Laura Cole & Tana Gaskill

561.758.8625 561.389.6838

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Newsletter March, 2015

Spring has arrived. Trees are flowering, orchids are in bloom everywhere and the birds are nesting. It is hard to believe we are already mid-March on our way to summer!

Recently we were asked to recommend one special place to take an out-of-town guest. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach came immediately to mind. It is unique, stunning and memorable. Be sure to check out our article highlighting some of the special features of this little known gem.

And be sure to catch up on Real Estate news too.

Best regards,

Laura & Tana

Featured Property

54 Laguna Terrace

Fabulous Great Room home on a beautiful lot with 3 bedrooms plus a den/office and 3 full baths. Lovely water views from the paver stone patio with heated pool. The double entry doors lead into a spacious foyer which flows into two separate guest suites and office/den with custom built wood cabinetry. A separate formal dining room then onto an open kitchen with breakfast bar, casual dining and huge family room area. A large master suite with double entry doors, well appointed master bath and 2 spacious walk-in closets. Beautiful appointments like crown molding and designer window treatments make this home perfect seasonal or year round residents. Available furnished if desired and ideally located in the center of BallenIsles. Enjoy all the luxurious BallenIsles country club amenities with required purchase of a golf equity membership!

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Great Escapes

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Facinating history, outstanding museum, drop-dead gorgeous gardens, superb on-site Japanese restaurant, unusual special events and unique gift shop, the Morikami is a treasure!

MUSEUM

The original building, named the Yamato-kan, is modeled to suggest a Japanese villa. It features a ring of exhibition rooms embracing an open-air courtyard with a dry garden of gravel, pebbles and small boulders. The Yamato-kan offers a permanent exhibit chronicling the history of the Yamato Colony, a Japanese farming community in South Florida 100 years ago.

The principal museum building opened in 1993 to meet a popular demand for more programming, more versatile facilities, and to satisfy the needs of a growing community. The museum's architecture is inspired by traditional Japanese design. The building features exhibition galleries, 225-seat theater, authentic tea house with viewing gallery, library, classrooms, museum store, cafe and lakeside terrace with Japanese courtyard

garden.

The Morikami Museum Collection houses 5,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, including a 500-piece collection of tea ceremony items, more than 200 textile pieces and recent fine art acquisitions. The 200 acres that surround The Morikami's two museum buildings include expansive Japanese gardens with strolling paths, resting areas, tropical bonsai collection, small lakes teeming with koi and other wildlife, nature trails, pine forests and park and picnic areas.

GARDENS

In 2001, The Morikami completed a major garden expansion and renovation. The new gardens reflect major periods of Japanese garden design, from the eighth to the 20th century, and serve as an outdoor extension of the museum. The Morikami Gardens consist of shinden islands, paradise garden and contemporary garden. According to the garden designer, Hoichi Kurisu, each garden is intended to express the character and ideas of a unique counterpart in Japan without attempting to duplicate those gardens, and seamlessly flow together as one garden.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, with its unique gardens and collections, is one of Palm Beach County's most treasured cultural attractions. Located in a tranquil natural setting, The Morikami invites visitors to explore its many facets and to discover Florida's heritage and its connection with Japan.
4000 Morikami Park Road
Delray Beach
561.495-0233

Click here to read more about local Museums

REAL ESTATE TRENDS

BallenIsles Sales

BallenIsles has had continued pressure from lower inventory and high buyer interest reflected in the rising prices and steady pace of pending sales. We know there are many current residents and new buyers unable to find the right fit. Please let us know if you are contemplating a change. We would be happy to arrange for a confidential appointment to discuss how to find that perfect new home and to share our customized marketing plans so that we can position your property for optimum exposure and sale price.

BALLENISLES SALES - Year to Date *

#	ADDRESS	BR	BA	SOLD $	ORIG. $	DATE	MKT TIME
1	205 CORAL CAY TERRACE	3	3.0	$200,000	$230,000	01/09/2015	1832
2	142 BANYAN ISLE DRIVE	3	4.5	$700,000	$725,000	01/15/2015	55
3	140 ORCHID CAY DRIVE	3	3.0	$470,750	$559.000	01/23/2015	325
4	111 CORAL CAY DRIVE	3	3.0	$320,000	$375,000	01/26/2015	58
5	119 BANYAN ISLE DRIVE	3	4.5	$657,500	$725,000	01/30/2015	165
6	18 ST GEORGE PLACE	4	4.5	$1,260,000	$1,500,000	01/30/2015	2
7	16 ST THOMAS DRIVE	4	4.5	$1,650,000	$1,750,000	02/12/2015	15
8	125C PALM BAY TERRACE	3	3.0	$390,000	$429,000	02/12/2015	31
9	162 VINTAGEISLE LANE	3	3.5	$1,075,000	$1,199,000	02/17/2015	269

*This representation is based on data supplied by the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches or its Multiple Listing Services thru 02/03/15.

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Laura Cole & Tana Gaskill

561.758.8625 561.389.6838

Real Service... Real Results