506 Elizabeth Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 506 Elizabeth Street in Old Town Key West. This 1292 sq ft property was built in the 1890s and is currently configured as a legal duplex. However, by opening a door in the front hallway the two residences can easily become one again. I found an old black and white photo of the house as it sat when photographed in 1965. I took a similar photograph this past week. The architectural detail has been preserved if not improved by fresh paint and shutters.

The house sits about 100 feet south of Fleming Street on a 50' x 28' lot  and across the Monroe County Public Library. The lot provides outdoor space for the ground floor tenant or owner. Both the main level and second floor apartments have wonderful covered front porches for people watching.  The downstairs apartment has a large rear deck. The large blue house next door to the south is nearly finished after three years of construction. A narrow driveway next to 506 Elizabeth Street leads to a parking lot for the owners of condominiums located on Fleming Street.

The listing Realtor describes 506 Elizabeth Street this way:

"2 Story Home Located In The Historic District Of Old Town; 2 Blocks From Duval and; All The Shops & Restaurants The City Has To Offer! Each Floor Has A Full Bath W/Laundry Facilities, A Kitchen, Bedroom and; Living Room. At This Moment A Legal Duplex Witch Could Be Restored Into A Single Family Residence. Covered Porches Add To The Wonderful Outdoor Living Space." 

Inside both units have Dade County Pine walls, ceilings and floors. The main level wood walls have been covered in most areas but the Dade Pine is still existent underneath and could be exposed.  Dade County Pine walls are the distinctive architectural feature on the second floor where years of paint have been removed to show off the rich deep grain and color of the native wood.

First Floor Apartment

Second Floor Apartment

The main level kitchen is 21st Century with granite and designer flair. The second floor kitchen is more 'old school' and utilitarian. The second floor kitchen is marked by a shiny tin ceiling.

The main level bedroom has ample closets for storage. A door at the rear opens out to the rear deck area that is fenced and which provides quality outdoor living area.  There is room for a hot tub in this space. (No permit is required as a hot tub is portable and can be removed.)  The main floor apartment might rent for $1800 per month.

The bedroom on the second level is quite spacious. The hallway is extra large and provides workspace for a home office.  The second floor apartment might rent between $1500 to $1700 per month. (Rentals are estimates as the owner is renting both units at below market rates to friends.)

506 Elizabeth Street just might be the answer to the dreams of many would-be second home buyers in Key West. As a legal duplex a new owner could retain one apartment for personal use and rent the second one either as full time or possibly as vacation rental. (I think the first floor unit with a hot tub on the private rear deck could work well as a vacation rental.)  But either unit could be rented for enough money to probably pay the annual taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs on the building. At some time in the future the owner could open the hallway door and return the property to single family status. CLICK HERE to view more photos.

You could not ask for a better location.  All of the wonders of Duval Street and the more relaxing elements of the Historic Key West Seaport are within a five minute walk from 506 Elizabeth Street. People from around the world go to Nearby Sarabeth's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but you could be there in just a couple of minutes. The Tropic Cinema is one of the best small movie theaters in the US. You could be there in five minutes by foot. If you are gay and want a place to swim with the boys, you could go to the Island House on White Street. But if you are straight, you could instead go over to Dante's. That's the reason this location is so great-you can go anywhere by foot in a matter of minutes. And when you get to your destination, you might just have a very memorable experience.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photographs. But better than that please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a showing to view 506 Elizabeth Street in Old Town Key West. 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.

42 Spoonbill Way - The Key West Golf Club Community

Pretty is as pretty does and pretty provides some mighty fine living spaces in this 1320 sq ft town home located at 42 Spoonbill Way in the Key West Golf Club Community. The listing Realtor, not me, describes this property this way:

"PERFECTION personified! Attention to detail the discriminating KWGC homeowner would be looking for! Impeccably maintained, quiet cul-de-sac, spectacular sunset vistas overlooking 2 lakes on 15th fairway. Charming Bahama shutters, eyebrows on front door/windows, stained glass transom window, retractable screen @ front entry, brick walkways/terraced patio, beautifully landscaped yard w/outdoor lighting, screened double-decker porches off front/rear facades are just a few splendid appointments. Other quality features: 9'ceilings, wide crown molding, Corian countertops, lighting above/below upgraded kitchen cabinets w/crown molding, new stainless appliances, open banister leading to 2 large master suites. This home is @ the head of it's class!"

The listing Realtor got the description down just perfect.  If offers so much and that becomes evident as soon as you see it. The street appeal is a given. But when you step up onto the front porch you know you have arrived at a special place.  When you enter the house your eyes are drawn through the living area to the rear porch and views beyond. That's almost a given on many of the Key West Golf Club homes.

 But then your eyes return and notice the first of three bedrooms in this home. The current owner has turned the "bedroom" space into a study/guest suite.

The front bedroom, pictured above, has access to the second level front porch.  This bedroom has an en-suite bath.

The master bedroom with cathedral ceilings and en-suite bath is shown above. Also shown is the screen enclosed rear second level porch that overlooks the 15th fairway. It was a bit sunny when I took the photos. Trust me, the views are spectacular and you don't have to a golfer to appreciate the beauty of this golf course. CLICK HERE to view more photos that I took.

42 Spoonbill Way is offered at $469,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos.  This is a town home so as an owner you would be responsible for all building maintenance, insurances, etc. There is a home owners association that maintains the gated entry as well as the  beautifully maintained streets, 2 pools, a gym, and other common areas. Monthly association fees are $333.

If you would like to see 42 Spoonbill Way or any other home in Key West please contact 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.

3221 Pearl Avenue - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 3221 Pearl Avenue which is located in the New Town area of Key West.  I have not written about any of these attached town homes before because, quite frankly, none appealed to me. But this place is different and it may appeal to you as well. The listing Realtor describes this home as an:

"Tropical oasis behind this fenced brick paved totally private yard with slate Koi pond, covered patio,orchid house and built in gas grill cook area w/phone and electric lines.Totally unique conversion of open upstairs area. Kitchen with all the bells and whistles, top of the line appliances."

 This 1030 sq ft home probably offers more value for the dollar than just about any property I have seen in some time. When you first arrive your attention is drawn to the private garden and KOI pond. Then you notice the grilling area and more garden space. Yes most Key West homes have some type of garden, but not this kind of garden and certainly this garden is much more than you would ever expect in this price range.

Upon entering the home you notice that the current owner has a fondness for dark colors. The photos I took do not do the house justice. The rooms are quite large but do not photograph very well. I do believe the house would appear more attractive if the walls were painted a neutral color. But that is just an opinion and it is something a weekend warrior could do with ease.

The kitchen has high end stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and beautiful cabinets.

Although the mls describes the house as having two bedrooms, one of the walls was removed so that the house as currently configured has one master suite with extra large adjacent sitting area. There is a second floor sunning balcony as well.

Although this property is classified as a town home, there is no home owners association. Owners share a common wall only.

3221 Pearl Avenue is offered for sale at $269,900. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. I took more photos which you can view at CLICK HERE.  Better than looking on the internet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing of this affordable Key West property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties.

71 Golf Club Drive - Bank Owned - Key West

 

Just listed, but not by me, 71 Golf Club Drive in Key West, Florida. The listing Realtor describes this Bank Owned two bedroom one bath home quite simply as:
"Excellent starter home located on the Golf Course. 2 bedroom, 1 bath unit with extended yard. Mature landscaping. Perfect for entertaining. Bank says sell!"

71 Golf Club Drive has 780 sq ft of living space divided between two floors. Down stairs you will find the kitchen, dining, and living area.  Up there are two bedrooms and the bath. But that's not the end of the story on this place. The master bedroom has a front balcony as well.

This house has a screened in back porch that overlooks a really charming rear yard that has been landscaped with love. This lot is large enough for a new owner to add a pool.  Not all lots are large enough to permit a pool, but this one is and that gives this property extra value in my opinion.  

I did a bit of a "nosey" when I took the photos of this house. The house, like all others at the Key West Golf Club Community, has Hardiboard siding. The siding is in great shape. And so is the exterior trim around the windows. I do not anticipate any repairs that would need to be done on this property. Of course a new buyer would want to have a home inspection done before purchasing any property. I am just stating that I did not see any noticeable deferred maintenance on this property.

 

This house is located across the street from a walkway that leads directly to the larger of the two pools at the golf course. The community center and small gym are located adjacent to the large pool. And the golf course itself is located to the rear of the property.

 

71 Golf Club Drive is offered at $309,500.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and listing photos.  I took more photos which you can view if you CLICK HERE.  Better than looking at photos, why not call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.