S & J Journal

The Sustainers gathered to celebrate achieving the $1 million fundraising goal for the Junior League of Miami Foundation. Among the attendees were Jowanda Peterson, Cathy Zuckerman Dee, and Ginger Jochem, pictured at right.

The Coral Gables Art Cinema held a founders' night private preview of Arbitrage, a film about high-stakes finance and corruption starring Richard Gere & Susan Sarandon. Pictured: (top right) Cinema President Steve Krams with wife Midge. (bottom right) Ginger Jochem and Dolly McIntyre (two of the Cinema’s Founders). (left) Maritza & Bob Jacobson (Board member). www.gablescinema.com

Recently at the Riviera Country Club, new Garden Club members and officers were installed. Pictured: Mona Coll with new members Ginger Jochem and Sherry Jordan. Luncheon Chair Jana White with incoming president Sharon Trbovich. 

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.”

Dallas Brown and Kathleen Kauffman Junior Orange Bowl Parade Chair Kathleen Kauffman and JOB President Dallas Brown invite you to the 63 rd Annual Parade on Monday, January 2 nd at 3:00 p.m. commencing at Ponce de Leon Blvd. and Alhambra Circle in Coral Gables. Dallas Brown says, “this is a very special tradition for the children of South Florida. We’re looking forward to Clemson University’s Tiger Marching Band and the dozens of other units in the parade as we are all Soaring to New Heights !” See the parade route below. Grandstand tickets, $10 each, can be bought on site at the Ticket Booth in Merrick Park.

A recent New York Times article reported that 1.2 million Brazilians visited Florida in 2010 and spent $5.9 billion. Among some of their purchases were condos in Miami-Dade County. Brazilians enjoy our local lifestyle, affordable shopping and a safer environment.

Miami foreign real estate investments in 2011 are in the billions of dollars, according to a recent Florida Trend article. Some projects announced this year include: Brickell CitiCentre - a $700-million retail, office, hotel and condo tower, Developer from Hong Kong. Resorts World Miami - $3.8-billion project with four hotels, casino, condos, mega pool, convention center, Developer from Malaysia. Brickell House – 18-story, 96-unit condo tower in the city’s arts district, Developer from Argentina. International buyers are attracted to Miami’s location and appeal, condo rental market, and real estate that is more affordable than other metro cities in the U.S. and South America. Direct foreign investment in Miami commercial real estate reached $472 million this year from 2010’s $16 million.

“Coral Gables Real Estate Today” is a weekly show that airs every Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. on WZAB 880 AM The Biz after the Bloomberg Report. On “Coral Gables Real Estate Today” we, Jeannett Slesnick and Ginger Jochem, discuss interesting topics about the current state of real estate, great buying and selling tips, financing options and updates, events around the community, and more. Listen on your radio or on http://www.880thebiz.com./

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 .