Home Buy Christmas -1411 Olivia Street - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 1411 Olivia Street which is located in the Meadows Area of Key West.  White Street is the dividing line between Old Town and the Meadows Area. Many of the houses in both areas are the same style and were built around the same time periods.  For the most part the only difference between the two areas is a higher price per square foot if you buy on the Old Town side of White Street. Read on if you want to save a buck (or many thousands of them).

The listing broker describes 1411 Olivia Street this way:

"This charming Key West home is located in the Meadows area of old town. A vintage iron gate and a wide, sunny front porch offers a welcome entry to the house. Inside are beautiful wood floors, high ceilings and bright rooms. In addition to the two bedrooms and two baths, there are two loft bedrooms not included in the square footage. The Florida room opens through a wall of glass doors to the bricked patio and garden which includes an outdoor shower. The patio area is fenced and gated and very private. This is a must see for those wanting historic charm in a lovely setting."

I found this old photo of 1411 Olivia Street with a notation that it was built circa 1926 which differs from what the Monroe County Property Appraiser's records show which is the source for our mls database. (In this instance I think I'd go along with the photo notation. Not much of anything was being built in Key West in 1933 because we were in a big ole Depression.) Then compare the way the house looked back in the olden days with the way it looks today.

The house has 1334 sq ft of living space on one floor. As the listing broker notes the house has even more living space not shown in the public record as it is loft bedroom space which is not counted in actual living area.  There are two real bedrooms and two bath plus the spaces aforementioned which don't count unless you have roommates, children, or brothers-in-law.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database and listing photos.

This home is located just a couple of blocks north of Bayview Park, the main city park in Key West.  I dropped by early this morning to snap some pics of the tiny little Conch Cottages that are all dolled up for Christmas. Santa's sleigh and a very tall Christmas Tree beckon little ones and grown-ups to drop by and suspend disbelief at the magic of Christmas.  If you are in Key West right now you can sense Christmas is coming. Moods are elevated, houses are decorated, cash registers are humming, and Realtors have visions of commissions dancing in their heads.

 Look at the black and white photo just above. It shows kids swimming in the water across street from Bayview Park in the 1940s.  See the park pavilion at the right.  Today that same view would be impossible as Truman Avenue and Eisenhower Driver (the intersection) now have commercial buildings and a four story condo.  It's old pics like this that almost make me sick to see what greed has done to our little town. 

Bayview Park is the historic city park for Key West. Every year it is the place where locals come together to celebrate the rituals of each season. I came from a big city and never experienced anything like life in a small town like Key West. I have grown to love living here more than I could have ever imagined.

1411 Olivia Street is offered at $629,000.  If you would like to see this charming home on a very charming block please give me, Gary Thomas a phone call at 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

1214 Varela Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West, but not by me, 1214 Varela Street in the Old Town area of our island city. The listing Realtor describes this charming home and guest cottage this way:

"In 2002, this home underwent a total renovation down to the frame, transforming it in to one of the most sophisticated elegant two story Conch homes with a new 2 story guest house adjacent to Knowles Lane. When you enter the front you are greeted by a dramatic, elegant living spaces, with truly one of the best kitchens. Large folding glass doors open the inside out to the lanai and pool. On the opposite side of the pool is the 2 story guest house with full bath. On the second level there is an oversized master suite with a hallway of wood and glass closets, leading to an outstanding master bath and terrace. Reclaimed Dade County Pine throughout. Off Street parking on Varela and Knowles Lane. This home was used on House Hunters."

The Realtor of course is referring to HGTV's House Hunters where a couple looked at three competitively priced homes in the Old Town area. The couple ultimately picked another home; that is a story for another blog.  This home which was then priced at $2.595,000, went unsold. The new asking price is $1,895,000.

Upon entering this home you know you have arrived at a special place where living is done with style and grace. Without offending anyone, the original house was neither stylish nor graceful.  It was a large house that sat on very large yard (6218 sq ft)  had been previously been used as a Montessori school among other uses. There was an existing out building at the rear that was accessed off Knowles Lane. Knowles Lane is a cute little Old Town lane with smaller houses and cottages.  The 1214 Varela Street lot was wide enough for both the cottage and parking.

I housed many open houses at this property several years ago before any renovation occurred. I remember extolling the virtues of this big old lady that had a solid build and a big back yard. (Pardon me to any women readers who might be offended. I didn't get to participate in the sale of this property, but it did sell and the new owner undertook a substantial renovation of the home.

The present home now includes a first guest room (used as an office) on the front right, a guest bath on the front left, a center hall that leads to the combined living, dining, and kitchen areas at the rear. The entire second floor is the master suite complete with sitting area, bed chamber, luxurious master bath, custom closets even the Real Housewives of Miami would envy, plus a private roof top sun deck.

    

The covered lanai the listing Realtor mentions is just wonderful. Having lots of doors and windows that open and invite our wonderful sunshine and clean fresh air inside the home is part of the reason all of us expatriates from America come to Paradise to live. This particular home has this gracious lanai, secluded pool and garden which seemingly combine the indoor living areas into the outdoor spaces.

Just beyond the pool is the two story guest cottage which has two bedrooms and a shared bath. The combined living areas for both buildings is 3158 sq ft.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls database and to see the listing photos of this wonderful Key West home. Better than that, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

1709 George Street - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 1709 George Street in Key West. This smartly updated four bedroom home with two baths and a beautiful pool is priced at only $565,000. The listing Realtor describes this home as:

"Wonderful and walled for privacy, this tastefully renovated and immaculately maintained home is a true hidden pleasure. Enjoy 4 bedrooms, 2 stylish baths, an open kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances and mexican tile floors throughout. New impact glass doors & windows are everywhere in this sunny home! Relax by your pool or under your outdoor covered patio. Absolutely nothing is needed in this perfect charmer. This home has plenty of off street parking and is close to the beaches and nature walk. Not often do you find a home in this price range that needs no work and has style galore. Hurry, it won't last!"

This 1355 sq ft home is surrounded by a privacy wall on a 4840 sq ft lot. The home, which was built in in 1964, looks almost brand new. The CBS home has been thoughtfully remodeled and now includes crown molding and baseboards, new interior doors, impact resistant windows and doors, and an updated kitchen and baths. 

The home has four good sized bedrooms each of which has lots of windows for ambient light but ultimate privacy as well. The two bathrooms are worthy of being called works for art. One has a step through door that provides quick access to the pool.

A covered lanai is located off the fourth bedroom which is used as an office. The lanai provides shade from the sunny pool.

CLICK HERE for all the details on 1709 George Street listed by Terri Spottswood at Truman & Company. And CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of  this property. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com to schedule a showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. This place really is a Key West home buy this Christmas.

Bank Owned Investment Property - Summerland Key, Florida

Every now and then I get a phone call or an email from a potential buyer who has had a persistent dream of buying a place in Key West that he or she or they could operate as an investment. The goal is give that potential buyer the reason to move here and have a place to go to that could turn a profit. With the rate of return banks are offering in today's diluted economy, making a profit on just about any non-risk investment ought to provide a greater rate of return. Preferred Properties is the listing brokerage for a Bank Owned Trailer Park located on Summerland Key, just 29 miles east of Key West. The listing Realtor describes the property as:

"The Summerland Palms Trailer Park fronts US1 with easy highway access. The parcel consists of 21 condominium sites for monthly rental plus an on site laundry and sewer treatment plant. The well maintained property is approx. 39,328 sq. feet and has an annual income of appx. $170,000. There is potential for on site building, redevelopment and/or future use of building rights off site. A full package is available."

Summerland Palms is a trailer condominium where all of the lot spaces (except one) are owned by a single owner, the Seller. The Seller leases the 21 spaces to the individual trailer owners who pay monthly rent. There is a common laundry facility that also generates income. The combined projected gross income is $170,000. According to the listing agent, this investment would generate about a 6% return on investment.

Coin operated laundry for extra cash income

Click GOOGLE MAP for an aerial view of the location. You will note the trailer park sits off highway US1 behind what is called Flagship Drive, or on the Gulf Side of the highway at Mile Marker 29.


CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view lots of listing photos. The asking price on this Bank Owned Property has been reduced to  $1,100,000. Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com so that I can send you the listing information package on this property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

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Key West Waterfront Condo - 833 Eisenhower Drive #203

If you have not noticed it yet, prices are on the rise and the number of available properties available for sale are on the wane.  Old Town is still the area most in demand. Cute little cigar maker cottages, would-be fixers, and even Grand Conch houses are the properties potential buyers seek the most often. Shipyard Condominiums is most popular property for first time home buyers in Key West because of the price, location, and ability to rent on a limited transient basis.

Today I am writing once again about a property that is priced similarly to what you might pay for a much smaller unit at Shipyard Condominiums.  833 Eisenhower Drive #203 which is a lovely two bedroom two bath 1351 sq ft condominium that overlooks the Garrison Bight.  This unit also comes with a boat slip. The asking price has been reduced to $599,000 or $443 per sq ft.

The listing agent at Preferred Properties (that's where I work but this is not my listing) describes this unit like this:

"Take advantage of this major Price Reduction! This pristine 2/2 Harbor Lodge condominium comes with a boat slip! You'll love this bright end unit with extra windows, designer kitchen, high ceilings and covered deck overlooking the pool and the sparkling water. This beautifully maintained unit also has assigned covered parking and an extra large workshop/storage area. Harbor Lodge is a well maintained and managed property overlooking the boats and activity at Garrison Bight and is within walking/biking distance to Key West's main attractions. This is a great opportunity to own a beautiful unit in an A+ building on the water. Easy to see!"

Harbor Lodge Condominiums was built in 1990. There are just three units per floor and there are only three floors. All units have assigned covered parking and an extra large storage room. The storage room is large enough to store motor scooters, bikes, kayaks, and other outdoor sports equipment. Transient rentals are not permitted at this property. Owners may rent on a month to month basis or annual basis, however.

Daytime or nighttime, there is always something interesting to watch when you own a waterfront home.

Unit 203 has an updated kitchen, plantation shutters, and is in pristine condition. The owners have maintained this home and a new owner will need only bring a toothbrush. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos of this wonderful waterfront condo. And CLICK HERE to see the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet.

Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 304-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com if you would like to see this unit or any other property available for purchase in Key West. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.