623 Elizabeth Street - Old Town - Key West Charmer

623 Elizabeth Street as it appeared in 1965

623 Elizabeth Street - Key West - February 2010

So many potential buyers have the image of the ideal Key West Cottage etched in their heads. They envision the simple, yet unmistakable, one-story home referred to as a Conch Cottage or Cigar Maker's house. Features usually include an entry door on one side with two windows, historically correct shutters, a shiny metal roof, a pool in the rear, off street parking, a very good Old Town location preferably out of harms way when it comes to flooding, and priced under $500,000. I give you 623 Elizabeth Street, a Key West Cottage that meets many of those ideal expectations. This is how the listing agent at Preferred Properties describes this new listing:

"Classic conch house located in a coveted Old Town neighborhood. Good ceiling heights in the living and bedrooms, with vaulted ceilings in the eat-in kitchen, which has butcher block countertops and custom cabinetry. French doors from the kitchen lead out to a covered dining porch and a nice deep lot. Livable now, with room for personal touches, including a pool and/or additions. Great value in a sought out location."

CLICK HERE to see more photos of the interior and rear yard at 623 Elizabeth Street. You will note that the yard does not have a pool. But there is room for a pool and there may be room for a rear second floor addition to expand this old house. I have included a street view of three of the neighboring houses including two at the south which have second story additions.

The house at 623 Elizabeth Street as presently configured has 726 sq ft of living space that sits on a 2300 sq ft lot (23' x 100'). The two neighboring houses sit on the same sized lots and each has an addition and a pool. What none of the four houses has is off street parking.

623 Elizabeth Street is the 3rd house to the left

The nice thing about a house like 623 Elizabeth Street is the ability of a buyer to move in and take some time before deciding to remodel the house because remodeling is an elective decision, not a requirement.

623 Elizabeth Street is located at the tippy-top of Solares Hill so flood insurance will not be required should you need a mortgage. The house is a two block walk to Duval Street, a five minute walk to the Historic Key West Seaport, and five minutes or less to numerous great coffee shops and restaurants. The Red Barn Theatre, The Waterfront Playhouse, The San Carlos, and Tropic Cinema are all within a five to ten minute walk. There is always something going on nearby. Who knows you may decide a pool and additional bedrooms for guests are not necessary.

If you would like to see 623 Elizabeth Street, 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 exclusive Lower Florida Keys affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

1120 Packer Street - Key West

1120 Packer Street -Key West

1120 Packer Street -Key West - Rear deck and pool area

1120 Packer Street -Key West - Private deck off master bedroom

1120 Packer Street -Key West - former bakery oven converted to garden pot!

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. just listed the two home compound at 1120 Packer Street with an incredible amount of real Key Westie living space. The listing Realtor describes this property thus:

"This is a rare four bedroom, three bath house all on one level on an extra large lot(6473 sq ft.). The owners renovated the historic cottage and added an impressive and compatible addition. The addition includes a great room, dining room, beautifully appointed kitchen and a luxurious master suite, all of which have vaulted ceilings and french doors opening to porches overlooking the heated swimming pool. There is a real laundry room and parking for several cars."

This place is really fun to show. There are so many different areas outside where you can go cogitate or whatever you do by your lonesome. Those areas include two front porches, the front alcove off the kitchen, the rear deck off the living room, the deck off the master suite, the ruins from the old bakery (absolutely a killer feature-nothing like it anyplace else in Key West), and assorted benches placed in various areas around the grounds.

The two cottages are interconnected so you do not have to leave air conditioned space to go from one part of the house to another. Some compound type homes sometimes require the occupant to move from house to house in the pouring rain or beating sun. Not here.

Each part of this property has been smartly renovated and, like the outside, there are numerous interior nooks and crannies where one can go curl up to read a good book or take a nap. The master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling that gives the already spacious room an even greater feeling of importance. A set of French doors open onto the private rear deck that provides instant access to the cozy pool. The master bath has a vaulted ceiling as well. This room has a shower, separate bath, a large vanity and storage space that singles it out from the ordinary.

The living, dining, and kitchen areas are very informal but the interiors are not. There is a simple graciousness of about this place. Everywhere you look there is something to see but you are not overwhelmed by things. Instead you are awed by the simplicity of each component part.



1120 Packer Street is listed at $1,295,000 or $646 per sq ft. CLICK HERE to view more photos and see details on this property. Better yet, call me, Gary Thomas, 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, Florida. Our office is the Exclusive Lower Florida Keys affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

210 Golf Club Drive - The Sanctuary - Bank Owned with Panache

The relatively new bank owned property located at 210 Golf Club Drive may be the the "ideal deal" you have been looking for. This single family home is located in The Sanctuary at the Key West Golf Club. Driving through The Sanctuary is like taking a Universal or Disney Studios tour bus through a movie back lot. Each single family is just a bit different than the next, but every home has the traditional two story Key West Conch style architecture. Every front yard has a classic white picket fence. The one-way drive loops the development. Either side of Golf Club Drive is lined with mature palms and specimen trees. It's prettier than the set of Desperate House Wives and it is located in Key West.


This is how the listing Realtor describes 210 Golf Club Drive:

"Beautiful free standing single family home located in The Sanctuary at the Key West Golf Club. The main floor has a functional kitchen, 1/2 bath and large living room. The open floor plan extends to covered patio and cocktail pool. Upstairs has 2 master suites and laundry facility."

Here is my take: this 1120 square foot home sits on a 1939 sq ft lot on great street. No doubt about that. The main floor is one big open living area with kitchen. There is not a lot of pizazz about that. There are two nice sized bedrooms with en-suite baths on the second floor. Each bedroom has abundant light on three sides plus each of the bathrooms has a separate window. Even though this house was only built in 2000, it does have some termite damage and some what looks to be wood rot. But neither of those factors should deter a serious buyer. This home is bank owned and is offered for sale at just $346,400 or $309 per sq ft.

This home has its own private pool and enclosed rear courtyard. The pool is small but I believe the pool could be enlarged. The house is located adjacent to the covered parking structure and it has its own side entrance that leads right to its covered parking spot. Think about that when you need to schlep groceries from a parking place or driveway anywhere. I would estimate the span between back door to the car trunk would be 50' at most, and most of that space is under a roof of some sort.


This house is not in perfect condition, but it is certainly not in bad condition. There is some termite damage, but most of that appears to be limited to soft new pine trim that is easily replaced. There is also some exterior wood trim that needs replaced. I am not a certified home inspector so my opinions are just those of a lay person. I always advise buyers to have a certified home inspector look at any potential home purchase. CLICK HERE to read more detailed info and to view more photos.

The house at 210 Golf Club Drive is not located directly on the golf course so you do not need to worry about an errant ball knocking your noggin or breaking a window. CLICK HERE to do your own search of homes in Key West priced under $350,000 to see why I think this might be an ideal deal.

CLICK HERE to compare 210 Golf Club Drive to the five other current single family homes in the Sanctuary. None of these homes are shown as either bank owned nor short sale.

This Bank Owned house is not occupied and can be shown at almost any time. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 to schedule a showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. Somebody is going to but this place in Paradise. Might that someone be you?

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Valentine's Day Open Houses Key West

419 Porter Lane - $929,000

511 Frances Street - $1,575,000

1502 Petronia Street - The Meadows - Key West

626 Grinnell Street - $1,575,000

304 Julia Street - $575,000

905 Elizabeth Street - $ $1,695,000

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. is hosting six Open Houses on Valentine's Day, Sunday, February 14th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Please stop by one or all of the homes. Who knows you and your special sweetie may find the Perfect Place in Paradise. For more info on each home, CLICK the address below.

626 Grinnell Street offered at $1,395,000 hosted by Frank Kirwin

511 Frances Street offered at $1,595,000 hosted by Cory Held

905 Elizabeth Street offered at $1,695,000 hosted by Everett Watkins

419 Porter Lane offered at $929,000 hosted by Terri Riley

304 Julia Street offered at $575,000 hosted by Dan Skahen

1502 Petronia Street offered at $975,000 hosted by me, Gary Thomas

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. is the Exclusive Lower Florida Keys affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

Delightful Key West Conch Cottage - 813 Frances Street

Just listed the delightful Key West Conch Cottage located at 813 Frances Street is the ideal home everyone longs for. 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. There is even one of those Key West step-through showers to the pool. This home is listed at $995,000 or $686 per sq ft. The listing Realtor describes this cottage home this way:

"Elegant and beautiful historic home 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 Lingum 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.

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 no ghouls will creep into your house. But you will see the amazing Key West sky as it changes and you can sit on your front porch like folks did in the olden days and watch neighbors walking their dogs and tourists pedaling past on their bikes.

The house is a five or six minute walk to Duval and perhaps four minutes to the Historic Seaport. Jose's Cantina is two blocks to the east, The Coffee Mill a block to the southeast, Old Town gym a 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.

CLICK HERE to read more about this house and to view photos. Better yet, call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. There just are not that many single family homes in Old Town priced under $1,000,000. This delightful conch cottage may sell pretty quickly. Don't get spooked by the location and pass up a real buying opportunity. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. Our office is the Exclusive Lower Florida Keys affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

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

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1012 James Street - Old Town - Key West

Just Listed (but not by me) 1012 James Street which is located a little over one block from the Historic Key West Seaport. This is how the listing Realtor describes this special home:

"This is a magical cottage with an open floor plan, saltillo tile floors, wonderful screened porch overlooking the 10 X 20 foot pool (7 feet deep with swim jets) and gardens. In addition, two sets of French doors from the living area open to a beautifully designed side porch which also opens from the kitchen and has access to the pool and gardens. There are two bedrooms upstairs each with private half baths and a full bathroom on the ground floor. Off street parking."

1012 James Street is offered at $625,000 or $661 per sq ft. CLICK HERE for more detailed information on this home and to view photos of the interior and pool. There is also off street parking and a white picket fence. If you are unfamiliar with James Street look at the MAP. This home is located across the street from the Keys Energy building and about one half block away from Finnegan's Wake. The Seaport is just one block further north. There you will find Harpoon Harry's, Pepe's, the Key West Waterfront Market, Key Accents, Half-Buck Freddies and many more shops and places to eat and drink. Duval Street is five blocks to the west.

There are still some fixers left in the area. They will eventually get purchased and remodeled. What there are not a lot of are cute houses like this with a pool and parking that are priced within the reach of many second home buyers. If you are coming to Key West in the near future, you need to schedule an appointment to see this house. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. Let me help you find your place in Paradise. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

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Another One Bites the Dust - Key West

I was driving east on Fleming yesterday afternoon. I had my windows down as I enjoyed another sunny day in Paradise. I heard a big boom on my right as I passed across Elizabeth Street. A big old bull dozer was knocking down the Universal (Gentle Touch) Cleaners.

510 Elizabeth Street - Key West -as it appeared in 1965

510 Elizabeth Street - Key West - February 2010

Normally it is pretty difficult to knock down anything in our town. In 1971 a good portion of the Old Town area of Key West was designated a U.S. historic district - historically or architecturally significant buildings. A few years later that area was expanded and more buildings were added. Guidelines were established to help control changes to existing structures. Those guidelines have made it nearly impossible to tear down old buildings to construct new ones. So when an old building does come down, it is worth noting.

The more things change elsewhere in the world, little Key West stays pretty true to its roots. Maybe that is why so many people fall in love with this place. When you have been here a few times you know exactly what to expect the next time. The architecture is timeless. The people are laid back. The booze is endless. And the chickens do not sleep. Key West is not Boca, or Ft. Lauderdale, or Miami (Thank God!) It takes a lot of effort to get here by car, plane, or boat. But once you arrive and unwind, it is pretty damned difficult to really want to leave. That may be why so many people dream about owning a place in Key West.

The demolition of the old Gentle Touch Dry Cleaners building made the front page of The Key West Citizen today.The news article reported that the new owner intends to build a family home on the site. Maybe that is why the owner got permission to knock down the old building. The dry cleaning business was out of character for the area. I think a new house will improve the property values for the neighborhood. CLICK HERE to see a photo of the nearly vacant lot.

The owner of 514 Elizabeth Street advises "The new house is designed by Tom Pope in the Key West style of mid-19th-century wooden houses. It is 2 1/2 stories with gable ends as in our house, but much larger. It has a two-story porch across the 5-bay front with French doors rather than windows, a 2 1/2 story ell to within 20 feet of the rear property line and a 1 1/2 story apartment along Artic Lane. It will certainly be more in the residential and architectural nature of Old Town than the dry cleaners."

The sale of this property did not go through the mls. I did some real estate detective work. It looks like the new owner paid $714,000 for the 5150 sq ft lot (51.5" x 100') or $139 per sq ft. That's a pretty good price for a great location in the heart of Old Town.

The first house I sold in Key West is located next door at 514 Elizabeth Street. It was built in 1855. The photo directly below shows that house in 1965. Below that is a photo I took a couple of years ago. The present owner reports "It is typical of the conch or Bahamian house built in the Bahamas from the 1780s and in Key West prior to the Civil War. The original architectural moldings that survive are typical of the 1835-1860 period." The more things change elsewhere, the more they stay the same in Key West.

CLICK HERE to search the Key West mls data base. If you are thinking about buying a place in Key West please think about using me, Gary Thomas, as your buyer agent. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. Contact me by phone at 305.766.2642 or by email at kw1101v@aol.com.

What a Difference a Year and a Gay Make !

1212 Olivia Street - Key West - January 2009

Way back on January 12, 2009 I wrote a new blog entry on 1212 Olivia Street. CLICK HERE to read what I said then. The property was a newly listed bank owned house in Old Town Key West that was priced to sell at $599,900. I showed that house twice the day it was listed, and other agents were there right along with me at both showings. Someone had removed the kitchen and did some minor damage by removing bathroom sinks. But that house had a wonderful rear yard and large pool that more than made up for the inconvenience and cost to repair and replace things that were missing. That house went under contract within seven days of being listed and closed within 3 months for just $540,000. CLICK to see sold listing data.

The new owners engaged a local gay duo that "do" houses very well. Within a matter of months the place was spiffed up and made even better than before.

I received a phone call yesterday about this house. The gentleman mistakenly thought I wrote the blog in 2010, not 2009. I explained the house sold within days of being listed and told him know what a good deal he missed. I later recalled that I had received several other phone calls and emails on this particular property during the past few months.

I drove past 1212 Olivia Street earlier today. Right below you will see a photo I took today that proves my point about what a difference a year and a gay (duo) make. The guys that did the interipr dod a terrific job. I'm sorry to report I don't have any photos, however.

1212 Olivia Street - Key West - February 2010

If you are thinking of buying a house in Key West You can search the official Key West Association of Realtors mls website by CLICKING HERE. If you see something you like, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 or contact me by email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. Our office is the exclusive lower Florida Keys affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

Open House - Sunday - 1502 Petronia St. - Key West

1502 Petronia Street - The Meadows - Key West
Open Sunday 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Originally Priced $1,795,000 Now $975,000

1502 Petronia Street is priced at $975,000 or $568 per sq ft for this 1717 sq ft home. It is owned by a local bank in Key West. Come by and compare what you can get for your money. This property is one of eight completed in 2007. Four units are currently available. This unit is the only two bedroom unit available, and it is a doozy! This home is located on the corner and it has a lot of privacy and great view from the second floor front porch where you can sit and watch the incredible Key West sunsets every night. Only One house sits across the street. That house takes up the entire block. It is priced at $4,795,000. Nice neighborhood! (You will not need to worry about declining property values!)

The home at 1502 Petronia Street is part of The Meadows condo association which is comprised of eight homes. Each home is owned in fee simple and sits on an individually owned lot. The association exists to provide access to rear parking via gated driveway and storm water runoff.

The homes were newly built in 2007 with top of the line materials and craftsmanship. This home features soaring 11' ceilings in the living area and kitchen. The kitchen has top of the line stainless steel appliances, beautiful granite and solid wood cabinets. The kitchen area includes the lower portion of a two story turret. The turret portion of the kitchen is configured as an office or nook area of sorts. There are lots of windows in the kitchen so your cooking will not be a chore but a dream. There is also a wet bar in the living room. The floors on the first floor are travertine marble. The stairway and second floor bedrooms have wood floors. The master bedroom features a second turet. The ceiling is vaulted so that room has an especially large feel, yet the turret makes the space so very special. The master bath is just opulent. I challenge you to find any more luxurious bath in Key West for less than $2 million. You won't find one.

Architectural details including crown molding, high ceilings, porches and solid wood doors. The wood doors on the first and second floor front are massive and of the highest quality. The 8' sliding doors that separate the living area from the pool are hurricane impact resistant to 155 mph that open wide to let the outside become part of the inside. A private, gated drive leads to the carport and a separate entry to the private pool and spa area. Each home is completely fenced and beautifully landscaped. CLICK HERE to see more photos and listing information on 1502 Petronia Street.

This home is located in the Meadows area of Key West. Bayview Park, complete with an old fashioned bandstand and public tennis courts, is located three blocks to the south. The White Street arts district is a five minute walk. The Garrison Bight Marina is located one half block away. Duval Street and the Historic Seaport are each a five minute bike ride. The three large shopping centers (large by Key West standards) are five minutes by car. The Key West International Airport is five to seven minutes depending on traffic.



I think empty nesters or a gay couple would find this home to be just about perfect. Stop by on Sunday to check it out.

CLICK HERE to view a list of of town homes and condos with similar features that were built about the same time. Compare the prices (and the size, amenities, and location) to see why I think 1502 Petronia Street is such a really good buy.