1223 Margaret Street, Key West

The charming Conch style home at 1223 Margaret Street is now available at the asking price of $1,500,000. This three story home was built new (not remodeled) in 1999 by Lauramar Development. That developer built several "in-fill" properties in various Old Town neighborhoods around that same time period. Each of the projects quickly sold out because the houses had the desirable architectural look of "look" of historic Key West homes. The houses were built to rigid new building codes and used modern building materials. The resultant homes are easier to maintain on the outside and offer contemporary living on the inside. 

The listing Realtor describes this home thus:

"This spacious Old Town tropical oasis is Key West living at its finest. Located in a small condominium compound, at the corner of United and Margaret streets, this colorful free-standing, 3-story Conch house features Mexican tile floors, large windows and porches, and a swimming pool and spa area. The roomy, open concept first floor living area has a well-appointed kitchen with breakfast bar, and plenty of space for dining or entertaining, as well as a half-bathroom. Two large bedrooms, both with updated ensuite bathrooms and breezy porches, dominate the second floor, while a larger bed and bath with an attached office or nursery room, completes the third level. This prime property also includes a small pool house with a full bathroom, and a valuable off-street parking spot. An alarm system will provide security and peace of mind, during those languid strolls to the many shops and restaurants of the nearby White Street corridor, or downtown Key West and Duval Street."

1223 Margaret Street has 2412 sq ft of living space on three floors and sits on a slightly irregular rectangular lot 34' X 98' (3292) sq ft located at the corner of Margaret and United Street. A white picket fence encloses the small minimal maintenance front yard. There is a two story front porch with sitting spaces on both levels. There is a small entry hall which offers direct access to the great room to the right and the pool and guest house to the rear. Or you can ascend the first of two tiers of stairs leading to any of the three interior bedrooms. (There's a fourth bedroom in a rear guest cottage.) The living space is really inviting. The current owner has the space brightly painted in Caribbean colors. Plantation shutters filter sunlight for all of the windows. There is a half bath on the first floor as well. There is a two story rear porch which provides a nice shaded area on the ground level and an open sky view on the second level that is located just off the master bedroom.

You will find the master bedroom with en suite bath at the rear of the second floor. Unlike many real Conch houses with small bedrooms, this master suite is quite spacious. And you'll be able to sit on the rear balcony that overlooks the pool and drink your morning coffee or sip that last glass of wine before bed. A second bedroom is at the front on this level and it, too, has an en suite bath. It has access to the front porch (see photo above).

The third floor is just magical with its angular ceiling, dormer, and its supreme coziness. What a perfect perch to read a book or to write one. The is a grand retreat from the world where most people live.

Just off the covered rear veranda you will find a free form pool and spa. A small guest house is located on the far side of the pool. It has a half bath and very mini-kitchen with enough space to be used as a guest bedroom. The off street parking is located to the rear. The parking is part of a limited common area for this and the other homes that were built in 1999. The use of this common area allowed the developer to create much larger homes than would have been permitted by code since the buildings themselves are legally characterized as condominiums. The sole function of the condo association is to own and maintain the rear driveway that provides access to the rear parking places. The association has no control over the usage of individual homes. The condo fee for this area is $375 paid quarterly.

This home and this location make it an excellent choice for a buyer looking to purchase a retirement home for now or as a place to buy not, to rent occasionally as a monthly vacation rental. and then to occupy late in life when the opportunity to actually retire becomes a reality. Duval Street and all that it offers is about a five minute walk to the west. There are numerous gyms and yoga studios within a five minute walk to the north and east. Higg's Beach is a five to seven minute walk to the south. It's easy to go just about anywhere, but it's so cozy you and your guests may prefer to stay at home.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and 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.

721 Southard Street, Key West - a Fixer-Upper in a Great Old Town Location

The little pink house as 721 Southard Street in Old Town Key West may not catch your eye as much as the beautiful yellow house next door. But it could and it should because it is offered for sale at the new reduced price of $575,000.  This legal duplex can be lived in "as is" or it could be remodeled and improved. The listing Broker, not me, describes the property this way:

"This property is in the heart of Old Town Key West in an X Flood Zone. Legal duplex but could be used as single family with guest unit/rental unit. This is a fantastic opportunity to have an owner occupied unit with rental income or use as an investment property. The main level was owner occupied and the upper 1/1 apartment was tenant occupied. The property is ready for updating and your personal touches. Great location near Duval Street, restaurants, library, and the historic seaport."

I dug down into my old shoe box and found the black and white photo above which shows 721 Southard Street the way it appeared in 1965.   I think this house was updated in the 1950s or 1960s when the original front porch was enclosed and jalousie windows were added. The interiors suggest the same. The photos below show a rustic division where I believe was the porch roof appears at a lower angle inside the current living room area. Fifty years ago a lot of people modernized their homes by adding paneling similar to that shown in the color listing photos. I'll bet the recent owners added the full length mirrors and chandelier in the 1970s or 1980s. I then reviewed the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps. 721 Southard Street appeared on the 1889 map but was then identified as 407 Southard Street. In 1892 the street number was changed to 619 Southard and changed to its current numerator in 1899. The map consistently showed a simple cottage with a front small front porch and a small rear attachment. The Monroe County Property records do not show when the rear addition was added. Since it is not original, I think a new owner may be able to get permission to remove that addition. If I am correct in my assessment, I would suggest a new renovation that would include the restoration of an open front porch overlooking Southard Street. I would remove the "modern" windows and replace with historically correct windows and new wood siding.  I would re-frame the original cottage and seek permission to add a revitalized two story addition at the rear which would reduce the current lot coverage and allow the creation of a larger rear yard. I would personally like to see a pool located there. The lot measures 24.75' in width by 90' in depth or 2228 sq ft. The house next door to the right (pictured above) has a small pool on an exactly the same sized lot. The east side yard (shown in photos at top of this blog) show a five foot space between the buildings which would give a pool contractor sufficient space to remove debris and introduce materials to construct a new pool behind the house.

The home was expanded several years ago by adding a rear addition. Today the main floor has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The legal second second floor unit is accessed via wood exterior staircase. That apartment has one bedroom and one bath.

The door at the back of the above photo opens out from the bedroom to the roof of the front part of the original house. I did not take a photo on either time I showed this home, but the view is really precious. You can see the storybook cottages across the street which I believe are fairly similar to the way this house originally looked.

The two photos above of 718 Southard Street (directly across the street) demonstrate what I think the original front porch of 717 Southard Street looked like before that space was enclosed and jalousie windows were added. A new owner of 717 Southard might prefer a smaller renovation similar this house. That would be cheaper and as you can see from the photo, the resultant house would be utterly charming.

Southard Street is one of the best blocks in all of Key West. The three most expensive listings are currently located on this block. This location is a five minute walk to Duval Street and a short walk to many of the small restaurants and haunts of Old Town. This house is located near the tippy-top of Solaris Hill which is the highest point in town. That means your lender will not require flood insurance if you have a mortgage.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and to view 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.

1509 Pine Street, Key West - Just Listed

 I took the two above photos in October 2006 as the eight Meadows of Key West town homes were being built. Four of the homes are located in the 1500 block of Petronia Street and the other four are located on Pine Street to the south. There is a private driveway at the rear which provides access to the each carport. Each home is built on a fee simple lot where the owner owns the entire lot and the home built upon it. Ten years later the once barren block looks like a typical block in Old Town Key West with majestic homes and tropical trees and foliage.

The above photo shows the matured private driveway. The arrow shows the 1509 Pine Street carport. The grass almost looks  like a velvety green carpet. Underground pipes carry storm runoff water to the drains in the driveway which then flow to the retention area on Eisenhower Drive. The eight homes are part of the condo association which owns and manages these limited common areas. (Condo fees are just $587 paid quarterly.)

On Monday Preferred Properties Key West listed 1509 Pine Street which the listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Built in 2007 to resemble the charming historic architecture of Old Town Key West, this 3 bedroom 3 1/2 bath is all new. With 11 foot ceilings and 8 foot doors, the spacious rooms are filled with light. The gourmet kitchen has granite counters, high end stainless appliances and an incredible amount of storage. The sunny heated pool and spa with water feature are controlled by mobile app. Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom and high ceilings. The master has a vaulted ceiling and opens to a private balcony. This home has 150 mph. hurricane rated windows and doors and hardy plank siding. Other features include a private gated car port, cat 5 wiring, 2 zone central a/c and a wet bar. This home looks like a single family home but is part of the Meadows Condominium Assoc. in which all of the eight homes own their land and share a common driveway. Turn key with furniture negotiable. Low cost of ownership with mitigation credits. Move in ready!"

The main floor has travertine marble which transitions to a similar material on the rear terrace making it feel like there is no barrier between the inside and the outside. Inside the living area has an 11 foot ceiling, recessed light fixtures, extra high baseboards, and crown mold ceiling. The "look" is understated, sophisticated, but most important comfortable.

The master suite is located at the front of the second floor. You'll notice this bedroom has a vaulted ceiling which really expands the feel of this space. There is a covered porch providing the perfect perch to relish life at its finest. I have sold four homes here over the years. It's when I take people out to the porch that I point out the practicality of the construction. The doors are massive and thick. They have special hardware that makes them wind impact resistant. The windows look "old school" but are in fact impact resistant as well. The shutters can be used, but were installed for giving the house the old house feel. The Hardiboard siding is pest and fire resistant and withstands our hot and humid much better than real wood. And Hardiboard siding does not require to be painted as often as real wood siding. The result is a homeowner pays less for insurance and much less for maintenance. These are savings that occur year after year.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datashteet on 1509 Pine Street which is offered for sale at $1,345,000. After you have looked at the listing photos and information, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. I think these homes are among the best values in town.