711 Elizabeth Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed, but not by me, 711 Elizabeth Street, Key West, Florida. Pause. Take a long look. Imagine how quaint the inside of this historic Old Town Cottage must be. The house is so simple in its lines. Basic beige.  Green tropical foliage. Bursting sky.

I searched the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to try to learn when this home was built. The lot at 711 Elizabeth Street was not built upon in the 1889, 1892, and 1899 maps.  The current building first appeared on the 1912 map which is where the Monroe County Property Appraiser set its construction date. But it could have also been built in the intervening years. The black and white photo dates to 1965 and the color photo just above was taken in 2009 when the current owner purchased the home and began renovation. 

The property received a ceramic star in 2011 from the Historic Florida Keys Foundation for historic preservation. (Kevin Melloncamp, Toolbox Construction.)

I had been to the property before and vaguely recall having written about it in 2009 when it was last listed for sale. I searched the blog but could not find the entry. I do recall walking around the inside and around the odd shaped lot. I knew the value of the location atop Solaris Hill, the highest point in Key West, amid so many previously restored homes. I saw this home as a buying opportunity. And it is again. But this time all of the work has been done.

At the beginning of this blog I invited readers to imagine how "quaint" the interior must be. This house is far from "quaint".  The interior of this 1304 square foot house is a work of art divided into four living areas. The minimalist kitchen includes  under counter refrigeration, dishwasher, storage, etc. The washer and dryer are even located there. Recessed lighting is hidden above the cabinets - an innovation I have never seen before. Windows on either side flood the interior during the daytime. There are no offending neighbor views - its is quite private. Limestone floors in the living room are repeated in the guest and master en-suite bath as well as the front porch and a section by the heated poo. It is the consistency and quality of design and execution that sets this house apart from so many others.

Wall sconces and floor lighting illuminate the space during the evening. The interiors are minimalist. The spiral staircase dominates the whole house. It is as much a design statement as it is a functioning element. I was awed by this thing the first time I saw it. The media room is located at the front of the house and can be accessed off the foyer or through the living room. The area is differentiated from the living room with stepped-up wood floor. The foyer includes custom closet storage. The wood floor is repeated in the second level loft bedroom and the master bedroom at the rear.

The original addition at the back of the house was expanded to create a part of the master bathroom. Since the bathroom sink looks so small, one might think the interior is confined. Far be it.  The living area is wider than just about any cigar maker style cottage I can recall. In fact when I stood by the kitchen, I marveled at how broad and tall the living area appears. The bedroom is cozy but not tiny. A single window on the north wall separates two large custom fitted closets with abundant storage.

I walked around the pool and tried to see if a nosy neighbor could look in. Nope. You can get an all-over tan amid beautiful palms and tropical foliage. It is totally private.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of this incredible Key West property offered at $1,300,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a viewing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. The house is very special. 

Key West Real Estate Horror Story No. 16

Today's blog is another in series wherein I tell a story of some horrible event involving a real estate transaction. In this instance I was not a participant, but instead am just the narrator.  Some in Congress might call it hearsay.

I was talking to a former real estate agent yesterday and mentioned dog smells which led to cat pee.  He then told me about the time in the early 1990s when he listed an old mansion on Eaton Street that had been the site of a quaint little Italian restaurant in the 1980s. He mentioned the name and I said I ate there twice on my first visit to Key West in 1984. I recalled it did not have a liquor license and that we had to bring our own wine. As I recall we ate on the front porch. I am not sure if they had inside dining.

The buyer had a special condition in the contract that buyer would inspect the inside of the property the day before closing and that there would be no "cat piss odor".  The agent said he found some local company that advertised it could eliminate cat urine odor.  The company did whatever it was that they did and they got rid of the odor. The inspection went off without a hitch and the property closed.

While the company was doing its cat piss odor removal magic, a worker found a dead cat behind the stove. There was no telling how long it had been there.

912 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida - Just Listed

Just Listed - 912 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida. The listing Realtor describes this beautiful property thus:

"You know you have found ''home'' when you walk into 912 Truman Avenue. Steeped in history, built in 1899 and totally renovated but filled with old Key West elegance and charm, this grand dame is sure to impress! If you are searching to find the true Key West experience this little community is it! No rentals allowed makes for quiet enjoyment and cohesiveness with neighbors. This 3 story gem has beautifully restored Dade County Pine throughout, 4 bedroom, 3 and half baths that include a huge 3 story guest suite with sitting area and kitchenette. Perfect for Nanny or visiting parents and friends and kids just love this special space! 38 foot double balconies grace the front overlooking lush landscape that is perfect for family gatherings and parade watching. Double staircase one in front and butlers staircase in back allow ease of flow with a home that can accommodate many guests. Living area, library, dining room and eat in kitchen provide comfort for all. Meticulously maintained, X flood zone and 2 parking spaces complete this graceful home"

You'll fall in love with this home even before you enter. The two level front porches exude importance. This house was built to impress. And it does. The pediments over the windows and doors set the tone for what is on the other side of the front door.

The center hallway opens to the stately dining room on the left and the living room and office on the right. A door at the back side of the office opens out to the private pool and rear garden. The pool is private to this house.

I first really noticed this home about twenty years ago when the large rear grounds were being developed into new homes in a land based condominium association. Even back then there were few large undeveloped lots. So new construction was a rarity. The resultant development allowed for construction of new houses and individual pools while avoiding the adherence to standard building density requirements. The current HOA fee is just $645 per year and only covers common area (walkways and parking) maintenance. Home owners maintain their homes.

The grand staircase leads to the second floor where the master bedroom with ensuite bath are on the west side of the home. Two guest bedrooms are located on the east side and share a bath.

A door at the front of the second floor opens to the covered porch.  This is one impressive property. They don't build homes like this anymore. A smaller stairway leads from the second floor hallway to the third floor suite.

This home has 3,335 square feet of living space and sits on a 5,124 square foot lot. There are two off street parking spaces. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 912 Truman Avenue offered at $1,650,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

President Jimmy Carter

President Jimmy Carter spoke to a group at the Solar Energy Research Institute located on South Table Mountain in Golden, Colorado on May 3, 1978. It was an atypical cold, gray, and otherwise miserable day.  At around 5:00 PM he met with some locals at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Denver. He walked through the room shaking hands with folks.  As he approached me I extended my right hand and said "Welcome to sunny Colorado!" He gave me a brief look, like What? and then got my humor.  I think.

Today is President Carter's 95th Birthday.  Congratulations Mr. President!

Professional Responsibility

I have been a member of the Key West Association of Realtors Professional Standards Committee for several years. A few weeks ago our committee met to to hear the complaint of one Realtor against another Realtor. The complainant alleged the other agent violated a specif Article of the Code of Professional Responsibility.  CLICK HERE to read the Code and the Code. There isn't a test for readers.  But if you take time to read you ought to appreciate the rules and how they apply to real life business dealings involved in the sale and rental of real estate.

All Realtors are required to attend periodic ethics training classes to that they are aware of the ethics rules and standards of conduct expected of them and by others in the profession. Members of the Professional Standards Committee attend additional training classes so they can learn how to effectively participate in future panel hearings. Unlike a jury trial at the county courthouse where juries of ones' peers are plucked off the streets, Professional Standard Committees are composed of real-life professional peers trained to understand the rules so that they may effectively evaluate the evidence and testimony. 

The hearing I referred to lasted at least a couple of hours. The participants concluded the presentation of evidence and left. The committee panel members went into executive session with association attorney and CEO also present. At some point one member excused himself to use the restroom. We stopped talking about the case whereupon I said something like "Realtors are held to a higher code of professional responsibility than the President of the United States".

The longer I have been a member of the Professional Standards Committee, the more I appreciate the rules and the enforcement mechanism. It isn't political or business driven. It's about giving the public and aggrieved professionals an opportunity to challenge to conduct of one they believe has wronged them or the profession.

727 Eaton Street, Key West -Grand Dame Still Sitting Pretty

Yesterday afternoon was one of those Sunday-Funday sort of days that Instagramers post about. I rarely get Sundays off. So instead of trying to sell house, I went looking at open houses in the Historic District of Key West. I made a point of visiting 727 Eaton Street which I wrote about several years ago. The current owners have preserved this regal home and added a stunning pool and sideyard. 

As I walked past the front garden gate and eyed the grand facade, my eyes were drawn to the old fashioned swing on the front porch. When I got to the front door I looked directly at the swing and thought how wonderful it must be to own such a magnificent old house, a Grande Dame if there ever was one. Sitting pretty in Key West. Look carefully at the front porch - it wraps around the east side of the home and now provides a perfect sitting spot to view the grand kids in the pool.

Upon entry I was overwhelmed by the dramatic decor that continued from room to room throughout the three floors. The parlor, living and dining areas hark back to another era with a richness that we no longer see in most properties. The kitchen and laundry areas look like late 19th century except they have modern conveniences that thoughtfully blend in.

 Formal entry with kitchen located to the rear. Guest bath is tucked under the stunning staircase.

The current owners use the front room as a formal dining room. That is a throwback to yesteryear when living was "formal".  French doors open out to the side deck which overlooks the pool and gardens. Another visible throwback are the impressive wood pocket-doors with sharp brass trim. The ceilings are 12 feet high. The stained glass panel in the entry door and clerestory window also remind us of the historic roots of this home. I searched the Sanborn Fire Maps where this home first appeared as 625 Eaton Street on the 1892 map. The 1899 map failed to show any houses on abutting William Street, but I know many existed. They were just left off the map.

The living room is at the right rear and may be entered from the kitchen or dining area. The room is bright and vibrant as are the other first floor rooms. While this is an old home, it flows openly and freely. The rooms are big and vibrant.

I stood on deck overlooking the pool and marveled at what architect Matthew Stratton created when he added the pool and trellis. The new area looks like it has always been there. It blends in perfectly. Side gates provide additional entry from the gated bricked driveway with parking for two cars (in Old Town!!!).

The front bedroom has the only access to the front second level porch overlooking historic Eaton Street. Some of the finest mansions in old Key West were built on this once bricked street. This bedroom has an ensuite bath. The other two bedrooms share a bath.

The east rear bedroom has windows on three sides. It is absolutely glorious in its simplicity!

The west rear bedroom is smaller is size. It shares a partial view of the Gulf of Mexico with east rear bedroom. The 1899 Sanborn Fire Map showed the addition of an exterior staircase to the third floor That staircase no longer exists. Instead, a modern stairway leads from the second floor hallway up to the third floor.

The third floor is a true mother-in-law apartment with living room, bedroom, mini-kitchen, and bath. The place is stunning in its design. It would make a great space for mom or a live-in. Or perhaps you might want to claim the space as the master suite. The bathroom even has a view of the Historic Key West Seaport.

 727 Eaton Street has 3,358 square feet of living space under air conditioning situated on a 6.371 square foot lot located just two blocks from the Historic Seaport and easy walking distance to Duval Street and all the marvels located outside the white picket fence. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and then please call 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. Imagine sitting pretty on this front porch.