I told you so.......

This blog entry is for you disbelievers and prophets of doom and gloom, more toil and more trouble. It is also for you dreamers who want to buy a place in Key West but who fear that we are not at the bottom of the market.

I thought it would be interesting to see how many properties that I have mentioned in my little blog have actually closed since January 1, 2009. I used the Key West mls database and found that there were 46 closings to 8:30 AM today, February 18.

Here then are the houses that got away:

5601 College Road, Unit C 303 that sold for $399,000. CLICK HERE to see the unit. This sale may actually be good news for you undecided buyers. Unlike the other houses below, there are more of this same type of unit for sale now. This sale probably set the current watermark on pricing at this location. I know some don't like the location. Don't go there to look then. But the buildings are about 15 years newer than 1800 Atlantic and all have direct water views from the balcony with no noise from any nearby road.

525 Margaret Street, hidden Old Town two story house thoughtfully redone. Originally priced at $699,000 and sold for $500,000. CLICK HERE to see this beautiful home.

701 Elizabeth Street right at the top of Solares Hill that sold for an incredible price of $695,000. (Originally priced at $1,579,000.) CLICK HERE to see what you missed dearies.

3 Pinder Lane Old Town. This is absolutely one of the sweetest places I have ever been in my life. I loved this cottage. Everybody I showed it to loved it. It did not have parking, the bedrooms and baths were small, but this place is just magical. CLICK HERE to see the house that originally was offered at $1,390,000 and that sold for $900,000.

716 Olivia Street the Arts & Crafts house that needed just a wee bit of finishing sold in just about one day after a bank foreclosed its mortgage. The original asking price was $2,895,000. The bank owner asked $999,999 and it sold for $1,025,126. CLICK HERE and weep.

With the exception of the condo at Sunset Marina I think you would agree that each of the houses whether big or small is unique. They don't make any more of them. When they are gone, they are gone.

If you are looking for a place in Key West please consider using me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or e-mail me at kw1101v@aol.com. Let me help you find your place in Paradise. Don't live your life regretting what you could have done. Do it.

Recently "Solds" in Old Town

I thought it would be interesting to compare the prices on the highest and lowest "solds" in Old Town Key West since May 1st. There were only five single family sales.

The two I am reporting on are at 1121 Petronia which is a 960 sq. ft. 2 bed, 2 bath wood frame home located one block east of the cemetery. It was "redone" a couple of years ago and has a pool. (The remodel was poorly executed and cheap in my personal opinion. Lots of work yet to be done.) The neighborhood is mixed of single family, apartments, and light commercial on White Street. The house listed at $699,000 and sold for $660,000 or $687.50 per sq. ft. The sellers bought the house in August 2004 and paid $699,000. Seller had to pay a 6% real estate commission (-39,600) and I am assuming seller's title transfer fees and closing costs. So the final net to the seller $605,000 or a $94,000 loss. Give or take.

The second property is located at 520 Emma Street in the exclusive Truman Annex. It is a single family home built in 1995 with 1914 sq. ft. of living space and private pool. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths on a private 3444 sq. ft. lot. The home has all the bells and whistles! The home was listed at $2,185,000 and sold for
$1,895,000 or $990.07 per sq. ft. and was on the market 40 days. The sellers bought the house in January 2000 and paid $749,000.

I think the buyer of 1121 paid a lot of money for that little house. It needs a lot of work and the location is not the best--it is really close to a very smelly Cuban restaurant. But I think the buyer of the Truman Annex house got a good deal. The house sold near the top end based on price per square foot in today's slow market. When the market rebounds,that price will be every bit as good as the price the seller paid for it in 2000. Mark my words.

CLICK HERE for more details and photos on both properties.

There are lots of homes and condos on the market in Key West. Some are good, some are really bad, and some are bargains, and some are properties that you should not even consider. CLICK HERE to search for the type of property that you are interested in purchasing, and then give me a call so that I can help you find your new home in Paradise.