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.

Bank Owned Great House at The Sanctuary - Key West

205 Golf Club Drive - Key West

The Sanctuary at the Key West Golf Course is that special section reserved for primarily grand homes with great golf course views amid lush tropical foliage. Large iron gates separate The Sanctuary from the rest of the development. Once you pass the entrance you will see small lakes to the left and links to the right. Then the great houses come into view. Large homes line Golf Club Drive as it loops around to return to the gated entrance. Homes on the inside of the loop are referred to as spa homes. Those homes are a bit smaller in size, sit on smaller lots and have a spa type pool. No matter the size of the house, you know you are in a very special place that is just so relaxed and inviting. The street and the houses are picture post card perfect. Even if you are not a golfer you will say to yourself "I could live here!".


The house at 205 Golf Club Drive is Bank Owned provides an affordable opportunity as it is priced to sell at $452,000. (This house was initially listed at $499,900 and it has been peridoically reduced to the new price.) The house has 1600 sq ft of living space divided between two floors. Downstairs you will find a large open living area with a bank of French doors at the rear that open out to the terrace and pool below. And beyond that is the golf course view that is just "killer". The kitchen is located up front. It opens onto the living area so the cook can be a part of whatever is going on in the living area . A "bump out" addition with a pyramid ceiling is at the left rear. That space would make a great study, den, or guest room. (There is a guest bath on the main level as well.)

Off street parking for two cars and a picture perfect front entrance

Bump out den or extra bedroom above

Beautifully landscaped rear yard with pool overlooking the golf course

Upstairs you will find two bedrooms each of which has a door to the front second level porch. They share a bath. The master bedroom is at the rear and it has an en-suite bath. The master bedroom also has a vaulted ceiling and a set of French doors that open onto its own large second floor rear porch with views of the pool below and the golf course beyond. I can imagine sitting out there in the early morning drinking coffee and watching the birds wake up as the sun rises and the sky turns from gray to orange and eventually to blue. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property.

Both bedrooms share this second floor front porch

Master bedroom suite is at the rear

Enclosed rear porch overlooks the pool and golf course beyond

The Key West golf club community has two pools, a fitness center, and lush landscaping. While the houses here are relatively new (205 Golf Club Drive was built in 2000), the densely landscaped streets and Conch style homes give this community the appearance as being of an earlier era.

Everybody wants a bargain these days. Some people think they can get a bargain by buying a bank owned property where they can work and spend money to fix it up and make it livable. Some bargain. Some fun! This home needs a new refrigerator and a washer & dryer. This house has so much to offer and the price is competitive with two bedroom one bath condos at the Shipyard in Truman Annex which the same developer built. Those condos are about 1000 sq ft less in size. This property is a bargain in my opinion. It is close to Key West but it is far enough away to appreciate the distinction.


If you would like to see this Bank Owned home 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.