317 Catherine Street, Key West

I have lived in Key West for the past 23 years and have watched as this little old drinking town with a fishing problem has changed, much for the better, and sometimes for the worse. But it is still the place I would rather be than any other place on Earth.

The two above photos show 317 Catherine Street photographed about 53 years apart. The black and white photo was taken in 1965 and the color photo just recently. The house, built around 1923,  was typical for many of the other houses in the area. It was small, but it was big enough for the family that made it their home. Over the past four decades much of the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods have undergone a Renascence. According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser records, this house was nearly totally re-built from the piers to roof, exterior and interior, in the period of 2006 to 2010.  And the owner did a damned good job. The house is solid and very attractive, both from the street and from inside the home to the guest cottage at the rear and the pool in between.

The front door and back door line up. That's why this home is often referred to as a shotgun style house because in the old days one could shoot a gun clean through the house. I know that I have written many times about the way Key West homes are now re-oriented with the bedrooms up front and living areas at the rear which open out to the pool. Many are but that is not a mandate imposed by any architectural design director. Key West hasn't gone that far (yet) in telling owners what they may do with their homes. This owner chose to put the living area up front, bath in the center, and main bedroom at the rear of the house. Everything you see in the photos is new.

This house and rear cottage were very well thought-out.  The covered rear porch provides a nice shaded area to sit and do nothing as well as a place to retreat from the sunny pool and also to eat. You have no idea how many self-designed homes forget to include a porch or shades area. Not every one wants to spend all day in the sun. The rear cottage is small, but it includes a half bath and mini-kitchen or sorts. There is a small fridge and microwave where guests can make something to eat without walking through the main bedroom early in the morning to go the kitchen. There is an outdoor shower at the side of the rear cottage - note there are hooks for multiple towels. Just sayin'. Finally, there is a wide path from the front to the rear cottage. Guests won't have to walk through the house after a late night on Duval Street which is located just two streets to the east. Fort Zach Beach and Park are a five minute walk to the west.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 317 Catherine Street.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

701 Elizabeth Street #1 , Key West - An Apartment to Rent

It's end of season in Key West. Some folks have left town to find fame and fortune in northern towns and territories. Others folks are heading down to Key West to do the same thing. Some people succeed, others do not. That is life. I was in Miami a couple of weeks ago. I cannot imagine why any sane person would want to live there, but I cannot imagine living in any big city after having lived in Key West for the past 23 years.

701 Elizabeth Street #1 is located at the top of Solaris Hill in Old Town Key West. This three story one bedroom apartment has stunning views looking south, west, and north. You'll see the glorious Key West sunsets every night. And in the morning you can drink your coffee and eat your breakfast on the private front porch with birds chirping. 

 

A three story tall spiral staircase greets guests when they arrive at the front entry. The living room, dining area, and kitchen are located on this level. The unit is offered furnished as shown and the furniture cannot be removed.

The second floor is where all the business is done. This floor includes the bathroom, laundry room, and closet.  These are all vital functions and are easily accessible from living room and bedroom.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 701 Elizabeth Street #1 offered at $2,600.00 per month on an annual lease. Tenant pays all electric, water, propane, television/internet. No cats permitted. A small dog may be considered. First, last, and security deposit required at time of lease signing. 

1501 Pine Street, Key West - Price Reduction

The asking price on 1501 Pine Street, Key West, was just reduced to $1,149,000 making this Meadows of Key West homes one of the very best values in town. This stunning home is part of The Meadows condo association. Newly built in 2007 with top of the line materials and craftsmanship, this home features soaring 11' ceilings in the living area. The kitchen is top of the line with stainless steel appliances, beautiful granite and solid wood cabinets, plus a wet bar in the living room. The bedrooms are en suite with impressive architectural details including crown molding, high ceilings, porches and solid wood doors. A private, gated drive leads to the carport and a separate entry to the pool area. Completely fenced and beautifully landscaped, this home is located on a corner lot.

 This home has 1609 sq feet of interior living space plus two covered porches on the front. Speaking of porches, these are great places to watch the world go by. Notice the Hardiboard siding, pediments above the windows, and the solid wood doors that are hurricane impact rated as are all the windows and doors in this home. These features will reduce homeowners and wind insurance rates for years into the future.

This home has a formal entry which leads into the living area. Travertine marble is used throughout the main floor where there is a guest bath off the wet bar. Note the media cove in the living room. Dual sliding doors open out to the private heated pool with water feature. Don't miss the spa as well. The corner location means this pool will eternal sunshine most of the year as there are no plantings on the property and the rear is the private alley to all owner carports.

The kitchen has top of the line stainless steel appliances, beautiful granite and solid wood cabinets. A two story turret is an adjunct to the kitchen and is configured as a home office. There are lots of windows in the kitchen so your cooking will not be a chore but a dream.

The second floor is divided into two separate sections. The master suite takes up the foot print of the entire house. The guest suite is located over the carport at the rear. On this level you will find rich wood floors and custom tiles in the bedrooms and custom tiles in the baths. The master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and sitting alcove located in the turret area. Big men who have difficulty with finding room for king size beds will love this space. They won't have to duck for cover anywhere.  The bath is extra large and is the rival of what expects in any fine home. There is a spa tub, shower, dual sinks and lots of mirrors and glass. The WC is located adjacent to two rows of lighted closets. The front door opens out to the second level covered porch equally outfitted to the main level.

The guest bedroom and bath are equally grand in spatial layout and amenities provided. The coffered and vaulted ceiling is a delight in design and spatial feeling. The bath, though not as large as the master, is appointed with the same quality cabinetry, tiles, fixtures and lighting.

The home at 1501 Pine Street is part of The Meadows Condominium Association which is comprised of eight homes. Each home is located on a fee simple lot. The association exists to provide access to rear carport parking via gated driveway and management of storm water runoff. Each homeowner pays his or her individual property insurance and maintenance expenses.
 This home is located in the Meadows area of Key West. Bayview Park (two blocks to the south) has an old fashioned bandstand, public tennis courts, basketball courts, and lots of green space for community events. The White Street arts district is a five minute walk to the west. The Garrison Bight Marina is located one block away to the east. Duval Street and the Historic Seaport are each a five minute bike ride. The three large shopping centers (large by Key West standards) are five minutes by car. The Key West International Airport is five to seven minutes depending on traffic.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. If you are interested in seeing 1501 Pine Street in person or want more information, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or by email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties (listing brokerage) for this property.

In the Key West Closet

I check the Key West MLS hotsheet constantly throughout each day. It is important to know about each new listing and also be aware of price reductions and houses that go under contract. Just as important are new solds as they indicate what has sold, at what price, and identify the agents who listed and sold the property.

A few days ago I was drawn to the sale of little home a few miles outside of Key West. I seldom drive that far to show a house as most of my buyers want to be in Key West, and, more particularly, in Old Town. But for some reason I had to look at that listing.The main photo was a violation of our MLS ruls in that it showed the water. Rules dictate that the main photos should be of the house. The agent broke a little rule but that is why I looked at that listing. I hit the photo button and started to view the photos of the modest two bedroom home located at water's edge. I thought what a pretty view this owner had. The interior wasn't that much to look at but that was just the snob in me being judgmental.

I paused when I saw a photo of the living room where I noticed both a weight bench, an abs machine, and a treadmill. The owner or a tenant was perhaps a man who was into fitness.  Best not be too judgmental after that earlier remark I made.  I looked through the rest of the photos and saw a niche off the living room where various items were displayed including a ONE HUMAN FAMILY sticker which is seen on cars and in homes all over the Key West area.  Key West is a very welcoming community to all people.

Then I spotted the closet. No big deal; it's a closet. But then I looked at contents. What a snoop I was, and a snitch I am. Now I am telling and showing others far and wide about the contents of that closet. Look close at the shelves where you will see two pairs of stiletto high heels. The only girls in this town that wear heels this high are drag queens. How do I know this or why do I know this, you may ask. It's because Key West is so laid back that there are not that many places for women to wear high heels. Except...

Key West Real Estate Horror Story No. 10

Today's blog is another in my series telling tales involving real estate gone bad. Previous blogs dealt with death and destruction. Today's tale is but a report of a deal gone terribly wrong where I imagine the participants shrieked to the heavens when they discovered a ghoul had got their goat. I am a reporter of this event and not a participant.

Several years ago the principal broker of a large real estate company in Key West decided to list his personal home for sale. I will call him "Phil".

The principal broker of an equally large real estate company, who I will call "Charles", was the buyer's agent for a buyer I will call "Frederick of Hollywood" which fits his persona to a "T". Read on.

Frederick offered to pay more than two million dollars cash for the Phil's home. That amount was very high at that point in our local real estate market. Charles wrote an all cash offer on behalf of Frederick to purchase Phil's home. Details were agreed to by all parties and the deal moved into escrow.

Weeks passed and the closing date drew near.  Guys from the moving company showed up at Phil's home and removed all the family furnishings from the house. Closing day arrived. Phil (the broker/owner) showed up that the closing with his wife. Charles, the buyer's agent, showed up at the closing - he was about to get a big commission. The only person missing was the buyer.  Telephone calls were made. Buyer could not be reached.  Phil declared that the buyer breached the contract and opted to retain the escrow deposit as liquidated damages. That's one of the prime reasons for having an escrow - to ensure performance by the buyer.

The problem is the Frederick of Hollywood, the buyer, never paid the escrow. Neither the listing broker/owner (Phil) nor the buyer's agent (Charles) bothered to verify receipt of escrow deposit. The closing agent wrongly assumed Phil or Charles had collected the escrow.

This really happened.