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Thursday, July 10, 2014

1028 Whitehead Street - Key West - Bank Owned


The listing Realtor describes the new Bank Owned property at 1028 Whitehead Street as an
"Old Town corner location with two legal residential units & two buildings designed to fit your imagination! Open the fence gate and realize the potential associated with this space. Design your dream complex with the two existing separate buildings. Previously, a commercial office existed downstairs as well."

 I fished around in my old shoebox and found a couple of photos that show 1028 Whitehead Street as the two properties appeared about fifty years ago. Back then the corner building was a neighborhood grocery store and the two story wood building appears to have been a first floor garage and a second floor apartment that was probably owned by the single family home adjacent to the north. From a cursory review of county records it looks like a two story concrete block building was attached to the original grocery store structure around 1958.  Just below you can view photos that show the current condition of these buildings. The photos pretty much speak for themselves.
The former grocery store was most recently used as a real estate office. Don't let the marble floor fool you, this place is no Taj Mahal. I am advised that the commercial space is not recognized by the City of Key West. A new owner may not be able to use that space for commercial purposes.
The two story residential building to the rear has had some interior renovations or repairs started. Much still needs to be done.
The former garage/apartment now looks to be two separate apartments. The City only recognizes one.
CLICK HERE to view all photos of this Bank Owned Key West  property.

The property as it currently exists has 2148 sq ft of living space on a 2191 sq ft lot (43.6s X 50.25) located at the corner of Whitehead and Virginia Streets. Many of the neighboring properties are actively rented as vacation rentals. Some even have transient licenses.

I think this property as it currently exists come across as a bit challenging. But I think the location is terrific for a buyer that wants either a renovation project or perhaps a tear down and rebuild.  I think but cannot guarantee that a new owner could raze the old commercial and more recent concrete block addition. I also believe that a new owner might get permission to raze the former garage-cum-two-story apartment. There is nothing historic about a garage other than it is built too close property lines to comply with current setback requirements. I have seen numerous renovation projects where similar properties have been totally transformed into chic usable spaces.  Nothing is off the table when it comes to doing a project in Key West.

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to show you 1028 Whitehead Street. There is genuine potential with this property that is offered for sale at just $397,000.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

Monday, July 7, 2014

1024 Virginia Street - Key West

 New to the Key West real estate market is 1024 Virginia Street which is located in the South of Truman area of Old Town.  The house is located midway in the block between Varela Street to the east and Watson Street to the west. I looked at the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to discern when this house was built. The first time it was identified on a map was in 1912. On that map this house was identified as being 1024 Sodus Court. It is the same house. Virginia Street was not a through street in 1912. A large house sat in the space that would become the 1000 block of Virginia Street at some later time. Just below is a photo of this house taken in 1965 although to me the pic looks much older. The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows most of the recent improvements were made in 1986 when the pool and rear deck were added. Not all building permits are showed "online", and there may have been many more permits for the improvements such as the kitchen and bath as well as other parts of the house. This is typical of how property records were done until recent years. (Old property records are maintained in a storage facility up in Tallahassee.)
The listing Realtor describes the current house at 1024 Virginia Street this way:
"Come see this darling 2 bedroom 1 bath Conch House today. Behind the lush tropical privacy hedge is a welcoming front porch. Hallway leads past two bedrooms in front to the kitchen, full bath and the pool side living/dining area. Double sliders lead out to the sunny deck, above ground pool and adorable gazebo. The property has been well-maintained, but is due for an update. The lush, mature gardens and terrific location make this the perfect Key West getaway worth your financial and creative investment."
This place is as cute as the dickens. There is so much love all over this house. That's the rub. Most houses are delivered without the prior owners' furnishings - whatever they might be. The furnishings here are a delight.  Take them away and you have a house that the listing agent says "is due for an update".
 Below are photos that show the house from the front entry to the pool at the rear. CLICK HERE to see all the photos I took.
The entry hall leads past the front and second bedroom both of which have a small vanity with sink.  The hall opens into the kitchen where French doors on one side and a peaked ceiling with glass flood the kitchen with light.
A steep ladder in the kitchen leads to a loft space that runs from the front of the house to the kitchen. This area has a wood floor. I suppose the space might work as additional sleeping space for the occasional visitor but I doubt that it would work for any permanent sleeping arrangement.  The kitchen is about as darling as any I have seen in this old town. The cabinets and appliances are a bit dated. The refrigerator is located in the next space which contains the dining area and the entrance to the one bathroom.
It appears to me that the living space is a combination of an original addition to the rear of the main house that was joined by a more recent shed addition. Two sets of doors open out to the expansive rear deck where there is a "gazebo" of sorts and a "pool" which the Property Appraiser identifies as a "hot tub". The gazebo provides shade, otherwise, the deck and pool are quite sunny.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. This property is offered for sale at $549,000.  If you are not working with anyone, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this adorable Key West cottage style home.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

812 Johnson Lane - Key West - Sunday Open House


Open House 
Sunday 
July 6th
12:00 to 2:00

Freshly Renovated Two Bedroom Main House & 
Stand alone One Bedroom Rear Cottage
New A/C, New Floors, New Drywall, New Electric, New Plumbing, New Kitchen, New Baths

Pool & Big Sunny Deck

Off Street Parking for Two Cars

Great Old Town Key West Location - near everything but situated on a quiet little lane three blocks from Duval. 

Located in the X Zone - No Flood Insurance Required!

Best of All - New Price - $795,000

CLICK HERE to view full MLS info and more photos


Friday, July 4, 2014

617 Fleming Street #9 Key West - Just Listed


Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West, 617 Fleming Street #9. This Eyebrow Cottage dates back to around 1890, but it just nearing completion of a new interior restoration that adds current designer touches plus updates that include all new A/C (with heat), plumbing fixtures, and so on. What's more, this cottage is situated of the Campbell Courtyard Condominiums which means you can lock and leave this little home and go back up north knowing that your property will be well cared for. There are just nine units at Campbell Courtyard, some of which are rented as vacation rentals. Unit #9 is just one of five units that have private off street parking.
The original eyebrow house sits deep inside the long lot that is 617 Fleming Street. I dug into the hold shoebox and found a photo the the eyebrow house taken nearly 50 years ago. Compare the look back then with the way it looks in 2014 - nearly the same. 
The interior of unit #9 is nearly complete. When finished the two story two bedroom two bath unit will have new porcelain tile floors throughout. The living room has a new SOMY Bravia TV built into one wall. Crown molding and new baseboards have been added to this area.
The kitchen is getting a total over-haul as well. New Martha Stewart Cabinets have been added to the kitchen and both bathrooms. Quartz solid surfaces have been added to the kitchen and bathrooms. Stainless steel appliances including a counter depth French refrigerator will give the completed kitchen a look that is sleek and refined. There's even room for a dining set in the kitchen.
The downstairs bedroom has been updated with the addition of a drama wall which will be whitewashed and sealed. The wall has ground level and mid-level electric outlets and cable tv outlets. French doors open out to the private rear deck. The main floor bath was totally renovated with the addition of tiled shower with glass shower doors, Martha Steward Cabinets and quartz solid surfaces.
The second floor bedroom has been reconfigured to provide more bedroom space and enlarge the bathroom where the shower has been rebuilt as well. Here, too, double glass shower doors will be added to the space. Martha Stewart cabinets up here as well.

 If you buy this sweet newly renovated eyebrow cottage you can sit on your front porch and look out to beautiful courtyard and serene pool. You can walk a little over one block to enjoy the great restaurants and hotspots people from all over the world come to enjoy. For you, it's home. For them, it's a dream vacation.


617 Fleming Street #9 is offered for sale at $690,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and listing photos. CLICK HERE to see more photos. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to see this property. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

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The information on this site is for discussion purposes only. Under no circumstances does this information constitute a recommendation to buy or sell securities, assets, real estate, or otherwise. Information has not been verified, is not guaranteed, and is subject to change.
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