711 Georgia Street, Key West - Meadows Area

The asking price on 711 Georgia Street, Key West, just got reduced to $679,000 making this Meadows Area home an even better value. The listing Realtor describes the home this way:

"Priced $25K below recently appraised value this low maintenance, move in ready and ready for your touch. Tucked away in the quiet Meadows neighborhood is where you will find this charming 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home with off street parking, private patio. The first floor features an open kitchen with granite counter tops and custom cabinetry. The second floor is where you will find the master suite with an ensuite bathroom and private screened in porch. There are two guest bedrooms on the third floor as well as a guest bathroom. The outdoor patio is completely fenced in with a privacy fence and lush low maintenance landscaping. There is off street parking for one car."

The Meadows Area begins at White Street. Historically, the area immediately north was the Army Parade grounds. Much of the near areas were housing and services that supported the military as well as grazing grounds for several dairies. Today the homes here are quite similarity to those found in Old Town. This house was built in 1976 and later expanded upward. Today it has1266 sq ft of living divided between three floors. There three bedrooms, two and one-half baths, parking and a patio.  As a fact there are few single family homes in Old Town that can offer that much at a comparable price. In further point on fact, you may pay that much for a Shipyard condo which is about half as large and have more than 170 neighbors sharing your space.

This house is perfect for the buyer who wants a decent sized home that does not need a lot of attention. It is move-in ready. The location is away from all the Loony Tunes and forgetful tourists who roam the streets at 4:00 AM trying to remember where they are staying. This area is home to full time Key West residents. The area is quiet and uneventful. Bayview Park and several gyms and yoga studios are located a few short blocks to the south. And the attractions and distractions of Duval Street is only a five minute bike ride away.

CLICK HERE  TO VIEW THE KEY WEST MLS for 711 Georgia Street offered at $679,000.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and  a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1227 Washington Street, Key West

Most potential buyers seeking an historic home in Key West will likely be searching for a charming cottage or two story revival style home in Old Town. If they are also shopping by price, they will learn totally renovated properties will be pretty "pricey" and non-renovated places will likely be both more expensive than they envisioned and probably will require expensive renovation.  The house at 1227 Washington Street offers the historic character that some buyers may find enticing. Let me tell you why.

I saw the property at a recent broker open house. An ancient Mahogany tree dominates the front yard which is 100 feet wide. The house is set back from the street in the middle of the lot. There is a wide driveway on the east side and a lap pool is hidden on the west side behind a fence an tropical foliage. The door to the front porch was open as I approached the house. As I started to enter I saw the Cuban tile floors and instantly knew I was in for a surprise. The porch has traditional wood louvers that move to moderate sun, wind, and rain. Since the front porch ensures privacy, French doors provide a novel entry into the living room. I was genuinely awed when I saw the ten foot ceilings and the expansive size of the living and adjacent ding room.

The listing Realtor told me the story of the one family who lived in this home since it was built. As I went through the house and walked around the outside I could tell the place was very well maintained throughout its existence. The kitchen and bathrooms are dated, but the interior spaces are both large and inviting. Remember I mentioned the challenges buyers face when they find a cottage or a "fixer" in Old Town - those little items like failing piers, tiny bedrooms, woeful neglect. That is not the case here. I did notice an opportunity to make the both the appearance and functionality better in a couple of places. The two single doors in the dining room open out to the side porch which overlooks the pool. I will discuss the porch and pool later. I think a new owner might replace both the windows and doors such that the entries are both on the same vertical and horizontal frame as opposed to the way they look and function now. The "look" would be better, of that I am sure.

Unlike most houses in Old Town which have small bedrooms, there are two very large bedrooms on the east side of the house which are separated by a bath. The far bedroom has an en-suite bath. A third and smaller bedroom is located just off the dining room. A large hallway takes up a substantial amount of potential usable living area. The ten foot ceilings carry throughout the house. Each of these rooms (even the third bedroom) feel quite large. Also, there is a unique walk-through closet shared by the north and third bedroom.

The kitchen was "modernized" a few decades ago.  It may be time to update this space and integrate it into the other public areas of the home. Let's take a look at the outside to consider what might be done to make this home and yard more relevant modern life.

I am no architectural critic but I play one on the internet. I think the side porch overlooking the pool is less than it could be. I also think the step down the pool reflects how we lived years ago. There is a small building at the back of the lot which could be elevated and enlarged to create a poolside cabana. Perhaps the pool, porches and cabana could all be located on the same plain to create an integrated outdoor environment. In that process I would definitely replace the existing fences.

The old garage at the end of the long driveway could possibly become a new guest cottage which could replace the third (and smaller bedroom) inside the house. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this home.

The White Street Pier and Higg's Beach are located just six blocks to the south. You can be almost anywhere in Key West in about five to seven minutes by car - except those times we are overridden by tourists who we love. Not. Maybe...

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 1227 Washington Street, Key West which is offered for sale at $1,420,000. The listing Realtor advised me the price is "negotiable". I think every price is negotiable, even in pricey Key West. Please take a look at the MLS and then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. I think this place could be spectacular. Most of the money spent here will be on fun things like the kitchen and bathrooms and possibly redeveloping the cottage, garage, and pool and garden.

527 Margaret Street, Key West - Just Listed in Old Town

Just Listed, 527 Margaret Street, Key West. The listing agent describes this beautiful Old Town property this way: 

"Stunning and Stylish Renovation in this Historic Home, Ideally Located on 500 block of Margaret St, walking distance to so many attractions, Restaurants and Galleries. Remodeled in 2015, the home underwent a complete Foundation to Roof Renovation and received the Historic Florida Keys Preservation Award in 2016. Features include Soaring Exposed Beam Ceilings, White Oak Wood Floors, Top End Appliances, A wall of glass leading to pool and Deck. Beautifully finished bedrooms and baths, with 2 bedrooms and additional loft. Being Sold Turn Key!"

I have written a couple of earlier blogs about this property when it was a hodgepodge of additions and used as multi-family home. I wrote about it while under renovation in my Projects of Key West continuum.  Later I wrote about the house when it was completed. Now it is for sale. The original house was taken to the ground and totally rebuilt save enough boards to fit within a thin definition of a renovation. The end result is a beautiful home located in a great Old Town location near all the places primary and second home owners seek. It is located just four blocks from world famous Duval Street and only four blocks to the Historic Seaport. One of Key West's finest steak houses in located across the street and dozens of small joints and fine dining restaurants are within easy walking distance. While what you see from the street is picture perfect, it's the interior that will really grab your attention. As you look more closely, you'll appreciate the quality new construction and the cost saving benefits of owning a home like this.

When you look at the house from the street you would probably expect the interiors to be compact and tight because the house simply looks like a quaint one story home with a cute little front porch. But you would be wrong. Very wrong. Oh, it is just a one story house, but once you open the door and pass through the formal entry hall you'll see a wall of glass which soars to the vaulted ceiling immediately refuting any pre-conceptions about this home being small.

The first thing I saw was the canopy of the old banyan tree at the rear. The blue sky seemed to blend with the subtle and not-so-subtle blue tones interspersed throughout the house.  The wood ceiling and white washed wood floors add a natural color perspective to this living space. There is a guest bath located off the center hall adjacent to the adult beverage center with color co-ordinated booze. The laundry area is opposite. Dale Trice designed the interiors and created the media and display wall with storage below. Giant shells and white objets d'art fill that space and throughout the house. The setting is like something out of Coastal Living Magazine or Architectural Digest. Maybe it should be!

The master and guest bedroom (with loft) are located at the front of the house. Both have en-suite baths.The master suite is stunning-almost regal. The guest bedroom is quite understated by comparison. The loft space will be a favorite of the grand kids. I don't know if kids still play "fort" like I did when I was a child. This space would make a perfect fort, of that I am sure. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos.  527 Margaret Street is offered turn key at $1,549,000. 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.