Old Town – Dean Townsend Team

THIS CLASSIC KEY WEST COTTAGE CHECKS ALL THE BOXES!

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

1019 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040—$1,099,000.

While enjoying a quiet morning stroll along Whitehead Street, on your way to the world famous Southernmost Point, you will certainly savor the splendor of the Ernest Hemingway House and the Key West Lighthouse. Just a few steps beyond, the classic island cottage at 1019 Whitehead Street is bound to catch your eye and capture your imagination.

Built in the early years of the twentieth century, this three bedroom, two and a half bath, historic sawtooth cottage has been beautifully renovated for contemporary living. On our list of THE TOP 10 FEATURES KEY WEST BUYERS ARE LOOKING FOR IN THEIR DREAM HOME, 1019 Whitehead Street checks all the boxes!

THE TOP 10 FEATURES KEY WEST BUYERS ARE LOOKING FOR IN THEIR DREAM HOME—1019
WHITEHEAD STREET HAS THEM ALL!

10. OLD TOWN LOCATION
It’s no wonder that the Key West neighborhood topping the lists of home buyers is our unforgettable, historic Old Town. Amid picturesque Victorian era streets and a lifestyle lived visiting on front porches and walking to dinner at favorite neighborhood eateries, Old Town is the authentic version of classic small-town America that the New Urbanism movement has been trying to successfully recreate across the country.

9. PALM TREES
Key West buyers simply can’t imagine purchasing a home without palm trees in its yard. With a subtropical climate offering an eternal growing season, and over 2,500 species of palms to choose from, palm trees abound in our island’s gardens.

8. OUTSTANDING RENTAL POTENTIAL
Even though we get rental number for a great many of our buyers, most of them grow to love their Key West homes so much, they never offer them for rent. With its dynamite location (close to best of Uptown Duval Street), two living areas, ground floor master bedroom, upstairs guest accommodations, and so much more, 1019 Whitehead Street has the potential to garner a strong rental income.

7. OFF-STREET PARKING
Although they will likely find themselves walking and biking most of the time, buyers are looking for a home with a parking spot for their vehicle. In our historic neighborhoods that were densely built before the introduction of cars, off-street parking can be elusive.

6. HIGH & DRY
With images of Hurricane Irma lingering in the minds of many buyers, the desire for homes that did not take on water during the storm is strong. A flood zone “X” certification eliminates most lenders’ requirements for flood insurance. Luckily, the majority of Old Town—and 1019 Whitehead Street—sits high and dry.

5. MOVE-IN READY
There will always be those looking for a cigar maker’s cottage to renovate, or a neglected Classical Revival mansion to restore, but most buyers are in search of their move-in ready corner of paradise. 1019 Whitehead Street is ready for you to schedule your movers.

4. INDOOR/OUTDOOR LIVING
With an abundance of great weather to enjoy, our buyers want to be able to open their windows and doors and live a lifestyle that flows seamlessly from the indoors to the outdoors—especially if they have just endured a Chicago winter.

3. FIRST FLOOR MASTER SUITE
Let’s face it, Key West is not an inexpensive place to live. Most of our buyers have reached a stage in life where they can afford to buy their island dream 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 elderly parents.

2. FRONT PORCH
What is more quintessentially Key West than kicking back on an old fashioned front porch and watching the world meander by?

★ 1. SPARKLING POOL
A pool and Key West go together like rum and Ernest Hemingway. Is it any wonder that a sparkling pool tops the list of the features our buyers are looking for in their dream home?

We bet you will love 1019 Whitehead Street as much as we do! Call us today to schedule your private tour of this charming Key West cottage. It might just check all your boxes too!

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
www.Facebook.com/DeanTownsendSellsKeyWest

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

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.

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

1010 Elgin Lane, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $1,200,000.

Posted by Dean in Homes We Love

Among the sweetest perks of selling Key West real estate are the array of invitations, to tour the island’s hidden treasures, that come across our desks. After experiencing the captivating cottage at 1010 Elgin Lane, we felt like we had discovered a pot of gold.

Tucked away on a hidden Old Town lane, this historic, 3 bedroom/3 bath, property can best be described as personality plus. With quintessential Key West curb appeal and a front porch tailor-made for whiling away the hours, the home lays out an unforgettable welcome mat.

Crossing the threshold, one is immediately struck by the cottage’s storybook charm. The art-filled living room lends itself to whispered confidences and joyous celebrations. Wonderful artistic details delight at every turn.

The generous, cottage-style, eat-in kitchen offers views of the beautiful garden and pool.

Downstairs, the master bedroom and adjoining sitting room are awash with dappled light.

Custom features create a tropical island paradise in the home’s main bath.

Born from a childhood fantasy, an enchanting secret garden awaits in the backyard.

Guests will long to stay forever in the coastal guest cottage overlooking the sparkling pool.

Reminiscent of a British architectural folly, or a New England summer house, the unforgettable octagonal pavilion offers a peaceful retreat from the world’s cares.

Undoubtedly, the magical island escape at 1010 Elgin Lane has captured our hearts. We bet you will fall in love with this not-to-be-missed home as well.

—Keith & Dean