Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Michael Edlund, Director of Technology at Luxury Real Estate

Here at Luxury Real Estate, we are constantly updating our website to make it more useful for you, our members. We like to hear what features you like and could use, so due to popular member feedback, we recently added new functionality in the Luxury Lounge.

Each second home market has feeder markets—the areas that buyers most often come from. For example, Seattle is a feeder market for second homes in Idaho. It's of great value for brokers in a market to network well with brokers from their feeder markets so that they can pass referrals to people they know and trust. Previously as an agent in the Luxury Lounge, you could only display your particular service areas, but you can also now add your Feeder Markets. If you’re an agent in Hawaii, you may wish to add Seattle as one of your feeder markets—or if you’re in Brazil, Florida may be a lucrative feeder market for you.

When you log into the Luxury Lounge, click on the blue “My Lounge” button in the top right hand corner. Then click “Profile” to edit your personal profile. From this page, you will notice a horizontal line of tabs, one of which says “Feeder Markets”. We’d like you to be among the first to take advantage of this new tool in the Luxury Lounge—so go ahead, fill it out. I’ll wait.

Done? Good. Very soon, we will make it possible to match service areas and feeder markets between different members and suggest who you ought to network with based on this information. We are excited for the new business opportunities within the LRE® network this will enable!

So please, keep trying out all the features in the Luxury Lounge, and as always, let us know what you think—we are here to work for you!

Courtesy of Rimontgó

Ask most people for their definition of their ideal property and there’s a very good chance that the description will include a swimming pool. Given the vast amounts of money wasted every year on gym membership that is never adequately utilised, a swimming pool can be seen as something more than a sybaritic indulgence.

Swimming is one of the best, most complete forms of exercise and is an especially appropriate introduction for the physically challenged, for whom the idea of vigorous exercise is about as appealing as being set upon by a hive of bees! There are few things more inviting on a hot summer’s day than fierce sunlight reflecting on a rippling pool.

The artist, David Hockney, was so captivated by that very scene when he moved to California in the 1960s that it became a regular theme in his work, as he sought to capture the way the sunlight moved on the water.

Spain is one of the best places in the world to include a swimming pool in your list of requirements, since the weather is warm and sunny throughout most of the year. Also, more homes include pools as standard, so what might seem an impossible dream in northern Europe can very easily become a possibility.

Want to enjoy the beneficial effects of a swim even when the colder winter months arrive? Well, Rimontgó even offers properties that feature indoor or covered pools, so you can continue to exercise even on the odd days when it’s too cold to swim outside.

Seven-bedroom villa with covered pool in Javea Ambolo

Five-bedroom home in La Eliana, Valencia that features a spectacular pool area

Magnificent state-of-the-art six-bedroom villa with heated pool in Chiva El Bosque, Valencia

Five-bedroom family home in desirable complex of Calicanto, Torrente (close to city of Valencia) with memorable infinity pool

Courtesy of Frederick Peters, President of Warburg Realty

As I anticipated, I got a lot of feedback to last week’s blog, “The Blame Game.” Some was very positive, some not so positive. But everyone seemed to acknowledge that the Occupy Wall Street protests are giving voice to a national sense of concern about the status quo. And everyone seemed to share the same sense of apprehension and uncertainty about the future.

Real estate purchases, in every era except the anomalous period between 2003 and 2008, have always been about the future. Real estate is big, complex, and illiquid. It is not, or at least should not be, a short term investment. It serves many functions: it can be a home, an income producing investment, a concrete (literally) hedge against volatility, or a safe place to park money extracted from something else. I was amused but not surprised to note that on tonight’s episode of the new Showtime series “Homeland”, the money ultimately destined to fund a terrorist action is converted from jewels into real estate. A house near the airport. What could be a safer place for money than that?

So why is it, with so much confusion and concern about what is going on in the U.S. and our future, that the New York residential market has held up so well? I see it as a sign of hope. Buying signals belief. A renter is always transient, but a buyer is putting down roots, expressing confidence in the viability of the environment. To see people from all over the world putting their money into New York real estate is to believe in the health and vitality of our city, and to have faith that the problems we face are difficult but not insurmountable. No other industry more profoundly reflects the underlying zeitgeist. A real estate purchase means “I am sticking around, and I am confident that over time this town is a good place for investment.” In addition, for those who are buying their real estate as a home, it means “I believe in New York as a place to call home.”

New Yorkers, even investment bankers who are always anticipating the next crash, vote their confidence through their real estate purchases, precisely because those purchases are both illiquid and long term. So our fundamentally healthy, fundamentally stable market carries the result of that vote: there’s a lot to overcome, there’s a lot to fix. But we believe.

You can read more on www.warburgrealty.com/blog.

Courtesy of Kirsty Bryson of Luxury Homes by VAPF

For the second consecutive time, the great Volvo Ocean Race will depart from Alicante port this November on the 8 months journey across the World’s waters. The Race Village at the port was inaugurated on the 14^th of October and, up to the start of the race, there will be a continuous agenda of activities taking place to amuse adults and children alike. A space of over 40,000 m2 for sports and leisure that will be open to the public for 23 consecutive days, where visitors can enjoy a complete and varied programme of shows, concerts, entertainment, introductory sailing courses and leisure activities for the general public.

The 38 year-old race initiates on the 5^th of November, when the 6 participants will leave Alicante and the Spanish coastline behind and head towards Cape Town, going through the Gibraltar strait, with a total of 6,500 nautical miles on this first lap. From Cape Town the teams then move on to Abu Dhabi, Sanya (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itajaí (Brasil), Miami, Lisbon (Portugal), Lorient (France) and finally Galway (Ireland). A total of 10 ports and over 39,000 nautical miles through all kind of weather conditions make this race one of a kind and only for the best seamen in the World.

Alicante first hosted the start of the world-renowned Volvo Ocean Race in 2008. The start was an unprecedented success, both for the media and for the sport itself. It was frequently referred to as one of the best starts in the history of the competition, and the city of Alicante was confirmed as start port for next three races. The city of Alicante is also the home of the race and the race office is situated in the heart of the Puerto de Alicante.

Here at Luxury Real Estate, it’s nice to get a little feed back from our members. We were thrilled to see a Beacham & Company, Realtors blogger’s take on our 16^th Annual Fall Conference held in San Diego at the Grand Del Mar. Click here to see Blayne Beacham’s delightful post titled “The Billionaire’s Club + Best Print Marketing = AWESOME TRIP!”.

By Judy Sweetland, Villa Specialist with Private Trade Winds

I just read an article titled, “What Airline Do Your Clients Hate The Most?” by George Dooley. It was well-written, interesting and informative, and referenced a report from Amplicate.com, an online consumer research firm that tracks public opinion. The report found that 57% of comments regarding U.S. airlines from social media users over the last 12 months were negative, citing poor customer service, cancelled flights and difficult booking procedures as their frustration.

That sounds about right to me. As a frequent traveler myself I’ve experienced many unsettling situations. While the report from Amplicate.com is a bit dismal, I would like to throw out a lifeline, and make the road most traveled a lot less bumpy. But, I’ll get to that shortly.

Does anyone out there remember when air travel fun? Come on Baby Boomers, I’m talking to you. People would get all dressed up and it was très chic to fly. Customer Service was an action not a Department, and we couldn’t wait to take off and ‘Fly the Friendly Skies.’ ABC has just released a show in their Fall lineup called Pan Am, it’s a period drama set in the ‘60s about the pilots and stewardesses (aka flight attendants for Gen X’ers), who once made Pan Am the most glamorous way to fly. Without giving my exact age, I’m happy to say I remember those days.

So, what happened? Somewhere along the way the friendly skies turned dark and flying became dreaded rather than desired. There are many factors to blame, but I want to focus on one in particular. Could this lack of service, in an otherwise service-oriented industry, have something to do with book-it-yourself online systems, and the absence of human interaction when planning our travel?

I realize we’ve come a long way since the ‘60s, and the white-gloved glamour is no longer necessary. Flying is just another mode of transportation, like jumping into a cab in New York City. But maybe we’ve gotten a little too relaxed about jet-setting around the world with only the powers of cyberspace to save us.

Maybe the television networks should consider a series about Travel Agents. They wouldn’t have to reach back into the historical archives of the Smithsonian to find information they could just pick up a telephone. Modern Travel Agencies have been around since the second half of the 19^thcentury and have weathered depressions, recessions and the internet boom - and they’re still here. Private Trade Winds is happy to be counted among one of them. Can a Travel Agent prevent a flight from being cancelled? No. But we’re definitely who you would want on speed dial when something happens. Travel Agents streamline the process by taking on the arduous task of dealing with airlines and sitting on hold for hours on end so you don't have to. Booking travel is a great responsibility, and for the best outcome, should always be left to the professionals. To better serve the traveler Private Trade Winds can even handle ground, villa, hotel, cruise and Concierge needs. We want to put the enchantment back in travel.

How has a Travel Agent saved your trip? What problems have you encountered by booking online? As a Travel Industry Professional I would love to hear your comments. Email me at jsweetland@privatetradewinds.com or call 949.764.9388 to share your story.

Courtesy of Frederick Peters, President of Warburg Realty

In spite of what Gordon Gekko believed, greed turned out not to be so good. So now there is a lot of talk about the country’s economic and social ills. Here are a couple of my opinions: whatever you may think about it, the notion of closing tax loopholes or imposing additional taxes on those with incomes of over $1,000,000 per year is NOT class warfare. The statistics are in: income disparity in this country is rising and the government’s need to fund a safety net for those unable to do so for themselves, which is a fundamental requirement of civilized societies, grows ever more expensive. The job market is bad and likely to remain so for a while; it may even be that the intersection of more efficient technology and rising population will leave joblessness at higher-than-historical levels for some time to come. These are complex, intractable problems which will take years, sacrifice, and political courage to solve.

That said, I confess to lacking much sympathy for the Occupy Wall Street marchers who appeared for their TV moment in front of the apartments of Jamie Dimon, Lloyd Blankfein, and the like. We have sold property to many of the reviled 1% and I cannot help but wonder about how history was revised so rapidly. Only five years ago, everyone was aspiring to be a real estate millionaire. Six or seven years before that, every cab driver in New York was a day trader and everyone was going to make a tech stock fortune; we would all be rich and happy in the “new economy” where the stock market never went down.

It didn’t quite turn out that way. Along the road, there was certainly a lot of profiteering by a lot of people in the mortgage and banking industries, and plenty of real estate agents as well. But did no responsibility accrue to those members of the “other 99%” who actually refinanced their home five times to take out more and more equity? Or those who bought numerous investment properties they could not afford with 100% mortgages? I just cannot buy the story that everyone who borrowed was deceived by a heartless one percenter. The truth is, immigrants from all over the world want to come here because our society is so mobile. The streets really are paved with gold for the lucky and industrious; anyone CAN (although few WILL) make a fortune. That is what all the people across the country hoped for as they invested in real estate they could not afford. But when it all doesn’t work out, you cannot just point the finger at Wall Streeters without looking at all the Main Streeters who also wanted to play the game.

As everyone who knows me knows, the failure to assume personal responsibility is my pet peeve. I stand firmly by the belief that we need to address the inequities which have created our current “trickle up” economy. But I do not stand with Occupy Wall Street. It’s always too easy to just blame the other guy.

You can read more on www.warburgrealty.com/blog.

Courtesy of Barbara Harrington of Royal Shell Real Estate

“Inkubus” an R rated horror film starring Robert Englund (Freddy Kruger) comes to Sanibel’s Island Cinema for three nights only: Oct. 29-31. Island Cinema is located in the Bailey’s Center at the intersection of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Road. Showings are at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10. Inkubus tells the story of a skeleton crew working the final shift at a soon to be demolished police station. As you might expect when Inkubus shows up, the real demolition begins.

Mr. Chad Verdi, who owns the production company for “Inkubus” is the owner and part time resident of a home on Captiva. He is the movie’s producer and appears as one of the characters. Mr. Verdi decided to limit the release of “Inkubus” to communities where he has a personal tie. Island Cinema was selected because of his ties to Sanibel and Captiva. Mr. Verdi & Island Cinema are donating all proceeds to Captiva Holiday Village. Don’t miss your chance to see Robert Englund in a limited release film sure to become a horror cult classic. For additional information go to Island Cinema’s Facebook page or call 239-472-1701.

For additional information on Chad Verdi’s ties to the local community or to learn what other cities this film is being released contact:

islandcinema@yahoo.com or
Tiffany Orsino @ 239-340-99607.

View trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1650537

Courtesy of Luxury Villa Collections

Although we still feel the summer heat with hot sunny days of 35ºC (95 F), October has come to Cabo San Lucas, and with it the exciting and busy season. October is that time of year in Cabo, when we have The Bisbee’s Black and Blue Marlin Tournament, when Sammy Hagar celebrates his birthday at Cabo Wabo (which has almost become a tourist landmark in town), and when the notorious and traditional 13th Pimp N’Ho party is on.

Bisbee’s yearly organizes three tournaments, starting the season off in July at the East Cape (Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Tournament), then followed by a Bisbee’s Los Cabos Tournament on October 14-18, and Bisbee’s Black and Blue Marlin Tournamenton October 18-22.

Bisbee’s Black and Blue Marlin Tournament is the most awaited sport fishing event in Cabo San Lucas, and we could also say worldwide. The winnings are high, the entertainment is great, there is a charity note, accompanying events and well known Cabo fun! Even if you are not a fisherman or not participating at the tournament, the Bisbee’s is attractive to watch for the high adrenaline and big catches that the fisherman bring in. We are talking about 500 lb fish and higher. Here is your chance for a great “Kodak moment”.

Hopefully this year Bisbee’s Los Cabos and Black and Blue Marlin Tournament will break some new records. At the 12th annual Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Tournament, Chucky VanWormer and his fellow anglers aboard La Hielera set a new record by weighing a 557 lb blue marlin. The fish was landed after a short fight and was the only billfish scaled during the first day of competition.

Click here to see the 2011 Los Cabos Schedule of Events

If you are a Bisbee’s participant or are coming to Los Cabos to enjoy some of our traditional Cabo San Lucas October fun, contact us for the best Cabo San Lucas villa and condominiums rentals. Email us at info@luxuryvillacollections.com or call us at: USA Toll Free: 888-264-1827, USA: 619-819-6178, or Mexico: 624-105-9100.

Courtesy of José and Antonio Ribes Bas of Rimontgó

Foressos Golf is a bit of a rarity these days; a golf course that is…just that. Not lined with homes or buildings of any description or set within the midst of an urbanisation, this is a true blue course that has rapidly become a player’s favourite. Keen to claim this course built purely for golfers, they have been snapping up the club’s golf memberships.

Built entirely for the purpose of enjoying the sport, Foressos’ location in the midst of a rural area near Valencia is another point of distinction from many modern courses. This spot, at a place called Picassent, is also conveniently close to a crossing point of routes leading to Valencia, the international airport, nearby coastal resorts and commuter towns, and the region’s Ford plant. However, from within the grounds of Foressos these places may as well be a million miles away, for here peace, serenity and the natural beauty of a lush country environment envelope the course in a generous embrace.

Birdsong and greenery are the sensory accompaniments to a game on this course, designed by José Lancero. Rated one of the finest course designers in Spain and still a keen golfer himself, Lancero is also known as someone who designs courses very much with the player in mind. It shows in the course design at Foressos, where inspired details and features add character and present both novice and seasoned players with ample challenges. Lancero has chosen to stay true to Mediterranean vegetation, so it is maquis scrub, cork oaks, pines, olive trees and semi-succulent plants that accompany the fourteen lakes and adorn the gentle slopes and cadences that add to the playing experience.

So far, some four hundred members have enthusiastically joined this golfer’s course. To say that Foressos is a golf club in the pure sense, however, is not to say that its facilities are not up to standard. Indeed, the clubhouse is a stately 17th century Masia, or Spanish country home, that has been tastefully restored and fitted with modern facilities such as a restaurant, cafeteria, changing rooms, pro shop, members’ lounge and conferencing rooms. Though no property development is planned, the course will benefit from ongoing beautification projects and the building of a small but luxurious resort hotel. Rimontgó is proud to have been instructed to offer an additional 200 shares, which have been attractively priced at €15.000. Valid for fifty years, they provide entry to a unique course and offer good longer-term investment value.