906 Florida Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 906 Florida Street in Key West. I would describe this 1061 sq ft home as an Arts and Crafts style bungalow.  Although the Monroe County Property Appraiser shows the construction date as 1938 (which was in the midst of the Great Depression) I think the more logical date would have been the 1920s. The house is located at the corner of Florida and Albury Streets.  The house sits behind a tall fence which provides privacy from passing dogs, bicyclists, joggers, walkers, and other area residents and tourists who happen to stumble upon this little block located one block north of Bayview Park.

I dug into the old shoe box and found two photos of 906 Florida Street and learned that there used to be a second cottage on the lot.  On the day I arrived to take photos of this property I parked my car on Albury Street which runs parallel to Truman Avenue.  I remarked to myself as I excited the car how long the lot was and how densely populated it was with tropical foliage. (The lot is 90' long and 40' wide or 3630 sq ft.) When I found the second photo I understood why the lot was so large - there used to be a second cottage on the lot.  The second cottage was razed and the old cement block fence has been replaced with a tall wood privacy fence.

The listing Realtor, Mitzi Krabil, describes the property this way:

"This charming remodeled 2 bedroom 2 bath home is located on a private fenced corner lot in the popular Meadows neighborhood. The living room with vaulted ceiling opens through several sets of French doors to the pool, garden and hot tub. Additional features include a new kitchen and electrical service, off street parking, and hurricane rated shutters. Well maintained and easy to show."

Glass windows now enclose the previously screened front porch. The current owners use this space as an artist studio. Imagine how you might use this well lighted space.  When you enter the front door you step into an area the owners use as an office but the space could have many alternative uses. The recently updated kitchen follows.  Note the window view your mate will have as he or she does the dishes.

The living room or great room is located at the rear of the house. The vaulted ceiling really makes this space seem very large. French doors open out to the pool and hot tube (protected by its own little canopy).  The garden is lush with tropical foliage.  As soon as I saw this space I thought about buyers who want a place that could be rented as a vacation rental and said to myself this would make a great vacation rental property.  The outdoor space is just amazing.

The home has two bedrooms and two bath which you can view together with more photos of the house and yard if you CLICK HERE.

906 Florida Street is offered at $699,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet which contain detailed info on this home and more photos as well. But better than looking a photos and details, why don't you call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this lovey Meadows Area home.  It is really sweet and it is in move-in condition.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

328 Elizabeth Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, the picture perfect home at 328 Elizabeth Street located near the Historic Key West Seaport.  I found this home shown on the 1889 Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West.  So we know it was built prior to that date. Interestingly the house next door to the north 324 Elizabeth Street  (opposite Donkey Milk Lane) was built in 1867.  The seaport area is where the first houses and commercial buildings in Key West were first built. My guess is that 328 Elizabeth was built about the same time as it's neighbor to the north.  But it is only a guess.

328 Elizabeth Street photographed in 1965

324 Elizabeth Street built in 1867 as photographed in 1965

Donkey Milk Lane

Today 328 Elizabeth is a beautifully restored two story home with 2808 sq ft of living space under air but not including the finished third floor attic.  That is a "lot of house" in Old Town Key West.  The lot measures 28' x 101' (2830 sq ft).  A small cottage is located rear of 328 Elizabeth Street. Even though the lane is public, that cottage is the only user of this lane.  The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Beautifully renovated 4 bedroom historic home in the highly desirable Key West Seaport section of Old Town. Great open floor plan with Australian Cypress hardwood floors, detailed woodwork, Dade County Pine wood walls and bright, airy rooms. Gorgeous chef's kitchen with stainless steel appliances and quality finishes. Large master suite with artist studio/office ensuite. Lush tropical yard with custom designed pool and waterfall. Incredible location and off street parking make this the perfect Old Town Key West Hideaway. Close to Solares Hill, restaurants, night life and walking distance to marina and the Key West Bight. A Historic Seaport Beauty!"

The front porch offers a restful perch for watching locals and tourists as they walk or bike up and down Elizabeth Street toward the seaport or as they head for Duval Street or other local destinations.  I can never stress how wonderful it is to be able to sit on your front porch and have so many interesting people to watch.  But when you must go inside the house, and especially this house, your mind quickly appreciates the beauty of owning a historic home in Key West.  

When you enter the house your eyes are first drawn to the brawny Dade County Walls and the crisp white painted staircase at the right front.  Then your eyes move to the left where the left where the informal livingroom is located. Although the walls and ceiling in this space are all Dade County Pine, the spaces are painted so as to break up the monotony of a single color. The room is both masculine and feminine - a bit of ying and a bit of yang.  And totally sophisticated.

The combined kitchen and dining area with the adjacent "sun porch" complete the main level of this house. These spaces repeat the variation between exposed Dade County Pine walls and painted walls. Crown molding, baseboards, and windows are all painted crisp white and accentuate the architectural beauty of this home.

It is the sun porch, however, where I suspect you would spend the most of your indoor time. What an absolutely delightful space this is. You can watch your mate make you a meal or look out to the pool and garden and garden. Understand this, not every home in Key West has a view as pretty as this. Not by a long shot!

The pool with magical waterfall is a recent addition to the property. A small shed is located at the left rear of the lot.  The off street parking space is located adjacent to the pool. A newly erected privacy fence with subtle high-end exterior lighting provides compliment the exterior. It is, however, the beauty of the pool and the tropical foliage that make this space so lovely. Sitting in the chairs you might notice the custom wood shutters with palm trees. Or you might just bask in the sun and be oblivious to anything other than the sunny skies and wonderful temperature that is typical of Key West.

The master suite with adjacent sitting room and extra large en-suite bath are located at the rear of the second floor. Like the first floor, the Dade County Pine walls are a mix of natural wood and painted wood.  When I see spaces like this my mind takes me back to mind childhood in Colorado where we would stay in cabins while my folks would go fishing. Certainly this house is no rustic fishing cabin, but the mix of the rich wood with the painted wood creates a very warm and restful atmosphere.Two other bedrooms and another bath complete the second floor.

There's still more to this old house. The third floor attic has been turned into bonus space that is not included in the reported square footage of this home as shown in the Monroe County Property Records.  The third floor space includes what is now used as an extra bedroom, a third floor sundeck, a cedar lined closet, and a/c space tucked away behind the closet. The kids or grand kids will love this space. So will adult guests who want to use the deck to get an all over tan.

CLICK HERE to view more photos that I took of this really wonderful Old Town property.  As I write this and look at the photos I can see some of the details I missed as I was photographing the house. There is a lot of attention to detail in this house that you will likely not see in many homes in Old Town.  As a buyer you need to consider not only how cute a place looks but also how well built it is and how recent the improvements were added. Click on any photo to enlarge so that you can examine the pic in detail.

328 Elizabeth Street is offered at $1,495,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos.  But even better than looking a photos, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to let me show you this beautiful Old Town home. I know you will like it. It is really beautiful.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Buying Opportunity - 1104-1106 Thompson Street in Key West Florida

 The listing agent on 1104 - 1106 Thompson Street describes this incredible property this way:
"Fantastic Deal And A Great Location! Would Be Perfect For An Investor Or Someone Who Could See The Potential Of This Property. Home Sits On Two Lots. It Is A 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom 1,000.00 Sqft. Brick Cottage That Needs Tlc. Seller Is An Architect And Is Willing To Draw Plans If Buyer Wishes To Build A New Home Or To Re-design The Current Home. Bring All Offers."

The site is located on the corner of Thompson and Catherine Streets.The property consists of a 1000 square foot CBS and stucco home that sits in the middle of two separate lots. The owner had a building permit and plans for the construction of a 428 square foot accessory unit. The city would allow a 600 square foot accessory unit if anew owner wants. A developer might even consider tearing down existing house and build constructing two new homes - one on each lot or build a large single family home. Alternatively and much less expensive would be to gut the kitchen and baths and redo, add a pool and new outdoor living space.  You would end up with a lot of space, an incredible beautiful tropical lot in Key West for about the same price as a low priced 680 square foot condo in Truman Annex. Now that, Dear Readers, is a bargain.

According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser the existing house is 999 sq ft in size. That figure does not include, in my opinion, the semi-enclosed Florida room that adds another 200 sq ft or more to quality living space. The house itself has three bedrooms and two baths. The house was built in 1954 (59 years ago). A lot of 59 year olds get face lifts. It's time this house got one. A new owner would likely gut the interior and redo the kitchen and baths. If I bought the house I would add wind impact resistant windows and doors to reduce long term wind storm insurance premiums.

The lot is extra large - 94' x 101' or 9397 sq ft. The house is located about 20 feet from Thompson and about the same from Catherine. The yard on both sides is densely landscaped with tropical foliage.   The entire lot needs a good haircut.  Potential buyers need to understand the value that the existing trees adds so this property.  If you hired a landscaper to go up to Homestead to buy, haul, and replant a 9397 sq ft lot you would spend thousands of dollars in design, purchase, and planting costs.

west side yard

gate to west side yard

west side yard from rear of house looking toward Catherine St.

east or front yard includes a ramp to deck off master bedroom

north side or back yard

The lot is obviously in need of some major clearing and pruning.  I might even add new trees to the back and west sides to add more privacy from the adjacent public school. I would add a pool at the rear, however, there may be room for a pool on the south (Catherine Street) side of the property. The listing agent told me the school building on the north side houses administrative offices for the school. 

Here is the best part - the asking price on 1104-1106 Thompson Street was just reduced from $449,900 to $385,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos.  Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642  or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com to schedule a showing or for more information on this unique buying opportunity in Key West. (I have more photos that I can send to you.) I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. I think this could make a wonderful Key West tropical haven for the person who wants a tropical forest and no neighbors.