The Ghost of Christmas Past in Key West

 There was a time in the not too distant past that we called Christmas "Christmas" and not "Holiday". Even the Post Office got to participate in the most beautiful time of the year. 

This photo was taken in 1962 at Trumbo Annex in Key West, U. S.  NAVY property.

Another Key West Landmark Sold - The Curry Mansion

 

About two months ago I heard a rumor going around the island that a local group had purchased the Curry Mansion for $30 million. That is a whopping even by current Key West standards. I remember being hereon a trip during the mid 1980s when I heard the mansion had then just sold for $1 million. The mansion was a significant landmark property. The price made locals gasp. Nothing had sold for a price approaching that amount. 

I immediately checked the Key West MLS.There was no record of a recent sale. I checked and re-checked and then searched county records under name of the owner. Still nothing of record. 

Then on December 11th the sale of 511 Caroline Street, Key West appeared in the MLS. The mansion property sold at $20,599,500. The two co-listing agents were Keith Blandt and Wendy Zintsmaster, both of Truman & Co. The buyer's agent was outside the MLS.

I mention "the mansion property" because the annex property located across the street and was not in this sale. I heard the annex plus a single family home were a part of the total sale. So far neither of those properties have appeared in the MLS nor in county records. 

 

907 Packer Street, Key West - Fixer-Upper Hit the Market with a Bang!

This past September I took notice of 909 Packer Street, Key West while taking photos of a different house two doors to the north. I said to myself "Self take a couple of photos of this house. It's gonna get listed one of these days:"And it just did.

I went home and shuffled through my old shoebox and found a photo of the same house taken more than fifty years ago. The old photo shows off the house a bit differently than current. The house was painted white then. The clam shell shutters in front are like giant eyebrows protecting the residents from out hot sun and rain. The little boy playing in the driveway shows how wide and long that space is. Imagine having a driveway long enough to fit two or maybe three cars - in Old Town.

At this location Packer Street is just one block long. It runs north and south between the Key West cemetery on Olivia Street to Truman Avenue. It's a narrow street that is not burdened by Conch Trains and Trolley Cars. Currently there is a handicapped parking sign in front which dissuades neighbors and strangers from parking in front. I checked the Sanborn Fire Maps which show a house in this location as of 1892.

The listing Realtor, not me, describes this home this way:

"Wonderful opportunity to bring a historic home back to its full glory! Just four blocks from Duval & tucked off of Truman Ave, this classic Conch cottage with a second story offers 3 generously-sized bedrooms, along with 2 full bathrooms. The downstairs flows from the front porch into the foyer, living & dining rooms, and back to the kitchen with a propane range and exterior access. In the backyard, you'll enjoy the ability to create your own private oasis, complete with a ~150 sf lot line bump-out in the backyard complete with a bonus storage space or workshop. This home has significant potential, with the countless prized Key West restaurants, attractions, events and scenery all at your fingertips!"

I have been in several homes like this over the years. These houses were "home"to generations of Key Westers. The families grew, went to school, got jobs, went on their way in the world. The parents lived on and then it was up to others to sell the old family home. I took not of the very tall ceiling height on the main floor. I imagine to be around nine feet - maybe a it higher. I did not see any Dada County Pine, but that was the style then.The stairway is located toward the rear. I noticed board and batten. This was a feature used to "modernize"older house to cover original Dade Pine walls with materials that gave the look of plaster. I would not be surprised if there is a treasure trove of Dade Pine in this old house. I can't guarantee it. But don't bet against it

There is a small storage building at the back of the lot that become a pool house at some later point. There does appear to be room for a pool. Aslso, the house does have propane for chefs to incorporate into the new home.

Everybody and his brother are looking to buy houses like this. I wouldn't think too long or too hard about this place. Of course it needs a ton of work. Of course it will cost a lot of money. But the end result will be a nice new home in a good Old Town location on a quiet street near the attractions but far enough away not to be bothered by them. Most but not all of the homes in in this neighborhood have been renovated. Finally, the listing Realtor advised me he has received eleven offers. Don't spin your wheels. Make an offer now.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to make an offer. Time is of the essence if you want to buy this home and make it yours. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Don't spin your top. You'll lost. 

1007 Watson Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed and just in time for the Holidays, a brand spanking new renovation of an Old Town home located near the places second home owners want to be. 

The listing Realtor describes 1007 Watson Street, Key West thus: 

"This charming Old Town Cottage has undergone a full-scale renovation, is now beautifully appointed, and ready for new Owners. The original historical shotgun design has been maintained but inside you will find all new windows, doors, plumbing, wiring, and cooling system. Watch the world go by on the sweet Front Porch and then step into the delightful open concept floorplan featuring a vaulted ceiling with cove lighting. Gorgeous engineered White Oak flooring, Stainless appliances, Carrera marble countertops, beautiful, undulated Subway tile and Ship-Lap walls all contribute to the cozy Cottage vibe of this perfect home. The Main floor affords a Guest Bedroom with a shared Bath, as well as an inviting Primary Bedroom with Ensuite Bath. Enjoy working from home or entertaining friends in the cheerful spacious Loft space, complete with Closet and Built-Ins. The Rear Porch is just the right spot for morning coffee and starting your day in Paradise. Located in the X Flood Zone and a great Old Town walkable and bikeable Neighborhood."

Let''s take a look. Follow me as I enter the front door.

The outside is crisp and clean. I entered the house and was struck by how white and bright everything appeared. The new oak floor had a white wash look to it so it. I noticed black accents in multiple directions as well as the muted tones of the brushed nickle cabinet pulls. It all flowed together. I liked!

I remember standing near the fancy sink surveying the kitchen and dining area. Then I went down the hall looking for the living room. Thee were two bedrooms and two baths. I went back up front and looked up to what I thought would be a bedroom. I was wrong. It was the loft living area that opens down to the kitchen area. I walked up stairs and found this bid open space with octagon windows on the east and west sides and a skylight in between. The wood floor transitioned into a cushy white wall-to-wall carpet. The arrangement  would not work for everybody, but it will work for the right person. This is style. Furnishings may be purchased separately.

The renovator did a really good job of creating a house different from everybody else. The guest bath is located by the stairs going to the loft living area. But it also opens into the guest bedroom in the first photo above. So the bath seems privet most of the time. The primary bedroom is in the rear. It has a door that opens to the rear deck. Both bedrooms have skylights which bring additional light inside beyond the windows and door. The master bath pictured above also has a window and skylight. I never saw a glass wall panel as interesting as this. Look carefully there is a recess for stealing kisses at the rear left. 

The wood decks appear to be Ipe and crate a sophisticated area for enjoying the outdoors. A gate on the south side opens to an easement which leads back to Watson Street. I stood there and remembered what is/was on the other side of the fence. I wrote about that space in February 2017.

 

"New to the Key West real estate market is 1009 Watson Street. I wrote about  this hidden gem a few years ago. It is so hidden that I cannot find the original blog. I remember the first time I saw this house several years ago. It is located down a narrow walking lane that is sandwiched between to old houses which front onto Watson Street. The house emerged at the rear as it does today but then I took in the true majesty of the location. The yard is huge by Key West standards and especially huge for being located behind two nice but non-assuming houses. I searched in my old shoebox and found a photo of the front houses and the walkway of fifty plus years ago."

See. I told you!

At the beginning of today''s blog I mentioned 1007 Watson Street is located near where second home owners want to be. The house is located about two hundred feet south of Truman Avenue. The photo above shows that location in 1890. That is the OH NO LAUNDRY in the foreground. The empty lot across the street eventually became a Key West landmark in its own right. Today it is called Bare Assets. Duval Street if five blocks to the west. White Street four to the east. The ocean is a ten minute walk to the south. The seaport is ten minutes north.

The house first appeared in the 1892 Sanborn Fire Map as 107 Watson Street. The street number was changed to 1007 Watson on the 1899 map. I found a photo of the house in my old shoebox. It looks nothing like it did even fifty plus years ago. Neither do the houses on either side.

 

 NEW PRICE  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for 1007 Watson Street, Key West Fl offered for sale at $1,175,000. Then please text me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to arrange a private showing of this charming new old home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

 

 

Macarthur Homes Key West

 

I recently found a few photos of houses being built in Key West during World War II - not after but during. I knew the homes were located just south of North Roosevelt Boulevard. They had subtle differences to prevent returning sailors returning home and going to bed with the wrong women. 

These were known as the Macarthur Homes - maybe named after General Douglas Macarthur. They were 600 square feet, two bedrooms, one bath, all situated on a 5,000 square foot lot. Over the years they were renovated, enlarged, and some were razed and new home built. 

This 1950 aerial photo above shows the Macarthur Homes situated just south of North Roosevelt Boulevard The larger street in the foreground is 4th Street which at that point in time did not intersect with Roosevelt Boulevard which was then known as The Overseas Highway. It looks to be only two lanes. If you look carefully you will see First Street that is only street to intersect with Roosevelt. Over the years North Roosevelt was enlarged into a four lane roadway  and became the main point of entry into Old Town Key West. The previously barren coral rock was filled and developed into commercial space. The Navy dredged the way to the north now houses several marinas

The 1999 photo above shows the progressive changes to this area. I took the photo below earlier today. It is an updated version of an original home in this neighborhood. Some of the houses look equally charming and others are a bit forlorn. That happens everywhere.

Key West Renters & Owners Who Knew We Were Coming...

... but didn't care.

Below are photos I took while showing rental apartments and investor owned homes offered for sale in Key West  All tenants were notified in advance their places would be shown on a particular day and time. 

A mother, small daughter, and a stinky cat lived here. I specifically mention the cat because the odor lives on in my memory.
 

A large family lived in this Bahama Village rental. The listing Realtor gave them cash to leave, He and I hired cleaners to remove the heaps of crap they left and clean the filth..

The listing agent insisted this was a piece of paradise. Yeah. Paradise Lost!

I posted photos of this house before. It was owned by a former City of Key West official. He lacked organizational skills among other things.

I have shown this photo before as well. I have never gotten over how some people live. This was an illegal rental situation where multiple tenants shared a single family home. Some of the rooms were clean and tidy. This combination kitchen sink and bathroom was not one of those. 

I remember showing this place to a really nice investor couple who bought four or five places from me. The two women tenants apologized for not straightening up They were too busy with work.

This was a unit in a 4+ apartment building. Tenants in two of the apartments kept their places clean and neat. And this person less so. 

I actually remember taking this photo. Several roommates shared a single family home that was offered for sale. This renter kept everybody out. The rest of the house was in good condition so it was fair to assume that room was probably okay. But some people live like rats and you take a chance when you really can't look. And there may be no assurance that a potential hold-over tenant rat boy will leave.

My favorite Home Alone and I Don't Even Care photo is of the master bedroom with en-suite bath from hell. Some loony old lady lived in this hell hole. I showed the place in this condition. I wrote an all cash offer for a buyer who lost out to an offer written by the listing agent.