1216 Varela Street, Key West - Story Book Cottage Just Listed!

Just Listed: 1216 Varela Street, Key West a story book cottage complete with a pool Offered at $798,000. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"Wonderfully maintained property in a great location. Remodeled in 2007 including footings and both electrical and plumbing on the first floor. Large master bedroom with two walk-in closets and outside balcony overlooking the pool. Newer kitchen with granite counters, gas range and duel fuel range. Nice large pantry. Second bath is on the first floor with a Jacuzzi tub. X flood zone."

I checked the historic Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that 39 Frances Street existed as of the 1899 map. 39 Frances became 1216 Varela Street on the 1899 map. (Varela Street ends at United Street and becomes Whalton Street at Seminary Street. The Conchs love to make cab drivers crazy.) The above black and white photo was taken in 1965 and shows how 1216 Varela Street looked over fifty years ago. It looks like 1216 Varela a small addition was added to the front along with a substantial two story addition at the rear.  Interestingly, the houses on either side were also enlarged over the years. 1218 Varela Street sold in July 2013 for $1,600,000 cash. 1214 Varela Street (located next door to the right) sold or $2,555,000 in April 2016.  Both homes are much larger in size and sit on much larger lots. But they share the same basic location which bodes well for the new owner of the 1216 Varela Street.  

This 1,409 sq ft house has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and sits on a slightly irregular rectangle lot measuring 21.2' X 90.56' slightly irregular rectangle lot. The front of the house sits close to the sidewalk and has a small bricked entry way in front plus a small side yard with shrubs on the south. The doorway shown in the top two photos leads to the separately owned cottage at the far rear of 1216 Varela Street which is not owned by this seller nor offered for sale. 

You enter the house into a small entry way and then proceed into the kitchen then the great room.The charming old looking exterior belies the modern interior living spaces. Instead of having smaller rooms with doors and passageway, the living area on the main floor is very open. Glass sliders at the rear open out to the covered rear porch and pool. 

The next to the last photo above shows a rear stairway which provides midnight access from the second floor master bedroom to the pool for a quick dip before bed.

The two bedrooms share a bath. There is a second bath located on the main floor at the front adjacent to the kitchen.

1216 Varela Street is located at the southernmost end of Old Town which abuts the Casa Marina Area. The Atlantic Ocean is located about seven blocks to the south where you will find Higgs Beach, the Key West Garden Club, Bocce courts, public tennis courts, children's playground,and two dog parks. The White Streets Arts District is located one block to the east. Faustos Food Palace (grocery store with a real old fashioned meat counter where the butcher really does butcher meat) is located in that area along with several small eateries, yoga studios, three gyms, a couple of hair salons, and a gas station that serves the best fried chicken in town 24 hours a day. Bayview Park, the largest city park, is located one block east of White Street. You can also walk to upper Duval Street in about five minutes.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos for 1216 Varela Street. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. This is one of just a few Old Town homes with a private pool priced under one million dollars. Don't miss the chance to see this storybook cottage. 

1025 Eaton Street, Key West - Just Listed!

Just Listed

1025 Eaton Street

Key West, Florida

This beautiful home has all the features most Key West second home buyers are seeking including three bedrooms, a pool, and off street parking. This place is in tip-top condition and has been carefully maintained. It can be purchased with the furnishings as shown. The home has been rented on a few occasions as a monthly vacation rental and is compliant with city code for that purpose.

When you first enter the house you will notice the historic Dade County Pine walls which are punctuated by the gleaming white crown molding and painted trim work. Just to the right of the entry door is the third bedroom which the current owner uses as a den. Double entry doors give this space utility for either use. A door from that room opens into the first floor bath which also serves as a guest bath with an additional entry off the kitchen.  The sink is located opposite the bathroom area.

I found a photo taken of 1025 Eaton Street back in 1965. This photo is helpful to understand the present house which was thoroughly renovated in 2003. The historic scuttles on the roof were removed as were the old metal louver shutters which were replaced with new windows. The windows on the front porch have pediments which really make the entrance look smart. If you look carefully at the black and white photo you will see a saw tooth addition located at the rear of the main house. The ceiling in that saw tooth addition was vaulted during the renovation. A second entry to the house was added at the rear. While your guests may enter from the front, you will probably enter from the rear where the is covered off street parking plus a bricked guest pad. There is also a pool and large bricked terrace.

The renovation included a new stairway to the new second floor where there are two bedrooms which share a very nice bath. A window seat was added at the landing as were cubby-hole storage doors on either side. That little space is so cute, but it is just a small feature in this very nicely appointed home.

I searched the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine the approximate age of this house. This entire section of Old Town was omitted from the earlier maps and nothing appeared until 1912. I know some houses existed in the area prior then but cannot confirm with certainty that this house was built before then. But the scuttles make me think the house is older. The 1912 map did show a cistern located at the rear of the original house. I did not see any evidence of it at the current time. What is now Thompson Lane at the rear was identified as Upton CT on the 1912 map. Thompson Lane exits onto Grinnell Street and also onto Frances Street. The good thing is this house covered off street parking. And it is as cute as can be"

This 1340 sq ft home sits on a 3669 sq ft lot ( 33' X 107'). It has three bedrooms, two baths, an comfortable layout for full time living or use as a getaway home. Unloading groceries from the car will never be an issue here. Storing bikes and water sports equipment won't be an issue either. This home is truly user friendly. Before naysayers think the Eaton Street location means it is noisy, it isn't - at least not inside the house nor at the rear. Take a look and listen for yourself. And the Old Town Bakery is located down on the corner!!! You will be pleasantly surprised. This home is offered for sale by Preferred Properties Key West at $1,150,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS listing datasheet. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to show this house. It is vacant and super easy to show. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties.

Key West Horror Story No. 6

In the year 2010 I set up a showing of an older Key West home which the listing agent described as "Old Town Gem, over 100 years old, the property is certainly worthy of a total restoration. Perhaps with removal of non-historic additions, one can have a nice patio/garden with pool. Off-street parking also possible. Excellent location." The mls primary photo is above and two other photos appear immediately below. You can tell from the outset that the place needed work. Of that, my buyer was fully aware.

My buyer wanted to see this place because it met his requirements as to architectural style and appeal, location, and price. The listing agent met us on the sidewalk in front of the house. He told us the older woman sitting in the car parked in front of the house with the large dog was the owner. He then told us the owner's grand daughter would show us the interior.  That was odd from the start. Agents are supposed to show their listings - not the principals. He whispered that he would wait outside - as if the small size of the house was the reason he would not go inside. It was not until after we saw the house that we understood why he chose to stay outside.

Betty Furness who demonstrated how to use the new appliances of the 1950s

When we crossed the threshold we saw only a couple of pieces of  furniture which were obscured by piles of newspapers and magazines stacked nearly waist high combined with odd things encased in old grocery store plastic bags. We had to move across the floor wedging our way through piles of papers or things saved in grocery bars. The stench was over-whelming. We moved toward the rear to checkout the kitchen and back yard. It became clear that this house needed more than a minor fix-up. The back was dark and nasty. I can't recall anymore than the rear was surrounded by dank old wood, We turned around and saw the grand daughter standing next to the to the inside doorway leading to the second floor. The young lady pivoted on the spot and opened the door as if doing her best impression of Betty Furness with arm outstretched inviting us to go up the stairs to view the second floor.  My buyer lead the way but stopped after a step or two. He said something like "Gary, the smell is horrible!"  I suggested that he breathe through his mouth so we could at least see what was upstairs. He was a big man but briskly ascended the stairs. There was a semblance of a second kitchen of sorts with a table where some pared potatoes were sitting on a small table. The smell was putrefying. We scanned the room, turned our heels, and made a quick exit out of the house thanking the young lady for allowing us to see her home.

The listing agent sold the house to someone who did a remarkable transformation. The old house was lifted up to the sky after which a new pier foundation was built. The house was lowered and rebuilt in place. Most of the framing was replaced. The house was expanded to the rear where a small pool was built. There is even a small second floor rear deck off the master bedroom. To my surprise the new owner was able to create an off street parking space in front as well. The new owner paid $216,500 for the place. I would think the house would sell for around $1.2 million in today's market.

Sometimes houses of horror can have happy endings. This is one of those times. The listing agent was correct in his prognostications about the potential for this old house.  If you are looking for a place in Key West and are not working with another agent, please consider contacting me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.