WHAT A BUNCH OF CLOWNS!

This is a true story.

Once upon a time in a year not far ago I represented a buyer that had a contract to purchase a Bank Owned cottage in Old Town Key West. As is the case in most bank owned real estate transactions, the bank hired a closing agent out of the area to "close" the transaction. A closing agent can be a title company or in some instances it may be a law firm. In this particular instance the out of area bank owner engaged a lawyer located far away from Key West to close this transaction.

Some banks tend to be a bit stingy and try to reduce their sales costs by using title companies and attorneys that will agree to charge lower fees in exchange for getting "volume business" for their services. I guess the theory is that a lawyer is a lawyer and a title policy is a title policy and that nothing can go wrong so why not get the cheapest service possible.

My buyer was purchasing a cottage in Old Town Key West. I knew from past experience that we needed a survey just to make sure there were no 'lot line' or other boundary issues.  Back in the old days neighbors pretty much agreed to property boundary or lot lines. In this day of million dollar homes, it is important to make sure that lot lines and related issues are known. Some homes in Old Town have been in the same family for decades. Boundary issues often arise days before closing when a survey on a property that has been in the same family for generations is about to close. This particular property was purchased about ten years ago. I didn't really expect to find any problem. But the survey found a problem.  My buyer hired a local attorney to review the issues, and he was able to resolve the matter and move forward to closing.

The lawyers exchanged comments on the proposed title policy and HUD settlement sheet. My buyer then wired in funds to close the transaction. The lawyer in a far away Florida city received the funds and closed the transaction. A copy of the deed was sent via email to my buyer.

A couple of days later the closing attorney hired by the bank in the far away Florida city sent an email to my buyer's attorney, me, my buyer, and others that read:

"Just noticed a small detail that we are missing. We did not receive the $100,000.00 EMD. [EMD is the earnest money deposit that was wired to another Key West law firm designated by the listing real estate office as the 'escrow agent'] Please advise how we can obtain the deposit so that we can complete funding.

Thank you,"

My buyer typed an immediate response and hit the REPLY TO ALL button on his email. His email read: 

"WHAT A BUNCH OF CLOWNS"

Eight minutes later the closing attorney hired by the bank in the far away Florida city responded:

"Just to advise that the CLOWNS received the wire. We are not fully closed and funded. See below.Thank you"

Within minutes my buyer sent the following:
"THE CLOWNS RECEIVED THE WIRE BUT ARE NOT FULLY FUNDED OR CLOSED. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? "

The buyer's attorney quickly sent an email stating:
"Typo...."

I contacted the Key West law firm that was holding the $100,000 earnest money deposit. That firm wired the earnest money deposit to the closing lawyer hired by the bank in the far away Florida city. My buyer got title to the Key West cottage. I got a huge chuckle over the "small detail" of the missing $100,000 earnest money deposit. And I roared with delight at my buyer's Clown comment and implied reference to the cut-rate legal service provided by the attorney hired by this particular bank seller. 

812 Johnson Lane, Key West Open House

I am holding an OPEN HOUSE today between 12:00 to 2:00 at 812 Johnson Lane and I would love for my Dear Readers and tourists alike to come up and see me and this wonderful Key West cottage.  The location is near perfect - a quiet little lane located three blocks from Duval Street and three to four blocks from most of the gyms and yoga studios in Key West. A buyer who is looking for a quiet location near the action but not so close to be bothered by the noise will love this place.

812 Johnson Lane is actually two cottages. The front cottage was just totally renovated with two new bedrooms, a new bath, all new stainless steel kitchen, and new air conditioning. The back cottage can be used as an artist studio, office, or guest bedroom. It has its own bath and there is an outdoor shower as well. Like many houses in Old Town, the bedrooms are located up front. The open living area and kitchen are at the rear open out to the covered veranda that looks onto the pool.

There is a lovely pool located between the two cottages. The pool is sunny for most of the day. The lot is actually larger than many pricier houses in more claustrophobic locations in Old Town.  Come take a look. You can see for yourself. The truth is in the big sky! And if you like to sun in the buff, your neighbors can't see you.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos of 812 Johnson Lane which is now offered at $769,000. Then plan to stop on by today's Open House. Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1112 Elgin Lane - Old Town - Key West

It's kind of hard to believe the lovely top photo is the same house as shown in the black and white photo immediately below. But it is.  The two photos were snapped about 49 years apart in time. What a difference half a century can make. The house is located at 1112 Elgin Lane in Key West, Florida and it is offered for sale at the asking price of $895,000 or $658 per sq ft for this 1360 sq ft house that sits on a 25.5' X 78' lot (2022 sq ft) in the Old Town area of Key West. 

I searched the historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine when the house was built. Elgin Lane currently runs two blocks from White Street to Grinnell Street where it ends. The 1889 edition did not show any houses on the (current 1100 block portion of the lane nor did it even show the lane. The Frances Street to Grinnell Street was then called Hidalgo Alley. The 1889 edition did show nearby houses on both Frances and Fleming Streets. The 1892 edition showed showed the lane with "letters" for addresses as opposed to numbers. Elgin Street was shown on the map for the block running from Frances to Grinnell.  A separate lane that runs from White Street and ends at the rear of 1112 Elgin Lane was then called Beach Court although there was no nearby beach. Beach Court is now called Stickney Lane. The 1899 edition clearly showed an empty lot between 1110 and 1114 Elgin Street.  It was not until the 1912 edition that 1112 Elgin Lane was included in the map.  So we know that 1112 Elgin Lane was built sometime between 1899 and 1912. The porch enclosure is gone from the house but a second story addition was added. The porch was restored and some gingerbread added to give the house some architectural details that do not appear in similar houses located on the lane. I'm not complaining - just stating what existed in the older photos I found.

When you walk down the lane and first see 1112 Elgin Lane you immediately sense that this is a house that love built. The place is so damned cute.  It is the kind of house potential owners dream of owning because it embodies the style and character so many desire. The attention to detail is evident before you cross the threshold. Once inside you are treated to glorious Dade County Pine walls everywhere.  There are no walls with drywall or plaster in this house.  Even the ceilings are pine. The second room off the front sitting room is used as a combination guest bedroom and office. The kitchen follows at the back of the house. The custom made cabinets continue the rich wood motif of the rest of this home. The tall and slender Sub Zero refrigerator disappears in the kitchen. 

A window above the kitchen sink looks out to the rear garden.The listing Realtor, not me, suggested that a new owner might remove the carport and fence to provide space for pool. Stickney Lane ends in the grass just to the left of the above photo where a new owner might park his or her car.

The master suite occupies the entire second floor. Dormers on the east side of the space provide both light and additional living space that makes this floor much more livable. This floor is quite large and open as opposed to many houses I have seen. This space works.

The Historic Key West Seaport is two blocks to the north. There you will find Harpoon Harry's, just about favorite spot for breakfast or a good old fashioned real cheeseburger. The Schooner Warf Bar is right on the waterfront as are Turtle Kraals and the Half Shell Raw Bar. Coles Peace Bakery (where you can get some great artisan bread and incredible sandwiches) is a block away on Eaton Street. If you run out of bread, milk, or or need an aspirin, BLOSSOMS is located at the end of  Elgin Lane on White Street. Duval Street is five minutes to the west. Everything a man (or woman) could want in life are all located within a five minute walk from the house. (Photos of the house are used with permission of Doug Mayberry Real Estate and Michael A. Philip.)

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1112 Elgin Lane.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this cute Key West property.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

909 Pohalski Lane - Key West

Just listed (by me, for a change) 909 Pohalski Lane in Old Town Key West.  The original front room is all that remains of the cottage which stood here until only a few months ago. In its place is an entirely new building designed by Tom Pope, one of Key West's premier historic architects.  Care was given to blend the historic facade with new and expanded living space in the new rear addition.

 This home will be featured in the Olde Island Restoration Foundation Christmas Home Tour on December 27th and 28th (CLICK HERE for information) which has described the property as:

"In 1886, an entire village for cigar makers was developed in one corner of Old Town.  This remnant of that era has just been totally rehabilitated and expanded . . . although thoroughly modern, this cottage honors its historic origins in choice of materials and style."

The Pohalski and Co. cigar factory was located at the corner of White and Truman. Cottages lined the nearby streets and lanes as was typical of the other areas where cigar factories were located.   In his book The Streets of Key West, J. Willis Burke writes about Pohalski Village: "On the other side, off the western [should be eastern] side of the cemetery are Havana Street and Pohalski Avenue, byways that echo the area's once thriving cigar-making industry.... In the late 1880s, cigar magnate Pincus Pohalski, a transplant from Texas built a factory and then established an entire village within this block." If you get a chance to visit this home you will see that it has a rear entrance from Gerome Avenue (which is a City of Key West walking lane about eight feet wide). Nearby Nichols Avenue, which is only about five feet wide, runs perpendicular to Pohalski Lane. Back in the old days most of the people who lived in these cottages did not have cars (or horses).

Today Pohalski Lane is a one-way street accessed off Truman Avenue that runs exactly one block long where it ends at Olivia Street. Locals and frequent dance and yoga enthusiasts know that Coffee Mill Dance and Yoga is located across the lane and up a bit. The lane is narrow and that prevents Conch trains and trolley cars from making the Pohalski Village into a tourist attraction: hooray for small lanes! Some of the houses on the lane, like this one, do have off street parking.

The original cigar makers cottage was  built circa 1889. The renovation was completed in early December 2012 and the original cottage was expanded to 1120 sq ft. The historic exterior wall and facade were preserved in front. Otherwise, the house is entirely brand-new construction including all new foundation,  Hardiboard siding, V-crimp metal roof, vaulted ceilings, Dade County Pine feature wall, Castilian Oak hardwood floor system, and custom made hurricane rated impact French doors and windows.

The new house has two bedrooms and two and one-half baths. The property was designed and built with the flexibility to be used either as a single family home or as a legal duplex.   The new living area at the rear consists of the large living room with generous garden views.  There is a half bath nestled under the stairway to the second floor bedroom. Adjacent to the bath is the laundry area tucked away under the stairs.  The kitchen also has a vaulted ceiling which many will find not only dramatic in design but also captivating in its execution.  The kitchen features Martha Steward Luxury cabinetry, Bosch and Samsung stainless steel appliances (including a professional stainless steel gas range, a rarity in Key West), granite counter tops, subway tiles, and Grohe and Kohler fixtures.   The house also has energy-efficient Mitsubishi “split” A/C systems and ceiling fans in every room. CLICK HERE to view more photos.

I was able watch the construction progress on this property from the beginning. Once the second floor bedroom was framed and the window openings were cut, I remarked the place was like a tree house. And what a luxurious tree house it is. You will find vaulted ceilings here as well.  Windows open out to the east and south where you will see roof tops of quaint little Pohalski Village cottages and palm trees. There is even a bitter orange tree with fruit growing within arm's length (if you have arms the length of and NBA player that is). You won't find rooms with this much space and this much 'altitude' in many Key West homes. Just off the bedroom is an en-suite bath. You just gotta see this bathroom. It will make you want to at least shower here and maybe entice you to buy this place. 

Palm trees of various types and some fruit trees, like the bitter orange above, are located nearby and give the master bedroom the feeling of being in a tree house.

The interiors were designed by Ben Teague who with his partner, Jeff Leap, have appeared on HGTV's House Hunters episode filmed in Key West. The interiors are subtle and sophisticated.

 The second bedroom is shown below. It is located at the front of the original cottage which has been substantially rebuilt from foundation to the new roof. A Dade County Pine feature wall was added. The bathroom is located to the right in the photo below.

The front bedroom was designed to be used as a studio apartment at the option of a new owner. Electric service, water supply, and waste lines were added adjacent to the closet whereby a new owner could easily install a drop-in mini kitchen with a cook top, refrigerator, and sink. See photo below. The cost of the unit is about $1250.

Prior to construction the owner/developer asked my opinion about what might appeal to a wide audience of buyers. I told him an often stated wish of so many would-be buyers: a place which could legally rented for income to help pay some of the costs of ownership and personally use on occasion.  909 Pohalski Lane is licensed by the City of Key West for use as a duplex if a new owner decides to use it as such. The back unit is a stunning single family home by itself. There is a lockout door between the rear and front unit which, if opened, allows the front bedroom and bathroom to become a second bedroom for the whole house. Alternatively, the front unit can be used as a studio apartment which would likely rent at $1200 per month. I estimate the back unit could rent for $2000 per month. Both front and rear units have separate electric and other utility hookups.  

CLICK HERE to view 909 Pohalski.com for photos, site plan, floor plan, and general information.  Note there is city approved off street parking large enough to accommodate a small car. Additionally, the developer added electric and water supplies at the rear for a new owner to add a hot tub or spa. Please CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet for additional information. This property is offered at $595,000.

Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of 909 Pohalski Lane. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  This really could be your home by Christmas this year if you act quickly enough.