617 Fleming Street #4 - Old Town - Key West

617 Fleming Street - Old Town - Key West 2010

617 Fleming Street - Old Town - Key West circa 1965

The Campbell Courtyard Condominiums have one of the best locations in Old Town. They are close enough to Duval Street and the Historic Key West Seaport that you can be in either place in five minutes or less. But they are far enough away that you do not hear the frenzy on Duval. Many of the neighboring properties are among the highest priced homes in Old Town. There are still some untouched houses that make Old Town so appealing. The area is chic but not too chic. CLICK HERE to view a Google aerial view of the location.

The Campbell Courtyard Condos were "developed" or assembled from a group of unrelated buildings into the compound with a shared location, identity, and an incredibly inviting pool in the late 1990s . The nine units quickly sold and there has not been a large turnover of ownership since then. The main building shown above was built in the 1920s and the eyebrow cottage (just below) was built in the 1890s. All buildings were totally renovated during the condo conversion.

The Eyebrow Cottage and Pool at Campbell Courtyard

Campbell Courtyard Condominium #4 was just listed, but not by me, at the asking price of $499,000. This two bedroom and two bath unit has 1000 sq ft of interior living space plus front balcony. The listing broker describes this unique Old Town property this way:

" Beautiful Old Town Campbell Courtyard condominium. Contemporary two bedroom and two bath unit with a balcony overlooking Old Town. Small private compound with only nine units. Enjoy the shared pool with mature and lush landscaped grounds."

Kinda 'inviting' isn't it?

Look at the above photo and notice the second floor balcony. That is the main level of this unit. The living room is on the left (west side) and the kitchen is on the right (east side). There is a spiral staircase that leads to the third floor where there are two good sized bedrooms and two baths. The doors open onto the balcony where you can sip your morning coffee or early evening martini and watch the people on parade forever. But every Friday during the last week of October, you will have the ringside seat to watch the official Fantasy Fest "People's Parade".


This place, Dear Reader, is worth looking at if you are looking for a very well located second home in a great Key West location. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule your own private showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

205 Golf Club Drive - Bank Owned - The Sanctuary - Key West

205 Golf Club Drive - Key West

The developer named that special section of the Key West golf course The Sanctuary for good reason: it is an enclave of primarily large homes with great views of the lush tropical golf course. Large iron gates separate The Sanctuary from the rest of the development. Once you pass the entrance you have views of the lakes to the left and links to the right. Then the big houses come into view. Large homes line Golf Club Drive as it loops around to return to the gated entrance. Homes on the inside are referred to as spa homes. Those homes are a bit smaller and have a spa type pool and are located on much smaller lots. No matter the size of the house, you know you are in a very special place that is just so relaxed and inviting. The street and the houses are picture post card perfect. And you think to yourself "I could live here!".


The house at 205 Golf Club Drive is Bank Owned provides an affordable opportunity as it is priced to sell at $475,500. The house has 1600 sq ft of living space divided between two floors. Downstairs you will find a large open living area with a bank of French doors at the rear that open out to the terrace and pool below. And beyond that is the golf course view that is just "killer". The kitchen is located up front and it opens onto the living area so the cook can be a part of whatever is going on in the living area . A "bump out" addition with a pyramid ceiling is at the left rear. That space would make a great study, den, or guest room. (There is a guest bath on the main level as well.)

Off street parking for two cars and a picture perfect front entrance

Beautifully landscaped rear yard with pool overlooking the golf course

Upstairs you will find two bedrooms each of which has a door to the front second level porch. They share a bath. The master bedroom is at the rear and has an en-suite bath. The master bedroom also has a vaulted ceiling and a set of French doors that open onto its own large second floor rear porch with views of the pool below and the golf course beyond. I can imagine sitting out there in the early morning drinking coffee and watching the birds wake up as the sun rises and the sky turns from gray to orange and eventually to blue. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property.

Both bedrooms share this second floor front porch

Master bedroom suite is at the rear

Enclosed rear porch overlooks the pool and golf course beyond

The Key West golf club community has two pools, a fitness center, and lush landscaping. While the houses here are relatively new (205 Golf Club Drive was built in 2000), the densely landscaped streets and Conch style homes give this community the appearance as being of an earlier era. As I waited for some buyers the other day, a young family with two kids and a big puppy walked by. They said hello and I thought to myself, this really is a nice place. It is close to Key West but it is far enough away to appreciate the distinction.

If you would like to see this Bank Owned home or any other property in Key West, please contact 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. in Key West, Florida.

616 Caroline Street - Key West - Wow! What an Opportunity!

616 Caroline Street - Key West

Please excuse my exuberance, but I think the new listing at 616 Caroline Street, Unit #4, is quite the buying opportunity for that person that wants a Key West pied a tere that really deserves that moniker and is priced so affordably. The listing broker describes this property thus:

"Grand home converted into designer condos. This unit is offered fully furnished and includes hardwood floors, marble countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, high ceilings, antique glass windows and a private balcony. Relax by the pool and spa surrounded by lush tropical gardens or stroll one block to Duval Street."

The property has been graciously updated and offers Asian Teak flooring throughout; High Ceilings & Antique Glass Windows; Smart-wired & Digital-ready, Stainless Steel Appliances; Crown Molding; Spacious balconies overlooking the Key West Bight; Ample Storage Areas; and Interiors by Award-Winning Designer, Pascal Delisse. All of this plus two bedrooms, two baths, 806 sq ft of living space, a pool and a spa for just $425,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key Wet mls datasheet and to view listing photos. (My camera is kaput so I must rely on listing photos until my new camera is functional. [I need someone to show me how to operate it.])

This unit will not last long at this price. It was originally listed for sale at $949,000 and now it is offered at about a 65% discount. Compare the size, location, amenities, and historic and authentic Key West charm to similarly priced condos at Shipyard in Truman Annex. This place is a bit bigger, the pool is much more private, you won't have someone walking around in clogs over your head at night, and it is an easy five minute walk to some of the best bars and restaurants at the Historic Key West Seaport. I like Truman Annex and Shipyard offers a lot of value for first time buyers. This place is a very good counterpoint.

The Seaport is a two block walk east of 616 Caroline Street. Take a hike!

I think this property would make a most excellent vacation rental (30 days minimum) because of its size, location, and amenities. Returning guests love places like this that are near everything and have all the modern conveniences.

Harpoon Harry's is a couple of blocks down Caroline Street where you will be treated kindly and served very good food at an affordable price. Dances are cheap, too.

By day or night guests or friends and family can walk to the Seaport for fun

Or for a good meal and a few drinks

If you would like to see this unit or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an 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. Don't wait too long because this listing will sell quickly.

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Old Town - Key West - Hidden Treasure

809 Virginia Street - Key West

Some Key West properties just burst with energy and show off to the world. Others, like the the cottage home at 809 Virginia Street keep their charm and sweetness nice and private.

The front of this cottage is screened from the passing world

The listing Realtor describes 809 Virginia Street this way:

"Completely renovated by an artist/designer, this classic Key West cigar maker's cottage has wonderful style. The living area opens to a very private pool surrounded by lush tropical foliage. French doors and windows fill the house with light from the front porch to the back of the house. Light wood floors, high ceilings, an open staircase to the loft and the two bedrooms all have the charm factor. Great old town location."

I recently had some buyers in town that read an earlier blog I wrote about this property. They rode their bikes past the place and could not understand my remarks about the charm. A closer look was required. They came away believers.

The master bedroom is located at the front of this cottage home

When you walk inside you kinda feel like Dorothy, only this time instead of knowing your not in Kansas, you know you are in some place very different. The front room is currently used as a bedroom and art showcase. The vaulted ceiling, blank walls, and gauze curtains are unlike anything in Kansas, for sure.

Second bedroom

A hallway leads you to the second room, a smaller bedroom, which precedes the bathroom. Then you suddenly emerge into the large rear end of the house. A big bright kitchen is to your right and a small staircase takes you to a landing where the living room soars up to the rafters. This area is bright and alive and the space is filled with the art and sculpture. If you look out the French doors you will see a secluded pool and deck and of course you want to go outside. But it you turn around to look down into the kitchen your eyes are drawn upward to the loft that runs a good portion of the length of the house. Now how did I miss that? Do you go out or do you stay inside? What a delicate dilemma.


The pool is lovely. It's plenty big for Key West. There is room for sunning and reading under the shade. There are bricked side yards on either side of the house. One has an outdoor shower which you will come to love if you buy a house in Key West. Really!


Back inside you see the stairway to the loft spaces. Yes, plural. The sleeping area is located toward the front. Two skylights let daytime sunlight fill this space.


It is the rear of the loft that is the big draw for this space. Look at the photo just below because it will help you understand the simplicity of design that makes this space so damned appealing both as a design element and as functional living space.

The loft area viewed from down below

Viewed from below the vertical slats in the loft are something akin to back of a sofa or perhaps a headboard.

When we look at the same area from the other side we see a "built-in" bed or whatever-you-want-to-call-it. I sat on these fluffy pillows and came up with all kinds of fun things one could do here.

A neat spot to do nothing

The house has lots of niches for storing stuff or showing off possessions. No space was wasted. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of this wonderful property. You will be amazed.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view lots of nice listing photos of this Key West cottage home listed by Preferred Properties, that is where I work but this is not my listing. This property is offered at $699,000. If you would like to see 809 Virginia Street or any other home in Key West, please consider contacting 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. in Key West. Hey, don't worry about this place being too far out. It's close to everything.

Key West - Short Sale - Private Pool - Bargain Price

419 United Street #2 - Key West - Short Sale

If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive Key West getaway with its own private pool and a convenient location near the beaches and Old Town night life, you just might want to take a look at the condo at 419 United Street #2. The unit is one of four in the four unit building that was converted to condos in 2005. This unit is located on the ground floor at the rear. Access is from the rear just off the private pool.

Access to Unit #2

This way in

Private Pool for the owner of Unit #2

This unit has two bedrooms and one bath in 660 sq ft of living space. That is about the equivalent to many condo units at Shipyard Condos. The difference is, this condo is located in an old Conch House that has been converted into condos. Instead of over 100 units that share the common pool, the owner of this unit is the only owner that uses the pool. Oh, and the price of this unit is significantly lower than any unit at Shipyard. (On October 9, 2011 there are 3 Shipyard units with 680 sq ft for sale with an average price per sq ft of $635 compared to $452 for 419 United Street.) This unit does not have off street parking as do units at Shipyard.

The owner of unit #2 owns the ground at the rear of the building and obtained approval form the other condo owners and then permission from the City of Key West to construct the pool. The pool has its own water meter and electric and the condo owner is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the pool.

This property is offered as a short sale at the asking price of $299,000. Condo fees are $515 per months and include building insurance, building maintenance, water, sewer, and trash removal. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos.

Walk to South Beach instead of Mallory Square to view Key West's incredible sunsets

419 United Street is located two blocks from South Beach and just a few blocks from Ft. Zach Taylor Beach and State Park. It is 1/2 block to Duval Street where nearby you will find the hip French bistro, Banana Cafe, and numerous coffee and tea houses. LaTeDa and 915 are nearby as are dozens of other places to eat and drink in all price ranges. The Green Parrot is just a couple of blocks to the north on Whitehead Street.

Banana Cafe is just 1/2 block away from 419 United Street

Green Parrot is a few blocks north on Whitehead Street

If you would like to see 419 United Street #2 please contact 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. This place is worthy of your consideration.