Key West has Fake Grass

During the height (or depth) of the 2008 Recession (which lasted into 2012 or so), I was taking photos of a bank owned home located in the South of Truman Area of Old Town Key West. A neighbor came outside to talk to me and told me a family member of his used to own the bank owned property. And then he related the tales of woe as to what lead to the demise of the once prized property.

As we stood in front of his personal abode he told me worked for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, our local water company. I noticed the entire front yard and visible side yard of his house was covered in cement. He told me the back yard was cement as well. He said he did not want to have to deal with trees or shrubs or anything that required care. This man looked to be in his mid-twenties, too young to be so lazy, I thought. But after that chance meeting I learned many locals have long favored concrete to anything requiring human maintenance.

The house shown above was located on a sweet lane in the North of Truman area of Old Town. As you can see that house had cement painted green to give a fake grass effect. After that home was sold and renovated, the new owner added a pool which requires electricity, a pool boy, chemicals, and an occasional dip and or dunk. Fake grass is cheaper to maintain, but a dip in a pool is preferred to a dunk in cement.

800 Fleming Street No. 3-B, Key West, Florida

The asking price for the top floor unit at 800 Fleming Street 3-B was just reduced to $875,000. That makes this unit a buying opportunity in my opinion. This is one of the earliest and finest renovated buildings in Key West and it certainly enjoys the prime location of about any single property in Old Town. The historic seaport is located three small blocks to the north and Duval Street is located three blocks west. You can be at any incredible Old Town location in a matter of minutes by foot. And when you return home you will be in the highest location in this part of town. Each home has one car space just in case you have the need to drive.

The shared pool is sunny most of the day. I have only seen real people sunning or playing there on the few occasions I have shown units at this location. The fact is that most pools go unused most of the time. They are great selling features that lure prospective buyers into envisioning themselves laying in sun or playing in the pool. But reality sets in when you have a life and find the need to make money or spend it. 

There are two different ways to enter this third floor unit. There is the traditional entry at the side door on William Street where an interior staircase leads to the third floor entry foyer.  I took the exterior staircase located inside the property and just opposite the parking area where each unit has an assigned space. There are two units on the south side both of which have views of the pool. It's just that this unit has the better of the two views. The spaces inside this unit are voluminous. I think a new owner will have a ball decorating the space.

 The kitchen is a bit old but not ancient. A companion of mine suggested taking out part or all of the wall behind the sink and opening the area. The foyer is located on the other side. Opening that space might make a lot of sense and that would give a new homeowner the chance to really make this space personal.

Other unit owners have added mini-split ACs. There is space on the side where this could be done. These units operate like a whisper and do not make any noise common in traditional window or all units which, though cheap to replace, are expensive to operate as compared to mini-splits.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS for 800 Fleming Street Unit 3-B now offered at $875,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Property Key West.

Two Presidents in Key West

President Trump was in Key West a few weeks ago. I once said I wouldn’t walk across the street to see him even if he came here. But when it was announced that he was coming and would be driving past the block where I live, I did walk to the corner to watch him pass. 

I stood in the glaring sun for twenty or thirty minutes at the corner of Von Phister and White Street. The motorcade turned from Atlantic Boulevard onto White Street and sped towards us at lighting speed. First there were several Key West motorcycle police, then a few black SUVs with flashing lights, and then the Presidential limousine. The limousine sped down White at a breakneck speed as if fleeing from something. A few more SUVs, two ambulances, and maybe one hundred Monroe County Sheriff motorcycle patrolmen followed. Gone and done in sixty seconds or so. What was he fleeing? Why so fast? I am really serious. Why so fast?  These few people on the side of the streets were not going to hurt him.

Contrast that photo which I borrowed off Instagram to the historic photo of President Harry S Truman leaving church service in Key West decades earlier.  Truman was just sitting in a convertible with a pal.

317 Catherine Street, Key West

I have lived in Key West for the past 23 years and have watched as this little old drinking town with a fishing problem has changed, much for the better, and sometimes for the worse. But it is still the place I would rather be than any other place on Earth.

The two above photos show 317 Catherine Street photographed about 53 years apart. The black and white photo was taken in 1965 and the color photo just recently. The house, built around 1923,  was typical for many of the other houses in the area. It was small, but it was big enough for the family that made it their home. Over the past four decades much of the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods have undergone a Renascence. According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser records, this house was nearly totally re-built from the piers to roof, exterior and interior, in the period of 2006 to 2010.  And the owner did a damned good job. The house is solid and very attractive, both from the street and from inside the home to the guest cottage at the rear and the pool in between.

The front door and back door line up. That's why this home is often referred to as a shotgun style house because in the old days one could shoot a gun clean through the house. I know that I have written many times about the way Key West homes are now re-oriented with the bedrooms up front and living areas at the rear which open out to the pool. Many are but that is not a mandate imposed by any architectural design director. Key West hasn't gone that far (yet) in telling owners what they may do with their homes. This owner chose to put the living area up front, bath in the center, and main bedroom at the rear of the house. Everything you see in the photos is new.

This house and rear cottage were very well thought-out.  The covered rear porch provides a nice shaded area to sit and do nothing as well as a place to retreat from the sunny pool and also to eat. You have no idea how many self-designed homes forget to include a porch or shades area. Not every one wants to spend all day in the sun. The rear cottage is small, but it includes a half bath and mini-kitchen or sorts. There is a small fridge and microwave where guests can make something to eat without walking through the main bedroom early in the morning to go the kitchen. There is an outdoor shower at the side of the rear cottage - note there are hooks for multiple towels. Just sayin'. Finally, there is a wide path from the front to the rear cottage. Guests won't have to walk through the house after a late night on Duval Street which is located just two streets to the east. Fort Zach Beach and Park are a five minute walk to the west.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 317 Catherine Street.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

701 Elizabeth Street #1 , Key West - An Apartment to Rent

It's end of season in Key West. Some folks have left town to find fame and fortune in northern towns and territories. Others folks are heading down to Key West to do the same thing. Some people succeed, others do not. That is life. I was in Miami a couple of weeks ago. I cannot imagine why any sane person would want to live there, but I cannot imagine living in any big city after having lived in Key West for the past 23 years.

701 Elizabeth Street #1 is located at the top of Solaris Hill in Old Town Key West. This three story one bedroom apartment has stunning views looking south, west, and north. You'll see the glorious Key West sunsets every night. And in the morning you can drink your coffee and eat your breakfast on the private front porch with birds chirping. 

 

A three story tall spiral staircase greets guests when they arrive at the front entry. The living room, dining area, and kitchen are located on this level. The unit is offered furnished as shown and the furniture cannot be removed.

The second floor is where all the business is done. This floor includes the bathroom, laundry room, and closet.  These are all vital functions and are easily accessible from living room and bedroom.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 701 Elizabeth Street #1 offered at $2,600.00 per month on an annual lease. Tenant pays all electric, water, propane, television/internet. No cats permitted. A small dog may be considered. First, last, and security deposit required at time of lease signing. 

1501 Pine Street, Key West - Price Reduction

The asking price on 1501 Pine Street, Key West, was just reduced to $1,149,000 making this Meadows of Key West homes one of the very best values in town. This stunning home is part of The Meadows condo association. Newly built in 2007 with top of the line materials and craftsmanship, this home features soaring 11' ceilings in the living area. The kitchen is top of the line with stainless steel appliances, beautiful granite and solid wood cabinets, plus a wet bar in the living room. The bedrooms are en suite with impressive architectural details including crown molding, high ceilings, porches and solid wood doors. A private, gated drive leads to the carport and a separate entry to the pool area. Completely fenced and beautifully landscaped, this home is located on a corner lot.

 This home has 1609 sq feet of interior living space plus two covered porches on the front. Speaking of porches, these are great places to watch the world go by. Notice the Hardiboard siding, pediments above the windows, and the solid wood doors that are hurricane impact rated as are all the windows and doors in this home. These features will reduce homeowners and wind insurance rates for years into the future.

This home has a formal entry which leads into the living area. Travertine marble is used throughout the main floor where there is a guest bath off the wet bar. Note the media cove in the living room. Dual sliding doors open out to the private heated pool with water feature. Don't miss the spa as well. The corner location means this pool will eternal sunshine most of the year as there are no plantings on the property and the rear is the private alley to all owner carports.

The kitchen has top of the line stainless steel appliances, beautiful granite and solid wood cabinets. A two story turret is an adjunct to the kitchen and is configured as a home office. There are lots of windows in the kitchen so your cooking will not be a chore but a dream.

The second floor is divided into two separate sections. The master suite takes up the foot print of the entire house. The guest suite is located over the carport at the rear. On this level you will find rich wood floors and custom tiles in the bedrooms and custom tiles in the baths. The master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and sitting alcove located in the turret area. Big men who have difficulty with finding room for king size beds will love this space. They won't have to duck for cover anywhere.  The bath is extra large and is the rival of what expects in any fine home. There is a spa tub, shower, dual sinks and lots of mirrors and glass. The WC is located adjacent to two rows of lighted closets. The front door opens out to the second level covered porch equally outfitted to the main level.

The guest bedroom and bath are equally grand in spatial layout and amenities provided. The coffered and vaulted ceiling is a delight in design and spatial feeling. The bath, though not as large as the master, is appointed with the same quality cabinetry, tiles, fixtures and lighting.

The home at 1501 Pine Street is part of The Meadows Condominium Association which is comprised of eight homes. Each home is located on a fee simple lot. The association exists to provide access to rear carport parking via gated driveway and management of storm water runoff. Each homeowner pays his or her individual property insurance and maintenance expenses.
 This home is located in the Meadows area of Key West. Bayview Park (two blocks to the south) has an old fashioned bandstand, public tennis courts, basketball courts, and lots of green space for community events. The White Street arts district is a five minute walk to the west. The Garrison Bight Marina is located one block away to the east. Duval Street and the Historic Seaport are each a five minute bike ride. The three large shopping centers (large by Key West standards) are five minutes by car. The Key West International Airport is five to seven minutes depending on traffic.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. If you are interested in seeing 1501 Pine Street in person or want more information, 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 (listing brokerage) for this property.