520 Porter Lane, Key West - Transient Licenesed President's Walk Town Home

I have written about Presidents Walk Town homes on several occasions over the years. These town homes were built in the early 1990s and vary somewhat as to interior layout and condition. Some are pretty much in the original condition while others have been updated - some tastefully and others done to the owners' sense of style. Some are located on Southard Avenue while others are nestled away to the rear of large multi-million dollar single family homes which face Front Street.

Some homes have first and second floor front and rear porches or balconies, but not all.  Each unit has an assigned parking spot and some have covered parking and storage.  The amenities at Presidents Lane include a beautiful pool plus the beautifully maintained grounds of the Truman Annex and  gated security. Frequent visitors know that Truman Annex enjoys a great location near Duval Street, Mallory Square, quick access to Fort Zachary Taylor Beach and state park, and soon will be steps away from the new City of Key West Truman Waterfront Park. 

 Each of the Truman Annex communities has a private pool for that community. The President's Walk pool is for owners and guests only of that community. It is located about a 90 second walk from 520 Porter Lane which is shown below. This home is offered for sale by Preferred Properties at $874,900.

The listing broker describes 520 Porter Lane this way:

"This two bedroom two and a half bath townhouse in Presidents Walk includes a Truman Annex transient rental license. Beautifully updated kitchen opens to the dining and living space with french doors to the large outdoor deck. Each bedroom has an attached private full bath as well as a balcony for indoor outdoor living. Assigned covered parking spot with attic space included!"

This home has an undated interior with new kitchen, new tile floors and a half bath tucked under the stairs to the second floor. This home has a nice decked rear with a gate that leads to the nearby parking space.

The master bedroom has a private en-suite bath and private balcony overlooking the little walking lane that end about 25 feet to the east. The importance of this is the fact you won't have neighbors walking past your balcony on those frequent nights when the weather is so pleasant you want to leave the doors open. The back bedroom also has a private bath and a private rear porch.

This unit has a covered parking spot located about thirty feet from the back gate. When I show places like this I point this kind of feature out for a good reason: if you go to the store and buy food you also probably have to carry it in to the house. This is a good location compared to so many other units in Truman Annex where the parking is (No.1) not covered and (No.2) located a long walk from the entrance to the home or condo.  Our summers and falls are known for their heat. Getting into a covered car is preferred to one baked in the sun.

This home has a valuable Truman Annex Transient License which permits owners to rent the unit any 25 weeks of the year on a weekly basis and possibly to rent the unit as a monthly or longer term rental the rest of the year (or use it oneself). These units are located the nearest the guarded entry which just two blocks from Duval Street. We do not have person on person crime like big cities But having the guy at the gate makes the two block walk home at night seem safer just the same. And having the beach a couple of blocks to the west is just wonderful.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and to view listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing of this unit. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1503 Washington Street, Key West - A Fresh Look

New to the Key West real estate market is the recently updated manse at 1503 Washington Street in the Casa Marina East area. The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Enchanting home boasting custom luxury throughout. Not a detail spared in this brand new transformation to create a spectacular architectural masterpiece. Grand Brazilian-walnut double doors welcome you into a courtyard lush with plant life.Through the barrel-vaulted entry adorned with cascading ivy you enter the two-story foyer. The sleek, modern interior just underwent a renovation to allow the entire first floor to seamlessly connect the entertainment, dining and kitchen spaces.The new decor includes reclaimed oak flooring throughout, ornate molding, rustic /vintage-style fixtures, a white slate fireplace, quartz counters, updated baths and more. Viking gas-fueled appliances, custom cabinetry, spacious island, pass-thru counter to dining room and a wine cooler complete the chef's kitchen. Ascend the iron staircase to the second floor where a library with built-in bookshelf awaits. On further are the laundry room, office or bedroom and a whimsical custom bunkroom. Continue on to the master suite offering two walk-in closets, built-in storage and an en suite bath with double vanity, whirlpool soak tub and walk-in glass shower. Stunning outdoor spaces surround the home with tropical landscaping including a sandy beach area for lounging. A large covered patio boasts an outdoor kitchen, dining and lounging area all overlooking the heated pool. A Truly sensational home to encounter!"

The beige's of the former home were replaced by whites and earth tones. The home should now appeal to a whole new universe of potential buyers. I wrote about this house on two prior occasions and showed it several times. The house is sparsely furnished and this should give buyers a preview of what they could do.  The doors at the rear open out to the outdoor living area complete with a separate outdoor kitchen. The pool is located adjacent. Notice the barrel portico which leads along the east side of the home toward the front where there are covered off-street parking spaces on either side of the front entry.

The simple white painted walls and woodwork show more profoundly in the second floor library which dominates the two story entry hall. I think this space is both dramatic and practical. It gives purpose to space which might otherwise go unused. The new colors really do make a difference here. There is an adjacent laundry room which is really decked out and in keeping with the rest of this high end home. The owners are in the process of converting the home office into an additional bedroom.  The current guest bedroom with multiple bunk beds provides a novel sleeping set-up for families with several children or occasional guests. Both bedrooms share a large bath. The master suite is located in the rear. It has a huge master bath.

2013 photo of the outdoor living area and kitchen

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and more listing photos of 1503 Washington Street which is offered at $1,950,000.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this impressive home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1025 Eaton Street, Key West - Just Listed!

Just Listed

1025 Eaton Street

Key West, Florida

This beautiful home has all the features most Key West second home buyers are seeking including three bedrooms, a pool, and off street parking. This place is in tip-top condition and has been carefully maintained. It can be purchased with the furnishings as shown. The home has been rented on a few occasions as a monthly vacation rental and is compliant with city code for that purpose.

When you first enter the house you will notice the historic Dade County Pine walls which are punctuated by the gleaming white crown molding and painted trim work. Just to the right of the entry door is the third bedroom which the current owner uses as a den. Double entry doors give this space utility for either use. A door from that room opens into the first floor bath which also serves as a guest bath with an additional entry off the kitchen.  The sink is located opposite the bathroom area.

I found a photo taken of 1025 Eaton Street back in 1965. This photo is helpful to understand the present house which was thoroughly renovated in 2003. The historic scuttles on the roof were removed as were the old metal louver shutters which were replaced with new windows. The windows on the front porch have pediments which really make the entrance look smart. If you look carefully at the black and white photo you will see a saw tooth addition located at the rear of the main house. The ceiling in that saw tooth addition was vaulted during the renovation. A second entry to the house was added at the rear. While your guests may enter from the front, you will probably enter from the rear where the is covered off street parking plus a bricked guest pad. There is also a pool and large bricked terrace.

The renovation included a new stairway to the new second floor where there are two bedrooms which share a very nice bath. A window seat was added at the landing as were cubby-hole storage doors on either side. That little space is so cute, but it is just a small feature in this very nicely appointed home.

I searched the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine the approximate age of this house. This entire section of Old Town was omitted from the earlier maps and nothing appeared until 1912. I know some houses existed in the area prior then but cannot confirm with certainty that this house was built before then. But the scuttles make me think the house is older. The 1912 map did show a cistern located at the rear of the original house. I did not see any evidence of it at the current time. What is now Thompson Lane at the rear was identified as Upton CT on the 1912 map. Thompson Lane exits onto Grinnell Street and also onto Frances Street. The good thing is this house covered off street parking. And it is as cute as can be"

This 1340 sq ft home sits on a 3669 sq ft lot ( 33' X 107'). It has three bedrooms, two baths, an comfortable layout for full time living or use as a getaway home. Unloading groceries from the car will never be an issue here. Storing bikes and water sports equipment won't be an issue either. This home is truly user friendly. Before naysayers think the Eaton Street location means it is noisy, it isn't - at least not inside the house nor at the rear. Take a look and listen for yourself. And the Old Town Bakery is located down on the corner!!! You will be pleasantly surprised. This home is offered for sale by Preferred Properties Key West at $1,150,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS listing datasheet. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to show this house. It is vacant and super easy to show. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties.