Just Listed -1517 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

1517 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Preferred Properties (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed this cute two bedroom house in the east Casa Marina Area of Key West for the asking price of only $425,000. At a price this low, don't expect this little bargain to be around for very long. The listing broker describes the house this way:

"This darling two bedroom home is sure to please! It's located on a pretty street within blocks from the beach and old town. A cheerful sun porch entry leads into the main living area. The kitchen opens to an inviting screened porch where one can enjoy the view of the tropical vegetation including fruit trees. The property has plenty of room for a pool and expansion. Easy to see!"

The house was built in 1963 so it has the architecture of that era. The slanted roof and jalousie windows give this house a distinguished look. Some may not like it, but others will embrace it. Much of the architecture in the Mid Town and New Town areas of Key West have similar features. Some buyers do blow-outs or tear downs and reconfigure and expand the living space. Others prefer to conserve money and fix that which is broken and update that which needs it. When money is tight, some new owners prefer to keep things simple and do low cost improvements rather than big renovation projects. This house could go either way in my opinion. This house has been perfectly maintained and will be just fine if left as is. Serious! It is old Florida.

1517 Washington Street is just 990 sq ft and sits on a large lot (4698 sq ft - 50.25' [width] x 93.5' [depth]). That leaves plenty of room for expansion of the house or the addition of a pool. This is one of the last remaining undone houses in the area. By that I mean most of the other properties have been renovated to some extent or rebuilt . And since many have been rebuilt that leaves "upside" protection for the potential buyer that may want to tear down the existing structure and build all new.

Many of the homes in this area have the familiar Casa Marina privacy fences. While the fences vary from house to house, most of these fences comply with the six foot height limit. Some have adorable gated entrances while others are more simple. Many of the front yards are densely landscaped while others are less so. These fences provide a privacy from the street and that allows the owners freedom to keep their windows opened to view the front and rear yards without concern about prying eyes.

CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls database and to view listing photos of the house. At the asking price of $425,000 don't wait too long. If you snooze on this house, you will lose it. This is a buying opportunity for someone that is ready to act now.

This house is within a few minute bike ride to Rest Beach and Higg's Beach to the south. Fausto's Food Palace is a couple of blocks to the north. The Island Gym is nearby as are many small eateries and coffee shops. Old Town is a fifteen minute bike ride or less. The airport is about five minutes by car. The three Key West shopping centers are also five to seven minutes on a normal day. And the Key West Dairy Queen is only a few minute walk on a hot summer night.

Higg's Beach as viewed from Salute on the Beach

Rest Beach as depicted in a vintage "Old Florida" post card

Fausto's Food Palace

More locals go here than the bars on Duval Street

If you are interested in buying this house or any other house in Key West, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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Sitting Pretty - 526 William Street Unit # 4 - Old Town - Key West

526 William Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc., (that's where I work) 526 William Street Unit No. 4, a second floor condominium in the beautifully restored and centrally located Delancey Hall building in Old Town Key West. Each unit in this five unit building is unique. Unit #4 is a smart one bedroom located on the second floor front. It shares the front balcony that has a commanding view overlooking William Street. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"In the heart of Old Town Key West is this beautiful Historic Home, that has been converted into 5 units, this particular corner unit is bright and airy, with balcony access on William Street. It has one bedroom and one bathroom with a great kitchen/living area. Kitchen has beautiful wood cabinets and granite countertops. The floors are all Brazilian Purple Heart hardwood flooring, Dade County walls, custom ceramic tile shower,crown molding and high ceilings. You would be 3 blocks from Duval and 3 blocks from the historic waterfront."

Unit #4 is second floor left side

Delancey Hall is one of the very best renovations I have seen in Key West. The quality of the workmanship and the superior interior finishes look as good today as they did ten years ago when the original renovation was completed. Buyers that work with me know that I am quick to point out shoddy construction and poor workmanship. Nobody should pay good money for unprofessional construction. Each Delancey Hall unit was built to high quality standards.

Unit #4 is located on the second floor front or William Street side of the property. The one bedroom unit has 550 square feet of interior living space (almost the same size as some two bedrooms at Shipyard). It occupies the south side of the building so you will have good light and not a lot of neighbors. The second floor front porch is your outdoor space. CLICK HERE to see the Key West mls database and to view more photos of this unit.

Offered at just $299,000 unit #4 would make a getaway place for quick trips to Key West or as a permanent home for a single person. The property has the necessary amenities (pool included) and a great Old Town location to make it worth your while to view. No need for a car because everything you want is within walking distance.

Mangia Mangia located at Southard & Margaret

You can get your daily gossip and cafe con leche at Five Brother's

Locals and frequent visitors know the value of a good location, and 526 William Street is located in the very heart of the Historic District. The Key West Seaport is three blocks to the north. There are lots of great restaurants and water based activities there. Duval Street is just a five minute walk to the west. Mangia Mangia is a block to the east at the corner of Margaret and Southard. Five Brothers is located one block further to the east where you can get your morning gossip and cafe con leche at the same time. Fausto's Food Palace is three blocks west on Fleming. Fausto's has a great wine selection plus one of the best real butcher markets in Key West. And Fausto's always has fresh sushi. One-half block off the corner of Duval and Eaton you will find the Tropic Cinema, a hangout for the elite of Key West. The point is you can eat and greet and meet just about anywhere in Old Town within a few minutes walk of bike ride.

Tropic Cinema is on Eaton Street between Duval and Whitehead

If you are looking for a very nice and affordably priced condo in Old Town, you owe it to yourself to take a look at 526 William Street unit #4. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. If you buy 526 William Street #4 you will be sitting pretty in Old Town Key West.

631 Southard Street - Old Town - Key West

Here is another real deal. The problem is you need to be kind of rich to afford it. But there are still lots of rich folks in America and some of them are looking for homes in Key West. If you are among that lucky bunch, you might want to consider 631 Southard Street that was just listed for sale at $1,995,000 or $785 per sq. ft. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Elegant, Sophisticated, and Luxurious Historic Home on Solares Hill in the Heart of Old Town Key West. Fully renovated and restored with an eye for perfection and quality. Beautiful kitchen with Jenn-air and Fisher & Paykel stainless steel appliances. High ceilings, hardwood floors, bedrooms with bath ensuite,laundry room, and open floor plan with finest details throughout. Huge tropical lot with lush vegetation, heated pool, spa and outdoor living room with privacy galore. Newly renovated guest cottage CLICK HERE offers glass tile shower room, open floor plan for easy tropical living. Off-street parking, full house generator, wrap-around porches and custom made Ipe' shutters. A Luxurious Residence in the Heart of Historic Old Town Key West."

This house is such a charm to show. The downstairs combined living-dining areas work so well for the relaxed Key West lifestyle. The French doors look out onto the gardens and pool. And unlike a lot of older Key West homes, the view is bright and cheerful on all sides. That corner location provides nice morning light on the east and the extra large yard provides sun for the pool and gardens. CLICK HERE for more details and some great photos of this special property.

631 Southard Street is located at the corner of Southard and Elizabeth Streets--just two blocks from Duval but only one block from 5 Brothers CLICK HERE to the east or Sarabeth's CLICK HERE and Nancy's Secret Garden that is hidden at the rear of Free School Lane CLICK HERE. Fausto's Food Palace CLICK HERE is a two block walk and the Key West Cinema CLICK HERE and The Red Barn Theater CLICK HERE are about three minutes away by foot. (The Waterfront Playhouse CLICK HERE to see a "chick play" is about a ten minute walk because you have to walk through hordes of tourists!) The Historic Key West Seaport CLICK HERE is five minutes by foot. So you see you cannot beat the location. The house is near everything important.

I represented some people that tried to buy this house back in 2004. My buyers offered $2.8 million cash and the then seller turned them down. The then seller eventually sold to the present owners for a lower price. Such is the fate of market timing. Greedy bastards sometimes lose even in an up market.

The present owner has put a lot of time and money improving this already superb home. If you are looking for a second home in Key West and want the lifestyle, the excellent location, and the amenities 631 Southard Street offers, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc., an affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.