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Friday, July 11, 2014

1406 Leon Street - Key West Short Sale - Buying Opportunity


The asking price on 1406 Leon Street was just reduced to $1,099,000. This is a real buying opportunity for a buyer who wants a custom home in tip-top condition in a great neighborhood. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:
"This pristine home is walled for privacy. Step into your own private oasis where comfort abounds in this three bedroom home. Bedrooms offer custom built-in cabinetry and open onto lush tropical gardens. The spacious master bedroom has a walk-in closet and easy access to a laundry room. The gourmet kitchen will delight the most discriminating chef and the open floor plan is perfect for entertaining family or guests who are sure to enjoy the use of the large wine closet. The solar and electrically heated pool with a waterfall along with a large gazebo will allow you to shut the world out and relax in comfort. The whole house generator and the orchids blooming in every tree complete the picture of paradise found!"
When you pass through the front entry into  the walled courtyard you see the pool and spa to the left, a quaint gazebo to the right, and tall palms and other tropical foliage scattered throughout the garden which extends along the south side of the lot to the garage on Washington Street. The home has one of the largest Key Lime trees on the island. 
This home thoughtfully designed to allow the beautiful garden views to be a part of the important interior spaces. Each major room has either glass paneled doors or full panel windows. This is a real feature of this home that distinguishes it from many I have seen where windows are covered with drapes, blinds, or shutters. This home is totally enclosed by a privacy wall. Why live in Paradise if you can't enjoy it?
The consistency of design and materials used is evident throughout this home. Unlike some houses I have been inside, there is no green room or blue room, no homage to Tahiti or New York City. Instead every room is low key but sophisticated. Crown moldings wrap each of the rooms - including the shower in the master bath.
Other features include a butler's pantry, extra large closets and storage throughout the house, whole house generator, garage, hurricane panels for all windows and doors.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this home.

1406 Leon Street is now a short sale offered at the asking price of $1,099,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this lovely and very private home.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your home in Paradise.

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


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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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