812 Johnson Lane, Key West Open House

I am holding an OPEN HOUSE today between 12:00 to 2:00 at 812 Johnson Lane and I would love for my Dear Readers and tourists alike to come up and see me and this wonderful Key West cottage.  The location is near perfect - a quiet little lane located three blocks from Duval Street and three to four blocks from most of the gyms and yoga studios in Key West. A buyer who is looking for a quiet location near the action but not so close to be bothered by the noise will love this place.

812 Johnson Lane is actually two cottages. The front cottage was just totally renovated with two new bedrooms, a new bath, all new stainless steel kitchen, and new air conditioning. The back cottage can be used as an artist studio, office, or guest bedroom. It has its own bath and there is an outdoor shower as well. Like many houses in Old Town, the bedrooms are located up front. The open living area and kitchen are at the rear open out to the covered veranda that looks onto the pool.

There is a lovely pool located between the two cottages. The pool is sunny for most of the day. The lot is actually larger than many pricier houses in more claustrophobic locations in Old Town.  Come take a look. You can see for yourself. The truth is in the big sky! And if you like to sun in the buff, your neighbors can't see you.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos of 812 Johnson Lane which is now offered at $769,000. Then plan to stop on by today's Open House. Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1311 Newton Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

Just Listed by referred Properties (that's where I work but this is not my listing) 1311 Petronia Street which is located in the Meadows Area of Key West. The listing Realtor describes this 1272 sq ft property as

"Property is presently set up for 3 rental units and a bonus unit in the back for owner or caretaker. Could easily be converted back to a single family home. Has had some remodeling and updates. Great quiet neighborhood with ample on street parking."

I looked through my old shoebox and found a photo taken in 1965 that shows this property when it was a single family home. And look at what that little twig of a tree grew into in 49 years.

I then searched the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine the approximate time this house was built. The very first time this house appeared on a Sanborn Ma was in 1912, but that does not mean it was constructed near that time. Blocks of houses were omitted from earlier additions of the maps. So all we know is that this house dates back to at least 1912.

 This was previously a single family house with a rear cottage that was converted to a multiple family dwelling several years ago. The character of the neighborhood really suggests that it is time to take this back to a single family home in my opinion, but a new owner could continue to rent the three legal units (there are three electric meters).  There is a scarcity of rental housing in the Old Town and Meadows area. It would be pretty easy to re-rent the three units and start collecting income.

I have posted photos of some of the rooms and the rear lot so that readers can get an appreciation of the condition of the house and size of the yard. 

CLICK HERE to view all the photos I took of this property. I do think it could be an up and running three unit building immediately after closing were a new owner looking at purchasing it as an investment property. But I believe the highest and best use of the property would be to take it back to a single family home.

The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows this property as having 1272 sq ft of living space capable of being air conditioned. The lot is shown as 3288 sq ft. There is more than enough room for the construction of a pool. Maybe the rear cottage could be converted into a pool house or possibly be removed to create even more rear outside living area.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.