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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

810 Georgia Street - The Meadows Area - Key West


It's a given that most people who think of buying a place in Key West first think of purchasing a home in the Old Town area. That's probably because the Old Town area is the part of town where they have spent the most time and where they fell in love with our fair city. I ought to know, it happened to me. The very first week I was in Key West I would go for my morning walks. I would traipse up and down the tree lined streets admiring the ever so cute old houses with white picket fences, palm trees, flowering trees, and those ancient mahoganies. I snapped pictures of the  houses, the storefronts on Duval, the seaport (it did not look then what it looks like now), the restaurants that served amazing food, and bars that were too much fun. I imagined what it would be like to live in such a glorious place. Even then I understood there was something a bit "different" about the locals as compared with where I came from. Everybody was welcome here. I liked what I saw. I was hooked. I knew I would buy a place here someday.

I often write about the other neighborhoods of Key West. Today's blog is about a really lovely home located at 810 Georgia Street in the Meadows Area of Key West.  Georgia Street runs parallel to White Street which is just one block west. Click GOOGLE MAP to see an aerial perspective of the area and then use the toggle switch for a street view. Do a GOOGLE walk around the neighborhood because the "street view" actually shows the wrong address.  You will see lots of house that appear similar to the houses in Old Town which is just one block away. If you take the time to do the walk you will see how really lovely this entire area is.


The listing Realtor describes the home this way:
"Tucked away behind lush tropical landscaping is this lovely four bedroom home located in the highly desirable Meadows of Old Town. Enter through a private walkway to this hidden slice of paradise. Open floor plan with glass doors leading to an amazing pool. High ceilings, central air conditioning, split bedroom floor plan with 2 bedrooms on first floor. Very large master suite upstairs with walk-in closet, room for king-size bed, desk, chairs and sitting area. Coveted 1/1 guest cottage and off-street parking round out the Trifecta of Key West Real Estate- pool, parking, and location. A Hidden Tropical Retreat for Tranquil Key West Living."

The house and guest cottage have a total of 2286 sq ft of living space under air.  (That's about twice as large as many of the cigar maker cottages that we all adore.) The 4087 sq ft lot is wide and deep. The house was built new in 1988 and embodies many of the features that were current at that time yet still has a old house look from the street.  When you enter the house your eyes are immediately drawn past the wall of glass to the pool and the cottage beyond. Then your eyes dart back inside the living room which is  quite a large space with vaulted ceiling. The kitchen is a step up from the living room elevation. There you have a better view of guests in the living area and the beautiful lagoon pool and cottage beyond.


There are two bedrooms located on this level. Both bedrooms are quite large. When you think about it, it only makes sense that something recently built would have good sized bedrooms rooms and baths unless it was a place built by a mass developer looking to squeeze every last inch out of an itty-bitty box. The house at 810 Georgia Street was custom built, so no need to worry about itty-bitty or mundane.


 The master suite is located on the second floor. The space is enormous, especially when you compare it to so many older Key West houses that did not even have closets.

This home is as clean as a whistle. No need to do any repairs either. However, the home is about 25 years old and it is starting to show a little silver.


I saved the best pictures for last. The pool and garden cottage add so much to the property. The pool is just beautiful. We measured it: it's nearly 6.5 feet deep at the far end.

The garden cottage has a spacious bedroom and full bath. Your guests can come and go as they please and not even need enter the main house to get to the cottage which has a private gated entrance. The interior space rivals many of the pricey condos in Old Town.  And it is only the guest cottage.


CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view the listing photos.  810 Georgia Street is offered at $925,000. If you would like to see this home or any other property in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.







Monday, August 27, 2012

The Aftermath of Isaac - Key West

For the past several days the media has been hyping the slow moving storm out in the Atlantic that meandered across the Caribbean towards Key West. The prognosticators on TV did their best to get everybody all worked up about the worst case scenario as Tropical Storm Isaac inched its way toward the United States. Key West would be the first part of the U.S. to get slammed by this storm, but the big worry was the assembled throngs of Republicans that were set to meet in Tampa to select Mitt Romney as their Presidential candidate for 2012. The Republicans fell for the bait and decided to delay the start of the convention for one day.  Thank God. That's one less day of name calling on the news.

I did my hurricane chores on Saturday. I went to Winn Dixie and bought some easy to fix groceries and water just in case we lost power or water.  Winn Dixie was quite busy at 8:30 AM compared to other days when I shopped at the same time.  I drove across the street to Home Depot to by a new flashlight. Home Depot was also quite busy.  Lots of people buying plywood to be safe from the wind.


I went to my office on Saturday morning to do some work. Our parking lot backs onto the city parking lot and old city hall which is located just off Simonton Street. I found the city lot had placed some baby Bobcats in the lot to be available if the need arose. (It didn't.)

Bell South did the same thing in its lot next door.


I drove over to the Southernmost Point to see what was going on over there. At least one national TV network is camped out there any time there is a storm that heads our way. And sure to form a big satellite truck was there. And just as sure the tourists were also present to get their photos sent all over the globe.

Since Key West is an island surrounded by water I ventured over to Higg's Beach to see what was going on there. Sure enough another satellite truck was there to cover Isaac as it pelleted the shores of Key West.


I personally fell for the hype about huge potential rainstorm so I let about 3 inches of water out of my pool to avoid overflow. I got about one inch of water where I live. So now I get to spend money on refilling the pool. 

I drove around town this morning to see if I could find any damage. I did not. There were some palm fronds and an occasional tree limb on the ground. But I am happy to report that for the most part Isaac was a non-event.  Many businesses boarder or shuttered up. However, I would guess maybe 20% of the shops and restaurants on Duval Street (and elsewhere) did not.

True to form the boys over at the 801 Bar had made big fun of Isaac by having a hurricane party.

 
I'll bet the party at the 801 was a lot more fun than the party up in Tampa!





Saturday, August 25, 2012

1123 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West



Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West (but not by me), 1123 Washington Street which is a Bahamian styled home newly constructed in 2002. The 1841 sq ft home sits on a quiet block in the tony Casa Marina Area of Key West away from the honking scooters, slow moving Conch trains, and the noisy trolleys that clog many of the streets of Old Town. I live in this quiet and laid back neighborhood of homes built as far back as the 19th Century with others during the 21st Century. There is a comfortable mix of full time residents and part time residents who own second homes here.  As a resident of the Casa Marina area instead of watching an endless parade of tourists, you are more likely to see your neighbors walking their dogs or jogging in the morning.  I love Old Town, don't get me wrong. But I chose to live in the Casa Marina area because this part of town is quieter and much less congested.  And I can be anywhere in Key West in about five minutes time.

1123 Washington Street is a two story home built in the Bahamian style. Typically a Bahamian house is a wood framed house built on posts or piers with clapboard siding. It would have had large windows, doors, and high ceilings which would provide natural ventilation to cool the home in a time before there was air conditioning. The Bahama Shutters we see throughout Key West allowed air to flow through the shutters into the home but still permit privacy on the inside of  the home. The house at 1123 Washington Street re-thinks the Bahamian influence and adapts a practical usage of the space for modern living which now includes air conditioning. This home has what appears to be a sawtooth addition on the east side of the house (again, typical of many houses that were constructed and added onto over the years in Key West). This "addition" is where the master suite is located and that just happens to be off the tropical pool. Care for a late night skinny dip?

Second Floor Balcony with French Doors & Bahama Shutters  

Master Suite located next to Pool for Late Night  Dip 
Serene, Private, Seductive
The listing Realtor describes the property this way:
"Elegant Casa Marina 3/3 1/2 home built to resemble the Conch style homes of the 1800's. Entering the front door you are greeted by soring ceilings and french doors opening to the backyard pool and spa. There is a divided living room and cooks kitchen with a separate formal dining room. On the first floor there is a large en-suite master bedroom with a walk-in closet. On the second floor there are two large en-suite guest rooms with Terrace access overlooking the lush tropical entrance to the home. Bricked off street parking."


1123 Washington Street is listed at $1,279,000.  The house has 1751 sq ft of living space under air (not including covered porches) and sits on a large (4973 sq ft) lot. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Serious house hunters know there just aren't very many nice three bed and three bath homes with beautiful pools that are located in good locations in Key West.

This home is convenient to everything. But for the most part it is really nice and quiet. You can bike to the gym or Fausto's Grocery on White Street in about two minutes. You can get to the airport in about five minutes by car. On July the 4th you can walk a couple of blocks to the beach to attend the annual Casa Marina picnic and later watch fireworks shot off at Higg's Beach. Throughout the year you could walk to Salute on the Beach for a cheap but ever so tasty dinner while watching sunset. On other nights you could walk to Louie's Backyard or the After Deck Bar for sophisticated dining. Key West is a great place to live. 1123 Washington Street is a house you can pretty much move right into. I'm confident you will love the neighborhood!
Fausto's on White Street
Higg's Beach before the tourists and locals are alive
After Deck Bar at Louie's Backyard

If you would like to see 1123 Washington Street, or any of the other houses on the list above, or any other house in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties in Key West Florida.  Let me help you find your new home in Paradise.


Thursday, August 23, 2012

2116 Fogarty Avenue - Key West


Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work, but this is not my listing, 2116 Fogarty Avenue in Key West. The asking price is just $449,900. The listing agent describes this freshly renovated three bedroom, two bath home this way:
"Very nice renovation with attention to detail. No expense spared here and best of all....It's brand new! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Oak floors, spacious kitchen, extensive upstairs deck, 8x12 Storage shed in the back. A picket fence puts a final flourish on this very nice property. Hurry it won't last long."
 The 1258 sq ft home sits on a 50' x 100' (5000) sq ft lot located in the midtown area of Key West. The paint is barely dry on this new renovation. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this home. As the listing agent warns, "Hurry it won't last long".


The over supply of houses from a couple of years ago has disappeared.

If you would like to see this home or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Monday, August 20, 2012

1108 Fleming Street - Pretty As a Picture - Key West


Just listed, by not by me, 1108 Fleming Street in Old Town Key West. This place is pretty as a picture - and then more. It's the poster child for quintessential Key West charm. Now it is available for sale at $1,300,000.  The listing Realtor describes the new property thus:
"Beautiful historic conch home located in the heart of prestigious Old Town Key West.This classic three bedroom has a warm open floor plan with vaulted ceilings.The guest cottage has its own access and off street parking located on Curry Lane. The tropical pool area has plenty of room for entertaining.The pool separates the main house from the guest cottage."
 The house is bright and cheerful from front to back and bottom to top. Every room is different, but the entire place flows evenly and with purpose. The great room at the rear of the main house invites you out to the pool. The guest cottage at the rear invites you to come in and get cozy.

 1108 Fleming Street is located at the far end of Fleming Street. It's a good six or seven minute walk to Duval Street and about the same time to get to the Historic Seaport. There are two convenience stores down on White Street and a couple of nifty restaurants within two blocks.

The house is laid out with one bedroom located at the front of the house on the main floor. The kitchen and great room occupy the rear area of the main floor. There you get a view of the pool, deck, and uber-cute guest cottage at the rear.  There is off street parking in the rear on Curry Lane. A larger bedroom with sitting area is located on the second floor. The house and cottage have a total of 1604 sq ft of living space under air.

Cottage with Parking
Cottage looking toward the main house
CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this beautiful Key West home that really is Pretty as a picture. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Let me help you find your home in Paradise.






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The information on this site is for discussion purposes only. Under no circumstances does this information constitute a recommendation to buy or sell securities, assets, real estate, or otherwise. Information has not been verified, is not guaranteed, and is subject to change.
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