Bank Owned Conch Cottage - 215 Truman Ave. - Key West

215 Truman Avenue - Bank Owned - Key West

There is a newly listedBank Owned Conch Cottage at 215 Truman Avenue that bargain buyers may want to consider. This place is cottage because it is on the small side - just 556 sq ft. It is a simple structure with one bedroom, a private bath, a large living and kitchen area that share the rest of the interior living space. The cathedral ceiling transforms the living and kitchen area into a comfortable and spacious place to live and entertain. The cottage has a good sized bedroom on the main floor with a door that opens to the original front porch of the house. The new main entrance to this cottage is off the ample side deck. A ship ladder provides access to the second level loft which provides a good sized area for a mattress for the occasional sleepover guest. Getting up and down works well for little kids but adults would be better off staying in a nearby hotel. The bath is spacious and there is a washer and dryer closet so your other half won't have to go to the laundromat.

Kitchen with view of the loft above

The living and kitchen viewed from the loft

Ample side deck provide comfortable private outdoor living space

Sleeping loft for kids or the occasional house guest

215 Truman Avenue was built circa 1923

The original Conch cottage was built circa 1923 and was thoroughly renovated in 2006. New piers and much of the super structure appears to have been rebuilt. All windows and doors were replaced as was electric, plumbing, and new HVAC added. The house has a new metal roof and storm panels are in place which will reduce windstorm insurance for the new owner.

This Bank Owned Conch Cottage is offered for sale at just $225,000 or $405 per sq ft. The cottage is one of four in the Truman Condominiums. Each unit is owned in fee simple. The condo association exists to maintain the common sidewalk that provides access to the four units that share this limited space. Each owner pays for the maintenance and insurance of their respective homes.

This little place ought to appeal to that special buyer who wants an inexpensive getaway place close to all of the things that happen on or around Duval Street. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property. And CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of this property.

If you would like to see 215 Truman Avenue or any other property in Key West, 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 Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

Lady in Waiting - 410 Simonton Street - Old Town - Key West

410 Simonton Street - Old Town - Key West

The new listing at 410 Simonton Street is truly a Lady in Waiting-waiting for that special someone to come in and restore the house and grounds to the trophy property it should be once again. It's not that the property as it now exists is bad. It isn't. It just is not as good as it could be. In fact, it could be grand.


The listing agent provides this bare bones description of 410 Simonton Street:

"One of Key West's most beautiful houses. True history resounds in this one of a kind home. Paintings from the 1880's are featured in the front parlor on the ceiling and walls. Currently in use as a 5 unit rental property with rental income of $7,900/month. This house is a great candidate to remodel as a single family home."

This property is offered at $900,000 or $288 per sq ft for the 3123 sq ft house plus attached living units. The lot is 60' x 106' (6036 sq ft). I wnt digging in the shoe box and found two old black and white photos that show the house in earlier times. The Monroe County Property Appraiser noted that the house was built in the 1870s but was not specific as to the exact date. The old gal still looks pretty good for being over 140 years old. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet on this property.


If you would like to see this property, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. This is a great buying opportunity for someone who wants a truly beautiful home in Old Town Key West.

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731 Waddell Avenue - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 731 Waddell Avenue in the Casa Marina Area of Key West. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"Built in 2008 to resemble the grand Key West Conch homes, in the center of the Casa Marina is this spacious 5 Bedroom 5 Bathroom home. On the main level there is a bedroom and bath, currently being used as an office. As you walk into the massive living area, you are greeted by oversized French Hurricane impact doors that lead you to a large tropical backyard with a beautiful pool and spa. The Kitchen boasts new granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Architecturally designed stairs lead to, the Master bedroom and bath with two additional guest en-suite bedrooms with private balconies and laundry area. On the third level there is another bedroom and bath and a bonus room which can be used for a media room or exercise room."

Here are some photos I took of the large house by Key West standards (3286 sq ft on three floors).

The Main Floor has a formal entry which leads to the great room and kitchen at the rear.

Formal Entry

Great Room

French doors lead to the pool and spa

Kitchen

A guest room or study is located just off the entry.


There is a guest bath located off the entry which is also accessed by the guest room or study.


There are two large bedrooms with en-suite baths on the second floor. Each room has access to the rear second floor balcony that overlooks the pool and spa below.

West bedroom second floor

East bedroom second floor

Both bedrooms share this second floor rear balcony overlooking pool below

Master bedroom with en-suite bath is located at the front

Second floor front balcony located off the master suite

Third floor bed and bath

The rear yard has wonderful pool and spa. The house is located on a large corner lot and is located just one block from the Casa Marina Resort to the south. A small city pocket park is located one block away.

Walk a block to the ocean

This property would make a great vacation rental. There are few houses this large with this many bathrooms in Old Town or the Casa Marina Area. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of all rooms and views at this great property.

731 Waddell Avenue is offered at $1,425,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and to view listing photos. If you would like to schedule a private showing of 731 Waddell Avenue and are not working with another agent, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

Get Fit in Key West - No dorks Allowed

I often mention that the area near the intersection of Truman Avenue and White Street has a lot of gyms and yoga studios. Commercial spaces are less expensive in this area which is still relatively close to much of Old Town Key West. The gyms and yoga studios are within walking or biking distance so cars are not necessary. Other gyms are located further east in the suburbs of Key West. I decided to take some photos of the various spots where locals and visitors go to get fit, stay fit, avoid the sun, avoid the rain, avoid the Conch Train, or avoid going to work or wherever it is that people don't want to go.

Look at the pics and click the name of the establishment to get more info.

Old Town Fitness 1010 Truman Avenue

Bargain Books (and gym!) 1028 Truman Avenue Day memberships

Island Gym 1119 White Street Day memberships and more

Stay Fit Studio 804 White Street

Island House Gay Men's Resort (and gym) 1129 Fleming Street Day and short term memberships available

Casa Marina Resort (Fitness Center) 1500 Reynolds Street Locals can buy an annual membership to the Fitness Center that includes use of Spa and Beach facilities.

Paradise Health and Fitness 1706 North Roosevelt Blvd.

Body Zone South 2740 North Roosevelt Blvd.

We Be Fit Personal Training Center 1277 1st Street Extensive personal training

The Pilates Studio (New) 1209 Truman Avenue

Shakti Yoga 1011 Truman Avenue

Coffee Mill 916 Pohalski Lane

Bikram Yoga 927 White Street

Yoga on the Beach

In addition to the gyms and yoga studios shown, Key West has lots of activities to get fit and stay fit including tennis, bicycling, running (lots of marathons, baby), and plenty of water sports.

If you are looking to buy a house, we have lots of properties available as well. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

405 South Street - Ocean View Property - Key West

405 South Street was a Wedding Present in 1913

Judge JV Harris (father of the bride front right) Marion Harris (bride to be) left rear photographed in 1900 at the Southernmost House across the street

405 South Street as it appeared in 1965

I actually do receive emails from perspective buyers who often describe features they want in their Key West dream home. One of the most elusive features is having a water view. The new listing, not mine, at 405 South Street actually has water views in multiple locations. And it has wonderFUL ocean breezes to cool the house down during the hot Key West summers.


The listing Realtor describes 405 South Street thus:

"Elegant & historic, this meticulously renovated home at the Southernmost Point achieved the highest honor of the Ceramic Star for renovation. Water views from 2nd floor. Lovely porch & balcony. Main house is 4 bed/3 bath. Brazilian hardwood floors, original moulding & doors. First floor has double parlors one of which is a home theatre, a formal dining room, den & casual dining, full bath & laundry/storage. Kitchen has granite counters and stainless steel appliances. 2nd floor has 3 bedrooms/1 bath. 3rd floor is sleeping loft with full bath. Central Vac and Security system. Rental unit above garage w/sep elec meter. Off street parking for multiple cars."

I remember a showing several years ago when the listing agent said that his listing was "historic" and I asked an honest question - what historic thing happened here or who lived here. He looked shocked and rebuked me for questioning his authority. He said all houses in the historic district are historic (by virtue of being there). In the instance of 405 South Street the historic nature may be more about how the house was built, by whom, and what later owners did to improve the place than about any specific historic event. But that's just fine by me.

The listing agent describes that Judge J.V. Harris (who owned the Southernmost House) bought the ground on South Street and later built 405 South Street as a wedding present for his daughter in 1910. Somebody remarked the house is so delicate that it looks like a wedding cake. I guess that is appropriate. But if you look closely, you will see that the house is actually a big strong house made of Indian Stone. Indian Stone is a man made material fabricated in Key West which was used to build several residences and commercial buildings around the turn of the 20th century. When an addition was around the year 2000, local craftsmen actually replicated the original Indian Stone so the new addition (shown below) made a seamless transition from the original house.

405 South Street is a total "Un-Conch House". It is a big (2852 sq ft) house by Key West standards with living space on three levels. It is devoid of the Greek Revival style so visible in most of the larger Old Town homes. The exterior is virtually all stone or man made material as opposed to wood so prevalent in Old Town. The interior has no Dade County Pine. I would describe the interior as being more Victorian in nature than most houses built during the same time period. It's almost as if the owner imported some fancy architect from up north to bring culture to the Keys. (I'm making this stuff up as I type. But it sounds good to me.)

The front entry

Front parlor and rear parlor

Partial ocean view from the west and east windows

The front entry is very impressive. The ornate iron stair case (added by a later owner who was a mayor of Key West) provides access to the second floor. That stair case instantly puts a guest on notice that they are someplace very special. The down stairs has two very formal living areas and a formal dining room. There is a bay window in the front parlor. You can see the Southernmost Point out of the west window and you can get a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean from the east window. The revamped kitchen is at the left rear and the newly added family room is at the right rear. A set of French doors leads down to the rear yard. The recent addition earned the home the the star mentioned above.

Second floor landing has a view of the Southernmost Point

The Southernmost Point viewed from second floor wrap around balcony

The second floor landing is very impressive. It provides access to the three bedrooms on that floor. The master bedroom is at the front. You can sit in bed and view the upper reaches of the Southernmost Point from bed. These three bedrooms share a single bath. A recently added staircase leads to an fourth bedroom on the third floor. This space is just magical. The lighting is subdued, the two beds are built into tight spaces. (Adrian Monk would not feel comfortable here. The space is balanced and proportioned. Little kids and adults who like intimate and charming spaces will fall madly in love with this area.) And this space has its own complete bathroom. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of this property.

Innovative staircase to third floor bedroom area

One of two sleeping nooks in the third floor bedroom - this space is just wonderful!

Both the first and second floors have access to wrap around terraces on each level. The second floor has a great view of the Southernmost Point. If you owned this house you would have people walking past the house or riding bikes, motor scooters or motor cycles, automobiles, pedicabs, and buses from early morning until around sunset. You could sit on your porch and watch humanity go past your home. You ought not consider this house if you cannot accept this fact.

I took exterior photos on a Saturday morning. I imagined owning the house and walking the dog over to South Beach to watch the sun rise. And then walking the area and grabbing a coffee at the Banana Cafe. There a few soles up when I took the pics. They were ogling the sunrise with me; others were jogging down South Street and walking down Duval Street. Key West gradually wakes up each morning the streets come alive. The front of 405 South Street is quite at night but it can be pretty busy most days.

Imagine walking your dog with a cup of coffee in hand to watch sunrise

There is a two story carriage house which is a legal unit. Downstairs there is space for the family car. Upstairs there is really nice space for a live-in. Even the living area in this unit has a partial view of the ocean.

405 South Street is offered at $2,250,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and to view the professional shot listing photos. If you would like to see 405 South Street, please consider taking a look with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.