6800 Maloney Avenue #56, Key West - Affordable Waterfront Living!

A lot of people dream about buying a little place in the Florida Keys where they can get away from it all. Most of these dreamers don't mind if the place isn't "perfect". In fact, many prefer that it is not. That way they can fix what needs to be fixed and create their version of the perfect getaway cottage. Many of these dreamers really want a place on the water with a nice view - a place they can catch a few fish or play around on jet skis or take the boat out on open water. And the impossible dreamers hope to find such a place in or near Key West which can be purchased for not a lot of money. 

6800 Maloney Avenue #56 is a newly listed home with an open water view offered at just $399,000. The property is located in the Harbor Shores Condominiums about 300 feet or so from the new Oceans Edge Key West Hotel and Marina which has become an instant "hit" because of its waterfront location, multiple pools, and proximity to Duval Street four miles down US1.  This is a manufactured home which sits on a fee simple lot (just like a stick built home up in Peoria or Pittsburgh). Here the property owner owns the house and the land but is also a member of a land based condominium association which owns the common street and amenities including the boat docks.

The lot is an irregular shaped rectangle measuring 35 feet wide by about 100 feet long or 2753 square feet (which accounts for the irregular shape). There is a concrete seawall extends about fifteen feet from the home. The water is pretty shallow in this location. An owner might be able to use a flat boat here and certainly could use personal watercraft. Deep water access is via the channel on the opposite side of this small bay. Each of the homes in Harbor Shores is different. Some are trailers, some are modular homes, and there are several newly built stilt homes. This particular Palm Harbor home is a two bedroom two bath with 888 square feet of living space plus screened porch overlooking the water. And there is an adjacent storage building also included.

The interior in a generic white everywhere combined with some older wall to wall carpet that has seen better times. The kitchen cabinets are in good shape as are the bathrooms. The place needs painted. A new owner might replace the windows and doors with impact glass which would reduce wind insurance and make it a snap to leave and go back up north for the summer without having to hire someone to put up shutters in case a storm heads our way. The listing agent told me she thinks a new owner could spend $20,000 and turn this place into something really charming.

CLICK HERE to view more photos of this home and the Harbor Shores development. This home has a parking space at front. Guest parking is located across the street. About fifty fee to the north there is abundant boat dockage available on a first come basis. A fortunate few owners (like #56) are located directly on the water. Many others have water views while others have the privilege of being located nearby where they can use the amenities. A couple of owners have replaced older homes with new stilt homes. I added a photo so that readers can see what an owner might do at some time in the future. Stock Island is changing for the good. It might make sense to wait a while to replace this property. I think property prices will increase dramatically in the not to distant future.

I found a 2012 aerial photo I found online that shows the location as it appeared then. The marina still exists but the old covered boat storage was taken down and new hotel and pools were built. Harbor Shores is located just above the once-standing Oceanside Marina boat barn. I think this photo explains the lure of this location. In the past couple of years about half a billion dollars has been spent on several new developments on Stock Island. Locals and returning visitors know that Hog Fish restaurant and Roostica are located nearby. More restaurants are being added.

Duval Street is located four miles to the west. There is always something to do there. That's why I feel buyers who dream of having a little place in the Keys will find this place so appealing. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for 6800 Maloney Avenue #56 then 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 (listing broker for this property). Remember to click the photo link above as well. This will go quickly. Don't wait. You will be sorry.

Key West and the Slop Jug House

I have been selling houses in Key West for over twenty years. I have watched so many of the creepy old houses get all dolled-up and made into something very charming. Twenty years ago there were plenty of creepy places. One such place was owned by an old Conch lady. For the new reader a Conchs are native Key West residents who have generations of relatives that precede them and children of their own plus grand children, nieces, nephews and "cuzes" galore. Old Conch family names can be found on street signs, public buildings, and store fronts across town. Conchs are rightly proud of their heritage and are mindful of their progeny.

I had a year-long history of working with a wannabe buyer who was looking for a bargain. He didn't have a particular style of house or price range in mind as much as he had the need to get a "bargain". He had the cash to pay in excess of one million dollars which ten years ago was still quite a bit of money, especially when he was looking for a fixer upper. As we drove down the street he noticed a creepy old house and asked me how much it cost. I said it was not for sale. He said "I want to see it!" I again said it was not for sale. Undeterred he told me to stop my car. We got out and walked past the broken front gate and up the wobbly steps.

I don't remember if he knocked on the door of if it was me. The old lady owner opened the door. I was expecting her to order us off her porch.  A year or more earlier I encountered her when I legally parked my car on the street by her house. She was sweeping the sidewalk that day, a sight I had seen on numerous occasions. She yelled at me and told me that was her parking space and demanded that I move my car. I obliged even though it was a public street.

So when she opened the door and did not yell, I was both surprised and relieved.  I introduced myself and my buyer who I said was interested in her home. She quickly stated it was not for sale but then gave us a lengthy lecture about her birth and life in this old home.  She denounced all of the changes made in Key West.  She said the home would transfer to her son someday. That day came sooner rather than later. The son wasted no time in trying to sell the house for mucho denero. I wrote about the house shortly after it was listed for sale. The house eventually sold for a considerable sum of money. It took a couple of years to renovate the home. It is spectacular.

I recently looked through the old photos and was reminded of how creepy the house actually was before it was renovated. The current house looks nothing like the house when occupied by the prior owner when the steps were falling down, the rear balconies were ready to collapse, and once great rooms housed relics like a three legged chair and a table in the master bedroom with a slop jug on top even though there was a perfectly usable bathroom ten feet away.

That was ten years ago. There are fewer and fewer old houses like those and even fewer of the old Conch ladies. Most of the old Conchs have either passed or sold their houses and moved up to Ocala where they could buy a nice house at a much cheaper price than in Key West and have a cool cash in the bank.

If you are looking to buy a place in Key West and need an experienced Realtor. consider contacting me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1118 Seminary Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 1118 Seminary Street.  Buyers who are seeking a house with a classic Key West "look" and whoch features many of the houses in Old Town simply do not have, should check-out the features of this home.

1118 Seminary Street was newly constructed in 2001 and received a prestigious Ceramic Star awarded since 1981 by the Historic Florida Keys Foundation to recognize excellence for preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and new construction. 

The listing Realtor describes the home thus:

"Along a well-lit street, you will find a surprisingly sizable home in the X-Zone. There are 2 en-suite bedrooms, off a windowed hallway leading to the kitchen dining/living area surrounded by French doors revealing a slate patio with a heated cocktail pool. The upstairs suite consists of wall of closets, washer and dryer, large bathroom and at the end of the hallway if 4th bedroom/den. 2 Off street parking one covered."

 I took the above photo about eight years ago when the house was painted yellow. This photo helps orient readers to the interior layout described below. Obviously you can see the home has a coveted (and covered) off street parking spot. You will not from the photo the entry door is set back just a bit from the front porch. The entry hall leads to the great room in the rear. The space at the first floor front can be used as a main floor master suite, a much sought after feature by many second home buyers who plan for use in later years when staircases can become a challenge.

Referring back to the yellow house photo, you will notice the bump-out past the carport. That is where the dining room is located. Entry to the main floor bedroom is just off the foyer. Note the pine flooring and wains-coating in the bedroom which continues into the great room. However, the flooring in the great room and dining area are slate which then continues out to the pool. Note also all of the windows. This home is totally private. Ambient daytime light fills the living spaces and reminds us why we seek a house in Key West - the beautiful outdoors. There's a cocktail pool. Swimmers who seek a bigger swimming challenge can walk or bike to the Atlantic Ocean which is located about five blocks south.

The second floor also has pine floors and lots of built-in storage and closets in the sidewalls. What a clever use of that space to add function to what otherwise might have gone unused. Note the skylights which bathe the hallway with daytime light.

 I found the above photo in my old shoebox. It shows Higgs Beach as it appeared in 2003. The playground has been improved and some guy now rents chairs on what used to be a free beach.  You can still lay your towel down in the sand and walk for what seems like forever out into the shallow and warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this four bedroom, three bath home located in the Casa Marina Area of Key West. I live a couple of blocks away and love the quiet neighborhood that is a welcome alternative to the increasingly busy Old Town area. I can show you exactly why this area is a great place to live. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

217 Eanes Lane, Key West Florida

Just Listed, but not by me, 217 Eanes Lane in Key West, Florida. The listing agent described the property this way: 

"Diamond in the rough renovation project. Solid concrete house in the Historic Section of Old Town. Half a block off Duval Street on a quiet Lane. Large yard with room for a pool. Side yard could easily be used as a driveway for two cars. Walk to Key West's best dining, gallerias, night life and tourist attractions. One block from the Light House and Hemingway House." 

Readers of my blog tell me that one of the things they really like about my blog is the history I am sometimes able to relate to a specific house. I did a brief search of the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine the approximate age of the newly listed 217 Eanes Lane. I found 26 Elk Alley on the 1889 Map. By the time the 1912 Map was published the house numerator had entirely vanished and the map maker arbitrarily changed the street name to Magneto Court. Two other nearby houses still exist in the same location today. I am confident in asserting that 217 Eanes Lane existed at least as of 1889. I do not know when the lane name was officially changed to Enemas Lane. However, I do know that I then looked into my old shoebox and found a photo taken of 217 Eanes in 1965. That was 52 years ago. I recently took new photos that show the house and block as they look today. That all having been said, the Monroe County Property Appraiser official website shows this house as being built in 1948.  The official website shows the house as being 1200 sq ft wood frame construction with stucco overlay. The lot measures 42.33' wide by 83.32' or 3654 sq ft.  That is a fairly decent sized lot for Old Town.

The house appears to have benefited from some recent improvements including new windows and tile flooring throughout most of the interior. Most of the interior walls appear to be drywall with a knock-down painted drywall finish. There are also new doors throughout the house. The interior floors also seem very stable as they are supporting a lot of weight with the new tile floors.

I wrote about the house across the street about three years ago. It sold instantly and I suspect this house will do the same. That house was in much worse condition than this place. But it had a large yard, room for a pool, and lots of room for improvement.  That's why it sold. 217 Eenas Lane shares the great location one-half block from the corner of Truman and Duval. The Key West lighthouse is one block away. This house could make a great Key West second home or a vacation rental. Most of the other houses on this lane are already rented as vacation rentals. Look at the photos below and then CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of the house and this terrific location. Imagine how you might improve on what has already been done or how you might gut the place and start with a new plan to redevelop this property.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on this house which is offered for sale at $649,900. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. This will not last long. Act quickly.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

32 HILTON Haven Road #4, Key West - New Lower Price

I have written about 32 Hilton Haven Road #4, Key West on several occasions during the past several months.  It is one of the largest waterfront condominiums in Key West and has probably the best water view I have seen for any house comparably priced.  The asking price was reduced to $1,100,000 late Monday at which time I sent emails to a couple of my buyers who are seeking a deal.

I remember how surprised I was to learn that although Key West is island that there are few homes or condominiums actually have water views. The are a few single family homes near the southernmost point which are located on the water and additional homes across Whitehead Street which is Navy property with extraordinary water views for NAVY brass. Harbour Place Condominiums in Truman Annex have water views. There are no units available there and if they did exist, they would be smaller in size, higher in price, come with a lot of association rules and enforcement officers. The Key West Beach Club has wonderful views, but the units available are each much smaller in size. There are several units at 1800 Atlantic has several units available with varying views of Bertha Street, the courtyard, or the mangroves, nothing is as large or has direct water views anywhere comparable to 32 Key Haven. There are some single family homes on one of the canals, but that is not like having a direct water view with sunrises or sunsets.  My point is there is nothing comparable to 32 Key Haven. I am not the listing agent. I cannot understand why it has not sold. I think if offers a very good value to any number of buyers. And now that the price is reduced again I think a lot of buyers ought to take a look.

The current owners did a thorough renovation and significantly update this property by adding impact windows and doors. Buyers may not appreciate the significance of not having to hire someone to install shutters should we get warning of an impending storm. An owner or a property manager needs to contact someone who can do the job and then get it done. After the storm passes, the same person will need to take down the shutters each time charging for time and service. Impact windows don't require any service. They function without shutters. They also provide immediate discount on wind insurance. 

During renovation the current owners created three bedrooms and baths in opposite corners providing ultimate privacy for the occupants. Having friends or family spend time with you can be very enjoyable, but having to listen to them come and go or do whatever it is that guests do can be annoying, especially if it upsets the way you normally live. This unit is so large that I doubt anyone will get annoyed. 

Proximity to Old Town. Okay you can't walk to Old Town. Well, you could but it would take 20 to 30 minutes to walk there. If you consider what you would have in reverse, you don't have to deal with tourists from morning to night, day after day after day, You can see them on your terms and your time and not have to hear their goings on. I would much rather wake up in the morning and see birds flying and boats setting off for a day of fishing than hearing garbage trucks and delivery trucks and hearing the bald guy drag tourists all over town gabbing about mango trees.  I really don't understand why people think they need to live near all that. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS on 32 Key Haven. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 304-766-2642, to take a look. We can and should look at the other places to. But if you look with an open heart I'll bet you will see all the positive features this home at this price has to offer.