920 Pohalski Street, Key West - Bank Owned - Price Reduction

920 Pohalski Street, Key West

Bank Owned Property in Old Town

 Price Reduction to just $449,900

920 Pohalski Street was designed and built by a local architect that built this property for his personal home. Today it is Bank Owned and now offered for sale at just $449,900. Today the house has 920 sq ft of living space divided between the first and second floors. The house sits on a good sized lot of 1925 sq ft (55' X 35'). There is off street parking in front, a large decked rear yard, and a side side yard on the north side of the property.

The listing Realtor describes the property as:

"Redesigned 2/2 historic home with a unique floor plan. Upper level master suite, french doors from living room and kitchen open to a private deck with an in ground spa. Fully fenced for privacy." 

I looked in my old shoebox and found a photo of 920 Pohalski Street that was taken about fifty years ago. The house was enlarged with a two story rear addition that now contains the living room with vaulted ceiling, kitchen, laundry room, and second floor master suite with vaulted ceiling and en-suite bath. There is a Juliet balcony where a set of pocket doors open to reveal the spa in the decked rear garden area below.

The photos above show the generous usage of wood throughout this home. This is "new" wood as opposed to historic Dade County Pine.  I have shown this house several times over the years. I appreciate the almost "cabin-like" or masculine feel of this home. The living room and guest bedroom and bath share the first floor. A full bath is located off the living room but it is not en-suite to the bedroom. French doors at the rear open out to a partially covered rear deck that leads to the separate kitchen which is separate from the living area.  Pocket doors open to reveal the kitchen tucked into a comfy rear corner of the house.

The second floor master suite is magical. The vaulted ceiling gives this space such an expansive feel. Upper level windows punctuate the lower window and pocket doors to give the interior more light and to provide a dramatic element to the otherwise understated wood room. The Juliet balcony is seen in the photo below.

920 Pohalksi Street is located less than half a block north of Truman Avenue and across the way from the Truman and White Chevron Station. The Coffee Mill dance studio and Zumba fitness is located next door to the north. The best fried chicken in town is sold 24 hours a day at the Citgo gas station opposite the Chevron station. Most of the gyms and yoga studios in Key West are located within two blocks of this location. The location will appeal to a hip buyer that appreciates being able to be close to most of Old Town and who wants to buy a place in really good condition at an affordable price. The home inspector that inspected the property for the previous buyer told that buyer that the house was "dry" meaning no moisture or mold and in superior condition.  I took more photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE .

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property. If you would like to see 920 Pohalski Street, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

1022 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida - Legal Duplex and a Great Old Town Location

Just Listed, but not by me, 1022 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida. This is another unique Old Town property for several reasons. I did a quick check of the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine when this building was built.  The 1889 Sanborn Map showed a small building on what I am certain was the lot for 1022 Fleming, but the building was way too small and set back on the lot so far that the building could not have been the current structure. The building was numbered 425 Fleming Street on that map. The 1892 map showed it numbered with the new number of 926 Fleming and was further identified as a grocer. I looked at other nearby buildings within 200 feet or so and learned there was another grocer plus a general merchandise store across the street at the corner of Frances at Fleming and a barber located midway down the block toward Duval Street. I also learned that the Cologne Lane (located about 50 feet west of what I know is 1022 Fleming) had its name changed to Nassau Lane on the 1892 map. It was not until the 1912 map that 1022 Fleming Street appeared in the right location. Thus we know this house was built sometime between 1899 and 1912.

I then searched through my old shoebox and found a black and white photo of 1022 Fleming Street that dates back to 1965.  That's only 50 years ago, but it shows the house before more recent additions changed the exterior a bit.  If you look at the black and white photo you will quickly see an exterior staircase on the left side which leads to the second floor. Notice a gap in the first floor wrap-around porch where a set of stone or concrete steps provide entry to the porch. Then look to the far right side where you'll notice a more formal stairway leading to what appears to be the front door which at that time had glass louvers. The property is a legal duplex. The above photo shows us that the second unit is located on the second floor and was historically accessed via the outdoor staircase. Today that staircase is semi-enclosed. See the two color photos below.

The listing Realtor describes 1022 Fleming Street this way:

"This stately home is located in the heart of Old Town, near the Historic Seaport and surrounded by some of the most beautiful homes on the island. The property is prime for a renovation. It's a legal duplex that could be converted back to a single family home or supply its owner with rental income from above or below. The home features an abundance of well-maintained Dade County pine, beautiful oak floors, and gorgeous natural light that shows off its phenomenal potential. Enjoy the peaceful views over Old Town tree tops or gaze out along Fleming Street from the magnificent double wraparound porches. Off street parking and a private pool put the finishing touches on this masterpiece."

This is a very pretty house from both the street and from the inside.  It offers the same basic features on both floors with slight variations.  Both units have living areas located at the rear with kitchens tucked into the left rear corners.  Both have pool and garden views from the rear. The main floor unit has direct pool access. The second floor unit has a balcony that looks down to the pool and out toward the neighboring homes. Both units have two bedrooms which are accessed via the quite large west side interior hallway. The hallway has plenty of ambient daytime light that floods this hall. The bedrooms also have an exterior porch on the east and front sides.  East side windows in all bedrooms open out to this hallway onto the covered porches.

The above photos show the first floor configuration. The owners created a contemporary feel in this hundred year-plus house.  The Dade County Pine walls are painted a stark white which beautifully contrasts to the rich wood floors. The hallway provides a great space for displaying artwork. There are built-inshelves and more storage not visible in the photos.

The second floor is laid out pretty much the same as the main floor, however, the rear addition boasts a paladin window opposite the storage loft. CLICK HERE to view more photos of 1022 Fleming Street.

1022 Fleming Street is offered at $1,095,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this really pretty and quite unique Old Town home.  This home gives a potential new homeowner the ability to have his cake and to eat it too. The ability to rent out either the top floor or main floor ought to generate a good cash flow either as a full time annual rental or as a vacation rental. The property could also be converted into a single family residence.  Remember, there is a pool here.  There is plenty of on street parking as well. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1515 18th Street, Key West - Mid-Century Modern

Just Listed, but not by me, 1515 18th Street in Key West, Florida. This is an expansive Mid- Century Modern home constructed in 1958.  The CBS  (concrete block structure) is a combination of stucco over CBS and stone surface over CBS.  The roof is flat which was typical of that era. Most of the homes in this area are of similar age and construction. The lot measures 8937 sq ft (65' x 137.5') and is surrounded on three sides by an expensive CBS privacy fence. The house itself measures 2388 sq ft under air.  The backyard is pretty amazing. There is a large pool surrounded by a large deck for sunning punctuated by towering palms and tropical foliage. The asking price is just $515,000.  There's a whole lot of house here. I hope some reader who has been dreaming of buying a second home or maybe a future retirement home will take note of the opportunities this property provides.

This is a very simple house on many levels, or should I say it is a one level home that is very simple and efficient in its design.  The living room has a wall of windows the type of which can be seen throughout Key West in homes built from the 1950s forward.  The windows open and allow air to flow from the outside. Before there was air conditioning, there was natural ventilation. These windows provide both light but also lots of ventilation.  Two skylights provide additional light as well. One of the first things I noticed was the mix of the original terrazzo floor and newer tile floors in the dining area and bedrooms. I will comment more about this later. 

The house has an "L" shape design. There are two bedrooms and baths located on the east and west sides of the longer portion of the "L" shape. The smaller end of the "L" is the family room and kitchen. The kitchen was updated several years ago and has a several years of service before it needs redone.  The appliances and counter-tops are a bit dated, however. There is a pass through from the kitchen into the family room where there is a built in dining bar. The photo immediately above shows the Cuban tile floors that mark a third type of floor material used in this house. 

Both the west and east bedrooms have full baths and lots of closet space. They both also have a mix differing floor surfaces between rooms.  It may be that the living room and the bedroom areas were carpeted and that the carpet was removed.  There is no central air conditioning in this home. There are wall unit air conditioners, however. I think a new owner might want to install a new mini-split system throughout  the house. These systems are whisper and are more economical to operate than the old wall units. By the way I could not help but notice how quite and lovely the outdoor area was while I was taking photos.  This is really a lovely home. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this very interesting property.

CLICK HERE for a Google aerial view of this property which is located four blocks to the west of Cow Key Channel which leads to deep Atlantic Ocean waters via the Sunrise Canal across the street from this home. Jimmy Buffet once lived a block or so down the street on the opposite side of the adjacent Sunrise Drive.

1515 18th Street is offered at $515,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing on this very interesting and fairly priced home which has so much to offer. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.