1441 Thompson Street, Key West - Bank Owned

Just Listed, by not by me, 1441 Thompson Street in Key West, Florida.  This home was built new in 1985 and reflects the architectural style and building elements that were incorporated to homes at that time. Remember, 1985 was 30 years ago. That is when TV shows like Golden Girls, Growing Pains, MacGuyver were popular.  Lots of TV stars and regular folks sported hairstyles which probably look a bit out of place today. And so it is just a bit with this house. It's not that this house needs a makeover as much as it needs a trip to a stylist. This home is going to make some new owner mighty proud to call this place home.

The 1170 sq ft house sits on a large 51' X 100' sq ft lot at the corner of Flagler Avenue at Thompson Street. You can't see the house from the street as a huge privacy fence hides the house from view. And decades of tree growth have hidden any potential view that might once have been visible.

Once inside the gate you see the late twentieth century design with big sloping roofs and louvered windows. The house sits high off the ground surrounded by a bricked courtyard and lots of trees and overgrown shrubs. A competent arborist could whip this once beautiful yard into shape, of that I am sure.

When you open the front door the design elements of this house shout out for attention from various points. The pool is visible through three sets of French doors to the left. The ceiling soars two stories high. The kitchen is visible on the far side of the open staircase to the second floor bedrooms, and a guest suite is opened adjacent to the front door.

The guest bedroom has a mini-kitchen and an odd lock on the door. Methinks someone probably rented this quite large space instead of using it as a part of what is supposed to be a single family residence.  I think a new owner would replace the louvered windows with impact glass windows, replace what I assume is no longer functioning central air conditioning, and eliminate that funny little mini-kitchen.  This space would make a great ground floor master suite.

One bath services both second floor bedrooms. The bedroom at the far west side has glass paneled doors which allow light to enter this room. The other bedroom has a traditional door.

The pool and deck area look like they were once a source of great pride and joy foe the former owner. It's easy enough to trim the trees and prune away overgrown limbs and make volunteer plants and growth go away. The decks need attention - they may even need replaced. The beauty of this place is everlasting. It just needs some new owner that cares and who is willing to spend the money to make it glorious again. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this property.

Please contact me for more information on this home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, or by email at kw1101v@aol.com.

921 Whitehead Street - Old Town Key West

I showed the centuries old house located at 921 Whitehead Street in Key West yesterday afternoon.  As I sat on the front porch waiting for the prospective buyer I looked across the street at the historic old Key West lighthouse. I was so taken by the view. This is the kind of house so many home shoppers want but which, sadly, only a few can afford. I mused how different the house and the view would have been a century earlier before all the tourists arrived when the former residents would pass the time of day as horse drawn carts passed by this truly grand home.

I searched the 1889 Historic Sanborn Fire Map and learned that 217 Whitehead Street was on that map. The 1892 map showed that 217 Whitehead Street had been renumbered 921 Whitehead Street. So we know that this old house existed as early as 1889.   

When you walk inside the house that first couple of things you notice are the huge staircase to the left, the wide hallway and rich wood floors, and the doorway that opens to the right which leads into the kitchen and dining area.  The living room at 921 Whitehead Street is now at the rear where it has views of the pool.

The pool and deck area are surprisingly large. The pool is extra long and ought to be sunny for most of the day. The pool area is very private. There is a bricked patio behind the living area. There are bricked side yards on both sides of the house where the mechanical systems and storage is located.  It looked to me as though this home has been fastidiously maintained.
The home has four bedrooms. One bedroom is located on the main floor. The master suite is on the second floor where there is also a guest bedroom. There is a third floor has two rooms plus bath.

The two petite French doors to the left open out to the second floor front porch. I walked outside to take in the view of the old lighthouse across the street. The keeper's house is located to the lower left and the lighthouse to the right. I spied tourists taking selfies. Maybe I'll be in one of their photos as a keepsake of their time in Paradise.

CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this incredibly handsome historic Key West located only a couple of steps away from the Ernest Hemingway House. The Southernmost Point is just a couple of blocks to the south. The tower at the US spy station is viewable in the photo above. It is located next to Ft Zach Taylor State Park and Beach which is a ten minute or so walk or bike ride.  Duval Street and all of the daytime and nighttime hullabaloo is one block to the east.

And CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this beautiful Key West home. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a private showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  

1324 Seminary Street #B, Key West, Florida

Buyers who are looking for either an affordable full time residence in Key West home or a getaway place with a pool, parking, and a price that won't break the bank ought to consider 1324 Seminary Street #B in Key West. The listing Realtor, not me, describes this condominium this way:

"Adorable 2-Bedroom Condo with Private Pool. Built in 1933 and renovated in 2004, this is one of two units tucked away in a secluded enclave with its own pool (not shared with the other condo). Totally fenced for privacy and tropically landscaped. Ample off-street parking and low condo fees make this the perfect little hideaway. Located two blocks off White St and just a short walk or bike ride to Faustos, Bay View Park and downtown. New central A/C and storm shutters. Move-in condition!"

The building was converted into two condominiums in 2004. Unit #B is located at the rear of the property and is a bit larger than the front unit. The yard is totally fenced for privacy and has new concrete walkways and pool deck.  The exterior of the building looks to be in very good condition. CLICK HERE to see more photos I took.

The home has 744 sq ft of interior living space composed of the living area, two good sized bedrooms, kitchen, bath, and a family room with vaulted ceiling and French doors that open out to the pool.  The asking price is just $399,000 or $536 per sq ft. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property. The condo fees are $419.15 per month which covers common area maintenance, building insurance, and exterminating.  Since there are just two units in this condo association, I think it would be difficult to finance.  I think the probable buyer would pay cash for this home.