How I Spent My Summer Vacation

I grew up in Colorado and lived there for the first forty-seven years of my life until I moved to Key West which is now my home. I went back to Colorado a couple of weeks ago and traveled to Aspen for an overnight visit.

I drove up to Independence Pass where I nearly passed out from lack of oxygen and took a trip to Maroon Bells where I was reinvigorated by the grandeur of one of God's best creations. I did what I assume a lot of tourists do when they visit resort towns like Aspen - I looked at the MLS listings displayed outside of real estate offices. If you think prices in Key West are high, go to Aspen. There is nothing affordable in Aspen. 

The wealth from the silver mines made Aspen the richest city west of St Louis back in the late 1800s where it was also the first city west of the Mississippi to have electricity. Many of the old houses still stand and have been restored or re-imagined beyond the comprehension of old time miners and merchants. New construction fits right into the natural beauty of the area. I saw more than a dozen renovations and new construction projects. Landscaping crews were still planting flowers even though the first frost and the turning of aspen trees is but days away.

Two days earlier I made one day trip Vail.  I remember driving to the to the west side of Vail Pass with my parents when I was a child where they would fish in two little lakes. The Town of Vail and the ski resort were first built in the 1960s. Fifty years have passed and Vail has expanded for miles to the west gobbling-up the lush valley and mountains. Money, money, money. Buildings, buildings, buildings. People, people, people. I finally found the bridge. But it is now like a Disneyland attraction amid so much modern construction. I am not being negative. Just making an observation.

I parked in a city owned parking structure and tried to adjust to the many changes in the town I remember from decades ago. I found two landmarks that had not changed: The Lodge at Vail where I stayed years ago and the covered bridge over Gore Creek. I walked the streets and eyed the new construction and renovation and upgrading of older buildings. And I checked out several real estate offices. Prices in Vail were very high. I found a reasonably priced studio condo for $449,000 and a parking space (parking space!) for $299,000. That made perfect sense. My four hour parking fee was $50.

Today I sell houses to rich people in Key West. Our architecture is as rich and varied as those two resort communities, but our prices are generally less expensive.  Our natural environment is equally beautiful. I also sell houses to people who are not rich. It just helps if you are rich.

515 Louisa Street, Key West - Transient Licensed Home in Old Town

Just Listed 515 Louisa Street, Key West. Beautiful Conch House located in Old Town just one-half block off Duval Street. This home has two valuable Transient Licenses which allow for daily rental.  It has a successful rental history.

The owner has thoroughly renovated the house which now a bright white kitchen with granite counter-tops, stainless steel appliances (including gas range), vaulted ceiling in the great room.
Sliding Impact Glass Doors open out to the dip pool and separate hot tub surrounded by brand new Trex decking. 

The master bedroom and guest bedroom pictured above each open out to the patio with the dip pool and hot tub. Both bedrooms are separated by the second living room with mini-bar.  This second living area is a great feature for couple traveling together. It gives them some personal space.

Each of the four bedrooms has a private bath. All of the bedrooms are nicely appointed. There are four new bathrooms which feature designer tile and granite counter-tops. The home is offered fully furnished (turn key).  

Other renovations include new new fencing, new air conditioning, new tank-less hot water heater, new tile floors, and new hot tub.   CLICK HERE to view more photos of 515 Louisa Street.

Please CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 515 Louisa Street, Key West. Offered fully furnished at $1,700,000. Then please call me. Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to arrange a private showing. I am the listing agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

807 Washington Street #102, Key West, Florida

Just Listed, but not by me, 807 Washington Street #102, Key West, Florida. This has got to be one of the best buys on the market in current day Key West.  There are just nine of these babes that were built in 2007.  I have listed and or sold four of these homes over the years. I know them well and feel very comfortable is recommending a buyer purchase one.

The homes are located on the corner of William and Washington Streets in the swank Casa Marina District of Key West. This home is located in the X Flood Zone. The Casa Marina Resort is just a couple of blocks to the west and south. Higgs Beach is a five minute walk as is Louie's Backyard and dog beach. Upper Duval Street is only four blocks to the west.

These homes were originally built to sell for $1.5 and higher price point back in 2007. That is when the economy took a nose dive. Several new high end housing projects tumbled along with the national real estate market. Our local market has recovered although some price points are not doing as well as others. This particular listing is particularly attractive because it has so many high end features that were built in to the house and that it has just been updated with a new kitchen and new master bath. The above photos show a formal entry hall that includes powder room, new kitchen with high end stainless steel appliances, beautiful heart pine floors, high baseboards, crown molding, recessed and track lighting.

Two sets of glass panel doors open out to the covered rear deck, private heated pool and garden in the rear. There is a walking service alley behind the property where the pool man can enter each property to service to pool. There are four buildings with four one bedroom units each at Southpark Condominiums. They have one beautiful pool. Southpark Condos are a great property and will not create any issues for a new owner at today's listing.

There are two bedrooms, each ensuite, on the second floor. The master bedroom is at the rear. Note the soaring vaulted ceiling and double glass panel doors that open out tot the covered rear porch which overlooks the pool below.

The second floor front bedroom has a private bath and also has a private second floor covered front porch which overlooks Washington Street. This home has one designated off street parking spot plus lots of off street parking on the beautifully landscaped lot.

The third floor bedroom and bath runs the entire length of the home.

Everybody has their view of what living in Key West would be like. I have lived in the Casa Marina District since 1995. I love the area. I don't make it to the beach like I used to, but I love having it there. The homes in the area are by and large much more expensive than today's listing. That signifies to me this property gives the new owner a chance to move on up without paying the price of a single family home. More photos CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 807 Washington Street #102, Key West, Florida. 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. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

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1413 Von Phister St Key West - Open House - Cinco de Mayo

OPEN HOUSE

TODAY

12:00 ~ 2:OO

1413 Von Phister Street

Stop by after church and before hitting the beach or Duval Street.  You may not want to leave. This brand new 1924 square foot three bedroom three bath home has lots of quality living offer. CLICK HERE to see the Key West MLS info sheet. Better yet come on over.

1101 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Casa Marina District

1101 Flagler Avenue sits on a larger lot at the corner of Whalton Street at Flagler Avenue in the Casa Marina District of Key West. The Casa Marina Resort is located just three blocks to the west. The former home of R.J Reynolds (tobacco magnet and friend of Henry Flagler), is located opposite the resort. Judy Blume lived directly across the street at 1100 Flagler Avenue until a couple of years ago. Higg's Beach and a world of water fun is just four blocks south.

I dug into my old shoebox and found the above black and white photo taken 0f 1101 Flagler back in 1965. I took the color photo immediately below this morning. The arts and crafts style home sits on the lot today pretty much today the way it did fifty-four years ago.  There is a rear addition to the original house. The interior has been recently renovated. Today the house has 1687 sq ft of living space with two bedrooms and two baths.  The 4569 sq ft lot measures 45' X 101.5'.  The listing Realtor says there is room for a pool in the rear. 

 I live in the Casa Marina and love it for the location, size of lots, tall swaying palms, and laid back Key West lifestyle.  I can be in just about any part of town in five minutes or so (except when town is over-run by tourists. Then it can add on another ten minutes. But Key West is still a great place to be. And being near the beaches isn't all that bad.

  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos for 1101 Flagler Avenue. The please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West, the listing brokerage. Let me show you this property and others in the Casa Marina District. There are multiple million dollar plus homes throughout the area. This home is priced among the lowest.