Author Archives: Dean

About Dean

Keith first moved to Key West in the 1990’s, after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Mississippi University for Women. Key West’s unique combination of tropical small-town life and generous cultural activities ignited his imagination. Among the island’s colorful characters and regal palms, Keith brought his dream of becoming a successful art dealer and gallery owner to fruition. Although career opportunities eventually took him away from his beloved island home, he made a commitment to come back to Key West once he made his entrepreneurial dreams come true. In 2010, Keith joyfully returned to Key West. After teaming up with veteran real estate agent Dean Townsend in life, the two made the decision to team up as Realtors® in 2013. With the creation of The Townsend Team, a dynamic real estate partnership was born. Decades spent selling one-of-a-kind artistic treasures, proved to be a fertile training ground for selling Key West’s real estate gems. Keith consistently attends to the smallest detail, offers superior customer service and builds lasting relationships. Mastering the art of matching buyers with their dream homes is Keith’s primary focus. Experience, Creativity, Knowledge: qualities that make Keith Miller and Dean Townsend, The Townsend Team, your Realtors® of choice.

1413 Eliza Street, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $460,000.

Planning to retire to paradise in the next few years? Looking to add a Key West property to your income portfolio? Ready to escape to island life? Don’t miss your opportunity to break into the hot Key West real estate market with this charming Old Town rental income cottage.

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Nestled on a quiet block of historic cigar makers’ cottages, 1413 Eliza Street features two bedroom and two baths in 962 square feet of living space, on a 2,453 square foot lot. The long-term rental is configured with a spacious living room, kitchen, bedroom and bath in the front of the home and a one-bedroom in-law suite in the back. With the island’s high demand for long-term rentals, the property is currently leased at an under-market rate of $2,400.00 a month.

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With its quintessential front porch, bricked off-street parking, large covered deck, desirable location, and endless possibilities to make it your own, this priced to sell Key West cottage is not to be missed.

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We will be delighted to give you a private tour of 1413 Eliza Street. Give us a call today!

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

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OUR TOP 10 FAVORITE KEY WEST HOME SALES OF 2017

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2017 proved to be another banner year for The Townsend Team. We joined forces with Compass Realty to be a part of the successful launch of KELLER WILLIAMS KEY WEST COMPASS REALTY, survived an unwanted date with Hurricane Irma, and sold some unforgettable island homes.

We hope you enjoy our fourth annual list of our favorite Key West home sales of the year. Not only did we wish we were buying these beautiful properties for ourselves, family or friends, we had a great time working with the sellers, buyers, real estate agents, closing attorneys, loan officers, photographers, and all the industry professionals that helped to make these transactions happen.

We can’t wait to see what tropical treasures we’ll be marketing and selling in 2018.

Happy New Year!

Dean & Keith Townsend, The Townsend Team
305-942-1369, www.DeanTownsend.com

OUR TOP 10 FAVORITE KEY WEST HOME SALES OF 2017

1211 Washington

10. 1211 Washington Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $915,000.
Our buyers traded up from their historic Old Town cottage when they saw the value in this lovely, garden street home. With a spacious 2 bedroom/1.5 bath main house and a 1 bedroom/1 bath poolside cottage, they now have plenty of room to relax into their island retirement.

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9. 1423 Patricia Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $987,298.
It took winning five, nerve-racking, online auctions to secure this large, 4 bedroom/ 3.5 bath, investment property for our buyers. They have lovingly transformed La Bella Capri into a family-friendly monthly vacation rental.

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8. 53 Seaside South Court, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $842,400.
With its stunning ocean views from four levels, we knew this 3 bedroom/4 bath, end unit townhome would not stay on our roster of listings for long. To the delight of our sellers, we received a full price offer in no time flat.

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7. 1711 Von Phister Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $604,000.
After purchasing this charming cottage in 2016, our sellers outgrew this, 3 bedroom/2 bath, home before they even made their move to paradise. We helped them find the perfect home for their retirement and were thrilled when friends of ours chose this cottage for themselves.

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6. 1410 Reynolds Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $1,670,000.
Dean represented our sellers in 2008 when they purchased this stunning home for $1,262,500.00. We had so much fun staging, marketing, and selling their spacious, 3 bedroom/2.5 bath, Casa Marina gem.

1407 Rose 2

5. 1407 Rose Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $845,000.
With its well-designed floor plan and sparkling pool, this pristine, 3 bedroom/2 bath, mid-century modern home captivated our buyers and us. We wished we were buying it.

1127 Packer

4. 1127 Packer Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $600,000.
When he had it under contract the first time, the buyer of this picture-perfect cottage got cold feet in the days following Hurricane Irma. Once he understood that—like most of structures in Old Town—the property saw no damage from the storm, he went on to happily purchase the charming, 2 bedroom/1 bath, home from our sellers.

1209 Grinnell 2

3. 1209 Grinnell Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $798,000.
After spending a few years building a lasting friendship with our buyers as they searched for a single-family home, they decided that this move-in-ready, 2 bedroom/2.5 bath, townhouse was their ideal Key West starter home. Located in a small, gated, Old Town compound, the low-maintenance property won them over with its beautiful shared pool and garden.

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2. 2601 South Roosevelt Boulevard, A207, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $480,000.
We staged this beautiful, 1 bedroom/1 bath, Key West by the Sea condominium to sell. To our delight, the turnkey property sold for a record breaking price.

Let the Sun Shine In

★1. 1209 Knowles Lane, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $958,170.
As REALTORS®, we never know when we will meet new friends. We hit it off with the buyers of this exquisite historical renovation when they toured our favorite home sale of 2016: the unforgettable Carpenter Gothic church conversion at 824 Thomas Street. After taking them to see many Old Town properties, they saw past construction chaos and went under contract on this, 2 bedroom/2 bath, saw-tooth cottage months before the renovation was complete. Their patience paid off when they closed on the Key West home of their dreams.

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STAGING YOUR KEY WEST HOME FOR SALE

In today’s digital technology driven real estate market, staging your Key West home is essential for successfully marketing and selling your property. Web appeal is the new curb appeal. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 100% of buyers use the internet to search for a home and 70% tour the inside of properties online. While a well-written online description is important in conveying your home’s selling points, high quality digital images of your beautifully staged home will speak volumes and garner the most attention. Before the photographer shows up to capture your home’s story in pictures, make sure it is ready to win the hearts of buyers.

Dedicating your time, energy, and budget toward staging your home will benefit your bottom line on closing day. Staged homes sell for 17% more on average than non-staged ones—and they sell 87% faster.

We have broken down the somewhat daunting task of staging your Key West home into ten fundamental elements that will help potential buyers fall in love with your property and make a winning offer.

Let the Sun Shine In

LET THE LIGHT SHINE IN
Key West plays a leading role in the Sunshine State with an average of 259 sunny days a year. Buyers are drawn to the island’s sunshine like Ernest Hemingway was to a whiskey & soda. When staging your home, let the light shine in. Clean your windows and doors: inside and out. Take down heavy window treatments. Throw open the curtains and pull up the shades. Replace burned out lightbulbs. Turn on all the lights in your home for the photoshoot and for every showing.

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REFLECT ISLAND LIFE
Buying a Key West vacation home is not just about purchasing a property, it is about embracing a lifestyle. Whether your property is a Victorian cottage, a Classical Revival estate, or a modern seaside condominium, adding elements that evoke our tropical island’s sand, sea, and sky will help buyers feel they are coming home. Casually placing a conch shell on a side table, featuring paintings and sculptures by local artists, and displaying orchids and tropical cuttings, will connect buyers emotionally to your property through a sense of place.

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SPIC AND SPAN IT
Grandma used to say, “Soap is cheap, and water is free.” Water may no longer be free, but the cost of water and cleaning supplies is a small price to pay for the payoff they provide. With a little elbow grease, a super clean home is easy to achieve. We have learned from experience that buyers will look past outdated kitchens and bathrooms when they are spotless, and they will see dollar signs when dust, dirt, and grime cover expensive finishes and furnishings. Cleanliness and staging go hand in hand.

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COLOR IT KEY WEST
If the exterior of your home needs a fresh coat of paint, color it Key West to capture the attention of buyers. When successfully selling any product, you must give buyers what they want. People dream of owning an island escape that looks like their fantasy. Reflect the island’s tropical hues in the colors you paint your home and you will harness the imagination of eager buyers.

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CREATE CONVERSATIONAL AREAS
In today’s chaotic world, people are longing for a simpler time—one of visiting with neighbors and spending quality time with family and friends. Placing both indoor and outdoor furniture in arrangements that are conducive to conversation creates a welcoming sense of home that elicits positive responses from buyers.

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BOX IT UP
Declutter, declutter, declutter! Removing unnecessary items is essential to make your rooms feel tidy and spacious. Buyers can’t see themselves living in your home if they can’t get past an overabundance of knickknacks, art, furniture, or plants. You are going to be relocating anyway, so box up your beloved treasures and store them away, ready for your upcoming move.

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MISTER FIX IT
Don’t wait until the inspection period to make necessary repairs to your property. Potential buyers see every cracked window and broken fixture as a reduction to your asking price. The clear majority of Key West’s buyers are looking to purchase move in ready properties. Multiplying minor repairs can distract people from making the lasting connection that will lead them to purchase your home.

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SHOWCASE OUTDOOR LIVING
Indoor/outdoor living is one of Key West’s greatest marketing features. Staging your home to showcase a flow from inside to outside is an important component of selling our coveted tropical island lifestyle. Many buyers are coming from regions where, avoiding the elements, they spend much of the year indoors. They are accustomed to living in much larger spaces than are typically found in Key West. Painting the picture that your outdoor relaxing and entertaining spaces are a natural extension of your home is vital to help buyers overcome the sticker shock of living in paradise.

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FOLLOW YOUR NOSE
Unpleasant odors can tank a showing. Neutralize unwelcoming pet, food, bathroom, and musty smells. Ban smoking in your home. Avoid scented air fresheners, scented candles, and perfumes—you never know what will be a turn on or a turn off for buyers. Opening your home to the island’s clean fresh air is always a good bet. Don’t forget to take out the garbage before every showing.

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SHOP THE WHITE SALE
Nothing is more inviting than a bed adorned with beautiful linens. Invest in the best bedding you budget will allow. Fluff your pillows and make your beds with freshly laundered, crisply ironed sheets before your photoshoot and for each showing. Make sure your bathrooms are well appointed with fresh towels. Create an environment that says luxury resort and buyers will want to check-in for a lifetime.

Ensuring that your home is ready for its close-up—before it is photographed and for every showing—is essential for getting your home sold for the highest price, in the shortest amount of time. Stage with the intent of empowering potential buyers to fantasize about living the laid-back Key West lifestyle in your home. Create a picture-perfect environment through staging and you will reap the rewards on closing day.

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

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“The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” Mark Twain

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One week has passed since Hurricane Irma began picking a fight with our beloved island. We are glad to report that the bitch did not win. Life in Key West has not been easy for us over the past seven days. Together, we faced many challenges and overcame countless obstacles. We have witnessed the best of our island community: friends, neighbors and strangers looking out for one another.

Our 1890’s cottage on Olivia Street suffered no damage—although waves of our neighbor’s trees are resting on our fence. As we checked on the places of our friends, neighbors and clients, we found intact homes waiting for their families to return. Texting them images of their standing strong houses brought us a joy we will never forget.

CNN may be reporting that 90% of Key West’s structures are damaged or destroyed, but that is not true. Very, very few of the island’s buildings are in bad shape—and most have gone unscathed. Trees are down everywhere, but our endless summer will breathe new life into our once beautiful tropical canopy.

As our hearts ache for those in the Middle Keys that have lost their homes and livelihoods, the residents of Key West will be here to help them rebuild their lives. As evacuees begin their journey back home, we will welcome them with open arms.

Our corner of paradise might be temporarily down, but it is not out. As Mark Twain said, “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

—Dean & Keith Townsend, Grateful Key West Citizens

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1800 Venetia Street, Key West, FL 33040—$989,000.—SOLD $968,250.

Main Shot

Invite the whole gang down for a tropical island escape! There will be plenty of room for everyone in this spacious, 2,688 square foot, five bedroom and five and one half bath, Key West family retreat.

The home’s well-designed first floor features a formal living room, spacious bedroom with en suite bath, generous storage, powder room, large open-concept kitchen/dining/family room, and a covered porch overlooking the sparkling pool. Light and bright, the upstairs offers three roomy bedrooms with en suite baths, laundry, storage, and tempting sundeck off the king-sized master suite.

Living 2

Living 3

The formal living room welcomes you home.

DS Bedroom

DS Full Bath 1

A must-have, the spacious ground floor bedroom with en suite bath will be appreciated by friends and relatives not up for climbing the stairs.

Kitchen 2

Kitchen

Den 2

Dining

The open plan design of the kitchen, family room, and dining room is perfect for entertaining and creating lasting memories.

Covered Porch

Pool

Overlooking the tropical pool, enjoy delightful conversations with dinner and drinks on the covered porch.

Half Bath

The downstairs powder room is perfect for guests.

US Hall

The laundry, storage closet, and attic access is off the upstairs hallway.

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US Left Bath

US Right Bedroom

US Bed R Bath

The two upstairs front bedrooms are light-filled and inviting. Each one features a sunny, white, en suite bathroom.

Master 1

Master Bath

Master 2

Set apart from the other bedrooms, the large master suite is decked out with beautiful plantation shutters (like all the rooms) and opens to a wonderful deck for catching some rays and enjoying the island’s renowned sunsets.

Sun Deck

Above Pool

Savor paradise in your own backyard.

US Blue Bedroom

US Blue Bath

Just off the sundeck, the fifth bedroom is filled with light.

Parking

While you are enjoying a short stroll to Smathers Beach, your two cars can take a break in secure covered parking.

Constructed in 2004, on a 4,625 square foot lot, this Midtown family home is priced to sell at $989,000.—a real Key West value at under $370.00 a square foot.

We would love to give you a private tour of this spacious Key West vacation home. It just might be the piece of heaven you have been dreaming of.

—Dean & Keith Townsend, The Townsend Team
305-942-1369, www.DeanTownsend.com

Front Venetia