2649 Gulfview Drive - Key West Waterfront Home

Yours truly just listed 2649 Gulfview Drive in Key West, Florida  I have written before about the scarcity of homes that actually have waterfront views on our little island. This home is one of the few homes on the isle of Key West with a waterfront view from the first and second floor rear porches. The home sits at the far end of the private drive in the gated Gulfview Pointe community also known as Roosevelt Annex. The setting, Dear Readers, is park-like. The grounds are meticulously maintained.

 The planned community is situated on the former site of the Monroe County Fairgrounds. The photo below (dated circa 1990) shows the site before the new homes were constructed about fifteen years ago. Today 2649 Gulfview Drive is located in the same proximity of the single house shown in the old photo below. Don't let the barren space fool you, today the site is lush with swaying palms and verdant grass.

Each home has covered off street parking which also includes overhead storage.

This three bedroom home has first and second floor porches on the front and rear.  The current owner installed electric roll down mechanical shutters to provide easy storm protection.  Wind insurance is only $2,100.(Flood insurance is $913 and fire/hazard is $817.) 

The first floor rooms include the updated kitchen with granite counter-tops and stainless steel appliance, the combined dining and living area with French doors that open out to the covered rear lanai, and a first floor den or third bedroom plus adjacent bath. Note also abundant recessed lighting,  crown molding, and crisp white painted trim throughout this home.

The guest bedroom on the second floor has vaulted ceiling and lots of closets. French doors open out to the covered front porch. This home one house away from the very end of the private drive. You won't have much traffic to watch (or listen to), but you can bide your time watching the palm fronds grow. The laundry is located in the hallway between the guest bedroom and master suite.

The water views are a contributing factor on why this home may appeal to buyers looking for a second home in Key West. The photos below show the extended first and second floor decks which provide ample space for lounging. When you enter the home for the very first time your attention is drawn through the rooms and out past the pool, through the mangroves, and toward the gulf. But on the second floor you get to see a much more

CLICK HERE to view more photos of this very pretty and very clean home. There is true pride of ownership here. While you could do somethings, you won't need to do anything. This home is spotless. Some owners have added floating docks to moor their shallow watercraft.

2649 Gulfivew Drive is offered at $675,000. It has 1320 sq ft of air conditioned living space divided between the two floors. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet for more information. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing.  I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1310 Newton Street - The Meadows Area of Key West

The listing Realtor describes 1310 Newton Street as

"Charming turn-key house in the popular Meadows neighborhood was fully renovated in 2004 from the supporting piers up to the roof. Home is bright and modern with great use of space. Detached 100 s.f. accessory building in the back yard has been used as an artist studio with power and water and is ready for new owner to customize."

I checked the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West to see if I could determine the approximate age of the house. The house first appeared on the 1892 map where it was identified as 208 Newton Street.  The 208 Newton Street was changed to 1310 Newton Street on the 1899 map. So we know that the house existed at least as of 1892. The entire block was omitted in the 1889 map so the could house could have had an even earlier date of construction.

I searched through the old shoebox and found a photo of 1310 Newton Street that was taken in 1965. Compare the black and white photo to the recent color photo.  The house now sits behind a white picket fence. The screened-in front porch is now open. The almost foreboding facade is now welcoming, bright, and cheerful.  Today it looks like home.

The front door opens to a long hallway that leads to the living area located midway in the  home and ends at the rear where the kitchen and dining area can be found. The two bedrooms and bath are located up front.  This configuration is typical of many cigar maker cottages where the front rooms become bedrooms and the main living spaces are located at the rear of the property.

The combined living, dining, and kitchen area offer a decent amount of living space.  The kitchen cabinets and island provide lots of storage places as well.  French doors at the rear open out to the rear deck that acts as a conduit to the stand alone cottage at the rear. The building could be an artist studio or maybe a writer's cottage or a simple hobby room. A bricked courtyard completes the remainder of the backyard. In my opinion there is not enough room for a pool with the small cottage located at the rear. 

1310 Newton Street has 972 sq ft of living space. The lot measures 24.5' X 88.5' or 2168 sq ft. which is typical of the area. Newton Street is a one-way street that runs eastward from White Street about four blocks where it ends at Eisenhower Drive. Most of the streets in the Meadows are one-way streets. The streets are narrow. The good thing is most of the homes in this area are single family residences.  There are a few apartments and condos, but they are in the minority. Parking is normally easy.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1310 Newton Street and then 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.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

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1403 Olivia Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

 There is something about a simple Conch House that brings most people down from their lofty perches to appreciate everyday life in Key West.

The listing agent describes 1403 Olivia Street as "This charming home is a very traditional Conch house and located in a fabulous neighborhood. The home has been well maintained by the current owner with much Dade County pine, original stair case, and wood floors. The homes is set back slightly from the street with an inviting front porch that overlooks a colorful garden. The rear yard is fenced with a garden shed, and decking."

The house sits behind a lushly landscaped small front yard that is separated from the sidewall by a white picket fence. The front porch is elevated just a bit and provides a perfect perch to watch the world go by. 

I dug down into my old shoebox and found a black and white photo taken nearly 50 years ago. Compare that pic with the recent color photo immediately below. The tree is much taller, the yard is more densely landscaped, the canvas awnings are gone, and shutters were added. The simple geometry of the house remains unchanged.

When you cross the threshold you enter into a small foyer. The stairway that leads to the second floor. The hallway leads to the back of the house. The living room is located up front. The two front windows provide views out toward the street and two windows on the right allow additional light. There is a faux fireplace in the living room for those few nights we might conjure up the idea of wanting a fire to keep us warm.

The kitchen and dining area are at the rear. Two large sliders allow sunlight to filter through the trees and provide gentle illumination to the space. Most of the backyard is decked where there are multiple planting areas and potted plants.  There is room for a pool. And there is good side yard access for a contractor to install a pool.

There are two real bedrooms on the second floor. I say "real" because sometimes some houses have small spaces an agent may call a bedroom. These rooms work!

This home has an "old house" feel without feeling old or tired.  You appreciate the age and architectural elements and materials such as the Dade County Pine walls, ceiling, and floors. The Monroe Count Property Appraiser shows this house as being 1514 sq ft. It has two bedrooms and two baths. The home is a full time residence that has been very well maintained and cared for by the long time homeowner. Everything here is neat and clean. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos of 1403 Olivia Street.  

This home is located in the Meadows Area of Key West. Bayview Park (Key West's main city park) is located one block to the south. Bayview has public tennis courts, a baseball field, an old fashioned band stand, and lots of space where the the city and civic groups host various events throughout the year. The White Street "Arts District" is within easy walking distance.  There are numerous small shops, gyms, yoga studios, eateries, and Faustos Food Palace (grocery store).  Old Town and the Historic Seaport are within walking distance as well. 

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this home or any other house in Key West. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.