923 Angela Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed 923 Angela Street, Key West, Florida.  This storybook cottage is located on a quiet one-way land in the Old Town Historic District within easy walking or biking distance to Duval Street and the Historic Seaport. You may have seen this house in my blog before as it, like many of our other little houses, has been sold and re-sold several times over the years. Each successive owner has done this and that to improve the simple wooden house.

I dug down into my old shoebox and found the black and white photo taken in 1965 and the color photo just below which was dated 1986.  The most recent owners did a thorough restoration of the property for which they were awarded the Historic Florida Keys Foundation 2017 Ceramic Star for Historic Preservation. That included replacement of piers, new kitchen, two new full baths, pool addition, and upgrading the interiors.

The new white kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances harmoniously blends with the traditional conch cottage. The Dade County Pine walls were restored and sealed. New wood floors added. Ceiling and trim work painted crisp white. Everything works!

This home has two bedrooms and two full bath rooms including the guest room located at the rear. French panel doors open out to the lanai where the new heated pool and waterfall sit amidst illuminated and irrigated tropical foliage.

The backyard, pool area, and outdoor shower are totally private. The houses on either side are one-story and do not have a view of the rear nor does the property to the rear. A new owner can be as free as he or she or they please.

Dormers were added to the second floor of the original house thereby creating a cute little office area with hidden storage plus a full bath worthy of inclusion in a home decor magazine.

The private roof-top sun deck is the topping on the cake so to speak. What a great little place to relax - and it's just that nearer to heaven.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. the Listing Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West, to set up a private showing. This cute home is offered for sale at $1,175,000.

711 Elizabeth Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed, but not by me, 711 Elizabeth Street, Key West, Florida. Pause. Take a long look. Imagine how quaint the inside of this historic Old Town Cottage must be. The house is so simple in its lines. Basic beige.  Green tropical foliage. Bursting sky.

I searched the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to try to learn when this home was built. The lot at 711 Elizabeth Street was not built upon in the 1889, 1892, and 1899 maps.  The current building first appeared on the 1912 map which is where the Monroe County Property Appraiser set its construction date. But it could have also been built in the intervening years. The black and white photo dates to 1965 and the color photo just above was taken in 2009 when the current owner purchased the home and began renovation. 

The property received a ceramic star in 2011 from the Historic Florida Keys Foundation for historic preservation. (Kevin Melloncamp, Toolbox Construction.)

I had been to the property before and vaguely recall having written about it in 2009 when it was last listed for sale. I searched the blog but could not find the entry. I do recall walking around the inside and around the odd shaped lot. I knew the value of the location atop Solaris Hill, the highest point in Key West, amid so many previously restored homes. I saw this home as a buying opportunity. And it is again. But this time all of the work has been done.

At the beginning of this blog I invited readers to imagine how "quaint" the interior must be. This house is far from "quaint".  The interior of this 1304 square foot house is a work of art divided into four living areas. The minimalist kitchen includes  under counter refrigeration, dishwasher, storage, etc. The washer and dryer are even located there. Recessed lighting is hidden above the cabinets - an innovation I have never seen before. Windows on either side flood the interior during the daytime. There are no offending neighbor views - its is quite private. Limestone floors in the living room are repeated in the guest and master en-suite bath as well as the front porch and a section by the heated poo. It is the consistency and quality of design and execution that sets this house apart from so many others.

Wall sconces and floor lighting illuminate the space during the evening. The interiors are minimalist. The spiral staircase dominates the whole house. It is as much a design statement as it is a functioning element. I was awed by this thing the first time I saw it. The media room is located at the front of the house and can be accessed off the foyer or through the living room. The area is differentiated from the living room with stepped-up wood floor. The foyer includes custom closet storage. The wood floor is repeated in the second level loft bedroom and the master bedroom at the rear.

The original addition at the back of the house was expanded to create a part of the master bathroom. Since the bathroom sink looks so small, one might think the interior is confined. Far be it.  The living area is wider than just about any cigar maker style cottage I can recall. In fact when I stood by the kitchen, I marveled at how broad and tall the living area appears. The bedroom is cozy but not tiny. A single window on the north wall separates two large custom fitted closets with abundant storage.

I walked around the pool and tried to see if a nosy neighbor could look in. Nope. You can get an all-over tan amid beautiful palms and tropical foliage. It is totally private.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of this incredible Key West property offered at $1,300,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a viewing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. The house is very special. 

Key West Real Estate Horror Story No. 16

Today's blog is another in series wherein I tell a story of some horrible event involving a real estate transaction. In this instance I was not a participant, but instead am just the narrator.  Some in Congress might call it hearsay.

I was talking to a former real estate agent yesterday and mentioned dog smells which led to cat pee.  He then told me about the time in the early 1990s when he listed an old mansion on Eaton Street that had been the site of a quaint little Italian restaurant in the 1980s. He mentioned the name and I said I ate there twice on my first visit to Key West in 1984. I recalled it did not have a liquor license and that we had to bring our own wine. As I recall we ate on the front porch. I am not sure if they had inside dining.

The buyer had a special condition in the contract that buyer would inspect the inside of the property the day before closing and that there would be no "cat piss odor".  The agent said he found some local company that advertised it could eliminate cat urine odor.  The company did whatever it was that they did and they got rid of the odor. The inspection went off without a hitch and the property closed.

While the company was doing its cat piss odor removal magic, a worker found a dead cat behind the stove. There was no telling how long it had been there.

912 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida - Just Listed

Just Listed - 912 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida. The listing Realtor describes this beautiful property thus:

"You know you have found ''home'' when you walk into 912 Truman Avenue. Steeped in history, built in 1899 and totally renovated but filled with old Key West elegance and charm, this grand dame is sure to impress! If you are searching to find the true Key West experience this little community is it! No rentals allowed makes for quiet enjoyment and cohesiveness with neighbors. This 3 story gem has beautifully restored Dade County Pine throughout, 4 bedroom, 3 and half baths that include a huge 3 story guest suite with sitting area and kitchenette. Perfect for Nanny or visiting parents and friends and kids just love this special space! 38 foot double balconies grace the front overlooking lush landscape that is perfect for family gatherings and parade watching. Double staircase one in front and butlers staircase in back allow ease of flow with a home that can accommodate many guests. Living area, library, dining room and eat in kitchen provide comfort for all. Meticulously maintained, X flood zone and 2 parking spaces complete this graceful home"

You'll fall in love with this home even before you enter. The two level front porches exude importance. This house was built to impress. And it does. The pediments over the windows and doors set the tone for what is on the other side of the front door.

The center hallway opens to the stately dining room on the left and the living room and office on the right. A door at the back side of the office opens out to the private pool and rear garden. The pool is private to this house.

I first really noticed this home about twenty years ago when the large rear grounds were being developed into new homes in a land based condominium association. Even back then there were few large undeveloped lots. So new construction was a rarity. The resultant development allowed for construction of new houses and individual pools while avoiding the adherence to standard building density requirements. The current HOA fee is just $645 per year and only covers common area (walkways and parking) maintenance. Home owners maintain their homes.

The grand staircase leads to the second floor where the master bedroom with ensuite bath are on the west side of the home. Two guest bedrooms are located on the east side and share a bath.

A door at the front of the second floor opens to the covered porch.  This is one impressive property. They don't build homes like this anymore. A smaller stairway leads from the second floor hallway to the third floor suite.

This home has 3,335 square feet of living space and sits on a 5,124 square foot lot. There are two off street parking spaces. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 912 Truman Avenue offered at $1,650,000. 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.

President Jimmy Carter

President Jimmy Carter spoke to a group at the Solar Energy Research Institute located on South Table Mountain in Golden, Colorado on May 3, 1978. It was an atypical cold, gray, and otherwise miserable day.  At around 5:00 PM he met with some locals at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Denver. He walked through the room shaking hands with folks.  As he approached me I extended my right hand and said "Welcome to sunny Colorado!" He gave me a brief look, like What? and then got my humor.  I think.

Today is President Carter's 95th Birthday.  Congratulations Mr. President!