1101 Von Phister Street, Key West - Casa Marina Area

While many first time buyers of a home in Key West seek a place in Old Town "close to Duval Street", others prefer the quiet Casa Marina Area known for the larger lots, tall swaying palms, and short walking distance to the beaches. The new listing at 1101 Von Phister Street enjoys all of the features selective buyers want. Th listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Located in the most sort after Casa Marina area, sits this incredible one level home with a 40 Ft lap pool surrounded by some of the most outstanding tropical landscaping. The home is currently divided into 2 separate living spaces. The main structure consists of 2 en suite masters with access to the pool. Living room is surrounded by French doors leading to the pool and dining area. Off the dining area is an expansive backyard. The guest cottage has 2 bedrooms, one has access to its own outside sitting area. An Elegant kitchen opens to the living room. There is parking adjacent to the guest cottage for 2 cars and the main entrance has parking for one.."

 The forty foot pool is one of the largest private pools on the island.  Unlike so many of the homes in Old Town which are often small and only have brief moments of real sun time, this Casa Marina pool enjoys sun from mid-morning through mid-afternoon all year long. And the large corner lot ensures no neighbor can watch you grab some all-over rays. Sun worshipers will fall in love with this pool upon first sight.

The 30 foot living room has a picture window view of the pool on the west while three sets of French doors on the east open out to the dining area with garden views of the rear garden. Another set of French doors opens into the living room from the entry alcove. You will find travertine marble tile flooring throughout the entire house and the the guest cottage.

The chef's kitchen includes stainless steel Viking Appliances, custom cabinetry, and slate counter tops. Two Italian pendant lamps add just a bit light to the island with Sharp Microwave Drawer. The outdoor dining area opens out to the rear gardens.

French doors in the south master bedroom open out to the pool. The home office is located just off the bedroom which  includes a larger walk-in closet.When you get tired of computing, open the French doors to take a dip in the pool..The bath includes a handcrafted vanity with slate (used throughout the main house) and six foot shower also lined with travertine marble.

 

The second master suite also has French doors that open out to the pool plus a rear door which opens out to the rear garden where the outdoor shower is located.

This home also includes a guest wing with a separate living room, kitchen, and two bedrooms which share a large bath complete with a large walk-in travertine shower. The separate entry is off a lush tropically fenced private yard plus separate off street parking,

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and then contact Cory Held at Preferred Properties Key West to schedule a private showing 1t 305-240-0355. Offered at $1,795,000.

1403 Pine Street, Key West - Re-visited

I wrote about 1403 Pine Street, Key West, a few months ago just after it was listed for sale. To my surprise, this really interesting property has not sold. For first time readers and return loyal followers, let me share with you my thoughts about this place.

The property consists of the main house (visible front above) is a classic bungalow of 1283 sq ft which has two bedrooms and two baths. The house was updated with a new kitchen and baths several years ago. It works and functions fine. Buyers looking for a small project house that could be fun to renovate should definitely take a look at this place.

You can tell when you step up to the front porch that the people who live here love this home and this island. Tromp loi palm fronds adorn the arched porch that is set up like an outdoor living room. This is Key West casual living. I would point out that since this street is near the end of the Old Town and Meadows area, there is not a whole lot of commotion going on in this location.

There is a nice bricked rear and side yard for private outdoor living. There is a small shed being used as a potting shed and laundry combination. The yard wraps around the house and extends back to the large gated entry at the front of this 44.35' X 76..3' (3257 sq ft) lot. 

But that's not all. There is a two story guest cottage with about 460 sq ft of living space located at the right rear of the lot.  The ground consists of a living area and kitchen. The second floor is the bedroom and bathroom plus a large covered porch which overlooks the side yard.

 This place is as cute as all get-out.  I know some buyers want to re-do places and imprint their lifestyle into their home. While I am not a builder and have no particular knowledge as to structural condition or construction costs, I did not see any deterioration that requires repair. Rather the age of the amenities just dates the house a bit. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this home.

1403 Pine Street is offered for sale at $890,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS for more information. Then please call Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a showing of this home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

621 Elizabeth Street, Key West

Just Listed but not by me 621 Elizabeth Street, Key West. Buyers who are looking for a charming second home with the opportunity to maybe rent it on occasion to help pay for the purchase should continue to read on. Buyers who are concerned about finding a home in the X Zone for flood insurance purposes should definitely read on. And buyers who just want a place where they can walk out the door and walk to all of the hot spots in Old Town should continue to read today's blog.

I dug down into my old shoebox and found a couple of air view photos that show the location of 621 Elizabeth Street taken a few decades apart.  The black and white photo shows the house as it sits atop Solares Hill, the highest point in Old Town. The houses on Elizabeth Street and neighboring streets and lanes have changed immensely since then. I snapped the color photo immediately above around 2010 when I listed the big fixer house at 630 Elizabeth Street. The small house with the rusted roof in the foreground in 629 Elizabeth St. It was recently totally renovated and is now on the market at $1, 550,000. I mention that house because the old view is now totally different as is much of Old Town that existed in an almost virgin state 25 to 30 years ago. That is about the time when the original house at 621 Elizabeth Street was renovated and a second cottage at the rear added.

1965

2012

I found the above black and white photo of 621 Elizabeth Street that was taken in 1965. The interior of the original house was dramatically altered from the way it used to be. Houses like this typically had a long hallway on one side that led to the back door withe a series of rooms opening from hall. The old hallway was removed entirely and that allowed the old rooms to get rearranged. The once flat ceiling was vaulted and two lofts added - one at the front of the house (which is actually the area over the front porch) and the other at the back which spans the area above the kitchen and bedroom.

A new kitchen was added (way back then) as well as a new bath and glass sliding doors in the back bedroom. Period correct replacement windows were installed as was new interior drywall partitions and wood replacements for interior side walls which resemble Dade County Pine but are not. There may be some original Dade Pine under the drywall - operative words are may and be.  I assume the existing rear deck and rear two story cottage were added at the same time. The Property Appraiser records do not show when that approximate 800 sq ft two story building was built.

The listing Realtor describes the current property this way:

"Excellent Opportunity to purchase Historic Duplex on coveted Elizabeth St., just two blocks from Duval St. and all Old Town attractions. Two separate cottages divided by large deck. Rear cottage has it's own entrance. Lots of opportunity here to turn this into a stunning complex. Plenty of room for a pool. Interior of both cottages need updating. Front unit has one bedroom and one bath with two additional loft spaces and rear cottage is a two story one bedroom/one bath. x-zone, vacant and easy to show."

I recently showed this property and feel very positive about it now that I had a chance to see the inside once again. I had remembered the spaces to some degree, but I did not recall the potential both buildings have. The Seller is in the process of replacing and painting the wood clapboards on both houses. There may be some opportunity to get the seller to make other minor changes if some buyer acts quickly.  

Many potential buyers tell me they want a place they can stay for a few months and rent the place the rest of the year. Well that does not happen in real life for a variety or reasons. But this place presents a unique opportunity to do just that. The front cottage is compact and has good spatial layout for a couple to use and still have the occasional bedroom space for the kids or guests who must climb the ladders to the loft bedroom spaces. The lofts would work best for an occasional user.  

I do not have any photos of the back cottage which is basically a two story rectangle with a living room and kitchen on ground floor and a bedroom on second floor. The most recent tenant in this space paid $2100 per month.I think a new owner could rearrange some of the interior just a bit and goose the rental rates upward. Also, the listing agent told me a new owner could remove the existing deck between the two houses and replace with a small pool. 

You cannot beat the Solaris Hill location for ease of mind when it comes to worrying about hurricane season. Our little island is safe from rising tides but potential buyers who have watched too much of the Weather Channel believe otherwise. So this top of the island location will not need to worry about this house floating away. It will not happen. And if you were to finance the purchase of this house, your lender will not require flood insurance. 

Moreover for point of reference this house is located two blocks east of Antonia's Restaurant on Duval Street. Mallory Square, the Mallory Square Theater, and Sunset Celebration are about a six to ten minute walk, the historic seaport is about a five minute walk to the north. The gyms and yoga studios around White Street are a ten minute walk. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 621 Elizabeth Street which is offered for sale at $899,000. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to arrange a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.