525 Simonton Street, Key West - I Told You So!

 

It was eleven years ago when I blogged about 525 Simonton Street when it was offered for sale as a "short sale" at what I called the bargain asking price of $1,999,000. But it does not matter. I was right. I told you so! I showed it. I promoted it. Somebody bought it for just $1,440,000. That buyer expanded the living area at the rear and added a second pool. They spent some money but not "THAT MUCH" money.

 

The renovated property SOLD on Monday for $7,100,000.  Congratulations to the Seller, the Buyer, and the Realtor on the sale. This was and is a beautiful building in a great location. Success is not hard to predict when you have those two things in common. 

 

Southernmost Buoy Set Afire

 

 

The Southernmost Buoy was damaged by an intentional fire set by two bros taking selfies. Be on the lookout. The police have clear video of them in the act. They might get a fair trial in Jacksonville or Panama City. Might. Doubtful in Key West.

It will be repaired. It will come back.

 

punks!

2021 - It was a Very Good Year in Key West Real Estate

2021 started out real shaky. January 6th scared the hell out of me. And a lot of people. Then the Inauguration happened and things started to go back to normal - at least as normal as we could get at the time. I think most people have an optimistic outlook on our future. Of course the people I come into contact with are successful people. Achievers. Winners. That is why they have money to spend. And never forget this: We live in America. Even when we are down, we get back up and thrive. I really believe we can achieve anything. 2022 will only be better.

Right after travel to Key West was allowed in mid 202o we saw the beginning of a surge of visitors that has not stopped. Many of them bought houses, condos, and investment properties.  2020 was a very good year for me. 2021 was an even better year.

Preferred Properties had a very successful year. All of the agents cranked out records sales. I sold the following properties:

727 Washington Street, Key West  March 2021

 115 Front Street #103, Key West  March 2021

1425 Washington Street, Key West  March 2021

733 Poorhouse Lane, Key West  May 2021

 317 Whitehead Street, Key West

 1104 Petronia Street, Key West  June 2021

915 Angela Street, Key West  June 2021 

724 Windsor Lane, Key West  July 2021

66 Front Street, Key West  December 2021

Most of these sales were to/from repeat customers. I appreciate their loyalty.  2022 looks very promising. I have a closing the first week of January and three new listings about to hit the market. 

 

811 Washington Street #103, Key West - Just Listed in the Casa Marina Area

 

 

Just Listed: 811 Washington Street No. 103, Key West. I snapped the top photo of 811 Washington Street ten years ago. The lower photo shows it today. I have sold this home twice and it is now my good fortune to be the listing agent again. In fact I have had four sales nine unit Casa Marina Area enclave. These are the best located and among the very best built properties just as the 2007 recession trounced America. America came back and Key West came back extra strong. Today the Casa Marina Area is as much in demand as Old Town.

The landscaping photographed in 2012 was already mature and lush. Today is regal. The HOA now maintains the front and side right of way as well as the front and rear of each home. Homeowner fees of $450 are paid quarterly Each home has its own pool with waterfall. Individual owners maintain their l pools. Each home has a rear entrance for the the pool and groundsman access

 The developer built just nine town home units. They are all alike as far as construction, layout, cabinets, appliances, bathroom fixtures, etc. The end units, such as this unit, have extra windows on the east  or west wall. This gives the living room more daytime light. The photos below first floor layout, the pool area, the second floor hallway, master bedroom with vaulted ceiling and rear second floor balcony that overlooks the pool below. The second guest bedroom is on the front of the house. I t has an en-suite and its own private covered porch. Finally you get to see the  third floor bedroom which includes built-in twin beds up front and another bed at the rear adjacent to another en-suite bath  This town home has 2240 sq ft of living space on three floors. There are front and rear balconies on the first and second floors. The interiors feature crown molding, real wood floors, expensive interior trim and high end amenities. Thee is deeded off street parking in front. And because this is an end unit, the side yard and back yard ate larger than other units. And, of course, all of this and the Casa Marina location make this an outstanding value in this price range. 

 

  Both the master and guest bedrooms have covered porches for perfect alone time. The master bedroom has both pool and sunset views. The house is located about one mile from Mallory Square where hundreds gather nightly. Here it would be just you and your Babe.

 

The third floor was designed with kids and brothers-in-law in mid. There are two sleeping areas and an en-suite bath. Let the kids and him climb the stairs. CLICK HERE to view many more photos.

Higg's Beach is just a five minute walk. Wouldn't that be fun!  There are public tennis court, Salute on the Beach, first rate children only playground, a dog park, and adjacent Bocce Ball area. Louie's Backyard is located a couple of blocks further to the west. Spend the day. Spend a little. Spend a lot. The choice is yours. People from around the world save money all year long to come here for a week or so. You can use these amenities any time you want. For Free.

 CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and more photos of 811 Washington Street No 103. Then please text me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am the listing agent at Preferred Properties Key West. This home is offered at $1,697,000.  It will be on Open House this Sunday, January 2, 2022 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM if not sold before then.

TUNE IN or MISS OUT

 

True Tales of Key West Real Estate in the Times of Covid 19 - No. Fourteen

This is a true story

I recently held an open house. I arrived at my listing about fifteen minutes before it was to begin. A couple driving a street legal golf cart was parked in front waiting for me to arrive. I asked them to wait five minutes so I could turn on the lights and get organized. I met the owner inside who agreed to turn on the lights on the second floor while I set up the first floor. The golf cart couple could not control themselves and entered before I was ready. Others quickly followed. It was crazy. People started asking questions. I never got a chance to go upstairs. The owner had departed. Everything was supposed to be just fine. 

My broker came by around 12;30 to take to a look-see. She looked around the first floor; went out to the pool; came back inside nodded her approval, and went upstairs. A few minutes later she came up to me said something like "The man in the shower scared me."

I asked what man? Had one of my open house attendees jumped into the shower to try it out? Or worse? I ran upstairs. I got up there as fast I could. I went into the front bedroom which has an en-suite bath and shut the door (visible in the top photo) only to find this:

I can't say that I screamed but it gave me a jolt. I immediately realized it was not real. But I also knew it appeared real at first glance. Real enough to scare a rational person. I started to move it out of view but then thought the owners put it there for a reason. I decided to leave it.

 

Shortly thereafter a fellow Realtor arrived and took a look around the first floor then began a Facetime tour of the home. Several minutes later she came up to ask a couple of questions but first said  "That man in the bathroom almost gave her a heart attack".  I apologized again. After that I warned people not to be frightened. I still heard a couple screams and then laughs.

 

A two hour open house turned into a three and one-hour marathon. The owner returned and explained the "man" was a cardboard cutout of his son in character as Tom Sawyer. His drama teacher made cutouts of the characters. Dad kept Tom as a remembrance and planned to have him in the guest bedroom as a  surprise for his now grown son who would be home for Christmas. 

 

The house went under contract immediately and to the agent who did the Facetime video. The owner relocated Tom to a bedroom corner during the home inspection.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Key West

'Twas the Night Before Christmas 

'Twas the day before Christmas, when all through the Key West,

Not one single house was available for sale,

Realtor listing signs were stored in sheds - instead.

Agents were gathered in bars around Old Town,

Sipping then slurping gin and tonic,

Bourbon and Seven, Vodka and Soda, and Beer with chaser,

While all the time moaning and groaning about income not earned,
As visions of missed commission checks lost danced in their heads.

Soon to be members of Alcoholics Anonymous, 

Their self pity was bottomless. 

 

I on the other hand was settled all snug in my bed watching NETFLIX.
When out by the pool there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The sun was setting oer to the west;
Gave the luster of twilight to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Santa himself, as if stuck in time,
Peering inside my window.

 

 

 

So down to the Great Room room I flew in a flash,
Hoping to grab a Selfie with the old Elfie;

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
He just stood there staring inside - WTF?
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth.

 

 

I grabbed my iPhone and snapped a quickie.
He spoke not a word as he turned with a jerk,

And fled to his sled before leaving a present!

 

 

He missed the Christmas Cheer I setup, 

On the far side of the pool,

that danged old fool.

 

 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave whistle,

And away they all flew toward Sloppy Joe's,
Where the Realtors were falling off on their bar stools,

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight -

 

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night"