1117 Grinnell Street #2, Key West

Bargain shoppers should consider this really Cute Conch Cottage located at 1117 Grinnell Street in Key West. The listing Realtor, not me, describes the property this way:

"Charming Conch Cottage! Extremely well done two bedroom and one bath Grinnell Square condo. Featuring beautiful wood floors and walls, granite countertops, mosaic tile bath, French doors and plenty of character. Classic front porch and a covered back porch overlooking the community pool. Walk or bike to all Key West has to offer."

The original small cottage homes were thoroughly rebuilt and re-purposed twelve years ago. Just about every thing in this house is new or was new just after the renovation. The owners have used the front bedroom as an office. The living and dining area are so cute. The kitchen is located at the rear where French doors open out to the private covered deck which overlooks the community pool. I showed another unit here a couple of years ago. I never saw one person use the pool.

The condo association would permit an owner to rent the cottage as either a long term rental (annually) or as a monthly vacation rental. The location is within easy walking distance to the restaurants and attractions on Duval Street and the gyms, yoga studios, and shopping in the nearby White Street area. I think this place function well as a rental no matter which avenue you choose to follow assuming you would want to rent. The price is so affordable that a second home buyer might decide to keep this lovely little home for yourself. Monthly condo fees are just $340 and include building maintenance, building insurances, and water. As a homeowner, you would have to pay your own real property taxes. 

1117 Grinnel Street #2 is offered for sale at $499,900. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to see more photos of this cottage home. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this 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.

1013 Packer Street, Key West - Old Town at a Bargain Price

 Just Listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 1013 Packer Street in Old Town. This little house is offered at just $399,000 which is pretty inexpensive for Key West.

I looked in my old shoe box and found a couple of photos which show the house as it appeared in 1965 and an even older photo that shows Mr. Edward Heil who lived here back around the turn of the twentieth century when locals needed identification cards to show who they were and where they worked. These cards were necessary to protect the Key West waterfront. Mr. Heil worked for Armour & Company - I assume that was the same company that sells hot dogs today. He probably delivered what back then were called "provisions".

I then looked in the Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine the approximate time this house was built. Since all four houses are so close together, it is safe to assume they were all built at the same time. They all have similarly sized lots (1.6' wide X 93.5 deep).  The houses first appeared in the 1899 Sanborn Map which showed 1013 Packer as having been previously numbered as 909 Packer. Since this block was eliminated in the online Sanborn Maps that I can view, I can only assume that this property was built prior to 1899.  All four houses look pretty much the same, so it is a good bet they were all built at the same time.

I borrowed some of the listing photos which appear below. I think it is probable that a new owner will renovate this house - either now or in the future. I add the future aspect as it might make sense to buy this place and rent it out as a long term rental until such time as you could buy an adjacent house which could then be combined with this to make a larger house. If you look at the photo immediately below you'll see that the house to the north has a second floor addition. A new owner might be able to add an addition to 1013 Packer. You have probably seen other instances in my blog of two small houses being combined to create more interior space simply by bridging the space between two houses. I think once this house sells one of the neighbors will decide its time to sell and take the cash. Or a new owner could simply go in, gut the interior, and create exactly what he or she or they want. There is nothing but upside for this property.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West  mls datasheet for this house that is offered at just $399,000. 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.

10 Spoonbill Way, Key West - It's a Wonderful Life

Just Listed, but not by me, 10 Spoonbill Way, Key West, Florida. This 1624 sq ft home that is located in the Key West Golf Club Community is probably the best priced home in all of Key West as I write this blog.  Read on, Dear Reader, and I'll tell you how I arrived at that conclusion.

Every time I enter the golf club and start to drive down Golf Club Drive I just start to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. There is not one straight street in the place. Each of the roads winds around a bit. Each of the houses is set back from the sidewalk behind a white picket fence. Now matured palm trees and other flora and fauna decorate the landscape. It's picture perfect depiction of a small American home town.  As I drove through the community after taking photos of this home I realized that this place is like a community that Frank Capra would have created were he a real estate developer. A few years ago I was standing on the front porch of a home in the Sanctuary waiting for my buyers to arrive. A couple with their children and the family dog walked past. We spoke. I asked them how they liked living at the golf course. They all said the loved it. It could have been the George Bailey family in It's a Wonderful Life.

When I entered this house my eyes were literally drawn through the living room and out to the golf course view. It is spectacular. The backyard seemed extra large for some reason. I asked the listing agent if a new owner could add a pool because there certainly is room for one. She didn't know the answer but it is worth investigating if a buyer would want to add one. However, the extra large community pool is located just across the way and past the community center. See the photos below.
The second photo above was taken from the kitchen looking through the living room out to the deck and beyond. You'll notice the study of den to the right with the door slightly ajar. That door opens out to the wrap around rear main floor covered deck. The photo also shows the well maintained Hardiboard exterior siding.

The master bedroom is at the rear of the second floor. It also has a large covered porch with its own magnificent views of the golf course. I feel compelled to state the obvious - you don't have to play golf to live here. The master bedroom has an ensuite bath and plenty of closet space. Note also the vaulted ceiling that makes the space so inviting. There are two additional bedrooms at front, both of which have vaulted ceilings and doors that open out to the covered second floor front porch. CLICK HERE to view the other photos I took of 10 Spoonbill Way.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet on 10 Spoonbill Way which is offered at $599,000. This home is move in ready and is in great shape. Compare the price per sq ft with even bank owned houses that need work, you will probably agree with me that this is the best priced home in Key West. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this great Key West property.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

201 Golf Club Drive - Key West, Florida

Just about every time I write about homes located in The Sanctuary at the Key West Golf Club I usually include the words "value" or "bargain".  And so it is this time as I write about 201 Golf Club Drive. This 1600 sq ft three bedroom, two and one-half bath home is in tip-top condition.  There is a covered off street parking spot plus space for a second vehicle. A white picket fence and trellis provide just enough privacy from the street which loops around this area.

This home has first and second floor porches at both the front and rear.  The main floor is set up with a large kitchen with breakfast bar that opens out to the dining area and living room. There is a half bath located under the staircase up that leads up to the three bedrooms on the second floor. And there is a bonus room located just off the living room which can be used as an office, den, or maybe a guest room. French doors open from the living room out to the large rear veranda with steps that lead down to the private pool and bricked rear garden.  A gate at the rear leads out past the trees onto the golf cart lane that traverses the rear of the houses.

The rear veranda is quite spacious and offers a sophisticated perch to oversee the pool and rear garden area. Note the photo which shows a close-up of the shutters which are located on each window and door of this home. (Not all houses have these very valuable assets which will get you a 30% discount on windstorm insurance.)

The master bedroom with en-suite bath and covered second floor rear porch make this space so much more than just a place to sleep. Imagine waking up in the morning and sitting on the back porch as the birds and wildlife awake as well. Watch the sun rays move across the palms as dawn turns to daytime. At night sip a cocktail as the sun sets. Then walk down to your pool for a late night dip and return to bed for a great night sleep. Repeat each day!  You won't have to go back up north. You will be living your dream.

Two guest bedrooms are located on the front side of the second floor. Each bedroom has a vaulted ceiling (just like the master suite) and each room has a front door that opens out to the front second floor porch that overlooks Golf Club Drive. These two bedrooms share a bath off the hallway.

The Key West Golf Club Community includes two pools, one which is huge, and the use of an on-site fitness center. It's smallish but it's there. The community pools and fitness center will provide diversions for your family and guests. The adjacent golf course is public and within a couple of minute walk.

This move-in ready home is offered at $659,000. It is vacant and ready for a new owner. All furniture and furnishings (except for a couple of pieces of art) may be purchased separate from the real estate.  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.