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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.

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

OUR FAVORITE KEY WEST HOME SALES OF 2018

Margaret Porch

A stately Classical Revival mansion, a charming Bahama Village cottage and a stellar Old Town investment property shine brightly on the fifth annual list of our favorite Key West home sales. Not only did we wish we were buying these beautiful properties for ourselves, family or friends, we had a wonderful time working with the REALTORS®, buyers, sellers, closing attorneys, loan officers, photographers, and all the industry professionals that helped make these transactions happen.

OUR FAVORITE KEY WEST HOME SALES OF 2018

Windsor 3

• 1011 Windsor Lane, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $989,000.
After unsuccessfully attempting to buy this Classical Revival fixer-upper, our buyer teamed up with us to successfully purchase his Key West dream home. We can’t wait to see him polish this historic gem to its former glory.

2601 S. Roosevelt

• 2601 South Roosevelt Boulevard, 107A, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $400,000.
Since you can’t throw a conch shell down an Old Town street without hitting a real estate agent, we were delighted when our friend called on us to help him purchase his Key West By the Sea condominium. After convincing him that even though he was over eighty he could qualify for a mortgage, we made a winning offer and celebrated the closing of his “it’s never too late” Key West home.

1800 Venetia

• 1800 Venetia Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $968,250.
Our social media focused marketing campaign paid off quickly for the seller of this generous Midtown Key West home. After having his listing flounder with another agent for years, he was very happy with our creative approach for getting his family-friendly property sold.

714 Chapman

• 714 Chapman Lane, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $915,000.
After getting to know us through our online marketing presence, our buyers contacted us to help them find an investment property that would eventually transition to their permanent Key West home. We immediately thought of this beautiful Bahama Village cottage—and it was love at first sight for our buyers. They are thrilled with the strong numbers their inviting monthly vacation rental is delivering.

726 Olivia

• 726 Olivia Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $669,500.
This picture-perfect, one bedroom and one bath, Old Town cottage was the ideal fit for our buyer. We were delighted to help our friend—and long-time Key West restaurateur—purchase her first home. Working together was so much fun, we didn’t want it to end.

Margaret Living

• 515-517 Margaret Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $1,340,000.
When we first experienced this exquisitely renovated (four bedroom and four and a half bath) Old Town property, we were determined to find the buyer. With its two single-story cottages, dynamite location, and amazing flexibility, we knew this historic property would undoubtedly prove to be a coveted monthly vacation rental. On the search to discover their perfect Key West investment property, our buyers saw the homes’ great potential and happily closed on their property in December.

515-517 Margaret

Whether your home is one of Key West’s crown jewels, a hidden gem, or a diamond in the rough, our laser focus, refined selling skills and proven strategy for marketing online and through social media will get your home sold fast and for top market value. We don’t just list properties, we market and sell homes.

When you team up with The Townsend Team to discover your Key West dream home, we focus on you—your goals, priorities, investment and dreams. On your journey to realize your vision, we’ll be there for you every exciting step of the way. We bet you will love living in Key West as much as we do!

Square Townsend Having been involved in more than 250 real estate sales, we have the experience, knowledge, skill and dedication to be your Key West REALTORS® of choice.

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

1127 Packer Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $600,000.

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

SELLING YOUR ISLAND COTTAGE? COLOR IT KEY WEST!

Key West colors first entered the world’s consciousness in the 1970’s, when free-spirited locals began painting their historic cottages a spectrum of tropical hues. Today, buyers looking to purchase their Key West dream cottages expect them to be painted to match the colorful, idealized images that have been imprinted on their minds over decades.

Beautifully painted in Key West colors, the quintessential conch cottage at 1127 Packer Street radiates captivating curb appeal.

We have found that our clients respond less favorably to cottages that are painted in the traditional (white with black or dark green shutters) Key West color scheme. They immediately see dollar signs when they strongly feel the necessity to paint a home’s exterior to make it look like the “cute” conch cottage of their dreams.

1127 Packer Street before it was colored Key West.

Although buyers often make the declaration that they are purchasing a property because it makes financial sense, the overriding reason is that it makes emotional sense for them. Frequently used to represent and elicit emotions, colors connect with individuals on a subconscious level. The house colors of Key West have come to represent the island’s lighthearted and carefree lifestyle that is envied around the globe.

Key West colors not only enhance a cottage’s curb appeal, they greatly increase the home’s web appeal. Realtor.com and Zillow.com primarily utilize images to market real estate on the smart phone in the pocket of nearly everyone looking to purchase property. Bland, white or beige, shotgun cottages—that look like they could be easily transplanted anywhere—do not capture the attention of online shoppers looking for their island dream home.

If you are planning to sell your conch cottage, wander around Old Town snapping pictures of the quintessential Key West cottages sporting color combinations that speak to you. The coastal colors that garner a positive response from you, will undoubtedly grab the attention of buyers as well. Pickup a selection of paint chips (with HARC approved historic colors) at Strunk Hardware 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 to get the painting permit process rolling.

The former white and dark green color scheme on display at 1711 Von Phister Street did not command the attention of potential buyers.

Painted to reflect the scolors of Key West, the cottage's personality shines.

Painted to reflect the soft tropical colors of Key West, the cottage’s personality shines.

When successfully selling any product, you must give buyers what they want. Key West cottage buyers want them to look like their fantasy. Reflect the tropical hues of the island’s sea, sky, and flora in the exterior colors you paint your home, and you will not only capture the imagination of eager buyers, you will get your cigar maker’s cottage sold quickly and for the best price.

We strongly encourage our sellers to color it Key West before they offer their cottages for sale. A tropically painted island cottage makes a winning first impression every time.

—Dean & Keith Townsend, The Townsend Team

TAKE A PEEK INTO YOUR KEY WEST HOME’S PAST

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

1405 Olivia Street as seen today.

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

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

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

Lovely 813 Frances Street captivates today.

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.

Our Key West

THE TOWNSEND TEAM, Dean & Keith Townsend, REALTORS®, www.DeanTownsend.com