1017 17th Street - Key West - Bank Owned

Frequent readers know how much I like to dig into the shoebox to find old photos of Key West. Since most of "New Town" is "new", finding old photos is difficult. The above photo shows the New Town area when photographed in the 1970s. I marked the approximate location of the new Bank Owned property located at 1017 17th Street with an "X". The listing broker describes the property this way:

"Bank Owned! Three bedroom two bath home with swimming pool in a great neighborhood in New Town Key West. Spanish and ceramic tile throughout. Great pool area for entertaining. Nice sized lot with off street parking. No Appliances. This home has lots of potential. It's a must see!"

1017 17th Street - Key West

17th Street Parkway

The house sits on the east side of the 17th Street Parkway. Palm trees and grass provide a nice separation from the homes across the parkway to the west. Many if not most of the other homes in the area have been updated, and some have been expanded with second story additions. The house at 1017 17th Street has been enlarged with the conversion of a garage into a family room located off the kitchen and the addition of a large covered patio with mini-kitchen. The kitchen and bathrooms were updated, but appliances are missing from the kitchen and some fixtures have been removed in the bathrooms. The house is going to need some TLC. This place has lots of room for a good sized family. That pool and rear area will make a great family home.

Covered Patio to the Left

French doors from Master Bedroom Open to the Pool

The 1872 sq ft house sits on a 5700 sq ft lot (57'x100'). You can tell the front yard was once very nicely maintained. The rear yard is the reason locals ought to take a look at this property. The pool is large and gets good sun exposure most of the day. And there is plenty of covered space and shaded areas as well.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. This Bank Owned home is offered at $359,000 or $197 per sq ft.

If you would like to see this property or any other house in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

1517 Washington - east Casa Marina Area - Key West

I wrote about 1517 Washington Street a couple of months back when it was a fresh new listing. It went under contract soon thereafter. The would-be buyer isn't gonna-be. So the property is now back on the market and available once again at the affordable asking price of $425,000. I've shown this property several times since I wrote the initial post. I am now more convinced that this is a super bargain for a buyer looking for a entry level house into a very nice area of Key West. Please read on.

The listing broker describes the property this way:

"This darling two bedroom home is sure to please! It's located on a pretty street within blocks from the beach and old town. A cheerful sun porch entry leads into the main living area. The kitchen opens to an inviting screened porch where one can enjoy the view of the tropical vegetation including fruit trees. The property has beautiful original cuban tile floors and plenty of room for a pool and expansion. Easy to see!"

Living room with original Cuban tile that is in near mint condition

Vintage Florida Room is just a gas!

The basics: 952 sq ft of living space under roof plus a large covered and screen rear patio. The lot is 4698 sq ft ( 50.25'x93.5') with lots of room in front, on both sides and a very large rear area with plenty of room for a pool. Click GOOGLE MAP to view an aerial perspective and then zoom closer for a better view of the area. Use the toggle switch for a street view. Most of the other homes in this area have been enlarged or razed and new homes built. One could do that here, but the house is just fine as it sits. The home was perfectly maintained for decades and I saw no noticeable deferred maintenance.

The house was built in 1963 so it has the architecture of that era. The slanted roof and jalousie windows give this house a distinguished look. Some may not like it, but others will embrace it. Much of the architecture in the Mid Town and New Town areas of Key West have similar features. Some buyers do blow-outs or tear downs and reconfigure and expand the living space. Others prefer to conserve money and fix that which is broken and update that which needs it. When money is tight, some new owners prefer to keep things simple and do low cost improvements rather than big renovation projects. This house could go either way in my opinion. This house has been perfectly maintained and will be just fine if left as is. Serious! It is old Florida. I can imagine how chic this place could look if filled with 50's and 60's vintage furniture. The kitchen, however, has been updated.


CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of the property. And CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database for this home. Spend some time looking and I think you will see the value in this house you could easily move in tomorrow.

This house is within a few minute bike ride to Rest Beach and Higg's Beach to the south. Fausto's Food Palace is a couple of blocks to the north. The Island Gym is nearby as are many small eateries and coffee shops. Old Town is a fifteen minute bike ride or less. The airport is about five minutes by car. The three Key West shopping centers are also five to seven minutes on a normal day. And the Key West Dairy Queen is only a few minute walk on a hot summer night.

Higg's Beach as viewed from Salute on the Beach

Rest Beach as depicted in a vintage "Old Florida" post card

Fausto's Food Palace

More locals go here than the bars on Duval Street

If you are interested in buying this house or any other house in Key West, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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Enchanting 1325 South Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

1325 South Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

The listing agent for the just listed 1325 South Street in the Casa Marina Area of Key West invited me to tour the property yesterday. I actually went over in the early morning to take some post-sunrise photos of the front. I was not particularly taken by the ranch facade, so I decided not to take any photos at that time. A few hours later I arrived just as other agents were leaving with big smiles and hearty thanks being said to the listing agent. Hmm! I thought. I looked inside the front yard that is protected from the street by a privacy fence and saw a totally inviting garden. I was starting to get impressed.


I passed the double door threshold and entered the huge living room with beamed vaulted ceiling that drew my eyes to the height of this space but then my eyes were drawn in multitude of conflicting directions. Each way I looked I saw something that beckoned me to go there first. How different this house was than what I expected. This is not a "typical" ranch or typical anything else. This is a unique Key West property.

The office or study located at the east end off the living room

The living room extends east to west. Real wood floors give the space a rich feeling. The floors seemed solid as compared to so many manufactured floors that look and feel fake or flimsy or both. An office is located on the east side of the living room. The office is shuttered off from the main living area when necessary, but I'll bet the shutters are rarely used. The space has windows on the east and south providing natural light.

One bedroom with an adjacent sitting area and bath are located at the east rear side of the house. The bedroom area has two sets of French doors that look out toward the pool and garden. My eyes urged me to go outside, but my head demanded that I look at the remainder of the house before I go outside.

Vaulted outdoor entertaining area

A den or family room is located on the west rear side of the house. It has French doors that open onto the covered rear entertaining area. The outdoor and indoor spaces merge into one larger alternate living area that is seen in other homes-usually priced much higher than this one.

A second large bedroom and bath are located at the west front. Again the space is large which is not normally the case in ranch homes.


The kitchen is bright, huge, and terribly inviting. I saw so much joy in this space. I know any amateur iron chef would be proud to do battle in this space. Dark black counter tops and drawer pulls set off the stark white cabinets. Another set of French doors open from the kitchen onto the covered rear entertaining area. Do you notice a pattern here of spaces that flow from one use to another and that permit the two spaces to merge into a common usage?


The outdoor entertaining area is protected by a beamed tall canopy that somewhat apes the spatial feeling from inside the house. The current owners use that space as an extension of the living area. A separate dining area is located opposite the large rectangular pool. In point of fact there are several 'vignettes' in the garden that has more of the feel of an English garden than a tropical Key West garden. But everything there is tropical. It just looks more sophisticated than most gardens I normally see. This garden did not just happen. It was planned and it has been nurtured and maintained.


There is a small cottage the rear of the property. It is currently used as a potting shed. I think some new owner might want to make it into a guest room. Guests would beg to be sent to the shed. The garden, of course, is close to the ground. Surrounding trees from neighboring properties provide a luscious canopy that frames the otherwise bright skyscape in the garden.


1325 South Street has 1620 sq ft of living space consisting of three bedrooms, two baths under roof. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"A lush tropical experience awaits you in this beautiful home just east of the Casa Marina section of Key West. Historic home with three bedrooms plus den, open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, one floor living, spacious gourmet kitchen and great outdoor seating areas. Split floor plan provides privacy to master suite from guest areas. Hardwood floors, tropical colors and private setting. Off-street parking, amazing pool and huge tropical lot. Close to beaches, restaurants and the White Street Arts District. A Hidden Tropical Oasis For Tranquil Island Living."

CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of this wonderful property. And CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and view listing photos. Click both and don't miss anything on this property.

If you would like to see 1325 South Street please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. You will surely agree with me that this Key West property is enchanting.

1320 Angela Street - Meadows Area Duplex - Short Sale - Key West

1320 Angela Street is the two story home on the left

Charming cottage located next door

Off street parking

Quiet Neighborhood

Just listed, but not by me, 1320 Angela Street legal duplex located in the ultra quiet Meadows Area of Key West. The listing agent describes this Short Sale property like this:

"Designer Owned Duplex In The Meadows. 1/1 561 Sqft Upstairs, And 2/1 717 Sqft Downstairs. Legal Non-transient License For Two Rentals. Nice Decorative Elements. Permitted Elec. Update 2005. Fenced Back Yard And Front Porch."

This duplex has 1278 sq ft of living space on two floors. The lot is 1960 sq ft (25'x80'). Click GOOGLE MAP for an aerial view and then click the toggle switch for a street view.

Peary Court (former Naval Housing) is located across the street

The asking price on this legal duplex is $435,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

The Projects of Key West

What do you conjure up when you read or hear the term "project"? I did a quick search of the Urban Dictionary which contains a lot of definitions including this one:

"Project:- People Relying On Just Enough Cash To Survive.
Usually the leaset econommically advantageous people will live in the projects. Projects lead to many things such as crime as a resort."

I guess I watch too many shows on PBS, HGTV and BRAVO because the shows on those networks use the term project as a vehicle to demonstrate a major undertaking which usually involves considerable money, personnel, equipment, and materials. Most projects showcase how design, construction, and smart selection of materials can transform a lagging structure into something quite admirable.

I do get "business" from people that read my blog. Some readers call and others write. Many of the readers often say they would be willing to take on a project if certain conditions could be met. Those conditions vary from buyer to buyer, but most focus on price reduction as the reason to consider buying what most call a "fixer-upper". Some readers recognize the housing slump has created buying opportunities where one might purchase a truly unique property at a fraction of what it cost before. Others fantasize about buying some run down property which could be restored or renovated at a considerable price saving if the buyer did part of the renovation.

The house below is located at 613 Olivia Street in Old Town. It is situated mid block between Simonton Street to the west and Elizabeth Street to the east. Most of the houses on this block, but not all, have been renovated. I chose this house because it is kind of place that second home owners dream of owning.

The property appraiser notes that "THIS BUILDING WAS BUILT CICA 1850 AT 619 SIMONTON ST. AND MOVED TO 613 OLIVIA ST CICA". This property is not for sale.

Instead of providing you with a list of potential fixers that you may want to consider, I thought I would instead show a few current projects that have been recently purchased. The next time you are in Key West walk by these properties and decide what you think.

I wrote about 730 Simonton Street on at least seven different occasions. It is one of the most notable houses in Key West. It sold in December 2010. Some initial work has started. A nasty old tree that endangered the structure was removed and some exterior prep work has begun. A very short fence has been added to the property. This is probably the property for which I have the greatest expectation.

730 Southard Street in 2009

730 Southard Street - July 2011

1130 Fleming Street sold in 2010. It was a bank foreclosure and many competing offers were made on this house. The inside had been messed around with by amateurs. The entire rear addition was falling into the ground and the main house had major stress issues. I showed it to several potential buyers. One made an offer but not high enough to get the property. This house has one of the best locations in Old Town. Compare the way it looked in 2009 to the way in looks in July 2011. I will be anxious to see if the gingerbread trim is restored and returned to this house.

Rear addition was demolished a and new addition has been added.

Another landmark location at the corner of Eaton and Elizabeth Streets sold in March 2010. It looks like it has been gutted of much of the faux Victorian interiors that were added by a former owner. (That's gotta hurt the ego and pocketbooks.) Construction crews are at the property now. Exterior walls have been blown-out and rebuilt. The old "new" kitchen is gone. It did not work aesthetically. Maybe the new owner will get this re-do done right. Let's hope.

Elizabeth Street before current renovation

Work in progress

Faux Victorian side entrance is gone

Work in Progress

I wrote a couple of blogs about 911 Watson. It was a "diamond in the rough" that required a buyer with a big imagination, a good architect, a competent builder, and money in the bank. The existing house and some other buildings sat on a 10,000 sq ft lot with huge specimen trees on a quiet little street near the end of Key West cemetery. The location was an immediate "turn-off" to some potential buyers while others saw the potential.

The house was hidden behind a huge fence and decades worth of trees and shrubs

A former garage is gone and the side and rear yards are now open awaiting development. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one. I really want this place to be something special.

Sometimes work is done so "quietly" that you don't notice that a house has been updated. Take the simple house at the corner of William at Fleming Street. Below are two photos of the same house taken about twelve months apart. The house was purchased in June 2010. The renovation was recently completed. Don't you wish you had bought this charmer?

This is the "before" picture

This is the "After" picture.
The new owners have redone other houses and know what they are doing.

And there is even new construction occurring in Key West. An example is this beautiful Casa Marina area home that was completed in February 2011.

This South Street home was completed in February 2011

If you are thinking of buying a place in Key West CLICK HERE to search the Key West mls for your dream home. If you find something that interests you, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or by email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Let me help you find your Key West Project!