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Friday, August 14, 2015

906 White Street, Key West, Florida - Classic Old Town Home

I dug down into my old shoe box and found the black and white photo immediately below that shows how 906 White Street looked fifty years ago. Compare it to the color photo from a similar angle  taken fifty years later.  You will see that the original extended roof over-hang no longer exists and that gingerbread has been added next to the columns which were also replaced. A baluster was added to dress up the porch. French doors replaced the original front windows. And shutters were added to all three front porch openings.
I searched the historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine the approximate time frame when this home was built. The first reference I found was in the 1889 map when the house was then numbered 213 White Street. Just three years later the same house was re-numbered 904 White Street, and then in 1899 it was renumbered to its current street address as 906 White Street. The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows this house has 1185 sq ft of living space capable of being air conditioned under roof and sits on a 50' X 93' sq ft lot (4650 sq ft). Today there are two bricked off street parking spaces located on either side of the house. The entire front yard is fenced and an arbor marks the entrance over the front gate.  White Street is the eastern boundary of the Key West Historic District which is referred to as Old Town.
 
The listing Realtor describes this home this way:
"Lovingly restored home on the prettiest block on White Street. Spacious Conch cottage bordering The Meadows with everything you'd love in Old Town Key West: white picket fence, front porch and swing, bricked front yard with TWO gated off street parking spaces, heated pool with pool house/guest quarters, outside shower, entertainment area, outdoor dining, mature vegetation, split floor plan for privacy, each bedroom has en-suite bathroom, spacious interior and open concept kitchen-dining area. Centrally located, walk or bike to restaurants, grocery store, White Street Pier/beaches and be right on your porch for the famous Key West Walk on White art display. Truly a magnificent home with a warm, cozy feel. Easy to view! X Zone."
This was a simple house when it was originally built. It has been stylishly updated but not messed around with too much. By that I mean that the interiors are probably similar to the original construction but updated to provide comfortable contemporary features particularly in the kitchen and bathrooms. There are new additions at the rear of the original house which now house the kitchen and dining area, a guest bed and bath, and elevated rear deck area. New windows and mini-split air conditioning have been added through out the home.
The front living area flows into the kitchen and open dining area with high pitched vaulted ceiling. The newly remodeled kitchen includes new Kitchen Made  cabinets, stainless steel appliances, custom tiled counter-tops, and two sets of French doors that open out to the rear deck and pool area. Rich wood floors carry throughout the first floor which includes a downstairs bedroom with en-suite bath.
The photo just above shows the first floor front bedroom with attached bath. A door located next to the pedestal sink opens into the kitchen hallway, adjacent to the stairway to the second floor bedroom. I point this out because there is so much attention to little design details and also the utilization of usable spaces in this home.
There is another, but smaller, first floor bedroom located adjacent to the open kitchen and dining area. A door in the bedroom opens to the outside to provide quick escape or late night sneak-back entry to this bedroom. That bedroom has its own full bath as well.
The second floor bedroom and bath are just adorable. The wood floors in this bedroom are painted and provide a nice contrast to the yellow tones of the walls and the ceiling which is painted white. Battens accentuate the drama of these different building elements. The bathroom has classic black and white checkered tiles and crisp white bath fixtures. The ancient claw foot tub stands in contrast to the sheet of glass shower wall.
The attention to detail is found in all parts of this home. Note the built-in drawers in the bedroom area and the storage space built into the bathroom knee wall. All of the electric switches have small labels stating which feature they control. Nothing is left to chance .CLICK HERE to see more photos I took of this totally charming Old Town home.

When you exit the original house you walk out to a new porch that provides an outdoor dining area that is elevated just a bit above the pool level. You'll quickly see the pool house located on the opposite side of the pool. The pool house has an exaggerated height that is easily understood when you look inside where you will see a ladder to the loft sleeping area. The little building also has a bath  This home has a brief recent history as a monthly vacation rental property. The location is within easy walking distance to most of the gyms and yoga studios in Key West. The historic seaport is just a few blocks to the north and the hustle and bustle of Duval Street is a seven minute walk.

906 White Street is offered for sale at $1,300,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and also the listing photos. Then 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. I think this place is as cute as it can be. It has been thoughtfully maintained and appears to be in very good condition. 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

2122 Staples Avenue, Key West - Bank Owned Mid-Century Modern

Just Listed 2122 Staples Avenue, Key West, Florida. This sharp Bank Owned property is offered for sale at $519,900. The listing Realtor describes the home this way:
"Great 4br 2ba Home Offers A Spacious Open Floor Plan. Two Bedrooms Have Glass Doors Leading To The Pool W/ Waterfall. The Kitchen Has Corian Tops, new SS Appliances, And Separate Dining Area. New roof, new A/C and water heater. Corner lot with privacy wall and shed."
This 1396 sq ft home sits on a spacious 5000 sq ft lot beautifully fenced corner lot. There are several large specimen palm trees on the lot as well as a Royal Poinciana tree. The front entry has just a bit of formality which belies the affordability to this home. 
When you enter the home you immediately sense this is not a normal 1950's vintage mid-century house. Although the house has been updated, the original room layout is pretty much today what it was when the home was constructed. A new large tile floor carries through-out the home. The house appears to have been recently painted as well. My first impression was extremely favorable.
The home has three bedrooms and one bath located in the bedroom wing. Two of the bedrooms have French doors that open out to the pool area. A smaller third bedroom is located on the opposite side of the hall. That room is a bit smaller and might also be used as a home office.
If you have a mother-in-law or a brother-in-law or a college age kid who wants his or her own place to live, the attached mini-pad has its own entrance and outside sitting area under the Royal Poinciana tree. There is no kitchen in this area nor is there room for one.
I took more photos of this property which you may view if you CLICK HERE. Please take the time to look at the photos. You will see that this house has been well maintained and is in move-in condition. 
2122 Staples Avenue is offered for sale at $515,900. 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 Key West. This house has a lot to cheer about. Seriously!

Monday, August 10, 2015

1708 Catherine Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed by yours truly, 1708 Catherine Street, Key West. This mid-town area two bedroom home has just been updated. The modern kitchen has new stainless steel appliances, granite counter-top, and breakfast bar. The living room, dining area, and adjacent Florida room provide comfortable living spaces in a relaxed environment. You will also see the clean marble floor carry though-out the house with the exception of the Florida room which has a Cuban tile floor.
A center hall leads to the two bedrooms and bathroom. The bathroom has been stylishly updated as well. Gone is the 1952 coral tile bath and fixtures. Today's bath is modern and attractive. Both bedrooms are good sized and have ample closets for storage. Note the Bahama shutters on the bedroom and living room windows. Those shutters are purely for decoration. All of the windows in this home (except the Florida room) are now impact glass. 
This home sits on a 60' by 88' lot (5280 sq ft). There is plenty of room in the back yard for a pool. There is also a 12' by 12' storage shed which could be converted to a pool cabana.  There is an under- utilized patio and laundry room. Not everybody needs a pool, but families with kids need a place for the kids to play and experience the joys of childhood. This lot offers all kinds of possibilities to the new owners. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this home.
Speaking of kids, this home is located within about a five minute walk to the Horace O'Bryant School located at the corner of Catherine Street at Leon Street. The Key West Charter Montessori School is also located about five minutes away by foot. Key West High School is located about half a mile to the south and east, but it is still within walking or skateboarding distance.

1708 Catherine Street is offered for sale at $479,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a private showing of this cute family home in a nice Key West neighborhood. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Second home buyers from outside Key West might want to consider this home as well. Not everybody wants to spend a million dollars to buy a getaway place in Key West.

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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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