Home Buy Christmas #3 - 1110 Curry Lane - Key West

Would you like to own a home in Key West next year where you and your family or friends could gather for an Old Fashioned Christmas in a house with warmth and character? If so, consider how the listing Realtor describes 1110 Curry Lane:

"This charming home is tucked away on a pleasant, quiet lane in the heart of Old Town. It received the Historic Florida Keys Foundation Preservation Award. It has Dade County Pine walls, reclaimed Georgia heart pine floors with great attention to detail. The open floor plan and mature landscaping create a wonderful indoor/outdoor lifestyle in a lush tropical setting. There are two bedrooms and two baths. Serious cooks will appreciate the kitchen's utility with a commercial range, stainless steel appliances, and soapstone counter and sink. River rock decking surrounds the lagoon pool and waterfall. Private outdoor shower. Off-street parking."

The neighbor to the east

... and the neighbor further to the east

1110 Curry Lane is offered at the price of $799,000 or $700 per sq ft per sq ft for this 1207 sq ft treasure that sits on a 2321 sq ft lot. CLICK HERE to read the details and see listing photos.

If you bought this house you could walk to Duval Street within 5-7 minutes. Same for the Historic Seaport. There are two convenience stores on White Street, just a two minute walk away. You won't hear the noise of Harleys roaring down your street or the clang of a trolley car filled with tourists passing buy snapping photos, because they never get near the house. All manner of motor vehicles pass by the entrance to Curry Lane on a daily basis but normally only people who live on the lane actually drive a vehicle there. You see, life on a slow lane has lots of advantages.

The Studios of Key West (formerly The Armory) on White Street

Corner of Frances and Fleming Streets: two minutes from home

Corner of Grinnell and Southard Streets three minutes from home


If you would like to see 1112 Curry Lane or any other property in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

The neighbor at 1112 Curry Lane is anxious to have a new friend!

Home Buy Christmas #2 - Key West

3526 Eagle Avenue - Key West

Just listed by Key West Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 3526 Eagle Avenue in Key West, Florida. This charming three bedroom two bath home might make the perfect Key West home for your next Christmas. The listing Realtor tells us why here:

"Charming 3br/2bath in a great location in New Town. This spacious home includes lots of natural light, vaulted ceilings, tile throughout along with a state of the art kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances for the chef or wanna be chefs. The master suite, which is located at the back of the house overlooking the mature trees, allows for excellent privacy. The suite includes french doors that lead out to the large backyard. The home also comes with a storage shed out back and off street parking. What more could you ask for!"

This home is 1600 sq ft and sits on a 50' x 120' (6,000 sq ft) lot. Click GOOGLE MAP for an aerial view and then use the toggle switch for a street view of the area. This home is located in the New Town area of Key West but the house itself was actually built in 1938 whereas most of the homes in the area were built mid-century. Many of the houses have been updated since then and there are new homes that were built on infill lots as well. The homeowners in this area are predominantly full time Key West residents. This house would likely appeal to a local family looking for clean and affordable living space in a good location. There appears to be plenty of room for a pool, however, a family with small children may not want the challenge of having a pool.

3526 Eagle Avenue is offered at $399,000 or $249 per sq ft. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Better yet please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to arrange a showing of this home or any other property in Key West. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. At $249 per sq ft, this really is a home buy in Key West.

283 Golf Club Drive - Key West

I wrote about 283 Golf Club Drive earlier this year shortly after I showed it twice to a potential buyer. He ended up buying a home in the Casa Marina area and loves his decision, but he was genuinely taken by the beautiful views of this particular golf course home.


I have been inside several of the grand homes located at The Sanctuary. It's amazing the different feeling you get when you walk in the front door of 283 Golf Club and view the fairway through the French doors. It is stunning. There's no mistaking that view for anything other than a golf course. The homes on the opposite side of the fairway with their distinctive architecture are par for this course.

The master suite is located on the second floor which has a glorious rear balcony that overlooks the golf course. I remember wondering to myself as I snapped the above picture what would it be like to wake up each morning to have such a beautiful view. I don't play golf so I don't dream of owning a place on a golf course, but if I did, this view and this house would get my attention.

283 Golf Club Drive is a 1600 sq ft home that was built in 1999. The home has three bedrooms plus a study (or fourth bedroom) located off the living room. The living spaces on the main floor are broad and welcoming. With the French doors open, the outside view instantly makes the inside seem even more expansive. There are double decker porches on front and rear plus a covered off street parking spot.


The listing Realtor describes 283 Golf Club Drive this way:

"Exciting opportunity to live in Exclusive Sanctuary @ KW Golf Club! Separate gated single-family residence enclave w/in gated community. Superb location near Sanctuary gates, no need to drive thru entire loop! Magnificent vista, overlooks 16th fairway/green, peaceful lake, hammock preserve w/egrets nesting @ sunset. Lush landscaping to enjoy from delightful double-decker screened verandas directly off liv. rm. & master suite upstairs. Upgrades abound, Italian tile throughout, Berber carpet on steps, Corian counter tops, Radiant range, natural wooden blinds, 2-car driveway, private covered carport, inground jacuzzi w/island tin roof & wooden latticed privacy walls. Meticulously maintained home w/only two separate loving snowbird owners!"

Or you could buy a place in Old Town near a bar...

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property which is offered at $529,000. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Let me help you find your home in Key West.

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Key West Beachside Resort - Unit No. 432 - Bank Owned Condo

Key West Beachside Resort

Model Unit Photos - Key West Beachside Resort

A lot of people in my generation (the baby boomers) are already making plans as to where they will spend their reclining years. Many will keep a place up north for the summer and want a place in Florida for the winter. There's nothing new about that. Except there are going be so many of us soon-to-be-retirees that there may be a run on retirement places in Florida. I don't think our generation will be ready for the nursing home type facility. Instead I think a lot of us may want a place that has all of the convenience of a home with lots of amenities, no yard work, and limited housekeeping required. That's why I think the Key West Beachside Resort might make an excellent place to retire to.


The Beachside Resort is located at the east end of the island of Key West. It's close enough to drive to Old Town to see a play, to dine at a great eatery, or to party with friends. It is conveniently located near our three shopping centers. The airport and several marinas are all within a mile or so. And the Key West Golf Course is only five minutes away.

The units are designed such that the formal entry provides access to the "guest" bedroom (or second transient rental) which abuts but is not inside the main residence. I can imagine that an older couple might live in the main residence and possibly use the second bedroom by a live-in when and if that might become necessary.


Think about the luxury of calling downstairs and having the restaurant deliver your dinner to your residence on a night you don't feel like cooking or going out for dinner. If you are reading this and think my logic is a little strange, consider the cost of living in a typical assisted living facility. The Beachside Resort would not substitute for a person who needs a nursing home type facility, but it would be a great alternative for someone who is healthy that wants a no maintenance environment with lots of amenities and convenient to Key West locations.


The Beachside Resort has all of the amenities you would expect including a private beach, huge pool with poolside bar and grill, gym, lush tropical gardens, private parking, plus the hotel amenities including concierge service and restaurants. Imagine the convenience of having all of that available every day.

Unit No. 432 is Bank Owned and the asking price was just reduced to $549,500. or $405 per sq ft for this 1357 sq ft two bedroom, two bath and one-half bath luxury condominium with features that exceed what you will likely not find elsewhere in Key West and certainly not in this price range. The unit comes furnished. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"This condo is located on the top floor and offers additional outdoor space with a roof top deck and amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico. This unit is 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and will be sold with 2 transient rental licenses and all of the modern furnishing needed. The unit can be divided into 2 separate living spaces (A+B) which can be rented separate from one another, this is ideal for separate rentals. The waterfront resort offers a large heated swimming pool, a spa, a fitness center, a beautiful beach and the best restaurants on the island."

CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls listing data sheet and photos for Unit No. 432. Be sure to notice the monthly association fees of $1668 which include "Exterminating, Trash Removal, Building Exterior Maintenance, Building Insurance, Common Area Maintenance, Pool Maintenance, and Security". I've been to the Beachside Resort many times. The place is a total class act each time and all the time. You will be proud to have your friends and family visit you. You may rent or not rent your unit as well. The unit comes with two Transient Rental Licenses which permit rentals on a daily basis which can go through the hotel or through a property management company of your choosing.

Compare this bath to what you might expect to see in a similarly priced condo elsewhere in Key West. No comparison!

If you would like to see this unit or any other property in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

Home Buy Chirstmas

Take a look at the above photo of the big old Revival Style house at 630 Elizabeth Street. It sits at the tippy top of Solares Hill in Old Town Key West. It looks kind of sad and neglected. But it has the character and good bones that attract would-be restorers, people with imagination, strong backs, big arms, and a deep purse.

I took the photos below late Monday afternoon from the second floor that overlooks Windsor Lane as it heads toward the Key West cemetery and also Elizabeth Street where it intersects Angela and Windsor Lane. The views are genuinely incomparable because there is not another house with a similar commanding views.

Elizabeth Street looking northerly

Windsor Lane to the east

Anglea Street meets Elizabeth Street and merges into Windsor Lane

I found some old photos of 630 Elizabeth Street and the house across the street to the south. These photos put the house into context with the neighborhood and it's location atop Solares Hill.

630 Elizabeth was built in 1887 and was originally a store on the ground
level and had living space on the second floor. The above photo was taken in 1965.

"Intersection" of Angela Street at Elizabeth Street in 1965

1930s photo taken by WPA shows back side of 630 Elizabeth (on left)

The second storey front porch is missing. I can only imagine how grand the porch could be for a new owner sipping coffee in the morning or nursing a cocktail in the evening. Modern window unit air conditioners hang out over the sidewalk. The house would look so much better if only it were lovingly restored.

The house has good bones. It needs to be saved.

Plans have been approved by HARC to convert the present legal duplex into a single family residence. The plans provide for 2300 sq ft of living space on two floors plus conversion of some attic space. HARC even approved a rear third story porch off the rear. The HARC approved architect's plans convey with purchase.

There are several projects going on in Old Town right now where big houses are getting redone. A couple are shown just below.

1016 James Street as seen in 2010 before it was purchased for renovation

1016 James Street in December 2011 as renovation begins

1016 James Street when photographed in the 1930s by the WPA

730 Southard Street summer 2011

Work has finally started on 730 Southard Street - December 2011

1030 Fleming Street was a bank owned "MESS" two years ago

Work is almost complete - December 2011

The above photo shows the second floor interior of 630 Elizabeth Street. The place was modernized in the 1960s. The space is large and has lots of potetial. The ten foot tall walls and ceilings have Dade County Pine and the glass has historic wrinkles it is so old. The views and cross breezes up here are just great. Before air conditioning, windows provided the main cooling for houses like this. Since this house is located at the highest point in Key West, it naturally has the best breezes. And a new owner won't have to buy flood insurance.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos on this property. This is my listing. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com for more information. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. If you play your cards right, this could be your Home Buy Christmas this year and your home by Christmas next year.

628 Elizabeth Street - next door to 630 Elizabeth - cute as can be