723 Windsor Lane, Key West - Key West Writers Compound

A few weeks ago I found an utterly charming article entitled Key West Dialogue published in the NEW YORK TIMES March 18, 1984 by A.B. Beattie. CLICK HERE to read - it's worth reading. Locals and long time returning visitors to Key West will appreciate the first paragraph:

"Key West looks like a lurid postcard. The colors are very intense, and almost everywhere you look there is something scenic. I mean, you can go around Key West taking pictures in your head, because almost everything is perfect. You can't miss there. If there's a crack in the sidewalk, there's hibiscus growing in it. If you see an ugly empty lot, there's always the weird juxtaposition - a mansion directly adjoining it. There's really no harmony. If there's harmony there, it's in the air, it's not really in the way things physically relate to each other."

The aerial photo at the top of this page was taken earlier this year of my listing at 744 Windsor Lane now offered at $5,000,000. The Key West Writers Compound is located across the street. 

 That property is the perfect example of the juxtaposition A.B. Beattie noted in 1984 of mansions and fixer-uppers existing in perfect harmony. Key West is still as colorful as it was thirty-five years ago. It's just a lot more expensive. I edited the top photo to show the physical location of the Writer's Compound where 723 Windsor Lane is now offered for sale.

The Key West Writers Compound is "hidden behind the white stucco wall, is a collection of once run-down shacks and shanties, frame cottages perched upon limestone piers, later restored as the winter residences of such literary luminaries as poet Richard Wilbur [former U.S. Poet Laureate], critic John Ciardi, writer Ralph Ellison and Hiroshima author John Hersey. There are several literati compounds in Old Town,and this complex, established in 1976, with its landscaped walkways and a central pool, is one of the most charming. Wilbur won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry and is renowned for his translations of Moliere; Ciardi, a critic, also translated Dante’s Divine Comedy; Ralph Ellison wrote The Invisible Man; and John Hersey, taught at Yale for 18 years and won the Pulitzer Prize for his writing debut, A Bell for Adano." (From SeekKeyWest.com with Sharon Wells) 

The compound itself is an assemblage of other cottages that were built for the Key West working class. They were nothing extra-ordinary. The simplicity of their design and construction was perhaps the primary reason the writers chose to congregate there. Today a large fence sets the compound apart from the street. Two large gates open onto a wide bricked walkway that navigates owners to each of the homes in the compound. There is a large pool located near the east side of the property. I don't recall ever seeing anyone actually swimming there, however. I do recall admiring the great views of specimen trees and brightly colored foliage. The compound would be a treasure on its own even if the notable writers had never lived there. But they did and that sets this property apart and makes the compound very notable.

The individual cottages are scattered about the lush tropical foliage and towering palms.  723 Windsor Lane is situated on a 1604 square foot lot at the rear eastern boundary of the compound. 

723 Windsor Lane dates back to 1899 updated to the highest standards. The 917 square foot cottage includes a writer's office (or den), sun room which is used for interior dining, living room, eat-in kitchen, bedroom, and bath. There is a private deck as well as the front porch which looks out to the garden pathway.

The top of Solares Hill is just a couple of houses to the west of the compound. All houses in the compound are located in the X Zone for flood insurance purposes. Flood insurance is not required in the X Zone. Homes in the compound are classified as land based condos. Owners purchase their own home owner, flood, and wind insurance policies. HOA fees are $850 payable quarterly.

The Writers Compound is just a few short blocks walk to the Historic Key West Seaport to the north or a three block walk to Duval Street to the west. That's part of the joy of living in a great location like the Writer's Compound: you can be anywhere important within a few minutes.

If you are looking a a great place in a great location at a really great price, this property may be exactly what you are looking for. Remember, at least one owner must be at least 55 years of age to be able to buy into this compound. No children under 18 are permitted at the pool-ever. If you have little grand kids or nieces the nephews, this won't work. Otherwise, this is a place to consider.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 723 Windsor Lane, Key West offered for sale at $738,000. 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.

Two Open Houses This Sunday in Key West

If you are out and about in Key West on Sunday stop by both or either of the two Open House events I am hosting. 

619  Virginia Street is a two bedroom three full bath town home located in Old Town at the Southernmost Cabanas Resort. This two story end unit has a large wrap-around deck and private side yard plus adjacent off street parking. Offered at $889,000. Open 11:00 AM till 1:00PM.

923 Angela Street is a 2/2 fully furnished cute as can be Old Town Cottage offered at $1,175,000. There is a heated swimming pool, outdoor shower, roof top sun deck and so much more. Open 12:00 to 2:00 PM.

3930 S Roosevelt Blvd Unit W-307, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West is Las Salinas Condominium Unit W 307. This is a three bedroom two bath third floor unit with 1072 sq ft of living space plus covered deck. The asking price is just $429,000 or $400 per sq ft. There is a beautiful pool and new fitness center! That's a deal in Key West.

The listing agent describes the property this way:

"This spacious three bedroom, two bath condominium at Las Salinas is in pristine move in condition. With newer upgraded appliances including a washer/dryer, custom plantation shutters, porcelain tile floors and fresh paint, all one needs to do is move in and relax! Located on the third floor it has a private balcony with a tiled floor. Las Salinas offers a sunny pool, a new club house and exercise gym, plenty of guest parking and easy access to all of Key West's attractions. The complex is well managed and beautifully maintained with lush tropical foliage. Across the street is the Atlantic ocean and the fabulous promenade for walking and biking. It's hard to find a 3/2 at this price point in Key West, especially one in excellent condition. Don't miss this great opportunity. Easy to see."

 

Las Salinas has a professionally managed  association.  Monthly condo fees are $509 and cover pool and grounds maintenance, building maintenance and all insurances, parking, basic cable television.

The promenade starts from about Flagler  and ends on the west at Bertha Street. It passes Smathers Beach shown above. It is a favorite running and biking area.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet with more listing photos of 3930 S Roosevelt Blvd Unit W-307, Key West, Fl. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Walking Away Money

Most of my customers are buyers. I identify with their wants, needs, frustrations, and frugality.  I know what it is like to dream, to plan, to save, and to eventually to buy the special place to call home. Some people have a lot of money and they sometimes treat price negation as a bit sport while others treat it as a genuine business matter that is to be dealt with. They leave the emotion out of the equation and usually get the deal done. They know what they want and they usually get it.

I think a lot of buyers who are pursuing the dream of buying a place in Key West are often vexed by the perceived high or inflated asking prices on houses here. They often get overwhelmed by the process and the seeming intransigence of sellers who won't budge on asking price - or  at lease budge enough. Some buyers draw a line in the sand. They take their stand and avow the seller can take it or leave it.

Unlike those dazzling dandies on BRAVO TV's Million Dollar Listing LA, I don't play games when I negotiate.   How can they trust me when I tell them something if I play word games with them?  They can't and they won't.  So I don't. I am straight with my buyers. I expect the same from them. When a principal tells me something, I conversely believe what he or she tells me. I have an ethical duty to be honest when dealing with my principal. Why should I expect anything less from him or her.

The line in sand becomes problematic when either side uses it as negotiating tool and really doesn't mean it. And the words line in the sand don't even need to be said to have the same affect.  Words do matter. Failure to respond to an offer or to make a counter-offer creates a sense of unease or worse on the part of a buyer who fears the seller really does not want to sell to that buyer. Likewise, when a buyer says "X dollars is my final price, he or she seemingly cuts off the ability to find a compromise. I run into this very often when buyers reach a point beyond which they are unwilling to go.

Sometimes the breaking point is a matter of a few thousand dollars. This becomes the cost of walking away from a potential purchase. Now I know every dollar in a deal matters. But some dollars are more meaningful than others. I can tell you what that cost is. It is predictable. It is the exact dollar amount amortized over thirty years. Let's say the buyer and seller reach the breaking point at $10,000.  Buyer won't spend a nickle more. Seller won't accept a dime less. Agents won't split the cost to save the deal. The deal is lost. The deal is lost over $46.31 per month (calculated at 3.75% amortized over 30 years).  A $25,000 disparity would cost $115.78 using the same amortization.  The point is the fractional issue is often a matter or pride or ego rather a genuine breaking point.

I know the price of houses houses goes up across most parts of America, but I doubt that it goes up as much as it does in Key West. We live on a little island out in the middle of the ocean. The island can't get any bigger and we can't expand the number of houses (or condo) beyond the number the State of Florida allows each year. We can't build skyscrapers and thank God we can't. So we are forced to sell the same houses over and over again. The best houses in the best locations sell for more money than inferior locations or inferior properties. And the word inferior does not mean  there is something wrong. It means the location or house is not as good as rather than there is something wrong.

To the buyer who wants to walk away from buying your dream house over $46.31 I would suggest that is about the cost of a pair of LEVI 501 jeans. How appropriate. You can have your walking jeans but not the house of your jeans.

If you are looking for a real estate agent in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642.  I am a full time Realtor with more than 23 years experiences selling homes and businesses in Key West. I work at Preferred Properties Key West. 

1101 Fleming Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed. That cute little house that you always loved located at 1101 Fleming Street, Key West. The listing Realtor rightly says it is the most photographed home in Key West. She also says it comes completely furnished and ready for use as a monthly vacation rental, second home, or full time residence.  Let's look inside.

The 772 Square Foot two bedroom, two bathroom cottage is creatively laid out. The living room has a vaulted ceiling with three sets of  French doors which open out to the pool. The doors provide both daytime light and also visual stimulation to lure the owner and guests to the deck and pool area. Remember this is Key West where we can leave the doors open throughout the winter while our friends up north are shoveling snow and snuggled up next to the fireplace. And shoveling snow again and again.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 1101 Fleming Street which is offered for sale at just $879,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. This place comes fully furnished.  Key West is full of people this week because of Fantasy Fest. Someone may snap this up this week. It's that cute!