508 Grinnell Street, Key West - Gracious Old Town Residence

The listing Realtor describes the home at 508 Grinnell Street this way:

Elegance and Serenity will greet you as you walk through the doors of this Impeccably Restored Historic Home, located on the Coveted 500 block of Grinnell St., just a short stroll from the Historic Seaport. The living space flows flawlessly to the pool and pool house and combined with the lush landscaping and design, creates an Impressive entertaining area. Three Bedrooms and three full baths,

two of which are ensuite are all spacious with plenty of storage. The pool house is air conditioned and can be used as a fourth bedroom. Gorgeous Hard wood floors, Walls of windows, original Dade county Pine sporadically found in the perfect locations. All finishes are of the highest quality and tastefully appointed. Located in the x-zone and one off street parking spot. A beautiful Key West Gem for the Discerning Buyer.

This house first appeared in the 1889 Historic Sanborn Fire Map when it was numbered 231 Grinnell Street.  That means this house was built at least as of 1889. It could date back years earlier. The house numerator changed to 508 Grinnell Street in the 1892 map. The MAP shows  a large open area in the rear with numerous small cottages interspersed in a very large open area that identified as "Goats Retreat". Today that area has numerous small cottages that face onto Hibiscus Lane  which begins on Grinnell Street and ends a couple of hundred feet to the west where a private gate opens into a stunning Balinese retreat currently offered at over $6 million. The houses two doors to the right front onto Fleming Street and all are multi-million dollar homes. The quaint little houses of more than a hundred forty years ago have become pretty expensive homes in modern day Key West.

The black and white photo below shows 508 Grinnell Street as it appeared in 1965. If you compare the two photos you will see that the current house is much larger than the original house. Shed additions were added to both sides of the attic giving the second floor meaningful living space. (You cannot do that today. HARC won't allow it.) Today there are two bedrooms each with full baths on the second floor. Original metal louvers were replaced with glass windows and air conditioned interiors.
The 1950s vintage aluminum awnings shown below were removed. The old fashioned concrete base was removed and new wood columns added. The front entry was moved from the right side to the left side of the house.

The front door actually opens onto a covered portico that runs the length of the house. Thee sets of glass doors provide abundant light into the living room. There is an office located at the front (no photos).

I had to pause and touch the wood when I reached the staircase. Everything so was perfect. The original wood remains, distressed over the years just like any other old-timer. A bath is located at the right rear. There are numerous little cubby-hole closets and other places throughout the house. You will notice the continued theme of bright white set against warm wood.

The doors open out to the side and rear porch which leads to the pool, sunning area, and pool cottage. Everything here is pristine. Doors can remain opened throughout much of the winter while folks up north are wearing long johns and parks, folks down here can sit outside at night and have a pleasant dinner wearing the Tee shits and flip flops.

 The second floor hallway reminds me a small boutique hotel in the Cotswolds. Every things is done on point. Nothing amiss. The laundry is hidden behind one set of doors. There is more storage behind others.

I was in this home earlier this morning along with 50 other Realtors all of whom were making sounds like "Ooh" and "Aah" at every turn.  This is a truly great house with so many delightful little features that make this home a standout.  The house is showcased so well that it looks like a place you might see in Architectural Digest which is anther great feature as it is offered furnished.

508 Grinnell Street is offered for sale at $1,995,000. CLICK HERE to view th Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

903 Eaton Street, Key West - Potential Renovation and More

Just Listed by yours truly, 903 Eaton Street in Key West, Florida. If you look at the above photos you may see a big open lot and maybe that's all. Maybe you see the beautiful home across the street and think maybe this is a good location where you might build an equally beautiful home. It's what you cannot see from the street that may make this property more interesting to you because there is an existing two bedroom, one bath home located at the rear of the property.

One of the great features of 903 Eaton Street is the lot size which is quite large for a home located in the Historic District of Key West known as Old Town. It measures 50' X 106' or 5300 square feet. Many of the homes in Old Town are located on lots of 2500 square feet or less. As a general rule houses in the Historic District must be renovated and may not be razed.  The second or perhaps the primary feature is the potential to take down the existing CBS house (concrete block structure) which is not a contributing structure. Given the lot size and land use regulations, a new owner might be able to construct a new fairly large house on this lot with a pool, gardens, and off street parking. If you are familiar with what is for sale in the Key West real estate market today, you should appreciate this property offers more opportunity at a better price and a better location than the competition.

 The existing house is 761 square feet and was built in 1954. It sits at the rear of the immense lot but there is still about ten feet of space behind the lot which is decked. A covered laundry room and store room takes up about 20% of the rear area and is built to the property line. Inside you will see highly desirable Cuban Tile Floors. The period kitchen is simple, but it is clean as a whistle and more important it is functional. Also note the new mini-split air conditioners throughout the house. The electric bills went down when these went up. They are whisper quite to operate and keep the house cool and comfy!

CLICK HERE to view more photos of this property. The owners created a sweet garden area hidden from view. There is a large covered carport and storage area. So many potential buyers worry about where they can park their car and store their bikes and toys when they are away. This place has the space to do just that. Moreover, you should appreciate the location of this home which is within easy walking distance to the seaport and Duval Street. Cole's Peace Bakery is two blocks to the east. Old Town Bakery is across the street at the corner of Margret Street. There are many great restaurants located within a five minute walk in multiple directions.

Please CLICK HERE to review the Key West MLS for 903 Eaton Street and then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing.  I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let's look and you decide how you might turn this place into your private Paradise.

1215 Truman Avenue, Key West

1215 Truman Avenue is new to the Key West MLS. Locals refer to this style of house as a Conch House. It is large impressive house with the strong architectural lines identified elsewhere as a Classical Revival.  In his book The Houses of Key West Alex Cammerer described Conch Houses as "...a simple rectangular block of more than one story. It has a low-pitched roof; the main entrance is on the gabled end. The attic story extends beyond the vertical plane of the vertical stories, forming a portico. Formal columns ...are an integral part of the portico structure."

 I searched for historic photos of the house and found the old black and white postcard below dated 1929. I added an arrow to identify what I believe to be 1215 Division Street (which is now known as 1215 Truman Avenue).  The house is located opposite Bayview Park to the left. The perpendicular street still exists today. The large two story house located across Division Street at the corner of Georgia Street and the adjacent cottage no longer exist.  Other homes that may have existed in that area were replaced by what became the Division St Grammar School which later became the Monroe County Office Building.  Locals and returning tourists will quickly notice that Division Street (or Truman Avenue) abruptly ended at the Garrison Bight. In later years US 1 was built around the barren ground to the east and tied into Division Street. As years became decades many of these once grand old houses became apartments, guest houses, while others were converted into commercial uses. A few stately single family homes remain.

 The listing Realtor describes 1215 Truman Avenue as an...

"Historic Conch house on great corner in the Meadows. Classic lines and built prior to to 1912, it has lots of Dade County pine throughout & is perfect for a home & home office with close proximity to White St, the “Local’s Duval St”. Relaxing pool area with a wonderfully spacious lanai surround it. Large front and side porches enhance the charm of the home. 3 or 4 bedrooms, second floor balcony, tall ceilings, huge attic space and a rare carport & off street parking off Georgia Street make this a very special one. Its ready and ripe for renovation to create your dream home."

I found the above black and white photo of this same house taken in 1965.  Notice that the three bays and porch railing appear a bit different in 2017.  The MLS datasheet shows the property as being 2120 square feet with air conditioned living space. Today the main level has approximately 1246 square feet of living space and 874 square feet on the second floor. Both floors have access to the front porches which each measure 6' X 23'.

1215 Truman Avenue is shown as a contributing structure on the Key West Historic Survey. In more recent years a part of this home was used converted to some commercial use.  The Monroe County Property Appraiser notes in its property identification card that "1215 TRUMAN AVE NO LONGER USED AS REAL ESTATE OFFICE"  The same property records show a pool was added to the property in 1997. There is a nice partially covered deck area on the west side of the house. Part of the house has been used as a residence and part was used for business purposes. I think what was a window in middle bay of the first floor was converted into an entry door. I believe the entry is on the left because opened into the stairway to the second.. The front and side yards are now fenced. Additionally, there is covered off street parking at the rear. This house is perfectly livable as it sits, but it could be a grand renovation project for the buyer who wants a big historic home. The front of  the house is minimally landscaped. There is ample room for more plantings.

 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. 

EXPERT REALTOR and Other April Fools

  "The Internet is populated with self-professed experts."

                                                                    Doc Martin

A few years I was watching a reality show of some sort where the participants would be recognized for their knowledge or achievement of some sort. I remember a particular girl who was in her early twenties responded to the question as to why she deserved the recognition. She said something like "I earned it". She had lived; therefore she deserved to be deemed superior to all others. How arrogant, I thought!

One of my favorite Internet sites is Instagram. I use it to post new listings, open houses, and solds. I follow a lot Realtors and have learned a lot about how they promote their business using Instagram post. I have noticed that some agents have very healthy opinions about themselves and refer to themselves as being an EXPERT REALTOR. I am dumbfounded as to what an EXPERT REALTOR is. Is expertise achieved by extensive real estate education and certification or years and years of practical experience?  Is it reflection of active and sold listings? Or is it just punk arrogance as a real estate marketing ploy go to solicit new business?

Can one just proclaim oneself to be an EXPERT and get away with it? Think about it. Is a Realtor who markets himself as an EXPERT more liable than a non-expert if something goes afoul in a real estate transaction?  I do not have an answer for this, but my gut tells me that anyone who holds himself out to be an expert in any profession has a higher duty of care and performance than a normal practitioner.

On this April Fools Day I thought it would be fun to share some true and funny real estate stories.

Several years ago the Key West Association of Realtors  held its annual installation of officers dinner  at the Westin Hotel. After the gala was over and folks were making their exits there was a brew-ha-ha. (I know it's not spelled that way, but methinks it was the brews that precipitated what happened.) Two well known male Key West Realtors got involved in a bloody fist fight and wrestling match over a woman - not the wife of either man. Clothes got torn, there was at least one bloodied nose, and hotel property got destroyed. So much for professionalism.

A few years ago I was showing a recently built house which was leased to several young adults in Key West. The listing agent took me and my buyers into one bedroom where a young lady was sleeping. We quickly got out of there and moved into another bedroom where we stood several minutes discussing the house. I stress the word several because we were all shocked when a tall muscular young man wearing a black bikini emerged from the bathroom.

I met with a man to discuss listing his house a few years ago. We were standing in the master bathroom when I looked down into the sink and saw a dildo. If you have ever had a nightmare where you could not speak, you'll understand my inability to discuss listing the house.

Nearly twenty years ago I remember showing what used to be a gay male guest house located in the Meadows Area of Key West. A fellow agent from my office lived across the street from this guest house had warned me what to expect but I really did not expect to see what we encountered. I rang the doorbell, the front door opened, and the manger appeared totally naked and invited us inside. My potential buyers were a nice and normal straight couple from the midwest. We walked through the place not knowing what we might see next.

A couple of years later I showed an "All Welcome" guest house located near Duval Street. When we arrived at the pool we got to see a lot of old people wearing birthday suits. I stress the word old.

A few ago I went to a house in Mid Town to take photos for a potential buyer. I showed up the next day about ten minutes early.  The listing agent, who I will call Betty Lou, was standing in the street talking to four or five people about the house.  I presumed they were other potential buyers because one person had a camera who was taking photos of the area. I got out my camera and started snapping photos of the house from various angles. I moved to the front porch and took photos of the porch and the view from the porch looking across the street.  I framed the palm trees for best effect.

The other buyers were walking on the east side of the house toward the back. I walked toward Betty Lou who said "Hi, Gary. Go on inside and take your photos. The house is open." "It's open?", I asked. "Yes, go on inside" Betty Lou responded. So I walked back to the front door and walked inside. Betty Lou walked down the side of the house toward the rear. The house was very nicely furnished, but it had a horrible odor from years of cigarette smoke. I immediately liked the house despite the odor knowing that it go away after being cleaned and painted.

I walked over to turn on the lamp next to the sofa. Then I walked toward the dining room to turn on the overhead light fixture when a female voice said "I live here!"  Betty Lou had told me the owners were in town in our phone discussion the day before. She said the owners were supposed to leave by the time I arrived to take photos. I assumed Betty Lou got the timing incorrect and then wondered why she sent me inside when the owner was still there.

I touched the dining room light switch and turned on the light anyway. "I live here!" the female voice said again.  I responded "I'm sorry. Betty Lou is outside. She said to go inside to take photos."  The voice now had a body, the body of a smallish older woman who had emerged from the bedroom as she walked into the living area where she repeated "I live here!".  I repeated myself saying that Betty Lou had sent me inside to take photos. I said "She is showing other buyers the back of the house". The lady said "Betty Lou is selling the house next door!"  My complexion must have turned beet red. I felt like such a dummy. I reached over to turn off the dining room light and then the light by the sofa.  The lady stood her ground. She was not angry. "Miffed" would best describe her countenance.

I headed to the front door to make my exit. I said "Thank God you did not have a gun!"  The lady emphatically stated "My husband does!" whereupon I felt it best to get out of the house - quickly. (You know in Florida we have that 'stand your ground' law that gives people the right to kill people in their homes if they feel threatened.)

I exited and went outside to find Betty Lou who I told my little story. I was perplexed as to why she would tell me to go inside having seen me taking photos of the house, especially as I had initially walked toward her from the front porch of the wrong house. At first Betty Lou had a shocked expression on her face. She brought her right hand to cover her mouth and then she let out a chuckle. I thought it was funny too, but not that funny because I could have got my ass shot off.

I have been a Realtor in Key West since 1996. I think I do a pretty good job of helping my principals get deals done. Prior to moving to Key West I was an attorney and a banker in Denver. Later I worked for the Resolution Trust Corporation handing very large assets held by failed subsidiary corporations of failed savings and loan associations. I have had more years of experience making deals happen than some self-proclaimed expert Realtors have lived. If you are looking for a competent agent, please consider calling me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.