Key West Short Sale - Back on the Market - 620 Mickens Lane

 620 Mickens Lane - Key West, Florida

 Back on the market, this Short Sale at 620 Mickens Lane in Key West, Florida.  This 1237 sq ft house was completed renovated in 2004 and looks in really good condition today. I doubt that buyers shopping by price will find a better property at this price point in the Old Town area, just $339,500 or $274 per sq ft.  The listing broker describes this property thus:

"Great CBS home on a quiet lane in Old Town. Just needs some TLC, but was completely renovated in 2004. This three bedroom two bath home has a very bright and open floor plan with French doors that lead out to the private back deck and yard. This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval."

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The renovation included all new kitchen, baths, flooring, paint (inside and out), central a/c, roof, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical. The home has a light, airy and open floor plan. Upon entering the house my eyes were immediately draw to the rear where French doors open and continue the flow of the home to a nice size deck and yard that was once landscaped for easy maintenance. The front and rear landscaping is overgrown and out of whack right now but that's an easy fix.  The interior is in move-in condition.

Rear area today

The same area a few years ago. It can look this nice again!

Mickens Lane is a small lane that dead-ends off Angela Street between Thomas Street and Whitehead Street. Duval Street is less than a five minute walk to the east. Ft Zach Taylor State Park and Beach is an easy bike ride or a fifteen minute walk to the west. Frequent visitors to Key West will recognize the location as being one half block from the entrance to the Shipyard Condominiums in Truamn Annex.

Ft. Zach Beach - minutes from home

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos of this home.This is a really nice house that does not need any work (other than some new plants) that will sell within a matter of days. If you are looking for a property that won't put you in the poorhouse, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

618 Petronia Steet - Atop Solares Hill - Key West

 618 Petronia Street - Old Town - Key West

The house at 618 Petronia Street is worth looking at if you are a reasonably priced house in Old Town Key West that is in livable condition but which could be upgraded and improved upon as well.

The house is located near the highest point on Solares Hill - the highest point on the Island of Key West. I searched the Monroe County Property Appraiser records and old photos and learned the houses in the immediate area were built right after the end of World War II. Records show 616 and 618 Petronia was built in 1948. This is important in that the two historic photos I found of both houses show how much different 618 Petronia appeared a few years later after the front masonry addition was added and stucco added to cover the original wood siding.

616 Petronia - 1965

616 Petronia - 2012

 The original house (and current configuration) is a wood frame house that is more typical bungalow style house than cigar maker's cottage. The gable roof is not as high or as pitched. Note the house has a wood frame "addition" on the right front. Other houses on this block appear quite similar but all have been modified a bit differently.

618 Petronia - 1965

 

618 Petronia - 2012

 It looks to me as though the original house at 618 Petronia Street was expanded by the masonry addition at the front. This addition includes the front porch on the left and the third bedroom on the right. I believe a second addition was added at the rear where the kitchen is now located. A rear covered patio at the rear has been enclosed and seems to now function as a family room. The original house is still intact and consists of the living room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house has several floor elevations and floor surface materials. Some interior walls are 1950's wood panel (the kind you see in rec rooms and trailers) while other spaces are plaster over masonry.

 Front porch

The kitchen

Family room

It looked to me as though much of the original house got a stucco exterior when the front addition was added many years ago. The house next door at 616 Petronia Street is almost identical and it has "novelty siding". (Manley deBoer Lumber in Key West still sells novelty siding.)  I think the houses are the same and I expect 618 Petronia would have had the same siding were it not for the stucco. I'm a believer in wood and I think this house would benefit immensely from the removal of the entire masonry and the rear additions. I would replace the front with a period correct front porch. I'd restore the wood siding all over the the house. I would remove the clam shell awnings and replace with shutters that are more in keeping with the way Key West cottages look today. Finally, I would replace the kitchen and add a new rear porch.  I think you could come up with a mighty charming home to keep to yourself or that you could easily rent as a vacation rental. There are several homes in the immediate area that are used that way.

The rear yard is immense. (The Monroe County Property Appraiser's map shows the lot as being 32 feet wide by 189.33 feet in depth.) There is room for a huge pool. There is even room for an accessory unit (a mother-in-law cottage).  This space is just incredible. 

 I spotted huge an avocado tree, a lime tree, a key lime tree, and a sour orange tree in the rear yard. This lot is just incredible. It offers so much for future development.

CLICK HERE to  view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property. A new owner doesn't have to do any of the remodeling I suggested. The place works just fine the way it is. But it could be so much better. And at the asking price of $459,900 it is worth looking at.

If you would like to look at this property or any other house in Key West please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

2116 Fogarty Avenue Key West

2116 Fogarty Avenue Key West

The three bedroom/two bath ranch at 2116 Fogarty Avenue has been recently updated and is is move-in condition. It will appeal to a family who wants space to grow and plenty of room for the kids to play safely.

Master bedroom

Bedroom #2

Bedroom #3

The 1258 sq ft home sits on a spacious 5000 sq ft lot (50' x 100').  CLICK HERE to view Google aerial of the property.  The house sits more towards the front of the lot which leaves ample room in the rear for a pool at some time in the future. There is an existing shed that might make a nice pool house or guest cottage at a later date. And don't overlook that huge second level sundeck as well.

Pool House or Play House

The house itself is all spiffed up and ready for move-in. The combined living, dining, and kitchen area is open and bright. French doors at the rear open out to the rear yard where you might add a pool. The master bedroom is quite large and the two other bedrooms are larger than some I have seen in other houses in the area. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos of 2116 Fogarty Avenue. This home is listed by Preferred Properties Key West, but not by me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. Please give me a call to set up a showing.

Bank Owned - 106 Golf Club Drive - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, a two story Bank Owned townhome at the Key West Golf Club Community. 106 Golf Club Drive is a two bedroom home that was built in 1997. It has 810 sq ft of living space under air including what is called a "bump out" on the ground floor which adds noticeable extra room to the main floor living space. Both bedrooms are located on the second floor and each has a vaulted ceiling which gives each room a more spacious feeling. This home has first and second floor porches on both the front and rear. 

I have been inside a lot of bank owned homes in the past few years, and I have been inside a lot of Golf Club homes as well. I opened the door to this house and did not know exactly what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to see a place that is, as the listing agent says:

"This 2 bedroom and 1.5 bath townhome is clean and is in move-in ready condition. Home has screened in balconies off the living room and the master bedroom. Property has views of the tranquil pond and rock garden and is steps from the main pool and fitness center."

The back of the house is located on The Butterfly Garden which has a small pond and walking paths that traverse the wonderfully landscape area. The views of the butterfly garden from inside the screened second floor rear balcony are magical. But it is when you get back into the garden itself your inner zen takes over. Just as I got ready to take a photo looking back toward today's home a monarch butterfly flew by me as if on cue. Too bad he got away before I could snap him.

106 Golf Club is in the background

As I got prepared to leave the house, I decided to walk over to the larger of the two pools owners at the golf club get to use. The walk took me maybe 60 to 90 seconds at most.  The fitness center is also located there.  Use of the fitness center is included in the monthly homeowner fees which are $333 (includes security, common area maintenance, and cable tv). The pool rivals something you would expect at a great resort.  CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of this home, the pool, and the butterfly garden.  You'll be making plane reservations to come down.

 106 Golf Club Drive is offered at $249,900.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.  But better than that please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this affordably priced Key West home.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

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