606 Truman Avenue #9 - Transient Licensed Windward Park Condo - Key West

Christmas comes but twice a year in Key West. We all know about the traditional Christmas on December 25th that is celebrated around the world.  The other Christmas comes in July when the stores and restaurants in Key West, although still quite busy, may shop and restaurant owners lower prices or have specials to entice tourists and locals alike to spend money in Key West.  The new listing, not mine I am sad to say, at 606 Truman Avenue #9 in Key West is the kind of property many potential home buyers have been wishing for. And that is why after you read today's blog you ought to follow your dream and buy this clean as a whistle 1210 sq ft two bedroom/two bath home located in Windward Park Condominiums.  This home comes completely furnished and it has a full City of Key West Transient Rental License which means you can rent it any day of the year for as many days as you want.  This property is located near Duval Street and is within easy walking distance to all of your favorite haunts. The pool is sunny and since there are only 13 units you won't have to stand in line to get a lounge chair. If you buy this home now, you will have a home in Key West by the next Christmas which arrives on December 25th.  

The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Transient Licensed. This beautiful freestanding Bahamian style eyebrow home is tucked away in a tropically landscaped compound for the utmost privacy. A large inviting front porch and decked yard are perfect for outdoor entertaining. The current owners have completely renovated this immaculate home with all new kitchen and baths. The main level features an open living and dining area, a spacious kitchen with breakfast bar and a full bath. Upstairs are two large bedrooms with lots of closet space and a hall bath. This is a vacation rental property and is being sold beautifully furnished. Windward Park is an Old Town compound of 13 homes sharing a large outdoor area and heated pool each with assigned off-street parking."

 

 As soon as I entered this home I knew I would like it. I could smell the clean - not a disinfectant kind of clean that you can detect but instead the freshness one knows from entering a home that has been spotlessly maintained.  I don't think I have even been inside a rental anywhere that was as fresh and inviting as this.  If you look at the third photo just above you will see two closets located adjacent to the refrigerator. One has a lock for owner storage. There are several similar owner lockouts throughout the house.  These locks provide subtle protection for necessities such as toothbrushes, suntan lotion, shorts, Grey Goose, etc.

If you have ever stayed in a dinky two bedroom condo you ought to appreciate the size and spatial layout of this room home which has two large bedrooms. The entire first floor provides lots of space for relaxation or entertaining. 

This home sits at the far rear of the compound. It is the only free standing single family home in the compound whereas the other homes are attached duplexes.  The rear lot is quite spacious and shaded.  Some of the other homes in this compound have a transient rental license, but not all. Owning a transient rental license is a very valuable extra even if you decide not to rent the unit.  But if you choose to rent, you ought to keep this lovely home rented as often as you want. It has everything a home owner (or renter) could ask for.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

606 Truman #9 is offered at $829,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet.  Don't expect this beauty to be on the market very long.  There were other agents at the house when I took photos to share with my Dear Readers.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing so that come December 24th you will be nestled all snug in your bed at 606 Truman Avenue in Key West where you will spend Christmas in Key West.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

709 Windsor Lane #A - Old Town Key West - Short Sale

709 A Windsor Lane - Old Town - Key West

709 A Windsor Lane in Old Town Key West became an active short sale yesterday.  This 487 square foot one bedroom one bath cottage style abode is a legal condominium (one of three in the small association) located adjacent to the Key West Writer's Compound about which I have previously written. It is not a part of the Writer's Compound, but it does share the wonderful location near the top of Solares Hill.


The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Charming Conch Style Condo in Old Town Key West. One bedroom one bath with loft completely renovated with the finest finishes. Stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and beautiful kitchen cabinetry. This is a must see! This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval. Buyer to pay a $2750 negotiation fee to Seller's negotiator."

This unit shares a common wall with Unit B which was a bank owned property that sold a couple of years ago. A third condo, Unit C, is located at the rear of the parcel. The condos share a common plot of ground with side access on the west boundary for access for Units B and C. Monthly condo fees are $73.65 per month and include building maintenance and insurance, and common area maintenance. However, the association does not maintain windstorm insurance. The small condo association may make it extremely difficult to obtain traditional bank financing on a property like this. Otherwise, I think this is a bargain property. Read on.


I took the attached photos CLICK HERE for a lender two years ago. I observed that the unit appeared to have been updated in a good and workmanlike manner. The interior space was well arranged and utilitarian. The living room and kitchen share a common space which is normal in most modern Key West properties. The bedroom is off to the right and it is quite spacious. There are windows on two walls so this space is very comfortable as opposed to some bedrooms which appear claustrophobic. The bath is at the rear and it is extra large. A ship's ladder provides access to the loft located over the bedroom area. This is a neat place to send guests you don't want to stay too long or it would make an excellent place to store things you do not use everyday.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.


709A Windsor Lane is a short sale priced at $269,000. If you would like to see this property, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties KeyWest. This is a comfortable small home in a great Old Town location.

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812 Fleming Street Unit #6, Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 812 Fleming Street, Unit #6, Key in Old Town Key West.  This top floor unit has a commanding view of Fleming Street from the broad covered balcony. There you can watch one of the best people parades on a daily basis or enjoy the roof top views of our little town.  The listing Realtor sums up this property this way:

"Wonderful Old Town condominium in beautiful condition and ready to move in. 9ft ceilings, Dade County pine walls and floors throughout and a great cathedral ceiling above the 200sf balcony overlooking Fleming Street. This third floor, one bedroom, one bath unit with 618 sf of living space is a true gem with tons of natural light. In the back yard there is a pool and private grounds. Seafoam Condominiums consists of eight condominiums and two commercial units."

Timmy Tuxedo is one of the two commercial units in the building

I searched the old records and found a Property Appraiser reference that the building was actually built in 1906 despite what the computerized property records show. (The old courthouse burned years ago and members of the WPA reconstructed property records based on the year they created the new data system which was 1933 unless they had independent verification otherwise. It is not uncommon to have two sets of totally opposing dates. The style of the original building certainly looks much older than the types of buildings built during the middle of the Great Depression for one important reason: they were not building new buildings in the Depression.)

812 Fleming Street in 1965

812 Fleming Street in January 2012

First, you can't find a better location in Old Town: it is near everything full time residents want and part-time owners demand. Second, it is located on the top floor of an historic building, and it has commanding views of the nearby neighborhood from its 223 sq ft balcony. Third, the building's incredibly beautiful interiors can be customized to a new owner's desires without getting approval from any governmental bureau (the condo association may need to approve, however). Fourth, the building has only eight residential units plus two commercial units (including Key West landmark Timmy Tuxedo) with long term residential ownership. Fifth, the rear side of the building has a wonderful pool and private garden area.

 

The front entry has an electronic keyed entrance. You walk into the entry hall and immediately see the dramatic open three story staircase illuminated by rooftop skylights. The geometry of the place is just awesome. Another stairway at the rear takes you down to the private pool. There is also a coin operated laundry for unit owners that do not have a washer and dryer in their units.

Last year when I wrote about another unit in this building that was for sale I said "this building is located on the gayest block in Key West. Four all male guest houses are located in this block including Equator, Coral Tree Inn, Coconut Grove, and the Oasis Guesthouse. Alexanders and The Island House are located in the 1100 block of Fleming Street and the guys normally pass by 812 Fleming Street once or twice each day. You don't have to be gay to buy in a place like this, but if you are gay, this is surely one hot property!"  Since I wrote that blog the Oasis and Coconut Grove Guesthouses sold and are now "all welcome" as opposed to gay male. The Coral Tree was purchased as well, and I assume it will stay gay male. Alexander's and the Island House are the same as before. I went over to take photos this morning. Two very good looking gay men in very short shorts were standing in front. The gayest street in Key West has not changed, and that is a good thing.

 Unit #6 is offered at $400,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos.Better than looking at pictures, please 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. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

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410 Porter Court - Truman Annex - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 410 Porter Court in the Truman Annex in Key West, Florida. This property is offered at $749,000. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"Quiet and secluded Porter Court is a gated community within the exclusive Truman Annex resort. Enjoy the largest unit in the complex, with a great open floor plan and huge first floor great room. Beautifully renovated and decorated with a bright nautical theme that evokes a relaxing and fun vibe. Large master suite and second floor porch with great views of the expansive pool and grounds. Excellent rental history and a Truman Annex transient rental license. A Truman Annex Tropical Treasure."

Porter Court was the first development built in Truman Annex. (This unit was built in 1999.) The Porter Court Condominium units are a bit larger in size than nearby Presidents Walk townhomes and much larger than Shipyard Condominiums.  And Porter Court has only 19 units versus the much larger associations at either Presidents Walk or Shipyard. That means, to me at least, fewer potential people lounging around the pool at any one time and probably a more relaxing time all of the time.

410 Porter Court is an 1175 sq ft two story condominium with two bedrooms on the second floor each of which has an en-suite bath. The master bedroom also has a balcony that overlooks the pool below. The main floor living area includes and half-bath and a rear deck for private al fresco dining.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view more photos.

If you would like to see this unit or any other home or condo in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send em an email at kw1101v@aol.com. 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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