611 William Street - Old Town - Key West

611 William Street is located on one of the very best blocks in Old Town Key West. The listing Realtor describes 611 William Street this way:

"Historic Greek Revival residence in prime Old Town location!Now configured as a 3 unit property,this architectural gem could be maintained as is with its elegantly appointed 2BR/2BA owner's unit,and 2 add'l. legal rental units.Or the new owner could restore the prop'y to a grand sgl family home,or convert the entire property into 3 condos.Owner's unit boasts an amazing covered outdoor living/dining space,with a Zen-like water feature,landscape lighting,built-in BBQ and wet bar. Both bedrooms feature en suite baths.Loads of storage,and rare off-street parking.Currently two (of 3) legal rentals produce $3000+ monthly income and with minor upgrades could easily command more.A signature historic home in the heart of Old Town's best neighborhood."

611 William Street as it looked in 1965

611 William Street as it appears in 2012

I dug into the old shoe box and found a photo taken in 1965 with the notation that the house was built circa 1889. I sold the cute cigar maker's cottage located next door at 613 William Street a couple of years ago. The styles are totally opposite: one is big and semi-imposing and the other is more demur because of its smaller size and pretty pink color. This block has a combination of similar cottage style houses, eyebrow houses, and great Conch houses. Some homes have postage stamp lots while others have huge rear yards with delightful pools and gardens. Much of this block of William Street has large specimen trees that provide ample shade and a calming atmosphere. One such tree is located at the front of 611 William Street.

I recently took some photos of the interior of 611 William Street. I was totally 'taken' by the charm of this property, especially the second and third floors. Those spaces are what makes big homes so intriguing to me. While the downstairs has been gentrified (for lack of a better term) the second and third floors are reminiscent to the big old houses that made me fall in love with this island I call my home. The spaces are big and have great views of Old Town. The spaces implore the occupant to open the doors and let the outside in. The second floor living room is immense. The living room has three bay doors that open out to the second floor front porch. The tree seen in the old black and white photo is even bigger today. There is a wonderful rooftop deck at the rear of the house. What a sight to behold peering over the tree tops of Old Town. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view more listing photos. 611 William Street is offered at $1,499,000.

Big rooms with big views

Tree top views from the third floor deck

Owner's unit covered outdoor living space

The famous Solares Hill Grocery (now called Charlie's Grocery) is located near the summit of the hill (elevation 18 feet) at 648 William (corner of William and Windsor Lane). It's the only store or commercial enterprise for several blocks. The Key West Writer's Compound is around the corner on Windsor Lane. The compound was established in 1976 and was once the winter home to writers including Richard Wilbur, John Ciardi, John Hersey, and Ralph Ellison. Across the street from 611 William Street is the home of the late Shel Silverstein. Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage Aux Folles) revamped the big grand Conch (Greek Revival) house at 626 William Street. The majestic Albury House across the street at the corner of William and Southard Streets is undergoing a significant restoration. I think everyone in town is really excited to see how beautiful the place will be when all the work is completed. You just cannot beat this location for history or convenience of location.

The Historic Key West Seaport is three blocks to the north where you can moor your yacht or catch a ride on one of many boats that take fishermen fishing or tourists touristing. You can catch sunset while sipping champagne or drinking beer. You can enjoy fine cuisine at the A&B Lobster House or eat it raw at the Half Shell Raw Bar.

Duval Street is a five minute walk to the west. You can walk north or south and travel to the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean within 15 minutes walking time in either direction. If you go north you'll see Sloppy Joe's but it you go south you may not make it past La Te Da, it's that damned intriguing.

If you would like to see 611 William Street or any other home in Key West please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

2114 Staples Avenue - Bank Owned - Key West

2114 Staples Avenue - Bank Owned - Key West

Attention Bargain Hunters! Get ready to write an offer and be quick about it because the new Bank Owned three bedroom home with a pool located at 2114 Staples Avenue in the Mid Town area of Key West is priced to sell quickly. The previous owner purchased this house in 2005 and paid $675,000. It is now offered as a Bank Owned property at $299,900. That is less than half what the prior owner paid, but it is still the same house in the same location. Other than some cobwebs and some dead foliage in the front yard, the house looks in remarkably good condition from what I was able to observe. I went over to take photos about an hour or so after the property went in the mls. Other Realtors and potential buyers were there before I arrived and after I left. This property will sell quickly, Dear Readers.

The listing Realtor describes this new listing thus:

"Great Property, Great Value. This 2 level home has two private entrances. The main level is 1,141 sq feet and consists of 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. The accessory unit is located on the 2nd level with 980 sq feet and consists of 1 bedroom and 1 bath. (The entire property is 2,121 square feet with 4 beds and 2 baths). The home is located in the center of town and is blocks away from shopping and schools. The backyard has a covered patio, swimming pool, tropical landscaping with a fence for privacy."

The house sits behind a nice privacy fence with a gated driveway and covered parking located on the right. The front yard has been neglected and needs attention. The house is built of poured concrete construction. The floors on the main level are terrazzo which are in good condition. They need a deep cleaning and should be resealed. Many of the ground floor windows have been replaced, but a few jalousie windows still exist and need to go. The living room is in the center of the house. The updated kitchen is at the right rear and the dining room is to the right of the living room. The master and second bedroom are on the left side and a third bedroom is located at the right front. The main floor has only one bathroom.

Living room

Kitchen has been updated - view of pool

One of Three Main Floor Bedrooms

The house is pretty typical so far. Nothing fancy, nothing really bad that I could see. Then I opened the rear door and voila: a really nice pool and a fairly good sized back yard. I thought this is a lot of house for just $299,900. But there is more.

This is what living in Key West is all about - especially in the Winter!

Fugly!

A massive stairway provides access to the living space the listing agent charitably calls an "accessory unit". Sometimes spaces like this are referred to as guest quarters or as a mother-in-law apartment. In Key West mother in laws pay to live in those spaces. The living space is very large and includes a sizable living room, good sized kitchen, a full bath and a decent sized bedroom. The layout is odd but that could be fixed. The floor in th e living room and kitchen is oak. The bathroom has a tiled floor.

The "Accessory Unit" isn't bad but could be a lot better

The house has a total of 2121 sq ft (according to the Monroe County Property Appraiser's records) [which may not account for some construction that I think may have occurred while city officials were asleep one day]. The lot is 50' x 100' (5,000 sq ft). The back of the lot abuts a City of Key West right of way (akin to an alley in most places except cars and vehicles do not use the space. It is a nice feature that separates the neighbors. CLICK HERE to view a Slide Show of photos I took.

I did notice a problem in the carport roof: the roof is failing. I don't do construction but I can identify a big hole in a roof any day. Otherwise, this place looks like you could move in and start redecorating. I would replace the ugly jalousie doors at either end of the living room and maybe open the kitchen into the dining area so that the spaces flow together.

This place will not last the week. Act quickly if you would like to see 2114 Staples Avenue. Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

1322 Thompson Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Cool.... in Key West!

The new listing at 1322 Thompson Street is the antithesis of the quaint cigar maker's cottages, the big conch houses, or the eyebrow houses that dominate Old Town Key West. Most of those houses are old and have been updated to accommodate today's lifestyle. Some renovations are highly successful while others are often challenged by small buildings, small lots, small budgets, or small imagination.

1322 Thompson Street in east portion of the Casa Marina Area, on the other hand, is a 1958 ranch that was renovated by Debra Yates and Raymond Jungles who created a one-of-a-kind Key West residence that is the essence of 'cool'. The Urban Dictionary defines cool as 'The best way to say something is neat-o, awesome, or swell. The phrase "cool" is very relaxed, never goes out of style, and people will never laugh at you for using it, very convenient for people like me who don't care about what's "in.' At least half the people in Key West are cool by that definition. And so is this residence.


The first time I went to this house I was taken aback. The house sits on a large corner lot on a Key West suburban block (not Old Townish by any stretch of the imagination). The lot dominates its corner location which is enclosed by a large privacy fence. Tall palms and specimen trees ring the inside of the fence and grass that looks like a velvety moss delicately frames the lot at the corner of Thompson and South Streets. As much as I know I live on an "island" I sometimes forget it. This property exudes an island flair as soon as it comes into view.

When you open the gate you walk into an oasis of lush vegetation in all directions. Specimen trees of all types and wondrous foliage separate this property from the hum-drum of so many Home Depot instant gardens.

I don't know whether it is the sound of the waterfall or the vibrant colors of the mosaic tiled wall that draws your attention to the pool. But you cannot avoid looking and hearing and just be captivated with this area. It is like "wow" in every direction you look. This is not what you expect to see-in suburbia.

The house itself is bold in design yet very understated. Travertine marble floors in the main living, dining and kitchen areas keep the tone very low key. A glass wall in the living room looks out to the pool and waterfall. The kitchen sits at the back of the living space and is defined by fire engine red wall with non-traditional horizontal windows over the kitchen sink. An intimate dining room without doors (or pretense) completes this part of the house.


The master bedroom and bath are on the south side of the house. The bedroom is totally understated, but it too has a glass wall that opens out to its own private sitting area. There is a separate Debra Yates mosaic in the master bath. A second bedroom and bath are also located in the main house. And then there is the guest cottage located out under the palm trees. Guests can access this cottage from either the front entry or a side gate on South Street.

Indoor & Outdoor Showers - Way Cool !

The listing Realtor describes the new listing at 1311 Thompson Street this way:
"Wonderful home surrounded by privacy fencing. Just step inside the gate to appreciate Key West living at its best. This CBS home features three bedrooms with three baths. The main house offers two bedrooms and two baths. The master bedrooms is spacious and comfortable with doors leading to a private covered deck. The relaxed environment is perfect for getting away from chaos or entertaining friends and family. Enjoy cooking in the kitchen with plenty of storage space and stainless steel appliances. Each room is designed to appreciate the lush garden area. The outdoor covered lanai is situated by the heated pool with a mosaic mural waterfall wall. A pool house with a full bath is another wonderful feature of this charming oasis."

Let me add this: it is better than that! It is one of those places that just knocks you over when you enter the property. 1322 Thompson Street is offered at $789,000 or $508 per sq ft. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property.

This place is really cool. The super chic modern interiors may not work for those with a yen for an Old Town Conch House. But if you are open to new ideas and want a really beautiful place to call your Key West home, please call me,Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Let me show you this truly remarkable property.

629 Elizabeth Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 629 Elizabeth Street in Old Town Key West. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property. This 819 Sq Ft cottage style house was built in 1900. I dug into the old shoebox and found a black & White photo taken in 1965. The house looks pretty much the same in 2012. The wood fence has been replaced by galvanized chain link, and cross street has been changed from Angela Street to Windsor Lane. The asking price is $425,000.

629 Elizabeth Street built circa 1900

629 Elizabeth Street as it appears in January 2012

The house sits near the very top of Solares Hill, so flood insurance will not be required. If you have been looking for a real 'fixer' in a good location with room for a pool and parking, this may be the answer to your Key West real estate dreams. This place will likely need it all and by that I mean new electric (to operate all the TVs and electric equipment we use today, new plumbing, replaced or restored windows, new doors, new roof, new shutters, new bathrooms, a new kitchen, and add a pool and decking. I would throw in a new white picket fence to enclose the corner lot, and brick the driveway.

Side and rear views

I can tell you right away the buyer who will not get this house: someone who dilly dallies and hems and haws and prices things out to the last decimal.

The buyer who will get this will make a somewhat emotional decision to buy based on the utter charm of the facade and the knowledge that this property has a sought after location.

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. Don't wait.

630 Elizabeth Street - Open House Sunday - Key West

If you are looking for the perfect "fixer" stop by 630 Elizabeth Street Sunday, January 15th between 12:00 to 2:00 PM. Take a peek at the one-of-a-kind view from the second floor and imagine how wonderful it would be to own a home at the highest point in Old Town Key West.

And let your imagination run wild and decide what you could do to improve this old house that sits at the top of Solares Hill in Old Town Key West. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property. And CLICK HERE to view Slideshow of this property.

Open House hosted by Gary Thomas 305-766-2642
Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

1118 Olivia Street - Old Town - Key West

Just Listed: 1118 Olivia Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 1118 Olivia Street is a Key West cottage located in the Lionsgate Condominium Compound. The compound is a group of five houses that share a pool, a small common area, and off-street parking. With the exception of two buildings that are "duplexes", the other properties were single family homes that were incorporated into the compound. The property sits at one of the highest points on the Island of Key West.

This house has 851 sq ft of living space under roof and has two bedrooms and one bath. The cottage has Dade County Pine throughout much of the house. French doors lead from the living area onto a private covered rear deck and garden. There is an enclosure for the washer and dryer at the rear. The pool is just steps away off the private rear deck. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property.

Kitchen is at the rear and has sunny view of the private decked area

Pool and Common Area

The property is five minute walk due west to Duval Street and maybe five minutes to the Historic Seaport. Nearby neighborhood hangouts include the Coffee Mill studio, Key West Island Gym, Fausto's Food Palace, Dion's Gas Station and purveyor of great fried chicken (no kidding!), Dog 30 (pet store for pampered pups), an Italian eatery, a bike shop, some Realtors, at least four yoga studios, and lots of small restaurants and Cuban coffee joints. It is a real Key West neighborhood.




1118 Olivia Street has what many second home owners dream of owning: a charming Key West cottage in a good location,a pool, and parking. The asking price on this charmer is only $365,000 or $429 per sq ft. Condo fees are $369.15 monthly and include building maintenance, common area and pool maintenance, building insurance, trash removal. This property will not last long. Not at that price.


Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or e-mail me at kw1101v@aol.com to arrange a showing or to provide more information. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Don't let Friday the 13th scare you out of making a really good investment in your future.