Key West Horror Story No. 6

In the year 2010 I set up a showing of an older Key West home which the listing agent described as "Old Town Gem, over 100 years old, the property is certainly worthy of a total restoration. Perhaps with removal of non-historic additions, one can have a nice patio/garden with pool. Off-street parking also possible. Excellent location." The mls primary photo is above and two other photos appear immediately below. You can tell from the outset that the place needed work. Of that, my buyer was fully aware.

My buyer wanted to see this place because it met his requirements as to architectural style and appeal, location, and price. The listing agent met us on the sidewalk in front of the house. He told us the older woman sitting in the car parked in front of the house with the large dog was the owner. He then told us the owner's grand daughter would show us the interior.  That was odd from the start. Agents are supposed to show their listings - not the principals. He whispered that he would wait outside - as if the small size of the house was the reason he would not go inside. It was not until after we saw the house that we understood why he chose to stay outside.

Betty Furness who demonstrated how to use the new appliances of the 1950s

When we crossed the threshold we saw only a couple of pieces of  furniture which were obscured by piles of newspapers and magazines stacked nearly waist high combined with odd things encased in old grocery store plastic bags. We had to move across the floor wedging our way through piles of papers or things saved in grocery bars. The stench was over-whelming. We moved toward the rear to checkout the kitchen and back yard. It became clear that this house needed more than a minor fix-up. The back was dark and nasty. I can't recall anymore than the rear was surrounded by dank old wood, We turned around and saw the grand daughter standing next to the to the inside doorway leading to the second floor. The young lady pivoted on the spot and opened the door as if doing her best impression of Betty Furness with arm outstretched inviting us to go up the stairs to view the second floor.  My buyer lead the way but stopped after a step or two. He said something like "Gary, the smell is horrible!"  I suggested that he breathe through his mouth so we could at least see what was upstairs. He was a big man but briskly ascended the stairs. There was a semblance of a second kitchen of sorts with a table where some pared potatoes were sitting on a small table. The smell was putrefying. We scanned the room, turned our heels, and made a quick exit out of the house thanking the young lady for allowing us to see her home.

The listing agent sold the house to someone who did a remarkable transformation. The old house was lifted up to the sky after which a new pier foundation was built. The house was lowered and rebuilt in place. Most of the framing was replaced. The house was expanded to the rear where a small pool was built. There is even a small second floor rear deck off the master bedroom. To my surprise the new owner was able to create an off street parking space in front as well. The new owner paid $216,500 for the place. I would think the house would sell for around $1.2 million in today's market.

Sometimes houses of horror can have happy endings. This is one of those times. The listing agent was correct in his prognostications about the potential for this old house.  If you are looking for a place in Key West and are not working with another agent, please consider contacting me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, or send me 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.

734 Amelia Street, Key West - Price Reduction!

The new lower price on 734 Amelia Street really is something to shout about, because it makes the newly constructed home an even better value.  Few vacation visitors and locals probably don't recognize this location. This stretch of Amelia Street runs east from Simonton St to Windsor Lane. It was omitted in the Historic Historic Sanborn Fire Maps from 1889 through 1912. St. Mary's convent school yard was and still is located across the street where a tall stone wall insulates the school yard from public view. The convent burned years ago and much of the yard remains open today.  One of the maps referred to the entire area as "tropical gardens". I found the black and white aerial photo below taken in 1960. I added a notation to show the location of the home that was located at 734 Amelia at that time. I also found a photo of the former house that was razed. The lot sat vacant for as many years as I can recall. The vacant lot explains how the current owner obtained permission to build a new house in a town where old homes are treasured.

The original house was razed many years ago.

The listing Realtor describes 734 Amelia Street this way:

Historic design w/modern, new construction amenities. 2,100sqft home & 3,939sqft property features 3 large, en-suite bedrooms, including 2 masters, one on the 1st floor. Rooms designed for maximum privacy & high-end living. 2nd floor master boasts double closets & private balcony. The 2nd bedroom also has a balcony. The 3.5 bathrooms are equipped w/shower wands & Bluetooth audio. Main floor designed for perfect indoor-outdoor living & entertaining. Open floor plan flows onto the Trex composite deck w/ its wrap-around, covered entertainment area near the spa that tumbles into the pool. Hand-scraped, engineered oak flooring leads into chef's kitchen featuring quartz counter tops, an induction cook top, built-in microwave drawer, a high-power, ultra-quiet dishwasher & extra-large 34-cubic foot refrigerator. Entertainment center & outdoor kitchen w/ a commercial-grade ice maker. X Flood Zone & w/ no-maintenance Hardie siding, built to withstand 180 mph winds. Gated, off-street parking.

The first things I noticed were the handsome wood floors and the stylish  staircase that leads to the second floor. My eyes were then drawn to the rear of the home where the great room is located. This  area is bright and welcoming. Two sets of impact glass doors open out to the partially covered rear deck. Another door opens to the east side deck. Windows on either side provide garden views. The entire living area is bright and cheerful. I had to touch the quartz counter-tops which are impregnated with just a touch of color. What I thought was a simple French door refrigerator is actually a large refrigerator with normal cold food storage on top and frozen fools on the bottom. The built-in breakfast bar will keep the chef a part of whatever is going on inside this area. The guest powder room is located off the kitchen. Note the crown molding, extra large baseboards, handsome real wood doors.

Interior furnishings provided by Ben Teague Design, Key West. Ben is a talented young designer with a great sense of style. And he has a real gift for selecting the right colors and fabrics to change ordinary into extraordinary. 

The covered deck, pool, and garden area will probably be an integral part of the living which occurs in this home. The covered deck wraps around the rear of the house. The mini-bar is on the east side. It has a built in refrigerator, ice machine, storage, and bar sink. Of course there's a grill as well. The pool side deck.  There is a built-in automatically elevated television system where the TV will rise out above the cut stone base. Recessed lights and classy Trex deck systems add to the ambiance of this outdoor living area. Note also the old school design of the new fangeled impact windows and doors. These doors and windows not only sound proof the house, but also greatly reduce the wind insurance premium year after year after year. Remember also this home is located in the X zone for flood insurance purposes. That means a lender will not require flood insurance here. 

There is a built-in automatically elevated television system where the TV will rise out above the cut stone base. Imagine sitting on the deck at night watching TV and taking a quick dip in the pool or sitting in the spa..

There is a first floor bedroom which is large enough to serve as a master bedroom in later years when climbing the stairs may become a challenge. Windows on two walls allow generous light to enter this space. The en-suite bath is large and comfortable. Each bathroom is unique as to vanities, shower enclosures, and tiles. All have select porcelain floors.There are two very large guest bedrooms with ensuite baths on the second floor. The master bedroom has a deck which over looks the pool below. The front guest bedroom has a covered front porch with views of St. Mary's Basilica through the church grounds.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and more listing photos of 734 Amelia Street that is now offered at $1,595,000.  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.

3322 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Freshly Updated New Town Home

Just Listed, but not by me, 3322 Flagler Avenue in Key West, Florida. The listing real estate agent describes this home this way:

"Centrally located and beautifully well maintained home. Full 3 bedroom 2 bath with dinning alcove. Large fenced yard that is wonderfully landscape, with covered back patio, out door shower, storage shed and plenty of room for a pool. Off street parking for 2 cars, one spot covered. This is a must see, easy to show, currently owner occupied."

I've got news for you.

This home was built in 1958 and is pretty typical of many homes of that era. It's just been updated with a new metal roof, new windows with approved storm shutters for wind insurance mitigation credit, new kitchen cabinets, new light fixtures and ceiling fans, plus sundries like curtain rods and drapes. The house is freshly painted and is in basic move in condition. The terrazzo floor is in really good condition as well.That means someone moving to Key West from far away won't need to arrive in Key West and start to clean and redo a property before they can move in.  If you think a quick "update" or a "freshening" is quick I've got news for you: it isn't. Let me show you what's been done.

This home is a bachelor pad right now. The bumper pool table is confirmation of that. But the living area is large enough for a real family. The living room is quite spacious. Note the dining alcove. Muted sunlight provides a cheery place for daytime meals. It is large enough possibly to become a fourth bedroom. And the new kitchen gleams. A door at the rear exits out to the west side yard which leads to the front covered parking or to the rear garden where there is abundant room for a pool.

The front bedroom has three windows which adds a bit of drama to what often-times is a boring space in many mid century homes. This house is an upgrade from could be mundane. The color choices used between the various bedrooms works as well. The colors play off the whites, blacks, and grays of the terrazzo floors.

The windows of the left rear bedroom look out to the rear garden. This room is quite spacious. While it is used as an office by the current owner, it has ample space for a king, queen, or bunk beds plus bedroom furniture. Both the front and rear bedrooms share the use of the hallway bath that has also been updated.

The master bedroom has an en-suite full bath. A sliding door opens out the very large rear yard where there is ample room for a large pool. The lot measures 60' X 114' or 6840 sq ft total. That is much larger than a typical lot in Mid Town or New Town and even larger than many lots in the Casa Marina Area.

I took a lot of photos of this home which you can see if you CLICK HERE. They provide many angles of each space plus photos of the building exterior and garden area. I don't want potential buyers to miss the genuine money saving opportunities this house provides as it sits for immediate move-in plus potential to add a pool later on. This is a clean house where the drudge work has been done. Nothing new needs done to the inside or to the house. The yard is nicely landscaped. There is room for a large pool if that is something that a new owner wants. But the place is perfectly fine as it sits. The yard is a safe place for the kids to play.

3322 Flagler Avenue is not shown in the Key West mls. But you can see if if you call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let's go take a look. I think you will be genuinely impressed by this home which is offered for sale at $569,000 or $405 per sq ft.