Laura & Tana new
Laura Cole & Tana Gaskill
   561.758.8625             561.389.6838
      Illustrated Properties
 
              
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!  

See a Virtual Tour of this home 

See all BallenIsles Homes for Sale   

 

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 
 


REAL ESTATE TRENDS BI moongate
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.     
Laura Cole & Tana Gaskill
561.758.8625      561.389.6838

Real Service... Real Results