Seascape Tropical Inn - Guest House - Key West

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed the ever-so-cute Seascape Tropical Inn. Seascape is located at 420 Olivia Street - about 100 feet from Duval Street and it's famous neighbor to the west is the Ernest Hemingway House. Seascape Tropical Inn was praised by the New York Times and named the "Best Value of all Key West Bed & Breakfasts" by Florida Keys Magazine.

The new pool is easily accessible from all rooms

Breakfast in the morning and complimentary cocktails in the early evening

Sunworshiper's paradise on most days

All seven guest rooms have private baths and each room has been updated to provide top quality lodging including A/C, refrigerator, cable TV, and wireless Internet service. The beautiful pool is easily accessible by all rooms. (And it meets all current State of Florida health requirements which will save a new owner from huge expenses.) The current owners have upgraded all rooms and have increased year round occupancy from 72% in 2009 to 88% in 2011. This is a great opportunity for a prospective guest house purchaser in Key West.

Each room is unique

I used to town the former Eaton Lodge Guest House at 511 Eaton Street. I know from experience the value of owning a guest house that is located near Duval Street and the importance tourists place on proximity to nearby attractions. Once guests are settled in their rooms, they know they can walk out the front door and be anyplace they want to be within a few minutes walk. South Beach is a couple of blocks to the south, great restaurants can be found on Duval or any number of the intersecting streets, bars of all sizes and for all sorts are located everywhere. The Waterfront Playhouse and Red Barn Theatre are a ten minute walk north on Duval Street. Sunset at Mallory Square or fishing trips from the Historic Seaport are all within easy walking distance.

Pretty as a picture - and near everything important

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on Seascape Tropical Inn that is offered at $2,250,000. Contact me for detailed information and more photos by sending an email request to me at kw1101v@aol.com.

Reception Parking - not many guest houses have this!

I consider my experience as a guest house owner in Key West to be a valuable asset in helping a potential purchaser find and buy the right guest house. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 if you would like to schedule a visit to see Seascape or any other guest house. Viewing any guest house is difficult because owners do not want to disturb guests. It is important that we schedule appointments in advance. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

760 Washington Street - Casa Marina Estate Property - Key West

760 Washington Street - Key West

The new listing at 760 Washington Street in Key West will surely appeal to the buyer who wants an estate type property. This home was newly constructed in 1987. A few years later a new master bedroom wing was added. The house sits on the corner of William and Washington Street in the tony Casa Marina Area of Key West. My friend, Doug Mayberry, is the listing broker who describes this special property this way:

"This Casa Marina estate is located on a double corner lot. The four bedrooms and four baths include a master wing with vaulted ceilings, fireplace and walk in closet. The large kitchen is adjacent to the dining room and large, vaulted living room. French doors open at every turn to over 800 sq. ft. of porches, lanai and an outdoor kitchen for entertaining. The 12 x 24 foot pool is surrounded by professionally landscaped gardens including a koi pond with waterfall. There are carports on both sides of the property and a total of five off-street parking spaces. Secluded, luxurious, and located just steps from the Atlantic Ocean."

This place almost has a storybook look from the street. Every detail on the outside is so fine tuned that you expect nothing but the best on the inside. The house sits at the corner of William and Washington Street. A couple of years ago I wrote a blog post about the house at the end of the opposite en d of the block that was featured in Architectural Digest. This is a neighborhood of mostly large homes on lushly landscaped large lots. 760 Washington Street surely fits right in.

"...you know you have arrived ..."

French doors open from living room out to covered porch

Once you pass the white picket fence and step up to the covered front porch you know you have arrived at someplace very special. Inside you are awed by the size of the living room with its vaulted ceiling and immense space. So many homes in Key West have tiny little rooms or spaces where owners are forced to 'make do' with limited space. Here, there is an abundance of space and volume within which to create your own personal environment.


Just to the left of the living room is the dining area which opens into the kitchen. The spaces flow together with ease. Another doorway off the kitchen opens into the living area. Just to the left is a hallway that leads to the bedrooms. Two bedrooms (one the original master and the other used now used as an office) plus two baths are located in this wing of the house. Multiple sets of French doors open out to the covered porch and enchanting pool and seductive gardens.

Hallway to guest bedrooms and bathrooms

Guest bedroom number one (of three)

Also located just off the kitchen is spiral staircase that leads to a second level loft bedroom. The space is a great escape for the grand kids and guests.

New master bedroom suite with fireplace and other amenities

A new master bedroom wing was added to the west side of the home. Besides the huge master bedroom with fireplace and en-suite bath you will find a large ante-room with wine cooler and walk-in closet. A separate mini kitchen was added where you can get your coffee to wake-up or your nightcap to help you go to sleep.

Be prepared to be seduced...

The porch wraps around the back side of the house at a 90 degree angle and provides covered outdoor access to all parts of the house. A large provides both sun and shaded areas off the large pool. The lanai is extra large and has easy access to the mini kitchen. A night path winds its way through the gardens where you will pass the koi pond. The pool, of course, is the star of this backyard show.

760 Washington Street is offered at $1,985,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. You can also CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of this beautiful home. This is an exceptional Key West property. If you would like to see this home, or any other property 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.

714 Southard Street - Old Town - Key West

714 Southard Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 714 Southard Street in the very heart of Old Town Key West. This Short Sale property is a legal duplex which the listing Realtor describes as:

"Very attractive and completely renovated duplex located on desirable Southard Street in the heart of the Key West historic district. The two story home is configured with a two bedroom, one bath residence downstairs that opens onto a covered rear porch and decked yard with a heated pool and a separate artist studio. Upstairs is a spacious one bedroom, one bath with an enormous sunny deck and great roof and treetop views. Both units are very well maintained and beautifully finished with hardwood floors, high ceilings, central a/c, custom lighting and well-designed modern kitchens. This is a short sale transaction subject to 3rd party lender approval."

---

Main level living area opens out to the pool

Poolside views

Artist studio in the rear

Private second floor deck for great views and lots of sunshine

It sits in an eclectic block of conch cottages and larger homes. You can walk to almost anyplace that is truly important within a few minutes. Duval Street is a three minute walk to the west and the Historic Key West Seaport is maybe five to seven minutes to the north. If you run out of bread and milk, Fausto's Food Palace is a five minute walk. Of course you could just walk to any of the dozens of cafes and restaurants (like nearby Sarabeth's) within minutes. 714 Southard Street is offered at $749,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and listing photos on this property.

Sarabeth's is one block away from 723 Southard Street

The Garden Cottage is two blocks away and ever so cheerful

Fausto's has a real butcher counter, deli, sushi counter, and superior wine selection -all within easy walking distance from much of Old Town

If you would like to see 714 Southard Street or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

904 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

904 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed a large home in the Casa Marina area that will surely appeal to the buyer who wants elegant living on one level. This home has three bedrooms and baths, a den, chef's kitchen, breakfast room, covered and open outdoor living areas, a wonderful pool, a rooftop deck, plus a gated courtyard entry and a carport. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.


The listing Realtor describes 924 Washington Street as:

"Located in the heart of Casa Marina sits this magnificent one level, Mediterranean 3 Bedroom, 3 bath with a laundry room and den. As you enter you are greeted by a bright open living/dining area with French doors leading to a beautiful pool surrounded by tropical landscaping. The kitchen is definitely for cooking with Viking appliances and granite counter tops. Adjacent to the kitchen is a wonderful breakfast area. The master opens to the pool and has a state of the art bathroom with a 7 FT. walk-in shower. The other guest rooms have their own entrances and baths as well. The home is well appointed and has Brazilian flooring and crown molding throughout. Carport. Located just 4 blocks from Higgs Beach."

Everything in this home reflects the owners sense of style and easy living. From the crown molding at ceiling to the Brazilian cherry floors, the home is gracious without being pretentious. Paladin windows are featured above the multiple sets of French doors on the front and rear of the home. When you walk into the formal entry your eyes are immediately drawn through the elegant living room to the sunny pool area beyond.


The chef's kitchen features Viking appliances and custom cabinetry topped with granite countertops. A lovely breakfast room is located just off the kitchen. Sets of French doors open out to the pool or covered outdoor dining area from there.

The breakfast room

The master bedroom is located on the east side of the house. It, too, has French doors topped by paladin windows the look out to the pool. Imagine opening the door and jumping into the heated pool for a quick dip to end your day in Paradise. Two more bedrooms (with private baths) complete the sleeping areas. There is a den up front which has a view of the front courtyard. CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of this property.

Master bedroom opens out to the pool

Guest bedroom has private bath and deck

The den and adjacent bedroom have views of front courtyard

Loyal Readers know I live in the Casa Marina area and love the location because it is near everything important in Key West, but it is also removed from the day to day hubbub that sometimes can get a bit overwhelming. The Casa Marina Resort and Higgs Beach are an easy five minute walk. You can join the Casa Marina club and use the beautiful health facilities and lounge by the hotel pool or the private beach and get waited on or you can go over to Higgs Beach and lay on the pier or the beach and tan for free. If your guests want to take you out for dinner, Louie's Backyard is five minutes at most. If you are going to treat your guests to light fare, Salute`on the Beach is just as close and much cheaper. At Salute` you can eat great pastas, burgers, and drink cold beverages while watching others play volleyball or view the sunset from the saner side of the island.

Take a left at the corner and walk four blocks to the beach

The Casa Marina area is convenient for picking up friends at the airport (about five to seven minutes on any day). I can normally be at my office in Old Town in about five minutes by car. The three shopping centers are normally a five to ten minute car ride except when town is extremely crowded. I can be off the island and headed toward the Key West golf course in about ten minutes or toward the mainland.

If you would like to view 904 Washington Street 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. I live in this neighborhood, and I would love to show you why it is a great place to live.