1100 Angela Street - Bank Owned Property - Key West

Attention bargain hunters! I know you are out there. I get emails and phone calls from people that still want to buy a bank owned property in Key West. It's getting more rare to see a bank owned property in Key West, especially in Old Town.  1100 Angela Street in Key West is a Bank Owned legal duplex described by the listing Realtor as:

"Two units, two stories, and two separate driveways make this Old Town corner property too good to miss! Hardwood floors, French doors, skylights, and patio decks with a Jacuzzi complement the street appeal of the main 2/2 Angela side house; the legal 1/1.5 Frances unit can serve as guest quarters or an attractive rental. You will find the Key West Cemetery is a quiet X zone neighbor; this locale is in the heart of historic Old Town Key West and ensures an easy stroll to all downtown amenities, restaurants, and nightlife."

1100 Angela Street first appeared in the 1899 Historic Sanborn Fire Maps. That block was omitted form the 1892 edition. So the house could have existed even before 1892.  Two houses, attached at the hip, are shown on the map.  I dug down into the old shoebox and found  a black and white photo of the property taken in 1965 that shows how the property looked then. The color photo underneath, taken in 2014, shows the property from the same angle.  I am of the opinion the original rear cottage was razed, not renovated. The rear cottage has all new piers under the two story house whereas the main house has historic coral piers.  The interior of the two story house is very contemporary in design.  My best guess is that the rear two story addition was built new about 20 years ago. 

I looked at online building permit records and found that improvements were made to the property in 1997 and 2000. Those improvements include new decks, two hot tubs, and interior renovations. In recent years both units were rented. The front unit was rented as a vacation rental and the rear was a long term rental. Prior to being recently listed as a bank owned property, 1100 Angela Street was offered for sale as a 'short sale'.  Let's just say there was not a lot of enthusiasm by the prior owner to sell and thereby terminate the income stream. A long foreclosure eventually led to this property becoming a bank owned asset. During the long foreclosure process income was taken out of the property, but no improvements or repairs were made. As a result, the house needs painted and cleaned. When you look at the photos I took of the property, you will see deferred maintenance. Some of the French doors need replaced. There is some wood rot, but not a lot of it.

This property is located at the corner of Angela Street at Frances Street opposite the Key West cemetery. The location is notable because Angela Street becomes a one-way street at Frances and ends about 300 feet to the east at White Street. On the opposite side of Frances Street, Angela is a one-way street heading west as it traverses the north side of the cemetery.  The point is there is very little traffic on either one-way segment of Angela Street.  Nighttime traffic on Frances is but a trickle, as is the case for most streets in Old Town. And the neighbors to the west, well, let's just say they never make a peep.

The main portion of the original house has a combined living/dining/kitchen area with French doors that open out to the side deck and spa.  The living room has a high ceiling. That extra space really gives this home a special feel.  Whoever designed the kitchen forgot to put the refrigerator in the kitchen.  The refrigerator is located in an adjacent room that also houses the washer and dryer.

The second floor bedroom and bath are accessed via the spiral staircase.  There is a small deck off the bedroom area which overlooks the hot tub below. The master bedroom is located on the main level. Two sets of French doors open out to the deck and hot tub.  Those doors need replaced. I think the floor tile, as charming as it is, needs to go away as well. This is a nice space. The tile floor gives it a cold feeling.

The bathroom is located just off the first floor bedroom. It does double duty as a guest bath as well. A new owner might elect to forgo one of the two off street parking spaces in order to free up some space for the installation of a pool.  I think there is room off either property to create a pool. I personally feel way too much space is presently devoted to a hot tub which may get used a couple of times a year.  But that is just me thinking out loud.

The apartment is configured with the living room, kitchen, and laundry closet on the first floor. Both the living room kitchen open out to a spacious wrap around deck for the apartment.  This would be a very easy place to rent. I expect an owner might get $1800 to $2000 per month for this space. The apartment needs painted but otherwise looks to be in very good condition.  (Some exterior wood needs replaced. But that is easy.)

The bedroom and bath occupy the entire second floor which also includes a good sized closet and a small office area.

I think a new owner could convert this duplex into a single family house.  I can imagine a new owner vaulting the ceiling in the original house. I think a good designer or architect could create a traditional staircase to access the second floor. That would eliminate the spiral staircase and give the old house a more traditional feel. The two story apartment could then become two or three bedrooms. I would suggest that the new owner eliminate the apartment hot tub as well as the off street parking spot on the Frances Street side of the house. This would provide more ground for the construction of a larger pool and add some garden area to give the property a more Key Westy feel.

CLICK HERE to view a lot more photos I took of 1100 Angela Street.  View the interior and exterior photos and imagine how you might revamp this legal duplex. Perhaps you might decide to make it into a single family house which I see as having a lot of potential. Look at the nearby homes. This is a great Old Town location which is also in the X zone for flood insurance purposes.

1100 Angela Street is offered at $784,900.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datsheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this property.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

813 Waddell Avenue - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Location! Location! Location! Those are the words that are the driving force in most home sales across this country. And on the Island of Key West the two prime real estate locations are Old Town and the Casa Marina Area. Old Town is know for its historic old houses and white picket fences whereas the Casa Marina Area is know for the larger lots towering palms, and variety of homes that populate the area. The Casa Marina Area has its small share of older historic homes. But it has many mid-century homes and quite a good number of newly constructed homes as well. And the Casa Marina Area has its close proximity to the ocean and beaches that Old Town just does not have.

The mid-century modern home at 813 Waddell Avenue was built in 1954 and sits on an extra large lot that measures 105' X 100' (10,500 sq ft) opposite the Casa Marina Resort.  I dug into my old shoebox and found a 1950's vintage aerial photo that shows 813 Waddell Avenue. If you have been following my blog for a couple of years you may recognize the next door neighboring house which I featured a couple of times as it was being built.  That house is a prime example of new construction that is giving new vitality to this upscale Key West neighborhood.

Not every potential buyer of a home in Key West wants a cigar makers cottage or a grand conch house. And not every new buyer wants to own a mid-century home or a 21st Century reinterpretation of historic Key West architecture. That is what makes the 813 Waddell Avenue so appealing because a new owner could remodel the existing house or raze the house and build an entirely new home. It's nearly impossible obtain permission to raze a home in Old Town.  Having the option gives a new owner so many more possible ways to create exactly what he, she, or they want.

813 Waddell Avenue is actually two separate lots with two separate legal descriptions. A new owner might separate the lots and build two separate houses. I think the larger lot would cost less to develop than building two houses, but I'm not the guy who is going to build a new house or renovate the existing property. Having the option might make this property more interesting to some buyers. 

813 Waddell Avenue is located about two blocks from Higg's Beach.  The dog park is located opposite the beach. Salute's on the Beach is up there as well. The White Street Pier is where the annual 4th of July fireworks display occurs. The rest of the year it's a good fishing pier and sightseeing destination.  Louie's Backyard is located one block west of 813 Waddell Avenue and Doggy Beach is adjacent to the restaurant.   Most of the gyms and yoga studios are located within a five to seven minute walk of 813 Waddell Avenue. Did you know that you can buy a membership to the Casa Marina Club and have access to the private beach and use of the gym (pictured below)?  Upper Duval Street is about seven to ten minute walk. I have lived in the Casa Marina area since 1995. I love the area for its convenience and quiet neighborhood charm.

Higg's Beach

The Thing at Higg's Beach

White Street Pier as photographed in the 1980s - same ocean, same sky, but new rainbows occurring all the time

Casa Marina Resort Health Facility

I have not opined about the current real estate market in several months because our market has been so schizoid.  A few years ago we have lots of short sales, bank owned properties, and a fair share of regular market sale priced properties. When we had too many houses for sale, buyers were fearful of buying. The over supply of inventory has cleared up. Today, we have very few homes available in all price ranges except the very high. But even the very high end properties are selling. That has caused a lot of buyers to consider buying fixer and tear-downs even more-so than previously.

I don't want to go all political and get readers angry with me, but I think the current political climate and especially the negativism directed toward the Washington is hindering the national psyche.  I remember the same anti Jimmy Carter sentiment forty years ago. When he left office and Ronald Regan became President, it was like a heavy burden was lifted off America. When Clinton was in office the economy soared. Then 911 occurred within months of George W. Bush's election. We have lived through fourteen years of anger over what happened on 911. Then we went through the Great Recession. I think there is a pent-up demand from a lot of Americans to feel good about themselves and the national economy.

I think housing prices in Key West will soar in the next couple of years. I think a lot of sellers are sitting on the sidelines waiting.  Just waiting. If I am correct, prices today that might seem high will seem like bargains in a couple of years. This has been the operative history for Key West for many years I have sold houses here. 

813 Waddell Avenue is offered at $1,125,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing of this property.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

1117 Watson Street - Old Town - Key West

Just Listed, but not by me, 1117 Watson Street in Old Town Key West. You have seen this same house on my blog a couple of times over the years.  But you have not seen it the way it looks now because the house has been totally updated and give a new houseanality. 

I searched the Historic Sanborn Maps to see if I could determine when the cigar maker cottage was built. The first map dates back to 1889 and it shows houses that existed as of that date.  1117 Watson Street was on that map except back then it was numbered 211 Watson Street.  I am making an assumption here that the number 211 Watson was given because Watson Street began at Division Avenue, which is now known as Truman Avenue.  This house is in the second block of Watson Street. In looking at the map I learned that numerous cigar numerous other cigar maker cottages fronted on to Watson Street while others ran perpendicular east from Watson.  In the 1912 map a wide space just south of the adjacent house was identified as "On Set Court".  That space today is where the shared pool in the Conch Grove Compound is located.

I then dug down into my old shoebox and found a photo of 1117 Watson Street that was taken in 1965. It is shown immediately below. I created a new image that shows the same house nearly fifty years apart. Take a look at all the changes.

This visage is now "history". The entry door is reversed to the south side and provides real access once again.

 If you read about this house before or if you saw it when it was previously listed, you may remember that the previous owners used the front room as the bedroom. While the original entry door stayed in place on the left side of the front porch, the actual entry to the house was located on the south side of the house. A fair amount of real estate was used to create a stairway to a second level loft that was very cramped and that had no practical utility. It was claustrophobic!  Seriously, detective Monk would have flipped out over the cramped space.  The current owner removed the loft sleeping area and stairway. The entry was taken back to the front porch but reversed to the south side.

The above photo shows the front entry door on the left. The single bedroom is on the right. There is a new kitchen, updated interiors, new bath, and a totally new aura to this 680 sq ft one bedroom cigar maker cottage.

The Conch Grove Compound is an assemblage of twelve homes many of which were original cigar maker cottages that were updated by different owners over the years. James Kirkwood (co-author of A Chorus Line) and the late David Kaufelt were among the original compound owners.  All homes share the large and sunny pool and park-like common areas.  The monthly association fee is $200 which covers common area and pool maintenance. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos of 1117 Watson Street.  This one bedroom one bath cigar maker's cottage is offered at $675,000.  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 Coastal Realty, Inc.  Instead of meeting with architects, builders, and decorators, spend this summer by the big sunny pool getting the tan of your life.

918 Southard Street # 204 - Old Town - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that is where I work but this is not my listing, 918 Southard Street Unit #204 in Southard Square Condominiums. The listing Realtor describes the property like this:

"Unique two bedroom two bath condo with a tree house living style in Old Town Key West, within walking distance of wonderful restaurants, wild Duval Street and the historic Seaport. The residence's interior views lush, tropical gardens, a sparkling pool and the condo's private club house. This two-story home is an open floor plan with natural skylighting and a spiral staircase. The guest bedroom and bath is located on the living level. Upstairs is the master suite with bath, separate sitting area for reading or napping, and a second balcony. Other amenities include central air, a washer/dryer closet, storm shutters and a total sense of security, coming and going via off-street parking with lighted entrances and exits. Come take a look today!"

Southard Square Condominiums was built in 1987. I remember hearing that part of the 918 Southard building was the former location of the De Poo Hospital. I dug down into the bottom of my old shoebox and found a photo of the De Poo Hospital that was taken in 1965.  Then I found another photo of 912 Southard which was razed so that the modern condos could be built. I don't think our Historic Architectural Review Commission would allow a similar fate to a historic house today. It is interesting to compare and contrast the two styles of architecture from the 19th and 20th Centuries.  I also took the color photos below which show the "renovated De Poo Hospital" as it looks today and the front of the condo development which would have been the location of the smaller sawtooth house that stood at 912 Southard. (There are several houses with almost identical architectural details as 912 Southard further east on Southard and around the corner on Grinnell Streets.)

918 Southard Street in 1965

912 Southard Street in 1965

Today Southard Square is a stable condominium community with just 16 units most of which are owner occupied. A few units, such as #204, are rented as monthly vacation rentals. The entrances to  Unit # 204 is located just off Griffin Lane which runs perpendicular to Southard midway back from the front entrance to the condominium main entrance. 

The club house or community room

There are just 16 units in this phase at Southard Square. The buildings are each a bit different as are each of the units. No cookie cutter community here. The units share a big beautiful sunny pool plus a nice little club house. A large deck wraps around  the club house allowing residents to follow the sun or stay in the shade. Each unit has an assigned off street parking spot.

Window above is the sitting niche

View from main level balcony off the Living Room

Unit # 204 viewed from across the pool

Unit #204 is located on the second floor of the east building. It has 1200 sq ft of living space on the second floor and third floor combined. The main floor has a guest bedroom and bath located near the front entrance. A hallway leads to the kitchen with extra high ceiling that rises to the roof. The combined living and dining area are at the rear. Sliding doors open onto the covered balcony that overlooks the pool off to west. A beautiful spiral staircase leads to the master bedroom and bath on the third floor. A "bridge" leads from the bedroom area over to a little sitting niche. The bridge looks down onto the kitchen below. A window from the niche also looks down to the kitchen and further into the living area. This place is pretty darned impressive.

View from Master Bedroom Balcony

Master bedroom with French doors that open onto private deck

The "bridge" from bedroom to the sitting niche

The best views, however, are from the decks off the living area and the master bedroom. Unlike some condo complexes (whose names I shall not mention nor infer) with decks that provide no privacy, you can lounge on either deck in your altogether and drink your morning coffee or nurse your favorite adult beverage. The views are so peaceful.

Southard Square Condominium Unit #204 is offered at $680,000. CLICK HERE   to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Or you can CLICK HERE to view MORE pics I took.

Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing for you. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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1317-A Catherine Street - Key West, Florida

1317-A Catherine Street in Key West was recently listed by Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. That is where I work but this is not my listing. However, I had the opportunity to show this home several times over the past couple of weeks while the listing agent was out of town. The people that looked at this home really liked it. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Great little 2/2 Conch cottage with a private pool, comfortable deck area and very lush privacy planting. Nice location for walking to the beach and the White Street restaurants and markets. Parking is on street but generally no problem. It was currently being used as a non-transient vacation rental and has a good history of rentals. Very private with almost no street visibility."

The side yard features a decent sized kidney shaped pool and deck. The grounds are illuminated at night. The south side of the house has an outdoor shower, laundry shed, and storage shed, none of which are visible from the pool or by passers-by on the street. In fact not much of anything about this house is visible from the street. This is not a drive-by listing. You must see the inside to appreciate the size and value of this property.

There home is attached to another unit which is owned by the same owner. There is a firewall between the two units. Each unit has a separate legal descripton  and each unit is owned in fee simple. This is not a condominium.  As the listing agent points out, there are two bedrooms, two baths, a large living area with high ceilings, a dining area with French doors that open out to the covered porch that overlooks the pool. The kitchen is spacious and nicely appointed. 

This home has a successful history as a vacation rental.   This home rented at $5700 per month during season and rents are lower rates during other times of the year. This property is offered at $629,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. 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. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.