510 Margaret Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 510 Margaret Street - Key West. The two story main house and cute guest cottage have a combined square footage of 2052 sq ft at one of the very best locations in Old Town.  The lot is an irregular rectangle of approximately 22.5' x 65'. The lot runs from Margaret thru to Scheppens Lane at the rear. The entrance to Scheppens Lane is located on Fleming Street.

The listing Realtor describes 510 Margaret Street this way:

"This beautiful home has been completely and perfectly renovated with superior finishes and quality craftsmanship. The property includes 510 Margaret Street and adjoining 3 Scheppens Lane. The 3BR, 3BA main house has a large vaulted great room opening onto the rear yard and pool with stacked stone waterfall, Dade County Pine walls and hardwood floors throughout, magazine quality kitchen and gorgeous baths. The 1BR guest cottage has a full bath, fully equipped kitchen and living area. Both houses are designed for entertaining with light filled living areas opening through glass doors to the rear yard. This fantastic property is located in one of the most desirable blocks in Old Town between Fleming and Southard Streets."

As has been my recent custom, I went to the old Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine when this home was built. Our property records were destroyed in the great fire and workers from the WPA created new ones. Unfortunately, they did not research the dates and gave us erroneous or maybe incomplete information. Anyway, I found what I believe to be 510 Margaret Street on the 1889 Sanborn map which also shows the cottage on Sheppens Lane.  Coincidentally the house next door at 512 Margaret is shown as well. These two houses are nearly identical and finding both on the same map reaffirms my belief as to the earliest record of their existence. I dug really deep into the old shoebox and found a photo of 510 Margaret Street that was taken back in 1965.  Compare it with the facade in September 2013. 

This home is the archetype that would-be second home buyers search for in a grand Conch house. The house sits behind the required white picket fence where three palms lets you know this traditional home is not located in the cold north. There's a bit of gingerbread but not so much as to distract from the simple and clean lines of this home. The home boasts front porches on both first and second floors either of which are perfect perches for people watching.

Inside the formal entry lets you know you have arrived at a special home. A spacious guest bedroom with en-suite bath is located just off the entry. Two doors allow this space to open more fully to public view is used as an office or study. But when the doors are shut, this space provides comfortable sleeping accommodations.

The main living area includes a newer addition to the rear of the historic house. The living space includes a vaulted ceiling and rear window wall that allows light filtered by the palms to illuminate the area during the daytime. Cooks will relish in the posh pastry palace.  

The home opens out to the pool with waterfall, the deck, and the guest cottage. Guest staying the guest cottage have private access from Scheppens Lane. So they won't need to awaken you after a long night on the town. (Note the gate in the second photo below. It provides access for the pool man.) The cottage comes complete with small living area, kitchenette, bath, and bedroom. The cottage is the epitome of what all guest cottages seek to be: perfect!

Dade County Pine walls are a distinctive feature throughout the main house. They provide rich texture to the rooms on which a new owner can add art to personalize each living or resting space. Speaking of resting, the two bedrooms on the second floor provide wonderful spots for nightly accommodation. The front bedroom includes access to the front balcony. Both bedrooms have separate en-suite baths.

This home would make a wonderful Key West vacation rental. It could accommodate three couples in the main house and a fourth couple in the cottage. The location is within a short walk to Duval Street or the Historic Key West Seaport.  Michael's Restaurant and Mangia Mangia are nearby as is the neighborhood fresh produce market down on the corner at Fleming Street. Some of the more expensive homes in Key West are located nearby as well. It is Key West where old buildings are treasured and newcomers are welcomed. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this home.

If you would like to see 510 Margaret Street 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 home in Paradise.

811-814 Carey Lane - Old Town Key West

 On several occasions I have written the solace of  living on the slow lanes in Key West. Carey Lane has got to be one of the "slowest" of any. That is for sure. Carey Lane is a real "dead end" lane as the photos above show. It is located at the junction of Margaret Street and Angela Street. The Key West Cemetery is on the opposite side of that "junction where Angela Street suddenly becomes  becomes Carey Lane. Margaret Street bends to the right and suddenly becomes Passover Lane. It's Key West's gift to confusing tourists.

The current owner of 811 and 814 Carey Lane acquired each property separately and began the process of creating a large home with separate guest cottage.  The are located at the far end of Carey Lane which maybe runs a total of 250 feet, if that. Some of the sweetest little houses in all of Key West are located on Carey Lane. Carey Lane, Dear Reader, truly is one of the sweetest of the sweet little lanes that make our little island community so alluring. Each little house that faces or backs onto this lane is an absolute charmer in its own right.

 

 The listing broker more fully describes 811-814 Carey Lane thus:

"Quiet serenity awaits you at this secluded tropical oasis in the heart of Old Town Key West. Tucked away at the end of one of the most beautiful lanes in Old Town, this large estate with multiple buildings is the ultimate in tropical living. Beautifully renovated 2/2 historic guest house built in 1943 evokes Key West charm with modern conveniences. New kitchen and baths, central air and private outdoor spaces. Spacious one-level 3/3 main house built in 1970 waiting for your personal touches with great floor plan, high ceilings, detached bedroom/office, enclosed porch overlooking a large pool with lushly landscaped 9179 square foot lot. Off street parking, peaceful and quiet location. A Tropical Jewel For Serene Island Living."

I have written abut the guest cottage several times before it became a part of this larger property. At one time I wrote "it really is one of my very favorite homes in Old Town. There is something so quaint, so cool, so unassuming, and so welcoming that just about anyone will feel at home. The house is nested under some very large trees that give it a protected feeling. It is located on a quiet lane removed from the hubbub of Key West and yet it near everything."  I have shown this property a couple of times since it was recently listed. I fell in love again with this quaint space. Below are some sample photos that show how inviting a small space can be.

The problem with having such a comfortable guest house is that your guests will stay and stay and stay forever.  And who could blame them? Now if you bought the combined properties and either decided to separate them into two separate parcels or if you decided to add to a pool to the guest house lot, I think there is abundant room for a pool. Here's another thought. If you added a fence with friendly gate between the two properties, your guests would have a sense of privacy that is currently missing. However, if you decided to rent the guest cottage either as a long term rental or a vacation rental apart (separate) from the main house, I think you could keep this comfy cottage rented year around.  Especially if you add a pool.

Ample gated off street parking is another reason to consider this property.

The main house has really comfortable indoor and outside living spaces. For the most part the indoor spaces offer picturesque window views of the gardens or the pool.  The indoors and outdoors merge into unique Key Westy environments when the mix is done right. It is done right here.

The screen enclosed outdoor living-dining area is located on the opposite side of the living room (below photo). That area is probably where most owners would spend the preponderant time enjoying this home. The space provides views of the lush tropical garden and alluring pool. This area almost has the feel of a cabin - except that it is in Key West and the views are of palm trees not pine trees. Maybe its just that this space reminds me of the coziness cabins offer.

811 - 814 Carey Lane has combined interior living spaces of 2639 sq ft that sit upon a 9179 sq ft site hidden away from the rest of the world. There are a total of five bedrooms, five baths, and numerous living and dining spaces.  This property has been reduced to just $1,995,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view more listing photos of the property.  You might also CLICK HERE to view other photos.

If you would like to see this truly appealing property located at the end of the slowest lanes in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

606 Truman No. 9 - Transient Licensed - Key West

606 Truman Avenue #9 in Key West is the kind of property many potential second home buyers want to buy. This is the only stand alone unit in Windward Park where the other units all share a party wall. And this unit is located at the rear of the development so the owner will have total seclusion when sitting on the porch or relaxing in the private garden space.  This 1210 sq ft two bedroom/two bath home is as clean as a whistle. It is offered completely furnished,  and, this is the best part,  it has a full City of Key West Transient Rental License which means you can rent it any day of the year for as many days as you want.  This property is located one block east of  Duval Street and is within easy walking distance to all of your favorite haunts. The pool is sunny, and since there are only 13 units, you won't have to stand in line to get a lounge chair. If you buy this home now, you will have a home in Key West by the next Christmas.  

The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Transient Licensed. This beautiful freestanding Bahamian style eyebrow home is tucked away in a tropically landscaped compound for the utmost privacy. A large inviting front porch and decked yard are perfect for outdoor entertaining. The current owners have completely renovated this immaculate home with all new kitchen and baths. The main level features an open living and dining area, a spacious kitchen with breakfast bar and a full bath. Upstairs are two large bedrooms with lots of closet space and a hall bath. This is a vacation rental property and is being sold beautifully furnished. Windward Park is an Old Town compound of 13 homes sharing a large outdoor area and heated pool each with assigned off-street parking."

 

The entire first floor provides lots of space for relaxation or entertaining. Everything about this space is open and inviting. As soon as I entered this home I knew I would like it. I could smell the clean - not a disinfectant kind of clean but instead the freshness one knows when entering a home that has been spotlessly maintained.  I don't think I have even been inside a rental anywhere that was as fresh and inviting as this.  If you look at the third photo above you will see two closets located adjacent to the refrigerator. One is a "lock out" for owner storage. There are several similar owner lock outs throughout the house.  These lock outs provide subtle protection for owner  necessities such as toothbrushes, suntan lotion, shorts, Grey Goose, etc.

If you have ever stayed in a dinky two bedroom condo you ought to appreciate the size and spatial layout of this room home which has two large bedrooms.

This home sits at the far rear of the compound. It is the only free standing single family home in the compound whereas the other homes are attached duplexes.  Unlike most of the other units which have a side or rear deck for outdoor space, this home sits on a spacious and shaded lot which includes a nice private deck area and a little fountain.  Some of the other homes in this compound have a transient rental license, but not all. Owning a transient rental license is a very valuable extra even if you decide not to rent the unit.  But if you choose to rent, you ought to keep this lovely home rented as often as you want. It has everything a home owner (or renter) could ask for.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

606 Truman #9 is offered at $829,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet.  Don't expect this beauty to be on the market very long.  There were other agents at the house when I took photos to share with my Dear Readers.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing so that come December 24th you will be nestled all snug in your bed at 606 Truman Avenue in Key West where you will spend Christmas in Key West.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.