626 Grinnell Street - Old Town - Key West

626 Grinnell Street - Old Town - Key West

The home at 626 Grinnell Street sits on one of the prettiest blocks in Old Town Key West. The home dates back to 1906.  Of course like most of the older homes in Key West, this property has been expanded a bit and updated over the years. The house has 2988 sq ft of living space under air conditioning plus gracious front porch and rear second story balcony off the very large master suite that takes up the back half of the home.

The listing agent describes this property thus:

"Gracious home with large, comfortable living areas hidden behind the facade of a Conch cottage. Currently configured as a two bedroom /three full bath home, this property has the potential and square footage for reconfiguration to a three bedroom home. It is a superb renovation with plenty of spaces to live in and enjoy, located in a great area. Formal living and dining rooms, a master bedroom with private deck and a heated pool and spa in a secluded setting make this a property that should be seen by anyone interested in the Old Town area. Plenty of storage & closet space. Hurricane shutters all around, solar assisted hot water and four zone A/C are among the many convenience and green living feature."

626 Grinnell Street is located one house north of where the street dead ends into the Key West cemetery at Angela Street. Angela Street at that location is a one way street heading west toward Margaret Street. The location is quiet not only because proximity to the cemetery but also because Conch Trains and trolleys don't traverse this street.

One of the darling Key West pocket parks is located across the street. The park is a nice respite for thinking or walking the doggies.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos of this Victorian era Key West home.  This property is offered by Preferred Properties Key West at $1,225,000 or $418 per sq ft. I don't often discuss houses on a price per sq ft basis because our housing supply is so diverse and that it is difficult to compare the value of an older home like this with its large rooms, features like the ornate tin ceilings and intricate woodwork found in the main level rooms to other properties. I'll make this exception. I just searched our mls and found only ten single family homes in the Old Town area that are 2500 sq ft or large. The average square foot asking price is $754. This property is the lowest priced home on a per sq basis of any of the ten houses.

If you would like to see this home or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email kw1101v@aol.com.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

Key West Vacation Rental Scam

I got an email a couple of days ago which read "I was reading your information about KEY West housing renovations and I saw 319 Grinnel ST.  Could you tell me if the renovation is complete.  I believe I saw it on a Forcloser list and I  am wondering if it is in liveable condition." 

I had actually walked past that house last week as I was taking photos for an upcoming blog. I wrote about 319 Grinnell Street on September 13. 2011 when it was listed as a bank owned foreclosure.   It sold very quickly. But nothing has happened since the new owner took title. At least nothing noticeable other than a "No Parking" sign that was posted by the driveway. 

I sent the email writer a response and said the house had not been renovated and told him to be weary of any rentals on Craigslist or most other non-realtor websites.  I suggested that he actually call and speak to a live person and not pay any money on anything that he could not verify.

The email writer was in fact doing his own due diligence by contacting me. A day later he sent me a new email with the link to the website which supposedly has 319 Grinnell Street in Key West available for rent.  The web address is:

I went to that link and found addresses, photos, and descriptions of the four properties shown there as available for rent. Just below you can see photos of the actual properties.  If you go to that website, your browser will reacting if you click the photos and search info for too long. So beware.

319 Grinnell Street - 2011

319 Grinnell on 9-26-2012

803 Olivia St on 9-26-2012

The supposed property rental site shows an address of 805 Olivia Street. There is no such address. See the adjacent vacant lot. It belongs to 803 Olivia. The next house to the east is 811 Olivia Street.  Google the address for yourself.

The fake website show interior photos of a Meadows townhome located in the 1500 block of Petronia Street. Our office sold out those properties a couple of years ago. I recognize the interiors. CLICK our website for proof.

510 Frances St on 9-26-2012

510 Frances St actually exists. However, this is not the same property shown on the fake website. If you bother to look at the fake website photo for this property you will see a large rectangular pool. Fraud!  The actual pool is shown immediately below.

Pool at 510 Frances Street

213 Julia St on 9-26-2012

213 Julia Street appears to be a large multi-unit apartment building in the Bahama Village area of Key West. 

I have no idea who the internet frauder is or where he or she is located. It could be some person in Key West, but I doubt it.  The supposed website has a telephone number listed. The email writer told me he has made numerous phone calls none of which get answered.

I recommend people who plan to rent a private home or condo rent through a local property management company with a physical address in Key West such as Rent Key West, Compass Realty, Historic Hideaways, At Home In Key West, Preferred Properties, and others.  Be wary properties you see on Craigslist or other sites.  It's your money and your vacation you are gambling with. Whatever you do, do not send any deposit by Paypal or Western Union.

221 Golf Club Drive - The Sanctuary - Key West

All ya' gotta do is bring your toothbrush!

221 Golf Club Drive - Key West

 If you are looking for a large house that is move-in ready and available fully furnished and which has three bedrooms, a pool, covered off street parking, and is as pretty as a picture, may I suggest that you consider 221 Golf Club Drive which is located in The Sanctuary at the Key West Golf Club.  All you have to do is bring your toothbrush to this great home which the listing Realtor describes:

"Lowest price Great House on this positively pristine home located in the exclusive gated Sanctuary Community at the Key West Golf Club. This rarely used and never rented 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath + den home has a lovely open floor plan, private pool, carport with room for 2 cars, and new rear deck (cost $20,000) off the Master Bedroom. There are two community pools, and a workout room in the clubhouse."

The house has 1600 square feet of living space under air. The two story has has porches on front and rear.It is located on a block of similar homes in an area that is always very well maintained. The street views and homes are like something you'd see in a movie.  The photos above were taken on the porch located just off the two front bedrooms. These bedrooms have vaulted ceilings that add to the spacious feel of the rooms. They share an adjacent bath. The master suite is at the rear where it has a vaulted ceiling as well plus an en-suite bath and its own private rear porch which looks down to the private pool.

Master bedroom with en-suite bath to the rear

French doors open onto rear balcony overlooking pool below

The main level of this home includes a comfortable kitchen that opens onto the dining area and living room. A powder room is located opposite the kitchen. 

I failed to take any photos of the room just to the left in the photo above. This room is often used as a guest bedroom or den or office. The space is quite large and offers lots of utility to any homeowner. Note the French doors that open out to the main level deck that descends down to the ground level deck and pool. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and view listing photos. 

I have become a big fan of many of the homes at the Golf Course, in part, I guess, by the lush vegetation that has grown and flourished there. The streets really are picture perfect. The houses really are cute. Some are "cuter" and better maintained than others, but the development as a whole is really attractive.  And once you pass the gated entrance into The Sanctuary you see a host of similarly elegant homes on a the one way street that loops back to the gated entry. The golf course community has two heated two pools, one which is enormous, and a small gym that is available to owners at no additional cost. Monthly homeowner fees are $333 per month (includes cable tv, common area and pool maintenance, and security).

CLICK HERE to view more a small slide show of photos I took of this really attractive and super clean Grand House at The Sanctuary.  Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this wonderful home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.   If you act quickly enough you could spend the holidays in Key West sitting by your pool when your friends up north deal with snow storms and busy shopping malls.

1617 White Street - Key West

1617 White Street - Key West, Florida

 I recently had the opportunity to show 1617 White Street and decided to share some photos I took and offer my impressions of this incredible tropical estate that is located one block from Higg's Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

The listing Realtor at Preferred Properties describes this property thus:

"This splendid tropical estate rests on 25013 square feet of land and extends from White Street right through to Sirugo Avenue. The completely renovated elevated residence has ocean views from the cupola and rooftop deck and a dramatic vista across the pool and lawn to the spectacular waterfall. In addition to the luxurious poolside master suite and two guest bedrooms with en suite baths, there is a charming study in the tower and a very efficient office overlooking the pool. This home was featured in the Oct. '01 issue of Architectural Digest. There is a whole-house generator and a hurricane protection system. For additional money, an adjoining property of two units having a total of 3 bedrooms,3 baths and a pool may also be purchased."

The present owner purchased the main house in 1997 and engaged local architect Tom Pope and brought in designer Thomas Achilles (who had designed other projects for the owner). The trio collaborated to transform the orignal house into something truly unique. The most prominent feature visible from the street is the widow's walk. Historically, widow's walks were places where sailors' wives would climb to look out to the sea to search for the returning ships.  Wireless radio made those roof top perches needless. Since the original house was only built in 1983,  the widows' walk was more a follie than a necessity when built. Yet it was this novel feature that attracted many an eye a block away at nearby Higg's Beach or at the city park across the street. The new owner and his design team expanded the widows' walk by adding a rooftop sundeck.
 The palms at the front of the residence now obscure much of the front facade and widows' walk from public view. But the widows' walk is still the most prominent feature when viewed from the rear.

The owner was quoted in the Architectural Digest piece "Key West has Cuban sensuality and a Caribbean irreverence. At the same time, the island has a distinctly American individualism and a clear-stated preference for charm and history that can only be European. We tried to make sure our home blended all of these elements."
I guess I would describe the house as British Colonial Revival. The front veranda features an elaborate front door, decorative crown pediments, and double sets of windows on either side of the front entry. The interiors are rich in design and color. The designer used used a color pallet of tans, caramels, creams, and magenta that were set off by crisp white trim. 
 The home has 3259 sq ft of living space under air that includes formal entry, elegant living area and views to the front and rear,  three bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, and the roof top widows' walk with its 360 degree views of the Island of Key West. The entire property is fenced and lighted. There is bricked off street parking for several vehicles.
Although the main entry is Key West casual, you know upon entry this is not s typical Key West property. The front door opens into the entry which then expands to the right where the living room is located. That space is quite large and has multiple sitting areas. The fireplace, one of three in this home, is the focal point of this area.

The rear wall of the living room and adjacent formal dining room is actually multiple sets of French doors that open out onto the covered veranda that wraps around the rear of the home. Note the bay window effect of the French doors.

Bay window off the dining room

Fireplace on south end of the veranda

The master suite (below) has multiple sets of French doors that open out to the veranda as well.  The suite as presently configured includes a large office area which might easily become a media room, the bedroom chamber with fireplace, luxurious master bath, and an adjacent mini kitchen. 

View from office

View from the master bedroom

There are two bedrooms on the second floor each of which has an en-suite bath.  And finally there is the widows' walk and sundeck which offer amazing views of the south end of the island, the nearby ocean, and the beautiful park-like garden to the rear.  Guests here will truly never want to go home.

 After completing the renovation and expansion of the main house, the owner purchased abutting properties to the rear. Existing houses were razed to expand the rear of the property where a park-like botanical garden was created complete with massive waterfall plus an nearby bandstand for large gatherings. The resulting property is an irregular rectangle that roughly measures 100 feet x 225 feet.
When you enter the home your eyes are immediately drawn through the house, past the pool and the garden to the sputtering waterfall literally located a block away. You don't see sights like that in Key West nor most places. The effect is quite dramatic.

The waterfall demands attention. It commands first time visitors to walk through the garden to the foot of pond where the water collects. While wandering toward the pool I passed a myriad varieties of fruit and citrus trees, flowering trees, and palm trees of all kinds. The garden is amazing.

Ten foot tall waterfall at the rear of the palm grove

Of course there is a huge swimming pool with its own waterfall, a Jacuzzi, an outdoor shower, a pool kitchen and pool laundry (for pool towels, of course). A sunny deck  surrounds the pool. An expansive loggia provides ample entertaining areas for many guests.  Hilary Clinton was a guest of honor at a campaign event held here a few years ago. I heard there were about five hundred supporters present.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls data sheet on this wonderful Key West property.  And CLICK HERE to view the photos I took. I can't take much pride in these pics. It was my first time with a new Nikon and I didn't do as well as I planned.