Missing - One Legged Shoeless Drag Queen - Key West

Loyal readers know that I live in the Casa Marina Area of Key West which is normally a really quiet place to live in just about the best place in the world on most days. I live on a big corner lot and have lots of tropical foliage that insulates my house from the two intersecting streets. A big privacy fence actually keeps the outsiders out but the bushes soften the affect.  I have one of the tallest date palms on the island and several very tall palms that give my yard quite the island feel.

On Wednesday morning I went to the gym (Island Gym on Whitehead Street) at 6:00 AM and did an hour's worth of easy exercises.  It was my rest day. When I got home a few minutes after 7:00 I decided to do some work in the yard rather than get ready to go to my office. So I changed into some grubby shorts and took a rake to attack the scrub under the foliage out on the right of way.

As I worked my way to the corner I noticed the glare of fuchsia and sparkles. The color and radiance merged into an image of a substantial high heel shoe with glitter galore. Then I noticed a small multi colored clutch or purse.  I chuckled with delight. I pulled the shoe and purse out from under the bush. I searched for a second shoe but found none.  I decided to grab a camera to record my find for posterity.

A neighbor walked by (actually, I think he came out of his house after he heard me laughing so loudly).  I showed him my bounty.  I laughed and told him that I had found the shoe and purse of a one legged drag queen and then said it's stuff like this that makes life in Key West so damned interesting.

I think it was around Christmas in 1998 when I was baby sitting another neighbor's tiny Yorkshire Terrier.  Munchie  was yapping at something on the outside of my yard. It was early morning. I went out and looked behind the bushes and found a man hiding in the bushes. He had apparently spent the night there. I asked him to come out and move along. He obliged and said some that he was sorry. I could tell from the tone he truly was apologetic.  A couple of hours later I had to leave the house.  When I opened my gate I found a very large hand made pottery bowl filled with coins - lots and lots and lots of them. This was no little collection of pennies. Most of the coins were silver with some pennys and nickles thrown in..  I called the police and asked if anyone had reported a missing bowl of money. The cop said no. I asked what should I do with it. He said "Keep it".  I then decided that the man in the bushes had given me the bowl as some token of appreciation or maybe to seek forgiveness for the use of my bushes.  The gesture made me feel like an ogre.  Some Christian I was - at Christmas. 

If you see a one legged shoeless drag queen hobbling down a street in Key West please feel free to tell her to contact me. I still have her shoe and all of the make-up in her purse. I kept the bowl and still have it.

703 Elizabeth Street - A Quintessential Key West Cottage

Just listed, but not by me, a quintessential cottage in the heart of Old Town Key West. The three bedroom home is located at 703 Elizabeth Street is located just steps away from the highest point on the island. So many potential buyers are fearful of being flooded. If water ever reaches this location, all humanity will be gone.  The listing Realtor lures potential buyers with his description of the property:

"Quintessential Key West cottage located at the top of Solares Hill. Open floor plan, high ceilings, bright rooms, Dade County Pine floors. Historic charm abounds. Two bedrooms downstairs and large master bedroom on second floor. Exterior siding has been meticulously maintained revealing the beautiful antique board and batten siding that graces this historic jewel. Spacious indoor/outdoor living room. Off-street parking and tropical yard with heated pool, lush landscaping and great privacy. Outdoor living room area merges with indoor space through folding doors that celebrate the Key West lifestyle. Centrally located near world famous Duval Street, yet on a quiet one-way street with little traffic. A Gorgeous Solares Hill Beauty."

I got to take photos of the property late Tuesday afternoon. I must tell you that I am surprised it is not under contract even though it has only been in the mls three days as of today (Wednesday).  This place has the location, features, and charm would-be second home buyers want these days. CLICK HERE to view the photos I took.

You enter the house via gated entrance located at the end of the driveway.  French doors open into the large open living area that just bounds with charm. Another set of French doors on the right wall open out to the rear yard and pool area. The kitchen is located to the left rear and just beyond that is a stairway to the second floor. The two downstairs bedrooms are located at the front of the house on the main floor.

 The two main floor bedrooms are of average size for an Old Town house.  There is adequate room for a queen size bed in each room plus dresser and some decorative items to make the rooms scream "Key West!".  The third floor bedroom runs the entire breadth of the main part of the house. The listing agent offered that a new owner might try to obtain permission from HARC to add one or two dormers t to the rear side of the roof where one might create a second bathroom. I have seen this done on other properties.  I think it could work.

The side yards on either side of the house have brick pavers on the walkways. The photo above is on the south side where the landscaping is illuminated at night.

I think this property would make a wonderful vacation rental for an owner who wants to do an occasional rental to help reduce some of the costs of home ownership in Key West.

703 Elizabeth Street has 1404 sq ft of living space and sits on a 2650 sq ft lot in a great Old Town location.  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 house. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Hurry, though,  I really think this place will go under contract very quickly!

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1109 Virginia Street - Key West House For Sale

1109 Virginia Street is located in the Old Town area of Key West. This two bedroom/one bath home has a vaulted ceiling in the combined living room and kitchen areas. French doors open out to the rear deck and pool. The place is cozy and comfy and is priced to sell at just $435,000.  CLICK HERE view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property.

The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Charming conch home located in great neighborhood. One block from White Street, shopping and restaurants. Two bedroom / one bath home with nice front porch. Deep lot. Small pool."

The house is laid out different than the photo above would suggest. The main entry is located on the west side of the house mid-way between the main bedroom which is at the front of the house. The living area is at the rear. This layout is typical of many older homes that have had room re-assignments that place sleeping areas up front and save the money view rooms a the rear.

Front Bedroom

Second Bedroom

The house has 720 sq ft of living space that sits on a 28' x 103' lot with mature trees at the rear. The main bedroom is quite large while the second bedroom is not so large. There is a second level loft which is not included in the square footage. The living space is quit comfortable as it now exists. The listing agent suggested that a new owner might be able to add a guest cottage at the very rear of the property. The foundation of an old out building remain in place just in a case a new owner might want to obtain permission to build a new structure.

Foundation of former out building

One of the nice features of this house is the large sunny deck and inviting pool. I think the house looks and functions great the way it currently sits. A new owner could always do some tweaking to make the place extra special, but the house really does not need any major work done to it.

I did a quick mls search just to see how many other houses there are in the Old Town area priced at $435,000 or less that have a pool. The answer was none.  I had to expand my search to $499,000 before I found a house with a pool.


If you are  a fitness freak or yoga fan, this is the area for you.  There are several gyms and yoga studios within a couple of blocks walk.  The Atlantic Ocean is a few blocks to the south.  All of the hoopla of Duval Street is within a 7 to 10 minute walk.

CLICK HERE to view the other photos I took of this property.  If you would like to see 1109 Virginia Street or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. Let me help you find your place is Paradise.

906 Johnson Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 906 Johnson Street in the Casa Marina Area of Key West. The listing Realtor describes the property as:

"Outstanding Grand Key West home located in the heart of the Casa Marina, just 2 blocks from the Ocean. Truly a residential masterpiece with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths in the main home including a ground floor mother-in law suite,laundry room, guest cottage with a mini kitchen, Man cave or studio and a workshop. The outdoor living space includes built-in grill, very large L shaped heated pool, 1/2 bath, outdoor shower surrounded by Mexican tile, tropical landscaping, lighting and irrigation. Privacy fence surrounds this outstanding property. Must be seen to be appreciated."

 Grand would be an appropriate modifier as this home is grand in size, design, and prominence on a block of equally important large homes. As is the case of many homes in the Casa Marina Area, this home sits behind a tall privacy fence which gives the property a very real sense of privacy.  Upon entering the property you are taken by the quite large front entry flanked by the alluring pool to the east and the garden to the west. Brick paths wrap around the house which lead to the various cottages at the rear.

Rear bricked terrace

 The main house sits behind a private gated entry. Gardens surround the house on either side and then wrap around the house at the rear. The two story home has rich wood flooring and European details throughout. The main home includes three guest rooms, a complete mother-in-law suite or servant's quarters, a formal dining area, a formal living room with fireplace and an equally large and gracious family room that overlooks the rear gardens. The home has an extra large galley kitchen,  a breakfast room that overlooks the large pool and outdoor kitchen on the east side of the property, and a cheerful laundry room that looks out onto the rear gardens as well.

Formal living room with fireplace

 

Family room with bowed wall

Living room in the mother-in-law suite

Current owner uses the informal dining area as sitting area

Galley kitchen

Master suite

There is a guest house at the southeast rear of the property. It is actually a home unto itself with living room, bedroom, small kitchen, and bath. The owners refer to the cottage located at the southwest corner as a "Man Cave" which has a separate bath. You can view more photos if you CLICK HERE.

This home is located just one half block east of the Casa Marina Resort and about two blocks north of Higg's Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The three blocks of Johnson Street from White Street Reynolds Street might just be the most expensive stretch in all of Key West.  If you think I am appealing to the snob, I am. People who spend a lot of money on a home want to make sure that the surrounding homes are equally valuable. They are in this area. A new owner might want to join the Casa Marina Club where you could use the gym, spa services, private beach, and get a discount on all food and beverage at the hotel.

906 Johnson Street is offered at $2,795,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.If you would like to schedule an appointment to see this home, please call 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 Key West. Let me help you find your home in Paradise.

Sunday - Open House - 916 Eisenhower Drive - Key West

I will be hosting an Open House on Sunday, January 20th between 1:00 to 3:00 PM at 916 Eisenhower Drive in Key West.   Please stop by to view this
award winning restoration of a three bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with beautiful pool and outdoor living room. Offered at $949,000.