812 Fleming Street - Seafoam Condo #6 - Key West

One of the most interesting condos in Key West is offered for sale at the asking price of $400,000.  It is Unit #6 located on the top floor at 812 Fleming Street and has a front balcony that overlooks the gayest street in Key West. If you are a gay man or woman, of if you are just hip and love to be part of the action, this pied a tere may be the home of your dream or just the vacation getaway place you have been searching for.

September 2013

The Seafoam condos is a mixed use building with six residential condominiums and two commercial units that are located on the ground level front. Timmy Tuxedo occupies one spot and a doctor's office the other. Every time I go by Timmy Tuxedo I have to pause a moment and take in the windows. I always have a little chuckle when I see that sign. The commercial use are not disruptive to the residential owners.  The building itself was built circa 1906. It was renovated and converted into condominiums in 1980.  The one bedroom units are pretty much the same space-wise, but individual owners have tricked out the interiors to suit their individual needs.  Four units have balconies that overlook Fleming Street, but just two are located on the top floor. Unit #6 is the one that is the subject of today's blog.  And it is a doozy.

1965

During renovation in 1980

 

The listing Realtor, not me, describes unit #6 this way:

"Wonderful Old Town condominium in beautiful condition and ready to move in. 9ft ceilings, Dade County pine walls and floors throughout and a great cathedral ceiling above the 200sf balcony overlooking Fleming Street. This third floor, one bedroom, one bath unit with 618 sf of living space is a true gem with tons of natural light. In the back yard there is a pool and private grounds. Seafoam Condominiums consists of eight condominiums & two commercial units."

This unit is move-in ready.  I have re-imagined what I would do to recreate the space and make the already large unit by Key West standards seem even larger.  If you look at the living room and kitchen you will see two different entrances into this units. All the units have them.  I would eliminate the kitchen door to provide more space in that room.  Likewise, there are two entrances into the bedroom. One is located at the far end of the living room near the entrance to the balcony. The other is off the hallway that leads to the bathroom and the bedroom. I personally think having two entrances is a bit unnecessary, especially since this is just a one bedroom unit.  And I really think that hallway is taking up a lot of very valuable real estate.  If I bought this unit I would do some room reconfigurations. Although neither is necessary, I would update the kitchen and bath and add a laundry. I would add a new split system air conditioner, and then I would have a little penthouse overlooking Fleming Street. None of what I suggest that I would do is necessary to be done.

Seafoam condos has a lovely pool  and small garden area at the rear. There is a shared coin operated laundry near the pool as well.

 812 Fleming Street is located hear everything.  The restaurants and attractions on Duval Street are located within a five minute walk.  Likewise, the Historic Key West Seaport is about a five minute walk as well. There are numerous neighborhood restaurants, two great bakeries, specialty shops and little art galleries withing a few blocks.  The good thing is that you can walk to just about wherever you want to go in Key West.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. If you would like to see this place before it is gone, 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.

832 Johnson Lane - Old Town "Fixer" - Key West

I recently showed 832 Johnson Lane to some buyers who had expressed a willingness to buy a fixer and to spend some money and devote some time to turn an older house into one of the dream cottages we've all seen in Old Town Key West. The little cottage on Johnson Lane was a bit more of a challenge than they imagined.  I, however, saw the place differently.  I think it is worth your consideration if you are one of the buyers with some cash, a willingness to work (or hire someone who will), and an imagination as to how you could transform the cottage into some pretty special.

Just below is a photo of 832 Johnson Lane that was taken in 1965.  I took the photo below it to show the same house nearly 50 years later.  Our HARC (Historical Architectural Review Commission) will need to approve changes to the building.  I think a new owner may get permission to enlarge the house which would increase the small and inefficient interior the way it presently exists.  Nothing is a "given", but I see no reason for HARC to not allow some expansion of the house because the rear lot is so large.  The existing house one bedroom/one bath is 527 sq ft and sits on a 2633 sq ft lot or 25' x 116'.  

832 Johnson Lane as it appeared in 1965

 As we walked through the house I knew nothing on the inside was worth saving. The rooms are small and cluttered. That's why there are no interior photos. The cottage will need all new everything - that is a given. It's what you can't see from the street that makes me think a creative individual or couple might turn this place into something much greater than it is. And what you cannot see is the huge backyard.

 This photo was taken from the back step of the house and looks south. There is no back porch.  I have added graphic to show the lot line at the rear.  As you can see there is a lot of open space from the house to the rear lot line. The plumeria tree (some call it a Frangipani) is not protected. It can be removed to provide room for lot development such as adding a pool.

The above photos were taken from the rear lot line looking toward the house.  You will not the small extension at the rear of the house. That is where the bathroom has been added. The original "out house" still sits opposite. The blue chair sits in the middle of it.  Don't laugh.  Your architect may be able to expand that space into a pool cabana. It sits on the property line and current code would not allow any new structure to be built that close to the property line. However, existing buildings can be expanded.

This final photo shows the condition of the rear piers or foundation.  This is typical of many older homes in Key West that have not yet been renovated. Many of the lovely homes you see on the streets and lanes of Old Town used to look something like this. Some were much better to be sure, but others were worse.  Our local contractors are seasoned veterans when it comes to dealing with fixing old foundations which really are essential to any good renovation.  Once the foundation is in place, the interiors are easy.

A house like this would get all new electric, plumbing, windows may need to be replaced depending on condition. Exterior siding may need to be repaired, prepped for painting, and then painted. A smart buyer would take off the existing roof and replace it with a new roof with necessary straps to obtain maximum mitigation credits for windstorm insurance. I would definitely add a pool and rear deck.  I wasn't kidding about using the old out house either. You might be able to convert that into a guest cottage with a bed and bath or a pool bar at minimum.  You don't know what you can do until you ask. 

Johnson Lane is only one block long and runs parallel between Truman Avenue to the south and Olivia Street to the north. Entrances are located on Windsor Lane (that intersects at Truman where Mary's Star of the Sea Basilica) and Margaret Street.  The lane itself is a mix of very pricey town homes and a couple of very nicely updated homes and a few little cottages like 832 Johnson Lane that await a new owner.  Below you can two neighboring houses. 

Next door

Across the lane

832 Johnson Lane is offered for sale at $600,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet for more information.  I would add the property is owned by an estate with numerous heirs.  I have written about other estates before. My theory is that heirs want to sell and divide the money.  If I were a buyer, I would submit my offer based on what I think the property is worth - what it would appraise for in its current condition. This is especially true if I were going to obtain a new mortgage. A lender will not finance a property for more than its appraised value. Therefore, I would make any offer contingent on the property for appraising not less than the contract price. 

If you would like to see 832 Johnson Lane or any other house in Key West, 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 Key West.

1220 Von Phister Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Preferred Properties Key West just listed 1220 Von Phister Street, that's where I work but this is not my listing.  This 2064 sq ft home is a bit of an anomaly for Key West in that it is an historic home located in what is mostly post mid-century and later neighborhood. This home is one of the few such homes that were built around the turn of the last century. And it is this 'old school' construction that may just appeal to buyers who dream of owning an historic Key West home that is located within walking distance to the beaches.  Click GOOGLE MAP to view the location and use the toggle switch for a street view. 

The listing Realtor describes 1220 Von Phister Street this way:

"Well maintained two story home with exposed Dade County Pine walls located in excellent neighborhood.This is the perfect place to get away from it all. Superior master suite with private balcony, large bedrooms and spacious living area. Large hot tub and storage shed in back yard. Upgraded Kitchen with stainless appliances. Two zone A/C and generator. This is not a drive by."

The Dade County Pine walls in the family room and living room were pickled and give these living spaces a clean and relaxed feeling. The walls in adjacent formal dining room were painted a muted yellow that harmoniously blends with the living spaces. Just to shake things up, the Dade County Pine walls and ceiling in kitchen were given a the familiar clear coat.  Crisp crown moldings and baseboards trim out these rooms. 

A guest bedroom and bath complete the first floor.  An extra large guest bedroom is located at the front of the house on the second floor. This room is large enough to serve as a second master bedroom for couples that require separate bedrooms.

The master bedroom with en-suite bath and rear covered balcony occupy the balance of the second floor. The bedroom is distinguished by coffered ceiling, and  French doors open out to the porch area that overlooks the spa below.

One of the biggest problems potential buyers see in many Old Town homes is the meager size of bedrooms, bathrooms, closet space, etc. Too many Old Town homes seem cramped especially compared to the living spaces many buyers are accustomed to up north in America.  If the above photos don't convince you that 1220 Von Phister Street has abundant space, CLICK HERE to view more photos.

1220 Von Phister Street is located four blocks from Higg's Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.  It's an easy five minute walk which, if you have a dog, you will likely take at least twice a day.  There you will find the White Street Pier, a dog park, the beaches, the West Martello Garden (which is home to the Key West Garden Club), Salute on the Beach, and public tennis courts and two children's playgrounds.  There is always something going on at the beach, even if it just getting a tan or posing for photos in the new object I have dubbed "the thing" that looks like it descended from space.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1220 Von Phister Street and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com to schedule an appointment to see this new listing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.