826 Eaton Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 826 Eaton Street in Key West. This beautiful Old Town cottage is located just a little over one block from the Historic Key West Seaport and within walking distance to many of the quaint little places that make Key West so much fun.

The listing Realtor describes this 1344 sq ft home this way:

"Beautiful Key West cottage located in the heart of old town and just a short stroll to the Harbor and Duval Street. The first floor features 2 generous sized bedrooms, 2 baths and an open living/dining/kitchen with two sets of French doors opening to the pretty backyard with spacious deck for outdoor entertaining and heated pool with water feature. In addition there is a spiral staircase to a large loft which is the third bedroom with sitting/office area. The loft is finished to the same quality as the downstairs with hardwood floors and ample ceiling height. Lots of features today's buyer want are included: Wood floors throughout, Dade County pine walls, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, central air and outdoor shower."

 I found the above black and white photo of 826 Eaton Street with a note that says the original house was built circa 1874. Compare that to the color photo just above that was taken in 2013. The house looks pretty much the same except the house is now painted yellow, the old mail box has been replaced, and a huge frangipani is planted in the front yard. The inside has certainly been changed, however. The front two rooms are now bedrooms. The combined living room, dining area and kitchen are at the rear. There are two bathrooms on the main floor as well as the laundry area. Upstairs you will find a decent sized loft bedroom that comfortably accommodates two twin beds.

Two sets of French doors open from the living area out to the spacious pool. The pool is located near the rear of the lot and this provides ample outdoor space for sunning, socializing, and cooking on the grill. There is even an outdoor shower off to the side.CLICK HERE to see the Key West mls datasheet on this cute little cottage that is actively (and successfully) used as a vacation rental.

I took more photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE. Or better than looking at photos, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this property for you.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1327 White Street - The Casa Marina District - Key West

If you have been looking for an impressive four bedroom home with a pool, off street parking, and lots of Key West charm, please consider 1327 White Street as an affordable alternative to more highly priced homes of similar age and condition in Old Town.  The listing Realtor describes this 2862 sq ft home this way:

 "Luxury renovation of a historic 1880s three story home. Neighboring the highly coveted Casa Marina District. A perfect combination of every modern luxury a discerning buyer would expect and beautiful 1800s historical architecture. The property features restored Dade County Pine throughout as well as heart pine floors. Crown molding, cathedral ceilings, a spacious master bedroom suite with a walk in closet are just some of the features you will fall in love with. There is a 350 sq ft treetop deck off the third floor with stunning views of the tropical foliage. Sliding glass doors all along the great room open up to the pool and jacuzzi. Perfect for entertaining your guests and family. Spacious floor plan, natural light throughout."

A gracious front porch welcomes guests and provides ample space to sit and watch the world go by. Higg's Beach and Rest Beach are just four blocks to the south. The shops and restaurants of the Key West arts district are three blocks to the north and Duval Street is five minutes by bike to the west.
This house was made for someone that wants a big house with lots of interesting rooms and spaces. This house is the anti-salt box because the geometry of the place is so varied. Look at the photo just above. That proves my point for sure. This home has the appeal of a Queen Anne with a bit of Conch added.  Lots of angles and numerous building materials have blended historic sensibility and current trends together to create a really unique living space. The third floor can be either used as a fifth bedroom or game room. That room provides access to the private roof top deck with commanding tree-top views of the island and the large kidney shaped pool and separate spa below. There are very few homes in Key West that have this kind of view!

 

The front entry hall (viewed in first two photos above) leads to the second and third floor bedrooms. The main level is a gracious reinterpretation of the historic home with modern lighting, new windows and doors, HVAC, and new kitchen appliances and cabinets all of which are highlighted by the crown molding that defines each living space.

The house sits on a large 4678 sq ft (46.75' x 100.08') located five blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. A white picket fence spans the front of the property. A large gate on the right provides access to the large off street parking space. Notice the wooden vine covered trellis to the right in the photo above. The house faces west toward White Street. The southern side yard is quite large. The parking space is located there (as noted above). Multiple sets of French doors open to the rear side yard and back deck and pool area. The pool area is surrounded on three sides by mature specimen palm trees. The pool and spa are quite large, but there is plenty of room left over for outdoor living. There is an existing shed with water that a new owner might want to expand and turn into an outdoor kitchen. That's the trend for high end homes.

1327 White Street is offered at $1,400,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls data sheet. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this really beautiful Key West property which offers so many of the features buyers seek in a Key West home.  Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this beautiful home. I live in the Casa Marina and really love the convenience it offers. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

923 Southard St - Key West - Florida

I am truly surprised that the super-cute Conch Cottage located at 923 Southard Street in Old Town Key West has not sold yet.  I thought it would get snapped up in a flash. The original cigar maker's style cottage was built circa 1889. I found an old photo that shows pretty much the original structure as it appeared 50 years ago (see the black and white photo below). If you look carefully you can see traditional clapboard siding at the front but board and batten siding (vertical siding) on the side.  You also will see a "sawtooth" addition at the rear. I suspect that was the kitchen at that time. A later owner expanded that space to include a second floor addition.  The resultant house today has 1476 sq ft of living space on a large 2675 sq ft (approximately 27' x 100') lot located in the heart to Old Town.  The listing Realtor describes this pretty as can be property as:

"The entrance under an arch of bougainvillea into this winsome two-story shotgun cottage has been the subject of many photographers and artists. Colorful and light-filled, with Dade County pine walls and floors, this home is the perfect retreat in the heart of Old Town. Both bedrooms are upstairs, separated by a hallway with skylights, closets and a nook; step out of the bright master suite onto the deck overlooking your tropical paradise, landscaped and fenced for ultimate privacy, with a bougainvillea-roofed lanai, outdoor shower, plunge pool and bodega. This home is a real treat."

Today the cigar maker's cottage rests behind a picturesque white picket fence and trellis that frames the house.  The front porch provides the perfect perch for people walking.  Inside, you are greeted by a traditional hallway that leads to the rear with various rooms located opposite.

The front room is used by the current owner as an office. The second room is probably best described as the living room but a new owner could easily convert this space to a ground level bedroom because there is a full bath immediately adjacent. 

The cheerful kitchen and dining area at the rear. French doors open out to a covered rear deck that looks out to the dip pool. It is, however, the expansive rear yard with flowering trees and orchids that beckons "Look at me!" I have shown this home several times and each time I fall in love with the space again. I could hear birds singing from every direction. I could not get enough of this glorious space.

Two bedrooms and another bath are located on the second floor. Sometimes in our older houses bedroom spaces are super cramped. I don't think that is the case here. I found both bedrooms to be quite adequate.  As the listing Realtor points out, the bedrooms are separated by a spacious hallway that separates the two bedrooms. Rustic beams accent this space.  The rear bedroom has a deck that overlooks the tropical garden and pool below. The deck is totally private. It would be the perfect place to get that all-over Key West tan.

A table for two is located on the rear deck. It provides another perfect perch for viewing the garden.  I sat there as my buyers and the listing agent discussed the house. My eyes darted from tree to tree and flowering tropical plant to orchids hanging in trees. The peace and quiet of this delightful garden was disturbed only by the warbling of song birds and the whirl of the pool. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this pretty property in paradise.

Frequent visitors to Key West will recognize the value of this location which is across the street and down a few houses from Five Brothers Deli. Mangia Mangia and Michael's are located less than a block to the west. Duval Street is just four blocks west and the Historic Key West Seaport is four blocks to the north.  You can walk to just about anyplace important in Key West in about ten minutes or less  I think this property would make a great vacation rental. You could not ask for a more picturesque setting in which to spend a few weeks to recuperate from living in urban madness or suburban sprawl. 

Let me tell you this. There is nothing so pleasing as to be able to walk out your front door with your dog, your mate, or your best friends and being able to take a stroll to places others dream about all year long. When you live in Key West you are living the dream.  People work in tedious jobs and get a couple of weeks vacation each year. Some spend hundreds and most spend thousands of dollars to come here for a few days (or weeks) of rest and relaxation.  I know I take it for granted a lot of the time. But I never forget that I am where I want to be forever.
 

923 Southard Street is offered at $795,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a private showing for you. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.  This house is exactly what so many potential second home buyers seek in a Key West home.