I See Dead People or Why It's Hard to Sell Houses Near the Key West Cemetery

There's a line in Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry that's spot on correct: "Turn away from death, and it's as if it isn't there." I guess that is why so many potential buyers of houses in Key West refuse to consider buying houses that face our little cemetery.  I have written about this irrational fear before because it creates a real problem for people that own properties that face the cemetery and for some owners that are even located near the place.

Today is Halloween 2013. We just finished our annual ten day homage to mayhem which is called Fantasy Fest.  A whole of of folks dressed up and pretended to be ghosts and ghouls, while many  others paraded around town with nothing on but body paint.  I wonder how many of the pretend dead or undead would refuse to buy a home that overlooks the Key West Cemetery.

A couple of God's personally anointed soul surfers were walking up and down Duval Street with huge placards admonishing the aforesaid sinners that their souls were destined to go to Hell. Maybe you can really get away with living a life of sin and then one day confess your sins and pray for forgiveness. I'm personally skeptical that God of the Old Testament would fall for that. I think it is more likely that the guys with the placards are correct that the sinners are doomed. If I'm correct, why not buy a house that faces the cemetery? 

Oops!  Looks like one got out!  The Sexton must have not been working that day.

There are plenty of houses in Key West that are just as scary as anything that faces the cemetery. Take some of the houses below.

Ghost Tour House - what a laugh!

Real life house of horrors! Serious as a heart attack!

The Scariest Thing about this House is the Price.  But it is a Beauty!

Buyers that have the money to buy a primary home or a second home in Key West are usually successful people. They have to be to afford our high priced homes. Key West real estate is pretty expensive compared to other parts of the country.  And because we live on a little island with limited growth and a limited supply of homes, the number of potential houses that can be purchased tends to make the few houses available for purchase increasingly more expensive.  Houses that are near the cemetery normally sell at a lower price than houses located elsewhere in the same area. If you are looking for a deal, consider a home with view of a tomb.

If you are looking to buy a place in Key West, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise - whether its near the cemetery or not.

Big Deal in Little Key West

 It was announced today that LaSalle Hotel Properties purchased the 260 room Southernmost Hotel Collection in Key West for $184,500,000. The four hotels are the Southernmost on the Beach, Southernmost Hotel in the USA, and LaMer and Dewey House.  The price equates to $700,000 per room key. I am only reporting this sale. I had nothing to do with the sale!

Michael D. Barnell, CEO and President of LaSalle Hotel Properties said "We are very excited to have acquired this unique, extremely well located asset." "The property is located on the ocean in one of the strongest U.S. markets..."

In May 2013 Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. purchased the Pier House Resort and Caribbean Spa for $90,000,000 or $634,000 per room key. 

Also interesting to note is that several large guest houses have been sold in the past year including The Cypress House, Oasis Guest House, Coconut Grove Guest House, Coral Tree Guest House, Papa's Hideaway Guest House, and Big Ruby's Guest House.  There's big money keeping heads in beds in our little town.

There are a couple of guest houses still for sale in Key West. Now is the opportune time to purchase so that you will have time to get new financing in place, do your training, and get ready to see the money flying in the doors.  If you have been thinking of buying a guest house in Key West, please contact 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.