1411 Petronia Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, is a newly completed renovation of an absolutely charming two bedroom two bath home in the quiet Meadows Area of Key West. I wrote about this property a couple of years ago when it was offered as a short sale. I even had a buyer who made an offer that was accepted and we went through months of negotiation with the prior owners' lender and eventually got the short sale approved. Then my buyer decided not to buy. The buyer did not do the inspection. The buyer got cold feet. So the very disappointed seller had to start the process over again. Months later the short sale was approved and a new owner bought the house. The floor plan was thoughtfully redesigned and spaces meticulously updated. When I walked into this house my jaw dropped!

I had stood in the middle sawtooth addition to the origninal small eyebrow house many times and told potential buyers what they might do to the property to make the space more functional. Buyers often imagine huge costs and horrendous contractor experiences (too much HGTV home remodel nightmares). The new owner did what I imagined and combined two smaller rooms (the old kitchen and a wrongly placed bathroom) into a lovely new kitchen with a captivating view of the lush tropical pool. Except my vision in no way conceived of how great the space could or would become. BRAVO!

The new owner fixed what had been the problem with the house for years by reassigning the use of the front two rooms in the house, both of which were ill conceived and non-functional bedrooms. The front door of the house opened into what was the original living room. A prior renovation added a stairway to the second floor which made the space clumsy and almost too small for a bed. Besides, who wants to enter a home by going in the bedroom? There was another small bedroom suitable for a crib or may usable as an office. The new owner redirected the stairway to the east side of the house where the main entry was relocated forevermore. The crib room became two new bathrooms. The front bath is en suite to the bedroom. A second guest bath has entry off the living room which is the main sawtooth addition in the middle. The former tiny kitchen with small under counter refrigerator and freezer and tiny dishwasher was ripped out. The adjacent bath was also removed. The wall between the two rooms was removed and the resultant large new space was outfitted with a deluxe new kitchen that screams panache!

The upstairs was tweaked and spaces that were funky became ever so inviting. I could not have ever imagined the bathroom in that house could look as wonderful as it became. The door in the middle of the bedroom opens out to the front second floor porch that overlooks quiet Petronia Street. I could just imagine how cook it would be to sit there late at night listening to not much of anything.

The new owner cleaned up years of neglect to the pool area. The deck was replaced and an awning added. New tropical plants were added. The two large coconut palms on either side of the pool and the large canopy of trees in the neighboring yard and new tropical foliage added to the rear yard make this space lush. It is picture perfect. I invited myself to sit down at the table and imagined drinking a Bloody Mary. Aah!


I took more photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE. 1411 Petronia Street is offered for sale at $895,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view the listing photos. The house has just 1120 sq ft of living space so the asking price on a per sq ft basis may bother some people who shop for houses like they shop for body soap: they shop by the price of the bar. Some soaps smell great and cost a lot. Some soaps are cheap and do the job. Some soaps are a bit rough like Lifebuoy. Other soaps like Caress cost more but do more, like caress your skin.

1411 Petronia Street is located three blocks east of White Street. It's a long walk or a quick bike ride over to Duval Street or the Seaport. Most of the island's gyms and yoga places are located within a few blocks which makes it an easy walk to do your daily exercise routine. Bayview Park is a couple of blocks to the south. The city's bandstand and public tennis courts are located there. This is a very nice and comfortable neighborhood where most of the homes have been updated. While this home does not have off street parking, parking is not a problem here. Most of the houses are single family and there are no commercial activities competing for on street parking.

If you would like to see this nifty home, 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, Florida. If you snooze on this, you will lose and that is a fact. This is a real buying opportunity.

707 Southard Street - Old Town Key West Chramer Extraordinaire!

707 Southard Street - Key West, Florida

Just listed today, but not by me, an absolute doll house if I ever saw one. This special little home at 707 Southard Street is located in the heart of Old Town Key West. You can't beat the location for convenience. Most of the neighboring homes are equally charming and certainly much pricier. The asking price will fit the budget of many buyers who want a simple getaway place: asking $565,000.

The house next door to the east

The listing Realtor describes this special property this way:

"The Quintessential Conch Cottage on one of the best blocks in the center of Old Town. Utterly charming. Relax on your front porch and watch the world go by. Just a block to Sarabeths and two blocks to Duval. Separate outdoor building houses the original kitchen. The interior was just updated with refinished bath with stone floors, new fixtures, completely repainted interior, refinished wood floors. Outdoor shower and laundry."

The funny thing is I walked by this house on Monday and thought to myself I wish a place like this or its neighbor on either side were for sale. All three look absolutely perfect. Serendipity, perhaps?

The roof is composed of two sawtooth gables plus a rear shed addition. The home is painted a bright white. The blue shutters contrast the white so perfectly that the resultant appearance is crisp and clean. The front porch provides an excellent perch for viewing the continual people parade. I can imagine sitting there sipping an iced tea greeting passersby as they say things like "I love your home!" or other such words of praise and envy.

The house itself is small, just 606 sq ft. The living area is quite spacious and tastefully designed. Six over six window provide light on the south and east walls. The master bedroom is located front west and when the bedroom door is open the filtered light from that room adds additional light to the living area. So what one might assume to be a small space actually appears quite large. There is a smaller second bedroom at the rear. Both bedrooms have private baths. The dining area is nestled between the main house and the historic cook house at the rear which is housed in a smaller building. The cool pool is located to the west of the cook house. What a delightful place to spend the spring, or summer, or fall, or winter, or the rest of your life. 707 Southard Street may be everything you need in a picture perfect setting and located near where ever you want to go. CLICK HERE to view photos I took of this charming cottage home.

Dade County Pine walls and ceiling plus six over six windows equal Key West Classic

Sophisticated but not stuffy

Master bedroom (above) master en suite bath (below)

The second bedroom (below) has private bath and a view of the darling pool

Dining is nestled between the main house and cook house

The cook house is located in a separte building at the rear

Sarabeth's is just a block away to the west. The Cafe Marquesa is a five minute walk. The Monroe County Library is around the corner: perhaps a three minute walk. Ten minutes if you stop to speak to neighbors. Five Brothers is located a couple of blocks east. You can be almost any place in Old Town within a five to fifteen minute walk. And that's why living here is so great. Your needs are less and they are fulfilled without a lot of to-do.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view the listing Realtors photos. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a visit to see this place. Don't wait. I got to show this house late Tuesday (the day it was in the mls) and there were other agents following right behind me. This house ought to sell very quickly. Our market has few places left and this Key West property is offered at the price point where many buyers are prepared to buy. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Dill Harris and Jem Finch eyeing the scary house of Mr. Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird

It was fifty years ago that To Kill a Mockingbird hit the silver screens across America and later the world. I had read the book by Harper Lee in my college prep English class so I knew the story line. Watching the funny and terribly sad episodes unfold, the characters came to life. I was fifteen that year. A pipsqueak. I had lived a sheltered life in Wheat Ridge Colorado a lily white suburb just west of Denver where the plains meet the Colorado Rockies.

There were no Negroes in my school and none anywhere near where I lived. There were no Mexicans either. I had a neighbor who was Catholic who went to Holy Family School about a mile away from where we lived. My sister, who was much older than I, married a Catholic. My mother refused to go to her wedding. My grandmother, who I loved deeply, said all Catholics were sinners and would go to hell. Of course my grandmother told me that I was a sinner as well. I remember questioning her statement because even at the age of five or six, I reasoned that while I might have lied or done some little things that were 'wrong', I certainly was not a sinner. And then I question her about Joe, my sister's new husband. I distinctly remember asking her if she liked Joe. Yes, she admitted. I asked her is Joe was a good man. Yes, she said. Then I asked her why God would make Joe go to hell. She said it was because he was a Catholic and a sinner. Her logic. Not mine.

I heard my mother say some terrible things about Negros. Utterances so horrible I won't tell them to living persons and which I refuse to commit to the Internet. She was my sweet grandmother's daughter, the product of prejudice and bigotry. Maybe I was adopted as my brother had said. That must be it.

We had a Christmas play at my elementary school when I was probably in the third grade. Different kids in my school were supposed to be orphans who awaited the arrival of Santa Claus. My character was a negro boy. My teacher used a burnt cork to make my freckled face and tiny hands and arms look black. She coached me on how to speak my two lines in a negro dialect. I remember the audience guffawing when I spoke my lines.

Holland House Cafe - Golden Colorado

In 1960 my mother and I went to see Psycho at the old Golden Theater in Golden, Colorado, the place where Coors beer is made. We had dinner at the Holland House cafe. I remember my mother not wanting to eat her food because the cook was a negro. It did make me wonder a bit of some of what she said was true. But I ate anyway. Then we saw the movie. That was something to really fear.

During the summer of 1963 I got to go on the best vacation of my life: a summer trip to Europe with seventeen other kids from my school district and two chaperons. We did the grand tour for six weeks. There were many memorable stops and events. I got drunk for the very first time at the Moulin Rouge in Paris where I saw a couple of nearly naked women except for pasties. We ran wild in the rainy streets of Salzburg, and we swam in the Mediterranean west of Rome. But it was in Berlin that two events became etched in my memory card.

Kennedy motorcade in Berlin 1963

On June 26th 1963 three other kids and I left our group to see if we could get a glimpse of President John F. Kennedy. He spoke at two different locations on his famous trip to Berlin. He gave his "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech at the Schöneberg Rathaus (City Hall) in Berlin. We went to the other location, the Free University of Berlin. We got to our location to get a good view of the Presidential motorcade. We stood in the hot sun for what seemed like an eternity. The longer we waited, the more people arrived. By the time the motorcade arrived the sidewalks were crowded with Germans. As he approached the crowds roared with applause. The limousine got near and I raised my camera above the assholes that had crowded in front of me to catch a better view of My President. I as so excited to see him that I took four very blurry photos. But more than the photos I remember the adulation the German people had for Our President. So many of the people who lined that section had brought American flags. And they screamed in delight of the man who symbolized America. It was a feeling I will never forget. Equally amazing was the reaction of my often bunk-mate, Bill Phillips. He was a waspish little Republican if there ever was one. We lived only a few blocks apart. He, like me, was Irish and freckled, and as I later found out, gay. Only his family was Republican and anti anything Democrat. How surprised I was to see Bill scream and yell for Kennedy. He's retired now and lives in the California with his partner of over 32 years. I wonder if he is still a Republican.

We spent three of four days in Berlin. We took a bus ride into East Berlin and saw buildings that had been bombed into rubble maybe twenty years earlier during World War II. Still piles of rubble. Block after block of rubble. The sky was blue and the landscape was so blah and devoid of color. It was like a movie. Only it was real. I think it was the same night we went to a movie theater on the Kurfürstendamm. We watched To Kill a Mockingbird but we listened to it in German. No matter what language you heard, the story was so easy to understand. The imagery as I said before is etched into my memory. The images of 1930s south. Of poverty and of privilege. Of Scout and Jem and Boo Radley. Of Atticus Finch defending an innocent black man accused of violating a white girl. Of intolerance and prejudice. Of a lynch mob.



My exposure to non-whites was very limited. I am thankful that my high school college prep and civil studies teachers opened my eyes and my heart to accepting a wider universe than my parents or grandparents were willing to accept.

I am glad I voted with my feet and left the big city of Denver (big to me, at least). I moved to a place where One Human Family is the motto. There is no place like home, especially if home is Key West.

If you are not busy tonight the USA television network is showing To Kill a Mockingbird at 8:00 PM eastern in honor of the movie's fiftieth anniversary. It is well worth watching even if you saw it before.

627 Elizabeth Street - Sitting Pretty Atop Solares Hill - Key West

627 Elizabeth Street - Key West - by Rick Worth

The Real Deal - Sitting Pretty Atop Solares Hill

Who wouldn't fall in love with an historic Cigar Maker's Cottage in a great Old Town location near everything but far enough away not to be in the middle of it all? The listing Realtor describes 627 Elizabeth Street in Old Town Key West this way:

"Opportunity knocks.This totally remodeled home was awarded the Cert. of Excellence and a Silver Star for 2010. You will feel the attention to details from the moment you step inside. The entire house has Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors. A 2-storey addition was added and there is central HVAC throughout the house. All rooms a wired with cat5 cable for phones and computers. A salt-system, heated pool with a waterfall was installed, and a propane valve is available for your backyard grill. The kitchen has all stainless steel appliances.The house is located at the intersection of Elizabeth and Angela Street. This is the highest point on the Island and flood insurance is not required."

The original home was meticulously restored from the ground up including piers and other structural elements. The front entry is located on on the left side of the home. The entry hall has a vaulted ceiling that adds drama and flair as the hall progresses toward the new addition at the rear. Two bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath located between them are situated at the front of the home. A convenient guest bath is located at the end of the hallway just before the hallway opens to the living area with an expansive vaulted ceiling. An ever so delicate staircase is located at the far end of the living area. That staircase provides access to the second floor master bedroom and bath at the back of the new rear addition. You will find the deluxe kitchen with beautiful cabinetry and stainless steel appliances located at the rear of the home. French doors from the kitchen out to the large deck and pool area. Offered at $895,000.

Delicate new staircase to the master suite

Living area with lots of custom built cabinetry

The opposite of the compressed and confining feel of most cottage homes

Who wouldn't love a kitchen like this?

Rear deck off the pool

The home has a very elegant but not overstated feel once you enter. Every detail has been attended to but not in such a way as to make you feel uncomfortable. Some houses come across as being so "done" that you don't fell you can sit down. Not here. This home was made for sophisticated but also relaxed living.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. I found a virtual tour of this property: CLICK HERE to view. I suggest that you hit the Full Screen tab to maximize the views.

If you would like to see 627 Elizabeth Street or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Reatly, Inc. in Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

Bank Owned "Fixer" with Huge Upside - Key West

627 Southard Street - Bank Owned - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 627 Southard Street in Old Town Key West. This property is priced at just $399,000 and it will spark a bidding war because it has so much potential and because of its prime location. The listing Realtor describes the property as:

"Historic Property In Old Town. Prime Location In Need Of Complete Renovation. All Cash Offers Only. Proof Of Funds Required With All Offers."

The original house was built in 1899. I dug into the old shoebox and found the photo below that shows the house as it appeared in 1965. Compare that to the way it looks today. The trim (and that ugly carport are still in place. The trim is great. The carport is not.

627 Southard Street in 1965

627 Southard Street in 2012

The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows this house as having 2010 sq ft of living space divided between two floors. The front has first and second floor front porches for watching the continual people parade as locals and tourists go to and from the various haunts in Key West. There is a main level wrap-around rear deck that has ample room for expansion. The rear yard has plenty of room for a pool. I guesstimate the space between the house and the rear property line to be about 30 feet. The lot is good sized for Old Town: 40'x90' or 3497 sq ft. An ugly car port is currently attached to the house. That should go but the off street parking should definitely stay. (See how nice the next door neighbor's driveway is in a photo below.)


I was in this house several months ago when it became Bank Owned. I took a lot of pics at that time when a prior resident's property remained in the house. Those items are now gone but the pics will give you some idea of the spaces available. CLICK HERE to view the photos. All of the mess in the photos is now gone. And CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet.

The downstairs area has been pretty much stripped to bare walls. Most of the interior is gone. You won't find much "Dade County Pine" here. And if memory serves me right, you won't find interior wiring or plumbing on this floor. That means a new owner can create new living spaces and put electric, plumbing, HVAC where that owner wants. The demolition work on this floor is over. It is pretty much ready for design and execution. The rear end on this level currently has sets of double hung windows that look out to the rear where a new pool would be located. I would put French doors here that would open out to a new expanded deck and pool. I would enlarge the current covered deck area on the east side to expand the outdoor living area.

The trash is gone as is most of the main level interior

The second floor appears to have been renovated in the past decade. There are new bath fixtures, new drywall, and new central air. It might make good sense to demolish all that was done and rebuild anew. This place has been abused. If you look at the photos, you will understand exactly what I mean.
Upon seeing the house earlier today I would suggest a new buyer remove the existing hardwood floors on both levels to get rid of any lingering pet odors.

House of horrors is now empty and ready for new ideas!

627 Southard Street and its neighbor to the immediate east

Neighbor to the immediate west

Neighbor across Southard Street

This property is Bank Owned and Offered at $399,000. It will sell for more than that. Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

621 Caroline Street - Old Town - Key West

621 Caroline Street - Old Town - Key West

Preferred Properties (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed 621 Caroline Street in the Old Town area of Key West. The listing Realtor describes the property thus:

"This Elegant 5-bay Center Hall Classic Revival Mansion Has Been Lovingly Restored And Remodeled.Located In The Heart Of Old Town Key West, The Former Home Of Pulitzer Prize Winner Philip Caputo Encloses Over 4000 Square feet of living on three floors. Five large bedrooms and five bathroom with off street parking and pool. Nice outside space. Transient license."

The home is mentioned in Kevin N. McCarthy's book "A Book Lover's Guide to Florida" where Phil Caputo's ownership and writing acclaim are discussed. McCarthy writes that Caputo and his family lived in the house in the late 1970's. Later he rented a cottage off the nearby Lopez Lane where he wrote. The house as 621 Caroline Street has 4000 sq ft of living space, but maybe not enough space to write proper prose.

The house at 601 Caroline Street was built in 1889. The Grand Conch house sits on a large lot 46'x93' (4507 sq ft). It is located two blocks from Duval Street and about one-half block west of the Historic Key West Seaport. McCarthy wrote that Caputo was an avid fisherman. What a great location for a fisherman to live - half a block from the seaport.


This home has a spacious dining area and comfortable living room with views to the private pool and large outside deck area with tropical landscaping. There is a breakfast nook in the kitchen which also has French doors that open to the deck and pool area. There are a total of five bedrooms and baths. This home has a valuable Transient Rental License which means there are no rental restrictions as to the number of days or number of stays permitted. This large estate type home which is perfect for a quiet retreat or large families traveling together.

621 Caroline Street is offered at $2,195,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this unique Old Town property. Better yet, please all me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing for this property. Showings are only available on turnaround days when guests checkout. Advance notice is necessary. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.