1014 Elgin Lane - Short Sale - Old Town - Key West

Great Room at the rear with double French Doors leading to pool

The second floor bedroom at 1014 Elgin Lane

1014 Elgin Lane is a really charming two bedroom cottage located in the Old Town section of Key West. Elgin Lane is a one-way lane that runs westerly from White Street and ends at Grinnell Street.

The listing Realtor describes this beauty this way:

"Darling 1 & 1/2 story Key West cottage with small dip pool on quiet Old Town lane near Key West Historic Seaport area. Nicely maintained with charming details including a nice open kitchen/living area with vaulted ceilings and double french doors overlooking cozy backyard setting beneath a canopy of mature trees. Surrounded by a white picket fence with off street parking finished in brick for one car. This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval."

The first floor bedroom is located up front to the right and the Great Room is at the rear

The 960 sq ft cottage is laid out most efficiently. There is a formal entry with the first floor bedroom and bath located at front behind pocket doors. The Dade County Pine walls and crisp clean white trim punctuate each room in the house. The cheerful entry leads to the rear great room which houses the living, dining, and kitchen areas in one large room with French doors that open out onto the small pool in the rear. Upstairs you will find an equally charming second bedroom and a separate bath. The rear yard has a dip pool. The asking price on this short sale property is $675,000. CLICK HERE to see the mls listing details and to view more listing photos. Based on recent sales the asking price is a bit too high. I think a serious buyer would be an aggressive buyer with cash in hand.

I took additional photos of 1014 Elgin Lane which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

The Historic Key West Seaport is located about 5 to 7 minute walk to the north and west. Duval Street is a 7 to 10 minute walk. Strunk Ace Hardware is a block away. (There is a little Tim The Tool Man Taylor in every guy I know.) The Restaurant Store is next door where you can channel your Inner Bobby Flay. Cole'z Peace Bakery is next door to the east where you can buy Artisan (code: expensive homemade) bread that tastes really great. The uber-new Old Town Bakery is one block west. Azur Restaurant is around the corner 1/2 block from Elgin Lane at the corner of Fleming and Grinnell. (They have daily lunch specials that locals love.) Most everyplace in Old Town is within an easy walking distance.

The nice thing about this house is that nothing needs fixed. It is in "move-in" condition. Bring your tooth brush, some fresh shorts and tee shirts, and get ready to live your life your way in Key West.

I think this is a heck of a buy. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Proprieties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

1800 Atlantic Penthouse Condo - Key West Waterfront

Just listed, by not by me, 1800 Atlantic Unit C 439, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The listing Broker describes the unit this way:

"Top floor unit with stunning views down Smather's Beach, vaulted ceilings and a transient rental license. Great location within a great location! Enjoy all of the amenities for which 1800 Atlantic is so well known and generate income to help with the carrying costs."

Loyal Readers know that just about every unit at 1800 Atlantic is 1357 square feet and has a nearly identical layout consisting of two bedrooms, two baths, eat in kitchen, shared dining and living areas, and a killer balcony that extends the length of the unit so that each room (except the baths) as views. The location, dear Readers, is one of three factors that dramatically effects the pricing among units for sale. The two other factors are whether the unit has been updated and whether the unit has a transient rental license. Few buyers want a bad location or inferior view. Some buyers want perfection for the 'get go' while others are willing to accept any property as long as the price is right, and some buyers require a transient license so they can rent a unit as much as possible when they are not using the unit themselves.

Top floor Smather's Beach view

Penthouse has vaulted ceilings that add volume to the living areas

1800 Atlantic Unit C 439 is a penthouse unit (meaning not only top floor but also that the unit has extra tall vaulted ceilings which add height and volume to the living room and bedrooms. This unit is the first unit off the ocean front which has the commanding waterfront views. Being second best works in this case. This unit has valuable City of Key West transient license which makes daily rental (every day of the year possible as opposed to a special Truman Annex transient rental license that has restrictions as to the number of weeks an owner can rent the unit on a transient basis). Finally, this unit is original which means the kitchen and baths are the same now as they were when the unit was built in 1984. In an age where almost everything must be 'new' to be good, being 27 years old may seem like it is less than perfect. That, Dear Reader, is not the case here. I have photos to prove it. CLICK HERE to see photos of this unit and the views. A potential buyer who wants a new kitchen or new baths or new furniture can get exactly what they want.

1800 Atlantic Condominiums have a loyal following of returning visitors. The ocean front location with the giant pool and spa and the surprisingly large gardens, tennis courts, and covered parking work well for visitors that have done the Duval crawl and decided they prefer the oceanfront location.
You or your guests can walk to Smather's Beach for a game of volleyball, a personal sail, or some ordinary tanning in an extraordinary location.

Smather's Beach is next door to your home

No traffic, no parking, no problems

Or you can swim in your own pool or walk the beach outside the door

Unit C 439 is offered at $498,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database on this unit.

Here's the deal: This unit should sell very quickly as opposed to other units that have been on the market for ages. When I took the photos on Saturday, four other agents were there doing the same thing for their buyers. The penthouse location and view plus the transient license makes this unit a very sellable unit. If you wait too long on this, you will likely miss out.

If you are looking to purchase a property in Key West and have not yet found the right person to deal with, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas. 305-766-2642 or by email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

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.