907 Packer Street, Key West - Fixer-Upper Hit the Market with a Bang!

This past September I took notice of 909 Packer Street, Key West while taking photos of a different house two doors to the north. I said to myself "Self take a couple of photos of this house. It's gonna get listed one of these days:"And it just did.

I went home and shuffled through my old shoebox and found a photo of the same house taken more than fifty years ago. The old photo shows off the house a bit differently than current. The house was painted white then. The clam shell shutters in front are like giant eyebrows protecting the residents from out hot sun and rain. The little boy playing in the driveway shows how wide and long that space is. Imagine having a driveway long enough to fit two or maybe three cars - in Old Town.

At this location Packer Street is just one block long. It runs north and south between the Key West cemetery on Olivia Street to Truman Avenue. It's a narrow street that is not burdened by Conch Trains and Trolley Cars. Currently there is a handicapped parking sign in front which dissuades neighbors and strangers from parking in front. I checked the Sanborn Fire Maps which show a house in this location as of 1892.

The listing Realtor, not me, describes this home this way:

"Wonderful opportunity to bring a historic home back to its full glory! Just four blocks from Duval & tucked off of Truman Ave, this classic Conch cottage with a second story offers 3 generously-sized bedrooms, along with 2 full bathrooms. The downstairs flows from the front porch into the foyer, living & dining rooms, and back to the kitchen with a propane range and exterior access. In the backyard, you'll enjoy the ability to create your own private oasis, complete with a ~150 sf lot line bump-out in the backyard complete with a bonus storage space or workshop. This home has significant potential, with the countless prized Key West restaurants, attractions, events and scenery all at your fingertips!"

I have been in several homes like this over the years. These houses were "home"to generations of Key Westers. The families grew, went to school, got jobs, went on their way in the world. The parents lived on and then it was up to others to sell the old family home. I took not of the very tall ceiling height on the main floor. I imagine to be around nine feet - maybe a it higher. I did not see any Dada County Pine, but that was the style then.The stairway is located toward the rear. I noticed board and batten. This was a feature used to "modernize"older house to cover original Dade Pine walls with materials that gave the look of plaster. I would not be surprised if there is a treasure trove of Dade Pine in this old house. I can't guarantee it. But don't bet against it

There is a small storage building at the back of the lot that become a pool house at some later point. There does appear to be room for a pool. Aslso, the house does have propane for chefs to incorporate into the new home.

Everybody and his brother are looking to buy houses like this. I wouldn't think too long or too hard about this place. Of course it needs a ton of work. Of course it will cost a lot of money. But the end result will be a nice new home in a good Old Town location on a quiet street near the attractions but far enough away not to be bothered by them. Most but not all of the homes in in this neighborhood have been renovated. Finally, the listing Realtor advised me he has received eleven offers. Don't spin your wheels. Make an offer now.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to make an offer. Time is of the essence if you want to buy this home and make it yours. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Don't spin your top. You'll lost. 

721 Southard Street, Key West - a Fixer-Upper in a Great Old Town Location

The little pink house as 721 Southard Street in Old Town Key West may not catch your eye as much as the beautiful yellow house next door. But it could and it should because it is offered for sale at the new reduced price of $575,000.  This legal duplex can be lived in "as is" or it could be remodeled and improved. The listing Broker, not me, describes the property this way:

"This property is in the heart of Old Town Key West in an X Flood Zone. Legal duplex but could be used as single family with guest unit/rental unit. This is a fantastic opportunity to have an owner occupied unit with rental income or use as an investment property. The main level was owner occupied and the upper 1/1 apartment was tenant occupied. The property is ready for updating and your personal touches. Great location near Duval Street, restaurants, library, and the historic seaport."

I dug down into my old shoe box and found the black and white photo above which shows 721 Southard Street the way it appeared in 1965.   I think this house was updated in the 1950s or 1960s when the original front porch was enclosed and jalousie windows were added. The interiors suggest the same. The photos below show a rustic division where I believe was the porch roof appears at a lower angle inside the current living room area. Fifty years ago a lot of people modernized their homes by adding paneling similar to that shown in the color listing photos. I'll bet the recent owners added the full length mirrors and chandelier in the 1970s or 1980s. I then reviewed the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps. 721 Southard Street appeared on the 1889 map but was then identified as 407 Southard Street. In 1892 the street number was changed to 619 Southard and changed to its current numerator in 1899. The map consistently showed a simple cottage with a front small front porch and a small rear attachment. The Monroe County Property records do not show when the rear addition was added. Since it is not original, I think a new owner may be able to get permission to remove that addition. If I am correct in my assessment, I would suggest a new renovation that would include the restoration of an open front porch overlooking Southard Street. I would remove the "modern" windows and replace with historically correct windows and new wood siding.  I would re-frame the original cottage and seek permission to add a revitalized two story addition at the rear which would reduce the current lot coverage and allow the creation of a larger rear yard. I would personally like to see a pool located there. The lot measures 24.75' in width by 90' in depth or 2228 sq ft. The house next door to the right (pictured above) has a small pool on an exactly the same sized lot. The east side yard (shown in photos at top of this blog) show a five foot space between the buildings which would give a pool contractor sufficient space to remove debris and introduce materials to construct a new pool behind the house.

The home was expanded several years ago by adding a rear addition. Today the main floor has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The legal second second floor unit is accessed via wood exterior staircase. That apartment has one bedroom and one bath.

The door at the back of the above photo opens out from the bedroom to the roof of the front part of the original house. I did not take a photo on either time I showed this home, but the view is really precious. You can see the storybook cottages across the street which I believe are fairly similar to the way this house originally looked.

The two photos above of 718 Southard Street (directly across the street) demonstrate what I think the original front porch of 717 Southard Street looked like before that space was enclosed and jalousie windows were added. A new owner of 717 Southard might prefer a smaller renovation similar this house. That would be cheaper and as you can see from the photo, the resultant house would be utterly charming.

Southard Street is one of the best blocks in all of Key West. The three most expensive listings are currently located on this block. This location is a five minute walk to Duval Street and a short walk to many of the small restaurants and haunts of Old Town. This house is located near the tippy-top of Solaris Hill which is the highest point in town. That means your lender will not require flood insurance if you have a mortgage.

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

1205 Florida Street, Key West - Potential Renovation & Expansion

1205 Florida Street is a recent addition to the Key West mls. The listing Realtor, not me, describes this property this way:

"Live-in As-Is or take advantage of the tremendous renovation potential in this Conch cottage on large lot in Old Town. Home is situated on zero lot line to allow for maximum expansion. Plenty of room for large pool and guest quarters. Located near Bayview Park and the White Street shopping district, this property is nestled amongst million dollar plus homes. Buyer to verify improvements with HARC."

 I have shown this home a couple of times and held off writing about it thinking one of my buyers was going to try to buy it. That has not happened yet. Perhaps a reader of my blog will agree with me that this property needs further consideration by a buyer who wants fixer-upper or a flipper.  I found a black and photo of the house taken back in 1965. I took the color photo below it showing the front facade and side elevation. If you look close enough you will see the front porch has been altered and louvers added over the front and south side windows.  This house looks like so many of the "cigar maker cottages" that can be found in our Old Town district. It looks like there was a pre-1965 addition expanded living space to the left rear. 

It's what you can't see from the street that makes this property so enticing in my opinion. The north side yard runs from the street to the fence which at end the off street parking area. Once you go into the backyard you are amazed to see such a huge undeveloped lot with only a few trees and what appears to be the remains of an old cistern or well. The inside of the house has 9 foot ceilings. The rooms are typical of how normal Key Westers have lived for generations. I think a new renovation would entail removing all interiors and reworking all interiors  to meet the way live our lives today. That would probably include expanding the existing "addition" close to the north fence line and perhaps adding a new addition on either the north or south side as a new master suite over looking a new pool and gardens.

So many of the houses in Old Town have gotten so dang expensive and are situated on small lots or lots that have development issues. This lot is pretty much the opposite. The lot measures 44' X 90' or 3960 sq ft.  The existing 842 sq ft house has three bedrooms and one bath.  The lot size means a new owner can greatly expand the living area and add a pool and outdoor living area. Sometimes less is more. In this case, less means opportunity to build new and to build what you want within our historic guidelines.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos that include interior photos for 1205 Florida Street. After you have looked at the photos, 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.

1019 Elgin Lane, Key West - Bank Owned Fixer-Upper

Just Listed 1019 Elgin Lane Key West. This is a Bank Owned property located in a desirable Old Town location near the Historic Seaport. 

I searched the historic Sanborn Fire Maps and found this house shown on the 1889 map (when it was then designated as 909 1/2). Hidalgo Lane was the name of the two block long "alley" that runs from White Street to Grinnell Street. That name was later changed to Elgin Lane. Today most of the homes on the lane have been updated. This is a property where a renovation of sorts was started but that was abandoned some time after 2007. The listing Realtor says "... home needs a total restoration. Concrete footings are new and the interior is gutted " in anticipation of major remodeling. 

I found an old photo of the property taken half a century ago. Compare that black and white photo with the color photo I recently took. The original front porch is missing. The original house was typically utilitarian for its time. It may be that the front porch was added to give the original house some character. A new owner may get the chance to breath new life into this old house.

The Monroe County Property Appraiser records show the house as being 1438 sq ft divided between two floors.  The lot itself is smallish. It measures 42' X 32' or 1348.80 sq ft.  There is room for off street parking or a small garden. As much as you might like to have an off street parking spot, I'll bet you would more prefer to have a garden and outdoor living area because this is Key West!

 

This property was historically used as a legal duplex. I personally think the space would be better used as a single family residence. (But Im'm not going to be the buyer so what I think does not really matter.) The front and west side of the property are visible from Elgin Lane. I would imagine a Key West architect would have a field day creating a second floor bedroom area with vaulted ceiling.

The two above photos show the rear addition that would become an integral part of the living area. A new owner could create a great new living space using this big box platform. It is my understand that as long as the new owner uses the existing building foot print and makes no additions that he or she could recreate the interiors in the manner they wish (consistent with building code) and could replace  siding and windows with materials that meet our Historic Architectural guidelines. I would think that would include the addition of a deck or porches that are code compliant.  I mention this because this house is built right to the lot line. A good architect or general contractor can explain the rules and possibities with a prospective buyer far better than I can. My job is to alert buyers to the possibilities that this property has to offer.

1019 Elgin Lane is offered for sale at $295,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 for more information. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.