The One That Got Away - Key West

628 Olivia Street - former home of Phillip Burton - Sold $1,225,000

Don't you just love the movie titles from the 1950's? The title tells you the entire story in six words or less. Titles likeThe Day the Earth Stood Still , Cat-Women of the Moon, It Came from Outer Space, Swamp Women, Earth vs the Flying Saucers, I Was a Teenage Frankenstein, and so on. Westerns were westerns, and sci-fis were metaphors for the U.S. being afraid of Russia, and the Abbott and Costello movies were just plain funny. Another Fab 50's movie was called The One That Got Away. And that is the subject of today's blog.

Conch Trains take passengers past the quaint little Victorian cottage at 608 Angela Street that was built during the last quarter of the 19th Century. It was the last home of Shakespearean scholar Phillip Burton, the adoptive father of American actor Richard Burton. While so many of the great houses and small cottages of Key West are painted white, the house at 608 Angela Street looks as if it had never been painted. Indeed, it almost looks run down. But you know that cannot be the case given its history.

History it is for sure, as this truly is The One That Got Away. You see this house sold earlier this week for $1,225,000. Notice of the sale was posted in the mls for statistical purposes. The house had recently been listed for $1,790,000 or $1004 per sq ft. The listing agent only offered a 1.5% commission to a selling agent. It's hard enough to sell an expensive house in the current market. I had shown this house several times over the years and I loved it. But I never considered showing it at the $1,795,000 price point. But the actual sales price is a heck of a deal. The agent that did this sale, however, is not the same one listed it at the $1.795 price point.

There are other potential good deals still left, however. CLICK HERE to do your own search of the Key West mls database. If you see a place you like, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida where today it is 84 degrees under a hazy sky. There are thousands of college kids roaming the streets on foot, on bikes, on scooters and in cars. An expensive new Cadillac stopped next to the Gardens Hotel about an hour ago so that a coed could open the door and vomit. Mom, is your daughter in Key West in your Cadillac?

1221 Margaret Street - Key West

The large and colorful home and two story guest cottage was built in 1999 and is located between Old Town and the Casa Marina Area. The property is now priced at only $1,249,000 or $417 per sq ft. This is how the listing Realtor described this property: "Beautiful 3 story home located in the Historic District of Old Town with a classic Key West architectural exterior and a striking sophisticated interior that has been professionally designed and decorated. The main residence has 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths with the master suite occupying the entire second floor. The master suite is wonderful - unbelievable bath with one of the largest walk-in shower retreats you have seen and glass doors from the bedroom to a large private deck. The main level living area opens onto a rear covered porch, pool with built-in spa and a separate 2 story guest house with living/dining and half bath down and large bedroom and full bath upstairs."

If you have friends or a large family, this house at 1221 Margaret Street is for you. CLICK HERE for more detailed info an dphotos. the place for you. There is room for living on all three floors of the main residence. The cottage is fully contained so your guest that don't want to leave Key West can stay there and not eat and drink you out of house and home. There are two off street parking spots. The house and cottage total 2996 sq. ft. The lost is 3472 sq. ft. and provides wide access on either side of the main house to the rear yard and cottage. The house has shutters that are easy to shut if we get a storm. There is landscaping, but not so much that you need to spend hours and hours maintaining it. The rear deck area is tiled in slate.

If you love Cuban food, El Siboney Cuban Restaurant is a short block to the north. The White Street shopping and art district is only four blocks east and the restaurants and art galleries of Upper Duval Street four blocks west. You can be wherever you want in minutes by foot, bike, or car.

This house is vacant and very easy to show. It has been on the market for quite a while. This is not a distress situation by any means. But this is a buyers market. If you would like to see 1221 Margaret Street (or any other house in Key West) please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. Let me help you find your new home in Paradise.