Homes We Love – Page 3 – Dean Townsend Team

1127 Packer Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $600,000.

Posted by Dean in Homes We Love, Key West Real Estate

Strolling by the intersection of Old Town’s Packer and Catherine Streets, you will likely pause to capture an image of the picture-perfect cottage shining on the corner. A Key West souvenir to enjoy for a lifetime, this adorable island home is a dream come true.

Constructed in 1928, the beautifully renovated and maintained historic shotgun cottage features two bedrooms and one bath in 840 square feet of indoor living space.

Teeming with casually sophisticated coastal style, the home’s inviting sun-dappled interior features gorgeous hardwood floors and high ceilings.

The tranquil master bedroom offers a welcome respite from days and nights of tropical adventures.

Perfect for catching ocean breezes, the shotgun cottage’s architectural design allows air to flow freely through the home.

Guests will feel more than welcome as they settle into their inviting room for a visit.

Flowing to the garden, the sunny kitchen’s beachy décor captures the joyful essence of the island’s laid-back lifestyle.

The 1,687 square foot lot has recently been spruced up with mature tropical plantings, brick pavers, and a convenient irrigation system.

Ideally situated six blocks from Upper Duval Street’s celebrated galleries, dining, and entertainment—and six blocks from Higgs Beach’s shimmering Atlantic waters—you will enjoy easy walking and biking access to the very best of Key West. Stay close to home and savor the cuisine at renowned neighbor eateries; The Flaming Buoy Filet Co., El Siboney Restaurant, and Seven Fish.

Whiling away the hours on the picturesque front porch, visiting with friends and neighbors in the island-style living room, or sharing a bottle of wine with loved ones in the garden, you will undoubtedly come to cherish all your moments spent in this charming Key West vacation home.

—Dean & Keith Townsend, The Townsend Team

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this captivating island cottage.

Photo taken by the Property Appraiser's office c1965; 1127 Packer St.; built 1928; Tract 13, Sqr 5, Pt Lot 14 — Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office c1965; 1127 Packer St.; built 1928; Tract 13, Sqr 5, Pt Lot 14

53 Seaside South Court, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $842,400.

Posted by Dean in Homes We Love, Key West Real Estate

Escape to the best of modern island living in this spacious Key West family retreat. Enjoy tranquil sunrises, unforgettable sunsets, and spectacular ocean vistas from four levels of this light-filled home. This move-in-ready, three bedroom/four bath, 2,736 square foot, end unit townhome might be the Key West vacation home you’ve been dreaming of.

Vaulted ceilings, lots of windows, two balconies, and spectacular sea views make the fourth level living spaces unforgettable.

The high-end kitchen features granite countertops, top-of-the-line appliances, and custom cabinets.

The light-filled great room flows to a sunny balcony with an amazing ocean vista.

Breathtaking 360 degree views of the island and sea make the rooftop deck the place to celebrate the sunset.

The master suite encompasses the third level with a separate living room, two balconies, and gorgeous ocean views.

The second level features two en suite bedrooms with beautiful water views, generous closets, and private balconies.

The ground level offers a private driveway with parking for two cars, two-car garage, entry, personal elevator, stairs, laundry room, storage, covered patio, and fenced backyard.

Located on the eastern end of the island, 53 Seaside South Court is part of the Key West Seaside Residences: a secure, gated, HOA community offering two beautiful resort-style swimming pools, a clubhouse, and a fitness room.

The home was constructed in 2005 with superior poured concrete construction, metal and membrane roof, and impact resistant windows and doors.

Across scenic A1A from the waterside Key West Promenade, you will enjoy easy walking and biking access to world famous Smathers Beach and beyond.

At the height of the market in 2006, the home was offered for sale at $2,500,000.00. Today, with an asking price of $849,000.00—and a low price per square foot of $310.30—this move-in-ready family home is not-to-be-missed.

—Dean & Keith Townsend, The Townsend Team

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this wonderful Key West family retreat.

TAKE A PEEK INTO YOUR KEY WEST HOME’S PAST

Posted by Dean in Homes We Love, Key West History, Key West Real Estate

Back in 1965, the Monroe County Property Appraiser’s office took on the arduous task of taking a Polaroid photograph to document every structure in the county. The resulting group of 4,470 architectural images offers an extraordinary glimpse into a time in Key West history just before homes and commercial structures began to be restored en masse. It is surprising (if not shocking) to see how rundown much of the island’s buildings were at the time. The collection serves as a testament to the commitment of countless individuals that have—over the past fifty years—invested their money, blood, sweat, and tears into returning Key West’s historic structures to their previous glory.

Photo taken by the Property Appraiser's office c1965; 1405 Olivia St.; built c1906; Tract 7, Sqr 2, Pt Lot 13 — Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office c1965; 1405 Olivia St.; built c1906; Tract 7, Sqr 2, Pt Lot 13

The treasure trove of photos was endowed to the Monroe County Public Library in Key West. Luckily, the library has made the entire collection available online at http://bit.ly/keyspix.

Click here to visit the website and you will be able to explore a vast array of historic Keys photographs. The 1965 Property Appraiser’s Polaroids have been grouped together in the album The Way We Were—Key West 1960’s.

You can search for the 1965 picture of your Key West home by clicking on the search icon just above the photographs (not the Flickr search icon at the top of the page). Type in the number and street name only. Do not include Street, Avenue, Lane, etc. Undoubtedly, you will be delighted to see how your home looked over fifty years ago. Download the image to your computer and share it with family and friends. Frame a print and proudly hang it on the wall of your Key West dream home. The peek into your home’s past will surely spark many memorable conversations.

THE TOWNSEND TEAM
Dean & Keith Townsend, REALTORS®
Keller Williams Key West Compass Realty
333 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040
305-942-1369, www.DeanTownsend.com

Photo taken by the Property Appraiser's office c1965; 1209 Knowles Lane; built 1920's; Gwynn Sub, Pt Tract 13 — Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office c1965; 1209 Knowles Lane; built 1920’s; Gwynn Sub, Pt Tract 13

Today, beautifully renovated 1209 Knowles Lane shines brightly.

Photo taken by the Property Appraiser's office c1965; 719 Eisenhower Dr. aka 720 Eisenhower Dr.; house was originally located on the water @719, c1975 house moved across the street to 720 Eisenhower; Tract 7, Lot 5 — Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office c1965; 719 Eisenhower Dr. aka 720 Eisenhower Dr.; house was originally located on the water @719, c1975 house moved across the street to 720 Eisenhower; Tract 7, Lot 5

720 Eisenhower Drive has changed a great deal in the last half-century.

Photo taken by the Property Appraiser's office c1965; 813 Frances St.; built 1920's; Tract 6, Sqr 4, Pt Lot 10 & 11 — Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office c1965; 813 Frances St.; built 1920’s; Tract 6, Sqr 4, Pt Lot 10 & 11

Beautiful 813 Frances Street today. — Lovely 813 Frances Street captivates today.

Photo taken by Prpoerty Appraiser's office c1965; 530 Grinnell Street; built 1923; Sqr 46, Pt Lot 1 — Photo taken by Prpoerty Appraiser’s office c1965; 530 Grinnell Street; built 1923; Sqr 46, Pt Lot 1

One of the most charming cottages in Old Town Key West, 530 Grinnell Street as seen today.

1711 Von Phister Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $604,000.

Posted by Dean in Homes We Love

Enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride to the eastern end of one of Key West’s beautiful garden byways and you will come upon the charming cottage at 1711 Von Phister Street. When we first visited this tranquil and welcoming home, we saw it as the perfect choice for anyone dreaming of starting out in life (or starting life anew) on our enchanting island.

Constructed in 1943 and nicely renovated in 2007, this single story, three bedroom/two bath, 1,150 square foot cottage is move-in-ready. With its captivating character, spacious 4,862 square foot lot, and central location outside of the historic district, opportunities abound to create the Key West home of your dreams.

Harkening to a simpler time, the gracious front porch invites one to while away the hours.

The light-filled living room’s vaulted ceiling adds to its spacious feel.

Recapture the family dinner hour and enjoy festive holiday celebrations in the home’s traditional dining room.

Tastefully designed, the updated galley kitchen leads to the tropical backyard.

With no stairs to climb on the way to bed, and three ground floor bedrooms to choose from, the home is the perfect choice for a multigenerational family.

The large lot offers off-street parking and room for a sparkling inground pool.

We bet you will love this welcoming island cottage as much as we do.

—Dean & Keith Townsend, The Townsend Team

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this charming Key West starter home.

WHAT FEATURE TOPS THE LISTS OF TODAY’S KEY WEST HOME BUYERS?

Posted by Dean in Homes We Love, Key West Real Estate

Swaying palm trees, a shimmering pool, and a porch of indecision always seem to be on the gotta have it list of those dreaming of purchasing their own corner of paradise. An Old Town location, move-in ready home, and off-street parking are common requirements. One characteristic has risen to the top of our clients’ lists. A ground floor master suite has become the most desired feature of today’s Key West home buyers.

With the Florida Keys coming in with the world’s sixth highest, resort area, million-dollar-plus average home prices (per square foot)—just after Monaco, Naples, Telluride, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Jackson Hole—owning a piece of paradise is not exactly cheap. Consequently, most of our buyers have successfully reached a stage of life where they can afford to acquire their island dream home.

Most of our buying clientele are in their 50’s and 60’s. They have worked hard and have gained a level of career success; allowing them to indulge in a charming Victorian cottage, convenient oceanfront condominium, or historic Old Town estate. Middle age certainly has its perks, but it can present some physical drawbacks. The inability to easily climb stairs on the way to bed is one of the main reasons people are unable to age gracefully in their home. With the possibility of mobility issues looming down the road, a ground floor master suite is an important feature for many baby boomers, retirees, and those with older parents, family, and friends.

When Key West’s treasured Classical Revival homes were built between 1880 and 1910, they typically had bedrooms on the second floor to catch the island’s breezes. While many of these gems have been lovingly restored and renovated over the past decades, too few projects have added ground level master suites.

The value of an easily accessible master bedroom and bath cannot be underestimated. Many of our buyers will not even look at a property that does not have a first-floor master suite—or the potential to add one.

When investing in Key West real estate, you can’t go wrong if you fall in love with a home showcasing a ground floor master suite, or in choosing to include one in your renovation design. You will command a higher price, and find the right buyer in nothing flat, when the time comes to sell your property.

—Dean & Keith Townsend, The Townsend Team