Don't Be a Cry Baby!

At the bottom of almost every blog post I leave a comment as to how to contact me either by phone or email. I actually do get emails and phone calls from prospective buyers. I respond and we sometimes meet in real life. Most of these potential buyers have a dream of owning a place in Key West (why else would they contact me!). And most of those potential buyers have developed their own perspective of the Key West real estate market.

The Key West Association mls website is open for anyone to use. CLICK HERE. It provides lots of easy to access information on all real estate listings. You might even become so proficient that you might think you don't even need a Realtor to help get the deal done. You would be wrong. Nothing is simple in life or real estate. And cute little Old Town Key West can be very complicated sometimes.

In just about one week the "population" of Key West will nearly double in size. Fantasy Fest will begin and thousands of wanna-be-Key-Westers will make their annual pilgrimage to pretend in paradise. And you can be your very last red nickle that a bunch of them are planning on looking at (and maybe buying) the dream home that eluded them before. Many have made plans to come down here and buy while the prices are low. They plan on waving cash in front of desperate sellers in hopes of snagging a trophy of a house be it big or small.

In the past week I have had two different people contact be about one particular house I wrote about some time back. I sent both the info they requested and we talked on the phone that property in particular. One person had a friend actually look at the house. Then we talked some more. The potential buyer advised a trip is coming up in early November and that he or she would look at the house then. And I said something like "Fantasy Fest is coming up in a week. This house will probably be bought. You need to tie it up now before someone else gets it." I don't try to pressure people, but I do encourage them to be realistic.

There are some incredible deals on really large houses. If you are a million dollar buyer you can get a lot of house for the money these days. There are some good deals on smaller houses. Most of those properties are livable but most would be good candidates for a remodel.

I could be terribly wrong on my prediction that we are going to have a lot of "real" buyers in town during the next two weeks. If I am right the "inventory" of unsold homes will drop dramatically and there will be a lot of cry babies boo-hooing over the fact that they missed the opportunity to buy into their dream.

CLICK HERE to search the real Key West mls website. This is the site owned by the Key West Association of Realtors. If you see a property that you like, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 or by e-mail at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc., an affiliate of Christie's Great Estates. We have some great estate properties in case that is what you are looking for. And there are still come very cute little cottages left. Some may need some fixing. Don't wait too long. Don't be a cry baby!

Opportunity Knocks - 1317 Reynolds Street - Key West - Casa Marina Area

The 1203 sq ft ranch located at 1317 Reynolds Street is priced right and it is a good candidate for an extreme home makeover. I showed this house two weeks ago and at first was put off a bit by the knotty pine walls and the dark atmosphere of the place. But as I explored the house more I got it. The "it" is the location and the building. Not the structure as it exists today but rather what it could become after a renovation.

A lot of the charming Key West cottages were probably not quite as charming before they had the interior walls rearranged and pools and gardens added. I tell buyers not to accept existing floor plans because you can make your house what you want on the inside. Of course it costs money to tear down existing walls and to relocate them. But the end result can often turn cramped quarters into deluxe digs.

The lot at 1317 Reynolds street is 46'.25 x 90' or 4162 sq ft. The front yard is presently covered with lots of vegetation and there is a paved off street parking space. The rear has an elevated deck and there is both a hot tub and a fish pond. The rear also has tropical vegetation. I think the ground floor area would permit the expansion of the house either as a ranch or by adding a second story. Perhaps one could even demolish the house and build a fresh new place on the lot.
New construction is usually less expensive than renovation. The house was built in 1948 so it would be necessary to determine whether the house can be demolished.

The house is located across the street from the Reynolds School CLICK HERE. I believe that school is used as kindergarten through grade two. The front of the property is a drop off point for parents taking the tots to school. The house is also less than a five minute walk to Higgs Beach CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE. just four blocks to the south. The location is an easy bike ride to the shops on White Street and Duval Street four blocks to the west.

1317 Reynolds is not a short sale. It is offered at $375,000 or $312 per sq ft. This is how the listing Realtor describes the property:

"Nice Casa Marina CBS home on a good sized lot and located in the X500 flood zone. The house is currently configured with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, a nice kitchen with wood cabinets and a good floorplan. There's a nice rear yard currently with a spa but if you'd prefer there is room for a pool. Well priced for the area and you could live in it as is or renovate. Off street parking for one car."

CLICK HERE for more details on this house and to view photos of the exterior and interior.

If you would like to schedule an appointment to see 1317 Reynolds, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. I live in the Casa Marina area and I love it. You will too.

815 Eaton Street - Old Town - Key West - Short Sale

The very cute two bedroom Key West cottage located at 815 Eaton Street is offered as a short sale at the asking price of $325,000. The listing Realtor describes the house this way:

"Happy home. Quaint wrap around people watching porches frame this whimsical and romantic gingerbread Conch cottage. Lots of natural light and windows. Lovely Old Town neighborhood between William and Margaret. Relaxing retreat just around the corner from the historic seaport, orange and gold sunsets, tall ships, great food, tasty drinks and lively entertainment. Walk or bike to everything fun and interesting. Duval Street art and culture just a hop, skip and a jump! Excellent location for fun-lovers. Beautiful wood floors, 5 ft side yard, nice sized back yard. Pretty little front yard with a white picket fence. Huge cistern would be a great wine cellar."

The house has 725 sq ft of living space and was updated a couple of years ago. There are nice new floors and the kitchen looks relatively new. The second bedroom probably works better as a place for a child or as an office. It would be difficult to use as a full time bedroom.

The owner advised me that there is room for an 8' x 14' pool at the rear of the property and that the pool could be built to code setback requirements. (CLICK HERE to see what an 8'x 14' pool could look like.) The house needs a little re-working in my opinion (not because it needs fixed but because it could function better as an escape place with pool).

CLICK HERE to see the mls listing information and photos. The listing Realtor (no relation) created a virtual tour that really shows the charm of this little place. CLICK HERE to take the time to take that tour. It is worth it.

This house does not have off street parking but it has just about everything else a second home buyer wants (minus the pool).

This house is offered as a short sale. The listing Realtor told me that the lender has already agreed to the asking price and that a closing may be able to occur within 60 days or so.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to see this house or if you would like more information, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or e-mail me at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

Casa Louisa - 622 Louisa Street - Key West Charmer

I tell buyers all the time you can never tell what is behind the facade of some of the houses in Key West. Preferred Properties just listed Casa Louisa at 622 Louisa Street, and boy did my remarks ever hold true. Gee Whiz!

622 Louisa Street is located at the upper end of the Duval corridor about 1 1/2 blocks east of Duval and 3 blocks from the Atlantic. So it is close to where vacationers want to be without being right in the mix. And that is the point. The place is quiet and serene and just so relaxing. When you enter the formal entryway CLICK HERE you know this place is "apart" from the typical Conch house. You look to the right and see the great room that is flanked by four sets of French doors that open onto the side and rear decks and pool area. Off to the side is the snazzy kitchen CLICK HERE and adjacent dining alcove CLICK HERE. Both look out toward the black bottom pool and waterfall and the newly constructed guesthouse with en-suite bath.

Off to the left of the front entry is bedroom is the master bedroom with en-suite bath. This space is large and inviting, but cozy at the same time. So many places in Old Town "make do" and end up having small spaces to actually live. Not the case here. The second bedroom is located opposite the entry hall and it also has an en-suite bath. Everything in every room is "done". Correctly.

When I saw the black bottom pool with the waterfall CLICK HERE my jaw dropped. Just awesome. The lot is very large for Old Town. The decks are large and provide ample room for sunning. Imagine that, a place with a large pool with shade and also sunshine. So many places have one or the other. Not this place. Oh, there is also a tented dining pavilion CLICK HERE. There is off street parking and a formal bricked entry path that leads guests to the front door. The places is not ostentatious, but boy is it gracious.

I would really like to show 622 Louisa Street to a buyer that wants the best. This property is used as a long term vacation rental and it generates substantial income during the year. Because of that, advance notice is required and viewing may be somewhat limited. Casa Louisa is offered at $1,299,000. CLICK HERE to view the detailed listing information and see some great photos of the property. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing.

There is just one problem owing a place like Casa Louisa: if you want it to make money you can't use it. You need to share it. This property may be legally rented as a vacation rental for a period of twenty eight days or longer. The advance reservations in place convey with the property.

I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc., an affiliate of Christie's Great Estates. Let me help you fulfill your dream of owning a place in Paradise. CLICK HERE to search the Key West Association of Realtors mls database.

906 Johnson Street - Casa Marina Estate - Short Sale

One of my very favorite homes in Key West just became a short sale. Some buyer is going to own one of the very best houses in all of Key West for a fraction of what it is worth. They don't make houses like this anymore. And you could not duplicate this house if you were to try to build a new one. The cost would be prohibitive.

906 Johnson Street is a 3720 sq ft estate type property situated on a 10,750 sq ft lot located one block from the Atlantic Ocean. You can see the Atlantic Ocean from the master bedroom and master bath on the second floor. The main house has a formal living room with fireplace and an informal family room overlooking the rear terrace. The west wing provides living quarters for staff. There is a separate dining area that overlooks the large pool and outdoor kitchen on the east side of the property. The master bedrooms and master bath have ocean views. These two rooms are just elegant without being prissy. There are two additional bedrooms on this floor-one even has a terrace overlooking the pool below. There is a fully contained guest cottage with living room, bedroom, small kitchen, and bath. Off to the far west you will find another casita or writer's cottage with its own bath.

Entry to 906 Johnson Street is made through a formal gated entrance. Brick pavers encircle the entire property as do gardens filled with towering palms and assorted tropical plants. This place is a gardener's paradise. Every point is different; every point is a delight.

I created a photo album of photos that show the house and its relationship to the neighborhood. CLICK HERE to see those photos.

Preferred Properties is the listing broker on 906 Johnson Street which is now listed at the short sale offering price of $1,769,000 or $476 per square foot. Remember, the bank set the asking price. This is truly a great buying opportunity for a discerning buyer. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing.

La Casa Roja - 1403 Catherine Street - Historic KeyWest

Just listed by Preferred Properties Coastal Realty (but not by me) La Casa Roja at 1403 Catherine Street in Key West, Florida.





La Casa Roja is the kind of home that you would expect to see featured in Architectural Digest or Coastal Living magazine. It is of that caliber. But you lucky readers get to see it here in my little blog instead, keywestproperties.

CLICK HERE to see the before photo of this historic 992 square front home as it appeared five years ago with its white clapboard siding and chain link fence. If fit right into the neighborhood. But a very creative young architect and his partner bought the house and transformed it into a work of art. CLICK HERE to see the renovated property as it now appears. The six room house consists of the living room, kitchen, guest bedroom, guest bath, and master bedroom with en-suite bath. Other living areas include the outdoor lounge off the master bedroom, the open-air dining alcove near the pool, the bar off the kitchen, and the two story carriage house with upstairs loft. Each room or area is rich in architectural detail and quality construction. There is nothing "undone".

This simple little house is simply just that: a simple little house. But that is an understatement of grand proportion. It is elegant in its simplicity. The new wide oak plank floors were custom milled as were the extra-large crown molding and the extra-wide baseboards. New cedar doors were custom made. The original windows were restored to retain their character.

Doors and floor patterns in the original house were reworked to make the house flow efficiently. The relocated kitchen for example opens onto the hallway adjacent to the living room. The kitchen windows tilt and provide access to the covered outside veranda bar. I would not call this home a "party house", but it was certainly designed for an owner who loves to entertain in style. The kitchen is the heart of this home. And the several social gathering spots flow from or toward the heart of this home.

What was once the kitchen is now the master bedroom with its own private covered porch with hot tub. The master bedroom features two sets of pocketing French doors and screens which allow the room to open up to the back yard. Mirrored pocket doors conceal the generous ten foot long closet. Paneled wainscoting and coffered ceiling add depth and interest to this cozy retreat.

And then there is the two story carriage house. It's the perfect place to house your classic Key West car or the perfect place for your own gym, workshop, or studio. Upstairs there is a secret retreat that is just as simple and just as elegant as the rest of the main house. Some people skimp on things that are barely seen. Here, the barely seen is treated as a treasure for the very few.

I dare the reader to walk around the outside of this property and find something amiss or something not done. Every place you look you see solutions to everyday issues. Here is a "for instance": the front door hurricane panel was turned into a whimsical work of art and greets guests near the cocktail bar.

This is the kind of house a second home buyer should consider because the present owner designed the house and all of its components to standout from the crowd and function properly. It does. Indeed. Some readers may say "I could do that." Perhaps. But most of us see a home like this and admire it with awe. That is why I discerning buyer will seize the opportunity to own a property of this caliber.

La Casa Roja is offered at $1,299,000. If you would like to see this simply elegant property, please call me, Gary Thomas, at 305-766-2642. Some very lucky person is going to buy this little treasure and experience the elegance of living well...in Paradise. Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. is an affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

P.S. I have shown this charming home to several buyers that actually purchased a home from me. They ended up hiring the owner-architect of La Casa Roja to design the remodel of their new Key West property. My advice to buyers: save the trouble and hassle of months and months of construction. Buy the real deal now.

Keep It Simple, Cuz!

A few years back Key West had an Assistant City Manager that was full of pomp and circumstance. He blustered about making Key West a leader in technology by getting the entire city wired for the future. I like it when government gets simple jobs done correctly and efficiently. I don't care if Key West is a leader, but I do care if things work correctly, efficiently, and as inexpensively as possible. This blog address but one issue: getting new utility services started.

I have a gripe about how difficult some departments or utilities have made the establishment of new service. It is a nightmare! This is the set-up. New property owners (and tenants that personally pay for utilities) must (1) fill out an application form to establish a new account; (2) pay a deposit to insure payment of monthly fees; and (3) demonstrate proof of ownership or proof of residency by providing a copy of a deed or a lease for the proposed new account.

The forms have repetitive and redundant information data fields. Some require disclosure of personal information such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, birth dates, etc.
Each utility asks the same basic information but then requires other information related to that departments specific account data fields. One utility requires that its form be be notarized and accompanied by a copy of a drivers license. But that same form can be faxed. It seems to me whoever created the form was trying his or her bureaucratic best to make the application as "legal" as possible.

My suggestion is simple: create one application form that meets the data requirements of all three utilities: Keys Energy, Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, and City of Key West Sewer & Trash. The same goes for Suburban Propane and Amerigas. They have made the transfer of existing systems in place from the prior owner to the new owner an absolute nightmare. Comcast Cable has its own outlandish requirements for installing new cable and Internet service. Whoever designed this requirement must have graduated from the Bank of America Screw The Customer Training Academy & Car Wash.

My Modest Proposal is for the electric, water, and sewer utilities to create one simple Application Form for New Service. This form could be filled out one time. It should contain general data fields to identify the owner (or responsible party) and ancillary data fields to link the new customer with the specific locator fields used by each individual utility. A simple form could be filled out one time and submitted by a buyer or closing agent as soon as title passes. Keep it simple, Cuz.

1218 Varela Street - Key West - Foreclosure

Just listed, but not by me, 1218 Varela Street CLICK HERE in Key West, Florida. This is a house you big house shoppers really ought to consider. I have not been in the house for a long time. But I vividly remember the first time I saw it. I thought it was amazing. Owners changed. The place got changed a bit as well. It was just foreclosed upon (but it is not a bank foreclosure)and now it sits empty. This may be an opportunity to get a great house in a very good location at a good price. You never know until you try. CLICK HERE to see the listing information and some photos of the interior and exterior of the house.

The listing Realtor describes 1218 Varela Street this way:

"Fantastic private compound available for your consideration now! The stately main home is comprised of three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and a den. The cottage contains a bedroom and a bathroom and makes an excellent private office. The guest house was at one time a legally separate address and contains one bedroom, one bathroom and a living and kitchen area. Bring your ideas to personalize and update this into a grand showplace!

This place is BIG! There is 3348 sq ft of living space on the 5855 sq ft lot. It is offered at the price of $1,500,000. When this same property was listed for sale (and sold for $1,100,000 in 2001) the then listing Realtor described the house this way "A Meticulously Renovated Key West Residence. The 2 Story Main Home Includes 3 Bedrooms / 2.5 Baths And Office. French Doors From The Rear Of The Home Lead To A Dramatic Loggia And A 43ft Heated Pool And Spa, Guest Cottage And A Separate 1 Bedroom / 1 Bath". I included his description because it adds detail I cannot provide. But it hearkens back to what I said at the outset about being amazed by this house. My first visit was at a party or something at night. The place just oozed sophistication. Everything at that time was tony.

1218 Varela Street is located across the street from the Montessori School.CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE. The kids arrive in the morning and go home in early afternoon. If the sound of little kids laughing annoys you, this house will not work for you. The house is located near the shops and galleries on White Street and it is a five minute or so walk to the beaches. And the house does have covered off street parking CLICK HERE. Except the "covered" part is missing at the moment. CLICK HERE for an aerial perspective.

If you are a big house buyer please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, or contact me by e-mail at kw1101v@aol.com, to schedule an appointment to see this property.

1709 George Street - Short Sale - Key West

For those who think I only write about high-priced Dream Plazas, here is one that proves the opposite: 1709 George Street which was just listed as a short sale. Big deal, you say. Big deal, I say! A year ago this 4 bedroom 2 bath house with a beautiful pool and new kitchen and baths was priced at $675,000. It did not sell. Now it is a short sale and it is now offered at $350,000 or $258 per sq ft for this 1355 sq ft home that sits on a 44850 sq ft lot. The listing Realtor describes this house this way:

"Behind the privacy wall you will find this beautiful home, tropical landscaping and a fabulous pool. Very nice four bedroom two bath single family home just a few blocks from the beach. Upgraded kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, tile throughout and much more. This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval."

1709 George Street is located about two blocks north of the Atlantic Ocean just past 1800 Atlantic Condominiums. CLICK HERE for an aerial perspective of the location and surrounding properties. This entire area was flooded during Hurricane Wilma. I have shown enough houses since then to know just about every buyer is sensitive to potential future flooding. That is why we have flood insurance.

Once you get over what happened in the past and theoretically could occur in the future and consider how you could actually live in this house and this area, the house, the location, and the price may have a change your view of things. Look at the aerial photo again. That vast area at the bottom right of the photo is Smathers Beach. People from all over the world to come to Key West to lay there and play there; to soak of the sun; and to chill.

I think 1709 George Street could make a nice family home or an inexpensive second home retreat for the budget minded. The area has a mix of homes that have been upgraded and remodeled. But there are some mid century houses and duplexes in the area that have not. At $350,000 this house offers a lot of value in my opinion. CLICK HERE to read the detailed mls listing info and to view photos supplied by the listing Realtor. For additional comparison purposes I created a list CLICK HERE of other 4 bedroom homes in Key West offered at $400,000 or less.

CLICK HERE to perform your own personal search of the real Key West Association of Realtors mls database. You can manipulate the search criteria any way you want. If you would like to see 1709 George Street (or any other property in Key West) please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. This is not my listing but I would be happy to show you the house and the area so that you can appreciate the value of this property. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty Inc. in Key West, Florida.

1039 Buttonwood East - Sugarloaf Key - Waterfront Property

What can I say. Look at the photo of the little boat and the big ocean all within view of 1039 Buttonwood East on Sugarloaf Key at Mile Marker 17. This property is a new listing of Preferred Properties. The listing agent describes the Buttonwood property this way:

"Open water beauty on Sugarloaf Key. Two bedroom, two bath CBS home on huge private lot with SE exposure. Tile floors, vaulted wood ceiling, new kitchen, covered deck overlooking beautiful open water. Direct access to ocean with no bridges. Dock permit is included."

CLICK HERE to read more detailed information on this house and view some great photos of the interior and the waterfront views that this house offers every day of the year.

1039 Buttonwood East is offered at $614,900 or $385 per sq ft. The house was built in 1975 and has 1686 sq ft of living space on a huge 14,972 sq ft lot. CLICK HERE for an aerial view of the house and its relationship to the water and surrounding homes. There are two bedrooms and two baths. The property has a seawall. Interestingly, the Monroe County Appraiser added this note to the Appraiser's Records "GOOD VIEW". And Howdy!

If you are looking for a waterfront property with a "good view", please call me, Gary Thomas. I can be reached at 305-766-2642 or by e-mail at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty Inc. in beautiful Key West, Florida. We are an affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.