Tag Archives: Key West cottage style

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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

★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?

1309 Grinnell Street, Key West, FL—OFF THE MARKET

We are always thrilled to see a wreck of a home turned into a masterpiece. When 1309 Grinnell Street sold last summer, it was definitely in need of some major TLC. After a total renovation (from a new metal roof and impact resistant doors and windows; to new high efficiency air conditioning and electrical wiring), the 3 bedroom/3 ½ bath, Casa Marina home shines like a new penny.

The five things that top our clients’ wish lists are: a ground floor master suite, off street parking, X Flood Zone certification, a pool, and covered outdoor space. This exemplary renovation has answered the call. The beautiful first floor master bedroom features new oak hardwood flooring, custom made barn doors that conceal a wall mounted television, and a superior walk in closet. With imported Spanish tiles and a pass through shower, the master bath is not to be missed. There is highly desirable, off street parking for more than one car. The property sits high and dry in the X Zone. Hidden from the street, the sparkling free-form pool is surprisingly located in the front of the house. Overlooking the pool, the large front porch and deck will welcome you home.

Gorgeous impact resistant sliding doors allow outdoor living to comfortably flow inside. Straight out of Coastal Living, the stylish living room opens to the large and inviting chef’s kitchen. We love the wonderful built-ins, Kenmore Pro Series appliances, and the convenient laundry room with a half bath. Just off the dining area, a sun-dappled deck allows for carefree outdoor entertaining.

A welcoming family area awaits at the top of the stairs. The terrific, second master suite boasts a vaulted ceiling and a spacious walk in closet. A sunny upstairs guest bedroom connects to a third bathroom with designer marble flooring and a cast iron tub.

The transformation of 1309 Grinnell Street is no less than extraordinary. Call us to schedule your private showing today.

—Keith & Dean

611 Grinnell Street #1, Key West, FL—OFF THE MARKET

It is no wonder that the most desirable area to live in Key West is its historic Old Town neighborhood. 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. There is simply no place as beguilingly beautiful as this veritable corner of paradise.

Just down the block from 5 Brothers Grocery & Sandwich Shop—arguably the best place in Key West to enjoy a famous Cuban mix and an authentic Cuban coffee—there is a beautifully renovated, 3 bedroom/2 bath, cottage that just might be the family vacation home of your dreams. The charming yellow cottage, with impeccable curb appeal, is part of an Old Town compound of seven single family residences that share a large, resort style pool. Combining the benefits of single family home ownership with the convenience of a homeowners association taking care of the pool and landscaping, 611 Grinnell Street #1 is the ideal choice for anyone looking for an easy breezy, authentic Key West retreat.

A quintessential white picket fence, verdant landscaping, and a refashioned façade welcomes you home. Contemporary open-plan living abounds in the newly renovated interior. The lovely entry leads to a spacious, bright and airy, great room. A perfect office, two bedrooms, and an updated bathroom round out the front of the home. The stylish dining area and cottage style kitchen continue the wonderful flow. For added privacy, the tranquil master suite is situated at the rear of the home. Creating the best of tropical indoor/outdoor living, four sets of French doors open the home to a sunny private courtyard. Just steps from a private gate, the spectacular shared pool is ready for your carefree enjoyment.

Live the dream! Make this charming island cottage your new vacation home in heart of historic Old Town Key West.

—Keith & Dean

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this delightful Old Town cottage.

Click here to visit 5 Brothers Grocery & Sandwich Shop’s website.

915 Cornish Lane, Key West, FL—SOLD $1,125,000.

Every once in a while, a home comes on the market that totally knocks our socks—or should we say underwear—off. Celebrity fashion designer Andrew Christian ‘s sleek and stylish, Key West vacation home is one such masterpiece. The stunning, 2 bedroom/1.5 bath, contemporary cottage has been lovingly and meticulously renovated. No detail was overlooked.

Fans of our blog, Our Key West, know that we are enamored with the tucked away cottages of Key West’s hidden lanes. Nestled at the end of a quaint and quiet lane off Grinnell Street (between Fleming and Southard Streets), 915 Cornish Lane offers privacy and seclusion in the heart of Old Town.

Entering the front gate, you are captured by the rich Ipe hardwood decking gracing the cloistered front porch. High ceilings, walnut floors, and views of the pool greet you as you move into the home. The bright and sunny living/dining room is beautifully appointed with designer furnishings and modern built-ins.

The light-filled kitchen is a chef’s dream. Along with Viking and Subzero appliances, Custom cabinets and Caesarstone counters grace the modern, streamlined kitchen. The convenient pass through window makes outdoor entertaining a breeze.

The in vogue master bedroom opens to the outdoor showers and the exquisitely designed master bath. Mirroring the kitchen, the bathroom’s wood cabinets and Caesarstone countertops are bathed in light from beautiful gable windows. The shining guestroom sports a custom designed closet to die for.

Perfect for intimate entertaining, the home’s tropical outdoor living space is a sea of tranquility. The sparkling pool is heated for your enjoyment. The garden living room is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the best of island living—paradise in your own backyard.

We wish we were writing a check for this extraordinary Key West cottage.

—Dean & Keith

Click here to visit Andrew Christian’s website.

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this spectacular contemporary cottage.

1113 Curry Lane, Key West, FL—SOLD $790,000.

We have always dreamed of finding a charming Key West cottage, tucked away on one of Old Town’s hidden lanes. Something a little old Key West funky, that we could put our stamp on, would be perfect. If it had a private garden, pool, and guesthouse, all the better. The home at 1113 Curry Lane—a secluded lane that runs between White and Frances Streets—is the stuff that dreams are made of.

The two bedroom/two bath main house captured our hearts at first glance. We love the light-filled, eclectic living room with its Dade County pine accent wall with stained glass panels. The dining room opens to the beautifully updated kitchen with a vaulted, trompe-l’oeil ceiling, and French doors that open to the garden. A guest room and a full bath finish off the main level of the home. The Upstairs offers a spacious master bedroom with a dressing room and full bath. Three quiet and efficient, ductless air conditioning systems cool the structure.

We love the home’s private tropical courtyard. The sparkling, solar heated pool catches plenty of sun. Overlooking the pool and garden, the separate guest cottage has its own bath. Visitors will love it, or it can be legally rented for extra income.

With great bones, tons of charm, and just the right amount of Key West spice, 1113 Curry Lane is ready for you to make it your own. We wish we were buying this wonderful, secluded gem.

—Dean & Keith

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