1105 Olivia Street Key West - Price Reduction

The asking price on the cute little one bedroom single family home at 1105 Olivia Street in Old Town Key West was just reduced from $439,000 to $395,000. I did a quick check of our mls and learned that 1105 Olivia Street is the second least expensive home in Old Town. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to see listing photos.

This property is located a little over one-half block east of the Key West cemetery and one block north of Truman Avenue in the southeast quadrant of Old Town.  I dug deep into the proverbial old shoebox and found the photo above which was taken back in 1965 when 1105 Olivia Street was FERNANDEZ CLEANERS.  If you look just beyond the square facade you see the outline of the simple cigar maker cottage that pre-dates the commercial use.  I then went to the Sanborn Map of 1889 and found the house abutting the city sidewalk. That review satisfied me to that this old house was built before 1889.

The house itself has been updated over the years, but I suspect that a new owner may do a new renovation of this old house. I am mindful that the 623 sq ft home has only one bedroom, but it does have a great Old Town location and it has the potential to convert an existing cistern into a dip pool. That, Dear Readers, makes this new listing worthy of your consideration.

The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"Old Town sleeper. Behind the gated entrance is a one bedroom one bath cottage with a private rear courtyard. High ceilings in the living/dining room along with a wall of windows provides light and tropical ambiance. There is an eat-in kitchen, renovated bath and good-size bedroom. A little renovation will produce an Old Town Jewel!"

Living room looks out to what might be the pool area

Update this kitchen

Convert the concrete cistern into a dip pool

The 1889 Sanborn Map shows the house located right on the City property line with a very large rear yard. The current Property Appraiser map shows the lot at 20' x 55'. The house itself is 40 feet in length which leaves 15 feet for the creation of a small pool. A new owner would probably need to convert the old cistern into a dip pool as building code would limit new construction. I do believe code would permit the conversion but a new buyer would need to verify this before relying on what I "believe" to be permissible.

Most of the cottages and larger homes in the immediate neighborhood have been updated. Some of the properties have small pools but most do not have off street parking. You must remember that this area (once referred to as Pohalski Village) was mostly cigar maker cottages on situated on small lots. That has not changed in the decades since the houses were built. Back in the old days the residents walked to work and to neighborhood stores.

In today's more modern world off street parking is very limited in this area. Most owners park their cars on the street.  Most of the residences in this area are single family homes. There is commercial activity up on Truman Avenue one block to the south.  There is little to no "spill over" of parking from those businesses into this neighborhood.

This is the area where you will find most of the local gyms and yoga salons. And Duval Street is only a five to seven minute walk.  The Historic Key West Seaport is also located within a short walk to the north. I like to point out that you don't have to have a pool in your backyard to enjoy a pool.  Dante's is located at the Seaport. Locals go there on a regular basis to lounge by the pool. They usually buy some burgers and booze, but that is less expensive than paying the cost of operating a pool everyday of the year and paying for pool maintenance. 

CLICK HERE to view more photos that I took of the property. If you would like to see 1105 Olivia Street or any other listing in Key West please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

606 Truman Avenue #1 - Key West Florida

Preferred Properties Key West (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed a two story two bedroom two bath Windward Park priced at just $729,000.  606 Truman Avenue #1 has 1260 sq ft of living space divided between the two floors.

The listing Realtor describes Unit #1 this way:

"Delightful two bedroom two bath townhouse in a well-sought out Old Town compound, Windward Park. Unit 1 is tucked away in the front corner of the complex, therefore somewhat removed and most private. Enter into a large great room with two-story cat walk. Great for displaying treasured art. The new kitchen features high-end, custom cabinetry with unique counter tops and new appliances. The downstairs bedroom with adjoining bath has French doors leading out to a very secluded deck with beautiful tropical plantings and a hot tub. The upstairs features the master bedroom with en suite bath, as well as a second-floor porch that offers private, treetop views of the pool (heated in Winter) and well-manicured tropical gardens of the complex."

The main living area with the second floor "catwalk" is featured in a couple of other units at Windward Park but not all. The catwalk certainly adds dramatic flair to the living space.  Otherwise, the main floor is laid out traditionally with the living room and dining area at front followed by a guest bedroom at the rear. There is a main floor bathroom with access off either the living area or from the bedroom. French doors open from the living space out to a spacious deck which includes a private hot tub. (Not all units have this feature.)

If you have looked at houses in Key West before you have probably found that most bedrooms are dark and dinky. Not so here. The master bedroom is extra large.  If you prefer sleeping in a king size bed, you will have room to spare in this big boy bedroom that has windows that face the east, south, and west (although the light here is filtered by the second floor covered porch.)   The closet is equally extra large. The en-suite bath is located at the rear and has a window that looks back to St. Mary's of the Sea Basilica. The second floor porch provides an enviable view of the pool that is shared with only 12 other units.  Compare that to some similarly priced units in Truman Annex where the pools are shared by lots and lots of tourists.  I am not being negative on Truman Annex, but you will have to pay more money to have fewer potential people sharing your pool if you live there. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view all listing photos.

Readers not totally familiar with the location may be aided by who the nearby neighbors are including the aforementioned St. Mary's of the Sea Basilica (Truman at Windsor Lane), Better Than Sex (desert restaurant at Truman and Simonton), Moped Hospital (also at Truman and Simonton),  and Denny's (located one block away at the corner of Truman at Duval Street).  Many of the gyms and yoga studios are located nearby as well. I mention the neighbors because many popular tourist attractions which are within easy walking distance.  Unit #1 is currently used as a private residence but a new owner could easily rent the unit as a Key West monthly vacation rental.

If you would like to see this unit or any other  property in Key West, 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.

112 Hutchinson Lane - Key West

112 Hutchinson Lane in the Bahama Village area of Key West first appeared in my blog soon after it was listed in late July. It is time for a second visit.. As is my habit, I checked the old Sanborn Fire Maps of Key West to see if I could determine the approximate date this old house was built.  Frequent readers know that our county property records were destroyed in the great fire of 1886. Workers from the WPA during the Depression reconstructed property records and unfortunately erroneous "construction" dates..  In the case of 112 Hutchinson Lane I found what I think is the house in the 1892 Sanborn Map.  The problem is the houses are clearly marked in the correct area on the map but the map makes no reference to the then unnamed "lane".  No matter, we can tell by looking at the black and white photo below which was taken in 1965 that the house was ancient then. Compare the way it looked then to the way it looks today. I wish people aged as gracefully.  Really, I do.

According to the property records the house is 720 sq ft and sits on a 43.5' x 66' (2872 sq ft) lot midway down one of the slowest lanes in Key West. Mind you, this lane is only one block long and dead-ends at the end where a small compound of four homes share a pool.  More than half of the homes on this little lane have been updated.

This house has one of the wider lots which would probably allow for the reduction of the current two car off street parking spots into just one. That would then allow for the addition of a new swimming pool running from the  mid side yard rear toward the rear fence. There is a backyard, but the set backs would only permit a dip pool if the pool were built at the rear.

The house itself is a typical cigar maker cottage with the door on the left. A hallway runs from front to rear along the south wall.  The front room is the living room which is followed by two  bedrooms. The kitchen and bath are at the rear.  The kitchen is quite small. Entry to the bath is off the kitchen. The bath was updated in 2012 and 2013. The roof was replaced in 1996 but looks new.  The exterior siding is board and batten and looks good condition.  I was surprised by how nicely maintained this house looks.

A cottage across the lane appears to have been the victim of a fire. It is in the early stages of a redo. I will be the fire damage house ends up looking wonderful after it is redone.  None of the houses on this block are rundown. 

 Hutchinson Lane is located three blocks west of Duval Street. Truman Avenue is a one way street heading west toward the new Truman Waterfront development.  Olivia Street is a one way street heading east from the waterfront passed Duval and through Old Town. The neighborhood is mostly residential with the exception of several restaurants near the corner of Petronia and Thomas Street. Blue Heaven is probably the most famous restaurant there.  The Ft Zach Taylor State Park and Beach are within walking distance. When the new Truman waterfront is opened access to the water will be maybe five minutes at most. 

 CLICK HERE  to viewt he Key West mls datasheet on 112 Hutchinson Lane which is offered at $415,000 or $591 per sq ft. I took more exterior photos of the house and the block which you can see if  you CLICK HERE. Better than looking at photos, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this little cigar maker cottage. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

1421 Reynolds Street - The Casa Marina Area - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 1421 Reynolds Street in the Casa Marina Area of Key West.  Locals and frequent visitors to Key will likely recognize that this Mid Century home is located within a five minute walk to Higg's Beach and the Great Atlantic Ocean.  And it has easy access to the rest of Key West as well. The great thing about this three bedroom, two bath home is that it is move-in ready and it is priced at only $649,000. That beats the higher prices you'd expect for similar sized house in Old Town.  The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Lovely Mid-Century Modern three bedroom home in highly desirable Casa Marina neighborhood. Beautifully maintained terrazzo floors, sleek lines and simplicity are hallmarks of the Mid-Century style. Renovated kitchen, open floor plan living room and central air conditioning are recently added conveniences. Great outdoor spaces and room for a pool on this large tropical lot. Entry courtyard provides privacy and relaxation. The 310 square foot screened covered porch not included in the under air square footage but could be easily enclosed. Off-street parking with carport provides convenient parking for at least 2 vehicles. An Adorable Casa Marina Treasure."

Even the newer areas of Key West are not always "new".  The house at 1421 Reynolds Street was built in 1958.  I didn't have to dig all that deep into the old shoebox to find a photo of the house as it appeared fifty some years ago. Today the house sits behind a six foot fence that protects the view from the street. This is typical of many homes in the Casa Marina Area. I do think it looks better today, however.  In fact all of Key West looks better today. There are trees and lush vegetation all over the island. Lots of tourist dollars has made it possible for our little city to provide great amenities for locals and tourists alike.  And things get better each year.  And little houses like this one on Reynolds Street, and the people that own, are the beneficiaries of all the tourist revenue.

The nearly 1100 sq ft house is a ranch with three bedrooms and two baths. The interiors have been updated to compliment the original design which included Terrazzo floors that shine. A new contemporary kitchen was added along with new sliding doors that open out to two different covered outdoor living areas. The property has off street parking at front and, I believe, room for a pool at the rear.

The former carport is now one covered outdoor living area and a covered and screen enclosed porch serves the backyard area. I think there is room for a pool here.  Of course, you could save the cost of building a pool by walking the four blocks to Higg's Beach and the ocean just four blocks to the south.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datashteet on this property. Or better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this house. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. I live in the Casa Marina Area and love it for its convenience and quiet. I work almost all the time so I don't get to use the beach like I used to, but the proximity is truly a plus when guest are in town. If you have a dog, doggie park is located across the street from Higg's Beach. Your pooch can meet new friends and you can meet new friends as well.