1127 Von Phister Street, Key West - Won't You be My Neighbor?

Good Morning, Neighbor.  Won't you be my neighbor?  You can if you buy the new listing at 1127 Von Phister Street located in the Casa Marina Area of Key West.  I live just a few houses to the west where I have lived 20 years. Let me tell you about the house and later the neighborhood.

1127 Von Phister Street is a classic two-story double galleried home that sits behind a white picket fence and amid a lush tropical garden. A bubbling fountain welcomes your guests as they walk up the bricked path to the welcoming old fashioned front porch. Once inside the classic style relaxes to Key West easy living accommodation. The spaces seem to merge together together, especially when the French doors in the dining area are opened out to the pool and rear garden.  The Viking kitchen with custom cabinetry and marble counter tops is a cook's dream.  There is a separate outdoor kitchen as well. 

There is a first floor bedroom and bath that can serve as a master suite when the day comes you don't want to climb the stairs to the second floor. Plus, it's closer to the kitchen.

There are two bedrooms on the second floor both of which have French doors that open out to the rear second floor balcony that is a great place for sunning.  There is a exterior staircase that leads down to the pool below. There is also a front balcony that looks down to the enclosed front yard.  The view from up here is just wonderful. You have the feeling that this place is just so exclusive - well, at least I get that feeling. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this property.

The pool area has all the features a luxury home owner would want including decent sized pool, outdoor lounge area, a real outdoor kitchen, dining area, and adjacent pool bath.  There's a storage area located under the stairs to the second floor balcony.

1127 Von Phister Street is located on one of the prettiest tree lined streets in Key West. The house is a five minute walk or take a bike ride to the Atlantic Ocean and the beach.You can walk or ride your bike to Duval Street in about five minutes. Or you could go to the shops on White Street like Faustos or go to the Island Gym (2 minutes) or you can grab a cafe con leche at any of the several neighborhood joints. You can be at the Historic Key West Seaport as fast on your bike as in your car (if you consider parking in your travel time) (5 minutes).  And you can be in the Key West suburbs at the shopping centers or leave on a jet plane (we got 'em) at the Key West International Airport (that name always cracks me up!) in about 5 to 7 minutes depending on traffic.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1127 Von Phister Street which is offered for sale at $1,475,000.  Please call me Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I'll take you around the neighborhood. You'll fall in love. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1418 Leon Street - Elegant Key West Home

First time visitors to 1418 Leon Street in Key West will fall in love with the elegance and beauty of this pristine five bedroom home located just a couple of blocks away from the Atlantic Ocean. The front door opens into a formal entry with marble floor flanked by cherry wood floors, recessed lighting, crown molding, and French door that open out to the rear garden and pool.

Multiple sets of French doors in the open living area also open out to the covered lanai and pool. During this time of the year most Key Westers leave doors like these open throughout the day so that the indoor and outdoor living become one larger living space.

There is a ground level bedroom that could serve as a second master suite. (This especially useful as owners advance in years and find climbing stairs more difficult.) This bedroom is outfitted with a morning kitchen complete with under counter fridge. The guest cottage is nestled in just of the pool. When the doors are open the cottage seems like a little hut in a tropical paradise.

The second floor master suite occupies the entire backside of the home. Three sets of French doors open to views of the pool and garden below. The ingenious architecture of this space almost gives the feeling of being in a tree house, except this place is luxurious. 

CLICK HERE to view more photos of this beautiful Key West home offered at $2,250,000.  The CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet for more information on this home. After you have done all your clicking and looking, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this beautiful home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1108 White Street, Key West - Income Property

1108 White Street is a two story mixed-use building located on the White Street business corridor sometimes referred to as the Arts District. Even if you aren't all that familiar with Key West yet, you  surely have driven past this location before. Fausto's Grocery Store is located across the street. Sandy's is down the street.  Look closely at the photo, you'll see 1108 White reflected in the glass doorway 

I looked through the old shoebox and found a photo of the property as it appeared about fifty years ago. If  you compare the current facade in the color photo to the facade in the black and white photo you will quickly see the original second floor front porch was enclosed to provide additional interior space and that the old front addition was expanded a bit as well. The driveway in the black and white photo is now a handicap entrance to the ground floor commercial space as well as entrance to the first and second floor apartments.

The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Fantastic opportunity to own a fully-renovated, multiple-use building with commercial space and a private two bedroom two bath residential unit on the ground level, with an exciting one bedroom one bath apartment with private deck and huge unfinished attic for storage or expansion upstairs. This is a high quality renovation with amenities such as polished oak floors, central A/C, high ceilings, stainless steel appliances, separate laundry rooms, and so much more. Being a versatile property with turn-key income, potential uses are unlimited. Future owner can live in one of the residential units and collect rent or just enjoy the income stream. Residential and commercial leases are in place. Income and info available upon request."

I was not able to see the inside of the first floor commercial space. The two residential units are nicely laid out and have large updated living spaces.  They are more like condos than apartments. The first floor is typical of many homes in Old Town in that the living space is located at the rear of the property which then opens out to the back deck. This arrangement gives the occupants a nice living space plus outdoor living area. Renters will pay more money for upgraded living spaces.

The second floor unit has a rooftop deck as well. The exterior stairway has a great view of Fausto's across the street. Sandy's Sandwich shop is located a 1/2 block to the north. There are several gyms and yoga studios within three blocks. The location is an easy walk or bike ride to Duval Street and the Historic Seaport, both locations where many locals are employed. Full time workers will like these units and this location.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1108 White Street which is offered for sale at $1,249,000. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-3642 to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

"Cute but poor finishes - lipstick on a pig."

A couple of weeks ago I showed a recently renovated Key West house to a potential buyer. I showed the house before and knew what to expect.  While driving to the property I told the buyer I thought the owner/renovator had done a nice cosmetic makeover but warned her to look beyond the new kitchen and a slick paint job. The place looked great. When we were outside I pointed out rot in the eaves which was painted over. Then I directed her attention to a section of newly added siding that was applied just below historic siding which had been painted over several times instead of being scraped, sanded, primed and properly painted.  It was obvious to me that while the new siding looked good, the inadequately prepared old siding would require repair or replacement in the near future and might be an omen other shortcuts the owner/renovator may have taken.

Yesterday a couple that I sold a property to went out looking for a potential investment property. I was hosting my own open house and could not be with them. They happened to go to an open house at the property mentioned above. After seeing the place mentioned above my buyer sent me an email that "Cute but poor finishes - lipstick on a pig."

I remember showing a then recently renovated house on New Years Eve Day. It was located at the end of a very desirable lane in Old Town. All of the houses on this lane had been updated. You could not ask for a better location. As soon as we walked inside I immediately noticed things were not as perfect as the asking price would suggest. There was a big gap under the door where I could see daylight shining through. The bathroom had been updated with new vanity with black granite counter top, new fixtures, and a beautiful light above the mirror. However, I could see a sliver of light peeking through the bathroom window frame. The kitchen had new cabinets, black granite counter top,  stainless steel appliances, and a single very elegant light fixture located over the nearby kitchen table. I distinctly remember asking the agent how an owner was supposed to cook in this kitchen at night with that pretty but insufficient light source. We finished off our tour by looking at the newly added pool. The people that bought that house had to obtain an after the fact permit because the pool was built without a permit. They were fortunate that the city did not make them take the pool out.

Beware of renovations that are no more than lipstick on a pig.

1026 Von Phister Street - The Casa Marina Area - Key West

Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West, 1026 Von Phister Street located in Key West. The listing Realtor describes this 2233 sq ft four bedroom, four bath Casa Marina Area home with guest cottage as a:

"Modern Traditional sprawling ranch home on a large corner lot in the much sort after Casa Marina. The interior flows to incorporate the massive outside living area, focusing on the 38'X 14' heated pool and outdoor kitchen with covered dining. There is a guest cottage with a breakfast kitchen and full bath that is situated just off the pool. The house boasts an enormous master bedroom suite with a large walk-in closet, sunlight filled marble bath with Jacuzzi tub, walk-in shower, and a sitting room. The living area is surrounded by large windows, which extends gracefully to the kitchen and pantry. Off street parking for two cars covered and two uncovered. This home is outstanding in the evening light."

This home is laid out with privacy in mind. The open living area is located at the front. The dining area and kitchen are at the rear. The covered out door kitchen is adjacent to the indoor kitchen. The master suite is located on the far side of the pool as seen immediately above. Guest bedrooms are located on the opposite side of the main house and in a stand alone guest cottage at the far side of the pool. The thing is you can enjoy your guests. They can enjoy your home. You and your guests won't have to share all moments together.

Huge palms frame this 98' X 99' sq ft corner lot located just four blocks from the Atlantic Ocean.  Houses in the Casa Marina Area are known for their extra large lots and less density as compared to Old Town. Most of the houses in this area are single story which means more privacy. A lot of homes in this area are second homes which means they are not occupied most of the year. Some people rent, but many do not.  You will become familiar with locals as you will see them walking their dogs or doing daily fitness walks.

I actually live across the street from this property. I think it was my first 4th of July that I realized I could sit by my pool and watch the fireworks being shot off over Higg's Beach. You could do the same thing if you purchase this home.  Of course if you walk over to the beach you will get an even better view.

I am sitting at my desk as I finish today's blog. The Plantation shutter is open. The near full moon glows bright ducking in and out of clouds. The palms are swaying back and forth in the breeze. My house is also on a large corner lot and I also have giant palms that frame my yard. My sky is immense. That is something you rarely get to experience in most houses in Old Town. That's because most houses are two stories tall and sit so close to each other that views are limited. I'm not suggesting that life is better here. But it is different and more private. And the views aren't bad either.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1026 Von Phister Street that is offered for sale at $1,995,000.  After you have view the listing photos please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this property.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me show you the Casa Marina Area of Key West. You may fall in love with it.

Key West's Newest Beach...

A tourist recently captured a couple of photos of Key West's newest beach - The Fleming Street Beach located opposite the Monroe County Public Library.

If you would like to buy a place in Key West that has a pool and more privacy, contact 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 (with a pool!) in Paradise.