823 Elizabeth Street, Key West

Just Listed but not by me 823 Elizabeth Street, Key West. Take a look at that photo. Says it all about Key West, doesn't it? Cute as a button. The listing Realtor sums up this cottage style home this way:

"This charming 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom Historic Conch Cottage ticks all the right boxes. It is situated in the highly desirable X flood zone on one of the most beautiful streets in Old Town. The home is in immaculate condition. The lot is unique for this part of Elizabeth St as it runs all the way to Galveston Lane with a separate guest cottage with full bathroom, pool, sun deck and off street parking. The open plan living, dining and kitchen area has wonderful architectural elements such as vaulted ceilings with many window features and opens out through a wall of glass doors to the outside seating and sunbathing areas and pool. The designer kitchen has custom made ''Hansen and Bringle'' cabinets as does the bedroom. The chic ''European Style'' main bathroom was recently remodeled."

Elizabeth Street - one way from Truman Ave to Angela St

 I remembered this house form nearly two decades earlier when I showed it several times. I was taken by the look and layout of the house, especially the breezeway the previous owner added connecting the main house to the newly added guest cottage with bath. Let's take a look starting at the front door and work our way to the parking on Galveston Lane.

 

The front porch sets the tone for this easy living cottage-style home. Sit down and take a rest on Easy Street - er,  I mean Elizabeth Street.  I checked the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that this home first appeared in the 1889 Map which means it was built before then. It is also located across the street from what was called "Buzzards Roost" on the map because that is the highest point in Key West. Today that area is called Solaris Hill - same place, different appellation.

The two main house bedrooms and bath are located at the front of the original house. A new two-peak sawtooth addition was added a few years back along with the rear cottage and pool. This open space environment works really well. The ceilings are high, there are numerous windows on both sides, and French doors at the rear. Sunlight fills the room during the daytime. It is a cheerful place. 

When I visited this house the other day I remembered the breezeway from years earlier. I think this was the first time I had seen such a clever use of space between a house and cottage. They created another room without creating a tax obligation because the room only has three sides. That space provides protection from the sun and elements.

The cottage is large enough for a queen bed, night stands, TV, and it has a bathroom with sink, shower, and WC. And it is totally private. Guests can stay out late and enter from the rear gate and not disturb you at 4:00 AM. I checked out the business side of the house. The house looks freshly painted everywhere. Everything appears clean and well functioning. I looked for but did not see any deferred maintenance. The washer and dryer are located in a shed at the rear of the property. 

There is off street parking on Galveston Lane for one car. The parking space is on the property and not public. I have been photographing the construction of a new house opposite the parking space for several months. There was a long  mobile home on that lot for fifty years. Now a long house is going up. Bill Butler Park is located just to the north of the new house. Your kids or grandkids can take the dog for a walk or go play in the playground.

823 Elizabeth Street is located two blocks from Duval Street. Walk out the front door, turn right, and walk to the corner at Petronia Street. Turn left and walk to Duval. The 801 Bar is located at the corner. Turn right or left - there is a world of earthly pleasures in either direction. However, if you turn left from the front gate and walk two blocks south, turn left at Truman and walk one block you can save your soul at St. Mary's of the Sea Basilica. Gotcha covered in either direction. This house would make a perfect monthly vacation rental.

  

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos for 823 Elizabeth Street, Key West offered for sale at $1,295,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Time is ticking. Other agents and buyers were lined up behind me the day I looked at this property. It won't last long.

 

True Tales of Key West Real Estate in the Time of Covid 19 - Part Eight

This is a true story about Key West real estate in the time of Covid 19.

Sometimes houses are so unique they take a long time to sell. The house in today's blog was on and off the Key West real estate market for over 15 years. It was an impressive large home located in a highly desired area of town and price accordingly. The listing agent was one of the best in town. The house was just so large and so expansive that it was difficult finding a buyer. Years passed. The house was renovated again which made it even more expensive. The owner replaced the listing agent. The house still did not sell. A couple of years passed nothing happened and then in 2020 the pandemic occurred. Buyers flocked to Key West. Voile a buyer appeared, a deal was struck, and the house was finally sold for several million dollars. 

I ran into the selling agent yesterday afternoon and congratulated him on the sale. I told him my recollection of showing that house years earlier. Most houses in Key West do not have a garage. That particular house had a large double garage. I remember the garage especially well because one stall had a red Porsche on a lift. There was a heavy metal brace that spanned the stsll width to prevent the Porsche being driven away even if it was lowered to the floor. I remember asking the lady listing agent what was going on. She said "The owner has a teenage son."

It all fell into place. The dad must have seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off and did not want to lose his car or his son.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Deeds in the Florida Keys Indeed!

 Realtors in Key West have access to the MLS listing so of the three separate associations of Realtors in the Florida Keys. Since I rarely get off the Island of Key West and know enough not to stray too far away from properties with which I am unfamiliar, I don't concern myself with goings on elsewhere. But yesterday I clicked the Hot Sheet for the entire Florida Keys and found a sale so impressive that I decided to share with my Dear Readers. 

Palm Island, a private bayfront island located in Marathon, Florida closed on February 27, 2021 for $11,000,000. Congratulations to the listing and selling agent and the principals. We should all be so lucky. CLICK HERE for MLS details. I have nothing to do with this sale.

You can actually drive to the island via road extension located not that far from the Overseas Hiway (US 1). The four acre island includes main house, guest cottages, swimming pool, and private beach. 

I dug deep into my shoebox and found an aerial photo of Marathon Florida taken in the 1960s to which I added a check mark to show Palm Island then. Who would have imagined that sixty some years later that little island would be worth so much? That long road is the Overseas Hiway.

Marathon is located midway between Miami and Key West and has its own airport capable of receiving private jets. Marathon and Islamorada claim to have the best sport fishing in the world. Dunno about that. But they share the beautiful waters and sunny skies that make the Florida Keys so appealing. Key West happens to be where people who live on the other islands come to have fun. Just saying. 

Looking for a house in Key West? Consider calling me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your dream home in Paradise. 

 

507 Noah Lane, Key West, Florida

As I began this blog about 507 Noah Lane in Key West I looked up at the photo and took in the simple design of this home, the sun, the blue sky, the palm trees and green grass and the lyrics of Ella Fitzgerald came into my mind "Summertime, and the living is easy..." It's still officially winter everywhere but Key West where today the temperature is going to be a comfortable 82 degrees. Tourists and locals will be heading over to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach - just a couple of blocks way from this house. Ah, yes, the living is easy if you live in Key West.

 

This nearly 1,800 Sq Ft three bedroom / three bath home looks old but was actually built new in 1996. The gated front entry gives the property a sense of refined dignity. There are first and second floor porches for people watching. The bricked walkway winds around the side of the house to the pool at the read. I recently showed this home. It was recently painted and is in  pristine condition. The landscaping is mature and well maintained. There won't be any need for fix-ups or sprucing-up. It is move-in ready. 

I recently showed this home. The listing Realtor met my customer and me at the front door. My customer thought he wanted a condo because, well, the living is easy in a condo - all you do is lock and leave. And then this happened: he walked past the threshold and saw the pool and palm trees at the rear. He didn't stop to hear the details of the house. He bolted for the money shot and took it all in. He asked questions and more questions. He was absorbed with the view of the large pool with water feature, the lush tropical plants, the carport, and even the retractable electric awning. He later told seeing the pool through the open French doors was so unexpected. Later he commented on how private the pool setting was compared to sharing a pool with others. Also, none of the neighboring properties have a view into the pool.

The third bedroom is set off from the living area by French doors. The room could easily be a home office if you are considering relocating to Key West - a lot of people are doing just that. They are not postponing living their lives until the retire. The pandemic has shown them they can live their best life while they are younger. On the other hand, this bedroom would be a great place for mom on her annual visit. 

The second floor guest bedroom has a cathedral ceiling and French doors which open out to the private street below. Unlike the streets in Old Town, there are no Conch trains or trolleys or Pepsi trucks. There are no light poles with sagging electric lines to spoil the viiew of or from your home. As I said, the living is easy. 

The master bedroom is quite large and very impressive. There is good sized sitting area apart from the bed area itself which has a king size bed. There is space for a desk as well, but then you might be tempted to work instead of relax. Drawers are built into a niche off the bedroom opposite the walk-in closet. The Master bath is bright and cheery. Note the octagonal window which can be seen from the top photo in today's blog. This is a big and impressive bedroom space which is enhanced by the porch overlooking the pool and rear garden.

When your guests or grandchildren come to visit they can walk over to the new Truman Waterfront Park, Ft Zach Beach, Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square, take in a play at the Waterfront Playhouse, or dine and dance on Duval - all moments away but out of earshot and eyesight.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 507 Noah Lane, Key West, Florida offered for sale at $2,495,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Tell Ralph

Living on a small island at the end of America has its advantages in so many ways. But there are some disadvantages like keeping private matters private. I was reminded of this point yesterday as I was leaving home for my office. "Ralph" my tree trimmer, was cutting down a volunteer tree next door. A volunteer is a plant or tree that springs up out of nowhere. I was told birds poop and deposit seeds from various sources and nature takes it course. Nature created a monster tree that grew to huge proportions and then lost a limb in the wind and damaged my neighbor's roof. Good riddance. Ralph took a break to talk to me. "What about this real estate market?" and then proceeded to tell me gossip about several house deals including a big house nearby that he claimed to have the inside knowledge on. 

He has done this for years. I learned a long time ago not to tell Ralph anything because he is the town gossip. You know the saying "Telegram, Telegraph, Tell-a-Ralph!". In the days before Facebook you only needed to tell Ralph or one of several other gossip girls - either sex, same result. Sharing is caring - or Karen. 

Photo at top is not the tree and not Ralph.

Key West Real Estate Throwback Thursday No. 17

from July 1, 2018

Key West Realtor Understudy

I was searching the Key West MLS yesterday when I noticed a new listing that reminded me of a nearby property that I sold a few years ago. My buyer and I arrived at the house on an early Saturday morning to be present during the home inspection on the house he had under contract. We met the inspector who set out to poke, prod, test, and photograph various parts of the house.

Remember this was an early Saturday morning - not anywhere near cocktail time - not even near lunch. Or even brunch.  The listing Realtor was present. She was wearing heels and a tight fitting dress with a very short hem.

The home inspector opened the access panel to the attic and went up. The listing agent followed. I was standing below with my buyer. We both looked up as we were preparing to follow. Imagine the photo above but without the tights. Or anything under the dress.

Things that have been seen cannot be unseen.