1410 Angela Street - New Lower Price - Key West

1410 Angela Street - Key West - circa 1965

1410 Angela Street - Key West - 2011

The listing Realtor describes the wood frame Conch house at 1410 Angela Street this way:

"Ideal location in The Meadows neighborhood of Old Town Key West. This newly improved home features 4 bedrooms, two bathrooms, bonus room for an office in the master bedroom, in ground pool, detached utility room with laundry, two zone central a/c & heat, fenced yard, and off street parking. French doors from the master bedroom and second bedroom open up to the private pool. The original house is a 2/1 Conch Cottage that was expanded in 1998 with a 2/1 CBS addition. This expansion can be setup as a lockout, great for a mother-in-law unit or guest quarters. This home sets back from the street on a large 4,624 sqft lot landscaped with mature tropical trees adding comfort and privacy for your enjoyment in OLD TOWN KEY WEST STYLE."

Living room and kitchen in main part of house

Bedroom in mother in law addition

This house is a Conch style (simple one storey wood frame construction) which was expanded with a large 'mother in law' addition. The mls listing shows the property as having four bedrooms which would be correct if the living room in the mother in law unit were used as a bedroom. An interior doorway still separates (or could reconnect) the main living area from the mother in law unit. The interior of the original house is more typical of homes up north in mid-America than potential second home buyers for Key West cottages expect. The mother in law unit has vaulted ceiling that adds space and volume but also takes away a bit of privacy.


The the three big selling features of this property are the size of the home, the lovely yard, and the beautiful pool. I think a new owner might want to remove the current stucco exterior and replace it with a more correct wood siding. There aren't many houses in the Old Town or Meadows area with four bedrooms, especially nice homes with a pool and off street parking that are priced as affordably as this one. A new owner might redo the rear deck and pool by converting an existing shed into a pool bar. It's not that the place as it exists is 'wrong'. It just isn't as good as it could be.


CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet on 1410 Angela Street which is offered at just $599,000 or $372 per sq ft for this 1610 sq ft home located on a 4624 sq ft lot. You may also want to CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of the property. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing for you. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

Key West Guest House Sales Update

Bob Newhart and the Gang

I have written a couple of blogs about the issues involved in purchasing a guest house in Key West. While the lure of running such an establishment entices many would be Bob Newhart innkeepers, reality soon sets in when prospective buyers find out how expensive guest houses are to purchase and how difficult it can sometimes be to obtain bank financing.  I won't belabor that discussion today because I have some very good news to report on a couple of recent sales and two upcoming sales.

Coconut Grove and Oasis Guest Houses

Oasis Resort

 On Thursday November 15, 2012 the Oasis and Coconut Grove guest houses were sold for $7,200,000 or $200,000 per room for the 36 room guest house complex.  (The units sold at 91.14% of asking price of $7,900,000.)

Coral Tree Inn

The same Seller/Owner of Oasis put Coral Tree Inn located across the street at 822 Fleming under contract on November 1, 2012. The asking price on that property is $2,450,000 for this eleven unit guest house.

Pilot House Guest House

 On November 7th the Pilot House guest house and two nearby commercial buildings on Eaton Street also went under contract. The asking price on those properties is $ 7,600,000. The other buildings are currently used as any type of residential rental.

Seascape Tropical Inn

Finally, the Seascape Tropical Inn Guest House was also sold on November 15th. The asking price on Seascape was $2,450,000. It sold for $2,000,000 or
$285,714 per room for this seven unit guesthouse.

I am very excited about the recent sales that just concluded and the pending sales of the Coral Tree Inn and the Pilot House and associated properties. The Pilot House sale will be a very big deal in Key West.  It will revitalize the area.

There are still a couple of guest houses available for purchase in Key West. I used to own and operate a guest house in Key West and think I have a lot to offer a prospective buyer who wants to take the plunge and own this type of business in our little town.  If you are thinking about such an endeavor 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. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

406 Julia Street - Key West Short Sale

 

The above photo shows how 406 Julia Street in Old Town as it appeared in 1965.  I took the photograph immediately below this morning, November 14, 2012.

406 Julia Street was just listed, but not by me, as a Short Sale at the asking price of $249,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos.  I recently showed the house with a trail of other agents and prospective buyers waiting in line to see this affordably priced single family home that is located about 300 feet west of Duval Street.

The mls listing shows three bedrooms with one bath. In fact there is a very large addition to the rear part of which includes a large room that is being used as the master bedroom. The addition is shown in the Monroe County Property Appraiser's records, but the site only shows three bedrooms.

I took a lot of exterior photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE. I did not take any interior photos.  The place is livable as is but it does need a couple of repairs including replacement of an existing ceiling in a bedroom. The kitchen floor has numerous cracked tiles. That floor should also be replace. Finally, the one bathroom has seen better days. It, too, should be updated. In fact there is enough room to probably redo the existing bath and use some space in the quite large rear addition to create an en-suite bath adjoining the current bath.

The lot is quite large. The Property Appraiser shows an irregular rectangle of 50' wide by 79.58' deep with a carve-out at the west rear of 15' x 29.5'.  In my opinion there may be room for a pool at the rear or on the west side where the current covered patio exists. The property has gated off street parking which could still be preserved and still add a pool in this are or at the rear. We have some pretty good designers and architects in town. This place has lots of room for creation of very usable outdoor space.  I think the inside would make a wonderful renovation project.

I believe this property would make an attractive vacation rental in Key West if it were properly renovated to include at least two baths, an updated kitchen, replace the existing metal windows with more appropriate wood windows, remove the existing wall unit air conditioners and replace with central air. I would remove the covered 'old shcool' patio.  I would preserve the off street parking space and replace the existing galvanized fence with a traditional white picket fence and add an electric gate at the driveway.  I would add a pool either on the side or at the rear. There is space in either location in my opinion.  Finally, I would reconfigure the room spaces. This house is quite large and has four bedrooms now plus a lot of wasted interior space. The spaces could be used more efficiently. The addition of French doors overlooking the pool would complete the renovation.  Guests could walk to Duval Street and take a right or left turn and be in some magic location within a matter of minutes.

If you would like to see this house before someone gobbles it up, 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.  Don't wait on this. Time is fleeting as I type this.

1315 Eliza Street - Key West

The listing Realtor (not me) describes the residence at 1315 Eliza Street in Key
West as:

"Lovely four bedroom historic home located in a quiet neighborhood of Old Town Key West. Great open floor plan with high ceilings and multiple outdoor areas takes advantage of that special Key West indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Two historic homes have been connected to create a tropical oasis for ultimate privacy. Large chef's kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Master suite on the first floor with sitting area and outdoor shower. Wonderful pool area with water feature and tropical foliage. Guest quarters with kitchenette has many possibilities including an artist's studio, home gym or guest apartment. A Peaceful Tropical Oasis in Historic Old Town Key West."

I would add three words to help describe this property: privacy, surprise, and sophisticated.  The house sits behind a privacy fence that protects the home from folks who pass by on the street. Eliza Street (not to be confused with Elizabeth Street which is just two blocks east of Duval) runs east from White Street three blocks to George Street where it ends. Eliza Street is a very quiet little neighborhood street with very little traffic and no Conch Trains or Trolleys to disturb your life.

I was genuinely surprised the very first time I walked inside this property. I had no preconceived idea of how large the place actually is. The center entry followed by the living room at the rear is a recent addition that merges the two separate original houses into one new structure. The surprise is how large and open the seemingly cute cottages have become.

This house was designed for sophisticated adult living. The common spaces (living room, dining area, and kitchen) are big and open areas. French doors open out to the sleek deck with lap pool and water feature that reflect the owners' appreciation of art and design.  The master bedroom with en suite bath and outdoor shower is located on the main floor just off the living room and near the family room.  I took more photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

A guest bedroom, bath, and office is located on the second floor of this section of the home.   Another bedroom and is located on the main floor of the other house just off a small hall off the living area.

 

The  second home described by the listing agent as a possible gym, art studio, office, or guest cottage is quite large.  Some buyers dream about having this much space for future expansion.

1315 Eliza Street is offered at $1,149,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view professional photos of this lovely home. 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 Key West. Let me help you find your place in Key West.

Beach Club Penthouse - Key West

The lure of the sea, that is what it is. It is the ever changing views of sky and water; the birds and boats and man that make the reflections seen in the mirror at the new Preferred Properties listing at Key West Beach Club Condominiums so captivating.  No matter which unit I have gone to at the Beach Club, my eyes are always immediately drawn through the unit and out to the direct water view. You see, only at Key West Beach Club does each unit come with a direct water view.

The listing Realtor describes Unit No. 413 this way:

" Located on the Ocean, in one of Key Wests most outstanding gated communities, is this recently renovated two story penthouse with 3 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms, marble and wood floors with soaring ceilings and breathtaking water views. As you enter the long foyer, to the left are French doors leading to the breakfast/office area and kitchen. To the right is a wonderful guest room with floor to ceiling built-ins for storage. The Living/dining area are accented by a Cherry Wood built-in floor to ceiling entertainment center. On the top level is a bright and cheerful bedroom/bath/living area. One of the most outstanding features of this unit is the massive balcony for outdoor living. 2 heated community pools, tennis court and covered parking."

Guest Bedroom

Master Suite

If you venture up the spiral staircase you might just fall in love with this place. I'd definitely make this my master suite. I'm not fond of spiral stairs, but I'd make an extra special exception in this case. The space is just wonderful.

Penthouse Loft

I think I must have been a seaman in a former life. But I get seasick, so I probably wasn't.  Still, I love to just stare at the horizon and watch the sky and ocean change colors. When storms head our way the sky turns gray and ominous.  The wind blows and the palm trees sway.  The ocean churns and spits up seaweed. The afternoon I took these photos a bunch of turtle sponges had washed ashore (see the second photo from the top). At night you may see the tiny lights on boats out in deeper water. Whatever time of day you look out at the water, the view will always be a bit different. CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of this waterfront property.

Key West Beach Club Condominiums have two swimming pools, a tennis court, a small gym, covered parking plus storage, beautifully landscaped private gardens, and 24 hour security. The monthly condo association fees are $1033 per month.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and some great listing photos.

Unit No. 413 at 1500 Atlantic Boulevard in the Beach Club Condominium has 2156 sq ft of living space on two floors. This special Key West property is offered at $1,795,000.  If you would like to see this unit, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.