1121 Watson Street #2 - Key West - Short Sale

1121 Watson Street #2 in March 2011

1121 Watson Street #2 in 1965

Just listed, but not by me, 1121 Watson Street Unit #2 in the Conch Grove Compound in Old Town Key West. The listing agent describes the property this way:

"Renovated cigar makers cottage tucked away in a charming gated old town compound. Eleven homes share an extra large heated pool surrounded by mature tropical landscaping. Cottage was renovated in 2005. New roof in 2009. Move in condition. Just bring your flip flops and bathing suit to wile away the winter blues!! (Homes owned fee simple as part of a homeowners association.)"

The huge sunny pool is about 40 feet directly south of the front door

1121 Watson Street #2 is located two blocks west of White Street and two blocks south of Truman Avenue in the Conch Grove Compound which consists of several cottages and single family homes that share a large sunny and heated pool, gardens, and off street parking. The property is not a condominium. The owner of each cottage or house owns the ground under the property in fee simple. But all property owners share ownership of all of the common areas. Each cottage or house is unique. So the place does not look like a Disney version of Key West. It is the real thing. And I mean that in the most positive way. Writer James Kirkwood, co-author of "A Chorus Line", was one of the first homeowners in the Conch Grove Compound. Local author David Kaufelt used to live there as well. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database on this property.

1121 Watson Street #2 is a one bedroom one bath cottage that is offered as a short sale at the asking price of $299,000. The cottage is just 420 square feet in size plus 5' x 14' porch. The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows that it sits on a 25' x 58' (1422 sq ft) lot. I know this is a small property. That is why it is called a 'cottage'.

If you would like to see this property, please contact 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, Florida. This property will not last long at this price. Serious buyers need to act decisively.

813 Frances Street - Old Town Charmer - Short Sale - Key West

813 Frances Street - Old Town - Key West

813 Frances Street just became a Short Sale and is now offered at just $699,000. 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. And the second bedroom is a second floor open loft that looks down to the front entry. There is even one of those Key West step-through showers to the pool.

The listing Realtor describes this home thus:

" Elegant and beautiful historic home featured in several designer magazines is 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. Short sale subject to lender approval."

Cozy is the best way to describe this wonderful living area

Imagine living here in January

Kitchen window to right opens onto a poolside bar area

Elegant and understated master suite

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 Street and perhaps four minutes to the Historic Seaport. The Coffee Mill is a block away (as are several other yoga studios), Old Town gym is one 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.Sandy's Cafe is two blocks away and Fausto's Food Palace is across the street.

This cottage has appeared in several books on Key West architecture and houses. It has the "look" on the outside and the cozy feeling on the inside that make people want to own a place in Key West. The pool, the parking, the extra space for the occasional guest make this cottage home a Key West property worthy of very careful consideration.

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

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view many listing photos. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com, to schedule a showing. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

1026 Howe Street - Bahama Village - Key West

1026 Howe Street - Key West

One of my fellow agents asked me to cover his listings for him while he is taking a well deserved vacation. Yesterday I got to show his listing at 1026 Howe Street which is a two bedroom two bath cottage style home in the Bahama Village area of Old Town Key West. Here is how the listing agent describes this house:

"Beautiful 2/2 home in a quiet area. Recent renovations and upgrades. Back yard would allow for a dip pool. Large kitchen working area, plenty of cabinets. Off street parking. Convenient to all downtown restaurants, galleries and shopping. No comparison in the Old Town area under $600,000. Owners are very motivated and will seriously consider all reasonable offers."

The property is currently rented on a long term basis (with a quick kick-out for potential buyers). As you enter the main level you immediately see a spacious living area followed by a galley kitchen to the right rear. There is a good sized bedroom and bath on this floor to the left of the kitchen with separate entries to the bedroom and bathroom which share an internal passage as well. To the left you see a modern stairway leading to the second floor bedroom and bath. The door at the rear of the kitchen leads to the large rear yard that, for now, is just 'potential'. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos for this home.

Room for a pool

Looking east across Howe Street

As I waited for the potential buyers to arrive, I stood on the front porch to survey the neighborhood. Two really attractive single family homes are across the street to the east. Next door to the north is a condominium of affordably priced condos with transient licenses. And there is public housing about 150 feet to the south.

This general area is two blocks from the soon to be developed Truman Annex marina and redevelopment parcel. I am a believer that some of the very best values exist right now in this immediate area because of the long term appreciation potential. Think forward to just a few years when the Truman Annex redevelopment is complete and being able to walk to your boat, or the amphitheater, or any of the other projected amenities.

If you are a buyer looking for a house that needs just a bit of TLC that you can do yourself, this may be the place you have been looking for. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

Boo!

700 Eaton Street - Old Town - Key West

I borrowed the above photo from the Internet that the photographer called a "dilapidated" Key West house. That photo reminded me of another black and white vision from my past (our collective past, really), and that is of the Boo Radley House in To Kill a Mockingbird.

It's funny how a house can look so scary, so foreboding. Some places make people just cringe when they walk by scary houses. I, on the other hand, get excited about the prospect of fixing up old places to see what they could become if given a second lease on life.

Boo Radley's House today - only now it's painted and sits behind a white picket fence

700 Eaton Street viewed from the west side

Shed addition to the rear of 700 Eaton Street

The scary and "dilapidated" house at 700 Eaton Street with its enormous side yard is now available for sale at the asking price of $1,190,000. It will be interesting to see what becomes of this potentially great Key West property.

I got to see the inside and to walk the grounds of this relic a few weeks ago during Realtor caravan where we look at recent listings. I was just awed by the grounds. I took my time taking photos of the various vignettes scattered across the side lot and rear yard. I marveled at the charm of this place the way it sits. I wished I had a buyer for a place like this. But I knew that way too many potential buyers would refuse to even consider this grand old property just because it sits on Eaton Street-as if that is a crime. Damned fools! - I thought.

The house almost looks like it hasn't been lived in for decades. That's not the case, but it sure looks that way. Not much has been done to the inside. The place is full of Dade County Pine, old glass windows, solid doors with ancient hinges and door knobs that still work. I stood on the second floor front porch and took a photo of the Royal Poisianna Tree. Late this Spring that tree will be ablaze with tiny red flowers. What a view that will be from the porch.

Decades of paint have been stripped off the Dade County Pine walls in the front room (above)

If you are looking to redo a Key West house, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of 700 Eaton Street. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. This is worth your time!

1012 Southard Street - Premier Old Town Location - Key West

1012 Southard Street - Old Town - Key West

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. (that's where I work) is the listing broker for 1012 Southard Street in Old Town Key West.

We all know the Golden Rule of Real Estate: "Location, Location, Location". The home at 1012 Southard Street has a premier location. This particular block has several architecturally or historically significant homes. The house next door CLICK HERE for example was the feature home in an Architectural Digest issue a few years back. And just about everybody recognizes the Gingerbread Man House CLICK HERE house two doors to the east. The simple yet majestic home across the street CLICK HERE dominates the smaller somewhat smaller houses on the rest of the block. If you haven't been to Key West for a year or so you will see that the Haitian Art Gallery has been replaced by Jan George Interior Design but you will be glad to see that Cafe Sole is still where it belongs. Five Brothers Grocery and Sandwich Shop is a block to the west. And the rest of Key West is at your footsteps.

The listing Broker describes 1012 Southard Street this way:

"Super value in a most sought after location in historic old town! This charming property features a 3/2 home that could be a show place w/some updating/renovation plus a move in ready 1/1 guest cottage. Both houses open to the covered lanai and spacious, sunny decked pool area. The large lot features off-street parking. This is a great opportunity!"

Guest Cottage is to the left

Guest Cottage

The house at 1012 Southard Street was built circa 1899 according to the Monroe County Property Appraiser. The house has been added onto and updated over the years. There is a guest cottage at the rear that adds to the total square footage of the property. The 1932 sq ft home and cottage have a total of four bedrooms and three baths and sit on a large 50' x 100' lot. (That is a really big lot for Old Town!) There is ample off street parking.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view more listing photos.

1012 Southard Street is offered at $895,000 or $463 per sq ft. This house and its charming guest cottage are worth looking at. I hosted an open house here last November and many of those that looked said they had no idea how large the property was nor how big the pool is. You simply cannot appreciate what is behind a facade. You really must see the property to appreciate what it is and what it could become.

If you would like to see 1012 Southard Street or any other home in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. Our office is the Lower Florida Keys exclusive affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

Open House - Today - 418 Porter Lane - Truman Annex - Key West

Porter Court - Truman Annex - Key West Wonderful Living

Open House - Today - March 12th
12:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM
418 Porter Lane in the Truman Annex

Looking for the perfect carefree retreat...look no further! This beautifully decorated Porter Court 2 Bedroom/2.5 Bath condo is located in the gated community of Truman Annex. Nicely sited for privacy, yet just steps away from the pool, and only 2 blocks from Duval Street. The unit is being sold turn-key and comes with a TRANSIENT RENTAL LICENSE. A fabulous opportunity to own a second home or a vacation rental property. This pristine unit is in move-in condition. And it is fully furnished.

Offered at $699,000. CLICK HERE to see the mls datasheet.

Drop by and meet me, Gary Thomas, or call me at 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

Best Friends

Not Rex's house

A valued buyer of mine, who I will call "Rex", recently told me a true story that had me rolling on the floor.

Rex is a most understated man. He wears simple clothes and has no self-pretense. He doesn't talk much about himself. For the most part his presence in a room or place is unremarkable.

He told me that he left high school at age sixteen and never competed his education. He didn't stop learning. His education came from real life and an inquisitive mind. Before I met Rex in person, I had many phone conversations. He asked pointed questions that revealed he had actually thought about the issue he was concerned about. And then he listened to the response. He eventually bought a property from me sight unseen. But his purchase was not based only on what I said but also on what he learned himself by searching the public records online and doing Google aerial and street views of the property. At last he had his vacation getaway in Key West.

Rex lives in a small town - the same town he lived in as kid and as the high school dropout. Last year he got invited to the high school reunion. Odd, he thought, since he did not graduate. But he went. He owns a couple of businesses in his town, and he became a bigger fish in the small pond than most of his classmates might have expected. He mentioned to someone that he bought a place in Key West. Ears perked up!

Ears perked up!

Now every high school in America has to have the class jock and cheerleader that end up getting hitched. Sometimes it may be the unexpected baby or may be just true love, but high school romances that become lifelong relationships are a fabric of our lives. And the most awesome people in Rex's class followed form and became mates for life. The former football star and all around jock moved in on Rex and let him know how great it was to see him again after all these years. Pals, once more.

Except when Rex was in high school nobody paid much attention to him. And especially not the big jock. Rex didn't know the big guy even knew his name. Same for the cheerleader girlfriend turned wife. She never looked Rex in the eyes let alone speak to him or acknowledge his existence.

So it came as a complete surprise this past Tuesday night when the jock called Rex from the airport in Miami stating he and the wifey were heading to Key West and asked if they could stay with Rex. Rex had himself just arrived for a couple of days for rest and relaxation. He was so shocked by the bold question that all he could do was say "Yes". The couple arrived a few hours later and moved in with Rex and his wife.

The couple only stayed two nights but showed their genuine appreciation for Rex's long time friendship and offer to share his home by taking Rex and his wife to dinner - at Margarittaville where they were treated to a ten dollar hamburger.


The couple did not outstay their invitation (wait, they were not invited, they asked to stay). They left their old friend Rex after just two days, and all is right with the world. Hugs and kisses and can't wait to see you again!

The next day Rex and I were talking when the post high school reunion at Rex's house came up. We laughed about it. Everybody I know has had a similar situation occur although not with total strangers. I asked if I could share his experience with you, and Rex willingly agreed. A few minutes later and called back and suggested a possible title for the blog. I think his suggestion works better as as a postscript.

You weren't my friends in high school. Why do you want to be my friends now?