Price Reduction - 1208 Von Phister Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

1208 Von Phister Street - Key West

 The listing Realtor describes 1208 Von Phister Street as a:

"Great 2/1 Conch cottage in a desired neighborhood. Lush tropical landscaping surrounds this spacious lot with more than enough room in the backyard for a large pool. There's also a large covered front porch to enjoy the island breezes. The property has off street parking that can more than accommodate two vehicles. Lots of outdoor living space! Close to beaches, restaurants, and shopping! Must see!"

The Casa Marina area was mostly barren land with streets but few houses until after World War II.  The aerial photo below shows only a few houses in the area when the photo was taken in the 1920s.  And since few houses were being built anywhere in the United States during the Great Depression, I think it's safe to the house as 1208 Von Phister Street was more thank likely built either before the Depression or soon after World War II ended as were many of the other houses in the area.

In June 2011 I wrote about the beautiful home directly across the street at 1205 Von Phister (photo below) that was owned by designer Debra Yates. CLICK HERE to read that blog. The Yates' house looked quite similar to 1208 Von Phister Street before it and the grounds were transformed into a lush tropical paradise. Maybe the next owner of 1208 Von Phister Street will do something creative as well.

1205 Von Phister Street

Think of 1208 Von Phister Street  as a nearly blank canvas save for the house that sits there now. Look at the photos below and imagine how you could "draw inside the lines" to create your own designer paradise, just like Debra Yates did across the street.

First, you might install a white picket fence across the front of the property. Or you might insulate the house by adding a privacy fence like many homeowners in the Casa Marina area have done. The lot already has off street parking on the left. You might install an electronic gate  as well.

Driveway

The sunny back yard is a very large space with plenty of room for a pool plus outdoor living area. You might decide to blow-out the rear wall of the house and open the kitchen onto a covered outdoor living area overlooking the pool and gardens.  I can tell you from experience that you can plant almost anything in the ground here and watch it grow. CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of the outside of the property.

The existing house size and lot size would accommodate a larger house and a pool.  Not all buyers want to undertake renovation and expansion. But if you do, the space is available. And the great thing about this property is the large side yard on the east side which ought to make contractor access to the rear much easier (and less costly).   CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to see listing photos of the interior of 1208 Von Phister Street which just had a price reduction to $499,000.

If you would like to see 1208 Von Phister Street in person, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. I live in this neighborhood. I would love to help you find your new home in Paradise.

800 Fleming Street #2A ~ Old Town ~ Key West

 800 Fleming Street #2A in the historic William Fleming Condominiums in Old Town Key West is offered at the asking price of $875,000. The listing Realtor describes this unit as:

"Modern renovation of this late 1800's Historic structure. As you enter you are greeted by soaring ceilings, revealing a spacious living/dining room with French doors that open to a wrap around porch. Two large bedrooms with sleek bathrooms, new kitchen with custom slate counters and stainless steel appliances. Stairs lead to an extra 180 sq.ft. of loft space not included in the square footage, which can be used for sleeping or storage. Located just blocks from Duval and the Waterfront. Beautiful community pool. One off street parking."

The facade at 800 Fleming Street looks much different today than it did during the previous century. I found two old photos showing the building as it looked when the building was known it was the Peacon Grocery and later as Long's Furniture. Mr. Peacon was the owner of the grand house at 712 Eaton Street which was briefly owned by Calvin Klein. (Peacon Lane runs perpendicular to the Calvin Kkein house.) I like the way the developer added balconies around the perimeter of the building, but I doubt that a developer would be able to make such a bold change to a similar building today. Those balconies provide lots of exterior space for the owners to enjoy their homes and to watch the world go by.

The building was updated several years ago and balconies were added to expand the living spaces to the outdoors. I snapped the pics of this wonderful building a couple of weeks before Christmas. The facade is different and so is the use. What would have been a relic and maybe torn down was given new life in Key West. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this home.

CLICK HERE to view the listing details and photos of the interior of this two story in town condominium located in the heart of Old Town Key West. This 1281 sq ft unit occupies two floors of the building and has views of the pool and gardens. The units in the building feature Dade County Pine walls, floors and ceiling and have that "old Key West feel" that many buyers want. The ceilings are very high and the doors and windows open to decks overlooking the pool below and the pristine homes on William Street. This unit is offered at $875,000 or $683 per sq ft. The condo is located on one of the best blocks in Old Town and is a convenient walk to everything. The property is located three blocks east of Duval and three blocks south of the Historic Key West Seaport.

A potential buyer seeking a sophisticated second home in Key West ought to consider this lovely condominium which has no homeowner upkeep issues as opposed to the money pits some single family homes can become.

If you are looking for a pied-a-terre or just a plain old condo, 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.

---

1117 Watson Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 1117 Watson Street in Key West. This really cute single family home is located in the Conch Grove Compound.  The Conch Grove Compound consists of several cottages and single family homes that share a large sunny pool, gardens, and parking. The owner of each cottage or house owns the ground under the structure in fee simple. But all property owners share ownership of all of the common areas. Each cottage or house is unique. Writer James Kirkwood, co-author of "A Chorus Line", was one of the first homeowners in the Conch Grove Compound. Local author David Kaufelt used to live there as well.

The listing Realtor describes this property as:

"Charming 1 bedroom cottage located in the Conch Grove Compound in Old Town Key West. Bright and airy floor plan with loft, vaulted ceilings and a lush, private 3227 square foot lot. Nicely renovated with beautiful kitchen and hardwood floors. Loft square footage is a bonus and not included in the unit square footage listed in MLS. Lovely landscaped garden leads to the shared heated pool and wonderful space to catch the sun's rays. Shared off-street parking for one vehicle. A Unique Hidden Tropical Oasis in Old Town Key West." 

 You enter the cigar maker's cottage from a door on the south side, not the front door in the photo. Inside you move to the right and enter the shared kitchen and living area with vaulted ceiling. French doors open from the living room onto the privately owned and very cloistered rear yard.hat area is surrounded by tall and lush trees and vegetation. It is just too sweet. There is a little path that leads over to the pool. The separation is very marked. You would never know the pool exists unless you wanted to go to it. Likewise, the neighbors can't see what you are doing in your own private outdoor space.

The cottage has just one official bedroom which is located at the front. There is a loft that can be used as a second (unofficial) sleeping area. The loft space might be a bit tight for full time use, however. The front porch is used as a place to people watch off the bedroom as opposed to being the main entry to this unique cottage home.   

The home owner association maintains the pool and common areas. The monthly hoa fee is just $200. Each home owner is responsible for normal home maintenance, insurance, etc.  The association permits pets, but dogs must be on a leash.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on 1117 Watson Street is offered at $499,000.  If you would like to see this home before somebody snatches it up (and that will surely happen) please consider calling me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time  Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  If you have been searching for an affordable home in the Old Town area, you already know there are very few properties available. 

St. Patty's Day OPEN HOUSE - 618 White Street - Key West

Open House, Sunday, March 17th from 12:00 to 2:00

618 White Street ~ Old Town ~ Key West

Hosted by Gary Thomas, Realtor 305-766-2642

CLICK HERE to view VIDEO

Offered at $474,000

622 Grinnell St. - Old Town - Key West

If you like old houses with lots of character of have a yen to do some remodeling, the historic home at 622 Grinnell Street in Old Town Key West is a property you should consider. This place is glorious and full of charm. You won't see stainless steel appliances, marble, or granite anywhere. But you will see lots of potential everywhere. The listing agent describes the house this way:

"Wonderful, original conch home with three legal units. Great location and superb street presence. Access to the rear cottage is from a lane.Possible conversion back to single family and would be a really spectacular property as such. Opportunity to work with a property that has been maintained while leaving a Key West flavor."
I dug down to the bottom of the old shoe box and found a photo that shows the exterior as it appeared in 1965. Compare that black and white photo with the photo beneath. The stately home with impressive second floor balcony still maintains its commanding view of the street"

The property consists of the main house on Grinnell Street and the rear cottage on Canfield Lane. The main house no longer has an interior staircase as sibling owners occupy the first floor, the second and third floor, and the cottage. This explains the reference to the property as three legal units. As I see it, the value in this property is not as income property but rather as a large property which has not been mucked around with.  I would convert this property back into a single family home with a charming guest cottage. I would add a pool and parking. There is room for both in my opinion.

The rooftop deck on the main house has an incredible view of the area. You can even see the spires at St Mary's Basilica. Most of the lot is covered with tropical foliage and red brick pavers. The house itself has been well maintained and looks great.  Inside the rooms have the character that people who love our dear old homes seek. The house is filled with Dade County Pine and old glass with ripples. There are little cubby holes and scuttles and treasures galore.

The second floor is currently a separate living unit. It looks like a set in a 1940's movie starring Claudette Colbert or Barbara Stanwyck.  It is an almost idealized version of what a Key West home should look like.

The listing agent states that the property as a whole has 2740 sq ft of living space and sits on a 57' x 83' (4683 sq ft) lot. The house has not been touched in years and would benefit from a thorough renovation. But understand that the property is perfectly livable as is. I just think the highest and best use of this house is to take it back to single family. CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of this property.

The 600 block of Grinnell Street is one of the quietest blocks in Old Town. That is because it ends at Angela Street which is the northern border of the Key West cemetery. That means that Conch trains, trolleys, and Duck Tour vehicles will not be using this street because they cannot traverse Angela Street. Your life will be quieter because of this. Occasionally you will still see tourists walking by or riding bikes. And you will see neighbors go across the street to use the Grinnell Street Pocket Park.

Five Brothers Grocery and Sandwich Shop is located down the block at the corner of Southard Street. The Key West Historic Seaport is located three blocks further north and Duval Street is located five blocks to the west. Most of the gyms and yoga studios are located within a five to ten minute walk.

622 Grinnell Street is offered at $1,200,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet on this property. Or better than that, 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 Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

---