421 Catherine Street - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 421 Catherine Street in Key West, Florida.  This house has been totally rebuilt from the ground up. It is in tip top condition.  The listing Realtor describes the property as:

"Charming and meticulously renovated 2 bedroom 2.5 bath home in Old Town Key West. The home has a breezy front porch for relaxing and watching the interesting neighborhood stroll past. The interior is impeccable with cherry floors, and vaulted ceilings. There is a bedroom and bath on the first floor, top of the line kitchen, half bath,surround sound system, and living room which opens through French doors to the private back yard. There is a master bedroom and bath with walk-in closet and a balcony on the second floor. New roof and hurricane shutters."

The house did not always look as good as it does today. I dug into my old shoebox and found a photo taken nearly 50 years ago. The notation on the back of the photo says the house was built around 1889.

This property is a cigar maker cottage that has been enlarged from the original building with a two story addition at the rear. The addition provided more interior living space. Some original walls were removed. This permitted the builder to create living spaces that better suit the way we live our lives today. The historic entry was retained.  The classic 'shot gun' style entry hallway was retained. The hallway is now vaulted.   Wainscoting and wall sconces were added to the hallway.  Pocket doors were added to provide privacy to the first floor bedroom. The adjacent bath doubles as guest bath as well.

The kitchen is located midway in the house. This space is very welcoming and radiates warmth. Rich wood trim was added throughout the house during the renovation. The main floor ceilings are now enhanced by wood slats that give the house a sense of immense strength - at least in my mind.  Custom kitchen cabinets and the mini-bar at the rear add style to substance in these areas.

The stairway leads to the second floor master suite which includes an unique bath and large walk-in closet.  The second floor balcony that overlooks the back yard where there is room for a pool.

If you are a buyer that wants to occasionally rent a property to offset some of the costs of ownership,  I think 421 Catherine Street would make a great vacation rental.  The property is located about 1/2 block off Duval Street.  South Beach is a five minute walk to the south. LaTeDa and lots of nearby restaurants, bars, galleries, shops, and more are minutes away in either direction on Duval Street.  Vacationers will love the convenient location and the beautiful spaces, large bedrooms, and private baths.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos.  If you would like to see this lovely little home in person, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1108 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida - An Old Town Beauty

Just listed, but not by me, 1108 Fleming Street, Key West. This home is the model of what would-be buyers hope to find in an Old Town Key West home. The listing Realtor describes the home this way:

"Located in the heart of Old Town Key West sits this quintessential Key West cottage. The lovely front porch framed with bougainvillea creates a picturesque entry. Wood floors & painted wood walls grace this light filled three bedroom & three bath home. Offering a 1st floor bedroom & 2nd floor master suite with an office space. Not a detail has been missed in the open floor plan - even the poolside guest cottage is something out of Coastal Living magazine. Perfect indoor/outdoor living from the great room & kitchen out to the patio, heated pool & outdoor shower. The sunny patio & pool area are perfect for entertaining with a wet bar & space for dining and lounging. Bricked off-street parking off Curry Ln. in the rear of the home."

The house is bright and cheery from front to back and bottom to top. Every room is different, but the entire place flows evenly and with purpose. Three sets of French doors at the rear appear to extend the great room out to the pool, rear deck, and guest cottage beyond. There is also off street parking located behind the guest cottage.  The cottage is tiny but ever-so-cute.  There is an outdoor shower where guests can shower in the sunshine or under the moon glow. It's pure magic. Your guests will beg you to let them stay there. 

The house is laid out with one bedroom located at the front of the house on the main floor. Except for the elegant entry hall and stairway, the kitchen and living area comprise the balance of the first floor. The master bedroom has an adjacent sitting area or office. The second floor bedroom is filled with lots of built-ins. The listing Realtor states the house and cottage have a combined total of 1604 sq ft of living space under air. This beautiful home is now offered for sale at $1,300,000. 

Main Floor Bedroom

Three sets of French doors at the rear of the main house look out to the pool, deck, and guest cottage. While the space is compact, every inch of space is part of an aesthetic design that flows from the inside to the outside. All spaces are treated as each matters - and they do. Nothing has been left undone.

 

 

CLICK HERE to view more photos of 1108 Fleming Street which is located at the far end of Fleming Street just a few doors from White Street. Duval Street is perhaps an 8 to 10 minute walk to Duval Street. Or you can walk to the Historic Seaport in about the same time. There are two neighborhood convenience stores on White Street. And there are numerous restaurants and cafes within a few minutes walk. Most of the gyms and yoga studios are located up near the corner of White at Truman - a five minute walk.   

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this beautiful Key West home that really is Pretty as a Picture. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your home in Paradise.

1123 Petronia Street Key West - Affordable Old Town Residence

The listing Realtor, not me, describes the new listing at 1123 Petronia Street, Key West as a

"Great quite location in Old Town Key West. 2 Bedrooms and 2.5 Bathrooms. Walk and bike to everything.Property was completely renovated in 2007. Move in ready with room for a pool in rear. X Zone so no flooding concerns."

As I prepared to write today's blog (which is my 2001st post) I searched the old shoebox to find an old photo of the property. I looked and looked until I found one that is the house but the number on the back side shows the house either misidentified as 1121 Petronia Street or that the city changed the number at a later date (either scenario is plausible).  I took a similar shot yesterday which is 49 years after the black and white photo was taken. Don't you wish you could look that much better after 49 years in your life?

I also looked in the old Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine the approximate age of the building. I did find what I believe to be 1123 Petronia Street in the 1892 map. The street number then was 723 Petronia.  Many street numbers were changed over the years.  I suspect this is one of those instances.  When you enter the house you know the place is old, but it looks nice and new at the same time.

This is a smallish home of approximately 833 sq ft divided between two floors. The main level consists of the front entry, kitchen and dining area, half bath and living room. Two sets of French doors open out to the lanai and potential pool area.  The listing agent told me the owner had plans for the construction of a pool. CLICK HERE to view all the photos I took.

Both bedrooms have private baths and nice sunny views. The front bedroom has a really sweet second floor front porch that is just awesome. What a great spot to have your morning coffee.

This single family home is about 153 sq ft larger than a typical Shipyard condo and it is priced at about the same price point.  1123 Petronia Street is offered at $599,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. 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. As I write this blog there are just five single family homes in Old Town priced this low or lower.  I suspect someone will snap-up this sharp listing fairly quickly.