S & J Journal

  Through the Organic Garden program at the Merrick House, Co-Chair Susan Rodriguez (pictured in at far left), aims to expose the Miami community to history as well as environmentally-conscious practices like growing your own food. This month, the house was the setting for an afternoon of sweet treats donated by Suzy Batlle from Azucar. Over 200 ice cream servings of Lemon Basil (the favorite flavor), Guava, Wild Rose, and Coconut all made a historical connection to the Merrick House. Local band, Southbound Suspects, entertained the crowd.

We are fast at work getting a new and improved website up and ready for next month. Check back with us at http://www.slesnick.net/ to see our new look.

Read the article on the Miami Herald's Gables Home Page.

The Miami Marlins played the St. Louis Cardinals on April 4th at the new state-of-the-art Miami Marlins Park. Pictured at left: Tim Anagnost, Gables resident and Miami High graduate, the first batboy for the old International League Marlins in 1956 with his uniform displayed in the stadium’s sports club.

*Many thanks to Steinway Piano for graciously providing a grand piano to the Museum for future musical performances in the Fewell Gallery. *The Museum extends the market season in the Gables by bringing a Farmers Market to their Plaza every Saturday now through May 26th. 305.603.8067. *Summer Camp at the Museum offers 10 weeks of activities for children ages 5-12, from June 11th through August 17th, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Save 10% if you register before April 30th. www.coralgablesmuseum.org/camp.php .

For several years, Coral Gables has seen the inventory of single-family homes decline steadily. Home sales in the $1 million to $2 million range are rising, probably as a result of the disappearing inventory of lower priced properties. There are currently about 275 single-family homes for sale in the Gables, and of these, 172 are priced above a million. Compared to last year at this time, the $1M-2M home sales increased by 150% and inventory in that range is down by 30% (pended listings have increased by 60%). As demand continues to rise, prices are beginning to climb. Now is a good time to shop. Don’t waste another minute. See our listings at http://www.slesnick.net/ .

The Sara Hopkins Woodruff Spectrum Awards for Women Luncheon was held on March 9 at the InterContinental Hotel and raised approximately $175,000. Marielena Villamil, President and CEO of Washington Economics Group, was one of the award recipients honored for giving her time and talent to making a difference in our community. Photos: The Villamil Family.

As inventory has steadily dwindled over the past two years and prices are beginning to rise, developers are starting to enter the market again. When a new, well-priced listing appears on the MLX, buyers as well as investors jump immediately. As we were leaving an open house recently in Coral Gables, we heard a realtor say, “I have so many buyers that I am working with, but nothing to show them.” While this is music to our ears as realtors, it is a big change from the conditions we have seen in the past. If you are a homebuyer or an investor, don’t wait another minute. In the under $1 million price range in Coral Gables, we are moving from a buyer’s market to a fair or seller’s market.

The Wine Walk, an annual fundraiser for the JLM, took place this week. Guests visited several homes in the historic Italian Village of Coral Gables tasting wines. The JLM is a 1,000 member strong organization of women committed to volunteerism and community service.