709A Windsor Lane - Short Sale Back on the Market - Key West

709 A Windsor Lane - Old Town - Key West

709 A Windsor Lane in Old Town Key West became an active short sale yesterday.  This 487 square foot one bedroom one bath cottage style abode is a legal condominium (one of three in the small association) located adjacent to the Key West Writer's Compound which I have previously written about. It is not a part of the Writer's Compound, but it does share the wonderful location near the top of Solares Hill.


The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Charming Conch Style Condo in Old Town Key West. One bedroom one bath with loft completely renovated with the finest finishes. Stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and beautiful kitchen cabinetry. This is a must see! This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval. Buyer to pay a $2750 negotiation fee to Seller's negotiator."

This unit shares a common wall with Unit B which was a bank owned property that sold a couple of years ago. A third condo, Unit C, is located at the rear of the parcel. The condos share a common plot of ground with side access on the west boundary for access for Units B and C. Monthly condo fees are $257.17 per month and include building maintenance and insurance, and common area maintenance. The small condo association may make it difficult to obtain traditional bank financing on a property like this. Otherwise, I think this is a bargain property. Read on.


I took the attached photos CLICK HERE for a lender last summer. I observed that the unit appeared to have been updated in a good and workmanlike manner. The interior space was well arranged and utilitarian. The living room and kitchen share a common space which is normal in most modern Key West properties. The bedroom is off to the right and it is quite spacious. There are windows on two walls so this space is very comfortable as opposed to some bedrooms which appear claustrophobic. The bath is at the rear and it is extra large. A ship's ladder provides access to the loft located over the bedroom area. This is a neat place to send guests you don't want to stay too long or it would make an excellent place to store things you do not use everyday.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.


709A Windsor Lane is a short sale priced at $345,000. If you would like to see this property, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties KeyWest. This is a comfortable small home in a great Old Town location.

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627 Elizabeth Street - Sitting Pretty Atop Solares Hill - Key West

627 Elizabeth Street - Key West - by Rick Worth

The Real Deal - Sitting Pretty Atop Solares Hill

Who wouldn't fall in love with an historic Cigar Maker's Cottage in a great Old Town location near everything but far enough away not to be in the middle of it all? The listing Realtor describes 627 Elizabeth Street in Old Town Key West this way:

"Opportunity knocks.This totally remodeled home was awarded the Cert. of Excellence and a Silver Star for 2010. You will feel the attention to details from the moment you step inside. The entire house has Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors. A 2-storey addition was added and there is central HVAC throughout the house. All rooms a wired with cat5 cable for phones and computers. A salt-system, heated pool with a waterfall was installed, and a propane valve is available for your backyard grill. The kitchen has all stainless steel appliances.The house is located at the intersection of Elizabeth and Angela Street. This is the highest point on the Island and flood insurance is not required."

The original home was meticulously restored from the ground up including piers and other structural elements. The front entry is located on on the left side of the home. The entry hall has a vaulted ceiling that adds drama and flair as the hall progresses toward the new addition at the rear. Two bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath located between them are situated at the front of the home. A convenient guest bath is located at the end of the hallway just before the hallway opens to the living area with an expansive vaulted ceiling. An ever so delicate staircase is located at the far end of the living area. That staircase provides access to the second floor master bedroom and bath at the back of the new rear addition. You will find the deluxe kitchen with beautiful cabinetry and stainless steel appliances located at the rear of the home. French doors from the kitchen out to the large deck and pool area. Offered at $895,000.

Delicate new staircase to the master suite

Living area with lots of custom built cabinetry

The opposite of the compressed and confining feel of most cottage homes

Who wouldn't love a kitchen like this?

Rear deck off the pool

The home has a very elegant but not overstated feel once you enter. Every detail has been attended to but not in such a way as to make you feel uncomfortable. Some houses come across as being so "done" that you don't fell you can sit down. Not here. This home was made for sophisticated but also relaxed living.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. I found a virtual tour of this property: CLICK HERE to view. I suggest that you hit the Full Screen tab to maximize the views.

If you would like to see 627 Elizabeth Street or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Reatly, Inc. in Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

If you are in Key West today, February 12, 2012, and are not planning on going to the beach and don't want to start the Duval Crawl right after church let's out, please think about stopping by my Open House at 630 Elizabeth Street to see the house located at the tippy top of Solares Hill. Take a look inside at the Dade County Pine walls and ceilings. Look at the ancient forged window hangers and peer through the rippled glass. Take a peek out to the little houses below from a view nobody else in town can ever equal. Imagine what you could do to this Old House.

600 Block of Elizabeth Street

Windsor Lane heading towards to the Historic Key West Cemetery

709 A Windsor Lane - Short Sale - Key West

709 A Windsor Lane - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, by not by me, 709 A Windsor Lane in Old Town Key West. This 487 square foot one bedroom one bath cottage style abode is a legal condominium (one of three in the small association) located adjacent to the Key West Writer's Compound which I have previously written about. It is not a part of the compound, but it does share the wonderful location near the top of Solares Hill.


The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Charming Conch Style Condo in Old Town Key West. One bedroom one bath with loft completely renovated with the finest finishes. Stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and beautiful kitchen cabinetry. This is a must see! (Condominium Fees TBD) This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval."

This unit shares a common wall with Unit B which was a bank owned property that sold two years ago. A third condo, Unit C, is located at the rear of the parcel. The condos share a common plot of ground with side access on the west boundary for access for Units B and C. The small condo association may make it difficult to obtain traditional bank financing on a property like this. Otherwise, I think this is a bargain property. Read on.


I took the attached photos CLICK HERE for a lender last summer. I observed that the unit appeared to have been updated in a good and workmanlike manner. The interior space was well arranged and utilitarian. The living room and kitchen share a common space which is normal in most modern Key West properties. The bedroom is off to the right and it is quite spacious. There are windows on two walls so this space is very comfortable as opposed to some bedrooms which appear claustrophobic. The bath is at the rear and it is extra large. A ladder provides access to the loft located over the bedroom area. This is a neat place to send guests you don't want to stay too long or it would make an excellent place to store things you do not use everyday. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.


709A Windsor Lane is a short sale priced at $319,000. If you would like to see this property, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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629 Elizabeth Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 629 Elizabeth Street in Old Town Key West. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property. This 819 Sq Ft cottage style house was built in 1900. I dug into the old shoebox and found a black & White photo taken in 1965. The house looks pretty much the same in 2012. The wood fence has been replaced by galvanized chain link, and cross street has been changed from Angela Street to Windsor Lane. The asking price is $425,000.

629 Elizabeth Street built circa 1900

629 Elizabeth Street as it appears in January 2012

The house sits near the very top of Solares Hill, so flood insurance will not be required. If you have been looking for a real 'fixer' in a good location with room for a pool and parking, this may be the answer to your Key West real estate dreams. This place will likely need it all and by that I mean new electric (to operate all the TVs and electric equipment we use today, new plumbing, replaced or restored windows, new doors, new roof, new shutters, new bathrooms, a new kitchen, and add a pool and decking. I would throw in a new white picket fence to enclose the corner lot, and brick the driveway.

Side and rear views

I can tell you right away the buyer who will not get this house: someone who dilly dallies and hems and haws and prices things out to the last decimal.

The buyer who will get this will make a somewhat emotional decision to buy based on the utter charm of the facade and the knowledge that this property has a sought after location.

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. Don't wait.

630 Elizabeth Street - Open House Sunday - Key West

If you are looking for the perfect "fixer" stop by 630 Elizabeth Street Sunday, January 15th between 12:00 to 2:00 PM. Take a peek at the one-of-a-kind view from the second floor and imagine how wonderful it would be to own a home at the highest point in Old Town Key West.

And let your imagination run wild and decide what you could do to improve this old house that sits at the top of Solares Hill in Old Town Key West. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property. And CLICK HERE to view Slideshow of this property.

Open House hosted by Gary Thomas 305-766-2642
Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

Home Buy Chirstmas

Take a look at the above photo of the big old Revival Style house at 630 Elizabeth Street. It sits at the tippy top of Solares Hill in Old Town Key West. It looks kind of sad and neglected. But it has the character and good bones that attract would-be restorers, people with imagination, strong backs, big arms, and a deep purse.

I took the photos below late Monday afternoon from the second floor that overlooks Windsor Lane as it heads toward the Key West cemetery and also Elizabeth Street where it intersects Angela and Windsor Lane. The views are genuinely incomparable because there is not another house with a similar commanding views.

Elizabeth Street looking northerly

Windsor Lane to the east

Anglea Street meets Elizabeth Street and merges into Windsor Lane

I found some old photos of 630 Elizabeth Street and the house across the street to the south. These photos put the house into context with the neighborhood and it's location atop Solares Hill.

630 Elizabeth was built in 1887 and was originally a store on the ground
level and had living space on the second floor. The above photo was taken in 1965.

"Intersection" of Angela Street at Elizabeth Street in 1965

1930s photo taken by WPA shows back side of 630 Elizabeth (on left)

The second storey front porch is missing. I can only imagine how grand the porch could be for a new owner sipping coffee in the morning or nursing a cocktail in the evening. Modern window unit air conditioners hang out over the sidewalk. The house would look so much better if only it were lovingly restored.

The house has good bones. It needs to be saved.

Plans have been approved by HARC to convert the present legal duplex into a single family residence. The plans provide for 2300 sq ft of living space on two floors plus conversion of some attic space. HARC even approved a rear third story porch off the rear. The HARC approved architect's plans convey with purchase.

There are several projects going on in Old Town right now where big houses are getting redone. A couple are shown just below.

1016 James Street as seen in 2010 before it was purchased for renovation

1016 James Street in December 2011 as renovation begins

1016 James Street when photographed in the 1930s by the WPA

730 Southard Street summer 2011

Work has finally started on 730 Southard Street - December 2011

1030 Fleming Street was a bank owned "MESS" two years ago

Work is almost complete - December 2011

The above photo shows the second floor interior of 630 Elizabeth Street. The place was modernized in the 1960s. The space is large and has lots of potetial. The ten foot tall walls and ceilings have Dade County Pine and the glass has historic wrinkles it is so old. The views and cross breezes up here are just great. Before air conditioning, windows provided the main cooling for houses like this. Since this house is located at the highest point in Key West, it naturally has the best breezes. And a new owner won't have to buy flood insurance.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos on this property. This is my listing. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com for more information. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. If you play your cards right, this could be your Home Buy Christmas this year and your home by Christmas next year.

628 Elizabeth Street - next door to 630 Elizabeth - cute as can be