1218 Varela Street ~ Old Town ~ Key West

1218 Varela Street - Key West

Bring your flip flops, a toothbrush, and some clean clothes - that's all you need if you purchase the new listing at 1218 Varela Street in Key West. This house has been meticulously updated and it sparkles. The listing remarks state:

"Elegant two story, renovated 4/3 1/2 home on the edge of Old Town South. The owners have done an impeccable job turning this home into a Key West Show place. As you enter the foyer, you are immediately drawn to a view of the outside pool and lanai. Bright colors surround you. On the first floor is a large cooks kitchen with warm wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, complete with a pass through window. On the second level there is a very large ensuite master with a sitting area. The bathroom is all marble with access to a walk-in closet. Down the hall are the other two bedrooms which share a modern bathroom, with a terrace the length of the front of the house. Designer elements throughout to be appreciated."

The front porch presents the face of what is awaiting on the inside.

The front entry leads to the living area at the rear and the pool area with the lanai and guest cottage beyond. The kitchen sits at the left rear and opens into the living area and also has pass through windows that open out to the lanai.

A comfortable office is located at the front of the house on the main floor. A new command central was installed to provide whole house television, telephone, Internet and wi-fi access at one centralized point.I guess one might call it a gentleman's man cave.

Upstairs you will find a delightful master suite. The bedroom area is quite large by itself. The adjacent sitting area provides a nice alternative area to relax when the house is filled with relatives or guests. The en-suite master bath has marble everywhere. A large walk-in closet completes the master bedroom suite.

There are two other bedrooms on the second floor. The bedroom front bedroom has a door that opens onto the second floor three bay front porch. The two bedrooms share a large bath.

The lanai provides gracious covered outdoor living space overlooking the 43 foot heated pool and adjacent spa. The guest cottage with bath is at the rear. The guest cottage was updated with new interiors and HVAC. It has the old cottage look from the outside but it is ever so cute and functional on the inside. All of the deck areas feature TREK Decks. A new sprinkler system was added and all of the landscaping was designed and installed by a local landscape architect.

 1218 Varela Street is offered at $1,795,000. (Home furnishings offered separately.)  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or Cory Held, 305-240-0355 to arrange a private showing.

1509 17th Street - Key West Casual Elegance

If you have been dreaming about buying a second home in Key West but are getting discouraged by the high prices, the new Preferred Properties listing at 1509 17th Street may surprise you at how much house you can buy for such a reasonable price.  The listing Realtor describes this Mid Century Home as:

"From the great curb appeal to the attention to detail, this home has the qualities one wants in a home. The spacious layout of 2,500 sq.ft. includes a living room and den plus an open kitchen with granite counters and modern appliances. The Florida room opens to the large pool and patio area which is surrounded by lush foliage. The master suite features a walk in closet and master bath with a steam shower plus two additional guest rooms and baths. Other important features include custom built-in book cases, crown moldings, storm shutters, a new roof in 2009, outdoor speakers, a large pantry, 2 zone central a/c and it's located in a quiet, pretty, residential Key West neighborhood."

The house is located about four blocks from the east end of the Island of Key West just off Flagler Avenue.  CLICK HERE for a GOOGLE aerial view of the location. On a normal day or night you ought to be able to get to Old Town within seven minutes buy car.  I found a photo taken in the 1920s that shows what the eastern end of Key West looked like back than.

Today some of the most expensive homes on the island are located on the nearby Riviera and Sunrise Canals. In the 1950s and 1960s young professionals moved to the eastern end of the island as an alternative to the old houses in the downtown area of Key West before "historic" homes were considered chic. Today many of the the homes in the area have been updated to provide a new, gentile place to enjoy with wonderful Key West weather and laid back lifestyle. The home at 1509 17th Street is one of the prettiest homes in the area.

Upon entering the house you note that as presently configured, the living spaces have a more traditional layout and feel as compared to more recent construction. Individual rooms include a music room that opens into the living room that is bounded by bookshelves.

Off to the right one bedroom is currently used as an office. That room is quite large compared to bedrooms in newer built homes. The walk-in closet is one of several in this home.

A nearby second bedroom provides room for the kids, grandparents, or occasional guest.

The master bedroom with en-suite bath and huge walk-in closet is located at the rear of the home.  This room is gorgeous and sophisticated.

The Florida room, kitchen, and informal dining area occupy the majority of the rear part of the house. Two large air conditioned pantry rooms provide lots of storage as well. 

The pool and rear garden will sell this house if you had any reservation. The pool is large and gets the right amount of sun for the perfect Key West tan. The pool is large enough to really take a swim and not just sip a cocktail.  There is plenty of room poolside for lounging and dining in sophisticated surroundings.  CLICK HERE to view more photos of this beautiful Key West property.

1509 17th Street is offered at $699,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet for more detailed information. Better yet please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing at your earliest convenience. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. This home is priced to sell.