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The Top 10 Features Key West Buyers Are Looking For In Their Dream Home

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Countless people fantasize about owning a home in Key West. Each year, hundreds of lucky dreamers descend on our island looking for the perfect Victorian cottage, seaside condominium, or tropical estate. The best thing about our job, is helping our clients find the Key West home of their dreams.

With sixteen years of combined experience selling Key West real estate, we pretty much know what people desire in their dream home. We’ve compiled a list of the top ten home features that Key West buyers are looking for. What are your Top 10?

—Keith & Dean

The Top 10 Features Key West Buyers Are Looking For In Their Dream Home

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10. Old Town Location
It is no wonder that the Key West neighborhood that tops the list of home buyers is our beautiful, historic Old Town. Amid picturesque Victorian era streets and a lifestyle lived visiting on front porches or strolling to dinner at favorite neighborhood eateries, Old Town is the authentic version of classic small town America that the New Urbanism movement has been recreating across the country for decades.

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9. Palm Trees
Key West buyers simply can’t imagine purchasing a home without palm trees in the 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.

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8. Covered Outdoor Space
The sun in Key West is intense. Dreams of enjoying a cool tropical drink in the shade of a lazy veranda, live in many a heart and mind. Having covered outdoor space undoubtedly adds to sweetness of island living.

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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.

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6. High & Dry
With images of the flooding caused by 2005’s Hurricane Wilma 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’ requirement for flood insurance. Luckily, the majority of Old Town sits high and dry.

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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. With many properties being sold turnkey, it is possible to find a home where you can move in with just your toothbrush.

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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.

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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 dream home in paradise. With the possibility of mobility issues looming down the road, a first floor master suite is an important feature for many baby boomers, retirees, and those with elderly parents.

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2. Front Porch
What is more quintessentially Key West than kicking back on an old fashioned front porch and watching the world stroll by?

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

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The Top 10 Things We Love About 1405 Olivia Street, Key West, FL—SOLD $1,315,000.

As Realtors©, we get to spend a good deal of time in the homes we have listed for sale. While promoting the strong selling points of a property to potential buyers during showings and open houses, we often find ourselves liking a home more and more—sometimes, we even fall in love. The beautiful, Classical Revival home at 1405 Olivia Street, in Key West’s historic Meadows neighborhood, is one such home. It has captured our hearts.

We have compiled a list of our favorite things about this wonderful family home. Enjoy!

—Keith & Dean

The Top 10 Things We Love About 1405 Olivia Street, Key West, FL

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10. The Breezy Upstairs Front Porch
We dream of stretching out on the hammock and reading a great book, enjoying a tall glass of iced tea, and catching the tropical breezes on the stately, second story porch.

DMRE-Dean-1405-Olivia-25589. The Classical Revival Architecture
As a shining example of traditional Key West architecture, 1405 Olivia Street is one of the 2,485 buildings that are protected in the Key West Historic District. We adore the clean lines of this 1909, three bay, Classical Revival gem.

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8. The Bright and Airy Master Bedroom
With a vaulted ceiling and four casement windows, the spacious, treehouse-like, master bedroom is bright and airy. A second story addition to the house, the private master suite is separated from the other bedrooms by a sunny entry hall, large walk in closet, and an en suite bathroom.

DMRE-Dean-1405-Olivia-26187. The Dade County Pine Walls
The tremendously hard work that went into refinishing and restoring the home’s original Dade County Pine walls, is not lost on us. We love the beautiful pickled and stained finishes that so add to the brightness of the interior.

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6. The Versatile Family Room
Currently used as a family room, the original parlor has also served a dining room. We love that the inviting space could easily be converted into a fourth bedroom with the addition of French doors.

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5. The Open Plan Living
We love the home’s contemporary, open plan living design. Award winning renovations beautifully maintain the home’s historic character while offering the best of modern living.

DMRE-Dean-1405-Olivia-25764. The Updated Kitchen
With plenty of elbow room, the smartly designed kitchen impresses us with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, cherry cabinets, and a gas stove.

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3. The Sparkling Pool
What is not to love about the pool?

DMRE-Dean-1405-Olivia-25642. The Friendly Front Porch
We would love to sit on the charming front porch and watch the world strolling by. The terrazzo floor covers what was once the home’s cistern. We are always enamored with the island’s blue painted porch ceilings.

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★1. The Covered Outdoor Space
Covered outdoor space always seems to be near the top of our buyers’ lists of what they are looking for in their Key West dream home. 1405 Olivia Street’s commodious, covered outdoor space is perfectly fashioned for indoor/outdoor living and entertaining at its best. We love it!

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this Classical Revival gem.

Click here to read more about 1405 Olivia Street, Key West, FL 33040.

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415 Amelia Street, Key West, FL—OFF THE MARKET

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The late Lord Harold Samuel, a real estate tycoon in Britain, is widely credited with coining the expression: “There are three things that matter in property: location, location, location.” The charming cottage at 415 Amelia Street—located on a quiet block just off historic Upper Duval Street—is ideally situated: close to celebrated restaurants, galleries, and entertainment. When it comes to a winning location, it is a true blue ribbon property.

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Just steps from the action, you will enjoy the best of island living in your own backyard. Catch some rays in your sunny secluded oasis, swim in your sparkling heated pool, dine under your Moroccan-inspired canopy, and relax in your colorfully tiled outdoor shower.

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Island style abounds in this beautifully renovated, two bedroom/two bath, 1930’s cottage. Contemporary open plan living greets you as you enter the home. You will love the cozy and colorful living room. A beautifully crafted staircase leads to a spacious loft. The dining room offers plenty of space for holiday gatherings with family and friends. Opening to the pool, the master bedroom is bright and sunny. The updated kitchen leads to the garden; making outdoor entertaining a breeze. Your guests will love the charming guest cottage.

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415 Amelia Street offers you an extra-special bonus: off-street parking. With a gated brick driveway and carport that comfortably accommodates two cars, you will not be searching for the illusive Key West parking space.

Don’t miss the chance to own your centrally located, quiet corner of paradise.

—Keith & Dean

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1405 Olivia Street, Key West, Florida—SOLD $1,315,000.

We love our new listing at 1405 Olivia Street in Key West.

We love our new listing at 1405 Olivia Street in Key West.


Paradise!

Paradise!

We love our new listing at 1405 Olivia Street in Old Town Key West. Award winning renovations beautifully maintain the home’s historic character while offering the best of modern design and conveniences. Nestled in the quaint and desirable Meadows neighborhood, this stately Classical Revival gem is not to be missed.
We love the beautiful open kitchen and living areas.

We love the beautiful open kitchen and living area.


Olivia Kitchen
The three bedroom, two and one half bath, family home is perfectly fashioned for indoor/outdoor living and entertaining. A wonderful open kitchen and living area leads through three sets of French doors to a generous covered lanai. Curl up with a good book or enjoy drinks with friends as you overlook the sparkling pool and lush garden. Enjoy tropical breezes as you nap in your hammock or watch the world stroll by on your quintessential front porches. Island living does not get any better.
Tropical indoor/outdoor living at its best.

Tropical indoor/outdoor living at its best.


With soaring ceilings, Dade County pine walls, a grand staircase, and a master suite with treetop views, the home’s charming features will undoubtedly capture your heart.

If you have dreamed of owning a classic Key West residence, 1405 Olivia Street is ready to welcome you home.

—Keith & Dean

Clich here to enjoy a virtual tour of this Classical Revival gem.

Olivia Pool

1017 Southard Street, Key West, Florida—OFF THE MARKET

This enthralling Key West estate makes its mark.

This enthralling Key West estate definitely makes its mark.

There are too few superlatives to adequately describe the extraordinary Gatsbyesque estate at 1017 Southard Street in Key West’s historic district. Encompassing over 20,000 square feet of terra firma and over 5,000 square feet of refined living space, this is undeniably one of the finest luxury estates on the island.

Welcome home.

Welcome home.

DMRE-Sabrina-1017Southard-3497A spectacularly restored 1890’s Queen Anne mansion reigns over this exquisite corner of paradise. The historic residence—with impeccable additions by architect and designer Guillermo A. Orozco—seamlessly blends the essence of grand formal living with the casual attitude of a tropical island lifestyle. The first floor features a dramatic entry hall, stunning octagonal living room, dining room with one-of-a-kind murals, spacious den, custom chef’s kitchen, and a vaulted master suite. Upstairs, one finds an octagonal guest suite and a sumptuous master. Victorian leaded glass doors, soaring ceilings, custom painted Dade County pine walls and floors, and welcoming porches take one’s breath away.

A chef's kitchen to die for.

A chef’s kitchen to die for.

James Alan Smith's murals adorn the walls of the lovely dining room.

One-of-a-kind murals adorn the walls of the lovely dining room.

Three additional structures beautifully compliment the main house. The inviting pool house offers an open air kitchen, changing room, bedroom, bath, and outdoor shower. A one car garage features a splendid guest apartment overlooking the pool. The charming two bedroom/two bath guest cottage features a private garden and off-street parking.

The pool house and garage blend seamlessly with the historic home.

The pool house and garage blend seamlessly with the historic home.

The glorious gardens are an entertainer’s dream. Striking Banyan and Royal Poinciana trees tower over lush tropical landscaping. Sparkling in the sunshine, the unforgettable glass tiled pool is the estate’s crown jewel.

Hand laid glass tiles sparkle in the sunshine.

Hand laid glass tiles sparkle in the sunshine.

Priced at $7,400,000.00, the remarkable estate at 1017 Southard Street in Key West is undoubtedly worth every penny.

Keith & Dean

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this exquisite Key West estate.

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