S & J Journal

Open House  -  1615 Country Club Prado, Coral Gables Sunday, August 11, 2013  -  1:00 to 3:00 p.m. This three bedroom/three and a half bath home faces a park-like boulevard, giving you your own green space in the front yard. On the east side of the Prado, surrounded by million dollar homes, the property sits on a 13,003 square foot lot. Needs updating but is in great condition, with original architectural details and large two-car garage. The expansive yard lends for plenty of room for a pool. This 1939 art deco home has all original red patterned tile floors. A gracious screened-in porch at the entrance and lovely foyer as you enter the home. The large living room has a fireplace with an art deco mantel. There is a huge formal dining room, sun room, and eat-in kitchen in this 2,660 square foot house. Off the living room are a bed and bath, and another full bath off of the kitchen. Beautiful crown molding throughout and original wrought iron railing...

1421 Ancona Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33146 Sip your morning coffee on the quaint front porch of this Colonial 3 bedroom/3.5 bath home with Family room, library and playroom. Extensively renovated and expanded in 2006 with high-end finishes and architectural details. Kitchen is equipped with restaurant grade appliances, butcher block counters and wood cabinetry. Fireplace, hardwood floors, crown molding, Plantation shutters, cherry wood built-ins, surround sound. Impact windows and doors. North of Miller Drive between Alhambra and San Amaro. Firm price. 1-car garage. 10,500’ lot with room for a pool. See more about this listing. Feel free to call us 305-975-8158.

The third annual Tour of Kitchens held last month was a wonderful opportunity to taste great foods from local restaurants, see lovely homes, purchase gifts and crafts, and was followed by an afternoon of desserts, music and book reviews at the Museum...all the while supporting the Coral Gables Community Foundation and the culinary arts program at C.G. Senior High.

From time to time, we share our client's testimonials in our ads in the Miami Herald Neighbors back page. Here are two very nice comments we'd like you to read... Saket Pabby, about selling 1114 Genoa: “Natasha and I both wanted to thank you for a close to perfect execution of the sales process for our house that we dearly loved. We have worked with five Realtors and you folks have been the best in terms of knowledge, client management, persistence and communication. We have told our neighbor to get in touch with you.” Frank & Maite Bocanegra of 908 Granada: “We just want to thank you for all your hard work...The professionalism and experience that your company demonstrated was beyond our expectations. I will recommend you to all our friends who are either selling or buying a home.”

Thought you would find this interesting. Single family home prices in Coral Gables have been rising since inventory started dropping in 2009 when we had 650 homes for sale on the MLX. It is a case of supply and demand and the supply is definitely dropping in all price ranges but especially in the $2M and under range. What bodes well for South Florida real estate bodes well for the rest of our economy and should help all businesses soon as well as our non-profits. There are also going to be a large amount of closings coming up in December as we have seen tremendous traffic the last three months.

1. Create a list of items needing attention. Start at the curb in front of your house with a notepad and pen and walk through the house. Jot down anything that "leaps" out at you. 2. Have a friend perform a walk-through of your home. Add their ideas to your list. 3. Repaint the front door and trim. 4. Open the front door and make sure it doesn’t squeak, groan, or drag. 5. Wash the mailbox and paint it if necessary. 6. Get an attractive mat for the front door for people to wipe their feet. Replace worn, badly stained, or personalized ones. 7. Clean out the flowerbeds. Make a distinct border between the beds and lawn. 8. Invest in a few flats of flowers that will last the entire growing season and will add color and beauty to the front of your home. 9. Prune bushes and trees. Remove any dead shrubs or low laying tree limbs. 10. Buy a flowering plant and place it in a window that is passed by frequently. 11. Remove any personal or family photos hanging on t...

It finally has happened! Our inventory of single family homes in Coral Gables dropped  to less than 300 properties (295)...the lowest it has been since the peak sales period of 2005-06 when prices were at their highest and we were down to less than 200 homes. Then inventory slowly expanded to over 650 homes in the sluggish years of 2007-08 and buyers were scarce. Today, of the 295 homes on the MLS, 123 properties are less than $1M, and 172 homes are at $1M or above. Now is the time to buy in the Gables while you still have a selection of affordable properties.

FACTOID:  310 homes are currently for sale in Coral Gables (September's # was 323). Inventory continues to drop.   Take a look at our new listing on 1509 Palancia .

Staging Isn’t Magic by Broker Agent Social.  Read article.