909 Southard Street, Key West Florida - Bank Owned Property in Old Town

Just Listed, but not by me, 909 Southard Street, Key West, Florida. This is a Bank Owned home located on one of the best streets in Old Town.  My dear readers will be the first to see the inside as the listing brokerage does not have many photos available as of the time I write this.

I remembered having been inside this home several years ago, but I couldn't recall what it looked like. I then dug down into my old shoebox and found the above black and white picture taken in 1965. i wasn't around in Key West then. Study the photo and look at the cottages that appear to the right. Several decades that was a little walking lane known as "Bucks Court". Today it is called "Hunts Lane". The lane is nearly invisible as trees have grown all around the place. And the front of 909 Southard Street almost has been eclipsed by trees.

The above set of photos demonstrate that a second floor dormer was added to the original house sometime before 1965 and what it looks like today. They also show the house abuts the walking lane which also means there is a nice separation between this property and the larger house to the east.
The lane is too small for any motor vehicle. The people who live on these small lanes tend to be resourceful and friendly.

According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser records this home has 1194 sq ft of living space that sits on a 42' X 41' (1503 sq ft) lot.  I could not determine when the interior renovations were done. The roof appears to have been added in 1995 and a couple of other permits were made for improvements in the late 1980s. The interiors look to be of that vintage.

The front door enters into the living area which then flows into the kitchen. There is a divider that separates the two areas. Just to the right of the front entry is the first floor bedroom. It is surprisingly large and has French doors at the rear which open out to what used to be a lovely garden. The first floor bath is accessible from both the bedroom and a hall just off the front entry.

The kitchen isn't quite large enough to accommodate the refrigerator which is tucked away in a small addition at the rear. That room also houses the washer and dryer hook-up plus provides access to a half bath. The half bath has an "escape door" out to the street. I don't quite understand the purpose as being for any other purpose. There is another door off to the east side which provides interior access t the small back yard.

The above set of photos show the two second floor bedrooms which were created during a time before our Historic Architectural Review Commission was created. HARC would never allow a dormer this large to be added to a cottage today. That is not to say that the house looks bad. It only means our minders mind what we do with our houses and won't let us do what we want. We must do what they will allow.  CLICK HERE to view all photos of the interior and exterior.

909 Southard Street sits between 5 Brothers to the east and Mangia-Mangia and Michael's to the west. The historic seaport is a couple of blocks to the north and the cemetery is block the the south. Duval Street is a five minute walk to the west. You cannot get lost. You can, however, get your morning coffee and gossip, a cheap meal, an expensive meal, and maybe a deal if you buy this house by using Gary Thomas.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 909 Southard Street Key West which is offered for sale at $629,000. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to get you inside before somebody else buys this place. It's not perfect but it is certainly livable and it has a lot going for it. Let's take a look. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

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916 Seminary Street, Key West - Price Reduction

The asking price on 916 Seminary Street, Key West, just got a lot better. It has now been reduced to $1,100,000. The original house was built in 1947.  The house was updated and expanded and later a pool added. Today the existing house house has 1471 square feet of living space under air conditioning and sits on an irregular 60' X 92' or 4997 sq ft lot in the Casa Marina Area of Key West.

I won't bore you with a lot of hyperbole about this place. I recently showed it. It's still a lot of money for what currently exists. I suggested several things I would do to improve the property including taking down the existing second floor addition which just does not work well. The lot measures 60 feet wide on much of the lot. I think a new owner could expand the house to the east and recapture the living area by taking down the existing second floor. Or tear out all existing interiors and add a full second floor. Or better yet tear down this building and build a new house. The property values in this area will support a purchase somewhere in the current asking price.

The Casa Marina Area is one of the most highly desired parts of town. Several houses located within 150 feet of this house have sold in the two million dollar range within the last couple of years. Putting additional money into this house makes good long term economic sense. Tearing down and building all new makes more sense than renovation.  But I am not the buyer nor the guy who pays.

The Casa Marina Resort, Salute on the Beach, Higg's Beach and Rest Beach are just a five to seven minute walk to the south.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet. 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. I live in this area and love it. Let me show you my neighborhood. I think you will then understand the lure of living near the beaches, away from the to-do on Duval, and being able to go just about any place in Key West within a matter of minutes. 

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1022 Fleming Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed, but not by me, 1022 Fleming Street, Key West.  Just take a look at how regal this house sits on one of the best blocks in Old Town. You can't tell it by looking at the house, but it is actually a two story legal duplex. 

The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"A must see, historic gem on truly one of Key West's most prestigious and desirable streets. In the heart of Old Town sits this beautiful 2 story grand home. With huge wrap around porches on both the upper and lower floors, the curb appeal is truly a hallmark of Key West. This property offers many possibilities for its new owners. Leave as a legal duplex for immediate rental income -- long term or vacation rental, live in one unit and rent the other, or renovate into a magnificent single family residence. Offered completely furnished with all new furnishings, it is ready for whatever one decides. Each spacious floor has 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, full kitchens with stainless appliances, laundry, open living/kitchen/dining areas and lots of outdoor space both in front and back. The house is filled with natural light and coveted dade county pine throughout. The lower unit has direct access to a lovely deck and pool. This prime location is only a short few blocks to all Key West has to offer including the Historic Seaport and World Famous Duval St."

I sold this property to the current owners just a few years ago. They did a superb job of re-creating this space without it looking like so many of the houses we see today. All work was permitted and done by licensed contractors. There is new HVAC and electrical wiring and fixtures and fans throughout. The interiors and exterior were professionally painted. The floors professionally were professionally refinished and look great. French doors at the rear of the first floor unit open out to the rear deck and pool. The left side hallway provides access to both bedrooms. The hall is painted bright white. New furniture and furnishings were purchased to rent the units.  All furnishings convey with the property at closing. The front door opens out to the wrap-around deck. It's a great place to sit and watch the world pass by. And it is a great place to view the People's Parade during Fantasy Fest. 

The second floor is laid out similarly but not identically. The living area opens out to the covered rear balcony which has nice sunny views to the south.  The first bedroom has a door which opens out to the wrap-around deck for a quick exit should the need permit. Both bedrooms have access to the front balcony which has wonderful views of Fleming Street. And the view from the rear is every bit as wonderful.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 1022 Fleming Street and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to show you this great Old Town property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

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