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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.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

3630 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Price Reduction

The asking price on 3630 Flagler Avenue in Key West just got reduced. That makes this home a better buy for buyers who seek a freshly renovated home with the latest in interior finishes and appliances.  The listing Realtor describes this forward thinking 1517 sq ft ranch style home this way:
"Brand new renovation from top to bottom. Outstanding family 3/2 bedroom home on a very large corner lot. Kitchen renovation has been opened to increase the great room living space with the latest in appliances and finishes. Marble counter tops, and sliding glass doors reveal a 30 foot kidney shaped pool. On the other side of the pool is a wonderful Lanai surrounded by new and old tropical landscaping. Lots of outdoor lighting for a magical atmosphere at night."
3630 Flagler Avenue is situated on a large tree line lot. The home has a Spanish hacienda look on the outside. Inside, the home is all fresh and new with the latest in glazed porcelain floor tiles throughout the house that extend out to new exterior pool deck which makes an almost seamless transition to the pool deck and cabana.
Once you enter the home your attention is drawn through the living area and out to the gardens and pool. The rooms meld into a large open space with great views of the outside and still provide a sense of comfiness on the inside. 
The master bedroom with bath are located adjacent to the large kidney shaped pool. Two sets of sliding doors open out to the pool from the master bedroom so that you can take a late night soak in the hot tub or an early morning dip in the pool The two other bedrooms with shared bath are located on the opposite end of the home. You will have privacy from children or friends.  Occupants in the other bedrooms each have sliding doors that open out to a private deck.

CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this wonderful family home or vacation home.  It will work either way. This home is now offered at $799,999CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.
 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Craigslist Real Estate Scam - 731 Waddell Avenue - Key West


This is a Special Blog to warn potential renters about an Active Craigslist Real Estate Scam on 731 Waddell Avenue in Key West.  I received a phone call early Monday evening from a woman who found a too good to be true nightly rental of $400 advertised as "This home provides the privacy you desire during your vacation. The kitchen is well equipped to cook your meals,the 4 bedrooms are great with flat screen TVs, and a lush garden is also available within the environ." Photos were submitted to the prospective renter are displayed below.
 A prospective renter exchanged a series of emails with a person identified as "Gary".  I have copied one of Gary's emails below:
"This home is available for your dates Nov 1-7, a night rate is $400, 6 nights will total $2,400, other rental fees include a cleaning fee of $150 and a property damage fee of $600 totaling $3,150.

If you are satisfied with the rental rates do write back so additional pictures of the home and other necessary home details can be made available for you. Also do provide your email so the home details can be sent to you.

Regards,
Gary. "

None of the three above photos was taken at 731 Waddell Avenue. I know this because I have photographed the interior and exterior on at least two occasions. The real kitchen is shown below.

Private homes, condominiums, and town homes located in Key West may only be rented on a nightly basis if they have a transient rental license.  Very few properties in Key West have a transient rental license. Also be aware that the scam artists are using other sites to dupe potential renters.

My suggestion to guests who are planning a vacation trip to Key West, call a licensed real estate professional.  Most of the large real estate companies in Key West have property management divisions. And whatever you do, do not wire money or use your credit card of Paypal account to transfer money to someone other than a licensed and verifiable property manager. 


Disclaimer

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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