11 Boca Chica Road, Geiger Key, Florida

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about a waterfront property on Saddlebunch Key.  A few days later a fellow Realtor mentioned she read that blog and asked if I had packed a lunch before I ventured the few miles outside of Key West to take the photos. Then last Tuesday an agent in my office asked if I would photograph his new listing on Geiger Key. I said, "Sure".  As we crossed over Cow Key Channel (the span of water between Key West and Stock Island) he made a similar remark about  me venturing so far out of Key West.  Just because I love living in Key West doesn't mean I get weepy when I leave. The truth is I love Key West so much I don't feel the need to go elsewhere. And when I do go away, I am grateful when I return. I have found my own private paradise, and that's the truth.

I am not totally unfamiliar with real estate sales in the Lower Keys. I sold a nearby home on Geiger Key in 1997 which the same gay couple still own. I have written several blogs over the years about other properties in the Lower Keys. A couple of the listings I wrote about were absolute bargains.  Many readers know that most of the islands of the Lower Keys are fairly small which often means that many of the homes may be located directly on the water. Some of the islands have been subdivided into building lots with backsides that abut canals that lead to deep ocean waters. The most coveted homes often have either waterfront views or are located on a canal.

Just Listed at 11 Boca Chica Road is a 1152 sq ft two bedroom, two bath home with a screen enclosed rear porch with a great canal view. As I roamed the 60' X 125' lot while taking photos, I immediately understood why some buyers prefer this type of home versus living in Key West - the water. There's a big boat parked out back on the canal - waiting. Just waiting like a big dog waiting to go for a walk. Waiting to motor the five minutes it takes to reach deep water and then explore the Atlantic Ocean. In the meantime, the boat sits patiently at the sixty foot seawall. As I snapped photos I could hear the water lap up the side of the boat as if it was kissing it - tempting it to go out to the sea. I got why people buy this kind of property. I got it.

The first thing I noticed about this particular house was all the adult toys about the property - toys like motorcycles, travel trailers, kayaks, and so on. People that live in houses like this spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying their time on earth. In my blog I often write about the first thing I see when I walk inside a new home. In most of the homes in Old Town and the Casa Marina areas, the view I most often see is that of  pool and garden located just French doors that open out to the pool or garden. At 11 Boca Chica Road I saw the family boat bobbing in the water.

The house sits above a large semi-enclosed parking and storage area. The house is bright and nicely updated. The two bedrooms are located at the opposite end of the living area which opens out to the screened porch that overlooks the boat and the canal. CLICK HERE to view all the photos I took of this lovely canal front home.

The ground level has kick-out walls in the event storm waters were to rise to that level.There is 1152 sq ft of storage space under the house which includes a legal bathroom located on the other side of the door shown above. This area would be great for an owner who is a fisherman, water sports enthusiast, or maybe a carpenter who likes to tinker on his time away from construction jobs.

Ultimately, it is the view from the porch where I imagine an owner would spend most time drinking early morning coffee, planning how and where to spend the day, making plans for new adventures or simply planning to catch dinner for the evening meal. Later in the evening, the owner would likely be in the same seat again, maybe drinking a beer wile musing about the fish that were caught and the ones that got away. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 11 Boca Chica Road which is listed at $549,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this nice elevated family located located a few miles outside of Key West but only located five minutes from deep water access to the Great Atlantic Ocean. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

721 Georgia Street, Key West - Income Property and More

The legal duplex located at 721 Georgia Street in the Meadows Area of Key West is a pert but yet unassuming two story abode waiting patiently for a new owner. I dug down into my old shoe box and found a photo of the house taken back in 1965. There was a note on the back stating that the house used be known as 1301 Petronia Street rear. I took a picture from a similar location so that readers could see how little this home has changed in fifty years. The fence is taller and more private, the Bahama shutters are gone and replaced with impact glass, but the house is still located in a very quiet location near Old Town yet not near all that noise and commotion.

The listing Realtor, not me, describes the property this way:

"Wonderful compact duplex in the Meadows. Each unit is in good condition and immediately rentable. The first floor 1 BD unit has wood floors, newly painted interior, washer and dryer, and a large wooden deck at the rear of the house. The 2nd floor 1 BD unit was owner occupied for many years and has numerous upgrades. There are tile floors, corian counter tops, dishwasher, washer and dryer, and a balcony off the rear of the unit. This home would make a great pied a terre plus income. There are impact rated windows (2010) on both units and 8' elevation."

 It looks like the duplex was renovated about twenty-five years ago. The place has been very well maintained since then. The kitchens, baths, and some of the appliances look their age. Others were replaced. The wall mounter air conditioners are much newer.  The rear decks probably need replaced and the building deserves a new paint job.

I borrowed the interior photos from the listing Realtor with her permission. I didn't take photos when I recently showed the property as I did not want to interfere with the showing. I was really "taken" by the second floor unit where the owner had lived. The furniture comes with this place if the new buyer wants it. There's a very nice almost "built-in sectional in the living room. That space is located up front just off the second floor entry area. The dining area is to the left. The bedroom is up front on the south side. The very nice bathroom is located in the middle and the kitchen is at the rear. We all had a giggle at 1980s era range.

I agree with the listing agent's suggestion that this property would make a great pied a terre. So many buyers are looking for a place they can use and also rent out for income. This is that place, only here you get annual income without interruption and if you rent it yourself and don't rely on a property manager, you won't have to give up a part of your annual income to a third party who has very little work to do.

All of the windows and glass doors are impact glass. That means your windstorm insurance will be very low. The house is located in the 8' flood elevation so flood insurance will be low. The house has been well maintained. Fire and liability insurance should also be low.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and more listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1209 Margaret Street, Old Town, Key West

Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West, 1209 Margaret Street located in Old Town Key West. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"This little jewel box of a house has just been completely and beautifully renovated with brand new kitchen and bathrooms. The historic old town cottage is in the x-zone and has three bedrooms and two full baths. It is graced by vaulted ceilings, an extra deep front porch and and a spacious and sunny rear deck. It is a wonderful property at a great price."

I found a photo of 1209 Margaret Street taken fifty years ago. You'll quickly notice the house then does not look anything then like it does today. That's the point of a renovation. The most obvious visible change visible from the street is the large welcoming front porch and the addition of more living space to the left side of the original house. The tree located adjacent to the driveway is also gone. So is the right to use the driveway. That space is now owned by the cottage to the rear which belongs to a different owner.

The front entry leads past two of the three bedrooms in this home to the new great room and kitchen area. What a bright and cheerful this space is. The cabinets and custom counters blend together to create a most welcoming place to live the relaxed Key West life style. Dual sets of French doors open out to the deck that extends the living area to the outdoors.

The master bedroom with en-suite bath is located at the rear adjacent to the great room. Ambient light from the backyard filters into this cozy space.

There are two more bedrooms located on opposite sides of the front entry. Pocket doors on the south room reveal a vaulted ceiling with window that provides additional light into the already semi-sunny space which could easily become a home office, den, or study. The second bedroom is located opposite as is the guest bath. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this inviting home.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1209 Margaret Street which is offered for sale as $699,000, Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this great little house. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. If you saw this home before it was renovated you will gasp the way I did when I saw the dramatic changes. This won't last long at this price.