1115 Packer Street - Key West - Sheer Genius

The new two bedroom home at 1115 Packer Street is sheer genius, and you can buy it for only $639,000.This newly listed home is described by the listing Realtor this way:

"Picket fence paradise in Old Town, located strolling distance to Duval and; the beach. Meticulously restored this home is drop your bags ready. Home is energy efficient and eco-friendly. Outdoor living embraced with lush, native landscaping, outdoor shower, cut coral patio. Many custom touches including; chef's kitchen with Corian counter top, stainless steel appliances and gas stove, slow close drawers. Hand scraped Birch floors throughout except for gorgeous marble floors in bathrooms. Tray ceilings, spa showers, interior - washer/dryer, extreme insulation. Practically a brand new house inside and out, with new siding, electric,plumbing, roof, impact windows and doors, etc. 2 off street parking, X Flood zone. PERFECTION."

Landscaped Cut Coral Patio

  When viewing the facade of this newly listed home you might expect a typical Key West cottage style home with a typical cottage style interior. But that would be faulty thinking. Instead, this home is smartly designed and finished for today's informal yet style conscious living. When I first entered the house my eyes were wowed by the abundant light from multiple windows and doors that played off against the tray ceiling. What might be boring interior space turned into an innovative treat. It made me want to go forth to see what other bits of genius the developer had created.

I soon found another eye opener which were twin windows located on either side of the gas range that were located just at counter top height and which occupied that short space between the counter top and the upper hanging kitchen cabinets.  I have seen similar windows before, but only in million plus homes.

 The house has two good sized bedrooms and two baths. The master bedroom has a side door that opens out to a private deck area that also includes an outdoor shower.  When you finally move to Key West and buy your home you will learn one of the reasons people love living here is their outdoor shower. I pity people who don't have them. Seriously.  It is a life essential as far as I am concerned. I am glad this developer put one in.  The second bedroom has access to another side deck which is visible from the living area.

Guest Bedroom

Guest Bath

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Outdoor Shower located at the rear of  Private Deck Area

 One of the most frequent questions I get asked is whether a new owner can tear down an old house in Old Town and build a new one. The answer is "No" with some minor qualification. Instead, many developers buy a place like this house and rebuild it.  Over the years I have seen lots of renovations, remodels, and re-builds. I have seen all manner of quality and workmanship. I have seen style and I have seen greed. Sometimes I have seen greed, granite, and caulk go hand in hand to create the illusion of a quality renovation. I know crap when I see it and I have warned my buyers not to fall for it.  This house, is quality through and through. The workmanship and materials used are all first class.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos of 1115 Packer Street. This home is offered furnished with the items currently shown in the photographs. And CLICK HERE to view photos I took of this really charming Key West cottage style home.

If you would like to see 1115 Packer Street, I really wish you would like to see it with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.When you see this property you will surely agree with me that it is sheer genius.

1501 White Street - Key Wset - A Diamond in the Rough

 The listing Realtor at Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, describes 1501 White Street as a

 "Diamond in the Rough. This charming 2/1 home plus detached guest room is completely walled and gated for privacy. Features include a formal living room with vaulted ceiling and built-in cabinetry, kitchen with granite countertops & nice appliances, dining room with multiple French doors opening onto the beautiful private pool and patio. Off-street parking for two cars. This property has a compound like feel and offers enormous potential to become a real show place."

 A very unique master bath with an adjacent outdoor shower for two is located beyond he bi-fold doors shown just above. The shower is large and spacious and so very private at the same time. It, like so many features of this house, is why this house is so Key Westy in character.

 The updated main house with its lush garden and sunny pool sit behind a tall privacy wall surrounded by large palms and specimen trees. An electric gate opens to covered off street parking. A caretaker's cottage sits at the back of the property. The lot is quite large by Key West standards (60' x 120' or 7,369 sq ft).

The caretaker's cottage sits to the rear of the gated driveway and behind the covered off street parking. This is the part of the property that needs the most attention. The cottage is currently isolated apart from the main house by the privacy fence. I think a new owner might want to open the side by adding French doors, removing the fence, and incorporating the cottage into a share garden and pool space which would end the isolation and prettify the space at the same time.

 The cottage and off street parking are located on other side of the fence.

The pool and gardens are pretty nifty as they sit.  One potential buyer that I showed the house to suggested adding French doors from the living room out to the garden. That would replace the single multi-light door on the right side below with French doors. That would add more light into the living area and bring the outdoor area more inside the living area as well.

1501 White Street is offered at $695,000 or $418 per sq ft for this lovely home, cottage, and extra large sunny lot.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. If you would like to see this home, please call 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. 

Hidden Treasure - 529 Margaret St. Old Town Key West

My favorite Realtor (not me) just listed a very cute, clean, and well priced two bedroom / one bath home in Old Town that was totally updated in the last two years. The asking price is only $599,000 or $922 per sq ft. The two story home is located at 529 Margaret Street and is tucked away down a bricked and nicely landscaped path away from the street. Michael's Restaurant is located across the street as a quick reference point.

The house was built in 1978 so it is not old and creaky. The recent remodel spiffed up the place just right. When you walk into the property from the bricked path you immediately see the beautiful pool to the left. And then you look to your far left and see an amazing giant tree with an outdoor shower tucked inside the tree. OMG! I forgot to mention there is also a separate spa.

The house is pretty simple, really. And that is what makes it so attractive in my opinion. It is not fussy. It is clean and neat and to the point. The downstairs consists of the living room and the kitchen. CLICK HERE for more photos and information provided by the listing Realtor. And CLICK HERE for more photos that I took when I previewed the house on Friday. There are french doors in the living room and kitchen that open onto the deck and pool area. So the downstairs living space is open and inviting and yet tucked secretly away from the rest of the world.

Upstairs there are two cocoon bedrooms. They are not really large, but they are not tiny either. They are cozy. They share one bath and it is very up to date and very nicely appointed.

The washer and dryer are in a separate enclosure near the pool and there is another enclosure near the front of the house that houses the pool equipment and provides additional storage. Everything has a place and everything is in its place.

There is no off street parking. So you second home owners don't have to pay to have a gas guzzler in Key West. Rent a car when you are in Key West if you must have one. Think of all the money you will save not owning another car you rarely drive. Be like another client of mine that bought a cute little house on Nassau Lane a few years back: buy a scooter and ride together.

The listing Realtor told me the seller had the property appraised before listing it. The asking price is below the appraised price. This is not a forced sale.

I like this home a lot and I would love to help someone looking for a secret treasure right in the heart of Old Town. If you would like to see 529 Margaret or any other house, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or e-mail me at kw1101v@aol.com.

CLICK HERE to search the Key West mls database. If you see something you like, give me a call. Unlike a lot of real estate websites, our database is maintained in real time so the information you see there is current.

One additional note: I am now at Preferred Properties, 520 Southard Street. Our office is located midway between Duval and Simonton Streets. Stop by and say "Hey!".

Outdoor Showers in Paradise

One of the real joys of living in Key West is the outdoor shower. Key West had its annual cold snap a couple of days ago, and I had to forgo my daily outdoor shower and suffered greatly. I had to use the inside plumbing!

When I show properties I eagerly point out the outside shower,and often the client looks at me with suspicion. "What could be so exciting about an outdoor shower?" the client ponders. It is akin to swimming in the nude. Try it once and you will understand.

Showers in the early morning rain are very interesting. I often question whether to shower in the rain or not, but always opt for the outdoors reasoning that I am going to get wet anyway. All I need to do is adjust the faucet for warmer water. And it works.

Many new houses have very fancy outdoor showers. And the City of Key West now requires that they be connected to the sanitary drain. But most of us lawbreakers let the water continue to drain into the ground. I will occasionally spot an earthworm or gecko running for dear life as the water water hits the ground. Ah, communing with nature.

If you want to buy a home in Paradise and enjoy your morning shower outdoors,"> and search the Key West Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service website. You can see all mls listings, not just the ones some realtor wants you to see. And then please call me at 1-305-766-2642. Thanks.