1428 Whalton Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West Florida

The really cute three bedroom/two bath Conch house located at 1428 Whalton Street in the Casa Marina Area of Key West is offered at just $949,000. I happen to live across the street (but sadly it is not my listing). Nevertheless, if you are looking for a great house that is move-in ready in a fantastic neighborhood, you ought to take a look. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Wonderful property in the Casa Marina area on the corner on Von Phister and Whalton Street. Handsomely renovated with hardwood floors and tongue and groove wood cathedral ceilings, this light filled home is truly a delight. Three bedrooms, two baths plus a large loft bedroom space or home office give plenty of room for family and friends. Enjoy a desirable great room with high ceilings and French doors that open the room completely up to the heated pool, spa and decks. Charming kitchen centrally located with stainless steel appliances. Master bedroom has built in custom cabinets throughout. There is a great feel to this tropical paradise!"

 The house has built in 1949 and was updated in 2000 when the current master bedroom and bath were added along with the pool. As is the case in most remodels, just about everything in the old house has been replaced except the front facade which is still evident today.

The house now has 1386 sq ft of living space and sits on a good sized lot (47' x 91' or 4265 sq ft)  at the corner of Whalton and Von Phister Streets - one of the prettiest blocks in the Casa Marina Area. I ought to know, I live across.  Most of the neighboring homes are located on large lots which are distinguished by ancient mahogany trees, giant palms, and privacy fences. While the facade of 1428 Whalton Street is visible from the street, the Von Phister side is entirely private. There you will find the main entrance to this home along with the landscaped side yard, deck area, and the inviting pool and spa.

The living area features a tall vaulted ceiling. French doors open out to the pool area. The kitchen is filled with light. It is located just off the great room. The master bedroom has French doors that also open out to the pool. Unlike a lot of the charming little cottages in Old Town, this charming cottage home has a large pool that has sunshine and some shade depending on the time of day.

There are two additional bedrooms one of which is now used as a playroom. It is cute beyond words. The other bedroom is fairly good sized: the proof is that it presently hosts three single beds. The former front porch is located adjacent to this bedroom. It currently is used as storage space. That space might be renovated into additional living space or combined with the current bedroom by a new owner. There is a second floor loft which can provide additional sleeping space or that could be used for a playroom or gentleman's retreat.

1428 Whalton Street is a great house in a really great location. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. I took some additional photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

If you would like to see this house with someone who really knows the area, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

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1501 White Street - Key West -Bank Owned

I have written about 1501 White Street a couple of times prior to this when it was once a regular market sale that later became a short sale. Now it is Bank Owned and priced to sell. The asking price is $599,900. The listing broker describes this property as

"Tropical oasis located just a couple of blocks from the beach and White Street Pier, bocce ball courts, restaurant, and the Casa Marina Resort. Totally walled with concrete fence for privacy and landscaped with mature palms, tropical trees and shrubs. Large patio with pool ready for relaxation and enjoyment. Main structure is a 2Br/2Bth home, recently renovated, has large living room with vaulted ceilings, kitchen with SS appliances and granite counters, and a wall of French doors in dining room overlooking pool and patio. Guest cottage (1/1) is separated by a fence from main house. Gated Off street parking for two cars. Property is situated on a large corner lot. Privacy, Privacy, Privacy! Easy to view!"

I took new photos this morning that show the house without furniture. The living room is quite spacious. The ceilings soar and provide dramatic relief from ordinary ceilings. In fact most of what you see in this home is far from ordinary. All of the floors except the guest bedroom are Cuban tiles.  Most rooms have crown molding.  The shared bathroom has quite artistic bath fixtures.  I mention these points because a buyer seldom gets the chance to purchase a house with the size and superior upgrades available as are offered in this property at this asking price.  

 

The master bedroom has a unique second bath which is located outdoors under a canvas awning. There you will find a spa tub, toilet, bidet, and fancy sink. The are dual outdoor showers located around the corner. No worry about privacy - the space is total private from all angles.  

The newer kitchen faces the east where the pool and rear gardens are located. A cluster of tall palms lines is located toward the rear and separates the main house from the guest cottage at the far back side of the property.  

The property is surrounded by a six foot tall CBS privacy fence. There is cover parking accessed by electronic gate. A small guest house is located at the southeast corner of the property. A new owner could use that space an additional bed and bath or maybe tear it down and erect at two story cottage in its place.  The lot is 7369 sq ft ( 62' x 120'). I believe there is plenty of room to construct a larger cottage which could dramatically affect the main house by providing necessary guest lodging space.  The property already has an 'estate' feel to it. The addition of newer and more opulent guest space would only enhance this property. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this property.

Don't let the green pool deter you from consider looking at this property. A good cleaning and the pool will be crystal clean again.  The tropical foliage needs a hair cut but other than those two issues, this property appears to be in move in condition.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet.

Pool view a few months ago

This property when updated could make an excellent second home (vacation rental) or full time residence.  It is located just a few blocks from the Atlantic Ocean and Higg's Beach.  The Casa Marina Resort and Beach Club is just a few blocks to the west. Old Town is an easy bike ride.  Many of the island's gyms and yoga studios are located a few blocks north near the corner of White and Truman.  Fausto's Food Palace and several neighborhood restaurants are also located nearby. The proximity to fun, food, and fitness make this an excellent location as a vacation rental.

If you would like to see 1501 White Street before someone snaps up this bargain, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

 

1601 White Street - Near Waters Edge - Key West

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. just listed (that's where I work but this is not my listing) 1601 White Street which is located near waters edge in the Casa Marina Area of Key West.  This house was previously occupied by a renter who in my opinion made showings very difficult. Now the property is vacant and may be seen with relative ease.  Let me share with you why I think this is a great value for someone looking to do a little fixing-up.

1601 White Street was built new (not remodeled) in 1988.  It has many of the features that were current then including kitchen cabinets, appliances, bath fixtures, window treatments, etc.  It's funny how quickly styles change and become passe in twenty five years. But they do. What has not changed, however, is the great location.  This property is located adjacent to 1617 White Street which I have previously blogged CLICK HERE.  I have written about other nearby neighbors on nearby Casa Marina Court and Johnson Street where the property prices are much more expensive.  I mention these properties because I believe 1601 White Street as being the least expensive property in the area which ought to mean it has the potential for significant price appreciation in the future.

The 1568 sq ft two story house sits on an 8750 sq ft lot (70' wide x 125' deep) at the corner of Johnson Street at White Street - just one block from the Atlantic Ocean. A large fenced City Park is located directly across the street.  There are muted ocean views of the ocean from the second floor.  I would describe the house as being a modern re-interpretation of an eyebrow house one might see in Old Town. Or maybe it's just a late 1980's salt box. The house sits quite high on the property and is located toward the north side of the lot. There is bricked off street parking for at least two cars. The lot is extensively landscaped and provides privacy from both White Street and Johnson Street. Yet you can sit on the large front porch and watch people as they walk the dog, jog, or ride a bike. At night you can walk down to the White Street pier to watch sunset. Maybe you might stroll down to the pier to do some night time fishing - I have.  There is an almost endless parade from early morning until sunset  and later when all quiet breaks out.

The inside of the house would benefit from a remodel. I think the existing floor plan is okay at best. The house has a 'formal entry' that leads to the center of the house. The living room is on the left. It has French doors that lookout to the pool. The formal dining room is located in a boxed-in room at the front right. The kitchen is at the left rear. In my opinion the spaces are a bit too formal and too confining for a Key West lifestyle. A couple of walls need to come down and areas need to be opened so that this house becomes the beach house it ought to be. 

Upstairs there are two modest sized guest bedrooms that share a common bath which is typical of fixtures used a quarter of a century ago. The bathroom is dated and blah. The master bedroom has an odd sized sitting area with views of the park and muted views of the ocean. The en-suite bath is also in need a re-vamp. A reworking of the space layout and the introduction of 21st Century light and bath fixtures could make this master suite into something far more interesting than presently exists. 

Too many lots, especially in Old Town, have tiny back yards and tiny pools and small decks. If you appreciate big decks and big pools like I do, then you will appreciate the big deck here and the large pool with waterfall. 

This property has an adjacent unused huge rear yard located behind the pool. That space measures about 70' x 25'. I think a new owner could add a decent sized guest cottage in this location which would add significant value. The addition of a fourth bedroom and bath would give guests some isolation from the main house. When not used by guests, the space might be used as a writer's workshop or artist's studio.  Since the main house is newer construction, and is not located in HARC, I think a new owner could be quite creative in adding new living space. A 'serious' renovator might even consider blowing out the back end of the main house and redoing both first and second floors and expand the living spaces. If I were going to do a renovation to this house, that is exactly what I would do.

I think 1601 White Street has the potential of being a great vacation rental property when renovations are completed. The existing house and pool, the extra large lot with lush tropical foliage , expansive parking, and location near Higg's Beach and the Atlantic Ocean make it a sure winner. A crisp and clean update would make it more attractive. The addition of a guest cottage and some really creative changes could make the entire property sizzle. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1601 White Street. This property is offered at $835,000.

Higg's Beach playground

Higg's Beach at Sunset

I took more photos of this property which you can see if you CLICK HERE. But better than that, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this unique property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.  Someone is going to buy this property now that it actually can be seen.  Let's take a look together.