316 Peacon Lane, Key West Florida

Just listed by Preferred Properties 316 Peacon Lane near the Historic Key West Seaport in Old Town Key West. If you read my blog regularly you already know that I'm like Lady Ga Ga about the slow lanes of Key West. Peacon Lane is one of the more user friendly of the lanes because you can actually drive a car into and out of the lane. Some of the smaller lanes require that you park your car on the street and walk to your house. I like those really slow and quiet lanes, but some owners have this incessant need to be near to their cars. This home, however, has off street parking directly in front.  Click the MAP to see the location of Peacon Lane. It's easy to miss the lane if you are not looking for it. As a result most tourists miss it and don't drive that live on Peacon Lane residents to distraction with senselessly beeping scooter horns. The black and white photo below shows the late David Kaufelt discussing the Calvin Klein House with participants in a Key West literary seminar. That house is located exactly opposite Peacon Lane and is part of the distraction. People look at that wonderful home and miss the turn.

The black and white photo in the above middle was taken of Peacon Lane in 1937. The same houses are there. There are still people walking on the lane. Prices have risen - a bit.

I dug down into my old shoebox and found the black and white picture above which shows 316 Peacon Lane in 1965. The color photos shows the front of the house as it appears today. There is bricked parking in front as well as places for bikes. This location is convenient for walking and biking anywhere in Old Town. I also checked the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to determine when this home may have been built. It appeared in 1889 Sanborn Map and was then identified as A5 on Grunt Bone Lane which eventually became Peacon Lane. The A5 house numerator got changed to 116 Grunt Bone and later 316 Peacon Lane. The early Maps identified several small stores on the lane. This area was one block from the seaport and it makes sense that small businesses would have been located nearby. Today there are two commercial buildings on the corner at Caroline Street. Otherwise, Peacon Lane is known for its quaint single family homes including these below.

If you lived at 316 Peacon Lane you'd hardly know about all of the nearby hubbub because the house is so insulated by the location. It doesn't any more charming than this. Imagine sitting on your front porch having coffee and watching nothing happen still knowing the historic seaport and its famous eateries are within a few minute walk as is world famous Duval Street. But the houses you would see are the sweet relics of a hundred and fifty years ago or so.

The house was thoroughly renovated and expanded about ten years ago when the new rear addition and pool were added. The original Dade County Pine was preserved and now is the centerpiece of the front part of the home. The open living area is more contemporary in design. The two ages blend together quite well. Clerestory windows on either side of the great room and over the dual sets of French doors to the rear deck bring abundant daytime light into this space give the space a much broader spatial feel.

Today there is a nice private pool plus good sized rear deck for sunning and socializing.

The renovated house now has 1986 sq ft of living space divided between the two floors. The first floor has a full bedroom and bath. There is a large second floor front bedroom also with private bath. The master bedroom is quite large and includes an en-suite bath with shower and tub, ample closets, and a private roof-top deck with great views.

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 great Old Town home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

721 Georgia St., Key West - Legal Duplex

The legal duplex located at 721 Georgia Street in the Meadows Area of Key West is an unassuming two story abode waiting for a new owner. I dug down into my old shoe box and found a photo of the house taken back in 1965. There was a note on the back which states the house used be known as 1301 Petronia Street rear. I took a picture from a similar location so that readers could see how little this home has changed in fifty years. The fence is taller and more private, the  original Bahama shutters are gone. So too are the wood windows that were  replaced with impact glass. The house is still located in a very quiet location near Old Town yet not near all that noise and commotion.

The listing Realtor, not me, describes the property this way:

"Wonderful compact duplex in the Meadows. Each unit is in good condition and immediately rentable. The first floor 1 BD unit has wood floors, newly painted interior, washer and dryer, and a large wooden deck at the rear of the house. The 2nd floor 1 BD unit was owner occupied for many years and has numerous upgrades. There are tile floors, corian counter tops, dishwasher, washer and dryer, and a balcony off the rear of the unit. This home would make a great pied a terre plus income. There are impact rated windows (2010) on both units and 8' elevation."

 It looks like the duplex was renovated about twenty-five years ago. The place has been very well maintained since then. The kitchens, baths, and some of the appliances look their age. Others were replaced. The wall mounted air conditioners are much newer.  The rear decks probably need replaced and the building deserves a new paint job.

I borrowed the interior photos from the listing Realtor with her permission. I didn't take photos when I showed the property as I did not want to interfere with the showing. I was really "taken" by the second floor unit where the owner had lived. The furniture comes with this place if the new buyer wants it. There's a very nice almost "built-in" sectional in the living room. That space is located up front just off the second floor entry area. The dining area is to the left. The bedroom is up front on the south side. The very nice bathroom is located in the middle and the kitchen is at the rear. We all had a giggle at 1980s era range.

I agree with the listing agent's suggestion that this property would make a great pied a terre. So many buyers are looking for a place they can use and also rent out for income. This is that place, only here you get annual income without interruption and if you rent it yourself and don't rely on a property manager, you won't have to share part of your annual income with a property management company.

All of the windows and glass doors are impact glass. That means your windstorm insurance will be very low. The house is located in the 8' flood elevation so flood insurance will be low. The house has been well maintained. Fire and liability insurance should also be low.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and more listing photos. 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.

819 Terry Lane - Short Sale - Key West

819 Terry Lane - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 819 Terry Lane in the Bahama Village section of Key West. The listing agent describes this charming cottage home this way:

"Classic conch style house on a lane in Old Town Key West, new roof, new tankless water heater and a Viking stove. It is a 2 bed/1 bath with room for a pool. Short walk to dinning, shopping and Fort Zachary Taylor beach."

View from front porch

The 700 sq ft cottage was updated in 2005 including the installation of a new metal roof. The house sits on a decent sized lot for this area (21' x 96' or 1907 sq ft). The rear portion of the lot has a lot of unused space which means a new owner could install a pool. There is a small cottage already in existence. That cottage might make a nice poolside bar.

Garden needs tended but that is part of the fun of buying a new place.

The property does have HARC approved plans for adding a second floor at the rear . As currently configured, the house has a living room at front followed by two bedrooms, a bath, and the kitchen at the rear. The house needs a deep cleaning, a fresh coat of paint, some new window treatments, and an owner with a green thumb to restore the garden. This property is offered as a Short Sale at the asking price of $280,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet.

Across the lane

Nearby Terry Lane cottages

Food, beverages, and nightlife are located a block away

Ft. Zach Beach is about a ten minute walk

If you would like to see this house or any other property for sale 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 Coastal Realty, Inc. This cute cottage will sell quickly. Don't wait - this Key West Short Sale will be under contract within a couple of days.

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1319 Newton Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

1319 Newton Street - Key West

If you are looking for a Sweet Key West Cottage, may I suggest that you schedule a showing of 1319 Newton Street which is located in the Meadows Area of Key West. The listing broker describes this property thus:

"This charming 2/2 historic home is in pristine condition. Located in the Meadows area of old town it is picture perfect with a white picket fence, a dreamy front porch and orchids hanging in the palm trees. It offers a spacious living/dining room with custom built-ins and beautiful polished Dade co. pine floors. The kitchen adjoins a home office and opens to the awning covered deck and outdoor dining area where steps lead to a whirlpool spa. There is a lovely guest bedroom and bath on the first floor. The entire upstairs is the large master suite complete with an Onyx tiled master bath, walk-in closet, wet bar, laundry + tons of storage space. Quality Kohler plumbing fixtures throughout, Wolf range and Bosch Washer and Dryer set."

As you prepare to enter the yard you immediately sense that this house is something "special". Everything about the front is so clean and understated yet picturesque and inviting. The combined living room and dining area is located just to the right of the formal entryway. Your eyes dart from location to location to take in the architectural features including the nearly pristine painted Dade County Pine walls and ceiling set off by the tiled floors; the historic windows that are so old that gravity is causing the glass to ripple; the custom woodwork includes the whimsical breakfront in the dining room that incorporates slats from old shutters integrated into the cabinet. The high ceilings and and crown moldings give these rooms a feeling of space, volume and refinement.

Rippled glass in the old windows set off by crispy white trim

Custom made breakfront in dining area

Wolf range

Covered rear deck leads to orchid garden (left) and the spa (right rear)

Orchid garden can be viewed from kitchen window

There is a bright and nifty kitchen with a vaulted ceiling. Windows open out to the covered deck. A small office is at the rear. Midpoint between the living area and kitchen you will find the guest bedroom and bath. These rooms, like everything about this house, are just precious. Upstairs you will find a spacious master suite which runs the length of the house. Lots of closet space and custom built-ins. There is even a private rooftop sundeck at the rear where you can watch the Key West sunset every night - forever.

The private sundeck is on the other side of the door

No wasted space with lots of built-ins in the master suite

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet (including listing photos) of this wonderful property. 1319 Newton Street has 1512 sq ft of living space and sits on a 2050 sq ft lot. Better than looking online, why not call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Key West cottages don't get much cuter than this!