In Memory of Jerrie on Vertrans Day

Like TRUMP, I dodged the draft.

I had a history of anxiety that hospitalized me in junior high school for a short time and again in college. The Army doctor who interviewed me gave me a one year deferment. Then the draft lottery was introduced. My number was near the bottom. I admit I did not want to die Viet Nam. 

Jerrie was my best friend in junior high school where we played drums together. His dad owned a car dealership. He lived in a big expensive house but did not act grand or entitled. (We all know kids who come from rich families - as if they made the money they spend.) We made mischief together - and I am not the kind of guy that ever made mischief. I was a square and a nerd. Jerrie brought out a different kind of person in me. He was the best looking boy in my high school - not that looks matter - but they do. He was sexy as hell. And he reached out to me to be his friend.  Not the other way around. Truth be known, he was my first love although nothing ever happened. Not an inference.

I went on to college and later to law school. I worked at a big bank in Denver starting in the late 1970s when one day Jerrie's father's auto dealership came up. I mentioned I went to school with Jerrie in the 1960s. It was the lender who told me Jerrie went to Viet Nam where he lost both of his legs.  

On January 1, 2014 (my birthday) I was scrolling through the various sites visit each day when I hit the obituary page of my home town newspaper. I saw Jerrie's name. I was shocked. I read and re-read the obit several times. Tears welled up in my eyes and I cried for several minutes - more than I cried when my mother passed. He was such a sweet beautiful boy. His life was torn apart during that awful war. I cannot fathom all of the pain and suffering he went through for decades.

Those of us who failed to serve owe so much to those that did.

God Bless You, Jerrie.

811 Washington Street #102, Key West, Florida

The listing agent at Preferred Properties Key West describes 811 Washington Street #102, Key West, Florida this way:

"Beautiful townhouse located in the Casa Marina. Cathedral ceilings, top of the line kitchen, large living space are only a few of the amenities of this home. Three bedrooms / three bathrooms occupy the second and third floor. Front and back balconies on first and second level, with beautiful views. Pool and privacy. Perfectly located in walking distance to beaches, restaurants and Duval Street."

As soon as you open the front door of this home your eyes are drawn through the interior toward the pool at the rear. But then you notice all of the sophisticated living space between the entry and the pool. Then you realize this is no ordinary living space. The fixtures and finishes are all high-end and meant to appeal to the discerning buyer. Notice the over-sized travertine marble floor tiles, crown molding, high baseboards and decorative trim all set off by the pleasing color pallet on the walls and ceiling. The Viking stainless steel kitchen was a standard feature when this home was built because superior was "standard" to this developer builder.

This home has a formal entry way with a beautiful staircase to the left. The first floor powder room is tucked away under the staircase.  Two sets of French doors at the rear open out from the living area to the rear garden with private swimming pool with waterfall. High fences, tropical foliage, and palms provide privacy from the other homes. 

The gate at the rear is where the pool boy or other service people can enter the property from a rear alley.  The property on the far side of the alley is South Park Condominiums. Each of those condos are one bedrooms. They share a really sweet pool and a very lovely garden. They won't be disturbing your life.

You enter the master bedroom off a central hallway on the second floor. This room has a vaulted ceiling and two sets of French doors which open out to a covered rear balcony that overlooks the private pool below. This is a good spot to catch the famous Key West sunset without leaving the comforts of home. And it is a good place to watch your children or grand children play in the pool but not get wet yourself.

The second floor front bedroom has a private bath plus its own covered balcony.  That balcony give s the occupant his or her own private space to read a book or to contemplate the complexities of the upcoming election or whatever chaos is occurring in the world beyond Key West. There is always chaos someplace else. Here, the big deal of the day is deciding where to go to dinner.

The third floor bedroom (shown above) has a vaulted ceiling and lots of living space plus its own private bath.The third floor bedroom runs the length of the house. Besides the private bath, this room has extra space for the kids or hobbyist. I have sold four of these town homes over the years. One of my owners has built in twin beds at the far side of this same room plus a queen bed similar to the one shown above. If you have got grand kids, they will love this space.

Each town home has an assigned off street parking space. The parking areas are set apart from the street by sidewalk beautifully landscape on either side. The view from the front door and porches are of trees and blue skies.

My buyers love the quality workmanship that went into these homes and the convenient Casa Marina Area location. They can walk a couple of blocks over to the Casa Marina Club where two families have purchased annual memberships which includes use of the gym, private beach, and discounts of food and beverages. They can walk to Louie's Backyard or Salute on the Beach in a few minutes.  They can walk to upper Duval Street in about seven to ten minutes and take a cab back home at night.  For these buyers its almost like living in a resort. One of my buyers has retired to their home. The two other current families come to town as often as possible. They do not rent their homes, but it is permissible to do so. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 811 Washington Street No. 102  offered for sale at $1,175,000. 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 live in the Casa Marina Area and I love it!

923 Angela Street, Key West - Open House Saturday Nov 9th

Now Offered at $1,100,000

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday 

November 9th

12:00 till 2:00 PM

923 Angela Street in Key West

This lovely Key West Cottage received the coveted HISTORIC FLORIDA KEYS FOUNDATION Ceramic Star in 2017 for historic preservation.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and more photos of 923 Angela Street, Key West offered for sale at $1,100,000. Better yet drop in during the Open House to see this charming Old Town Cottage.  Listed by Gary Thomas, Realtor, Preferred Properties Key West.

715 Duval Street, Key West - You Won't Believe This

I got a chance to see Preferred Properties new listing at 715 Duval Street in Key West a couple of days ago along with about sixty other Realtors. I think we were all in shock and awe. Who would ever imagine you could find a newly completely rebuilt two story condominium with private pool and two parking spaces on Duval Street. Let's take a look.

The entrance to the home is actually off Dupont Lane which runs parallel to Duval Street and ends at this property where there are are two parking spaces. A very tall privacy fence surrounds the pool and grounds. A stairway leads to the second floor covered balcony which is also the entrance into the property.

The building has a first floor commercial condominium which is used for retail sales. This two story unit is the only other condominium and is only residential use. We entered into the living room from the second floor covered balcony.  Realtors heads were looking up and around this  area in amazement. The space was voluminous in size yet cozy. Two sets of impact resistant glass paneled doors allow buffered daytime light into the area. A dormer off the front allows more western light into the living area. The kitchen is super-sleek and has dazzling stainless steel appliances. Three windows which look down onto Duval Street.

The master suite (blue) is located on the east side of the unit. The master bath includes a soaking tub and extra large shower plus dual sink vanity. The orange guest bedroom and bath are located on the west side. Windows look down onto Duval Street. This building was built new in 1991 and was damaged in a fire after the owners purchased it. Everything inside and most of the exterior have been replaced including all new impact windows and doors. You cannot hear any noise from Duval Street.

The third guest bedroom and bath are located on the third floor which also provides access to the rooftop deck which overlooks Duval Street. The Realtors were all snapping pics and vloging that view.  The deck is immense and has room for two separate tables plus deck chairs for people watching. 

This unit has 2512 square feet of interior living space plus two large decks and the swimming pool area. It offers stylish interiors for buyers who want the best and who crave a location near all the attractions available in Old Town. There are NO condominium fees. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and superb listing photos of 715 Duval Street offered at $2,799,000. 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.  You will believe it after you see it.