Key West Tongue Twister: Sunrise at Seaside Short Sale

Saying "Sunrise Suite Short Sale at Seaside" sounds silly. But buying a top floor condo at Sunrise Suites could sound appealing to a buyer wanting a condo with a valuable transient rental license. Preferred Properties (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed 3625 Seaside Drive Unit # 404 for just $279,000. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Sunrise at Seaside - A condo hotel conversion. This fourth-floor condo has an excellent rental history, is beautifully furnished, and is being sold turnkey. Condo docs also allow for full-time use by owner. The swimming pool with spa, tennis courts and other common elements, are surrounded by the serenity and natural beauty of the Salt Ponds Hammock. From the balcony, there are also distant views of the ocean!"

CLICK HERE to checkout the details on Unit # 404. Monthly condo fees are $465.16 and include cable tv, trash removal, exterior building maintenance, building insurance, common area and pool maintenance. Property amenties include a spectacular pool and spa, gym, tennis courts, and abundant parking. A small (and expensive) convenience store within walking distance.
There is on-site property management as well.

On site property management and guest check-in

The Sunrise Suites is located on the eastern edge of Key West, hence the name. The Atlantic Ocean and nearby Smathers Beach provides countless healthy outdoor opportunities including walking, jogging, skating, roller blading, biking, plus volley ball, and tanning.


Some people carp about our beaches. I know we don't have roaring waves like the some of the beaches in other parts of Florida. But we also don't have little kids or adults get swept away in violent undertows. There is something so damned soothing about the near glassy sheen of our early morning and late afternoon calm waters. Smathers is just beautiful and it is only a short bike or car ride away.



If you are looking for an affordable Key West getaway place that you can rent when you are not here, this Sunrise Suite 4th floor condo may be the place you have been looking for. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or contact me by email at kw1101v@aol.com to arrange a showing (of this unit or similar-these places stay occupied). I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

Secret Hideout Found in Key West!

U.S. Navy blimp at Trumbo Point - only blocks away from Elizabeth Street

There's been a lot of interest this past week on the discovery of you know who's hideout in Pakistan. Hiding in plain sight is apparently a good way to avoid being seen or bothered. It took me some detective work to find the location of 310 Elizabeth Street in Old Town Key West. My investigation included calling out the Navy Blimp, an aerial photographer, and looking at the Monroe County Property Appraiser's website where I got to see how hidden the property is. See below.

The listing Realtor describes 310 Elizabeth Street like this:

"Grand historic home with transient license in historic seaport area. Tucked behind a canopy of palms & fencing this home has a unique sense of privacy situated at the very back of irregular shaped 6800 sqft lot . More recently known as the Hogs Breath House, this home was originally built in the Bahamas & brought to Key West boasting Dade County Pine throughout, classic architecture & solid bones. Large family room & formal dining welcomes you to this classic beauty opening onto porch & pool area. The 1st floor also includes kitchen & 2 bedrooms each w/ full bath. The 2nd floor is dedicated to the spacious Master bedroom & bath. 3rd floor is split into two areas suitable for bedrooms, office space or storage."

Not visible from the street - pool is to the right of the house

Watching nothing happen was never so wonderful

Kewl pool and grounds for getting that all-over tan

Relax in the family room

Cook in comfort

Dine in style

Sleep in peace

310 Elizabeth Street is a big house -2575 sq ft of living space on three floors. It sits on a very large odd-shaped lot (6804 sq ft) at the very rear of the lot. The off street parking space is the only give-away that there is a house hidden from view beyond the trees. The property to the rear is the U.S. office building which includes the United States District Court. No rock and roll properties there at night or weekends. The property is just a couple of minutes walk to the seaport or Duval Street.

310 Elizabeth Street is offered for sale at $1,699,000. CLICK HERE to review the Key West mls database on this very large property that includes a valuable City of Key West Transient License.

If you like the idea of being close to everything but far from prying eyes the house at 310 Elizabeth Street might just be what you have been looking for. Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a private showing of this hidden treasure. I am a buyer's agent and full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. If you buy, I promise not to divulge a thing.

The Good Life - Casa Marina Area at Its Best

908 Seminary Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

When you walk through the gate at 908 Seminary Street in the tony Casa Marina area of Key West you instantly know you have reached the ideal. Sinatra even crooned about it when he sang "It's the good life, full of fun, seems to be the ideal..." Every step leads you to something special or something different, maybe something old, and likely something new as well. Every window has a view that invites you outside to experience the wonders of living in Key West.

The listing Realtor describes 908 Seminary Street thus:

"Sophisticated and Elegant Four Bedroom Residence on a quiet street in the highly desirable Casa Marina neighborhood of Key West. Huge tropical lot with amazing outdoor spaces and a wonderful outdoor kitchen. Custom renovation of a historic home combines panache and simplicity to achieve a bright and airy floor plan. Vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, chef's kitchen and first floor master suite. Multiple covered outdoor spaces, guest house with bathroom, heated pool and spa with lush tropical landscaping provide the ultimate Island lifestyle. Convenient two car off-street parking, privacy wall and courtyard entrance invoke Caribbean luxury with Key West sensibility. A Sophisticated Casa Marina Treasure for the Discerning Buyer."

I dug deep into the old shoe box and found an ancient photo of the same house in 1965, see photo below. Compare that photo with the photo just below. It's hard to believe it is the same property, but it is. Except everything in the old house is all nice and new and just about the best money can buy. It is, however, more than money that makes this Casa Marina home so special. The rooms evoke a sense of space and easy-living life style. The multiple outdoor living areas invite you to venture outdoors where you can enjoy the good life.

908 Seminary Street circa 1965

908 Seminary Street in 2011

My eyes were drawn past the interior to the pool area at the rear. I immediately saw the cool pool and outdoor kitchen but it was the small cottage to the right that caught my attention. The French doors were wide open and I saw this big muscle building machine that dominated the interior space. The cottage itself is the opposite of muscle: it is quite feminine and demur.

The Guest Cottage / Gym are located to the right of the pool

The view on the inside looking outside is quite distracting! But wonderful!

Wisteria wraps around the trellis framing the master bedroom

This home has outdoor living spaces in front, on the east side, and at the rear. There is an outdoor shower on the west side. Each space or view is just "ideal".

Front porch living area

East side - alfresco dining

Rear - outdoor kitchen and pool area

If you find a need to go inside the rooms are spacious and bright. And only a few of the numerous windows even have drapes or coverings. The house is so private that drapes are not necessary. The beautiful gardens become part of the interior design. Spaces within the house are designed to take advantage of the outdoor views as well.

French doors open to a water wall seen in the distance

Indoor and outdoor spaces blend together into one ideal living area

Treetop bedroom has wonderful views of the pool below

Bath off the treetop bedroom-what a hoot!

CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls database and to view the listing photos of this wonderful Casa Marina home.

908 Seminary Street is offered at $1,749,000. I live in the Casa Marina area and love it. If you are looking for a large home with plenty of room for entertaining or stylish year round living, you ought to take a look at this home the Old Blue Eyes would approve. If you aren't working with another Realtor, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642.I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Experience The Good Life.

Bank Owned - Key West - Waterfront - Affordable Family Home

1627 Venetian Drive - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 1627 Venetian Drive in Key West. The listing Realtor describes this 1599 sq ft ranch located on the Venetian Canal this way:

"BANK-OWNED 3/2 CBS home on the only canal system in Key West. Some recent upgrades have been done but waiting for your personal touch!"

The Venetian Canal - quick access to the Atlantic Ocean

Rear yard and deck need some imagination

This Bank Owned house is located one house from the end of Venetian Drive. CLICK HERE for a Google Map aerial view of the immediate area because that location and the canal will either attract you or deter you as a potential buyer. The Key West International Airport is located just south of the property- perhaps half a mile away. If you are outside you can hear airplane engines revving up as they prepare to take off. But you cannot hear them inside the house. This house and most in the immediate area received FAA window, door, and air conditioning modifications within the past few years. The cost varied by property but most averaged a bit more than $40,000 in improvements to individual homes.

Having a house like this located on a canal affords you the opportunity to be on open water within 15 minutes or so. Use the Google Map toggle switch and view the location from a higher perspective. Then imagine taking your boat out for your own sunset cruise any night of the week you want for as many nights as you want. Or imagine going fishing whenever you want. That is why people buy houses on the canals in Key West.

The house at 1627 Venetian sits on a 56' x 100' (5600) sq ft lot. The front is minimally landscaped. The rear has a seawall that runs the property line. Like all of the houses on the canal, this is equipped for boat storage. There is a bit of covered area off the master bedroom. I think a new homeowner could have some real fun dolling this space up and making the rear much more functional and certainly more attractive. The back area is protected from late afternoon sun so the outside could be a great retreat if a new owner puts some of his or her HGTV style ideas to work.

The inside of the house is in good condition. A prior owner updated the kitchen and installed attractive tile (same tile) in all rooms. (Sometimes people with good intentions do some very stupid things when selecting tile. This is not one of those instances.

Newer kitchen

The house has three bedrooms and two baths. The master bed and bath are totally private and are located at the rear of the house. Doors lead from the master bedroom to the covered outdoor area. The master bedroom is quite large and provides space for more than just a bed and dresser. A second bedroom, nearly as large as the master, is located across the center hall. That bedroom has windows on two walls and is nice and sunny. The third bedroom is located at the front of the house. There is a separate room I will call a study or kid's room is located adjacent to the living room. It has ready access from the carport and rear exit off to the back yard. This room also opens into the living room. It could provide lots of uses to a family.

Master Bedroom with access to covered patio

Master Bedroom is on the other side of those doors

Second large bedroom

1627 Venetian Drive is offered at $444,900. CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls database on this Bank Owned property. I took photos of all the rooms and the outside. You can see those photos if you CLICK HERE.

This house was previously listed for sale at a much higher price. The listing agent then said that this property did not flood during Hurricane Wilma.

If you are looking for a family home in Key West and like the idea of having boating access as a part of the purchase price, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

408 Porter Court - Key West - Money Maker

View from second floor balcony overlooking pool

The listing Realtor minces no words in the description of this sharp Porter Court townhome:

"Perfect end unit in exclusive Porter Court - a gated community of only 19 within Truman Annex in Old Town Key West. This beautifully decorated turnkey property can be rented transiently and has the best rental income in the complex. 2 bedrooms, 2 and one half baths with Plantation Shutters throughout and is ideally located with a private entrance off of Fleming Street. Large side and front decked yards and a second floor porch overlooking the pool and courtyard add to the feel of this tropical resort property. The perfect second home and investment with a great rental history. Paradise found!"

Private entrance off of Fleming Street

408 Porter Court is really cute two story townhome. While some buyers buy places in hope that the rental income will help defray costs of ownership, this unit really delivers and has a great rental history. It was the top producing property in Truman Annex in 2010 and it has substantial pre-bookings for 2011 and 2012. A buyer who wants heads-in-beds to help make the mortgage payments on a second property like this can appreciate the value of having vacationers that return year after year. It is like having money in the bank.

This 1140 sq ft unit was built in 1992 but it does not look like it. The kitchen is very current as are the baths. All rooms are nicely furnished. French doors open from the living room onto one of two rear decks. I did not see any deferred maintenance. What I did see was a nice inviting back entry (right onto Fleming Street). That means you can or your guests can by-pass going through the main entry and make a quick exit directly to your favorite Old Town hangout. Fleming Street as well as all other gates are locked at night but owners and guests have keyed access.This Transient Licensed unit is offered at $749,000. CLICK HERE to see the Key West mls datasheet on this unit.

Front Street meanders through Truman Annex from Southard Street

Gracious Truman Annex homes make visitors want to return year after year

Truman Annex gives vacationers a sense of security, comfort, and nostalgia

Truman Annex has seven different communities that include condos, townhomes, and single family homes with different features and various price points. The location has become a perennial favorite for returning visitors. It is close to everything but it is also very quiet.

If you are looking for a place in Paradise that you can occasionally rent to help with the mortgage payment, you might want to take a look at this Porter Court unit. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 to arrange a private showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.