707 Washington - Short Sale - Casa Marina Area - Key West

I have written about the house at 707 Washington Street for over two years. The places just won't sell. It is a short sale and has been under contract several times. It went back on the market yesterday. It is beginning to play like a broken record. Last time I saw it pop up in the mls I thought of Mr. Bill saying "OHH NOOO !!! And so it is again. Read on.

707 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Back on Market as Short Sale

707 Washington Street - Offered at $1,049,000 as a Short Sale

701 Washington Street - neighbor immediately to the west

709 Washington Street - neighbor immediately to the east

And then I decided I must remind my Readers know about this buying opportunity.

This property is technically a "remodel" since the original duplex located on the huge lot was never officially demolished. CLICK HERE to see 707 Washington as it appeared in 1965. But in reality the two buildings that occupy the space are new from foundation up to the tippy-top of the roofs. The buildings were designed by local noted architect Tom Pope. He, however, did not design the interiors. The interiors were, in my opinion, ill conceived. The rooms as presently built just don't work. There are big spaces and also small bedrooms. The kitchen is very large but one owner removed all the appliances. So a new buyer is going to have to spend thousands of extra dollars replacing appliances which should never have been removed. The pool is quite nice but there is little outdoor space to lounge and recreate.

My suggestion: gut the interior and rebuild. This time use a good space designer and decorator. Redo the pool area as well. This house is huge. The pool area was poorly designed. The thing that works best in Key West is to have living areas that open out to the pool and garden so that the transition from inside to outside living is almost seamless. The current configuration is more that of a box with a pool located down a clumsy set of stairs.

The house at 707 Washington is a legal duplex. But for all intents and purposes it is really a single family house with an attached two-story guesthouse or caretakers house. I would propose that the new owner reconfigure the guest quarters into a second master suite that would occupy both first and second floors of this wing. All of the ground floor in the main house needs reconfigured as well. The rear wall at the back of the house should be removed and the space re-invented into an open air garden room overlooking the pool.

The houses on either side are just beautiful. So is the mega-house across the street. Louie's Backyard Restaurant and the nearby Doggie Beach is a block to the south. The Casa Marina Resort and Higgs Beach are a five minute walk to the south. And Duval Street is only a five minute walk top the west.

I am not panning this house. I think this place is great. The interiors suck. Sorry to Sluggo or to whoever designed the inside and pool area. The houses as currently configured have 3257 sq ft of living space and sit on a 5300 sq ft lot on one hell of a Casa Marina location. The asking price is just $995,000. This is a Short Sale. There are very few houses in Key West that have this kind of space with the quality of exterior design and construction. This could be a great deal for a buyer that wants a project house. CLICK HERE to see the mls listing and view photos.

If you would like to schedule a showing please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an e-mail at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West Florida. Our office is the exclusive Lower Florida Keys affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

813 Frances Street - Delightful Old Town Key WEst Cottage

Nighttime Photo

Just listed the delightful Key West Conch Cottage located at 813 Frances Street is the ideal home everyone longs for. This 1450 sq ft home has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living area that opens onto the pool and tiki hut plus off street parking. The master suite is on the first floor. There is even one of those Key West step-through showers to the pool. This home is listed at $995,000 or $686 per sq ft. The listing Realtor describes this cottage home this way:

Elegant and beautiful historic home featured in Coastal Living Magazine located on one of the most desirable streets in Old Town Key West. Bright and airy rooms with open floor plan from kitchen to spacious family room overlooking tropical yard and pool. Home to a champion Lignum Vitae tree and other tropical flora, the yard is private and lush and boasts a cozy outdoor covered lanai. Hardwood floors, downstairs master bedroom, chef's kitchen including gas cooktop and stainless steel appliances. Off-street parking and wonderful front porch add to this Key West Historic Gem in the Heart of Old Town Key West.

This property is located directly across the street from the Key West cemetery. So there will be some fraidy cats who will not even consider this charming house. What a pity! Aside from the fact that the "neighbors" are exceedingly quiet, there is no parking on the opposite side of the street. The City of Key West erected new six foot wrought iron fences around the cemetery just a few years ago. So all that is inside is visible from the outside. Yes, you will have killer views of the graves and tombs. But you also see the green grass, trees, and walkways. You get to see the vast Key West sky and watch it as it changes. Trust me on this. There are no vampires and or ghouls that will creep into your house. You can sit on your front porch like others have done for decades and quietly watch the world walk by.

The house is a five or six minute walk to Duval and perhaps four minutes to the Historic Seaport. The Coffee Mill is a block to the southeast, Old Town gym a block directly south, and the Citgo gas station at the Corner of Truman and White where you can buy the best fried chicken in town at Dion's Quick Mart.

CLICK HERE to read more about this house and to view photos. Better yet, call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. Don't get spooked by the location and pass up a real buying opportunity. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. Our office is the Exclusive Lower Florida Keys affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

Maybe the present owner is trying to tell the denizens across the street something...

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1411 Petronia Street - Old Town - Key West

Notice the sweet second level front porch located off Master Bedroom

Sawtooth addition behind the original Eyebrow house

Inviting Old Fashioned Front Porch Perfect for Sitting or Doing Nothing

The Eyebrow House at 1411 Petronia Street is now offered for just $400,000. This is a short sale. The lender recently approved the price and the buyer decided not to buy. I know this house fairly well. I think this is a great price for a house in Old Town with a pool.

The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"New price of $400,000 is firm. Renovated 3 bedroom (as per Monroe Co. and Realist tax records), 2 full bath historic eyebrow house in The Meadows. Original Dade County pine floors, walls and ceilings throughout the house. There is a new pool with landscaping and decking in the large yard, which is totally fenced for privacy. This is a potential Short Sale that may be subject to third party approval."

In my opinion the present layout of the rooms is not as efficient as it could. One bedroom is fairly small, one is in an odd location, and the third bedroom is located just fine on the second floor. (It has a really cute front porch of the second floor bedroom.) The living room is nice and large but the kitchen is small. The kitchen and the downstairs bath are on the north side of the house. The deck and pool are located just north of the kitchen and bathroom so there are no inside views of the pool or garden. Some new owner might want to move things around a bit. But things have "worked" okay for previous owners.

I included a couple of photos of Petronia Street. This is a nice and quite street just a couple of blocks east of White Street. Duval Street and Bayview Park are within walking distance although Duval is further away.

The opposite side of Petronia Street

1400 block of Petronia Street

The large pool, tropical foliage, and great location (coupled with the price of just $400,000) make this house a great buy at that price. This house ought to sell within a few days now that the price has hit rock bottom. Take advantage of this great deal today.

CLICK HERE to checkout the mls listing information on this property and to view photos 0f 1411 Petronia. For comparison purposes I created a list of other houses for sale in Key West priced at or under $400,000. CLICK HERE to compare 1411 Petronia Street with those houses. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

1515 17th Terrace - Key West

If you are looking for a really nice recently remodeled home with a huge sunny pool, a large yard, covered off street parking, and located in an upscale and quiet location, you might want to take a look at 1515 17th Terrace. This property is located in the Sunrise Canal neighborhood of Key West. MAP.

I got the opportunity to show this house last week. I was surprised by how large this 1434 sq ft house really is. While the house has only two bedrooms each with private bath, they are located at opposite ends of the house affording the occupants lots of privacy. The house has a large living room and a separate (and even larger) family room overlooking the new pool. The majority of the house has been recently remodeled (just a few minor things need to be completed). Otherwise, it is is move-in condition. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Located in a beautiful residential neighborhood at the corner of Sunrise Dr, this is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath house that has been recently updated. New travertine and tile floors, central air, new kitchen with stainless appliances, and a large in-ground pool, all on an oversized lot (8937 SF). Off street parking and an excellent value!"

Sunrise Drive side of the property

Patio just off the Livingroom (below)

House across street - great block in a great location

1515 17th Terrace is offered at $460,000 or $321 per sq ft. CLICK HERE to checkout the mls listing info and to view some great photos of this property. Below you will find photos of the kitchen, living room, and that great back yard with huge sunny pool. Bring your imagination and green thumb to complete the oasis.

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this property. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. I'll bet you will find this Sunrise Surprise a great buy.

The Medicine Garden - 800 Amelia Street - Key West

Just what the doctor ordered: The world famous Medicine Garden Home located at 800 Amelia Street in the SoTru area of Old Town. This home is located on Amelia Street at William Street. The rear of St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church grounds is across the street to the north. The stunning new grand Conch home is located across the street on the corner of Windsor Lane. MAP.

Neighboring new grand Conch House across at corner of William at Amelia

Neighboring house (also new and also Grand) at corner of Windsor Lane at Amelia Street

The property really is world famous. Google it. Or CLICK HERE (at Page 14) to read the simple description contained in "Key West Gardens and Their Stories" by Janis Frawley Holler.

This is how the listing Realtor describes this one of a kind property:

"Short Sale. Key West World Famous Medicine Garden Home. Countless around the globe have meandered through this magical estate. A rare opportunity to own such a serene, historical gem. These lush gardens include secret paths, bridges, koi ponds, fountains, coral formations, ivory flowers, purple amethyst gemstone, night blooming cactus, grotto style heated mineral pool and hot tubs. All beneath the spreading canopy of mahogany & poinciana trees. The home is master hand crafted in old growth primal sunken cypress wood with high ceilings, hardwood floors, granite & volcanic stone countertops from Madagadsgar. An open design overlooking the lush garden setting. Truly a unique property for the unique owner."

The rear two thirds of property are devoted to the pool and gardens

The pool is grotto like

CLICK HERE to view the mls listing page and take the Virtual Tour of this property. The 2292 sq ft house (note the Property Appraiser shows this house as having 1908 sq ft) has five bedrooms, three baths, and lots of living space unlike any you will see elsewhere on the island. The yard is quite large (6909 sq ft pr 49' x 141'). I found a photo of the property taken in 1965 CLICK HERE. The Property Appraiser shows major renovations were done in 2003. So what was of yore ain't no more, for sure.

800 Amelia Street has been on and off the market for quite some time. In December 2005 it was listed at $2,395,000; in May 2007 it was offered at $2,195,000; today it is a short sale and the asking price is just $799,000 or $349 per sq ft.

I agree with the listing Realtor who suggests it will require a unique owner to appreciate a property like this. If you are that person and want to see this property, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

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706 Chapman Lane - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 706 Chapman Lane at the asking price of $491,000 or $673 per sq ft. Although this listing is "new" to the listing agent, this property has been on the market for some time. I have shown it on numerous occasions. The new agent describes the property this way:

"Ideal vacation or retirement home for the couple who lives for the simple pleasures of Key West! Enjoy your large fenced spacious deck with hot tub and plenty of room to entertain. This home features Off-Street Parking,central a/c, generator, shutters and Dade County Pine. Walk, bike or scooter to all of Old Town."

This place is so very private. The tall white picket fence, dense tropical foliage and trees prevent the casual passer-by from seeing how cute this little house is. The photos above show the street view and the adjacent off-street parking space. Once inside get ready for a big surprise. This place is captivating. The place evokes an old house done-up feeling. By that I mean the old place has been brought forward to today's expectations but not overly done. There are many whimsical features that immediately make you feel at ease.

There are two bedrooms on either side of the front entry. A center hallway takes you to the back one-half of the house. There is a drop down stairway at that point that provides access to a third loft-style bedroom on the second level. This would be a perfect place for little kids or guests that you don't want to stay too long. Kids don't mind neat spaces like that. Adults will get the clue that staying in a hotel may not be such a bad idea.

Second level loft bedroom

The living room and kitchen share the back half of the house. The ceiling is vaulted and the space seems quite large and ever so friendly. One really ingenious feature of the kitchen in the rear "window" which is actually one half of a French door laid on its side. That window swings up to provide a neat pass thru to guests sitting on the other side of the bar with a very nice and large deck. The outside area has a nice awning to provide protection from the sun. CLICK HERE to checkout the mls listing info.




The rear yard is quite large. There is an existing hot tub and I think there is adequate room for a decent size pool.

This property has been used as a vacation rental in the past. Duval Street is just two blocks to the east. Blue Heaven and La Creperie are only a block away. Ft.Zach beach is a few block walk or bike ride. One of these days the City of Key West will get the final plans for the Truman Annex redevelopment completed. That property is just a couple of blocks west of 706 Chapman Lane. I think the redevelopment will bring new life and add a lot of value to homes in this neighborhood.

If you are looking for a small place in Key West that is in move-in condition and don't want to spend more than $500,000, please call me and let's take a look at 706 Champan Lane. Call Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

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