912 Truman Avenue, Key West - Price Reduced

Buyers with big dreams and smaller budgets should take note of the recent price reduction of 912 Truman Avenue in Key West. That's not the house above, that's just a colorful logo to catch your attention.

My experiences teach me that potential buyers have visions of the type of house they want to buy even before they start the process. Some want a smaller house like a cigar maker cottage part because of the size and also because of the perception it will cost less to buy and cost less long term to maintain. Other buyers want a larger home like the Grand Dames which line Eaton, Fleming, Grinnell, and Southard Streets. For these buyers size matters. For some cost is no option, for other it's a major downer. Perk up, Dear Readers. The asking price on 912 Truman Avenue has just been reduced to $1,175,000 or $336.29 per sq ft for this 3494 sq ft house with four bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. . 

The porches symmetrically frame either side of the home. Each of the windows have pediments flanked by shutters. Sconces light the first floor entry. Brick pavers lead from the gated white picket fence up to the front porch. The yard has several mature large palms and other tropical foliage which give the space a "finished look" as opposed to some houses in Key West where landscaping is more native. The result is an impressive and refined front entry which delivers guests to the front door of an elegant Key West property.

 As you enter the front entry you are greeted by an historic staircase and central hallway that divides the house in half so to speak. On the right side you will find the living room with its formal parlor in front and rear space currently configured as an office. A door at the rear opens out to the new pool. On the left side you will see the formal dining room at the front and the country kitchen at the rear, There is Dade County Pine walls just about everywhere in this house including the ceilings. Take a look at the floorboards. Note the width of the floorboards. This is a house of substance and long lasting durable building materials. The dollhouse photo above shows two staircases. The rear staircase ends at the back hallway where there is a first floor powder room. The Kitchen (not shown in the dollhouse photo) is located opposite the rear staircase.

The dollhouse view shows the master suite located on the west side of the house. The rich Dade County Pine wall and ceiling provide a comfortable place to nestle. The master bath is quite large and contains a large soaking tub plus shower and extra large vanity and closet. There are two large bedrooms on the east side of the second floor. They share the bath at the rear of the second floor. Not shown in the dollhouse view is the second floor front porch which runs the breadth of this impressive home. When you see this house in person you will surely be impressed by the pediments over the windows. The historic glass windows ripple with age. I have ripples, and not in my stomach. Mine are called wrinkles, however.

Each o the homes in this complex has a private pool. Some of the neighboring landscaping was lost during the recent storm. It will grow back within a few months. I include an older photo to prove my point. This house has full access on all four sides to maintain the property. There is a rear gate that leads out to the large side yard and the two designated parking spaces. The condo fee is $600 per year.

The third floor offers so many different uses to a new owner. The photo two above shows about 2/3 of the floor space. Not visible is a bed alcove located in the front dormer to the right. There's a mini kitchen for Grama or the brother-in-law who won't go back home to use or maybe use as a writer's loft, an artist's lair, or playroom for the grandchildren. CLICK HERE to see more photos of this home taken over the past few years. The photos in today's blog reflect the current condition of this fine home.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 912 Truman Avenue and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me show you the historic charm and the present value of this home.

1022 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed, but not by me, 1022 Flagler Avenue, Key West, Florida. If you are familiar with Key West, but have been away for a few years, you need to know there has been a lot of developed going on. I know one of the things that draws people back to town year after year is the priceless collection of old homes that make up our historic district. The general rule is you can't tear down a house in Old Town.  And there are many restrictions on what you can do to renovate the old homes as well. Restrictions apply in other areas like the Casa Marina and the Meadows. That is why when some houses in those neighborhoods can be razed and a new house built. The brand new home at 1022 Flagler Avenue is perfect example of  new construction in a prime residential neighborhood.

 1022 Flagler Avenue in 1965

 1022 Flagler Avenue in 2016

1022 Flagler Avenue April 2017

The All New 1022 Flagler Avenue, December 2017

Before we see the new, let's look back at the former house that sat on this 5041 sq ft lot. I wrote about the house when it was purchased in April 2016. The original concrete block house was built in 1958. It was a two bedroom house with 1103 sq ft of living space. It had a covered carport and a pool at the rear. It was typical of many homes in the area, but also note there are many larger lots with much larger homes. The trend has been to remodel larger older homes and to razed smaller houses and build larger structures as permitted by code. Prices in the Casa Marina generally sell equal to or higher than the premium homes in the very best locations of Old Town.

The new four bedroom three and one-half bath has 2,000 square feet of interior living space. The architect was Tom Pope, the dean of architects in Old Town. I prided myself in walking into a restoration or new building and being able to distinguish his design from others. But I had to ask the listing agent on this home. The agent allowed me to use professional shot photos that unfortunately make the rooms look a bit beige. The walls are all pure white, the Italian concrete floors are gray; all of the cabinets and closet doors are white; the distressed oak floors are a light brown that compliment the gray toned concrete floors. The owner designed tiles used in the kitchen. They were made in Colombia and compliment the Caesarstone  counter-tops. Other construction materials used throughout the house include opaque entrance doors and privacy doors; tall baseboards; high-end stainless steel fans; and LED lighting.

The main floor bedroom and bath could be used as a master suite later in life when climbing stairs can become difficult. All four bedrooms have Juliet balconies that span the width of the impact glass sliding doors which bring so much light into each room. Italian concrete floors flow seamlessly from the entry foyer on into the space which winds its way through the hall of lighted closets through the double vanity to the shower which has one of those opaque privacy doors I mentioned. This bath doubles as a pool shower. By the way there is a separate pool bathroom.

The wide staircase lands on the mezzanine level where there are two guest bedrooms which share a large bath. Note the floors has changed to distress oak.  The stairs turn and land at the upper or master suite level.

The master suite show the finger-joint fir walls used throughout the house. These walls give a bit of a masculine feel to the rooms. I think the colors used in the hard surfaces and the simplicity of the overall design will work well with an owner who loves minimalism as well as an owner who will bring rich colored furnishings to contrast the simple spaces.

The landscaping around the pool is minimalist. A new owner can finish this off in a way works best for him or her or them. 

 1022 Flagler Avenue has a garage

A couple of months ago I wrote about 1023 Johnson Street (the home located behind 1022 Flagler Avenue). The asking price on that property is $3,495,000. It is under contract and is scheduled to close soon. The house across the street at 1019 Flagler Avenue sold earlier this year at $3,650,000.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 1022 Flagler Avenue and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing of this really beautiful Casa Marina  home offered at $2,395,000. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. I live in the Casa Marina area. I would love to show you why the prices here compete with Old Town - its the location near the ocean and the distance from the madness of Duval Street.

3810 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Waterfront Estate

The listing broker describes the newly listed 3810 Flagler Avenue home in Key West this way:

"Stunning Key West waterfront home, recently renovated to perfection with exquisite attention to detail. The open concept floor plan and Euro wall of 9’ glass doors offer sweeping water views and seamlessly blend interior and exterior living spaces. The gourmet kitchen is furnished with high end appliances, including both convection and conventional ovens, a wine fridge, espresso maker, and more. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths are located on the ground floor, and the entire second story encompasses the luxurious master suite with a spacious balcony overlooking the water. Set on a huge 1/3 acre lot, the outdoor features include a pool, spa and sunbathing area, a full outdoor kitchen located in a custom built gazebo, as well as an outdoor dining area and fire pit. This location is a boater's dream with access to the Atlantic Ocean just minutes from the backyard dock. New Azak deck, fish cleaning station, and 14K lift accommodates up to a 33' boat. There's even an attached air conditioned garage with car lift. Fully fenced and gated for privacy and plenty of space for additional off-street parking. This is the only Pinewood Construction home in Key West and a rare opportunity to own a luxurious waterfront property just minutes from the ocean and downtown Key West."

When the Euro doors are opened the indoor space flows out to the deck, pool and spa area, the outdoor kitchen and dining area, and the water beyond. When the doors are closed each public room and three of the four bedrooms have views of the Sunrise and Rivera Canals.  The 4495 square foot home was recently thoroughly renovated and expanded with attention to detail.  The house is located about 300 feet or so from the eastern edge the Island of Key West  The house sits behind a tall privacy fence with two gated parking entries. The grounds include video surveillance, irrigation, and illumination. All landscaping and pool design were done by Craig Reynolds, the premier landscape architect in Key West.

Readers who think of Key West as a little island city with lots of small cottages will be surprised to see such a large and dramatic counter point to Old Town. The two story entry leads into the public spaces.  The family room is located to the left of the main living space. That room flows into a space this owner uses as an office. Both of these rooms have water views.

As I get older I look for ground floor bedrooms thinking about the day climbing stairs might become a challenge. This home has a huge ground floor bedroom with sitting area and private covered deck which leads out to the outdoor dining area. The two room suite includes an en-suite bath and multiple closets. There is a second bedroom on the west side of the main floor living area. That bedroom has a view of the spa and the canal beyond.

The master suite occupies the entire second floor. There is a half-wall which separates the sitting area from the sleeping area. It is the view from the second floor terrace overlooking the merged Riviera and Sunrise Canals that will  capture anybodies attention. The master suite includes dual sinks, soaking tub, shower, lady's vanity, plus large walk-in closet. There is a morning kitchen located adjacent to the sitting area.

After viewing the inside of this remarkable home, I took a self-guided tour of the outside which includes the outdoor kitchen, dining area, open air sitting area with fire pit, pool, spa, sun deck, the dock with 14K lift capable of handling a 33 foot boat, and the 105 foot seawall. Imagine sharing your good fortune in life with family and friends in this stunning Key West waterfront estate property.

If you are an runner or bicyclist you will be able to walk out the front door and be able to jog or spin around South Roosevelt Blvd  in less than 90 seconds or so. And what a view you will have. The water is ever so calm in early morning. If you are a boater you can have your boat out in deep water within a matter of a few minutes as the Cow Key Channel is located about 300 feet from the seawall at this home.

 CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and to view photos of 3810 Flagler Avenue, Key West offered at $4,950,000. 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.