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Our Spotlight Waterfront Home 160 VALENCIA DRIVE. VENETIAN SHORES, ISLAMORADA, FL
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Venetian Shores most would say is the finest waterfront subdivision in Islamorada. It offers immediate boat access to both the Atlantic Ocean as well as Florida Bay via beautiful Snake Creek, a large body of water that connects Plantation Key with Windley Key to the south. The obvious benefits of protected deep water combined with the fabulous view make an ideal package for any serious boater. The defining feature of the property is, of course, the beautiful view. As they say, "Location, location, location". The palms, Snake Creek, the lawn, the rock gardens, meandering walkways, the mangroves on the opposite shore, the bridge, the boats, the ocean beyond -- all contribute to a view that never gets old. Our split-level CBS home is situated directly on Snake Creek on one of the subdivision’s largest and most gorgeous lots, in excess of 17,000 square feet. There is plenty of room between the home and its neighbors. There
have been only two previous owners of this home in its 50-year history, a
testimony to the fact that it is a wonderful home in which to live. It features
2279 square feet under air, including four bedrooms and 2½ baths -- one with a
Jacuzzi -- plus a roomy two-car garage and a lengthy screen-enclosed porch with
a spa. A small balcony off of the generous master bedroom connects to a large,
newly-restored deck above the porch. A fireplace highlights a natural coral wall
in the living room. Solid granite countertops are featured in the renovated
kitchen. All but five windows in the home have been replaced with hurricane
rated high impact windows (rated to 155 mph); the remaining windows and the
sliding doors are protected by state-of-the-art sturdy aluminum accordion
shutters or Lexan® clear permanent panels. The concrete tile roof includes two
levels. The lower level was completely replaced in 2001.
The property features more than 230 feet of seawall. Almost half of the
Snake Creek frontage was completely replaced four years ago by Upper Keys
Marine, one of the finest marine contracting firms in the entire area. All slabs
and cap of the remaining portion of the seawall facing Snake Creek are extremely
sound. The seawall cap on the canal side was recently restored. Pilings,
dolphins and deep water on the canal side provide dockage for a larger vessel.
Additionally, each of the davit pads can be used for mounting davits for a small
boat or a pair of personal watercraft.
This beautiful home has traditional oak hardwood flooring featuring vintage, thin slats. They are complemented by ceramic tile in each bathroom and in the kitchen, with original Cuban tile on the lowest level. Most of the ceilings are finished with an impressive old-world hand-swirled pattern. The home lends itself very well to the use of a nautical décor, and numerous nautical artifacts have been employed in the decoration, many of which will remain. The yard features grass which is not common in the Keys. There are
eleven mature Coconut Palms and several Christmas palms. A beautiful Lignum
Vitae tree graces the front yard and a mature fruit-bearing Key Lime tree is in
one of the side yards. A Surinam Cherry hedge provides tasty fruit during much
of the year. The yard's most prominent feature is a large Red Mahoe tree that
provides privacy and shade for the master bedroom. The home was constructed in 1960. Later that year Hurricane Donna struck, and the house was used as a refuge, enduring the storm exceptionally well. One very significant reason we purchased this home is the fact that in virtually all hurricanes, water is simply wind-driven past us, thanks to the venting effect of Snake Creek. Elsewhere in the Keys where venting does not exist, the tendency exists for the water to pile up and cause flooding. Hurricane Wilma, for instance, caused extensive flooding on this Key but this property remained high and dry. An elevation certificate confirms that the lot meets the standard seven-foot base flood elevation, a fact that should be very comforting to anyone who knows the FEMA regulations. In short, the home qualifies for and receives the special and significant insurance premium discount given to homes built as high and as well as this one is. At
the peak of property values our home was worth nearly $2.9 million on the Monroe
County tax rolls at that time (2007). We are offering our home for only
$1,599,000. The Monroe County Tax Appraiser has just appraised our property at
$2 million. Customarily they assess lower than market value to avoid legal
disputes. The most recent sale of a property on Snake creek argues for a value
on this lot alone at that figure. Our property is on the “right” (ocean) side
of the street meaning that it enjoys the benefits of the prevailing breezes in
the summer while offering protection from the winter winds.
Are you retiring in five to ten years? Want a very livable home in the interim? You can buy this property, and then later build your dream home in time for retirement. So many possibilities... Incidentally, the listing agent has been paid a flat fee. If you are not represented by a buyer’s agent we’ll pass the savings on to you. Agents will be protected, however. Fishing from the
seawall is usually productive. During most of the year I can easily catch a meal
of snappers. I have caught many nice grouper, lots of tarpon, and hundreds and
hundreds of snapper over the years. Ask about our list of marine life we have
seen or caught on Snake Creek.
If you'd like to explore in greater detail, feel free to call us or our agent.
We’d enjoy hearing from you and showing you our special property.
Dick and
Colleen Venezia Ed Heemskerk
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