818 Olivia Street ~ Old Town ~ Key West

818 Olivia Street in Old Town Key West is a dream cottage come true. This place is as cute as a button, has off street parking, a pool, and is in move-in condition. It is within walking distance to just about any place you might want to go in the Old Town area, and it could even be rented as a monthly vacation rental if you really, really could allow someone else to use this precious space.

 

The listing Realtor describes 818 Olivia as follows:

"This wonderful historic cottage is loaded with Key West charm and character. Situated on a generous sized Old Town lot the home has a spacious picket-fenced front yard, a rocking chair front porch and off-street parking. The entrance foyer carries through to the rear of the house where the open living, dining and kitchen areas create an ideal plan for entertaining. French doors from the vaulted ceiling living area open out to the pretty landscaped rear deck with pool. The main level includes the master bedroom and bath, second bedroom and half bath. Upstairs is a cozy bedroom and full bath. Great central location just a few blocks from Duval Street."

The Monroe County Property Appraiser's property card shows this 1475 sq ft house sits on a 39' x 83' lot (3244 sq ft).  And the property appraisal card further shows the house was built in 1928. I found an old photo of the same house that was taken in 1965. A notation on the photo shows that 818 Olivia Street was built in the 1890s. That is the same rough date other houses in the block were also constructed.  I choose to believe the 1890s date because the house looked "old" in the 1965 photograph. A house that would have only been 17 years old in 1965. It just does not make sense. Compare the old view with the clean facade as it appears in 2013. It looks picture perfect in my opinion.

This house sits opposite the Key West cemetery. That means the neighbors will be quiet at night and will not be competing for on street parking - ever.  There will never be some big house built across the street with windows looking down onto your yard. You will always have open sky views looking across the street. Your home will forever bathe in the Key West sunshine. There won't be parties at night or people competing with you for parking space.

Once you pass the gated entrance you enter into a lovely small garden. The front porch as a great little sitting area where you can sit and watch tourists and locals pass by the house on foot, bike, or by car. Olivia Street is a one-way street headed easterly.

The first time I entered this house my eyes were drawn past the colorful entry and past delightful artwork that adorns the walls. My attention was drawn through the house to the rear where I could see the pool and waterfall. I knew in an instant that I was ready for a real treat.

As the listing Realtor points out, this home has three bedrooms and three baths. The current owners use the main floor bedroom on the left as the master suite. The bedroom to the right is currently used as a family room or office. The second floor bedroom is used as a guest suite.

There are several really interest architectural features in this home. The stairway to the second floor is one of them. The geometry demands your attention. The craftsmanship requires your inspection. The color scheme commands your consideration. It is whimsical and lyrical. There is nothing predictable about this house. 

The living, dining, and kitchen are located at the rear and open out to the pool and rear deck. This is how we live in Key West. Doors open to allow indoor and outdoor living spaces to meld into each other. On nights up north in America when people are freezing their behinds, you will likely be dining with the French doors opened out to the pool enjoying the the good life in Key West.

I looked for but did not see any deferred maintenance. There is a place for everything and everything appeared to be in its proper place. That's why I said this home is in move-in condition. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of other photographs I took that show this home from bottom to top and front to rear.

I am confident you will appreciate the charming home which is offered at $889,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Better than just looking at photos online, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this cute Old Town cottage style home. This is not my listing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. This place could be the answer to your dreams.

920 Fleming Street - Old Town - Key West

920 Fleming Street is one of the Grand Old Dames of Key West - the fancy houses that appeal to many but that only a few can actually afford to buy.  It's time to take a second look at his old girl because she needs a new owner. The listing broker, not me, describes this property this way:

"Pure Classic Conch home in the heart of Old Town with a fully detached 1 bedroom, 1 bath guest home on Hibiscus Lane in the rear. With off street parking, a large deep lot and a wonderful pool, this home has it all! Immaculate and award winning, totaling 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths with hardwood floors & Dade county pine throughout. A great family room sits right off the new gourmet kitchen and covered porches are everywhere for you to relax and enjoy! Truly an entertainers delight! A rare find, walk to everything!"

 The Monroe County Property Appraiser says this grand old house was built circa 1906. I found the black and white photo taken just about fifty years ago.

And just above is 920 Fleming Street as it appears today. That's the nifty thing about living in a town like Key West which values its old homes and works to preserve and keep them as things of beauty.

920 Fleming Street is an impressive large house located on one of the very best blocks in Old Town. The house sits elevated above the street just enough to give a view of the passers-by below.  During Fantasy Fest this must be a great place for friends and family to gather to watch the People Parade. Heck, you can watch the people parade every day here and not get a bit bored.

Inside the front door you are greeted by a grand and gracious staircase that also bisects the home between the formal living and dining area on the east side and the informal family room and recently renovated kitchen on the west side. On this floor you will also find a pretty powder room, a petite pantry, and rear door that leads to the veranda with adjacent screened outdoor dining area, pool, and guest cottage plus off street parking for two cars.

Upstairs you will find the large master bedroom with en-suite bath plus two large bedrooms one of which has access to the second floor front balcony overlooking Fleming Street. This balcony has a commanding view of Fleming Street where in less than two weeks the Fantasy Fest People's Parade will pass this home. Some of the most expensive homes in Old Town are located in this block or within a two minute walk.  This is prime real estate!

The rear veranda and the screen enclosed outdoor dining area span the width of the house and provide shade from the Key West sun and protection from the elements.  This home has a real pool. I say this because so many homes in Old Town have small rear yards and small pools. The home on the other hand has a large beautifully landscaped rear yard with a large pool, a guest cottage, and two off street parking spots accessed off Hibiscus Lane to the rear.

The guest cottage has a living area, kitchen, bath, bedroom, and charm for days. Your guests may never go back home. They can enter the cottage from the Hibiscus Lane entrance and not bother you in the main house.

You can view more photos of 920 Fleming Street if you CLICK HERE.

920 Fleming Street is offered at $2,195,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. 

1621 Rose Street - Bank Owned Property - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 1621 Rose Street #1 and #2 Key West, Florida.  These two town homes are lender owned by a local Key West bank.  The listing Realtor describes the homes this way:

"Spacious 3Br/3Bth en-suite condo w/private heated pool located Very Close to the Casa Marina area. Built in 2008. This condo offers a BR & Bath down and two BR's upstairs w/Jacuzzi tubs. The rear BR has a deck overlooking the pool. Laundry room has full sized washer & dryer. Kitchen has granite counter tops. Rear yard has mature vegetation and plenty of space to relax and entertain. Close to several of the beaches, Rest Beach, Higgs and Smathers Beaches. Walk down to White Street Pier to watch the daily water sports enthusiasts or take a romantic evening stroll and watch the moon and stars reflect on the ocean. Mid Town location is excellent. There are only 2 condos, side by side with same amenities, off street parking, both are for sale."

These homes are each 1439 sq ft and are identical in every way except they are flip-flops of each other.  They each feature stucco siding, what I believe to be impact windows and doors, metal roofs, a large sunny pool with waterfall surrounded by Trex decking. The asking price on each home is $565,000 or $293 per sq ft.  That is a lot of house in Key West for the asking price.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property.  Remember, there is no homeowner association or home owner fees to be paid. Each owner is responsible for individual maintenance and insurance. 

The master bedroom with en-suite bath is located on the second floor. The master bath includes two individual vanities, Jacuzzi tub, separate shower, linen closet, and WC.   

 

The laundry room and a separate storage closet are both located off the second floor hallway. A spacious second bedroom is located at the rear. It has French doors that open out to a covered rear porch that overlooks the backyard and pool with waterfall. The second bedroom has an en-suite bath nearly as large as the master suite.  Two co-equal homeowners would find either bedroom acceptable.

The second floor decking is traditional wood. However, the main level and pool surround is Trex Deck - a composite material which requires low maintenance. The Trex deck will stand up to Key West's tropical climate and that will save the new homeowner money.

I took many more photos of both properties which you can see if you CLICK HERE. But better than looking at photos, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this attractive 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.