1309 Eliza Street Key West

1309 Eliza Street is located in the Arts District in Key West, Florida. The owner of this pretty little house invited me over to take some photos of the house which I am pleased to share with you today. CLICK HERE to view all the photos I took which show the house, rooms, and yard from varying views.

 I found a "before" photo taken of the property back in 1965. If you compare it to the color photo above you will see the only significant difference is that the galvanized chain link fence has been replaced by a wood picket fence and that the yard is enriched by beautiful trees and foliage. There's a good reason for that: the prior owner of this home is noted local landscape architect Craig Reynolds. In fact, there are little identification tags placed next to specimen plantings around the yard. I looked in the Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that this house did not appear in the 1912 map although the two houses located immediately to the east were on that map.

 The listing Realtor describes 1309 Eliza Street this way:

"Tropical Key West property with many original details located at 1309 Eliza Street. This spectacular keys residence features two spacious bedrooms & one bath, roomy front porch and a large back patio would be perfect for entertaining guests. This property has Dade County Pine floors and walls, central a/c, a premium gas range, washer, dryer, a large great room, outdoor storage area, metal awning shutters."

This vernacular style home is laid out similar to many cigar maker cottages or "shotgun" style houses as trey are called in the south in that the front door open on to a long hallway that leads straight to the rear with various rooms located to the side. In this instance the front two rooms are used as bedrooms.

The hallway disappears midway through the house as the space enlarges in to more public space. The retro bathroom which has been updated is located on the east side of this space. The laundry room is located in an adjacent closet.

The great room is at the back of the home. This space is quite large and inviting. If you have not notice, Dade County Pine walls and floors shine. The richness of the wood is muted just a bit with the introduction of color in this communal living space. French doors at the rear open out to the rear covered deck and yard.

At first the kitchen may appear a bit compact, but if you look closer you will see a gas cook top, wall ovens, dishwasher, refrigerator, abundant drawers and lots of cabinet storage. As I write this I am reminded that all of the architectural lines in this house are similarly plain and understated. If you like gobbledegook's and curly cues, this place won't appeal to you. But if you like a clean aesthetic look, this may just be the place you have been waiting to find.

The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows this house as being 912 sq ft and sitting on at 2534 sq ft lot (31' X 82').  If you want a pool, you're not gonna get one here. But what you will get is a home that is really good condition and that is ready to move into. I am no home inspector, but I looked under the house and noted what looked to be new piers.

1309 Eliza Street is offered for sale at $590,000. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 yo schedule a personal showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  I think this home will sell right away. Our market is on fire right now.

Key West Oceanfront Luxury - 20 Sunset Key Drive

20 Sunset Key Drive is located on Sunset Key, a private island just a five minute boat ride from Key West. The guest cottage, above, looks somewhat similar to some of the cute little cottages that you might find in Old Town Key West. That's where the similarity stops because this place is a show stopper. The cottage isn't little and it is only a small part of  a much larger manse with the very best oceanfront location on the island. A pergola connects the cottage with the main house. The pool and spa are on the west. The luxuriant garden paradise is everywhere.

The guest cottage is very informal and relaxed. The living room soars two stories with a gallery on three sides. The main floor bedroom has French doors that open out to the pool. The second floor bedroom is like an old garret - all cozy and cute. Both bedrooms have en-suite baths. Wherever you look, there is superb attention to detail.  CLICK HERE to view 164 photos I took of this incredible property.  You will not be disappointed.

The main house fronts the Atlantic Ocean. This house, the one next door to the west, and the large vacant double lot next to it are the three best lots on Sunset Key. They have incomparable views of the ocean and sunset. Whether sitting on the first floor porch, peering out from the second floor master bedroom, or searching the skies from the rooftop widow's walk, this property offers amazing views that will delight owner and guest from morning until night.

Inside this gracious home you will find formal and informal living and dining areas,water-view guest bedroom,  a huge kitchen, and laundry/pantry area. The two story atrium like entry leads to the second floor master suite which include a sitting room, the bedroom chamber with waterfront view, the extra large master bath and dressing area.

The 24 hour per day launch will speed you from Key West to Sunset Key. Residents have use of the community pool and tennis court. And, of course, very quick access to the amazing Latitudes Restaurant and the spa at the Westin Sunset Key Resort which are about a three minute walk from the front entrance at 20 Sunset Key Drive. Dang!

The 24 hour per day launch will speed you from Key West to Sunset Key. Residents have use of the community pool and tennis court. And, of course, very quick access to the amazing Latitudes Restaurant and the spa at the Westin Sunset Key Resort which are about a three minute walk from the front entrance at 20 Sunset Key Drive. Dang!

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos of this incredible oceanfront estate.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a very private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise!

1317 Elizabeth Street, Key West - Dynamite Location

Buyers looking to purchase a Key West property that they could renovate, add a pool, and have off street parking with a dynamite location in Old Town ought to consider the house at 1317 Elizabeth Street. The listing Realtor describes this 952 sq ft legal duplex this way:

"Duplex in old town located on a quaint street between United & South Streets, close to Duval, the beaches, restaurants. This ideal location also comes with off street parking and a nice yard. Could use some TLC but is currently rented. One unit in front & one at the rear. The front unit has a covered porch and small front & side yard plus parking. The back unit has a gated larger side & back yard, laundry & storage shed. This would make a nice owner occupied property with rental income or keep as a rental investment."  

Here's the deal. There are just sixteen single family or duplex properties listed for sale in the Old Town area of Key West priced at or below the asking price of this property - $629,000.  But there are many potential buyers who are looking for a property which they could renovate and improve that have not seen this property in the mls. This property is located one block east of Simonton Street between United Street and South Street. Elizabeth Street in this location is a one-way street that at this location is only one block long. In essence this block is a lane. We all know that homes located on lanes are prized properties because they offer a degree of exclusivity and privacy not available in many other streets in Old Town. (like most of the other fifteen houses for sale are located on!).

I checked the Historic Sanborn Fire Mas to see if I could determine when this home was originally built. This little island enclave is not shown on any of the four maps. I did find an old photo of the  fifty years ago. See below. That photo shows that stucco siding had been applied to the house by that date. I think a new owner will probably replace the stucco with traditional wood siding.  In most instances a new renovation would probably mean that the current interiors would be totally gutted and new interiors created to meet the way we live today. 

The house is situated on a 40' X 88' lot (3520 sq ft) which is fairly large compared to many lots in Old Town. The good thing is that the lot is wide enough to provide off street plus space for a pool. If you are a buyer who wants to do a project but not at this time, you could continue to collect rents on both apartments. We have a serious housing shortage in Key West. Apartment rentals, especially in the Old Town area, are scarce. You could buy this place, sit on it for a few years, then do the renovation. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took. 

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