419 Grinnell Street, Key West - A Blank Slate

The listing broker describes 419 Grinnell Street, Key West, listed for the first time on Saturday as a "blank slate". Previously this 4,086 Sq Ft irregular "L-shaped" shaped lot was to be included in the sale of the adjacent Grand Conch style (temple style) home at 421 Grinnell Street. That changed by offering this lot separately. The listing broker told me he had immediate interest from several potential buyers. This property won't last a week on the market. This is how the broker describes 419 Grinnell Street:

"A rare opportunity for development or renovation of a huge lot in the heart of Old Town Key West. The small un-renovated 1 BD 1 BA house at the rear corner of the lot could be renovated as a guest cottage or possibly razed and redeveloped. The lot is a blank slate for the creation of a lush tropical garden with pool and parking. Any plans would require HARC and City approval. This property can also be purchased with the lovely 2-story Conch House next door at 421 Grinnell St."

I noticed this big old lot taking up valuable space for years. The yard had stuff in it. Lots of stuff. I always thought it would come up for sale some day and someone would buy it and do something with it. (Some story.) Years ago it would have sold at a much lower price because there were many big old houses and smaller cigar maker cottages that folks were buying and renovating. And there all the rules that HARC imposes on owners as to what may be done and not done. The rules still exist but now there are only a few un-renovated properties and even fewer big empty lots. Now this comes up. There is a cottage at the back. The Property Appraiser shows that 419 Grinnell was built in 1919. The 1889 through 1912 Sanborn Fire Maps showed a larger house similar in size s to 421 Grinnell Street was sat at on the 419 Grinnell lot. CLICK HERE for more photos.)

A few weeks ago I bogged about our new listing at 411-415 Grinnell Street. It is located next door to 419 Grinnell. I photographed 411 Grinnell Street (above photos) in July 2012. Workers were just starting to renovate it. A few years later a new owner built a second house on the vacant lot to create an incredible island retreat. But before that, the empty lot was equally bleak as 419 Grinnell.

411-415 Grinnell Street looks totally different just a few years later. (It is offered for sale at $6,500,000.) And that is why the listing at 419 Grinnell Street is so appealing. Empty lots get bought. Creative minds and bank accounts combine to create new properties. Buyers, architects, lawyers, and city planners figure out what is possible and permissible. Eventually, new houses get built. A buyer could short circuit a lot of the process by buying both 419 and 421 Grinnell Street and simply renovate the existing cottage, add a pool and off street parking. It would be more complicated but you get the point. There is  lot of development opportunity.

Click either MLS link for more information on the lot and 419 Grinnell Street, Key West offered for sale at $995,000 or the existing house at 421 Grinnell Street, Key West offered for sale at $1,125,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Get creative. Play with that blank slate in your mind. Figure out what you could do. Somebody will do it. That is for sure!

609 1/2 Margaret Street, Key West - New Listing in Old Town Key West

Buyers with a limited budget that are seeking a sweet little house in a great Old Town location should definitely take a look at 609 1/2 Margaret Street. I previewed the house for an out of town buyer a couple of days ago. I was seriously wowed. I remembered having been in this property before. But like so many houses that I have been inside, I didn't recall much other than the location.

Before I drove over to see the house I looked through my old shoebox and sure enough found a photo taken in 1965.  Checkout the 55 Chevy in front. There was some foreign vehicle in front in 2021. You will also see a wrap-around porch was added to the second floor and the entrance was moved from the front to the side which is now located in a outdoor foyer.

While this 631 Sq Ft house has just one bedroom, it has two baths, an outdoor courtyard, and second floor bedroom with sky views. I was duly impressed throughout this place. CLICK HERE for more photos.

The former Harris School is located across the street. Mangia Mangia is at the corner. The former Michael's steakhouse is becoming a seafood restaurant in the near future. The historic seaport is located three blocks north and Duval Street is located three blocks to the west. 

The courtyard has grilling and chilling space. You don't need to go out to dinner. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 609 1/2 Margaret Street. Key West offered for sale at $599,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule  private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. You really need to check this place out. 

Grinnell Street Heading South

There are three ways to get to the Island of Key West - the Overseas Hiway (also known as US1), by air, boat or ferry. The Key West Ferry Terminal is located at the foot  of Grinnell Street at the historic Key West Seaport. 

Earlier this week I passed two couple walking south on Grinnell Street dragging suitcases behind them. It was a very pleasant day compared to the snow and cold I saw on television earlier that morning. I sat in my car and reviewed text and emails before heading to my next appointment.

I drove to the end of Grinnell Street - that is the Key West cemetery where there is one way in and no way out. I turned right on Angela Street and soon came upon the first couple still dragging their suitcases behind them. I drove a couple hundred feet and turned left to head down Passover Lane. Then I saw the other couple who were dragging their bags.

I figured they were heading toward one of the inexpensive no frills and no pool guest houses located on the other side of Truman Avenue. I smiled and thought how lucky the guys were to find women willing to walk half a mile dragging their bags to spend their annual vacation in a guest house far from the fun on Duval Street. They may spend their lives together doing the same thing every year.

 

102 Southard Street No 3, Key West, FL

 Looks like home - if you lived in Key West that is. Just Listed by Preferred Properties, 102 Southard Street No. 3, Key West, Florida. This is a one bedroom Shipyard Condominium special Truman Annex Transient Rental License. The unit if offered turn-key.

This stylish one bedroom condominium in the Shipyard has the special Truman Annex transient license and a very impressive rental history. Designer upgrades include new kitchen, bath, floors, sound-proofing and high-impact glass. The front door opens onto Southard Street just steps from the new waterfront park. This second floor unit has French doors out to a large sunny deck and there is assigned parking and a community pool. This home is offered completely turn-key.

 

Condo Fees are $785 monthly and include Bldg Exterior Mnt; Building Insurance; Cable; Common Area Mnt; Exterminating; Security.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos for 102 Southard Street No 3. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. (No showings until after Feb 20. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

 

 

Key West is Selling Like Hot Cakes

 

It wasn't too far after the pandemic hit that a former customer contacted me and said he might be interested in buying another place in Key West. He asked me to keep an eye out and let him know of any bargains. Key West was still locked off from the world at that time. He assumed that the pandemic would spur a lot of panic selling. 

Buyers returned to Key West as soon as US 1 and the Key West airport opened. There was no panic selling. It has been more like panic buying. Real estate in Key West is selling like hot cakes.

I just checked our MLS. There are 51 single family homes under contract in Old Town, The Meadows, Truman Annex, and The Casa Marina areas. Many houses go under contract in the matter of a couple of days on the market. Houses that were previously on the market for several months (and in a couple of cases years) have gone under contract. 

Buyers are desperate to find single family homes for sale. Realtors are desperate to find homes for sale for their buyers. Realtors are calling their fellow agents asking if they have any pocket listings or know of anyone who may be interested in selling. 

I have reported this story before - and not all that long ago. But the story is worth repeating. There is a scarcity of real estate in Key West and at all price points. High priced properties are selling as quickly as low priced ones - as if there is anything low priced in Key West. 

I check the MLS throughout the day, everyday. Yesterday afternoon I noticed the address of a property I showed in November had a price increase of $40,000. The place is ten miles out of Key West and has not yet been built. It is still an empty lot. That's it. That's all. 

1301 1St Street, Key West, Florida - Just Listed

Touch Pearls Twice! 

Tap Toes Thrice!

Hold Your Breath!  

Look what they did to the mid-century house at 1301 1st Street, Key West!

Just Listed -1301 1St Street, Key West, Florida

The listing Realtor describes this 1958 vintage and now freshly renovated 4/4 1,424 Sq FT ranch style home this way: 

"YOUR OWN RESORT! Everything you ever wanted in a Key West house is here! THIS HOUSE DELIVERS! Everything is new and of the line! BRAND NEW ROOF with new trusses 2020. IMPACT GLASS AND DOORS THROUGHOUT. Brand new a/c. Blown in insulation, low electric bills. Designer pool with upgrades you only see in resort pools. Lighting, fountains, bar stools. The beauty of a designer kitchen with white cabinets, quartz countertops and new appliances. Floor plan to delight as it provides privacy for all. Three ensuite bedrooms with their own brand new bathrooms, fourth bedroom being used as an office but has a closet and french doors. The master suite is just gorgeous with stunning new bathroom. French doors to patio. Half bath and utility room! Your own electric gates for privacy and parking."

 

They call Florida the sunshine state for good reason. Key West is this tiny little island at the tip toe end of the Florida peninsula where the sun shines brighter than just about anywhere. The covered veranda at this home provides shade and seating for cooling off and sipping coolers. 

CLICK HERE to view the MLS datasheet and listing photos of  1301 1st Street, Key West, Florida offered for sale at $1,200,000 and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this renovated home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.