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...

As Seen in The Miami Herald : "Jeannett Slesnick, a broker-owner at Slesnick & Jochem LLP in Coral Gables, said the top challenge in the current market is the dearth of inventory amid rising demand. “It’s red hot. Red, red hot,’’ she said.  Slesnick recently listed a 3/2 old Spanish in north Gables that needed extensive work ... and got multiple offers on it almost immediately. It sold for over asking price." R ead the full article.

 2013 Spectrum Award Honorees from left to right:  Marina Bryant, Julie Grimes, Kathryn Q. Mikesell, Janelle Patty, Patricia Robbins, Penny Shaffer, Olga M. Ramudo, Jeannett Slesnick, Sabrina Cohen, Mary Young.   Press Release:  American Red Cross Member Jeannett Slesnick to be Honored with the 2013 Spectrum Award in March (Coral Gables, Fla.) … At a fundraising reception last month at Merrick Park's Jimmy Choo boutique, the Local chapter of the American Red Cross presented 11 outstanding women leaders who will be receiving the 2013 Sara Hopkins Woodruff Spectrum Awards for Women during a luncheon on March 5th at the InterContinental Miami Hotel. Among the extraordinary women being honored by the American Red Cross is Jeannett Slesnick, founding partner in the real estate firm Slesnick & Jochem, LLP, an experienced realtor and broker with more than 30 years in the business and a tireless community volunteer. She will be given one of the highest honors, t...

 Photo by Mitchell Zachs. The JOB’s Past Presidents with Mayors Gimenez and Cason. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez presented a proclamation at the kick-off event held at the Biltmore Hotel, naming that day, September 18, 2012, Junior Orange Bowl 64th Anniversary Day. The “Sailing to New Adventures!” JOB Parade is on Sunday, December 30, 2012. Call 305-662-1210 for details.

Photos courtesy of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. 1. Actors’ Playhouse moved into the historic Miracle Theatre in 1995. Photo by Diego Pocovi. 2. (L to R from back row) Actors’ Playhouse Founding Chairman Dr. Lawrence E. Stein, former City of Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick, Actors’ Playhouse Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein, President & CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Mark A. Trowbridge, René I. Basulto of Basulto & Associates, Inc, Douglas Wood of Douglas Wood Associates, Inc., Actors’ Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco, former City of Coral Gables Mayor Dorothy Thompson, Chairman of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Drew Kern, Jeannett Slesnick of Slesnick & Jochem, LLP, John P. Fullerton of Fullerton Diaz Architects, and Coral Gables City Manager Pat Salerno. Photo by Alberto Romeu Photography. Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre was honored with the City Beautiful Award for Outstanding H...

Region’s Bank hosted the Chamber in Coral Gables at a well-attended reception on June 14th.  Members and their guests enjoyed refreshments and connected with other members of the community. Pictured: Women's Chamber of Commerce of Miami-Dade County President-Elect Nordis Alvarez and President Suzanne Wheatley. County Court Judge Candidate Ivonne Cuesta, Ann Bloom and Jan Cheezem of Cohen-Fox, P.A. (sponsor). Women's Chamber of Commerce of Miami-Dade County Past Presidents Barbara Riesberg, Lisa McGill and Gayle Bainbridge. Circuit Court Judge Candidate Maria Santovenia, Realtor Jeannett Slesnick, Miami-Dade Court Judge Candidate Michelle Alvarez Barakat and Rena Fraser, wife of Southcom’s General Douglas Fraser.

The Gables Good Government (GGG) Committee hosted a reception last week honoring special guests Gus Barrera (2005-2008 Chairman of the Miami-Dade County School Board) and Dr. Larry Feldman (2010-2012 Vice-Chairman of the Miami-Dade School Board) with Outstanding Service Awards for their hard work and dedication as school board members and for making a new international high school in Coral Gables possible. PHOTOS: Honoree Gus Barrera receiving award. Honoree Dr. Larry Feldman with his wife Avis. New GGG officers installed at the meeting: Vice Presidents Enrique Lopez and Evelyn Budde, President-Elect Debbie Swain, Immediate Past President Jorge Alvarez, 2012 President Jeannett Slesnick, and Treasurer Richard Dewitt.

*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 .

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.”

Recently, the United States Southern Command, here in Miami, had a premier screening of the movie "Red Tails" with Cuba Gooding, Jr. The movie about the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots during World War II, opens at local theaters January 20th and has received positive reviews for its inspirational message of resilience. The Alabama Crimson Tide football team saw the movie prior to the BCS national championship game; Coach Nick Saban quoted the motto of the Red Tails: "the last plane, the last bullet, the last man, the last minute, we fight." It seems the Airmen inspired a whole football team to greatness. Pictured: Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser and Cuba Gooding, Jr.; Original Tuskegee Airman Eldridge Williams and Gooding. Photo Credit: Spec. Scott Riley, U.S. Army.

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.

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.

“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./

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 .