818 Olivia Street - Old Town Dream Cottage - Key West

The new listing (not mine) at 818 Olivia Street in Old Town Key West is a dream cottage come true. This place is as cute as a button, has off street parking, a pool, and is in move-in condition. It is within walking distance to just about any place you might want to go in the Old Town area, and it could even be rented as a monthly vacation rental if you really, really could allow someone else to use this precious space.

 

The listing Realtor describes 818 Olivia as follows:

"This wonderful historic cottage is loaded with Key West charm and character. Situated on a generous sized Old Town lot the home has a spacious picket-fenced front yard, a rocking chair front porch and off-street parking. The entrance foyer carries through to the rear of the house where the open living, dining and kitchen areas create an ideal plan for entertaining. French doors from the vaulted ceilinged living area open out to the pretty landscaped rear deck with pool. The main level includes the master bedroom and bath, second bedroom and half bath. Upstairs is a cozy bedroom and full bath. Great central location just a few blocks from Duval Street."

The Monroe County Property Appraiser's property card shows this 1475 sq ft house sits on a 39' x 83' lot (3244 sq ft).  And the property appraisal card further shows the house was built in 1928. I found an old photo of the same house that was taken in 1965. A notation on the photo shows that 818 Olivia Street was built in the 1890s. That is the same rough date other houses in the block were also constructed.  I choose to believe the 1890s date because the house looked "old" in the 1965 photograph. A house that would have only been 17 years old in 1965. It just does not make sense. Compare the old view with the clean facade as it appears in 2013. It looks picture perfect in my opinion.

This house sits opposite the Key West cemetery. That means the neighbors will be quiet at night and will not be competing for on street parking - ever.  A lot of buyers question what might happen to a particular or house. When it comes to the cemetery, the answer is pretty assured: nothing.  There will never be some big house built there with windows looking down onto your space. You will always have open sky views looking across the street. Your home will forever bathe in the Key West sunshine. There won't be parties at night or people competing with you for parking space.

Once you pass the gated entrance you enter into a lovely small garden. The front porch as a great little sitting area where you can sit and watch tourists and locals pass by the house on foot, bike, or by car. Olivia Street is a one-way street headed easterly. 

I had never been inside this home before today. As soon as I opened the front door my eyes were drawn past the colorful entry and delightful artwork that adorns the walls. My attention was drawn through the house to the rear where I could see the pool and waterfall. I knew in an instant that I was ready for a real treat.

As the listing Realtor points out, this home has three bedrooms and three baths. The current owners use the main floor bedroom on the left as the master suite. The bedroom to the right is currently used as a family room or office. The second floor bedroom is used as guest quarters. 

There are several really interest architectural features in this home. The stairway to the second floor is one of them. The geometry demands your attention. The craftsmanship requires your inspection. The color scheme commands your consideration. It is whimsical and lyrical.

The living, dining, and kitchen are located at the rear and open out to the pool and rear deck. This is how we live in Key West. Doors open to allow indoor and outdoor living spaces to meld into each other.

I looked for but did not see any deferred maintenance. There is a place for everything and everything appeared to be in its proper place. That's why I said this home is in move-in condition. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of other photographs I took that show this home from bottom to top and front to rear.

I am confident you will appreciate the charming home which is offered at $889,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Better than just looking at photos online, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this cute Old Town cottage style home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. This place could be the answer to your dreams.

818 Terry Lane - Key West Tropical Paradise at an Affordable Price

If you have been watching the Key West mls for the past few months you probably have noticed that most of the houses that were listed for sale back in January have been sold. Many of the houses listed after February have sold or are in the process of closing. A few places are still available including the really (really!) cute three bedroom home located in the Terry Lane Court Condos at 818 Terry Lane in the Bahama Village area of Key West. It was listed in mid March.

The listing broker describes this stand alone property thus:

"Your own tropical paradise! Three bedroom, two bath home with main living space that opens up to lush landscaping and a winding pool. Bamboo and Pine hardwood floors, Dade County Pine throughout, impact glass, metal roof with gutters and guards. Recent upstairs bedroom addition, which is always open and breezy with its back porch, high ceilings and windows. New back porch, On Demand water heaters and parking. Perfect Keys home! Sorry, but no dogs allowed at Terry Lane Court Condominiums."

View from main floor rear deck

The Monroe County Property Appraiser's website shows the original house was built in 1903, however, I found a diagram of what I think to be the original house in the Sanborn Map of Key West dated 1889.  At that time Terry Lane was called "Tin Can Alley".  Numerous small cottages dotted the alley and the surrounding streets, lanes, and alleys. After Key West was re-discovered in the 1970s and property values began to soar,  small cottages were added onto.

The house at 818 Terry Lane had a second story added in 2008 which grew the interior space to 810 sq ft plus front porch and rear decks on first and second floors.  This property became part of the Terry Lane Court Condominiums which is a land based condominium where property owners each own the building and land upon which their homes are built but who share a limited common area that includes a large meandering pool and adjacent gardens.  The Terry Lane Court Condos are often photographed by tourists and professional photographers alike because of the colorful facade and laid back aura this little piece of Paradise exudes.  818 Terry Lane also includes an off street parking space.

A spiral staircase leads to the recently added second floor master suite with bath. This space is akin to living in a tree house. The ceiling soars and the rear balcony beckons you out to bathe in the fresh Key West air.

When I showed this property the trees were going through the Key West version of winter. Different trees defoliate at different times. The pool is normally crystal clear. On the day I took the above photo, it was a mess. I did find a couple of photos which I took earlier that show how pretty this pool normally looks.

This small condominium association consists of five homes that share the common pool and garden area. The monthly condominium fee is $200 which covers pool and common area maintenance. Each homeowner is responsible for his/her own house maintenance and all insurances. 818 Terry Lane has the bonus of having wind impact windows and a new roof, both of which will provide mitigation credits which will reduce the wind insurance premium on this property.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view lots of photos of this charming Key West property which is offered at just $449,000.

If you would like to see this home or any other property for sale in Key West please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. 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.

Lowest Priced House in Old Town - 1209 Margaret Street - Key West

If the title of today's blog doesn't get your attention, maybe the asking price will: $249,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos on 1209 Margaret Street located in Old Town Key West. I have written before about this property and I have shown it. I wrote about the beautiful house next door which went under contract within the past week. I suspect potential buyers for that property were bothered by the prospect of having an ugly duckling of sort house located next door. I told my prospects that someone would buy the place and fix it up because of the price.  Well, now Dear Reader, now is the time for action. The listing Realtor describes the listing this way (emphasis has been added by me):

"No more showings until VERY DIFFICULT tenant moves out (hopefully April 30th). Bring your best all cash offers after May 1st until May 6th. Or bring full price, cash offer now with only contingency being inspection after tenant vacates. See attachments for required improvements and estimates and survey. Lowest priced SFH in Old Town."

Prior to the recent update, the listing agent succinctly described the underlying value in this property this way:

"Great opportunity to renovate an old town property! Located just blocks from upper Duval Street. Off street parking and located in a quiet neighborhood. Actually is a 3 bedroom home.The driveway to the right of property belongs to the house in the rear. Central A/C duct work already installed. Cash offers only as it needs a new roof, but it does not have any known leaks. Located in an X Zone, so no flood insurance needed."

1209 Margaret Street in 1965

 The Monroe County Property Appraiser says this house is 853 sq ft and was built in 1953. I'm pretty certain the Appraiser is wrong at least on the construction date. I dug into the old shoe box and found a photo of the house that was taken back in 1965. (See the black and white photo above.) 1209 Margaret Street did not yet have the "modern" cement monolith front porch that is so evident today. Instead, we see a nice little entry canopy to protect guests as they enter the modest home.

Notice that the small "addition" in the black and white photo is now missing.  Too bad. Also missing is the original wood siding which characterizes our famous Cigar Maker Cottage style homes. The house appears to have been updated with poured concrete addition at the rear and part of the foundation and lower wall system on either side. The monolith front porch completes the modernization. Too bad HARC was not around when this flawed design got built because HARC would never have allowed this to happen.

Inside I was surprised to find three decent sized bedrooms, a living room and good sized kitchen.  That's a lot of living space. The house was clean when I showed it. It was rented at $1500 per month.  Note the listing broker's admonition: this must be a cash offer as the property will not qualify for a mortgage.

There is a decent sized back yard that might provide space for a nice yard or maybe even a small pool or deck. The listing broker said the property line for 1209 Margaret Street extends to about two feet of the separately owned cottage located to the rear of the house that is for sale. I judged the lot to have about 18 feet for potential development.

 I don't build houses so you cannot accept anything I say or write as being accurate as to what a new owner should be able to do. My opinions are only opinions as to what a new owner might try to do. I do think a buyer that is looking for a bargain ought to take a look at this property.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of the exterior of the house and its famous neighbor to the north, the El Siboney Restaurant.

If you would like to see 1209 Margaret Street please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

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1009 Eaton Street - Old Town - Key West

 

1009 Eaton Street was just listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing, is this two bedroom/two bath Conch style home that the Monroe County Property Appraiser says was built in 1923. I think it is much older than that because I found it on the 1889 Sanborn Map.  That would indicate it existed before 1889 when the map was drawn. Be that as it may, it is still an old house and that is why it is the type that is sought by second home buyers who want a cute old house in Key West. The cute part of this house is without dispute.

1009 Eaton as it appeared in 1965

The front porch welcomes friends and family to a 1170 sq ft home that sits on a 1578 sq ft lot just one half block east of Grinnell Street in Old Town Key West. The Historic  Key West Seaport is located a block and one-half to the north. Frequent visitors may recall the Old Town Bakery is located at the corner of Grinnell Street and the new Paseo Restaurant is also located there.

The main floor of the house has an inviting living room with Dade County Pine walls, ceiling, and floors. The dining area is set off just a bit by an ancient room divider. The kitchen is located at the rear. It has been stylishly updated.  The first floor also has a full bath.

There are two bedrooms on the second floor. The master bedroom is located at the front. The guest bedroom is at the rear. There is a second floor rear sundeck as well.  

 

The rear yard presently has a spa but I think there may be room for a small in ground pool. An interested buyer would have to determine the feasibility for himself or herself. I think the space is large enough. The cost might be a bit high as it would have to be dug by hand instead of machine.  You could save yourself a lot of money and do what a lot of locals do: go to Dante's and use the pool there. Buy lunch and a couple of drinks. You will save thousands and thousands of dollars! You can still swim and tan.

1009 Eaton Street is offered at $695,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos. I took more photos which you can view if you CLICK HERE.

Dante's

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this cute two bedroom home located in Old Town Key West. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.