced by that constantly hanging NO VACANCY sign. A new owner will probably develop a new business plan and perhaps redesign the spaces and usage. I think this property could successfully compete with a couple of our boutique hotels.

The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows 8296 sq ft of building space and a large 14,575 sq ft lot. That lot includes the buildings, gardens, pool, and the parking lot. The availability of on site guest parking is a feature most guest houses do not have.


CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls database and to view more photos on this property. Better yet, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 or by email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. Our office is the exclusive Lower Florida Keys affiliate of Christie's Real Estate.

Just Listed - 814 Carey Lane - Old Town - Key West

Just Listed (but not by me)814 Carey Lane. This is how the listing Realtor describes this new property:

"Ready, set, go! This is the home every buyer has on their wish list. A secluded 2 bedroom, 2 bath one level home plus a separate guest cottage located at the end of a quiet Old Town lane on a 6427(+/-) square foot lot with off-street parking. The open floor plan has many sets of French doors opening to the outdoors and a wonderful screened porch (21 ft. x 12 ft) overlooking the pool. Like new construction, completed 15 years ago, improvements include all new electrical, plumbing and newer roof, replaced approximately 5 years ago. Lush mature tropical landscaping surrounds this property which includes a 12 ft x 20 ft heated pool and adjoining spa. This is a very special property - a quiet retreat. Adjoining property possible too."

I have written about living on one of the slow lanes in Key West. This has got to be one of the "slowest" locations on any lane in Key West. That is for sure. Carey Lane is a real "dead end" lane as the photos at the top show. It is located at the intersection of Margaret Street and Angela Street. The Key West Cemetery is on the opposite side of that "intersection" and Margaret Street suddenly becomes Passover Lane. Confused?

814 Carey Lane is located at the far end of this little lane that maybe runs a total of 250 feet, if that. Some of the sweetest little houses in all of Key West are located on Care Lane. CLICK HERE. Neither Conch Trains nor Trolley Cars will ever make an on purpose or accidental trip to this hidden oasis. An occasional tourist with a camera may walk down and snap some shots. But for the most part, the lucky person that buys this property will be left pretty much alone.

If you have a few minutes checkout the online version of The Streets of Key West by J. Willis Burke to learn the name origins of the streets and lanes of Key West. But for quick reference, CLICK HERE to read about Carey Lane. Better yet, BUY THE BOOK.

I sent this listing to several buyers I am working with yesterday. Like the listing Realtor said, "This is the home every buyer has on their wish list."

814 Carey Lane is offered at $1,250,000 or $965 per sq ft. The house and guest cottage are 1296 sq ft and sit on a very large, very private, very lush, and most desirable location in the heart of Old Town. CLICK HERE to read more detailed information and view lots of photos of 814 Carey Lane.

If you have been dreaming about buying the perfect Key West cottage, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. 814 Carey Lane may be your dream come true.

Really BIG short Sale - 1307 Truman Avenue - Key West

On January 29th I wrote about The Grand Dame of 1307 Truman Avenue in Key West. I extolled the virtues of this majestic old house. Folks, it just got even more attractive. This property is now a SHORT SALE. A short sale occurs when a seller offers to sell property for an amount less than is owed on the mortgage(s) against the property conditioned upon the lender(s) agreeing to accept less than full payment of the amount owed against the property. There are a lot of short sales in Key West, but kids, none of the houses compare to this one. There is nothing like a DAME.

This is how the listing Realtor (Dan Skahen at Preferred Properties) describes 1307 Truman: "This beautifully renovated Victorian home was built by a Cigar factory owner from Cuba in the early 1900's. The home was expertly renovated in 2002 to restore the original elegance while adding all the modern amenities. Spanning two lots from Truman Ave. to Albury St, where the pool is surrounded by a lush indigenous tropical garden . There is over 4000 sft of living space plus 1500 sf of porches. Bedrooms are spacious with 12 ft ceilings. In addition separate guest quarters on second level with a private porch. Original Dade County pine floors are preserved as well as crown molding. Each floor has its own CA/C zone. Kitchen incl soap stone counters and a large white marble island tops." The property is owned by a Realtor, but not Dan nor myself. CLICK HERE for more detailed information on this house and lots of photos.

Wikipedia describes a Grand Dame thus: "In popular culture, the grande dame is usually portrayed as a slightly flamboyant woman, prone to extravagant and eccentric fashion, such as feather boas, large hats, and excessive costume jewelry. She may be overly pre-occupied with the concept of "acting ladylike" and expect all those around her to conform to her own high standards of etiquette." That definition fits 1307 Truman Avenue to a tee. The house has a prominence that cannot be denied. The wrap around verandas are her boa; the height is her large hat; and the impeccable gardens are her costume jewelry.

This house on millionaires row was built circa 1900. From Eisenhower Drive on the east all the way west to Duval only a few of the old dames on Truman survive today. They were built in sizes and to standards (and lifestyles) that are no longer current. Many of the houses that do remain have been converted into guest houses or re-configured into a combination of commercial and/or retail with some residential. This house has not been messed around with and sits almost like a virgin, albeit an old virgin.





This house is in beautiful condition. Everything I saw looked great, clean, and well maintained. I did not see any deferred maintenance. The baths are nicely appointed with new fixtures with classic lines. They fit the style without being gimmicky. There are two large formal living areas on the main floor. The kitchen sits at the rear. The kitchen is huge and would make a great gathering place for modern living in an old house. The wrap around verandas at the front and rear seem to envelop the house. Each of the rooms on all three levels of the house (including the third floor) have very tall ceilings, crown molding, and exude a sense of formality we don't see in current architecture. For readers who have been in dozens of Key West Conch houses, this isn't one. You have not been in a house like this before in Key West.

The house has five bedrooms, each of which is quite large. And most have en-suite baths. The third floor has a sitting room off the bedroom. The ceiling up there must be 15 feet tall. There is a small porch off the front of the third floor where you can see the treetops and rooftops of much of the southern end of the island. Bayview Park is just across the street. What a view! There is a rooftop deck at the rear with an amazing view of the north. I could see water on the Gulfside. You could not build a house of this height in Key West today. But if you buy it, you have the view forever.

This house is listed by Preferred Properties Christie's Great Estates at the asking price of $1,998,000 or $451 per sq ft. The house has 4426 sq ft of living space under roof and sits on a large 7418 sq ft lot. The rear veranda overlooks the garden and pool area. Off street parking is provided as well. There is even a small apartment off to the west side of the house which could be used by a caretaker for an owner who would use the house as a second home.

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of 1307 Truman Avenue. Buyers looking for a big house ought to take a look and compare the size and features to other similarly priced homes. The Grand Dame of Truman Avenue will put them all in their place. Remember, this is a Short Sale.

The Grand Dame - 1307 Truman Avenue Key West

This is how the listing Realtor describes The Grand Dame at 1307 Truman Avenue: "This beautifully renovated Victorian home was built by a Cigar factory owner from Cuba in the early 1900's. The home was expertly renovated in 2002 to restore the original elegance while adding all the modern amenities. Spanning two lots from Truman Ave. to Albury St, where the pool is surrounded by a lush indigenous tropical garden . There is over 4000 sqft of living space plus 1500 sf of porches. Bedrooms are spacious with 12 ft ceilings. In addition separate guest quarters on second level with a private porch. Original Dade County pine floors are preserved as well as crown molding. Each floor has its own CA/C zone. Kitchen including soap stone counters and a large white marble island tops."

I know a Grand Dame when I see one, but I thought I best go to my Wikipedia just to make sure my context about 1307 Truman is correct. Wikipedia describes a Grand Dame thus: "In popular culture, the grande dame is usually portrayed as a slightly flamboyant woman, prone to extravagant and eccentric fashion, such as feather boas, large hats, and excessive costume jewelry. She may be overly pre-occupied with the concept of "acting ladylike" and expect all those around her to conform to her own high standards of etiquette." That definition fits 1307 Truman Avenue to a tee. The house has a prominence that cannot be denied. The wrap around verandas are her boa; the height is her large hat; and the impeccable gardens are her costume jewelry.

This house on millionaires row was built circa 1900. From Eisenhower Drive on the east all the way west to Duval only a few of the old dames on Truman survive today. They were built in sizes and to standards (and lifestyles) that are no longer current. Many of the houses that do remain have been converted into guest houses or re-configured into a combination of commercial and/or retail with some residential. This house has not been messed around with and sits almost like a virgin, albeit an old virgin.

This house is in beautiful condition. Everything I saw looked great, clean, and well maintained. I did not see any deferred maintenance. The baths are nicely appointed with new fixtures with classic lines. They fit the style without being gimmicky. There are two large formal living areas on the main floor. The kitchen sits at the rear. The kitchen is huge and would make a great gathering place for modern living in an old house. The wrap around verandas at the front and rear seem to envelop the house. Each of the rooms on all three levels of the house (including the third floor) have very tall ceilings, crown molding, and exude a sense of formality we don't see in current architecture. For readers who have been in dozens of Key West Conch houses, this isn't one. You have not been in a house like this before in Key West.

The house has five bedrooms, each of which is quite large. And most have en-suite baths. The third floor has a sitting room off the bedroom. The ceiling up there must be 15 feet tall. There is a small porch off the front of the third floor where you can see the treetops and rooftops of much of the southern end of the island. Bayview Park is just across the street. What a view! There is a rooftop deck at the rear with an amazing view of the north. I could see water on the Gulfside. You could not build a house of this height in Key West today. But if you buy it, you have the view forever. CLICK HERE for more details and photos of this one of a kind properties.

This house is listed by Preferred Properties Christie's Great Estates at the asking price of $1,998,000 or $451 per sq ft. The house has 4426 sq ft of living space under roof and sits on a large 7418 sq ft lot. The rear veranda overlooks the garden and pool area. Off street parking is provided as well. There is even a small apartment off to the west side of the house which could be used by a caretaker for an owner who would use the house as a second home.

But I have an alternate use suggestion. I think this house would make a one of a kind guest house with grand rooms and a sense of elegance missing from other guest houses in Key West. Zoning is HMDR which may permit such a usage. But a buyer will have to move heaven and earth to get the property converted to such a use.

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of 1307 Truman Avenue. Buyers looking for a big house ought to take a look and compare the size and features to other similarly priced homes. The Grand Dame of Truman Avenue will put them all in their place.

The Curry House - Key West - For Sale

Just Listed: The Curry House Key West. No, not The Curry Mansion. The names sound similar, but the inns are quite different. CLICK HERE to read all about the historic Curry Mansion. It is located just off Duval on Caroline Street near one of the loudest locations in Old Town.

The Curry House, on the other hand, is located just far enough from Duval at 806 Fleming Street to be convenient, but not burdened by the noise and commotion. CLICK HERE to view the website of The Curry House.

This is how the listing realtor describes this listing. "Boasting classic Old Town Key West charm, the historic Curry House Bed and Breakfast offers a unique opportunity to own one of the few B&B's with a commercial kitchen to provide hot meals to guests. Built in 1889, this charming three-story house has 9 guest rooms, wrap-around porches, private verandas, parlor and spacious rear patio opening onto the large heated pool and gardens. Rooms feature hardwood floors, Dade county pine, refrigerators, cable TV, phone, wireless internet, A/C and ceiling fans. Located 3 blocks to Duval Street and the Historic Seaport, this alluring B&B welcomes gratified guests year after year. 8 transient licenses and managers unit. Turn-key operation."
CLICK HERE for more info and more photos of The Curry House.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the sale of The Artist House guest house (CLICK HERE). Re-read that blog for more information on transient license issues on guest houses in Key West. The Curry House is listed for sale at $3,200,000 (that is $400,000 per licensed room!). The Artist House sold on August 15,2008 for $355,000 per room.

I used to own a guest house, and I know the business. That is why I am perplexed by the asking prices of all the guest houses listed for sale in Key West at this time. CLICK HERE to see the guest houses currently available for purchase. In my opinion a guest house is a business. Anyone who buys a business expects to make money and have it be profitable. I do not think any of the properties on the list above can justify the asking price. But that is just my opinion. People who buy guest houses are buying jobs and buying a lifestyle. They are buying into the idea of being like Bob Newhart, operating an inn, and living in Paradise. If only life were that simple.