1411 Olivia Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

Key West is known for its love affair with old houses.  Some places are big; some are small; some are ornate; some are droll; some are expensive; and most others are more expensive! Some homes are full time-residences and others are part-time places where owners hope to retire to in the not so distant future.  Some places are fixer-uppers and others are done to the hilt. Some places historic but a few places are relatively new. It is, however, the older homes that most would-be new buyers seek. The home located at 1411 Olivia Street in Key West is listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing.  The listing Realtor describes this home thus:

"This charming Key West home is located in the Meadows area of old town. A vintage iron gate and a wide, sunny front porch offer a welcome entry to the house. Inside are beautiful wood floors, high ceilings and bright rooms. In addition to the two bedrooms and two baths, there are two loft bedrooms not included in the square footage. The Florida room opens through a wall of glass doors to the bricked patio and garden which includes an outdoor shower. The patio area is fenced and gated and very private. This is a must see for those wanting historic charm in a lovely setting."

 I found this black and white photo below (taken in 1965) that has the notation the house was built circa 1926.  I looked in the Sanborn Fire Maps which show the house existed in 1912. The prior Sanborn Map was done in 1899 which suggests the house was built sometime between those years.

The house has 1334 sq ft of living space on one floor which includes two bedrooms and two baths. The listing Realtor notes the house has additional living space in the second floor loft which is not counted as actual living area. 

 1411 Olivia Street is offered at $629,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database and listing photos. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this colorful Key West property.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1009 Eaton Street ~ Old Town ~ Key West

 

1009 Eaton Street is a  two bedroom/two bath Conch style home offered for sale by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing.  The Monroe County Property Appraiser says was the house was built in 1923. I think it is much older than that because I found it on the 1889 Sanborn Map.  That would indicate it existed before 1889 when the map was drawn. Be that as it may, it is still an old house and that is why it is the type of property would-be second home buyers want in Key West. The cute part of this house is without dispute. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Historic Cigar Cottage in the heart of Old Town Key West with the Seaport and some of our best restaurant's at your doorstep. Several years ago this home underwent a renovation and has an updated kitchen and 2 full baths, with preserved Dade County walls and floors. There are two bedrooms upstairs with a Jack n' Jill Bathroom. On the main level you have a open floor plan with French doors leading to the covered deck and spa."

1009 Eaton as it appeared in 1965

The front porch welcomes friends and family to a 1170 sq ft home that sits on a 1578 sq ft lot just located one half block east of Grinnell Street. The Historic  Key West Seaport is located a block and one-half to the north. Frequent visitors may recall the Old Town Bakery is located at the corner of Grinnell Street and the new Paseo Restaurant is also located on the opposite corner.

The main floor of the house has an inviting living room with Dade County Pine walls, ceiling, and floors. The dining area is set off just a bit by an ancient room divider. The kitchen is located at the rear. The kitchen has been updated. There is also a full bath on the first floor even though both bedrooms are on the second floor.

There are two bedrooms on the second floor. The master bedroom is located at the front. The guest bedroom is at the rear. There is a second floor rear sundeck as well.  

The rear yard presently has a spa.  I think there may be room for a small in-ground pool.
The space is large enough. The cost might be a bit high as the pool would have to be dug by hand instead of machine.  You could save yourself a lot of money and do what a lot of locals do: go to Dante's and use the pool there. Buy lunch and a couple of drinks. You will save thousands and thousands of dollars on construction costs and not have to pay for a pool service, chemicals, and electricity to run the pool everyday of the year.

1009 Eaton Street is now offered at $650,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos. I took more photos which you can view if you CLICK HERE.

Dante's

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this cute two bedroom home located in Old Town Key West. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

202 Southard St #6 - Transient Licensed Shipyard Condominium - Key West

 

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 202 Southard Street #6 in the Shipyard Condominiums at Truman Annex. Truman Annex is located just two blocks from historic Duval Street and all of the attractions that make Key West a world class destination.  The listing Realtor describes the new listing this way:

"Fabulous opportunity to own a 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo in Truman Annex. First floor unit with large rear deck. Just steps away from the pool. Perfect home away from home. Condo comes with a transient license allowing for 26 weekly rentals. Just steps from Duval and an easy stroll to the beach. Excellent income producer."

                   202 Southard Street #6 pictured above. Lower photo is view from the front.

This unit is similar in layout to most other two bedroom/one bath units.  The kitchen and dining/living area is one the left side, and the two bedrooms with a shared bath are on the opposite side. French doors at the rear open out to the rear deck and ground level garden area.  A small walking lane is located behind the units. The lane leads to the off street parking spot and the community pool.

Returning visitors to Key West love the location, comfort, and security that Truman Annex provides. Guest who stay in this unit will especially love this location because it's hard to get lost when the place you are staying is located near the guard booth at the entrance to the complex. People do get lost, especially people who have had the extra cocktail.  The location is within walking distance to Ft Zach Taylor State Park and Beach.  The pool is only a minute or so walk, but I'll bet you more guests will head off to the beach to enjoy the sun and ocean.  At night the Green Parrot and other nearby establishments provide music, food, and cocktails.  During season the Waterfront Playhouse at Mallory Square and the Red Barn Theater offer live performances that feature many local talents. Day or night, there's always something to do and whatever it is, it is within easy walking distance of Truman Annex.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos.  Better than that, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a showing of this unit.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

I See Dead People or Why It's Hard to Sell Houses Near the Key West Cemetery

There's a line in Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry that's spot on correct: "Turn away from death, and it's as if it isn't there." I guess that is why so many potential buyers of houses in Key West refuse to consider buying houses that face our little cemetery.  I have written about this irrational fear before because it creates a real problem for people that own properties that face the cemetery and for some owners that are even located near the place.

Today is Halloween 2013. We just finished our annual ten day homage to mayhem which is called Fantasy Fest.  A whole of of folks dressed up and pretended to be ghosts and ghouls, while many  others paraded around town with nothing on but body paint.  I wonder how many of the pretend dead or undead would refuse to buy a home that overlooks the Key West Cemetery.

A couple of God's personally anointed soul surfers were walking up and down Duval Street with huge placards admonishing the aforesaid sinners that their souls were destined to go to Hell. Maybe you can really get away with living a life of sin and then one day confess your sins and pray for forgiveness. I'm personally skeptical that God of the Old Testament would fall for that. I think it is more likely that the guys with the placards are correct that the sinners are doomed. If I'm correct, why not buy a house that faces the cemetery? 

Oops!  Looks like one got out!  The Sexton must have not been working that day.

There are plenty of houses in Key West that are just as scary as anything that faces the cemetery. Take some of the houses below.

Ghost Tour House - what a laugh!

Real life house of horrors! Serious as a heart attack!

The Scariest Thing about this House is the Price.  But it is a Beauty!

Buyers that have the money to buy a primary home or a second home in Key West are usually successful people. They have to be to afford our high priced homes. Key West real estate is pretty expensive compared to other parts of the country.  And because we live on a little island with limited growth and a limited supply of homes, the number of potential houses that can be purchased tends to make the few houses available for purchase increasingly more expensive.  Houses that are near the cemetery normally sell at a lower price than houses located elsewhere in the same area. If you are looking for a deal, consider a home with view of a tomb.

If you are looking to buy a place in Key West, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise - whether its near the cemetery or not.