1413 Von Phister Street, Key West - Potential Tear Down and Rebuild

New to the Market is 1413 Von Phister Street which is located in the area just east of Casa Marina District in Key West. Most of  the homes in this area were built in the 1950s and 1960s on large lots - lots larger than you will find in the histrionic district. Since the homes are not historic, homeowners can either renovate and expand or tear down these homes and build new homes. This particular home was built in 1948. It sits on a 3708 sq ft lot which measures 40' X 94'.  The house only has 773 sq ft of living space. For these reasons renovation or rebuilding a new house both make sense. 

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The interior is a basic two bedroom one bath home with an open kitchen and living room. The best feature may be the screened back porch. It provides more living space. If a new owner removed the existing porch, there might be enough space to add a pool and still have a nice rear sitting area that would not be as large as currently exists.

Houses on either side of 1413 Von Phister Street recently have been renovated. The home behind was a 1950s ranch. It was taken down and a new home is being built on a larger 5000 sq ft lot. The lot is 1413 Von Phister St could be cleared of the messy trees and provide a good space to build a new house.

The existing house has some minor spalling on the southwest upper corner. There may be more spalling as well. This is what I noticed. I also saw an under-utilized carport. That space could be enclosed to create a third bedroom and second bath. That would be much cheaper than building a new house. That is a much less expensive proposition for someone seeking to buy a place in Key West.

There is also room to build a new pool at the front of the property. Key West code would allow a pool in the front side. The front would need to be fenced and gated and mandatory set backs would need to be complied with. Again those messy trees which are not "protected" need to come down. They should come down and the lot re-landscaped no matter what the new owner does with the property.  I refer to them as messy for a reason. They totally detract from otherwise is a nice lot on a nice street.
CLICK HERE to see more photos.

 1413 Von Phister Street is offered at $599,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS and then please call me to schedule a showing. This house is tenant occupied so advance notice is required.
Call Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1719 Ashby, Key West - Just Listed

Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 1719 Ashby Street which is located near the beaches in Key West, Florida. This ranch style two bedroom (three bath) home has 1332 sq ft of living space, a lush tropical garden, and a pool which is offered at $759,000.

The listing agent describes the property this way:

"Located one block from the Ocean and 5 minutes from downtown Key West. Tropical foliage reveals a true Oasis on one level. Open living/dining opens to a chefs dream kitchen with stainless appliances. Split floor plan with the Master bedroom en suite opening to the lanai and large pool, allowing privacy from your guests. Second bedroom can also be a master consist of a large walk-in closet and laundry room. Great home for outdoor entertaining with a full bath and wet bar off the pool. Off Street parking for one car."

Like many of the homes in this part of Key West, the large lot (51' x 90') is surrounded by a decorative privacy fence.  The fence is obscured in the pool area by tall palm trees and tropical foliage. The pool itself is sunny throughout most of the day.When you your guests feel like some beach action, you'll only need to walk a few blocks to Smathers' Beach where there is almost always something fun going on.

Among the advantages of living in Key West is the ability to go to the beach even if only to walk the dog or get in your morning walk, jog, or bike ride. It's amazing how many people are up at the crack of sunrise to begin their day by the beach or who end the day there. Conversely, some are fortunate enough to walk out to the pool to take a morning or late night dip.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1719 Ashby Street which is offered for sale at $759,000. 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.

1304 Reynolds Street - The Casa Marina Area - Key West

Just Listed 1304 Reynolds Street in the Casa Marina Area of Key West. Buyers that are looking for a cute-as-can-be home that has been thoughtfully and professionally renovated from bottom to top and from outside to the inside ought to check out this beauty offered at $829,000. Local architect David Knoll did the design work essential in the renovation of the historic home. Please take a look at the black and white photo below that was taken half a century ago that shows how the house probably looked just before the renovation..

Knoll designed the rear addition which created the new bedroom addition at the rear of the original house and that added a pool and parking on the north side of the home. The interior of the original house was gutted and repairs made so that the house would be both structurally sound but also architecturally and functionally  unique. The roof was augmented with specially built new wood trusses. The original ceiling was removed and the "attic" space became the new volume ceiling in the great room. The previously hidden space over the front porch was opened and became a mini-museum for displaying personal treasures with dramatic effect.

If you look back up at the black and white photo you will see the small bay extension that seems a minor part of the old house. Well, it ain't minor anymore. The bay is now the dining area complete with built-in banquet bathed in soft light from the bay windows with calypso shutters. An absolutely elegant chandelier was added as if to be the cherry on top of the cake in this delicious setting.

The perennial problem of Mom or Bob being stuck in the kitchen while others are drinking or doing whatever it is that families and friends do while the cook is a cooking was resolved by removing the kitchen wall and opening the entire space. The post-renovation kitchen had under counter refrigerator and freezer units. A subsequent owner preferred the traditional big box which is now a part of the current kitchen. However, the minimization of the traditional kitchen concept is still evident. The back wall houses the understated kitchen cabinets, range, and refrigerator. The cabinets which face the living area house the dual black sinks, under counter microwave, and dishwasher. The front side of the cabinets unobtrusive place for the TV and book shelf storage elements.

Another ingenious feature of this home is the ability to transform the master suite into two bedrooms by opening or closing a bank of retracting doors. When the doors are shut there are two bedrooms, both of which offer plenty of space. But when the doors are open the bed chamber has a two story sitting area with a set of French doors which open out to the pool. This concept would work really well for empty-nesters who have an occasional visit from the children or a gay couple who have friends down for a holiday.  A new owner might considered installing a permanent wall to have two full time bedrooms.

Dual sinks mean that two adults can primp at the same time. The glass shower wall is beautiful. Filtered light from the south bathes this space throughout the day. There's a nice hallway that separates the master bedroom from the bath and the public spaces in the house.

While not all new buyers want an off street parking spot and a pool, most potential second home buyers do. This home has both. The pool isn't big, but there is a really big ocean located five blocks to the south. I have a big pool at my house. It's boring. Trust me, you'll be at the beach so you can keep tabs on the locals and the tourists. You never know what you'll see at the beach in Key West.

If you dread the coming snow and cold of North America envision yourself in this cute home with lots of clean living options. If you've got grand kids imagine how much fun they could have up in the loft above the living area playing fort or maybe camping for a night or two. Think about the good times your friends could have when they come to visit for a few days. They can walk to Duval Street or the beach in a matter of minutes. CLICK HERE to see more photos I took of this property.

If you are a buyer that wants to purchase a home that you could rent as a vacation rental to help pay for the purchase of the property, this home has a long history as a vacation rental.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1304 Reynolds Street which is offered for sale at $829,000 to view the Key West mls datasheet. 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. I have lived live in the Casa Marina Area for 20 years. This is a great part of Key West. Let me show you this house and my neighborhood. You'll love it!