1121 Watson Street - A Singluar Short Sale Sensation - Key West

The Conch Grove Compound pool is wonderful!

The cute little cottage at the Conch Grove Compound is "back on the market" as a short sale and the lender has approved the property for short sale at the price of $325,000. The house was previously listed at the asking price of $299,000 and went under contract about 75 days after it was initially listed. The place is a 'cottage'. It is not a house. It cannot be enlarged. What you see is what you get. That being said and hopefully being understood, you actually get a nice place to live in a quiet Old Town location for not a lot of money. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Renovated cigar makers cottage tucked away in a charming gated old town compound. Eleven homes share an extra large heated pool surrounded by mature tropical landscaping. Cottage was renovated in 2004. New roof in 2010. Move in condition. Just bring your flip flops and bathing suit to wile away the winter blues!! (Homes owned fee simple as part of a homeowners association.) This is a lender approved price on the short sale."

The 'ladder' provides access to the loft bedroom

Kitchen is at the right rear and bath is at the left rear

Loft bedroom

1121 Watson Street #2 is located two blocks west of White Street and two blocks south of Truman Avenue in the Conch Grove Compound which consists of several cottages and single family homes that share a large sunny and heated pool, gardens, and off street parking. The property is not a condominium. The owner of each cottage or house owns the ground under the property in fee simple. But all property owners share ownership of all of the common areas. Each cottage or house is unique. So the place does not look like a Disney version of Key West. It is the real thing. And I mean that in the most positive way. Writer James Kirkwood, co-author of "A Chorus Line", was one of the first homeowners in the Conch Grove Compound. Local author David Kaufelt used to live there as well.CLICK HERE to read the listing Realtor's comments about this property.

1121 Watson Street #2 is a one bedroom one bath cottage that is offered as the approved short sale price of $325,000. The cottage is just 420 square feet in size plus 5' x 14' porch. The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows that it sits on a 25' x 58' (1422 sq ft) lot. I know this is a small property. That is why it is called a 'cottage'. I have more photos that I will be glad to share with you if you contact me below.

If you would like to see this property, please contact 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, Florida. This property will not last long at this price. Serious buyers need to act decisively.

Harbor Lodge - Key West Waterfront Condo

833 Eisenhower Drive - Harbor Lodge Condominiums - Key West

I have previously written that I used to own a guest house in Key West. I'll never forget the phone call when a potential guest asked if Key West was surrounded by water. Yes, it is. Surprisingly, however, there are not that many homes with waterfront views here. More rare are homes in or near Old Town with waterfront views. Those that do exist normally sell at a premium over other properties. Unit #2 at Harbor Lodge Condominium (located at 833 Eisenhower Drive) is a wonderful two bedroom unit overlooking the Garrison Bight and within walking distance to downtown Key West. The building is very well maintained and has only three units per floor. Best of all, this unit has a private boat slip included in the purchase price. The listing Realtor describes the property like this:

"A boat slip and gorgeous views of Garrison Bight come with this pristine 2/2 Harbor Lodge condominium. You'll love this bright end unit with extra windows, designer kitchen, high ceilings and deck overlooking the pool and sparkling water. This beautifully maintained unit also has assigned covered parking and an extra large workshop/storage area."

Imagine waking up in the morning, grabbing a cup of coffee and then walking to your balcony overlooking the Garrison Bight. Sipping coffee. Watching the sunrise and Key West come alive. Maybe later in the day you'll go down to your boat and go out for some fishing. Imagine your friends and family in New Jersey (or where ever) freezing the rear ends off in February and fighting throngs on the freeways or subways.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet on this property. And CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this unit. Harbor Lodge Unit #203 is offered at $699,000.

If you would like to schedule a showing of this unit or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an 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.

1410 Angela Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

1410 Angela Street - Key West - circa 1965

1410 Angela Street - Key West - 2011

The listing Realtor describes the wood frame Conch house at 1410 Angela Street this way:

"Located in the popular Meadows neighborhood in Old Town Key West this spacious and well maintained home features 4 bedrooms, two bathrooms, private room for an office inside master bedroom, fenced back yard with inground pool and covered deck, detached utility room with laundry. French doors in master bedroom open to the covered deck and pool. Completely fenced with off street parking and plenty of space to park on the street. The original house is a 2/1 Conch Cottage upgraded in 1998 with a 2/1 addition that is setup as a lockout,great for a mother-in-law unit or guest area, two-zone central a/c and pool. Set back from the street on a large lot landscaped with tropical trees and shrubs. Owner financing possible."

Living room and kitchen in main part of house

Bedroom in mother in law addition

This house is a Conch style (simple one storey wood frame construction) which was expanded with a large 'mother in law' addition. The mls listing shows the property as having four bedrooms which would be correct if the living room in the mother in law unit were used as a bedroom. An interior doorway still separates (or could reconnect) the main living area from the mother in law unit. The interior of the original house is more typical of homes up north in mid-America than potential second home buyers for Key West cottages expect. The mother in law unit has vaulted ceiling that adds space and volume but also takes away a bit of privacy.


The the three big selling features of this property are the size of the home, the lovely yard, and the beautiful pool. I think a new owner might want to remove the current stucco exterior and replace it with a more correct wood siding. There aren't many houses in the Old Town or Meadows area with four bedrooms, especially nice homes with a pool and off street parking that are priced as affordably as this one. A new owner might redo the rear deck and pool by converting an existing shed into a pool bar. It's not that the place as it exists is 'wrong'. It just isn't as good as it could be.


CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet on 1410 Angela Street which is offered at just $659,000 or $409 per sq ft for this 1610 sq ft home located on a 4624 sq ft lot. You may also want to CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of the property. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing for you. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

1319 Newton Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

1319 Newton Street - Key West

If you are looking for a Sweet Key West Cottage, may I suggest that you schedule a showing of 1319 Newton Street which is located in the Meadows Area of Key West. The listing broker describes this property thus:

"This charming 2/2 historic home is in pristine condition. Located in the Meadows area of old town it is picture perfect with a white picket fence, a dreamy front porch and orchids hanging in the palm trees. It offers a spacious living/dining room with custom built-ins and beautiful polished Dade co. pine floors. The kitchen adjoins a home office and opens to the awning covered deck and outdoor dining area where steps lead to a whirlpool spa. There is a lovely guest bedroom and bath on the first floor. The entire upstairs is the large master suite complete with an Onyx tiled master bath, walk-in closet, wet bar, laundry + tons of storage space. Quality Kohler plumbing fixtures throughout, Wolf range and Bosch Washer and Dryer set."

As you prepare to enter the yard you immediately sense that this house is something "special". Everything about the front is so clean and understated yet picturesque and inviting. The combined living room and dining area is located just to the right of the formal entryway. Your eyes dart from location to location to take in the architectural features including the nearly pristine painted Dade County Pine walls and ceiling set off by the tiled floors; the historic windows that are so old that gravity is causing the glass to ripple; the custom woodwork includes the whimsical breakfront in the dining room that incorporates slats from old shutters integrated into the cabinet. The high ceilings and and crown moldings give these rooms a feeling of space, volume and refinement.

Rippled glass in the old windows set off by crispy white trim

Custom made breakfront in dining area

Wolf range

Covered rear deck leads to orchid garden (left) and the spa (right rear)

Orchid garden can be viewed from kitchen window

There is a bright and nifty kitchen with a vaulted ceiling. Windows open out to the covered deck. A small office is at the rear. Midpoint between the living area and kitchen you will find the guest bedroom and bath. These rooms, like everything about this house, are just precious. Upstairs you will find a spacious master suite which runs the length of the house. Lots of closet space and custom built-ins. There is even a private rooftop sundeck at the rear where you can watch the Key West sunset every night - forever.

The private sundeck is on the other side of the door

No wasted space with lots of built-ins in the master suite

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet (including listing photos) of this wonderful property. 1319 Newton Street has 1512 sq ft of living space and sits on a 2050 sq ft lot. Better than looking online, why not 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. Key West cottages don't get much cuter than this!

Back to Nature - 811 Carey Lane - Key West

811 Carey Lane - Old Town - Key West

I have written about 811 Carey Lane before. It really is one of my very favorite homes in Old Town. There is something so quaint, so cool, so unassuming, and so welcoming that just about anyone will feel at home. The house is nested under some very large trees that give it a protected feeling. It is located on a quiet lane removed from the hubub of Key West and yet it near everything.

A few years back another owner got permission to change the street address from Carsten Lane to Carey Lane in part so that a potential new owner would be able to add a pool to the area on the north side of the house which at that time was the front side of the property. (You basically can't build pools in your front yard in Old Town.) Carey Lane (the street or lane on the rear) is one of the very best addresses in all of Old Town, so the change of street address was a positive change for this property. But neither the prior owner nor the current owner installed a pool. The space awaits its final fate.

The listing Realtor describes 811 Carey Lane this way:

" Located in an area of high end properties, this charming home has an exceptional location on one of Key West's most desirable lanes. You'll find peaceful tranquility and the Key West ambiance you're looking for in this home. Open living and renovated kitchen, dining room, good storage, outdoor shower, covered porch for lounging and lovely gardens complete with inground hot tub. House opens beautifully to the outdoor areas. Architectural plans for 2nd story addition available. Fall in love with this fun and artistic quintessial Key West cottage."

The covered porch allows gracious outdoor living space

Remove the brick pavers and add a pool

The ceilings in the living room and kitchen & dining area show off the historic wood shingles. Metal shingles cover the old wood shingles, of course. The wood shingles add so much character to this living space. The doors are always open which visually expands the interior living space. And the outside of this particular house is so comforting that the comfy-cozy outside permeates into the inside.

One of the two bedrooms

Notice the outdoor shower? Back to Nature!

This great cottage style home is offered at just $589,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. And CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of this property. If you would like to see 811 Carey Lane, 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 might agree that this is the place where you could get back to Nature.