The Perfect Old Town Charmer - 1021 Fleming Street, Key West

Just Listed, 1021 Fleming Street, Key West. Longtime readers of my blog may recall that I first wrote about 1021 Fleming Street in 2010 just after it was listed for sale as a bank owned property.  I posted two more blogs documenting the renovation and restoration of this property which resulted in it receiving the 2014 Florida Keys Historic Preservation Award for excellence in historic preservation. The ceramic star award is visible next to the front door.   

In 2010 I wrote "You can tell a lot about houses the way that prior owners cared for them. Look at the photo above, it says it all. "HOME SWEET HOME". The paint is peeling a bit. Kind of like when a distinguished gentleman gets older and his skin looses the tautness of youth. Crows feet and little wrinkles appear. I guess some would say a man with features like that is over the hill. Others may find a man like that a great catch." The buyer who bought and restored this house definitely viewed the home as a great catch and methodically took the house apart and thoughtfully put it back together again with care and attention to detail at every point. This home will bring great joy to a lucky new owner.

1021 Fleming Street was and remains a simple and unassuming house. The simple original structure has been sensibly updated. The interiors are white with black accents and rich wood floors. The pillars from the front porch are copied midway on the main level to support the second floor where an old wall system was removed.  The first floor ceiling is fairly tall.  A tall man will feel comfortable in all of the rooms. There is a little cubbyhole closet under the staircase. In fact, there are many closets and storage places located throughout the house.

The first view I saw when I entered the house were the French doors at the rear which open out to the pool. I really couldn't wait to see what the owner, architect, builder had created. That view is what you and your guests will see each time the front door opens. It will surely delight you every time you enter.

Let me just say the kitchen is perfect. As with the rest of the house, the kitchen is all white except for the black upper glass front panel doors and the rich wood floors. Imagine standing at the farmer's sink cleaning up after breakfast and looking out the window at the palm fronds and other tropical foliage. The garden will bring joy to your heart each time you do the dishes - a chore I hate. Or, you could walk a couple of blocks in any direction to dine at any one of many cafes or restaurants. This home is located in the center of Old Town within easy walking distance to everything that makes Key West a delight. A lot of people from all over the world save money to vacation in Key West for a week or two each year. Many dream of being able to walk out the door and stroll a couple of blocks to do this or that or the other thing. As an owner of a house, you could do just that. Anytime.

Or you could stay at home and lounge on the veranda or lay by the pool and wait for someone to bring you a cocktail or something to eat to show gratitude for having bought such a wonderful home.  The  veranda provides shade for those who need it. The Ipe deck and stone terrace offer ample areas for sunning. A surfboard has been re-purposed for use as the standard upon which the outdoor shower is located. Look about the pool. None of the neighboring homes have even a hint of a view what goes on down there. And other than the coconut palm on the north side of the pool, there are no large trees to interfere with sunning.

The garage which measures 14' wide by 18' deep sits at the far northwest corner of the lot. There is full driveway access on the west side of the house to use the building as a garage. But I think a better use might be to create a guest bed and bath or simply use the space as a poolside bar. There is water to the building. Key West code would allow an owner to improve this building where it sits. I have seen some incredible conversions of similar spaces. Since the main house has only two bedrooms, a third bedroom might work well. However, there are a couple of nearby guest houses where your guests could stay. You might opt to save thousands of dollars making a bar stocked with premium booze and have money left in the bank.

I have this theory about guest bedrooms. If you have too many or if they are too nice, you will never have your house to yourself. This first floor guest room is damned fine. I love the space. Pocket doors provide privacy when needed. The door can remain open other times and let muted sun shine through to the living room.

The master bedroom and bath occupy the entire second floor. The space is so simple and so inviting. The bed is tucked under the front gable. It's like a little bird's nest. A cocoon, perhaps. A simple place to sleep. The floors are painted white as are the walls and ceiling. The only colors come from the black stair rails and wood beams. There's a bit of gray in the bathroom where double windows look down to the pool below. Remember, no neighbors have views of this house. Curtains are not needed.There is a chandelier in the bath. It is one of four light fixtures that both illuminate and decorate the space where they hang. There is even a small sitting area tucked in under the east gable.
 CLICK HERE to view more photos of 1021 Feming Street.

Several scenes of the 1992 movie Criss Cross starring Goldie Hawn were filmed on this block. Twenty six years later the block has been dramatically gentrified. Two of the houses on this block had the highest sales prices for the year in which they were sold. I took the second floor photo (three above) a couple of years ago. It shows 1021 Fleming with the front tree in bloom. I took the middle photo a couple of days ago. That tree is full of flowers again. Such is the joy of living on a little island paradise out in the middle of the ocean. Once you are out by your pool, you may not care about anything else in front of the house or down the street. All will be right with the world..

CLICK HERE to take a 3D Tour of 1021 Fleming Street. Use the toggle button to maneuver throughout the house.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 1021 Fleming Street which is offered at $1,475,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com.   I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West, the listing brokerage for this property.

1523 Washington Street, Key West - This Home is a Gem!

Just Listed 1523 Washington Street, Key West. This is a mid-century modern one story home with four bedrooms and three baths which includes a stand alone guest cottage all located on a large and sunny corner lot in the Casa Marina East neighborhood.

The combined living space between the main home and guest cottage is 2,094 square feet. The lot measures 101' X 93' or 9395 square feet. The lot is fenced on all sides and tropically landscaped. There is even a gated main entry plus a carport. The house, cottage, fence and carport are all concrete block concrete block construction. This is a very stable construction which has been meticulously maintained. The interiors were updated about twenty years ago.

The listing broker describes 1523 Washington Street this way:

"Located on a double corner lot this one level 3/2 home and guest cottage is great for carefree indoor/outdoor living and entertaining as evidenced by the many large & small parties and events hosted here over the years. The sun filled living and dining rooms flow onto the covered 30 foot patio and the heated pool and gardens. A separate guest house was built by the owners and is also poolside.In addition to the three bedrooms and two baths, the main house features a den/video room and a modern kitchen with wood cabinets and granite countertops. The entire property is fenced and walled for privacy and there's a covered carport as well. A winding walkway meanders around the pool through the lush vegetation and past a paved pavilion with water and electrical connections. This home is a gem!"

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

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527 Margaret Street, Key West - New Lower Price!

This is not a Hah! Hah! moment for the Sellers, who I have met and really like, but it is a buying opportunity for a Buyer who wants to buy a quality home at a really great price.  I wrote about 527 Margaret Street, Key West soon after it was listed for sale. I really thought it would sell in a matter of days because it has almost every feature most buyers are looking for in Old Town except a third bedroom or parking. Let me share with you what it does have and why I think this property is such a great value. 

First, the listing Realtor's description:

"Stunning and Stylish Renovation in this Historic Home, Ideally Located on 500 block of Margaret St, walking distance to so many attractions, Restaurants and Galleries. Remodeled in 2015, the home underwent a complete Foundation to Roof Renovation and received the Historic Florida Keys Preservation Award in 2016. Features include Soaring Exposed Beam Ceilings, White Oak Wood Floors, Top End Appliances, A wall of glass leading to pool and Deck. Beautifully finished bedrooms and baths, with 2 bedrooms and additional loft. Being Sold Turn Key!"

I wrote about this property years ago when it was a multi-family house with numerous gawd-awful additions. Later I wrote about it while under renovation in my Projects of Key West continuum.  Then I wrote about the house when it was completed. Now it is available for re-sale. The original house was taken to the ground and totally rebuilt save enough boards to fit within a thin definition of a renovation. The end result is a beautiful home located in a great Old Town location near all the places primary and second home owners seek. It is located just four blocks from world famous Duval Street and only four blocks to the Historic Seaport. One of Key West's finest steak houses in located across the street and dozens of small joints and fine dining restaurants are within easy walking distance. While what you see from the street is picture perfect, it's the interior that will really grab your attention. As you look more closely, you'll appreciate the quality new construction and the cost saving benefits owning a home like this offers tear after year.

When you look at the house from the street you would probably expect the interiors to be compact and tight because the house simply looks like a quaint one story home with a cute little front porch. But you would be wrong. Very wrong. Oh, it is just a one story house, but once you open the door and pass through the formal entry hall you'll see a wall of glass which soars to the vaulted ceiling immediately refuting any pre-conceptions about this home being small.

The first thing I saw was the canopy of the old banyan tree at the rear. The blue sky seemed to blend with the subtle and not-so-subtle blue tones interspersed throughout the house.  The wood ceiling and white washed wood floors add a natural color perspective to this living space. There is a guest bath located off the center hall adjacent to the adult beverage center with color co-ordinated booze. The laundry area is opposite. Dale Trice designed the interiors and created the media and display wall with storage below. Giant shells and white objets d'art fill that space and throughout the house. The setting is like something out of Coastal Living Magazine or Architectural Digest. Maybe it should be!

The master and guest bedroom (with loft) are located at the front of the house. Both have en-suite baths.The master suite is stunning-almost regal. The guest bedroom is quite understated by comparison. The loft space will be a favorite of the grand kids. I don't know if kids still play "fort" like I did when I was a child. This space would make a perfect fort, of that I am sure. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos.  527 Margaret Street is offered turn key at $1,499,000. 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.

Key West Realtor Understudy

I was searching the Key West MLS yesterday when I noticed a new listing that reminded me of a nearby property that I sold a few years ago. My buyer and I arrived at the house on an early Saturday morning to be present during the home inspection on the house he had under contract. We met the inspector who set out to poke, prod, test, and photograph various parts of the house.

Remember this was an early Saturday morning - not anywhere near cocktail time - not even near lunch. Or even brunch.  The listing Realtor was present. She was wearing heels and a tight fitting dress with a very short hem.

The home inspector opened the access panel to the attic and went up. The listing agent followed. I was standing below with my buyer. We both looked up as we were preparing to follow. Imagine the photo above but without the tights. Or anything under the dress.

Things that have been seen cannot be unseen.