Tips for a Safer Home

Few things are more exciting than moving to a new home, especially if it is your first home. And when it comes to what it’s ours, our family and our loved ones, there’s no such thing as “too many” security measures. In this article, we are going to give you some tips about security and how to keep your home safe in every possible way.

Neighborhood security has always been a priority for homebuyers, right next to finding an affordable home. Recent surveys have shown that 78% of the respondents felt like it was very important to replace or rekey their new home’s lock after moving in, which might sound a little bit obvious, but until the 1990s, only 50% felt this way. What changed? Is it a rising paranoia?

Justified or not, families keep investing in security measures every year and everywhere in America. Like we said, you can’t be “too safe” when it comes to your family’s wellbeing.

If you think that your home could probably be safer, here are some tips to finally achieve that peace of mind that you’ve always wanted:

1.      Paying a monthly fee for an alarm service can be a great investment to consider. It’s worth every penny, if you ask us.

2.      Make your home look occupied even when you are away. Use timers to turn the lights and the TV on and off at different hours of the day.

3.      Use warning signs even if they are not true. A little “beware of the dog” sign can do wonders against burglars who are always looking for the weakest house. If you want to go the extra mile, placing a dog food bowl near the back door can be a great idea.

4.      Light is essential. Make sure that your house is well lit on the outside and that there are no dark spots, especially near the entrances.

5.      Get to know your neighbors, even if you are not much of a people person. Having an extra pair of eyes right outside of your property can be very useful, and in case of an emergency, you can count on their help. And if you go on vacation, you can ask them to pick up your mail so your home won’t look empty.

6.      It doesn’t matter how safe your neighborhood might appear, always keep your valuables creatively hidden.

These are some simple pointers to consider whenever you move to a new neighborhood, or if you are already established in one and you would like to make your home a safer place. Most landlords and home sellers know about the importance of security, and they are already making some improvements to their properties to capture the interest of more and better buyers. If this is an important matter to you, remember to mention it to us at Gables Riches.

Coral Gables Top Five Best Rated Restaurants

In an area like Coral Gables that known for its amazing restaurants, residents and visitors always have a major decision to make when heading out to eat.  There are so many from which to choose that it makes it so hard to decide.  Because it is such a “walkable” city, many Coral Gables neighborhoods are within walking distance to a lot of them, it is nice to make an evening out of going out to dinner by walking to and from the restaurant.  Even in the summer, the evenings cool some so it is such a pleasant way to cap off a perfect day in the Florida sunshine.  To give you an idea of the community’s favorite places, here is a list of five of the top rated Coral Gables restaurants:

Gusto Fino Italian Deli, 271 Alhambra Circle.  Let’s face it – there is nothing like a good Italian deli and at Gusto Fino is as authentic as you can get.  From the atmosphere to the mouthwatering delicacies prepared with so much love, this is one of Coral Gables top places to eat.  The sandwiches are absolutely amazing and full of fresh ingredients.  Everyone always raves about the meatball and chicken parmesan sandwiches but, no matter what you order, you will be back for more.  Gusto just moved to a new and larger location only a few blocks from the former location.  The prices are reasonable with items on the menu costing no more than $12 – that includes dishes like Chicken Parmigiano and other large pasta dishes.  Visitors must venture into Gusto for lunch – it is a favorite for most Coral Gables residents!  Hours are 11am – 6pm, Monday through Saturday.

Pete’s Authentic Cooking, 153 Giralda Avenue.  “Authentic” is the perfect word to describe another favorite breakfast/lunch spot in Coral Gables.  Located just off the Miracle Mile on Restaurant Row, Pete’s offers a wide variety of delicious sandwiches, salads and so much more as well as wonderful breakfast and brunch fares. It is situated within a nice quick walk from several Coral Gables condominiums and neighborhoods which makes for a nice walk in the Florida sunshine.  Pete’s is very popular spot in Downtown Coral Gables so it is more than likely going to have a crowd but once you eat here, you will know why it is so crowded.  It has a casual atmosphere with a touch of sophistication just as you expect a place in Coral Gables to have.  In addition to the standard menu lots of options including vegan and gluten-free, there are always specials on a blackboard that are just as delicious.  Pete’s is open only on weekdays between 8am and 4pm and is a great place to meet up with friends or take out of town guests. 

Frenchie’s American Diner, 2618 Galiano Street.   This restaurant combines the best of French and American cuisine into a restaurant that seems to be a favorite with most anyone who eats here.  Where else can you get a Duck Confit Club Sandwich with Fries (French fries that is)?  Duck Confit on a club!  Luckily Frenchie’s is open for lunch and dinner with the most delectable dishes one can imagine.  But plan on dining at Frenchie’s on a weeknight because they are closed on the weekends.  Probably the most popular thing is the French Onion Soup and when you see the bubbly cheese over the onion soup then taste it, you will be in heaven!  Situated just off the Miracle Mile, Frenchie’s is located in the heart of Downtown Coral Gables and within walking distance to many well-known Coral Gables condominiums like Ten Aragon and other neighborhoods. 

Uvaggio, 70 Miracle Mile.  Everyone loves a good tapas restaurant and in Coral Gables, the favorite tapas place is Uvaggio.  Situated on the Miracle Mile, this is a top notch wine bar that has a strong European influence and is simply a fabulous place to meet up with friends after work or end a day of Miracle Mile shopping with wine and tapas.  The place is small with only six tables but it is not what you would call overcrowded.  The service is impeccable which makes the experience that much better.  The options are delicious with items like duck confit with cherries, goat cheese hummus and, wait for it, cinnamon roll bread pudding.  Open nightly Monday through Saturday since April, everyone in the area has been raving about it, so if you haven’t already, head over to Uvaggio for some of the best food and wine you will ever eat and drink. 

Café Bistro at Nordstrom, Village of Merrick Park.  It would not be right if we did not mention the Café Bistro at Nordstrom.  They have so many delicious items on their menu that it is common to hear “let’s go eat at Nordstrom.”  This place is different in that everyone orders at the counter then waits for the staff to bring it to your table.  It is a very elegant process to order though so that shouldn't throw anyone off.  A couple of the most popular items on the menu that get the most “ooo’s and ahhh’s” are the Citrus Turkey Sandwich and the crab bisque.  It is kid-friendly which makes it easy when shopping with the kids.  But when solo or with friends, it is the perfect spot to stop and enjoy lunch or an early dinner while shopping.  Luckily, it is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and like the others mentioned here, it is within walking distance from several Coral Gables condominiums like 55 Merrick and neighborhoods like Gables Riviera and Granada. 

Tons of Top Rated Restaurants

In addition to the elegant and tropical atmosphere for which Coral Gables is known, restaurants are something that keep people coming to our city beautiful.  There are tons of top rated restaurants from which to choose.  The ones mentioned here are a handful of those that get the most rave reviews and high ratings.  

Coco Plum Women’s Club: Classic Old Florida Style and Elegance

We recently went to an event that was at the Coco Plum Women’s Club.  Not only was the event wonderful, the location was absolutely spectacular.  It had all the elements that we love the most in this part of Florida which made everything simply perfect.

One of the best attributes about South Florida is the architecture.  The designs and characteristics are unique to time-honored Coral Gables real estate and have an appeal that is just not found in most newly built homes today.  The Coco Plum Women’s Club showcases the “classic old Florida” style from the early to mid-1900s that is still very popular today.

History of the Coco Plum Women’s Club

Established in 1912, the Coco Plum Women’s Club had just eight members and called themselves the Coco Plum Thimble Club.   At the time, they met at members’ homes but over the years, the land on which they are located now was bought then divided and sold to raise money for community efforts.  During WWI, they rolled bandages, sang at community events, and provided entertainment for the Airmen at, what was then, the Dinner Key Naval Station.  Over the years, they have worked hard to contribute the Coral Gables community in terms of arts, culture, education and even international outreach.

The Coco Plum

Built in 1926, the Coco Plum was built for the members of the Women’s Club to operate their organization.  Over the years, the facility, with its beautiful Mediterranean –style architecture, has been home to many events from cotillions and meetings to other events that required an elegant backdrop like the Coco Plum.  Today, it is the site of many weddings and other social events, and houses a full staff to handle every bit of the planning from invitations to entertainment to the lighting and technical support.  That is why when you go to an event at the Coco Plum, you look around in complete awe of the event’s beauty and then how well organized it is. 

Neighborhoods Surrounding the Coco Plum

The Coco Plum is situated in Coral Gables not far from the Miracle Mile.  Surrounding it are some of the most fabulous established Coral Gables neighborhoods that seem to carry the architectural style and grace of the Coco Plum.  Gables Riviera, Gables Estate, the Coco Plum neighborhood and some of the most exclusive Coral Gables neighborhoods are close by.  Additionally, Coconut Grove is also a stone’s throw which gives the Coco Plum a much more elegant and high-end feel.

A Great Place to Throw a Party

This part of Coral Gables is such a great area in which to live.  Coral Gables is also known as the “city Beautiful,” and once you drive through these classic Florida neighborhoods with the unique architecture and perfectly landscaped lawns, you see why it has this reputation.  It is fabulous!  The Coco Plum is the perfect element to the area…not to mention a great place to throw a party!