1025 Grinnell Street, Key West

Just Listed, but not by me, 1025 Grinnell Street, Key West, Florida. This property is a legal duplex which is located in the south of Truman area in Old Town.  Look at the photo above and contrast it to the photo below taken fifty years ago which I found in my old shoe box.You will quickly see that the original front porch and side porch were both enclosed and that a cinder block fence added to the yard.

The existing house takes up about 70 percent or so of the lot. The rear 30 percent is big and open. There is plenty of space for a pool. The photo two above shows an existing six foot chain link fence which may not seem like a big deal, but in Key West that provides interesting possibilities if a new owner put a pool in this area because the fence could be replaced with a new wood fence of equal height. Our HARC rules would not allow that, but old fence heights are grandfathered according to my understanding of HARC guidelines. CLICK HERE to see more photos I took on a rainy Key West day.

I checked the historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine when this house was built. I couldn't. I did see a big empty lot on the corner with houses on both Grinnell and Virginia streets. There were three cottages (presumably cigar maker cottages) facing Virginia Street on the 1912 map but nothing in the front left corner. The house does stand in a bit of contrast to the two houses to the north.  

The corner lot runs 50' on Grinnell and 109' on Virginia Street. There are three driveways on this property - two on the Grinnell front and one on the Virginia rear side. This works well for the current owner. A new owner might retain the north side gated entry for the future off street parking and take down the others. In my opinion this would give a renovated home a better street facade. By the way the owner of the house located next door is 90 years old. She was born in that house and has lived there her entire life. I assume that home will be available for sale sometime in the future and chances are it will get renovated like all the other old Conch homes have in the past.

 The historic Key West fire station is located on the opposite side of the street. It's a museum now. But for decades it was the place that kept our little town safe from the ravages of fire. My friend and local folk artist Ronny Bailey's homage to the old station is shown above. The old neighborhood is getting gentrified. 1025 Grinnell Street will likely become a part of that gentrification.

The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows this as being a 1239 sq ft home located on a 5425 sq ft lot. The records show the house was built in 1924 which may be correct given the bungalow style architecture. The first photo above shows what was the original screened in front porch. That area is now a part of the living area. You will see Dade County Pine on the walls and ceiling. This space is neatly maintained and could be kept as is and rented out as a one bedroom apartment. The rear unit has multiple rooms including a new kitchen. The rear unit could also be rented as a legal second unit the day after closing. Rental properties in Key West are scarce. This excellent Old Town location would make an easy rental.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1025 Grinnell Street which is offered for sale at $699,000. 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.

721 Georgia Street, Key West - Income Property and More

The legal duplex located at 721 Georgia Street in the Meadows Area of Key West is a pert but yet unassuming two story abode waiting patiently 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 stating that 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 Bahama shutters are gone and replaced with impact glass, but 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 mounter 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 recently 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 give up a part of your annual income to a third party who has very little work to do.

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.

710 Windsor Lane, Key West - Just Listed!

There's a new listing in Key West that may appeal to you if you are looking for a large home in a great Old Town location that has some income to help defray part of the cost of ownership but that does not require you to share your personal living space with strangers on rotating basis. That home may be 710 Windsor Lane which was built new in 2013. The listing Realtor describes this home as"

"Highly sought after Solaris Hill location. New energy efficient (SIPS) Structural Insulated Panel construction. Quality 3 bedroom 3.5 baths main house with adjoining 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment. Den upstairs, private office and 1/2 bath with pool access and outdoor shower. Impact windows, hardy board siding and off street parking. Private pool. Low maintenance home and energy efficient. True quality home in the heart of Old Town. X Zone location."

708 Windsor Ln in 1965

710 Windsor Ln in 1965

The above photo shows Solaris Hill, the highest point on the Island that is Key West, and more specifically the location of where 708 and 710 Windsor Lane used to be located. I found photos of both houses taken in 1965. I cannot recall but believe 708 Windsor was destroyed by fire. 710 Windsor was razed a few short years ago to make way for the construction of the new house which I followed in my Projects of Key West blog series.

 The new house has off street parking to right side of the house. When you walk toward the front door you see an inviting swing on the front porch and you may see Bahama shutters to the side. The shutters are decorative as this home has impact windows and doors through out when coupled with the new construction including Hardiboard siding, new metal roof, and X Zone location for flood insurance means that your insurance costs will be very affordable as compared to many historic old homes across the island.

When I first entered this home I didn't know quite what to expect. I knew the place was new and that it did not copy any of our older homes but also knew that it had incorporated some design elements such as front porches on both the first and second floors and the use of Bahama shutters and Hardiboard siding which gives the appearance of traditional lap siding. When I entered the house I immediately realized the interior was more contemporary than I had anticipated, but I also recognized classic features like high baseboards, decorative door and window trim, and crown molding. A large monolith bisects the living room area located at front from the kitchen and dining space located midway in the house. A set of Nano doors open out to the covered lanai that overlooks the pool area. One of the enduring joys of living in Key West is our wonderful weather which from October thru May allows us to leave our doors open to permit the easy movement between inside and outside.

The kitchen is spectacular. The cabinets are unlike no others I have seen. The quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and unique light fixtures plus the monolith wall and back wall create a really attractive environment to prepare meals and to dine with family and friends. The adjacent covered outdoor living area provides an alternate place to dine as well. (The laundry room and a door to the west side service yard is located behind the kitchen.)

The master suite is tactile master piece. The floors, walls, ceiling, draperies, rugs, tiles, wood sink basin and sink, toilet, glass, mirror, light fixtures all contrast but compliment each other to provide a subtle nesting environment. Another set of Nano doors open out to the pool to provide quick escape for a late night plunge or an early morning way-up dip.

The second floor has a shared open living space with adjacent bedrooms and bathrooms. The front bedroom opens out to the second floor covered front porch that looks down upon Windsor Lane. Windsor Lane is a long one-block stretch that begins about 100 feet or so to the north at the intersection of Elizabeth and Angela Street. Angela terminates at that point and becomes Windsor. Windsor jars to the right a couple of hundred feet to the south and east where it meets the Key West cemetery. Windsor is one-way street with intermittent daytime traffic but few cars in the evening.

At the outset of today's blog I mentioned the potential for income at this home without letting strangers sleep in your bed when you are not at home. That possibility arises from the attached legal two story one bedroom apartment shown above. The unit has a private entrance on the east side of the house. The inside resembles a sophisticated New York City loft more than a typical Key West rental unit. There's a minimalist kitchen tucked behind the living room. Upstairs there is a comfy bedroom and bath. The rental income on this space would pay your taxes, insurance, and provide a reserve for that occasion a few years down the line you need to do some maintenance.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 710 Windsor Lane which is offered for sale at $2,500,000. Please take the time to click the link to see more photos of this innovative property and 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.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.