618 White Street - Key West - Adorable and Affordable

 Just Listed 618 White Street in Old Town Key West. This cute as a button two bedroom home is in move-in condition. It is adorable and affordable - and it is priced to sell at just $474,000.

I dug deep into the old shoe box and found a photo that shows how this house looked back in 1965. The photo has a note that says the house was built in 1890. The other houses on this block were all built at the same time and all originally looked the same. I was told this group of houses were homes of cigar workers that worked at a cigar factory on nearby Newton Street. I dug deeper in the shoebox and found an old postcard that shows the historic Armory building located five houses to the north that shows the neighboring homes as they appeared in the 1920s. (The Armory is now the home of The Studios of Key West.) I took a photo that shows the same scene over ninety years later. It's nice to see that the more things change elsewhere, they tend to stay relatively the same in Old Town Key West. We aim to keep it that way.

According to the Property Appraiser records 618 White Street was renovated by a former owner between 2004 and 2005 at which time the kitchen and bath were renovated, windows and interior walls were replaced and a new roof installed. The current owner added new gutters and metal storm panels. The interior has new floors and all interior walls are colorfully painted. The open living area offers relaxed living space. There are two bedrooms on the main floor. And the extra large second floor loft offers additional bedroom space plus room for an office.
 

The master bedroom has a set of French doors that open out to the back yard which is currently enclosed by a privacy fence. The spacious back yard features a couple of fruit trees, tropical foliage, and  sunny patio area. I believe there is more than enough room to install a nice sized pool. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this really attractive Old Town home.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet for details on this property. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this property.  I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Let me help you find your perfect place is Paradise.

1026 Howe Street - Key West

1026 Howe Street - Key West

The listing agent at Preferred Properties describes 1026 Howe Street this way:

"Beautiful 2/2 home in a quiet area. Recent renovations and upgrades. Back yard would allow for a dip pool. Large kitchen working area, plenty of cabinets. Off street parking. Convenient to all downtown restaurants, galleries and shopping. No comparison in the Old Town area under $600,000. Owners are very motivated and will seriously consider all reasonable offers."

Stairway leads to second floor bedroom and bath

The property is currently rented on a long term basis (with a quick kick-out for potential buyers). As you enter the main level you immediately see a spacious living area followed by a galley kitchen to the right rear. There is a good sized bedroom and bath on this floor to the left of the kitchen with separate entries to the bedroom and bathroom which share an internal passage as well. To the left you see a modern stairway leading to the second floor bedroom and bath. The door at the rear of the kitchen leads to the large rear yard that, for now, is just 'potential'. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos for this home.

Galley kitchen with lots of cabinets and workspace

Master bedroom and bath on main floor

Second floor bed and bath

Room for a pool

Looking east across Howe Street

Two really attractive single family homes are located across the street to the east. Next door to the north is a condominium of affordably priced condos with transient licenses. And there is public housing about 150 feet to the south.

This general area is two blocks from the soon to be developed Truman Annex marina and redevelopment parcel. I am a believer that some of the very best values exist right now in this immediate area because of the long term appreciation potential. Think forward to just a few years when the Truman Annex redevelopment is complete and being able to walk to your boat, or the amphitheater, or any of the other projected amenities. CLICK HERE to read about the Truman Waterfront development plans at the City of Key West website.

1000 Block of Howe Street

If you are a buyer looking for a house that needs just a bit of TLC that you can do yourself, this may be the place you have been looking for. CLICK HERE to view a short slide show of other photos of this property. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

Home Buy Christmas #6 - Old Town - Key West

616 Caroline Street - December 2011

Your family and friends will be envious of you if you buy one of the four newly listed condos at 616 Caroline Street. The large old house was built in 1906 just a couple of blocks from the busy Key West seaport.

616 Caroline Street as it appeared in 2005

I found a photo (above) of the property as it appeared in 2005 when the property was offered for sale as a "fixer". The property was purchased and renovated into six condominiums. Today, four of the six units are available for purchase at discounted offering prices that make each unit a real "buy" in my opinion. The two other units went under contract within a couple of days of being listed. Time waits for no-one.

Each unit is offered fully furnished and includes Asian Teak hardwood floors, marble counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms, high ceilings, crown molding, antique glass windows, Smart wired and digitally ready throughout, and a private balcony. There is a pool and spa surrounded by lush tropical gardens and the location is just one block to Duval Street. Interiors by award-winning designer, Pascal Delisse.

The pool and spa

Click on any unit number that follows for a more detailed description of that unit.

Unit #2 is a one bedroom in the rear offered at $345,000.

Unit #2 private deck is typical of materials and furnishings used

The bedroom in Unit #2

Unit #6 is a one bedroom priced at $360,000.

Unit #6 is located at the rear of the building

Unit #1 is located first floor front and the front porch for its outdoor sitting area. #1 is offered at $465,000.

Living room in Unit #1

The kitchen in Unit #1 is typical of the kitchen in all units

And this is the bedroom

Finally, Unit #5 is a two story unit located on the second and third floors offered at $450,000.


Compare the size, location, amenities, and historic and authentic Key West charm to similarly priced condos at Shipyard in Truman Annex. The kitchens and bathrooms are superior to most condos in all of Key West. The units seem a bit bigger, the pool is much more private, and the furnishings are more sophisticated than typical tropically decorated units in other condo developments. The location is an easy five minute walk to some of the best bars and restaurants at the Historic Key West Seaport. I like Truman Annex, and Shipyard offers a lot of value for first time buyers. These units offer a viable alternative at very competitive prices.

The Seaport is a two block walk east of 616 Caroline Street.

I think this property would make a most excellent vacation rental (30 days minimum) because of its size, location, and amenities. Returning guests love places like this that are near everything and have all the modern conveniences. These units are very nicely furnished and each unit has its own private outdoor area.

Harpoon Harry's is a couple of blocks down Caroline Street where you will be treated kindly and served very good food at an affordable price. Dances are cheap, too.

Friends and family can walk to the Historic Seaport for fun

Or for a good meal and a few drinks

If you would like to see this property or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Don't wait too long because these units will sell quickly.

Home Buy Christmas # 5 - Old Town Key West

3B Nassau Lane - Old Town - Key West

The new listing at 3 B Nassau Lane in Old Town Key West ought excite buyers who want an affordable single family house in a great location: the asking price is just $439,000. The listing broker describes the listing like this:

"A perfect 1BR/1BA cottage located on a beautiful lane in the heart of the historic District. Completely renovated in 2001 (but it looks like it was done yesterday)with cedar siding, solid oak flooring, new kitchen with granite countertops, new bath, double glazed Marvin windows with plantation shutters. French doors lead to a side deck. In 2010 new metal shingle roof. Walking distance to everything Key West has to offer."

This comfy cottage home would make a great second home for the single or couple that want a getaway place in Key West. The cottage has been tweaked to near perfection. There is a welcoming front porch followed by the living area, the kitchen and then the bedroom. The bath is off to the left. All of the creature comforts in a compact space. The outdoor area is just 20' x 48' (940 sq ft) which means there is just enough outdoor space to enjoy while you are here but not enough to break you when you are back up north.

A few years ago I sold a bit larger one bedroom house located across Nassau Lane. The buyers fell in love with the lane and the house even before we walked in the front door. That house was the first and only place we looked at and the property was under contract in about an hour after our first and only visit. I mention this because small lanes offer second home owners something often not possible in Key West - affordability. Small places normally sell at a higher price per square foot but the price is also much less than a larger house on a bigger lot somewhere nearby. This particular cottage has been 'done' so a new owner can move in and not worry about having to renovate or spend more money. And smaller homes are usually less expensive to insure and maintain long term. One last thing: if you have lots of family or guests, there is a nearby guesthouse at the corner of Fleming Street.

For the reader who wants a pool may I suggest that you consider the cost of actually owning even a small pool and then consider the option of using an alternative such as the pool at Dante's for those actual days you want to swim or layout. A typical pool service will cost $75 to $150 per month. Add the cost of chemicals, electricity and propane to run the pump and heat the pool, and you have a couple of thousand dollar expense added to your budget. Alternatively, you could spend the sun and swim days at a place like Dante's where you could have a few cocktails and a nice lunch each day. You would probably be ahead of the game by doing so. I think it is a viable alternative.

I suspect this little doozy will sell quite quickly at this price. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos of this property. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a showing before this place is gone. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

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