730 Windsor Lane - Old Town - Key West

730 Windsor Lane is affordably priced at just $299,000. The listing Realtor describes this 072 sq ft two bedroom two bath house this way:

" This single family two bedroom two and two bath home is situated in Old Town Key West. Home has been moderately renovated and is just one block from the Historic Key West Cemetery. The first floor offers an open floor plan which includes the living room, kitchen and dining room with French doors opening to a private deck. Walk to restaurants, clubs, shopping and museums. Enjoy the sites from your charming front porch."

The living area downstairs is very open. The kitchen is at the rear as is the dining area. Both have access to the rear deck area. The rear deck is small and if you are looking for a place where you can add a pool, keep looking. Because there is no room for a pool here. Nor is there off street parking. But this house has a great location and there is not a lot of deferred maintenance. CLICK HERE to see photos I took of this property.

730 Windsor Lane does have a lovely front porch and a nice front yard that enclosed by the ever-so-necessary white picket fence. The house across the street (photo above) is a pleasant view as are many of the houses in this neighborhood. Readers will recall that the Key West Writer's Compound is located across the street and the Key West Cemetery is about 120 feet or so to the east. Duval Street is three blocks to the west and the Historic Key West Seaport is six blocks to the north.

You can checkout the Key West mls database if you CLICK HERE. Don't wait on this because it will be under contract within a very short time.

If you would like to see this house please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

713 Windsor Lane - Key West Writer's Compound

713 Windsor Lane in the Key West Writer's Compound

Just listed, but not by me, a charming cottage a most desirable location: The Key West Writer's Compound - more particularly 713 Windsor Lane. This is how the listing Realtor describes this treasure:

" Quiet Cigar Maker's Cottage in a secluded community of 11 homes reserved for those who enjoy peaceful living and are 55 years of age or older. Main home is a 2 bedroom , 2 bath with porches in both the front & rear and upstairs is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment with tree top views of the meticulously maintained grounds. Both kitchens and all bathrooms have been newly renovated with wooden cabinets & granite counter tops. This tropical oasis enjoys a huge shared pool and deck area."

713 Windsor Lane as it appeared in 1965

The black and white photo above was taken of the property in 1965 before the compound was created. The Monroe County Property Appraiser's records show that this property was totally renovated in 2003. I remember submitting a near 100% asking price offer on this property to the developer who quickly turned it down. My buyer was beside himself at not getting this property. Today, this 1488 sq ft duplex is offered at $525,000 or $353 per sq ft. CLICK HERE to review the mls datasheet and to view the listing photos.

The Key West Writer's Compound is "hidden behind the white stucco wall, is a collection of once run-down shacks and shanties, frame cottages perched upon limestone piers, later restored as the winter residences of such literary luminaries as poet Richard Wilbur [former U.S. Poet Laureate], critic John Ciardi, writer Ralph Ellison and Hiroshima author John Hersey. There are several literati compounds in Old Town,and this complex, established in 1976, with its landscaped walkways and a central pool, is one of the most charming. Wilbur won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry and is renowned for his translations of Moliere; Ciardi, a critic, also translated Dante’s Divine Comedy; Ralph Ellison wrote The Invisible Man; and John Hersey, taught at Yale for 18 years and won the Pulitzer Prize for his writing debut, A Bell for Adano." (From SeekKeyWest.com with Sharon Wells.)

( I sold the Hersey home earlier this year. It was still filled with Hersey's furniture, art, books, and general stuff. I sat in the chairs in the living room and felt like I was in another era.)

The compound itself is an assemblage of other cottages that were built for the Key West working class. They were nothing extra-ordinary. I see the simplicity of their construction as perhaps the biggest reason the writers chose to congregate there. Today a large fence sets the compound apart from the street. Two large gates open onto a wide bricked walkway that navigates pedestrians to each of the homes in the compound. There is a large pool located near the east side of the property. I don't recall ever seeing anyone actually swimming there, however. I do recall admiring the great views of specimen trees and brightly colored foliage. The compound would be a treasure on its own even if the notable writers had never lived there. But they did and that sets this property apart and makes the compound very notable.

The red X marks the location of 713 Windsor Lane (above photo)

The top of Solares Hill is just a couple of houses to the west of 713 Windsor Lane. 713 Windsor Lane is located in the X Zone for flood insurance purposes. Flood insurance is not required in the X Zone. Since units in the Writer's compound are classified as land based condos, as an owner you would have to buy your own property insurance including flood, windstorm, fire and general liability. The duplex at 713 Windsor Lane is part of a land based condo association for common area ownership purposes but the building itself is located on a piece of ground that is owned in fee simple estate. (Just like your home up north in America.)

Looking eastward toward the Key West Cemetery from Windsor Lane at William St.

Looking westerly up Windsor Lane near the William Street intersection

The famous Solares Hill Grocery (now called Charlie's Grocery-see photo below) is located near the summit of the hill (elevation 18 feet) at 648 William (corner of William and Windsor Lane). It's the only store or commercial enterprise for several blocks. You could send "Lovey" for a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, coffee or cigarettes and think nothing of it.

Charlie's Grocery is located just around the corner from the Writer's Compound

The Writer's Compound is just a few short blocks walk to the Historic Key West Seaport to the north or a three block walk to Duval Street to the west. That's part of the joy of living in a great location like the Writer's Compound: you can be anywhere important within a few minutes.

If you are looking a a great place in a great location at a really great price, this property may be exactly what you are looking for. Remember, at least one owner must be at least 55 years of age to be able to buy into this compound. No children under 18 are permitted at the pool-ever. If you have little grand kids or nieces the nephews, this won't work. Otherwise, this is a place to consider. Call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

728 Windsor Lane - Old Town - Key West

If you are a potential buyer that is looking for a "small" project house, I may have found the house you are looking for. You may have driven by or walked by this house before and thought "cute" but decided it is too small or needs "too much work". Let me suggest that any buyer that wants a small house in Old Town with a pool keep an open mind and consider 728 Windsor Lane.

The listing Realtor describes 728 Windsor Lane this way:

"If you are a ready-to-act buyer who has been waiting for the chance to live in the charm district of Key West, this may be the house that causes you to take immediate action. While small, it is difficult to find a home in this area for under $300,000. The house has a great private shady yard. On the weekends, you can look forward to Operation Recharge. Sleep in on Saturday morning, drink your coffee, and relax. In the afternoon, jump on your bike and ride around and enjoy the tropical ambiance. As the sunsets,take a stroll down to Mallory Square and witnesses Key West's most famous sunsets!It's thrilling to live so close to the heart of KW music and entertaining district.There is some work to be done but for the size the price is a fit!"

CLICK HERE to read the listing info and view photos of the house. The house is only 654 sq ft. It presently has a living room,2 bedrooms, one bath and a kitchen. I guess you could call this a modified "eyebrow" house with a sawtooth addition. CLICK HERE. There is a recent addition to the rear that houses the laundry area. The lot is 1279 sq ft. 728 Windsor Lane is offered at $270,000 or $413 per sq ft.

A house like this will likely require total renovation. I'm no builder but I would expect the house to need some pier replacement, new joists, demolition and total renovation of the interior, new windows and doors, new electric, plumbing, and HVAC. The good thing is that the small size ought to keep the renovation costs somewhat contained.

The rear yard is surprisingly large. There is room for a real pool. The seller owns the adjacent property and will provide easy access for a backhoe to remove dirt and coral to keep the pool construction costs economical. CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE to see photos of the rear yard as it presently exists.

I have been in several old houses like this over the years. I always tell buyers to forget about what the inside structure or room configuration looks like today. Your architect and builder are going to rip it apart and will come up with a new house designed for today's living and put it inside of the four walls that presently exist. They'll probably wrap a pretty bow on the outside and end up getting a historic preservation award. Little gems like this mean so much and become so valuable once all the hard work is over.

728 Windsor Lane sits on Solares Hill in the Old Town area of Key West. The location is about a five minute walk to the shops and restaurants on Duval Street. The Historic Seaport is an equal distance walk. There is one little corner grocery about one half block to the east. And if you are afraid of cemeteries, the Key West cemetery is one block to the east. Windsor Lane at this location is a one way street that gets its share of lost tourist traffic. Most traffic is from locals and bicyclists. 728 Windsor Lane sits across the street from the Key West Writers' Compound which I have written about before. The former inhabitants of the Writers' Compound didn't settle on this location by accident. The red "X" on the aerial photo (above) marks the location of 728 Windsor Lane.

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, if you would like to schedule an appointment to see this little cottage. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

Half-Price in Key West

I've noticed several "For Sale By Owner" signs in the area near the gym I go to. One caught my eye the other day and I decided to share two photos with you. See above.

My purpose is not to try to find a buyer for this property or to dissuade anyone from looking at it. I will tell you this much: the asking price on this 1254 sq ft house that sits on a large 7830 sq ft lot (90' x 87') is now $750,000 or one half the original price of $1,500,000.

I just did a quick search of other houses listed for sale in the Old Town, the Meadows, and the Casa Marina areas that are priced up to $750,000. CLICK HERE to view the list. (I did some "heavy" editing. There were 82 houses in this price range.)

You will note that there are two houses on the list (529 Olivia and 726 Fleming) that have valuable transient rental licenses. I wrote earlier at 715 Ashe Street. I think it could be a great house for somebody who wants a small project house. 407 Catherine is adorable and the owner is looking to sell it. 706 Chapman Lane is as cute as a button and has room for a pool. 1016 James Street is an eyebrow house that needs total renovation, but it has an existing out building and a large backyard which means this could be a great project house if you get it for a good price. 618 Petronia Street has a huge rear yard which opens the property to potential development possibilities. 723 Southard Street is a real sleeping beauty. 825 Southard Street is a great big old place that needs total redo, but it has strong bones and great curb appeal.

1009 Watson Rear sits behind other houses located on Watson Street. You cannot see the property. So it is really hidden. Livable as is, but it is not a protected house so it can be demolished and a new house built on this incredible lot. Easy to show and worth looking at. The house next door at 1007 Watson is a short sale. I think we should look at both houses at the same time. Bring your imagination.

719 Windsor Lane is the former home of writer John Hersey and is located in the Writer's Compound. I wrote about this house last year. CLICK HERE. I've shown the property several times, mostly to writers want to soak in the atmosphere that populates this compound. The owner sold the small cottage I mentioned in my earlier blog. So it is now time to sell the main house.

If any of these properties appeals to you, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I don't think a property has be offered at half price to be considered a good deal.

Key West Writer's Compound Cottages For Sale -- Historic Property

Just Listed: two individual properties classified as "condos" that are actually stand alone cottages in the Windsor Lane Compound which was established in 1976. The assortment of restored shacks, shanties, and cottages, were once winter homes for writers such as Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Richard Wilbur, poet, lecturer and "Divine Comedy" translator John Ciardi, John Hersey author of "A Bell for Adano" and "Hiroshima", and Ralph Ellison, john ciardi, who wrote "The Invisible Man."
The compound is located on Windsor Lane near the top of Solares Hill, the highest point in Key West.

719 Windsor Lane is the cottage where the John Hersey and his wife lived until his death in Key West in 1993. The property has generous rooms for the Historic District. The unit has two bedrooms and one bath in a space of 930 sq ft. The cottage sits on its own 3451 sq ft lot inside the compound. There is a right-sized private garden as well. The cottages share a lovely pool and mature gardens, all of which are located in an X zone! Each unit is owned fee simple but shares the common areas. This a 55 and over community and offers the right to quiet enjoyment in terms rarely found in downtown Old Town Key West. CLICK HERE for more detailed information and photos.

717 Windsor Lane is a separate cottage of 504 sq ft that sits on a 2121 sq ft lot. The property is marked by its simplicity. Perhaps that simplicity is what inspired the poets and writers that populated the compound. CLICK HERE for more info on this particular property.

Don't expect granite or marble counter tops or stainless steel designer kitchens or vessel sinks. Both cottages are classic Key West. And that ain't bad.

If you would like to checkout either property please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or e-mail me at kw1101v@aol.com. You might even be a poet and not know it. Perhaps the proximity to the greatness of the former owners will rub off on you.