824 Eaton Street (behind the overgrown bougainvillea)
824 Eaton Street nearly fifty years ago - clean lines - simple but sweetIt's on a busy street. It has a distinct odor of dog. It is livable for now. It could be so much more. I am referring to 824 Eaton Street in Old Town Key West. The listing Realtor describes this house this way:
" Here it is! Close to the waterfront, marina, restaurants, art galleries etc. Same owner for the last 36 years. Good floor plan in this 1 & 1/2 story charming home with original dade county pine, virtually untouched, claw foot bath tub, 19 x 25 ft upstairs sleeping loft. Large yard with room for a pool."
I've shown the property a couple of times and I took some photos which you can see CLICK HERE. This place is rented and the current tenants have a couple of dogs. Hence the dog smell. And dog poop on the back deck. And barking. Then there is the locational issue of being located on Eaton Street. This house has no off street parking. The stairway to the upstairs "loft" has no handrails and was, to me, quite dangerous. The place needs a thorough cleaning, painting, and some general fixing. So was I possessed by some demon yesterday, Friday the 13th?
The first time I saw this house I took photos for a potential buyer. The house was new on the market and my potential buyer thought the house looked interesting. The doors were open and other agents were there taking a similar peek. I could see thru the oblivious "flaws" of the house and did not smell the dogs nor did I step in their mess-that day. The second time the smell and poop got to me and to my buyers who did not have the stomach to even consider this place. The house has been on the market since March 31, 2010. It was originally listed at $459,000 but not it is offered at $339,000 or $281 per sq ft. It was briefly under contract, but that deal did not workout for some reason.
I recently sold a nearby house that was a short sale in far better condition and at a lower price. It was also tenant occupied and that tenant also had a pet. But the place was very clean and the house was cared for as if the tenant were the loving owner. An Eaton Street location bothers some buyers, but not all. Many buyers are looking for project houses that have the potential to be something greater in the future. This property is not a short sale so you won't have to wait for months to find out if your offer gets accepted. CLICK HERE to checkout the mls listing information and photos and then read on.
A new owner will likely want to renovate so the current tenants and pet smells will go away. The house will get ripped apart in some fashion and new rooms and spaces will get created. The two things that really attracted me to this house still are attractive: (1) the facade-it is so Key Westy and (2) the backyard-it has so much potential. A good architect and a competent contractor can clean up the problems with this place. The sawtooth addition at the rear could become a spectacular new living area that could be opened up to look onto a new pool and garden. And I am not talking about a cocktail pool.
Imagine a rear wall of French doors opening onto a new garden and pool area!
This property is located little over one block from the Historic Key West Seaport. It is within easy walking distance the numerous neighborhood restaurants like Michael's, Azure, Mangia Mangia. Duval Street is only a five minute walk. This location would work great for a part time owner that wants a place with lots of charm and a convenient location.
If you would like to see 824 Eaton Street, please consider calling me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.
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