310 Amelia Street ~ Key West ~ Bank Owned

The Bank Owned home at 310 Amelia Street in the Bahama Village area of Key West was listed 47 days ago by a fellow Realtor. This three bedroom/two bath house with pool and off street parking was built new (not remodeled nor updated) in 2001.  It has 1548 sq ft of living space under air plus a prominent front porch for people watching and an extra-large rear loggia that wraps around the rear side of the home. And it is Bank Owned and is offered for sale at $749,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"This three Bedroom and two bath newer construction home in the Historic District was built by a builder for a builder. Large lot with heaps of off-street parking, a large in-ground pool, enormous master suite and two zone AC." 

Locals and returning vacationers will recall that the Bahama Village was undergoing quite the renaissance a decade ago when housing prices in Old Town reached a point that spurred buyers to consider less costly parts of town to buy, remodel, or build new. The beautiful house on the corner was built new during that time as well. A lovely home across the street was stylishly updated and a pool added to that property. And 310 Amelia Street was built new. It incorporated all the new Florida building code requirements adopted after Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida (not Key West) a couple of years earlier.

The main floor great room is open and inviting. French doors at the rear of the kitchen provide easy access to the rear deck and pool area or the second floor bedrooms. There is a built in breakfast bar that provides informal dining space whilst the cook makes prepares a meal in the large kitchen. Note the dishwasher and microwave oven were removed. A new owner might just update all appliances and give the space a total new look. That's not necessary but it might make sense.

There are two bedrooms that share a single bath on the second floor. The east bedroom has immediate access via a pocket door. The west bedroom has access via door in the hallway. Note that both bedroom ceilings appear to look like the spaces may have been converted into bedrooms. That is not the case. I don't know the specifics of the design of this house, but I do know that our Historic Architectural Review Commission likes to see new construction that looks similar to, but not be a copycat of, other homes in an area. The bedroom and bath spaces work great and provide total privacy from the master bedroom that is located off the great room in the rear section of the home.

 The little "dormer" off the backside of the second floor roof is the second floor landing. The dormer provides daytime light to the second floor bedrooms and adds a bit a architectural flair to the house as a whole.

I attended a Christmas party in this home several years ago. I recall that the master bedroom suite (above) included a mini living area as well. This room is huge and has lots of space for lounging or computing or whatever you do in your bedroom besides sleeping.

French doors open from the master suite onto the loggia that wraps the rear portion of this home. The owner has a private area away from the pool but close enough to keep an eye on the kids or grand kids. Oh, and did you notice there is a real pool and not a pretend pool?

I think this home might make a very good vacation rental.  The separation between the main floor master suite and the two upstairs bedrooms provides privacy. A family would have good separation between the parents and other family members. Or two or three couples traveling together would have the same separation. The issue then becomes who gets the big sexy master suite. The house is located just two blocks from Duval Street. The photo above shows the corner of Amelia and Duval Street - two blocks from this home. 310 Amelia Street is located within easy walking distance to Ft. Zach Taylor State Park and Beach or the South Beach at the end of Duval Street. LaTeDa, Banana Cafe, and Denny's are all within a couple blocks from Amelia. The rest of Old Town Key West is within an easy walk of pedicab ride.  Tourists will love it.

CLICK HERE to view the rest of the photos I took of this new listing.  After you have looked at the photos, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up an appointment to see 310 Amelia Street. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

The Best Deal in Key West - 221 Golf Club Drive

 I know that when most prospective buyers decide to look for a second home in Key West that they want to find a charming place in Old Town with a white picket fence, off street parking, a pool, and two or three bedrooms. Many such buyers hope to find a place that is priced in the $500,000 and under price range.  These buyers get shocked when I send them the sparse listings that actually exist in the under $500,000 price range.  We look anyway and many buyers either decide to spend more money or to go home suffering from sticker shock or down-right real estate depression.

The home at 221 Golf Club Drive is located four miles east of Old Town Key West. It is offered at $549,000 or $343 per sq ft for this 1600 sq ft home that was built in 2001.  And it comes fully furnished. It has three bedrooms, two full baths plus a potential fourth bedroom (or guest room or office) located off the living room. There is a guest bath on the main floor which makes that guest room option viable.

This home is in move-in condition. I have shown it several times to a variety of buyers with differing motivations. The people I showed it to wanted a house in Old Town. And they understood the value of this house. They just could not get around the fact that they could not get an old house in Old Town for the same price. You just can't and that is that. I did a sample search and determined a similar house would cost about $1,045,00 or $594 per sq ft.  I don't know about you, but I would not mind a brief trip to Old Town for dinner or to see a play or whatever if I could save $500,000.

 

221 Golf Club Drive is located in The Sanctuary at the Key West Golf Club. The golf club is a non-membership golf course open to the public. We don't have a country club here, but if we did, this house would be on the country club grounds. There is a manned gated entrance to the area itself. The Sanctuary has a separate gate that separates this area from the other houses in the development.  Golf Club Drive becomes a large loop that exits through the same gate. Houses on either side have various views of the golf course. The view from this home is protected by large trees. I would probably trim the trees back a bit. But a new owner may like the privacy the trees provide.  

 Like all of the large homes in The Sanctuary, this home offers a gracious entrance into the foyer which then flows into the expansive living area. French doors at the rear beckon the eye to see what is located beyond the doors that frame the golf course view. The office or guest bedroom is located just off the living room. 

A large rear covered veranda provides serene views of the pool and rear garden area. There is a similar covered porch off the master bedroom located on the second floor rear. There are four porches in this home - two in front and two in the rear. What kind of chance do you think you could find something like this in Old Town? 

In addition to the covered real porch, the master bedroom includes an en-suite bath and a large wall of closets.  There are two additional bedrooms located at the front of the home on the second floor. They share a second bath, and both have access to the second floor front porch.  

221 Golf Club Drive has never been rented as a vacation rental. But if you are a buyer that would like that option, I think this home would make a great vacation rental. In addition to the private pool and covered off street parking, the owner (or guest) of this home may use either of the two community pools or the fitness center.  I gotta tell you that the large pool is magnificent. It is huge and always super-clean and very inviting.  Guests can spend their vacation poolside at home or with others. Or they can take to the links or drive into town. But at night they can return to the sounds of silence that The Sanctuary provides.

CLICK HERE to view a slide show of more photos of this home. After you have taken a look, please call me, Gary Thomas, to see this property. 305-766-2642. This is not my listing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. If you look at this property with me I think you will agree that it is the best deal in town.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos.

607 Elizabeth Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 607 Elizabeth Street.  The listing Realtor describes this cottage home as special and adds:

"Quaint cottage in perfect location in Old Town Key West. This two bedroom home has been updated. Private yard with lush gardens and small pool. Covered outdoor area provides for perfect Key West living. Both bedroom have attached bathrooms, plus an additional half bathroom. A very special home."

 I checked the old Sanborn fire maps and learned that 607 Elizabeth Street was located on the 1892 edition. That means the original house was built on or before 1892.  Today, the house looks as nice as about any cottage style home in Key West.  And we have some doozies. Compare the exterior as it appeared with a 1965 photo and how it looks today. I think you will agree that it looks great.

Today the home has two bedrooms, both of which have baths, plus a third potential bedroom and a separate half-bath. The combined living and dining area have vaulted ceilings and bright interiors that provide a more updated feel than you might be used to in some cottage style houses that can seem quite cramped. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this property.

 This home has 1400 sq ft of living space and sits atop Solares Hill - the highest point in Old Town Key West. Most of the neighboring homes are single family residences.  Some are very expensive homes and others, like this, are more moderately priced. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view more listing photos. This home is offered at $695,000 or $496 per sq ft.  A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a similar home at 1101 Fleming Street. It sold in less than one week.  I think 607 Elizabeth Street will sell quickly as well. This home has the look and location buyers want. It has a small pool and easy access to all the places locals and vacation travelers want to go.  I think this home would make a wonderful vacation rental as well.

To see 607 Elizabeth Street or any other listing 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.