608 William - Old Town - Key West

Just Listed ( but not by me) 608 William Street, Old Town, Key West. I wrote about this house earlier this year when it was priced the same as it is in today's new listing. But there has been a big change. The owner has done some spiffy updating as well to tidy the property over until a new owner decides possibly to renovate the property.

This is how the listing broker describes 608 William: "The sweetest cottage in the very best Old Town location has just had a fabulous face lift! This circa 1887 conch classic has a wonderful outdoor covered screened porch with private garden and bricked driveway. The interior is newly painted, there is a new kitchen with new cabinets, appliances, and granite counter tops, and a remodeled bathroom. Although a very comfortable home, an additional up side to this property is the potential for further development. There are extensive HARC approved architectural plans which may be included in the sale of this unique offering" CLICK HERE for more details and additional photos of one of my favorite homes.

The house is a liveable 753 sq ft and sits on a 46.35 x 100.5 (4560 sq ft) lot right smack dab in the Heart of Old Town on one of the very best streets in Old Town. I'm not making this stuff up guys. This is a terrific location. Two days ago I wrote about the historic landmark listed just next door.

I got an email the other day from a blog reader who questioned my opinion on 529 Margaret Street that is priced up near $1000 per sq ft. I wrote her back and told her that "value" does not necessarily equate to "cheap". I told her that the house on Margaret has everything most second home owners want in an Old Town home: pool, at least 2 bedrooms, nicely done, good location, can move right in and not have to do a damned thing. That house does not have off street parking or central air and it only has one bath. So a lot of buyers probably wouldn't even look at it because their agent wouldn't find it in an automatic search. I think my reader would find the asking price on 608 William most objectionable: $799,000 or $1,061 per sq ft. And in this depressed real estate market to boot. The value dear reader is not in the price per sq ft but rather in the uniqueness of this property, its location and the ability to expand the property at some future time.

I seriously doubt that anyone will pay the asking price on the historic landmark next door (read blog below), but I have no doubt that when that house is purchased, it will be bought by someone with an awful lot of money and great vision. I think they buyer will restore and improve one of Key West's most beautiful old ladies. And I think whoever ends up buying 608 William will end up benefiting financially and aesthetically from the renovation next door.

Want to see 608 William or some other Key West property? Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or email me at kw1101v@aol.com.

Membership has its rewards

Two reasons why I like Key West: one--the weather and two--nothing is predictable.

The summer heat has broken and the wonderful Key West weather has returned for the next six months or so. Thank God. I can now sleep with the windows and doors open at night. You folks up north should be so lucky.

But the reason I am writing today is to relate an incident that occurred at the Key West Association of Realtors annual installation of officers dinner this past weekend. The fete was held at the Key West Westin Hotel. After the gala was over and folks were making their exits there was a brew-ha-ha. (I know it's not spelled that way, but methinks it was the brews that precipitated what happened.)

Two well known male Key West Realtors apparently got involved in a bloody fist fight and wrestling match over a woman, not the wife of one of the men. I heard there were torn clothes, at least one bloodied nose, and destruction of hotel property. I wonder if the Association of Realtors will ever be allowed back.

On a lighter and totally unrelated note I am reminded of an early morning bike ride I made a couple of years ago as I headed to the gym. It was about 6:00 AM and I was riding on Washington Street just west of the El Patio Motel when I saw a young man in his early 20s walking down the street totally nude. I looked back and he was nude. No doubt about it. I circled the block and went to a public phone on South Street by the youth hostel where I called the police. The officer asked me to describe the naked man. How was I supposed to answer that? Anyway, I got back on my bike and returned to the corner of Reynolds and Washington. I saw a young woman at the bus stop and asked if she had seen the nude man. She had but said he disappeared and asked me to wait with her until the bus came or the police arrived. I did. About 5 to 10 minutes elapsed and the police finally arrived. The nude man had totally disappeared. As I was talking to the cop I looked back towards Washington and the nightwalker emerged from between two apartment buildings--still unclothed. The cop saw him and walked toward him with his fleshlight drawn and said "What in the hell do you think you're doing?" He took the kid to the pokey.

Like I said nothing is predictable in Key West. There is always something going on to give you a chuckle.

CLICK HERE to checkout all current Key West and Lower Florida Keys mls listings. Then if you happen to see something that tickles your fancy, call Gary Thomas at 305-766-2642 to set up a showing. Who knows, maybe one of the pugilistic Realtors will show up.