715 Frances Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 715 Frances Street, in Old Town Key West. This classic three bay eyebrow house was built circa 1895. I found an old black & white photo of the house taken in 1965 (see photo below) and compare the same house as photographed nearly fifty years later. Quite a makeover, wouldn't you agree?

 The outside is still simple even if the colors are a bit more lively.  The inside has been upgraded to be sure, but not so much so that the house has lost its character.  When I stepped inside the front door I was greeted by the rich tones of the Dade County Pine accent wall located at the far side of the living room. Three of the original windows with ancient glass bathed the inside with semi-filtered light.  Although I knew the house has just been completely remodeled, the house still has a great old house "feel".

A guest bedroom with en-suite bath is located just to the right of the front door. The room has lots of filtered light as well.  The stairway to the second floor appears quite long when compared to stairways in other eyebrow houses I have seen. Imagine how grand that stairway would look at Christmas wrapped with pine boughs and garland. Buyers who doing long term planning may appreciate having a large first floor bedroom when climbing stairs in later years can become a challenge

There are two bedrooms on the second floor both of which have en-suite baths. The north bedroom has a great view of the pool below while the south bedroom has a wonderful bathroom with multiple windows that look out to the palm tree views of neighboring properties.  The listing agent had to remind me I was standing inside an eyebrow house with dormers that permitted the rear space for these expanded bathrooms.

The new kitchen has a vaulted ceiling and three sets of windows that provide lots of daytime sunlight into the space.  Travertine marble floors give the space a cool and sophisticated feel. The travertine floors continue to an alcove behind the kitchen where the laundry and a separate guest bathroom are located. The travertine then continue over to what the listing agent calls the "indoor/outdoor" room that overlooks the pool. This room has a stunning vaulted wood ceiling that adds both height and dimension to the space.  The area is presently protected by screens to enjoy our wonderful winter and spring weather. When summer arrives, the screens can be replaced with custom made window inserts.  The area is air conditioned when necessary.

 

 This indoor/outdoor room is quite clever in my opinion.  Our fall and winter seasons are quite mild and most homeowners use their outdoor living areas most of the year. But there are those few occasional days or nights when the weather is a bit too cool.  This conversion option is a feature that others might adopt.

The indoor/outdoor room provides views of the backyard area and the newly installed pool. An IPE deck area provides stepped down access to the pool and spa.  This pool is long and sunny - quite a change from so many Old Town pools that are cramped into small spaces and shielded from sunlight by mighty houses or tropical foliage.  Sun-worshipers will delight in this sunny space.  The owner has also added an outdoor shower for pre-swim and post-tanning.

You can view a slideshow of more photos I took of this thoughtfully updated Old Town eyebrow home if you CLICK HERE.   I know a lot of potential buyers think they might want to rent a place like this as a vacation rental when they are not using the property themselves.  I think this place could be a very successful vacation rental. It has three very nice bedrooms with en-suite baths, two large living areas, a very comfortable new kitchen, and a stunning pool and sunning area. The property has off street parking. And it is located within an easy walking distance to Duval Street or the Historic Key West Seaport. Most of Key West's gyms and yoga studios are located within a five block walk to the south or east.  People that come here for extended vacation stays love being able to walk to locations like these and usually prefer a bit of distance from being right in the heart of the Duval crawl.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view professionally photographs of this property. which is offered at $1,495,000.  If you would like to see this home, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise. 

2116 Fogarty Avenue ~ Key West

2116 Fogarty Avenue Key West

The three bedroom/two bath ranch at 2116 Fogarty Avenue has been recently updated and is is move-in condition. It will appeal to a family who wants space to grow and plenty of room for the kids to play safely. This property should also appeal to the price conscious buyer who wants value. Consider that this house is already remodeled and does not need any additional work, or investment of time or money to make it livable. 

Master bedroom

Bedroom #2

Bedroom #3

The 1258 sq ft home sits on a spacious 5000 sq ft lot (50' x 100').  CLICK HERE to view Google aerial of the property.  The house sits more towards the front of the lot which leaves ample room in the rear for a pool at some time in the future. There is an existing shed that might make a nice pool house or guest cottage at a later date. And don't overlook that huge second level sundeck as well.

Pool House or Play House

The house itself is all spiffed up and ready for move-in. The combined living, dining, and kitchen area provides open and bright family friendly living spaces. French doors at the rear open out to the rear yard where you might add a pool. The master bedroom is quite large, and the two other bedrooms are larger than some I have seen in other houses in the area. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos of 2116 Fogarty Avenue. This home is listed by Preferred Properties Key West, but not by me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. Please give me a call to set up a showing.

811-814 Carey Lane - Old Town - Key West

 I have written about living on one of the slow lanes in Key West. This has got to be one of the "slowest" locations on any lane in Key West. That is for sure. Carey Lane is a real "dead end" lane as the photos at the top show. It is located at the junction of Margaret Street and Angela Street. The Key West Cemetery is on the opposite side of that "junction" and Margaret Street suddenly becomes Passover Lane. Confused?

The recently combined property at 811 - 814 Carey Lane is located at the far end of this little lane that maybe runs a total of 250 feet, if that. Some of the sweetest little houses in all of Key West are located on Carey Lane. Carey Lane, Dear Reader, truly is one of the sweetest of the sweet little lanes that make our little island community so alluring. The listing agent more fully describes the house located at the end of the lane thus:

"Quiet serenity awaits you at this secluded tropical oasis in the heart of Old Town Key West. Tucked away at the end of one of the most beautiful lanes in Old Town, this large estate with multiple buildings is the ultimate in tropical living. Beautifully renovated 2/2 historic guest house built in 1943 evokes Key West charm with modern conveniences. New kitchen and baths, central air and private outdoor spaces. Spacious one-level 3/3 main house built in 1970 waiting for your personal touches with great floor plan, high ceilings, detached bedroom/office, enclosed porch overlooking a large pool with lushly landscaped 9179 square foot lot. Off street parking, peaceful and quiet location. A Tropical Jewel For Serene Island Living."

I have written abut the guest cottage several times before it became a part of this larger property. At one time I wrote "t really is one of my very favorite homes in Old Town. There is something so quaint, so cool, so unassuming, and so welcoming that just about anyone will feel at home. The house is nested under some very large trees that give it a protected feeling. It is located on a quiet lane removed from the hubbub of Key West and yet it near everything."  I recently got to take a peak at the newly updated cottage.  I fell in love again with this quaint space. Below are some sample photos that show how inviting a small space can be.

The problem with having such a comfortable guest house is that your guests will stay and stay and stay forever.  And who could blame them?

Ample gated off street parking is another reason to consider this property.

I am troubled as to how to describe the main house because it has so many facets that make it so appealing.  There are both very comfortable indoor living spaces and equally inviting outdoor spaces. For the most part the indoor spaces offer picturesque window views of the gardens or pool or the rooms actually open to the outdoor living areas.  The indoors and outdoors merge into unique Key Westy environments when the mix is done right. It is done right here.

 The screen enclosed outdoor living-dining area is located on the opposite side of the living room (top photo). That area is probably where most owners would spend the preponderant time enjoying this home. The space provides views of the lush tropical garden and alluring pool.

811 - 814 Carey Lane has combined interior living spaces of 2639 sq ft that sit upon a 9179 sq ft site hidden away from the rest of the world. There are a total of five bedrooms, five baths, and numerous living and dining spaces.  This property is offered at $2,349,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view more listing photos of the property.  You might also CLICK HERE to view other photos.

If you would like to see this truly appealing property located at the end of the slowest lanes 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. 

618 White Street - Open House - Key West

Open House, Sunday, March 10th from 12:00 to 2:00

618 White Street ~ Old Town ~ Key West

Hosted by Gary Thomas, Realtor 305-766-2642

Offered at $474,000

522 DuPont Lane # 1 - Key West - Transient Licensed Single Family Home

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 522 DuPont Lane #1 in Old Town Key West.  If you have been dreaming of buying a place in Key West that you could rent when you are not using the property, this home may be the answer to your dreams.  The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"TRANSIENT LICENSE! One half block from Duval Street with PARKING and a great pool and outdoor dining pavilion. There is one bedroom downstairs with an en suite bath and there is also a half bath downstairs. The living room has two pairs of French doors opening to the pool and deck. Upstairs are two bedrooms with en suite baths, vaulted ceilings and appealing balconies."

522 DuPont Lane is located at the end of what used to be called Titanic Lane.  The lane is located about 120 feet east of Duval Street on Petronia Street. It is the proximity to Duval Street that makes this property so appealing to returning visitors to Key West who want to be near all that Old Town has to offer.

 The property is completely gated and fenced. The two story house has 1568 sq ft of living space that includes three bedrooms, three baths plus a half bath, large living area with French doors that open out to the pool and deck. The pool is surrounded by tropical plants bathed in color French doors int he living room and bedroom open onto the courtyard. There is a separate poolside pavilion for alfresco dining.  And there is off street parking (adjacent).

 CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos  This property may not be toured until March 15th.  But don't let that prevent you to consider purchasing this money maker.  This property has a valuable transient rental license and can be legally rented on a daily basis to a different vacation traveller every day of the year. That's not practical, but it is important to understand that this property can provide a steady income stream to you as an investor. There is one drawback to owning a property like this: you can't use it as often as you want because when you use it, you are not making as much money as you could.  What a darned plight to have!

If you would like more information on this house or if you would like to see it as soon as we can get inside, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Let me help you fulfill your dream of owning a home in Key West.