Fantasy Fest in Key West

Last night was the People's Parade in Key West. Thousands of masked marchers paraded down Fleming Street then up Simonton Street and then came back down Duval Street to showoff their costumes (or lack thereof). This year's theme was Alice in Wonderland and many very crafty people came up with some great costumes in keeping with the theme. But I guess I will more than likely remember the oddball outfits or almost totally nude people more than the clever and expensive costumes. Year after year I am always amazed by the nerve so many people have in showing off their bodies in public. And most that do shouldn't!

As I was driving to the office this morning I had to make a quick stop. The car in front of me made a sharp veer to the left and I stopped to see what caused him to drive to erratically. There near the middle of the street was a turtle making his way across Von Phister Street near the Casa Marina Hotel. I got out of my car and picked up the turtle and put him at the side of the road so that someone less caustious wouldn't snuff him. The pic above is not the turtle in question, but they could be related.


I mention this because there is so much wildlife in Key West. We have chickens, cats and kittens, dogs, iguanas, birds of all feathers, rats (hate them), crabs, raccoons (I saw one in my yard), and all kinds of creatures great and small. And like the wildlife on the streets last night, the natural wildlife is part of the aura that makes Key West a place where a lot of people want to live.

I was in San Francisco a couple of weeks back and one of the places I looked forward to re-visiting was GUMPS. I used to go to San Francisco two or three times a year and I would go to GUMPS every trip. It is a store filled with over-price trinkets and high end art objects that you absolutely cannot live without. Or so I thought. In the old days I would see an item and think I would like to own it. I did buy things there and wanted more things from there. But now that I live in Key West my needs are much different. I have pretty much everything that I need. And if I think about it there really isn't all that much that I want anymore. Life in Key West has made me less acquisitive. We don't have that many national stores, but the Internet provides access to a world of merchandise that can be had in a few days time.

The people in San Francisco were much different than the people in Key West. The "locals" (ha, ha) are very trendy and very well dressed (or down dressed, but not undressed--unless you are in a leather bar). The tourists dress like tourists, but not like tourists dress in Key West. They have their clothes on and they tend to dress up, not down. It seems almost everybody dresses "down" in Key West.

The food prices in San Francisco actually were higher than Key West and I found this surprising. Key West tends to be very pricey, but I guess San Francisco is even more pricey. I did some real estate window shopping and found that housing prices are higher there than here. And the city by the bay beats Key West hands down when it comes to homeless people. I have never seen anything so bad. I have seen lots of beggars in Mexico and Paris, but they are everywhere in San Francisco--everywhere.

There are trade offs we make in life for living where we live and with whom we live. Key West is taking care of my needs at present. I find living with Key West wildlife and laid back atmosphere more pleasing than living in a big city like San Francisco with its' homeless population, high priced restaurants and high priced housing. We have our share of snobs, but thank God there aren't' that many of them. And they usually tend to hang together at any rate. If you stay off the snob guest list you can go far in life in Key West.

CLICK HERE to checkout all current Key West and Lower Florida Keys mls listings. Then give me a call at 305-766-2642 to set up a showing of your new home or business in Paradise.

605 Free School Lane

The asking price on 605 Free School Lane was just reduced from $1,495,000 to $1,395,000 or $856 per square foot. I think this a great buying opportunity for a second home buyer.

The house has got a lot of really great things going for it. First, it is hidden away on a quiet little lane behind the Hotel Marquesa and next door to Nancy's Secret Garden. Those two neighbors mean that the property values will never go down because the adjacent owner will always maintain their property. Second, the house is in good (not perfect) condition. It is used a legal vacation rental and has the requisite transient rental license. Third, the house is almost always rented. That means that it is almost always producing income to help pay ownership expenses when the property owner is not using the property. This is the exact proto-type of house most second home buyers envision when they think of buying a second home in Key West. Well, they may want the house to have an ocean view, but we know that is next to impossible.

When you enter the gate from Free School Lane you first see a lush yard with free form heated pool and then the beautiful 2 story home with an inviting large covered front porch. The first level features a great room, large galley style kitchen, bar area, full bath, bedroom and tile floors. Upstairs are two enormous bedrooms with private baths, vaulted ceilings and wood floors. All rooms throughout the home have french doors opening to the outdoors. You won't believe the views from the second floor. They will make your friends green with envy.

The house is in the heart of Old Town, but it is located on a quiet lane. It produces income to defer the cost of ownership, and it is always rented. It really produces income. It is totally furnished, and it even has a list people with advance reservations waiting to spend their vacation in paradise in what could be your second home. Interested, then CLICK HERE to review more info about the property and then call me at 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. Since the house is always rented, advance notice is required on all showings.

Raise High the Roofbeam Carpenters

Just listed at 330 Julia Street is a wonderful historic building In the Heart of Old Town, just one block from Duval Street. It was originally built in 1900 as the Old Keystone Church. This unique building has been meticulously renovated and converted into mixed residential and commercial space. There are four units including one huge commercial space & three apartments (one 2bd/1ba, one 1 or 2bd/1ba & a studio). Open cathedral ceilings, original wood beams, antique stained glass windows, hardwood & tile floors, reception area & conference room. A rare opportunity to purchase this exquisite, historical building. The building is 4809 square feet on a 3999 square foot lot. It is offered at $2,400,000 or $499 per square foot.

This building is also just a short walk to the Monroe County Courthouse. Since it has 4 off street parking spaces, it would make excellent law offices or other business offices.

CLICK HERE to checkout all of the photos of this one of a kind building in Key West. There are not a lot of opportunities like this.

409 William Street - The Gideon Lowe House

The Gideon Lowe House at 409 William Street is located within Key West’s National Register of Historic Places in the heart of Old Town. This 2 ½ story historic landmark was originally built by the youngest son of one of the island’s earliest Bahamian settlers (c.1845) and expanded to its current grandeur (c.1866). Today’s completed renovation was overseen by a New York architectural firm, and now is offered as a home of superior design, detail, construction, and history. The lushly landscaped yard haven is perfect for entertaining with an expansive deck finished in exotic Brazilian wood that overlooks the tiled pool. The front second story balcony provides that all important sunset view. The house has two master suites with walk-in closets plus two additional bedrooms. This restored gem sits on a sleepy and palm shaded street within walking distance to the Historic Key West Seaport and it's only three blocks from Duval. And it has 2 off street parking spaces.

The house has been a guest house for the past 20 years or so. I watched the restoration from the street and street and think this house has just about all of the bells and whistles an upper end buyer could desire. The house is priced at $2,999,000 or $1,052 per square foot. The house has been on the market for over six months so now is a good time to test the seller's pricing. If you know what I mean. Give me a call at 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing.

CLICK HERE to checkout all of the Key West mls listings. There has got to be a home or business that you absolutely cannot live without. You have been wanting to buy a place in the Keys for years. Now is the time to act. Prices are down and sellers are motivated to sell. Don't follow the crowd. Lead it.

September Home Sales in Key West

There were a mere 4 single family home sales in Key West (Key West to Shark Key to be exact) for the month of September 2007. The least expensive home was a 3 bed, 2 bath with 1,062 sq ft that sold for $400,000. The average home was 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with 1,731 sq. ft. listed at $1,092,250 and sold at $943,250 . The highest priced home was a 3 bedroom, 4 bath with 2,377 sq ft listed at $1,699,000 and sold at $1,350,000 after 1046 days on the market.

In September 2006 there were 12 single family sales with the lowest home priced at $460,000 that sold for $300,000 after 50 days on the market. The average home was a 3 bed, 2 bath with 1422 sq. ft that was listed at $767,750 and sold at$686,750. The most expensive home had 4 beds, 4 baths, 2108 sq. ft. and was originally listed at $1,550,000. It sold for $1,320,000 or $628 per sq. ft.

In September 2005 (three months before Hurricane Wilma) there were 23 sales. The least expensive home was a 2 bed 1 bath 700 sq.ft. listed at $375,000 that sold in 1 days for $365,000. The average home was a 3 bedroom 2 bath with 1,805 sq. ft listed at $1,095,000 and that sold for $1,110,000. The most expensive home was a 5 bed,6 bath Key Haven home was listed for $3,400,000 and sold for $3,000,000 after 370 days on the market.

September condo sales were better than 2006. This year there were 11 sales recorded with a combined sales price of $9,421,000. In September 2006 there were a total of 6 condo sales recorded in Key West with a combined sales price of only $2,728,000. In September 2005 there were 12 condo sales with sales totaling $8,326,000.

The pics to the right are of a Key West landmark located at 901 Fleming. The older pic is from the 1970's before the gentrification of Key West began. The newer pic is of the building today. It is listed as a historic & visible office/retail building in old Town. It was recently renovated 3 story building, 2 stories office / retail and full (unlicensed) 1BD/1BA renovated apartment on 3rd floor with 5 off-street parking spaces. The building was listed 563 days ago at $1,950,000 and now reduced to $1,690,000. The seller purchased the building in January 2002 for $745,000.

CLICK HERE to perform your own search of the Key West mls website. You can checkout all single family homes and condos for sale from Key West to Key Largo. And you can even checkout commercial properties. Later, give me a call to set up a showing of your potential new home, condo, of business in Paradise. My number is 305-766-2642.

Upper Duval Commercial Building For Sale

1211 Duval Street is th e perfect opportunity to move or expand your business onto Duval St.. Real estate for sale only. This beautiful two-story historical building is the birth place of Mario Sanchez and now home to the world famous Banana Cafe. Located just two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean in the 'Gallery District' of upper Duval St., it is within a short walk to South Beach and the Southernmost House. The ocean can be glimpsed from second floor. The commercial unit on the first floor is currently operating as high volume, established restaurant with indoor & patio seating. There are 3 transient licensed units upstairs with conversion possibilities. Could be purchased along with one or both of the adjoining properties located at 1207 Duval St and 505-507 Louisa Street located immediately to the east. CLICK HERE for full information on the 505-507 Louisa Street properties.

The asking price on this property is $1,685,000 or $790 per square foot. Not bad for a Duval Street location with transient licenses. Please call me to schedule a showing or to provide you with more financial information on the property.

Key West After Dark

Truth be told: I don't go out at night all that often. But when I do venture out I am always amazed at the people, the lights, the smells, and the sounds of the night in Key West.

So I thought I would take this opportunity to share some pics of Key West at night for those not fortunate enough to live here, or those, like me, who do and who love Key West after dark. Click on any pic for a larger version and a statement about the pic. Enjoy.



Dunway McKenzie Realtors, my office located at 1075 Duval Street in Key West.


Photo taken through a chain link fence at night across the street from my office. Even the statues in Key West are later nighters.


Historic Key West Seaport


Mallory Square from a ship.


Key West as seen from a ship.


Historic Key West Seaport


click the pic for the gossip


Marquesa Hotel is just across the street from "gossip" photo.


Blue Heaven eatery--if you don't mind the chickens in the trees.


St. Pauls


St. Pauls again


The Strand before it became a Walgreens.


Working Girls--drag queens in front of the 801 Bar.


The Longest Street in the world--almost. It stretches from Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. One mile.


Rick's on Duval.


A 5 unit apartment just off Duval at Christmas.


The Artist House guesthouse on Eaton just off Duval. It is for sale and it is our listing. Wanna become an inkeeper? Call me.


Key West's painted ladies.

Why Key West?

"Why Key West?", you ask. Why not? Look at the aerial photo of our little slice of Paradise. Our island is four miles long and one mile wide. Another question pops right into my mind when I look at pics like this: "How could I ever live on such a small space in the middle of the ocean?"

I guess when you are young and looking to make big bucks or make a name for yourself, the accumulation of things and the attainment of notoriety are important. But as you grow older, you realize that your days are numbered and that fortune and fame may not provide the fulfillment you seek.


As a perennial tourist I dreamed of eventually moving to Key West. I envisioned what it would be like to live here and imagined all the things I would do and the people I would meet. For me life turned out a little differently. I live three blocks from the ocean but rarely go there. I find riding my bike more enjoyable and less troublesome than driving my car principally because of the erratic driving habits of tourists and the conch train operators--especailly during Season. I know lots of people by site but not a lot by name. Sometimes I'll go a year or longer between seeing people I know. But when the occasion occurs and I spot a familiar face I recognize the person as a kindred spirit.


You learn to spot locals with ease. And I can now pretty much tell if someone is a Conch just by looking at the face or how the person walks. If I were blind I could tell a Conch by the pattern of speech. Really.

Key West is a small island, but it is not provincial. Rather, it is the most worldly place you can imagine. Well over half the people I know are not from Key West. And about half of those people are not Americans. There is a huge European, Latin American, and South African population here. There are many small ethnic restaurants and hangouts. Many come to Key West for the opportunity to make money, but it is the live-and-let-live atmosphere and the great weather that keeps them here.

My only regret about moving to Key West is that it took me so long to make the move. The price of a home or condo is more affordable today than it has been in about the past five years. So if you have been putting off the move waiting for the opportune time why not CLICK HERE to search the Key West mls website to find your new home. Then send me an email for more information. GaryEThomas@aol.com

The Key West Riviera

I finally moved to Key West just a few days before Christmas in 1993. And a few days after Christmas I went on the Old Island Restoration Foundation's annual Christmas House tour. One of the homes was located on The Key West Riviera--actually Riviera Drive at the far eastern end of the island of Key West.

I needed directions to find the house since I had never even heard of the area. And was I in for a huge and very pleasant surprise. The house was on the north side of the Riviera Canal so the backyard of the house bounded the canal. But it was what was on the opposite side of the canal that amazed me: nothing. Nothing that is but mangroves. It was like being in a house in the wilderness. It was so peaceful, serene, and bucolic. I did not know that any such type of house existed in Key West. I thought every house was either old like the conch houses in Old Town or suburban like the cracker boxes in New Town. But the houses on the Rivera Canal were just amazing.

Key West also has homes on the Sunrise and Flagler Canals. And the prices of the homes on all three canals vary from affordable to very, very pricey. Most of the homes have docks so the owners can navigate their boats to sea for an evening cocktail cruise.

The pics on this blog are of a home located in the 3300 block of Riviera. It is a 3 bed, 3 bath home built in 1958 with 1891 square feet of living space on a larger (7375 square foot lot). It has a dreamy kitchen, a pool, two boat lifts, and a killer view of the wildlife preserve across the canal. There will never, ever be a house or condo across the canal. No noisy neighbors or prying eyes. Just the little animals, birds, and fish. And the price isn't all that bad: $1,499,000.

CLICK HERE to search for your new home on the Key West Riviera and then give me a call at 305-766-2642 to set up a private showing. I suggest we take the first peak around sunset. You won't believe how truly beautiful the setting will be.

There's No Place Like Home--if you live in Key West

I was in Atlanta last weekend buying fixtures for my soon to be remodeled house in Key West. During the ride in from the airport the cab driver told me that greater Atlanta now has about 5.5 million people. The next day I took a cab to the Buckhead area for dinner. There was an accident and traffic was backed up for miles. The next night another cab ride to the same area. Another accident knocked out traffic on I-75 for more than 24 hours.

The buildings in Atlanta are huge. The streets are congested. And there are so many people. I was in culture shock. I am not used to all that commotion. By contrast the buildings in Key West are in scale to our little island. The Hotel La Concha is the tallest building in Key West and it only has six floors. Some of the hotels on Roosevelt Boulevard have three floors, but most of the rest of the commercial and residential properties in Key West are either single or two story structures. The City of Key West adopted an ordinance a few years back limiting the height and density of new construction and it seems to be working quite well.

Some developers have been litigating the restrictions imposed by the city ordinance. And most of the lawsuits have been adjudicated in favor of the developers. But I think most of the residents of Key West really appreciate the height restrictions. We want to keep our little piece of Paradise pretty much the way it is. That does not mean we don't want to grow, but we want to keep growth in proportion.

Our major streets get congested during season and on busy weekends such as this one--it's Poker Run weekend. But most of the time you can drive your car or scooter just about anywhere without delay except if you go by a school or during our 5:00 PM rush hour (that lasts about 5 minutes).

And as for people, we have around 25,000 full time residents and depending on the day and time of year we could have 10,000 visitors such as are expected this weekend. This summer has been relatively quiet as compared to prior years in part, I think, because many visitors grew wary of mandatory evacuations imposed by over-zealous county or city officials fearing hurricanes over the past few years. Upper Duval has been especially quiet this year. And lower Duval has experienced some financial woes as well. Fast Buck Freddies has a huge Summer Sale sign in its windows. Fast Bucks never has a sale.

We make choices in life and there are a lot of us 25,000 full time residents who could live somewhere else and do what we did before we moved here and make more money in the process. But then if you are just living in the process as opposed to living your dream, what is the point. You could be tied up in traffic congestion in a city like Atlanta, Miami, Boston, or any other larger metropolitan area. You could have 5.5 million "neighbors" if you live in Atlanta. You could live in a co-op way up in the sky or live in a five story walk-up in SoHo if you live in New York City.

If you are tired of living in the process and want to live your dream, CLICK HERE to checkout all of the current mls listings for the Key West area. Then give me a call at 305-766-2642 for more information. There is no place like home if you are fortunate enough to live in Key West.

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