712 Love Lane - Key West - Short Sale

If you have been waiting to find that perfect place that you can tinker with just a bit to make it fit your personal needs, I offer for your consideration one of the prettiest properties in Old Town Key West - 712 Love Lane.  This property is back on the market.  It is now offered as a Short Sale at the asking price of $995,000.

The listing broker describes this hidden gem this way:

"One of the island's best kept secrets. This 4/3 triple saw tooth shotgun proved inspirational to many. Harry Roberts was the model for Harry Morgan in Hemingway's To Have & Have Not''. Many other writers have been inspired by this gem, secluded behind the library palm garden. The main home & separate guest cottage with bath open to the private deck & 9' deep heated lap pool with outdoor shower. Cypress shutters & cypress cabinets with travertine tops in the kitchen & dining area. Off Fleming Street at the end of Love Ln. with off-street parking. Home is now unfurnished. Short Sale, buyer responsible for $8,750 negotiator fee. This is NOT an approved price by the banks."

 A vistor to Key West snapped the above photo of 712 Love Lane during an open house and posted it on her Instragram page along with this comment: "Touring a secluded gem on Love Lane that has provided inspiration to many distinguished authors..." with a series of hash tags.  It's wonderful how people that see places like this just fall in love with Key West and the little houses we call home.

If you are a hopeless romantic you may fall in love with today's home when you read the address. But if you're a pragmatist you may actually need to walk to the end of the lane, open the gate, and enter garden before you fall in love with this home. And after that all hope is lost for you will be surely, truly, madly, deeply in love with 712 Love Lane.

 In her book Key West Houses author Leslie Lindsey described 712 Love Lane as "an enchanting environment with a brick-and-stone patio and overhead trellis laden with cascading bougainvillea."

Let me first tell you why it is so "secret" - it's because there are three separate "Love Lanes" each located near the other but far enough apart to totally confuse just above anyone. If you walk on the north side of Southard Street you will find a Love Lane sign located midway between William and Elizabeth Streets. If you walk down the lane you will find that the lane abruptly ends where a house sits and the lane ends. On the south side of Southard Street there is a small walking lane that leads back to a couple of smallish houses - this is also Love Lane. And if you are walking on the south side of Fleming Street just east of the Monroe County Library you will find the third segment of Love Lane that is a one-way lane that runs the length of the library plus an additional thirty feet or so where it abruptly ends at a gate that leads to three homes.  In his book The Streets of Key West author J. Willis Burke explains the confusion about Love Lane:

"Love can generate some confusion - and Love Lane is no exception. Some maps show to Loves, one coming off Fleming and another off Southard, but not meeting mid-block. Other maps indicate Gwynn Street, named for a former mayor and cigar tycoon E. O. Gwynn, is the lane that runs off Southard. And yet another source cites Johnny Cake Lane as making up the northern half of Love Lane. At one time perhaps it did... As confirmed by the loving couple who lives on the Fleming Street side of the lane, both are now called Love Lane. It seems they don't meet because the bungalow that bisects the lane was built on the sly, and over the decades, has been grandfathered and let stand."

Love Lane adjacent to the Monroe County Library Garden

712 Love Lane is located at the end of the quiet little lane

I searched the old Sanborn Fire Maps and found what I believe to be 712 Love Lane. Love Lane existed and was named the same in the 1889 Sanborn Map, but the houses were not numbered. I checked the maps for later years and the house still stands where as the larger house at the corner at Fleming is gone. Today that space is the library garden. The early cottage was simple. I dug into the old shoebox and found 712 Love Lane is it was photographed in 1965 - below.

Like so many places in Old Town, this home has been added onto over the years. Rooms, multiple decks, a pool, a guest cottage are pieces that slowly became parts of a new whole. According to the listing agent what was once a small cottage is now a 1462 sq ft home with three bedrooms in the main house plus the guest cottage or pool house which declares to a bedroom. Below are photos of this home as it looked when still owner occupied.

When you enter the home you see the dining room on the right. It's a magnificent space with soaring ceiling, a library wall once crammed with books and windows that look out to the garden of the Monroe County Library, and the front porch. A quiet little reading nook completes this space.

On the opposite side of the room is the living area with walls that seem to reach to heaven. Cedar shutters line the French doors on the south side which filter the view of the pool. Art has found a home on these walls which themselves become a piece of art. Look through the open door and view the first of three bedrooms in the main house. Notice the pickled wood flooring that is light and practical and in harmony with the house.

Pine walls were whitewashed which allowed the pink tones of the wood to show through. Louvered cedar shutters open out to the pool.

I found it difficult to pick a favorite spot because each room or space is so precious in its own right. I love the spartan bedroom with the single bed. It has a window that looks out to library garden. The shutter lined master bedroom made me want to jump on the bed and take a nap. The gauzy front bedroom begged me to peer through the shutters out to the pool. And then there is that insane kitchen with the soaring ceiling and handmade cedar cabinets. You absolutely positively cannot buy that charm from Home Depot or IKEA here. This kitchen was created with LOVE in mind.

The pool is located on the south side of the property. Some pools that face south get an hour or so of sun each day. This pool should stay sunny most of the day throughout most of the year. Sometimes buyers miss things like that. It's always nice to have a pool with some sun and some shade. Not all people are bronzed gods and not all gods need to bake all day. The guest cottage or pool house (or fourth bedroom) is located at the far end of the pool.

The pool house (guest cottage) is located at the far end of the pool.  I walked inside and looked at the room and my jaw dropped. Who wouldn't love to sleep, or take a nap, or do other stuff in this place? The cottage has a tiny bath so if could function as a bedroom. This space is so restful.

I was nearing the end of taking photos when I snapped the above picture. I told the listing agent that Ralph Lauren must have created this space - it is just perfect!  He didn't, but I think you get what I mean. CLICK HERE to see all of the photos I took of 712 Love Lane.

Kevin N. McCarthy's book The Book Lover's Guide to Florida: Authors, Books and Literary Sites notes that author William Wright lived at 712 Love Lane (for about ten years). The present owners purchased this home from Wright in 1987. They created a masterpiece.  712 Love Lane is now vacant.  All of the furnishings are gone.  The house and garden await the vision of a new owner. The house needs painted and maybe the baths need updated. The house, however, is a little masterpiece that only needs preserved - not remade.

This property was rented during the 2013 season as a vacation rental at $15,000 per month.  I think a new owner might improve on the monthly rental a bit.  You could not ask for a better location than this home. And I don't think there are many houses that are as picturesque as this.  

CLICK HEREto view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. If you would like to see 712 Love Lane with me, Gary Thomas, please call me a 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Property Key West. You'll fall in love with this secluded gem!

1117 Watson Street - Key West - Conch Grove Compound - A Singular Sensation

1117 Watson Street, Key West is located two blocks west of White Street and two blocks south of Truman Avenue in the Conch Grove Compound which consists of thirteen cottages and single family houses that share a large sunny and heated pool, gardens, and off street parking. Each cottage or house owns the property in fee simple - just like your home up north in America. But all property owners share ownership of all of the common areas. Each cottage or house is unique. Some cottages are pretty small. A couple of the houses are quite large. So the compound does not look like a Disney version of Key West. It is the real thing. Writer James Kirkwood, co-author of “A Chorus Line”, was one of the first homeowners in the Conch Grove Compound. He knew a thing or two about a singular sensation.

The listing Realtor describes 1117 Watson Street as a

"Totally renovated from top to bottom! This 1 bedroom pied-a-terre is located in the unique Conch Grove Compound in Old Town Key West. The floor plan is very open and features a vaulted ceiling. The loft square footage is a bonus (not included in the MLS square footage). The loft area is open and overlooks the living room. The 3227 square foot lot features a raised brick patio and lush garden area. This cottage has a new roof, new floors, new kitchen cabinets/countertops, new high end appliances, new washer/dryer and a custom artisan seascape bathroom. Shared off-street parking for one car. The large community pool with gazebo is surrounded by lush landscaping. Beautifully decorated and furnished. Ready for the new owner to move in."

 If you read about this house before or if you saw it when it was previously listed, you may remember that the previous owners used the front room as the bedroom. While the original entry door stayed in place on the left side of the front porch, the actual entry to the house was located on the south side of the house. A fair amount of internal floor space was used to create a stairway to a second level loft which was very cramped and that had no practical utility. It was claustrophobic!  Seriously, detective Adrian Monk would have flipped out over the cramped space.  The current owner removed the loft sleeping area and stairway. The entry was relocated back to the front porch but reversed to the south side.

The above photo shows the front entry door on the left. The single bedroom is on the right. There is a new kitchen, updated interiors, new bath, and a totally new aura to this 680 sq ft one bedroom cigar maker cottage.

Not shown in the mls nor do I have any photos that show the large backyard that belong to this unit. One of the joys of owning a place in Key West is having a large enough piece of the outdoors where you can enjoy our wonderful Key West weather.  There is a clearing between the trees that leads through the big green lawn to the pool and sunning area.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos of 1117 Watson Street.  This one bedroom one bath cigar maker's cottage is offered at $675,000.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing.I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.  Instead of meeting with architects, builders, and decorators, spend this summer by the big sunny pool getting the tan of your life.

717 Southard Street - Sitting High on Solares Hill - Key West

The three bay revival style house at 717 Southard Street sits near the tippy top of Solares Hill, the tallest point on the Island of Key West. The house itself appears to reach to the sky - it's three stories tall and sits close to the street. You can 't but help to notice the size of this place. The house is painted crisp white. The azure shutters and red front door beckon passers-by to take notice. And those that take a closer look will see pediments above each window or door interconnected with detailed trim that give this home a look of distinction.

The listing Realtor describes this home this way:
"Elegance and Luxury is what you will experience as you enter the foyer of this magnificent Old Town Beauty. Built in 1866 and located atop of Solares Hill, this home underwent a complete renovation, introducing all the modern amenities while maintaining the historic integrity of the property. 3 bedrooms all ensuite, including a spacious master suite with third floor library and separate office. Gourmet kitchen overlooking the open floor plan of dining and living room. Luscious tropical landscaping, cozy patio and cocktail pool offer ideal outdoor space, while one off street parking spot will accommodate your vehicle."

 

The 2640 sq ft house is big - real big. The covered front porch offers a perfect place to sit and watch the constant people parade that passes by this home each day. When you pass the threshold and enter the foyer you immediately realize this is a house of some importance.  You will notice decades of old paint has been removed from the Dade County Pine walls at the entry and stairway. The walls now have a clear coat that reveals the ancient wood grain of this super strong wood that is found in our historic homes. The walls are now a perfect place for displaying art.Your eyes are drawn past the formal entry to the living room at the rear. As you move forward the kitchen and dining area come into view. The current owner is using the room adjacent to the living room as an office. It can function just as easily as a bedroom since there is a bath attached.

French doors lead from the dining area out to the side yard that provides a comfortable area for informal entertaining. The diminutive water feature is called a cocktail pool. (Ft. Zach Beach is a ten minute bike ride to the west. By the way, you can't dive there either.)

French doors open from the first floor bedroom out to an adjacent deck that overlooks the cocktail pool.  A little gate allows easy access for some late night skinny dipping.  During the daytime this is a perfect place to read or write a book.

The newly created third floor bedroom is just the place for the hopeless romantic that wants a place away from it all. It both away from it. And it's kinda romantic at the same time.

The second floor bedroom has a huge vaulted ceiling.  More exposed Dade County Pine walls offer more space for art. Note also this room along with others in this home have Plantation shutters on each window. The consistency of design elements gives the house as a whole a sense of purpose.  An ante-room is located adjacent the bedroom which leads to the stairway to the newly created third floor bedroom that is nearing completion. And of course you can't forget the ever present second floor front porch that overlooks Southard Street. The old Albury House at 730 Southard Street with its widows walk is one of the most famous houses in town. And picturesque Love Lane is located next to 717 Southard Street.

The owner of 717 Southard Street has converted the off street parking spot on Love Lane into a bricked garden space with water feature.   But a new owner could easily reclaim the space which would work just fine if he or she owned a Mini Cooper or Fiat. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

717 Southard Street is offered for sale at $1,289,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this 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.

7 Nassau Lane - Old Town - Key West

 Twelve years ago I had floor duty at a different real estate office. A couple walked in the door and said they wanted to look at small homes in Old Town. I showed them several houses on the computer and mentioned a new listing on Nassau Lane. I called the listing agent. We drove over to see it. Nassau Lane is located just off Fleming Street between Grinnell and and Frances Streets. It is a one block long lane that dead-ends perhaps 150 feet from Fleming. I parked on Fleming and we walked down the lane. As we approached the house the lady said "Gary, I love it. I want to buy it!" I said "You haven't even seen the inside". She re-iterated she wanted to buy it. We had a signed contract (both sides) in about two hours time. We became friends and see each other occasionally for dinner. A couple of years ago I was walking another couple down that same lane when the couple that bought the house came outside. She came up and gave me a big hug and told my buyers that they love their house and Nassau Lane. I made a remark about only looking at one house and she said the house and the lane are what she had dreamed of. There was no reason to look further. I have repeated this story many times because a lot of people want a small house, not a big house. They want something that is less expensive and easier to maintain than say a big house on a busy street. 

For the potential buyer who wants a pool may I suggest that you consider the cost of actually owning even a small pool and then consider the option of using an alternative such as the pool at Dante’s for those few you want to swim or layout - perchance to get a tan to make your friends up north in America green with envy. A typical pool service will cost $100 to $150 per month. Add the cost of chemicals, electricity, and propane to run the pump and heat the pool, and you have to add a couple of thousand dollars added to your budget. Alternatively, you could spend the sun-and-swim days at a place like Dante’s where you could have a few cocktails and a nice lunch each day for a lot less money (unless you drink like a fish).

The recently listed 642 sq ft house at 7 Nassau Lane may appeal to the buyer who wants a place he or she can move into now, fix-up a bit later, and end up with a place like my buyers from a dozen years ago.  The listing Realtor describes this listing this way:

"Historic 1BD/1BA conch cottage on a quiet Old Town lane. Original Dade County pine throughout. Unfinished loft offers potential for a second bedroom. Needs upgrades and TLC. Great renovation project with lots of potential!"

Just below are a series of photos that show 7 Nassau Lane. The black and white photo was taken in 1965. The others were taken earlier this year. The front photo sets the stage for the interior. You'll notice the old wood steps are a bit worn - they're not falling down but they are not perfect either. Inside the house is fairly wide. The living room has windows on three sides and is fairly bright. The kitchen is next. It is partially open to the living room and has a window of its own. The lone bedroom is at the rear. This room has a vaulted ceiling. Windows on the south and east walls illuminate this space. The listing Realtor suggests that a new owner might try to use the attic space as a potential second bedroom. I do think the house would benefit from a bucket or two of fairy dust. The kitchen and baths are good candidates for redos. The living and sleeping space might just come alive. 

The lot at 7 Nassau Lane is is 32' X 50' (1575 sq ft).  It's not long enough to allow for the installation of a private pool. There is a small bricked sitting area at the rear garden.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 7 Nassau Lane that is offered for sale at $495,000.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule your own walk down Nassau Lane possibly to find the answer to your little dream. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.