1601 White Street - Key West - Price Reduction

Preferred Properties Key West (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just announced a price reduction on 1601 White Street, Key West, Florida from $835,000 to $795,000). What's more, the owner had the interiors repainted so that the home would show off its true potential.

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. 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 listing Realtor describes 1601 White Street this way:

"Come take a second look at this terrific 3 bedroom 2.5 bath house is situated on an exceptional corner lot, just a few blocks to the Atlantic Ocean. The house has great bones... just needs some updating... Owners just recently painted the entire interior, installed new flooring, and will continue to make improvements until the house sells. The lot has beautiful native landscaping that is easy to maintain. The swimming pool with expansive decking and outdoor shower are all elevated. The house has many great qualities... central air, lots of windows, plenty of storage, and a unique floor plan. Other features include off-street parking, privacy/security fencing and a lot with room to grow."

The main floor is divided into conventional rooms with the living area on one side, a formal dining area up front on the other side and the kitchen at the rear with a breakfast bar in the middle.  A set of stairs leads to the second level where the master bedroom and en-suite bath occupy the south side and two guest rooms with a shared bath are located on the opposite side.

I personally think the master bedroom is dated. But the good thing is that there is so much room that a new owner could revamp the space and update the bath without breaking the budget.  The same goes for the two guest bedrooms. The spaces work find but could be tweaked just a bit to make the spaces just a bit more appealing.

The freshly painted interiors will give the new owners time to live in the property and figure out what they really like and what they would like to change to make the spaces function to fit the new owners' lifestyle.  I tell buyers to do this before they start a major renovation. Most do what they want anyway. I understand the urge to splurge but it is not always necessary.

I think the rear of the existing house is under utilized and could be expanded without spending too much money. I think the kitchen could be expanded to include what is now a covered rear porch. I would add more space to the master bedroom for bedroom area (or add a second floor deck overlooking the pool).  I would definitely expand the second floor bedroom at the rear which could then permit enlarging both bedrooms a bit. That might create enough space for each bedroom to have a private bath.

The back yard and side yard are huge and provide ample ground for expanding the main house or adding a guest cottage at the rear. A couple of colleagues have suggested tearing down the house and pool and rebuilding all new - not because what exists is bad but because the space is so large and so well located that the land value itself makes such a project thinkable.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

Whether a new owner does some remodeling or keeps this property the way it is, I think 1601 White Street could make a great vacation rental.  The house is located one block from the Atlantic Ocean and the White Street beaches. 

The new price on 1601 White Street is $795,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. After you have done that, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this property.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise. 

Things That Have Been Seen Cannot Be Unseen or How to Get Over the Key West Cemetery and Enjoy Life

Do not take life too seriously – you will never get out of it alive. - Elbert Hubbard

The quote is funny, and yes it is true.  The tragedy of the quote is that many people live in a pretend world where they do not die.  Or maybe it is just that they prefer not to think about it or talk about it.  Vacationers come to Key West and take Ghost Tours or walking tours that often end up at the Key West Cemetery. They take photos of the graves and sometimes even post ghoulish photos of themselves or the tombstones on the Internet.  I, for one, have never been inside the Key West Cemetery. I'm not afraid. I just have had no reason to go there.  And as I understand it, there is no room for me should I need it.

I can report that locals have a long lived "love affair" with the cemetery.  I found the two photos below that portray the events of a funeral in 1934. If you look carefully between the two monument pillars on either side of the gate and look up to the house at the top of Windsor Lane you can barely detect 630 Elizabeth Street about which I have recently written.  (You can click any photo for a larger version.) The ceremony of funeral parade through the streets of Key West continues today.  I have not seen one in a couple of years.  Let me tell you that it is mighty powerful stuff. The last one passed by old city hall on Angela Street. A former colleague led the process swinging a scepter as the mourners paraded up Angela Street which then becomes Windsor Lane and that eventually leads to the final resting place in the Key West Cemetery.  A small choral group passed by singing. They were followed by a brass band that had had me clapping and crying at the same moment. It was an awesome experience to witness the passing of someone whose name I did not know but who had so many loyal friends to take him to meet the Lord.

It seems like I am forever writing about houses that are located on or near the cemetery or one of our busier street like White, or Eaton, or Whitehead, or United, and even Southard.  Potential buyers normally shy away from all of those streets except Southard.  Those streets do experience a good amount of daytime traffic.  But traffic dissipates to a trickle after sunset when the delivery and service trucks stop and the office workers return home for the evening. When you really think about it, a huge number of our Old Town houses are located on one of these named streets or on streets that face, abut, or have view of the Key West Cemetery. And for some buyers, the location of a house with any cemetery view is an absolute no-no. For them, what has been seen cannot be unseen. To those buyers I say get over the Key West Cemetery and enjoy life.

Look at all the homes that border or are located within eyesight of the cemetery

I was recently working with some buyers who want a cute Key West cottage. I told them about a particular house that is located near the cemetery.  The wife refused to look. I implored her just to look - to give the place a chance. Nay! She said. I told her about a customer of mine to whom I sold a big house a few years ago. The house is located on a street near the cemetery. He also did not want to look at it because of the location. He said his twin daughters would be afraid to walk by the cemetery. I eventually got him to look. Then he discovered the value of this place, and then he bought it. The girls are in college now. I recently asked him how his daughters responded to living near the cemetery. He said it did not phase them.  He said they love their house, their pool, and their ability to come to Key West to chill.  End of story.

Sometimes so of the very best deals in Key West are houses that are located on the busier daytime streets or that have views of the cemetery.  To buyers that want a deal, do not be afraid to look where some fear to look. If you are among the people who wanted to buy a house in Key West when the prices were really low when it looked like the market was still going to tumble further but didn't, consider looking at a home located on one of our busy daytime streets or one that is near the cemetery.

Having the cemetery as a neighbor will mean quiet nights with no parties. You will enjoy more sunshine and breezes. And you just may get a bargain in the process.  Oh, if you are looking to buy a place in Key West and if you are not working with a Realtor, call me, Gary Thomas. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

221 Golf Club Drive - The Sanctuary - Key West

221 Golf Club Drive - Key West

If you are looking for a large house with three bedrooms, a den or fourth bedroom, a pool, covered off street parking, that comes fully furnished, and that is as pretty as a picture, may I suggest that you consider 221 Golf Club Drive which is located in The Sanctuary at the Key West Golf Club.  All you have to do is bring your toothbrush to this great home which the listing Realtor describes:

"Located in the Sanctuary, an enclave of homes at the Key West Golf Club, this pristine 3BR/2.5BA Great House has an open concept floor plan and first floor den which can be used as a fourth bedroom. Easy indoor/outdoor living with four covered porches, private pool, lounging decks and gardens. Off-street parking and carport. On site gym, clubhouse and twenty-four hour manned and gated security. Easy to show. Come take a look!"

The house has 1600 square feet of living space under air. This home has first and second story front porches and first and second floor covered porches at the rear. The homes and grounds in The Sanctuary look like something you'd see in a movie of an idealized place to live except this is real.  The photos above were taken on the porch located just off the two front bedrooms. These bedrooms have vaulted ceilings that add to the spacious feel of the rooms. They share an adjacent bath. The master suite is at the rear where it has a vaulted ceiling as well plus an en-suite bath and its own private rear porch which looks down to the private pool.

Master bedroom with en-suite bath to the rear

French doors open onto rear balcony overlooking pool below

The main level of this home includes a comfortable kitchen that opens onto the dining area and living room. A powder room is located opposite the kitchen. 

A potential fourth bedroom (or guest room or den) is located just off the living room. The space is quite large and offers lots of utility to any homeowner. French doors open out to the main level deck that descends down to the ground level deck and pool. CLICK HERE view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and view listing photos. 221 Golf Club Drive is offered at just $549,000.  That makes it the least expensive Grand Home at the Golf Course. This is really worth seeing!

I have become a big fan of many of the homes at the Golf Course, in part, I guess, by the lush vegetation that has grown and flourished there. The streets really are picture perfect. The houses resemble the grand Conch Houses you would see in Old Town Key West. The development as a whole is really attractive.  And once you pass the gated entrance into The Sanctuary you see a host of similarly elegant homes on a the one way street that loops back to the gated entry. The golf course community has two heated two pools, one which is enormous, and a small gym that is available to owners at no additional cost. Monthly homeowner fees are $333 per month (includes cable tv, common area and pool maintenance, and security).

CLICK HERE to view more a small slide show of photos I took of this really attractive and super clean Grand House at The Sanctuary.  Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this wonderful home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.  

611 Margaret Street - Old Town - Key West

If you are looking for Old Town charm, location, and a small guest cottage, you ought to consider  611 Margaret Street recently listed by Preferred Properties Key West (that's where I work but this is not my listing).  This old Conch house first appeared in the Sanborn Fire Map of 1912. That would indicate 611 Margaret St which was built sometime  between the 1898 and 1912 editions of the Sanborn Map.  (The large building adjacent to 611 Margaret Street also appears in the Sanborn Map and was identified as Cigar Factory No. 353.  Today the former cigar factory is a residence.)

611 Margaret Street in 1965

611 Margaret Street in 2013

611 Margaret Street was updated several years ago with a kitchen and bath room renovations, the addition of central air, IPE decking, and a small pool (about 11' x 8'). The cottage in the rear was updated around the same time. 

The front porch provides a nice perch for people watching.  Inside, a hallway leads from front to rear where the great room is located. The guest bedroom is located on the first floor front. A guest bath is off the bedroom. It has a second entrance off the main hall just off the entrance to the great room.

The master bedroom is located on the second floor. It runs the length of the house and has a contemporary feel.  A rear Juliet balcony was added.  It offers a view of the rear deck, pool, and guest cottage at the rear. I was taken by the treetop views of the surrounding homes in this neighborhood.

The rear cottage  has a small bath and a loft. The cottage would make a great artist's studio or can be used as a guest bedroom. It has a small bath.  There is also an outdoor shower.

611 Margret Street is offered at $749,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise. Fulfill your dream of owning a home in Key West.