Tag Archives: real estate

CHANGING THE EXTERIOR COLORS OF YOUR KEY WEST HOME

Dey Front Porch

In most cases you can change the exterior colors of your Old Town Key West home if you go about it the right way. The process may seem a bit complicated, but it will save you time and money if you follow the rules and procedures. You will have to submit a completed application for painting/repainting to the Building Department counter at 1300 White Street—by the parking lot entrance to City Hall—along with a current photo of part of the house that will be painted, a photo of the structure from the street/sidewalk, paint chips, descriptions of painting to be done and the $10.00 staff approval fee for residential painting.

You can download the required HARC application at www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/egov/documents.

The painting of Key West’s historic homes is overseen by HARC (Historic Architectural Review Commission). HARC’s design guidelines in Key West’s Historic District are intended to preserve and protect the architectural environment and unique character of its historic neighborhoods—Key West’s #1 tourist attraction. There are many structures outside of the historic district that are contributing to the historic district and HARC has jurisdiction on all exterior changes to the buildings.

HARC’s Historic Architectural Guidelines for the City of Key West are available on the city’s website at www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov. To confirm if your home is under HARC regulation contact the HARC staff at HARC@cityofkeywest-fl.gov.

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While most wood frame buildings in Key West were historically white or unpainted, the use of muted colors may be approved by HARC. The colors below are recommended by HARC as appropriate within the historic zones. Other colors may be used if supported by historical documentation, or by evidence of underlying paint.

TRADITIONAL COLORS OF KEY WEST
Doors: white, black, red, dark green, natural finished wood
Exterior Siding or Body: white, pastels, light gray, beige, buff
Exterior Trim: white, off-white
Porch Ceilings: light aqua, light blue, white
Lattice: dark green, white
Foundations: natural, gray
Wood Fences & Gates: white
Iron Fences & Gates: dark green, white
Masonry Walls & Fences: white, beige, gray
Railings, Balusters & Porches: white
Metal Roofing: silver
Asphalt Roofing: gray, white, black
Shutters: white, black, gray, dark green

HARC suggests when choosing colors to try and select a combination that will highlight the architectural details of the building. Typically, one color for the body and one for the trim will bring the architectural details into focus. Additional colors may be appropriate for subtle highlighting for porch ceilings, porch floors, foundations, etc. HARC recommends saving paint chips of significant contributing historical buildings so that a paint analysis may be done to determine the appropriate historical colors. To help preserve the cultural heritage of Bahama Village, the contemporary addition of brighter Caribbean colors may be acceptable within this neighborhood of the Historic District. Colors for new proposed additions that stand out from a contributing building or its neighbors are prohibited. If a new addition for a non-contributing structure proposes colors different from the main building, the colors need to be harmonious and like ones found within the adjacent urban content.

If you haven’t decided on your Key West cottage’s color scheme, you might want to wander around Old Town snapping pictures of historic homes sporting color combinations that speak to you. Pickup a selection of paint chips with HARC approved historic colors at Strunk Ace Hardware on Eaton Street and play with color combinations over a glass of wine with friends and neighbors. Once you have decided on the perfect color scheme head over to City Hall and get the permit process rolling.

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

Dey Front Shot

THE BEST OF ASK THE TOWNSEND TEAM 2018

Ask the TT Cropped

Since launching our weekly Facebook feature, ASK THE TOWNSEND TEAM, earlier this year, we’ve been answering the Key West questions on your mind. Your positive response has inspired us to commit to continuing the series for 2019. That’s 52 posts! What a challenge!

These six ASK THE TOWNSEND TEAM posts garnered the most attention in 2018. We hope you enjoy reading them and learning something new along the way.

SHOULDN’T I PRICE MY PROPERTY HIGHER, SINCE I CAN ALWAYS DROP THE PRICE LATER?

While this strategy might have a positive ring for a seller, following it will likely result in a lower selling price. The most opportune time to sell a home is during its first few weeks on the market—when it attracts the greatest attention. When a property is overpriced, it competes with houses with more competitive features at that higher price level. Local real estate agents may refrain from showing the property because they feel it is priced too high. Consequently, the overpriced home is unlikely to attract an offer. The longer the home remains on the market the more likely potential buyers are to ask what is wrong with the property. Eventually, the seller will have to reduce the asking price. The fact that the home has had a price reduction after being for sale for an extended period will almost certainly be factored into an even lower offer for purchase.

WHAT’S NEW ON THE KEY WEST RESTAURANT SCENE?

Run don’t walk to the fabulous new Moondog Café & Bakery on Whitehead Street and our longtime favorite, The Flaming Buoy Filet Co., at its new location on Eaton Street! We eat out every night and consider ourselves to be less foodies and more professional diners—loving locally owned places with great food and welcoming environments. These two restaurants have captured our taste buds and our hearts. We bet you will enjoy them as much as we do!

Moondog Café & Bakery • 823 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040 • 305-741-7699
The remarkable culinary team behind legendary Key West eateries The Café and Banana Café has created the not-to-be-missed Moondog Café & Bakery. Located next to the historic Hemingway House, the imaginatively designed art-filled café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Instantly becoming one of our go-to dining destinations, we’ve been working our way through Moondog’s delightful menu. We love the Seafood Omelette, Norman’s Huevos Rancheros, Fresh Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Grilled Caesar Salad, The Frenchman Burger, and Roasted Mushroom & Fontina Pizza.

The Flaming Buoy Filet Co. • 424 Eaton Street, Key West, FL 33040 • 305-295-7970
After way too long a wait, Scot, Fred and their extraordinary team are back with their stylishly funky and fabulous new Flaming Buoy on Eaton Street. We were thrilled to be invited to rub elbows with Key West celebrities at their soft opening last Saturday evening. We loved the amazing new décor and our all-time favorites, the Seafood Mariana and The Filet Co. Three Way. It is great to have The Flaming Buoy back and better than ever!

I’M PAST RETIREMENT AGE. AM I TOO OLD TO GET A MORTGAGE LOAN TO BUY A HOME?

As long as your creditworthiness qualifies you for the mortgage loan you are seeking, The Equal Opportunity Credit Act assures that you will not be charged more or denied a loan because of your age. So far this year, we have had an over-eighty customer finance the purchase of his Key West by the Sea condominium and a first-time home buyer over seventy purchase her Old Town cottage. The driving force in both of their decisions to buy was a desire to not have to move again.

It is never too late to live your Key West dream as a homeowner. As Judy Blume said, “You’ll never grow old in Key West, you might die, but you’ll never grow old.”

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH KEY WEST TRANSIENT VACATION RENTAL PROPERTIES?

Unless your Key West property is part of a condominium or homeowners association with rules governing vacation rentals, with the correct City of Key West license anyone can offer their home as a vacation rental. There are two types of vacation rental properties in Key West: those with transient rental licenses and those with standard rental licenses.

Most Key West transient rental properties are located within half a block of Duval Street, on Truman Avenue, and along Eisenhower Drive. There are properties with transient licenses in the 1800 Atlantic, Key West Beach Club, La Brisa, Sunrise Suites, and Marriott Beachside developments. Truman Annex homes may have a special transient license that is subject to a weekly minimum and has a sunset clause attached. Additionally, there are grandfathered-in transient properties peppered across the island. A typical transient license allows a property to be rented nightly, weekly, monthly, or yearly. Transient licensed homes can be operated much like a hotel. While they require higher levels of management, they offer greater flexibility and the potential for high returns. Since transient rental vacation properties often attract short-term visitors that are coming to Key West to party, they can suffer more wear and tear than long-term vacation rentals. Homes with transient licenses typically sell for $75,000 to $100,000 more than like-kind properties that do not have a transient license. Transient licenses can be bought and sold but can only be placed on receivership sites designated by the city.

A standard City of Key West rental license allows for a home to be rented for 28 days or more (think monthly, with February being the shortest month at 28 days). Those renting for a month or longer are typically older couples that have the time and money to vacation in paradise for an extended period. Even larger properties are usually occupied by a couple for most of their rental period, with friends and family joining them for short visits. Consequently, long-term vacation rental properties suffer much less abuse than transient rentals. When they are staged to feel like a home, rather than a hotel room, long-term vacation rentals tend to attract repeat visitors and higher occupancy rates.

THERE WAS A DEATH IN MY HOME. DO I HAVE TO DISCLOSE THE FACT TO POTENTIAL BUYERS?

Florida law is clear on the subject. It states that if your property was the site of a death, homicide, or suicide it is not a material fact that must be disclosed. Further, according to Florida law, HIV and AIDS status are not material facts that must be disclosed in a real estate transaction and no cause of action arises against a homeowner or REALTOR® for failure to disclose that the occupant of a property is infected with HIV/AIDS. Interestingly, Florida law is silent on haunting. If you believe that your house is haunted, it would be best to consult your legal counsel and perhaps a medium.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A NOTE, A MORTGAGE, AND A DEED?

In a nutshell, the note is the borrower’s promise to pay back his or her loan, the mortgage is putting up the property as security for the note, and the deed transfers ownership of the property.

The promissory note (note) is the borrower’s promise to pay. The closer presents the note for the buyer’s signature. The note shows the principal balance, number of payments, and the dates and the amount of the payments. The amount will be for principal and interest only. The first payment date will normally be the first day of the second month after closing. The note is not witnessed or notarized. If a signature appears on the face of the note along with the borrower’s signature, that person becomes a cosigner on the note.

The mortgage is the security for the note. It is the document that may require the borrower to pay 1/12 of the ad valorem taxes, hazard insurance, and mortgage insurance premium along with the principal and interest required by the note. It requires that payments be made on time, taxes be paid, and the property be covered by insurance. It also describes payment options and probably states that a transfer of the property will make the loan due immediately.

The general warranty deed (deed) is the document that transfers ownership of the real property. The general warranty deed is the most common deed, with the seller’s guarantee to the buyer that he or she has good title, without material defects or encumbrances, and will stand by the guarantee forever. Special attention should be given to names, legal descriptions, and any items in the “subject to” section, such as restrictive covenants and mortgages.

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Do you have a question about buying, selling, or investing in Key West real estate? Are you pondering the ins and outs of living on our tropical island? Wondering what’s new in Paradise? Email your questions to info@DeanTownsend.com and look for our responses every Wednesday on our Townsend Team Facebook page.

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

A QUIT YOUR JOB AND MOVE TO KEY WEST COTTAGE

Pearl Entrance

700 Pearl Street, Key West, FL 33040—$775,000.

Is it finally time to trade the Johnny Paycheck ditty turning over in your head for a tropical Jimmy Buffett tune? The captivating Key West cottage at 700 Pearl Street might be your catalyst for quitting your job, selling your house and making your move to paradise.

Pearl Front Cropped

Nestled at the end of a quiet street in historic Old Town’s coveted Meadows neighborhood, this beautifully renovated fisherman’s cottage skillfully blends contemporary design with Key West character. The one-of-a-kind two bedroom and two bath home features high ceilings, travertine and wood floors, gorgeous kitchen and baths, and abundant windows and doors.

Living Room

Dining Room

Living Dining

The light-filled living room showcases a vaulted ceiling and island-inspired stained glass windows. Ideal for enjoying the best of indoor/outdoor living, the living room flows to the dining area and out to the sun-dappled deck.

Kitchen 1

Kitchen 2

Kitchen 3

Kitchen 4

Showcasing custom cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas range, built-in microwave and farmhouse sink, the well-designed kitchen cannot be missed.

Entry

The entry hall offers design possibilities with room for a café table, writing desk, or reading nook.

Guest Bath

The guest bathroom is a delight.

Guest Bedroom

Friends and family will be booking their next visit once they have enjoyed the bright and inviting guest room.

Master

Master 2

Master Bath

The peaceful master suite features frosted glass barn doors and stylish bath.

Outdoor Shower

The outdoor shower in the garden is to die for.

Grill Station

Cooking is made easy with the gas grilling station.

Back

The lushly planted corner lot includes Key Lime and Spanish Lime trees, irrigation system and landscape lighting. The spacious deck is perfect for outdoor entertaining.

We can’t wait to give you a private tour of this unforgettable Key West gem. Bet you will love it as much as we do!

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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STUNNING KEY WEST HOME RENOVATION

Backyard After

“We immediately loved the potential of the property—from the moment we walked in the door and saw the direct view of the ponds behind the property, we knew we could make everything in the middle exactly what we wanted. The view from the back, framed in palm trees, was a little piece of paradise we wanted to claim as our own.”
—Brandon Jones

The Exterior Pic

In the summer of 2015 we were invited to help Robert Jensen and Brandon Jones discover their Key West dream home. At the end of a productive morning of showings—and with much anticipation—we introduced them to a property a bit outside of their stated parameters. With fingers crossed, we hoped that the unpolished gem that had recently captured our imaginations, would do the same for them. It was love at first sight.

Shortly after closing on the property Brandon and Robert assembled their renovation “A” team and began a two-year recreation of their two bedroom and two bath mid-century home. With stunning results, they have polished their Key West diamond in the rough to perfection.

Front Before

Front After

Brandon and Robert feel very lucky to have collaborated on their project with top notch Key West professionals. Jordan Holtkamp of Holtkamp Construction did outstanding work as their General Contractor and Rob DeLaune, Architect, brought his skill and talent to the remarkable home transformation.

Orange Door 2

Feeling that Key West is the perfect place to experiment with bold color choices, the owners had the front door painted their favorite shade of orange and carried the color theme throughout.

Interior Before

Linda WetBar

By beautifully combining her creative and artistic expressions with her clients’ personalities, Debra Butler, of Debra Butler Design Studio, fashioned a bright and open modern design for the interior.

Interior

All the art and accessories were chosen by Robert and Brandon—with each treasure holding a special meaning for them.

Kitchen Before

Linda Kitchen

The outdated and tiny original kitchen was reconceived as a sleek and stylish chef’s delight.

Linda Livingroom

Robert and Brandon love the décor of the Florida room. Its varied hues of blues and blue-greens take them to the alluring waters of Key West.

Linda Living 2

The Luke armchairs in Flagstaff Deep Water, by custom furniture maker American Leather, are special favorites.

Linda Master

Outdoor Shower

The tranquil master suite opens to an unforgettable private oasis. Surrounded by lush tropical landscaping, the serene outdoor shower and intimate seating area provide the perfect setting for surrendering to island life.

Front Garden

A master of his craft, Mark Harris with Diggin Key West, created the home’s spectacular gardens.

Master Bath Before

Linda Master Bath

The things about the home that really make the owners happy are the simple architectural and design aspects—even down to the faucets and fixtures chosen for the new bathrooms.

Linda Guest Bedroom

The resort-worthy guest accommodations are a welcomed retreat after a day of sun, sand, and sea.

Linda Office

With its peaceful water views, the custom-built office almost makes working from home a treat.

Backyard Before

Amazing Pool

The awe-inspiring transformation of the home’s backyard is undoubtedly the renovation’s crown jewel.

Outdoor Kitchen After

Having a top-of-the-line outdoor kitchen makes hosting friends and family a pleasure.

Back Before 2

Outdoor Room

Brandon and Robert’s favorite “room” of the house is the outdoor sitting and dining area beside the pool and ponds. They spend most of their time there, kicking back, watching the water and the visitors it brings.

Backyard Detail

“It’s a great place to entertain, or just soak in paradise without distraction,” Brandon said.

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Key West’s salt ponds are a hidden treasure, largely undiscovered by tourists and locals. Alive with crabs, shrimp, fish, herons and other birds that visit daily, the engaging ponds at the back of the property have not fallen from the top of the list of reasons why Robert and Brandon purchased the home.

Nothing is more gratifying than seeing friends and clients bring their vision for their new home into reality. Simply put, Robert Jensen and Brandon Jones have created a Key West dream home to die for. We could not be more delighted for them both.

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

End Of Blog

THIS CLASSIC KEY WEST COTTAGE CHECKS ALL THE BOXES!

Whitehead Front

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 HOME1019
WHITEHEAD STREET HAS THEM ALL!

Whitehead Back

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.

Whitehead Palm Trees

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.

Whitehead Living Dining

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.

Whitehead Drive

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.

Whitehead High & Dry

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.

Whitehead Family and Kitchen

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.

Whitehead Family Room

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.

Whitehead Master

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.

Whitehead Front Porch

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

Whitehead Pool

★ 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