Sitting Pretty in Key West

I remember being in the house at 727 Eaton Street years ago. A friend rented an apartment there, and I vaguely remember being inside. The black and white photo below shows the house in 1965. I think that is pretty much how it looked like when I was there in 1987. Twenty four years later it looks amazingly different.

The listing agent recently invited me to take a look at the property. As I walked past the front garden gate and eyed the grand facade, my eyes were drawn to the old fashioned swing on the front porch. When I got to the front door I looked directly at the swing and thought how wonderful it must be to own such a magnificent old house, a Grande Dame if there ever was one. Sitting pretty in Key West.

The listing Realtor describes 727 Eaton Street this way:

"Amazing price! This grand historic home on large corner lot in the heart of Old Town just a block from the waterfront in the Historic Seaport District is now a wonderful opportunity as well as a beautiful home. Lovingly restored and meticulously maintained, this house is graceful,elegant,spacious & full of light, with the traditional millwork & high ceilings of the era. Formal parlor, grand dining room & wrap around porches complete this true historic beauty. Main floor: foyer, formal dining room, powder room, parlor, kitchen & small office with laundry. Second floor: three generous bedrooms with two full baths, one ensuite. Third floor: separate Mother-in-Law apartment which was previously accessed from an exterior stair."

This house dominates the corner at Eaton and William Streets. A white picket fence and mature trees frame the view. There is a bricked driveway on William that accommodates two cars. Your attention is drawn to the detail in the immediate area. This is not a normal driveway. Somebody important lives here. Then you see the wraparound veranda veranda and your suspicion of importance is confirmed. This is no normal big old house. This is a very special Key West property.


The house is painted a bright, crisp white with green shutters. I looked for flaws but found none. Every part of this place is pristine.

Upon entry I was overwhelmed by the dramatic decor that continued from room to room throughout the three floors. The parlor, living and dining areas hark back to another era with a richness that we no longer see in most properties. The kitchen and laundry areas look like late 19th century except they have modern conveniences that thoughtfully blend in.

Formal entry

Living room looking toward the kitchen

Opposite view

This kitchen is magazine center-fold material

There are three bedrooms and two baths on the second floor. One bedroom is used as an office and dressing area; a second is decorated much like it might have been in the 1930's or so, and the master has north facing windows that let in late afternoon light. I noticed a giant bent Norfolk Pine. What a wonderful view.

The 1930's vintage bedroom

The Master Suite

The third floor is a true mother-in-law apartment with living room, bedroom, mini-kitchen, and bath. The place is stunning in its design. It would make a great space for mom or a live-in. Or perhaps you might want to claim the space as the master suite. The bathroom even has a view of the Historic Key West Seaport. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database and to view lots of listing photos.

Nearness to the Historic Seaport is a selling point for many houses in Key West. This place has a water view from the third floor.


This house is dramatically furnished. Underneath the decor is a solidly built Key West home that has been thoughtfully restored for our modern living needs. I have a lot of photos that I took which which you can view if you CLICK HERE.

727 Eaton Street is offered at $1,950,000. If you are looking for a substantial Key West property, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. Let's schedule an afternoon visit to take in an incredible property. Imagine yourself sitting pretty in one of the most beautiful homes in all of Key West. I am a buyers' agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

A Modest Proposal to Require Short Sale Owners to Pay Before They "Delay"

Some very nice and truly decent people got hurt by the decline of the housing market in Key West. While the number of new foreclosures has reduced dramatically over the last two years, the fact is that there are still many pending foreclosures winding their way through the courts. Foreclosures occur when borrowers stop making their mortgage payments. Most lenders collect a portion of the annual insurance and property tax liability as a part of the monthly mortgage payment to the lender. When borrowers stop paying, the property owner is no longer paying for insurance or property taxes.

Some borrowers accept their fate and do not respond to the Complaint in Foreclosure that is filed in the courts. When a Complaint in Foreclosure is not contested, the real property is normally sold at public auction within a few months after the original complaint is filed. However, if a borrower contests the foreclosure the process can be extended for months or years. That is not a typo. A lawyer can delay the day of reckoning by filing motion after dilatory motion with the singular purpose of delaying the date the case gets in front of the judge. The result is the borrower either stays in the house without paying anything or perhaps rents the property and collects rent - again, without paying anything.

Property taxes pay for police and fire protection, school teachers, public street maintenance, and those ladies and gents at city hall or the county clerk's office. Somebody has to pay all of those salaries and costs to run local (city and county) government. Failure to pay one's fair share of taxes means the rest of the taxpayers must pick up the difference.

Failure to pay insurance may seem not such a big deal until you consider what happens if a house burns down or someone is seriously injure or killed because a building is not maintained. Insurance exists to protect not only the insured, but also those who are lawfully on the premises of the owner.

Property owners in foreclosure who continue to rent their properties and collect rent, typically do not pay any property taxes or pay for any insurance. I recently got a phone call from a woman who complained about living in a house I wrote that was offered for sale as short sale. That property is in foreclosure. The air conditioner had stopped working and the landlord refused to fix it. The rental agent (not a licensed Realtor but a friend of the owner - itself a violation of Florida law) said the owner will eventually lose the house in foreclosure and will not spend any money to fix the air conditioner. The owner refused to give the lady any price concession on rent. I suggested she contact Key West Code Enforcement. But I question whether Code Enforcement has the legal tools necessary to make a scumbag landlord fix the air conditioner or any other part of a house that is in disrepair.

If the real property happens to be located in a condominium or townhome association, the delinquent borrower normally does not pay association fees as well. The effect on other property owners in those associations is to increase how much money they must pay to cover annual budget expense or to cut services. My proposal can't fix this problem, but enactment could diminish scumbag borrowers from profiting at the expense of other owners. There is nothing like a neighbor scorned. Illegal rentals will get shut down. Pronto.

I propose the City of Key West add two mandatory provisions to its existing criteria for an owner to obtain or to renew a non-transient rental occupational license. One, an owner must provide proof of fire and general liability insurance and, two, provide proof of payment of real property taxes for the subject property for the prior year. Any owner that cannot provide proof of either should have the occupational license immediately suspended and any tenants should be required to vacate.

Property owners who are in foreclosure and who continue to rent property and collect rent but who do not insure the property or pay property taxes are scumbags. They only want money to enrich their lives while they take advantage of a court system over-whelmed by too many cases that require due process trials. While we can't change the system, we can prevent scumbag owners and their sleazy lawyers from profiting from the delays they cause.

Driving a car is not a constitutional right. The government requires that drivers be licensed and most states require that drivers have mandatory insurance coverage of some sort. Renting real property is also not a constitutional right. States and local government routinely impose rules that govern how a property owner may rent real property.

The City of Key West currently requires street performers to provide proof of insurance before issuing an occupational license. I see no difference in requiring an owner (landlord) to produce proof of insurance and payment of real property taxes as a condition precedent to granting a non-transient occupational license or to renewing such a license. It is a requirement all property owners should have to fulfill both now and in the future.

If you think this idea has merit, you may want to contact any or all the Key West City Commissioners or the Mayor listed below. Click any link below.

Jimmy Weekley District One

Mark Rossi District Two

Billy Wardlow District Three

Barry Gibson District Four

Teri Johnston District Five

Clayton Lopez District Six

Craig Cates Mayor

My proposal is modest but adoption of a new ordinance embracing the spirit could be beneficial to all members of our community.

728 Love Lane - Key West

I wanted to grab your attention with the banner pic. 728 Love Lane is one of the best homes in all of Key West. And now it is offered for sale at $1,795,000.

728 Love Lane is located next to the end of Love Lane as it dead-ends at the Monroe County Library. Click GOOGLE MAP to view the aerial photo of the location which is atop Solares Hill and the dead center of Old Town.

This residence is a must see for anyone who desires the best in location, privacy, security, top notch construction, and superb attention to every detail. Some features include: bricked off street parking, heated custom reverse infinity edge pool, two zone A/C, whole house back-up generator, professional chef's kitchen built by a custom furniture maker with Wolf/SubZero/Bosch Appliances, spacious loft to accommodate extra guests, extensive storage, covered veranda with wet bar, ice maker and under counter refrigerator, impact windows and skylights, floor to ceiling marble and decorative tile in all baths.

This is the kind of house that you fall in love with as soon as you cross the threshold. Everything was done "right". The formal entry is at the rear addition. You walk into the great room which has a vaulted ceiling. Your eyes get drawn to the infinity pool beyond the French doors at the rear and also to the delightful kitchen to the right. The master suite is off at the right rear. (It has French doors that open out to the pool making a midnight dip so enticing.) There is a second master suite at the front of the main house. Competing for attention is the special loft accessed by a ship's ladder. (The loft provides a third bedroom for guests and other strangers.)

CLICK HERE to take a Virtual Tour of this gracious Key West home. This is a tour worth taking! And CLICK HERE to see the Key West mls database on this property.

Anyone who has read my blog knows how fond I am of homes located on almost any of the Old Town lanes. This particular lane has the added pizazz of being called Love Lane. Who wouldn't want to live on Love Lane?

If you are looking for the very special home with all of the amenities and location that 728 Love Lane offers, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

Beautiful Waterfront Home - Key West

Some people think that Key West must have a lot of waterfront homes. That is not the case. In fact there are few single family homes on the island which are actually located on waters edge. When I find a place with a great view or some unique feature I feel compelled to share it with my readers in hope someone will call me to help them find their dream home in Paradise.

I recently showed 2621 Gulfview Drive in the Roosevelt Annex addition to Key West. What a house this is and what a view it has! The three bedroom 2 1/2 bath house has 1720 sq ft of easy living space on two floors plus front and rear decks on the first and second floors. The house, shown above, is located near the western end of the development and has beautiful open water views from both rear decks. My potential buyers were just awed by the water views as soon as we entered the house.

The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"The Best Of All Worlds. Private Gated Community And One Of The Very Few Key West Homes Where You Actually Own The Shoreline. Pool And Decks Directly On The Open Gulf With The Option Of A Private Dock. Quality Custom Built Home With Top Of The Line Finishes. This Home Must Be Seen Because Their Is Little To Compare It To. The Best That Key West Lifestyle Has To Offer."

CLICK HERE to see the mls datasheet on this house. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule an appointment to see 2621 Gulfview Drive that is listed at $849,000. If you don't realize the value of this house and this location, CLICK HERE to see the other Key West single family homes with water views. Compare the views and prices. That second click should do the trick.

The Gardenia House - 906 Georgia Street - The Meadows - Key West

Sometimes we overlook the obvious. We forget to notice simple things that make our lives richer and more meaningful. I drive by certain locations on a near daily basis and see other places weekly or monthly. If I see construction I usually take notice of a property, but otherwise I let houses pass through my mind as I maneuver the streets of Key West going from place to place. Yesterday, I had to stop and take notice of a place I passed so often that I failed to see (or smell) the beauty that I shall call The Gardenia House.

This property is located at 906 Georgia Street in The Meadows area of Old Town Key West. CLICK HERE for a Google Map aerial view of the location. Use the Google toggle switch to zoom in and out and also see a street view of the area. Georgia Street at this location is extra wide for some reason. Olivia Street to the north is a one way street as are all of the east and west streets in this area of town. The house is located a block north of Bayview Park so you can go walk the dog, play tennis, read a book, or participate in some community activity on a daily or as required basis. There are several gyms, Cuban sandwich shops, art galleries, and assorted shops located nearby. But this location itself is very quiet and unassuming. That is until you stop to smell the fragrant gardenia that welcomes you home.

906 Georgia Street as it appeared in 1965

The white picket fence and artfully decorated yard set off the simple architecture of the arts and crafts style bungalow. That architecture is typical of a good portion of The Meadows area which does have other more traditional Conch style houses as well. While many potential buyers love the the architecture of two story Conch houses, the reality of growing older and having to climb staircases all day long wears thin. All of this 1746 sq ft house is located on one level. No stairs.

When you pass through the front door you enter the large and very inviting great room that spans the living and dining areas into the chef's kitchen. The room has lots of windows so the interior has many view of the beautiful grounds on the outside. This place has so much cheer and beauty it is hard to imagine not liking it.

See what I mean?

Three bedrooms and three very atypical bathrooms are located on the south side of the house. One bedroom at the front could alternatively be used as an office or study. The master bedroom with en-suite bath is adjacent to the living area while the third bedroom is located in the recent addition to the south. (It has it's own private entrance which allows guests to come and go at will.) The pool area is at the rear where the skies are large and create a wonderful background to contemplate life.

The front bedroom (or den or study) has an adjacent bath

Master bedroom has an en-suite bath

The cottage bed and bath are pure genius

The listing Realtor describes 906 Georgia Street this way:

"The Gardenia House, built in 1936, is a 3 bedroom, 3 bath historic home located in the Meadows neighborhood of Old Town. It is a classic home filled with Dade County Pine and loads of light streaming in through many windows to the large open living and dining area with professional kitchen. There are 2 bedrooms with baths ensuite adjacent to the living area. The newest addition contains the third bedroom and bath and separate entrance. The private backyard has a large deck with heated pool complete with bench seating, spa jets and a water feature. The front porch is perfect to watch the world go by. The home is set back from the street on a large corner lot surrounded by tropical gardens with fruit and flowering trees and shrubs."

CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls database on this property and to view more listing photos. This property is offered for sale at $995,000. I really think this house will appeal to buyers in my generation that want peace and quiet and lots of really nice living space on one level. There is room for the kids and grandkids and space for the dogs to lounge in Paradise.


If you want to see The Gardenia House please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 or contact me by 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. Imagine yourself sitting on the front porch watching nothing important happen for the rest of your life.

550 Porter Lane - Presidents Lane Townhomes - Bank Owned - Key West

This new Bank Owned listing will likely go under contract in a New York minute because of the location, price, and value that this baby offers to potential second home buyers. The listing agent's mls description tells all:

"BANK-OWNED Presidents Lane 2/2.5 Townhouse with covered parking. Steps away from Duval Street and Old Town Key West shops and restaurants. This property comes furnished"

This is how the same unit was described (and photos taken) in 2007 was listed at a much higher price by a different agent:

"As you enter this lovely town home you are greeted with the view of a comfortable and inviting vacation home. Features include a phantom screen door for the front door, colorful custom kitchen countertops, and newer appliances, tile floors on the first level, solid oak stairs and oak flooring on the second level. A new awning has been added at second floor rear balcony. This homes comes fully furnished ready to be rented if desired. A covered assigned parking with extra storage is included."

(Photos from 2007 mls listing and are not current!)

I have written about Presidents Lane Townhomes before as it has recently had several units go on the market. Even though each unit is very much alike as far as size and room configuration, each is different as to location, decoration, owner motivation to sell. That is why I think Unit 550 Porter Lane will sell so quickly-it is priced to sell now at just $470,900. There may even be a bidding competition to get this unit. The mls datasheet does not show that this unit has a transient license; however, the 2007 mls datasheet showed that it had one at that time. CLICK HERE to see the Key West mls datasheet on this property.

The amenities at Presidents Lane include nearby covered off street parking and a beautiful pool plus the beautifully maintained grounds of the Truman Annex and security. Frequent visitors know that Truman Annex enjoys a great location near Duval Street, Mallory Square, and quick access to Fort Zachary Taylor Beach and state park.

The Presidents Lane Pool - Unit 550 is located nearby

Unit 550 has a covered parking space - not all units do

Presidents Lane starts just behind the single family homes on Front Street in Truman Annex

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach - a five minute walk from home

He who waits to listen to the paint peel will not get this bargain priced bank owned unit. If you want to buy this place, you need to act sooner rather than later. Please contact me, Gary Thomas, at 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

1004 Packer Street - Short Sale - Key West

2003

2008

2011

I remember showing 1004 Packer Street (the three photos above) even before the paint was dry-literally. The Key West mls records show that this place sold in just 13 days on the market in July 2003 at the price of $640,000. This home was one of several new homes built in a small compound of charming houses built at that time. Two homes in the same development sold in the past two years - 1006 Packer with no pool sold at $500,000 in 2009 and the second at 1010 Packer with large pool sold in 2009 at $729,000.

I showed 1004 Packer Street in 2008 to a couple from the midwest when it was then offered at $799,000. There were two big dogs living in the house at that time. I love dogs but they ruled that house. My buyers liked the house and layout, but when we walked out the front door the gent said something like "Gary, this will never do." He pointed his finger at the parking lot across the street. It wasn't so much the lot that bothered him, but the business there: an adult bookstore. Since then I have made a point of telling potential buyers about the location. There is no sense in getting excited about a house if the location will not work. Key West has lots of places with difficult locations. Sometimes there are really great houses located next to or very near problem properties. That means great houses go unsold, get sold at a discount, or get sold to buyers who buy the value of the house and disregard the neighbor because they like the property more than they dislike the neighbor.

Today 1004 Packer Street is the offered for sale as a short sale at the asking price of $500,000. The listing agent describes the listing thus:

"Old Town home built in 2002 is a bright and sunny home 2 bedrooms, 3 full baths, crown molding, bricked off street parking and hurricane shutters. The 1st floor has rosewood floors and an open floor plan, great for entertaining. The large kitchen has granite counters with a breakfast bar and plenty of cabinets. French doors open to the private deck with pool and spa. 2nd floor has 2 bedrooms, both en suite, one with spa tub and soaring cathedral ceilings. 1600 plus square feet of living space with very generous rooms. This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval. There are no appliances and photos are from previous listing."

The pool in better days

I showed 1004 Packer Street this weekend. It did not work for my buyers. They could see the scratched floors, dirty walls, and missing appliances. We did not bother going outside to look at the neglected pool with months of palm fronds lining the deck. This place did not work for them. But it could just as easily work for a buyer that likes the idea of buying an eight year old house with a big living area, a private pool and off street parking. So what if it needs painted and new appliances need to be purchased purchased. Most buyers paint over the previous owner's bad taste and smells anyway. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database and more photos of the house as it previously looked. Just below you can see some photos I took this weekend of the house and the neighbors.

1004 Packer Street is visible at the right rear

This is "the" view from front gate at 1004 Packer Street

The kitchen is missing appliances and needs painted

Living room and dining area need painted

Neighbors across street

Let there be no mistake about today's blog: I think this house could be a very good buy for a purchaser who wants a newer house with modern building concepts, off street parking, a private pool, and who does not mind the quirky Key West neighborhood. I also think this location might work very well as a vacation rental. The location is a quick walk to Duval Street and the Arts District. If this fits your buyer profile, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.