710 Windsor Lane, Key West - Just Listed!

There's a new listing in Key West that may appeal to you if you are looking for a large home in a great Old Town location that has some income to help defray part of the cost of ownership but that does not require you to share your personal living space with strangers on rotating basis. That home may be 710 Windsor Lane which was built new in 2013. The listing Realtor describes this home as"

"Highly sought after Solaris Hill location. New energy efficient (SIPS) Structural Insulated Panel construction. Quality 3 bedroom 3.5 baths main house with adjoining 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment. Den upstairs, private office and 1/2 bath with pool access and outdoor shower. Impact windows, hardy board siding and off street parking. Private pool. Low maintenance home and energy efficient. True quality home in the heart of Old Town. X Zone location."

708 Windsor Ln in 1965

710 Windsor Ln in 1965

The above photo shows Solaris Hill, the highest point on the Island that is Key West, and more specifically the location of where 708 and 710 Windsor Lane used to be located. I found photos of both houses taken in 1965. I cannot recall but believe 708 Windsor was destroyed by fire. 710 Windsor was razed a few short years ago to make way for the construction of the new house which I followed in my Projects of Key West blog series.

 The new house has off street parking to right side of the house. When you walk toward the front door you see an inviting swing on the front porch and you may see Bahama shutters to the side. The shutters are decorative as this home has impact windows and doors through out when coupled with the new construction including Hardiboard siding, new metal roof, and X Zone location for flood insurance means that your insurance costs will be very affordable as compared to many historic old homes across the island.

When I first entered this home I didn't know quite what to expect. I knew the place was new and that it did not copy any of our older homes but also knew that it had incorporated some design elements such as front porches on both the first and second floors and the use of Bahama shutters and Hardiboard siding which gives the appearance of traditional lap siding. When I entered the house I immediately realized the interior was more contemporary than I had anticipated, but I also recognized classic features like high baseboards, decorative door and window trim, and crown molding. A large monolith bisects the living room area located at front from the kitchen and dining space located midway in the house. A set of Nano doors open out to the covered lanai that overlooks the pool area. One of the enduring joys of living in Key West is our wonderful weather which from October thru May allows us to leave our doors open to permit the easy movement between inside and outside.

The kitchen is spectacular. The cabinets are unlike no others I have seen. The quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and unique light fixtures plus the monolith wall and back wall create a really attractive environment to prepare meals and to dine with family and friends. The adjacent covered outdoor living area provides an alternate place to dine as well. (The laundry room and a door to the west side service yard is located behind the kitchen.)

The master suite is tactile master piece. The floors, walls, ceiling, draperies, rugs, tiles, wood sink basin and sink, toilet, glass, mirror, light fixtures all contrast but compliment each other to provide a subtle nesting environment. Another set of Nano doors open out to the pool to provide quick escape for a late night plunge or an early morning way-up dip.

The second floor has a shared open living space with adjacent bedrooms and bathrooms. The front bedroom opens out to the second floor covered front porch that looks down upon Windsor Lane. Windsor Lane is a long one-block stretch that begins about 100 feet or so to the north at the intersection of Elizabeth and Angela Street. Angela terminates at that point and becomes Windsor. Windsor jars to the right a couple of hundred feet to the south and east where it meets the Key West cemetery. Windsor is one-way street with intermittent daytime traffic but few cars in the evening.

At the outset of today's blog I mentioned the potential for income at this home without letting strangers sleep in your bed when you are not at home. That possibility arises from the attached legal two story one bedroom apartment shown above. The unit has a private entrance on the east side of the house. The inside resembles a sophisticated New York City loft more than a typical Key West rental unit. There's a minimalist kitchen tucked behind the living room. Upstairs there is a comfy bedroom and bath. The rental income on this space would pay your taxes, insurance, and provide a reserve for that occasion a few years down the line you need to do some maintenance.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 710 Windsor Lane which is offered for sale at $2,500,000. Please take the time to click the link to see more photos of this innovative property and 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 Key West.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

1607 Sunshine Drive, Key West, Florida

The asking price on 1607 Sunshine Drive in Key West was just reduced to $919,000. The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"The perfect Key West home in an excellent, quiet neighborhood close to the beaches, and just a short bike ride to all Old Town has to offer. Boasting 1,672 sq. ft. with three large bedrooms, and three full baths, 9ft ceilings with custom crown moldings, ceramic tile floors, amazing free flowing layout, gourmet kitchen, and with every attention to detail taken care of. Tropical heated pool with lush landscaping and lots of privacy, with irrigation system, and two off street parking spaces. Definitely a must see!!"

I have had the opportunity to show this sharp three bedroom home a couple of times during the past few weeks. I liked it.  The house is one of several built in this small enclave of homes built in 2012-2013.  The community is located one block west of White Street and just a stone's throw from the Atlantic Ocean. Each home is a 1672 sq ft two story home with three bedrooms and three baths. While all homes have the same layout, each home is unique on the inside and also the exterior. Buyers who purchased before or during construction were able to outfit the interiors the way they want. Others, like the owners of this home, did some retrofitting after they purchased the home. This home is more custom than it is common. It has lots of upgrades, and it shows very well. You can definitely see pride in ownership in this home.. Everything looks perfect.

Let's start at the front yard and work our way through this home. Sunshine Drive is an extra-wide street. The first thing you notice upon arrival here is that the front yard is totally fenced. There are separate gates to the two off street parking spaces. The front yard is minimally landscaped which means less time gardening and more time doing fun things.  You will see that there are first and second floor front porches that look out to Sunshine Drive.

The house has Hardiboard siding and impact glass windows and doors. These features and the metal roof mean that windstorm and homeowner's insurances will be very low cost as compared to traditional stick built homes in our area.  The first floor front porch photo (above) also shows the Trex decking which the homeowners installed after purchase. Trex decking will stand up to our intense sun and humidity.

The front door opens into a center hallway which leads to the great room at the rear. Among the features are porcelain floors, crown molding, Plantation Shutters, down lights in the ceiling, custom cabinets in the kitchen. The kitchen island also has a built-in elevated breakfast bar for casual dining. Every thing looks just perfect. They did not miss a beat on this place.
The first of the three bedrooms and baths is located at the front of the first floor. The current owners use this "bedroom" space as a den. There is a full bath across the hall.

The current owners use the second floor front bedroom as a combination office and guest suite with a Murphy bed. This provides an efficient use of space which I think works well for owners who want to actually use rooms in their homes which may occasionally be used by guests. The door opens out to the second floor front porch which has sunset views.

The master suite is located at the rear. This bedroom opens out to the second floor rear deck that looks down to the private pool. The master bedroom includes an ensuite bath with shower and soaking tub.

The backyard is more lush than the front, but you won't need to spend all that much time attending to it since there is a sprinkler system. Note also the Trex decking was carried to the rear as well. If you were to relocate to this area you may fall into the routine of a morning or evening walk around the area. This will inevitably take you a couple blocks away to the White Street pier.  I dug down into my old shoebox and found an aerial photo taken of the pier back in 1987. I took the photo below it a couple of weeks ago. I think the Key West waterscape is just amazing. It changes from day to day and hour by hour. Whether you have a dog to walk or a gut to reduce, walking or biking along the ocean will add so much joy to your life in Key West. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and also to see all of the listing photos of this home which is now offered for sale at $919,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. I recently sold a nearby home in this same area. I think think this is a good value for a homeowner who wants a place that is new, does not need "fixed or updated", and that will be economical to maintain and insure for years to come. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Real Estate Photography for DUMMIES - A True Story

 This is a true story. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

I get most of my business from people who read my little blog about Key West real estate. Most of my customers are buyers, but I also get a few listings throughout the year. About a year ago a buyer called me to ask about a new listing she had seen in our online mls. The Key West Association of Realtors mls website is open for all to see. You don't need to send an email to an agent to get details on anything.  But this buyer asked my opinion on this particular new listing and the neighborhood. I knew the neighborhood but knew nothing of the house. So I called the listing agent and set up a time so that I could preview the house and take more photos for my buyer and also be able to answer more of my buyer's questions.

I showed up the next day about ten minutes early.  The listing agent, who I will call Betty Lou, was standing in the street talking to four or five people about the house.  I presumed they were other potential buyers because one person had a camera who was taking photos of the area. I got out my camera and started snapping photos of the house from various angles. I moved to the front porch and took photos of the porch and the view from the porch looking across the street.  I framed the palm trees for best effect.

The other buyers were walking on the east side of the house toward the back. I walked toward Betty Lou who said "Hi, Gary. Go on inside and take your photos. The house is open." "It's open?", I asked. "Yes, go on inside" Betty Lou responded. So I walked back to the front door and walked inside. Betty Lou walked down the side of the house toward the rear. The house was very nicely furnished, but it had a horrible odor from years of cigarette smoke. I immediately liked the house despite the odor knowing that it could be fixed with ease.

I walked over to turn on the lamp next to the sofa. Then I walked toward the dining room to turn on the overhead light fixture when a female voice said "I live here!"  Betty Lou had told me the owners were in town in our phone discussion the day before. She said the owners were supposed to leave by the time I arrived to take photos. I assumed Betty Lou got the timing incorrect and then wondered why she would send me inside when the owner was still there.

I touched the dining room light switch and turned on the light anyway. "I live here!" the female voice said again.  I responded "I'm sorry. Betty Lou is outside. She said to go inside to take photos."  The voice now had a body, the body of a smallish older woman who had emerged from the bedroom as she walked into the living area where she repeated "I live here!".  I repeated myself saying that Betty Lou had sent me inside to take photos. I said "She is showing other buyers the back of the house". The lady said "Betty Lou is selling the house next door!"  My complexion must have turned beet red. I felt like such a dummy. I reached over to turn off the dining room light and then the light by the sofa.  The lady stood her ground. She was not angry. "Miffed" would best describe her countenance.

I headed to the front door to make my exit. I said "Thank God you did not have a gun!" (You know in Florida we have that 'stand your ground' law that gives people the right to kill people in their homes if they feel threatened.)  The lady emphatically stated "My husband does!" whereupon I felt it best to get out of the house - quickly.

I exited and went to find Betty Lou who I told my little story. I was perplexed as to why she would tell me to go inside having seen me taking photos of the house, especially as I had initially walked toward her from the front porch of the wrong house. At first Betty Lou had a shocked expression on her face. She brought her right hand to cover her mouth and then she let out a chuckle. I thought it was funny too, but not that funny because I could have got my ass shot off.

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.