Beware the Ides of March. Better Yet, Don't Do Dumb Things!

On March 15th of this year I noticed a bank owned listing at the Key West Golf Club community that looked interesting. I contacted the listing agent to ask permission to write about it in my blog. Soon thereafter I drove to the property to take photos. I often lock the front door so that nobody disturbs me, but this time I left it unlocked. I went about my business taking photos and creating a mental image as to features that stood out.  

The second floor front bedroom was both tall and wide. It had a vaulted ceiling and ran the breadth of the house. Unlike a lot of golf course houses, this one did not have a second story front porch. I closed the door and placed my tripod at the far right side to demonstrate the size of this spacious bedroom.  But when I tried to open the door I discovered the door knob lock set had automatically locked the door.

I was trapped. This had happened before at a different location. That time I called an agent in my office who came over to rescue me. However, when I called my office to see if anyone was in who could come help me out, I was told none of the agents were in the office. I was still trapped.

I then thought of Instagram so I posted the above pic there. That did not help.

And then I thought about calling Ken who I had sold a golf course property to. He came over within a couple of minutes and brought a little gadget that pricked the little gizmo that turned the thingamabob that unlocked the lock. Ladies, it's nice to have a man around the house that knows how to use tools.

Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty, I was free at last!

I thanked Ken profusely for saving me. 

It wasn't until earlier this morning when I searched Instagram for the photo that I realized this dreadful event occurred on the Ides of March.

14 Golf Club Drive, Key West - Bank Owned

New to the real estate market is 14 Golf Club Drive in Key West. This 1320 square foot Bank Owned town home unit is offered at $454,900. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Beautiful views from your large screen porch and master bedroom overlooking Key West Golf Course! This larger townhome offers 2 bedroom and 2 bath home with extra room which can be an office/additional bedroom on main living level. Walking distance to one of the two community heated swimming pools, gated entrance and 24 hour security."

This home is located near the front gated entry into the Key West Golf Club Community. The smaller pool is located less than one block away. The view from the front porch gives this home a country club feel even though the gold course is public.  The view at the back is even better. This home was painted and cleaned before it was placed on the market.  The bank owner also made repairs to the exterior requested by the community homeowners association.

I have sold over thirty homes at the golf course over the years several of which are also 1320 square feet in size. Each has the first floor "family room" which many owners have converted into a third bedroom.  The room does have a closet and there is an adjacent full bath on this level. I sold a similar unit a couple years ago at Roosevelt Annex which was built by the same developer as the golf club. That unit had a new kitchen with upgraded cabinets and stainless steel appliances plus really nice baths. This home is really clean and will probably appeal more to the bargain buyer. But a new owner could easily spend a little money to achieve a really nice finished property.

 Two bedrooms on the second floor share one bath. While neither bedroom has a walk-out rear balcony, both have very nice views.   The screen enclosed first floor back porch offers really nice view of the golf course and adjacent lake.

 The smaller community pool is located about one block from 14 Golf Club Drive. The much larger pool and gym are located within a five minute walk. Home owner association fees are $380 monthly and include gated security, common area grounds (and tree) maintenance, pool, and basic cable.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took.

If you are relocating to Key West and have young children, the Gerald Adams Elementary School is located nearby. The community college (soon to be a four year college) is located nearby as well. Not too far away is a large CVS store, Burger King, Roostica Wood-Fired Pizzeria, and Hogfish Bar & Grill among others. I consider the Key West Golf Club Community to be one of the very best values in Key West. The grounds are always very well maintained. A good portion of the units are investor owned and are rented to members of the US military. Other homes are owner occupied. The military are an important part of our community and make excellent neighbors.  In a couple of months the many Royal Poinciana trees on the golf course are going to explode in color. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 14 Golf Club Drive offered at $454,900. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to show you this sharp property.  The listing agent is soliciting all offers. I think this unit is a buying opportunity.

199 Golf Club Drive, Key West

199 Golf Club Drive is located in the exclusive Sanctuary division of the Key West Golf Club Community. The listing Realtor describes this 1600 sq ft home this way:

"A rare one owner home impeccably maintained in the Sanctuary, a gated enclave within the KWGC. No renters or pets have lived here. Enjoy the lush, tropical, private yard on the 18th fairway of the Rees Jones designed golf course. Home features main floor office and the Great room transitions to a screened in covered deck that overlooks the 1000 S.F. brick patio surrounding your own lovely private inground saltwater pool. Some of the recent updates include appliances, granite countertops in baths, Australian Birch and Bamboo floors. The vaulted guest bedrooms both have access to the covered porch and the Master bedroom is complete with it's own screened in porch. Off street covered parking. KWGC features 2 heated pools and fitness center."

 I have written before and will repeat again here that I think these homes are among the best priced homes in Key West based on price per sq ft, amenities offered, and quality of construction. This home was built new in 2000, but has the look of a grand Conch House down the road in Key West. The main floor features an open living concept with a den located off to the side at the rear. This space can function as a den, TV room, office, or even a guest bedroom. There is a half-bath located on this level as well.The kitchen opens out to a breakfast bar. Four panel doors at the rear open out to the screen enclosed two story porch.

 Den, TV room, Office, or Fourth Bedroom located off the living area

The bricked backyard includes a heated pool. A small gate at the rear provides access out to the 18th fairway at the Key West Golf Club. The club is public and open to all. I have to constantly explain to potential buyers that you do not have to play golf to appreciate the beauty of this golf course.

The rear porch is constructed with steel I-beams. Note the windows have approved shutters to obtain discounts on wind insurance. The exterior appeared to be in very good condition as did the rest of the house. This is an important item to consider on any home purchase because a place that needs repaired will cost a new owner more money down the road. This home has been very well maintained.

The master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling which adds so much dimension to this home. The wood floors shine throughout the house but are especially noticeable on this floor where filted light peaks in through the windows. The master bedroom has exclusive use of the second floor rear covered porch. The two guest bedrooms at front are smaller in size but each has a vaulted ceiling as well.  These two bedroom share access the front covered porch and also the hall bath. Golf Club Drive is a beautiful street that loops through the Sanctuary and ends up back at the electronically operated iron gated entry.

Even though 199 Golf Club Drive has its own heated pool, guests may want to use the resort sized community pool or get in a workout at the community gym. Or they may want to sit in the butterfly garden to read a book or watch moss grow. In all the times I have gone over to the large pool, I rarely see anyone using the pool. The Key West Golf Club Community Homeowner's Association is professionally managed. Monthly homeowner fees are $380 and cover pool and landscaping maintenance, common area maintenance, cable television, security, and management. The temperature today may reach into the 90s. It's hard to imagine the pool and streets in December, but if you close your eyes imagine driving through the community the week before Christmas when most of the homes are decorated in anticipate of St Nick's arrival. This community is so pretty all year but is especially alluring at Christmastime.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet 199 Golf Club Drive which is offered at $745,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to request a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

214 Golf Club Drive, Key West Golf Club Community

Just Listed, but not by me, 214 Golf Club Drive which is located in the Key West Golf Club Community. I have written about homes at the golf course many times and I often point out that you don't have to play golf or even like golf to own a home here. If you have never looked at a home at the golf course, you really need to take a look.

Every time I enter the golf course I immediately start to relax. The small road that winds through the homes the homes is lined by all types of trees and tropical foliage. The neat little homes have white picket fences. It's as if I am driving through a perfect version of small town America. As I approach the The Sanctuary I always so even more to take in the view of the lakes that flank the iron entry gates. I pause to wait for the gates to open and then proceed ahead. The larger homes that abut the golf course are referred to as Great Houses and the smaller homes are known as Spa Homes. 214 Golf Club Drive is a spa home. While the great houses have a covered off street parking spot next to the house, the spa homes have covered off street parking in near by lot located just feet away from the homes. When you arrive at the spa homes you are greeted by individual facades that distinguish the houses from each other.

Each spa home has 1120 square feet of living space divided equally between first and second floors. There is a small powder room located just inside the front entry. The kitchen and living area are one great room that offers a relaxed living environment. This home has been lovingly updated by the current owner who put in a new kitchen complete with Dade County Pine kitchen island. This is a one-of-a-kind custom made feature for this home. The owner added new dark stained bamboo floors on both levels. The crisp white trim looks show sharp next to the lightly painted walls.

Both bedrooms have private en-suite baths as well as vaulted ceilings which add height and dimension to these space.

French doors open from the living area out to the rear courtyard which includes a covered dining area, large deck, and swim spa. If you need a bigger pool in which to swim, there are two at the golf club. The largest pool is to quote Mr. Trump "HUGE!"! That pool, the fitness center, and nearby butterfly gardens are maintained by the home owners association which also provides gated security for homeowners. CLICK HERE to see more of the photos I took of this home and the golf course community.

The golf club community is a part of the City of Key West. It is located on Stock Island, the island just before Key West. Our local hospital, the Florida Keys Community College, and the Gerald Adams School are each located nearby. If you bought this home, your kids could walk or ride their bikes to school. If you like pizza, the best pizza place in town, Roostica, is also located on Stock Island as are several small restaurants. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this property.

214 Golf Club Drive is offered at $529,900. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing of this really charming spa home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.