Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of: Heidi Warth with Warth & Properties

Son Vida is located in the hills above Palma, the capital of the Balearic Islands and main city on the island of Mallorca, Spain. A private resort, Son Vida has become a home for some of the most reputable and wealthy Europeans and beyond.

It offers a unique combination in the Mediterranean:

Natural Mediterranean beauty – Son Vida is set in the unspoilt hills surrounding Palma, around three lush green golf courses abundant with Mediterranean plants, such as bougainvilleas, old pine trees and olive trees.

Exclusivity, privacy and tranquility – The entire area of Son Vida is private and was developed in a controlled, organic fashion over the course of more than twenty years. The result is a collection of highly sophisticated, large estates spread out across park-like gardens that is ‚alive’ throughout the year and has the appeal of a ‚grown’ neighbourhood. The resort is only accessible via one, guarded access road, offering a high degree of security.

Excellent accessibility – the airport of Palma, within 20 min. driving distance, is one of the most well-connected in the Mediterranean, offering frequent travel connections to all major cities in Europe.

Superior recreational facilities – two international five-star hotels, three top-rated 18-hole golf courses, and an abundance of other sports and leisure activities are located in Son Vida, leaving little to be desired: Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness club with sauna, a beauty centre, refined restaurants and elegant bars. Besides, all cultural and gastronomical attractions of Palma are within 15 minutes driving distance.

Infrastructure standard at international top-level – Health, education und utility standards are at the performance level otherwise only found in international metropoles. For example, Palma is home to several international, multilingual schools.

The combination of these factors has meant that, in the last 45 years, people from around the globe have felt right at home in Son Vida, making their dream of living in the south a reality. Demand for luxury living space in Son Vida is thriving, and will continue to do so. As constructible space, however, is limited, prices are soaring, providing Son Vida property investments with a high potential for value appreciation.

Jim Walberg of Keller Williams - The Bay Area Team.

As you have discovered over the years, Jim Walberg is one of the most positive people around. So, this report is not about positive or negative, it is about reality. There are still some significant hurdles for Buyers and Sellers to climb over in 2010 in the East Bay real estate markets. The past two years the biggest price corrections have been focused on the under $1 million price ranges. The “sweet spot” of our real estate micro-markets has been in the $500,000 to $700,000 price range. Mortgage companies and the Federal government have designed most of their home loans to motivate sales below $700,000 – at least until the end of April. At that time the focus will then be under $600,000. The biggest challenge for Sellers and Buyers of East Bay real estate is still in the price point above $1 million.

The lower priced houses in our region will not get much cheaper in 2010. However, there is still room in the higher priced homes for more corrections downward in 2010. Please don’t shoot the messenger (me), but Sellers of $1 million+ homes in the East Bay who will be selling their homes in 2010 may want to consider preparing their home for sale NOW. The further we get into 2010 the more downward price pressures will be in play. The Standard & Poor’s / Case-Shiller home-price indexes are ones I recommend all of us watch to alert us to further price trends in million dollar range. 

For example, in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, high end prices are down just 25% in the high-end homes, compared to 39% in the lower priced homes in our regional markets. Several factors are in play when it comes to the further downward pressure on the higher end home prices;

• The resetting of adjustable mortgages that allowed Buyers to purchase higher priced homes resetting increasing their monthly payments.
• The increase in defaults of East Bay homes that are $1 million+ in value causing lower appraised values of this slice of the market.
• Lender making it more difficult for Buyers to secure loans for this price point because the banks would rather have their mortgage money risked in the lower priced homes than add to their portfolio $1 million+ home loans.
• Climbing home loan interest rates that are already happening within the first few weeks of 2010.

In the greater San Francisco Bay Area, the percentage of foreclosed or short sale homes in the $1 million+ range in January of 2009 was just above 9%. That number today is over 50%! It is not an anomaly any more for foreclosures in this price point, so appraisers are now using these sold homes as comparable sales when they do their appraisal reports to the lenders. The questions that the Sellers of million dollar homes are facing today are;

• If I do have equity in my home and I need to sell it this year, do I realize the pricing pressures that are currently in play that will affect its sales price?
• If I have no equity in my home and if my mortgage is higher than what the home is worth, am I willing to walk away?
• If I am willing to walk away, am I willing to rent for at least three to five years while waiting to qualify for a home loan again?
• If I do walk away from my home, am I willing to have a lowering of my credit scores (about 160 point drop for a foreclosure), that will make any future loan I need much more expensive?
• Home much will my foreclosure hurt my community and neighbors? 

I am not the “chief economist” of any financial institution. However, I am in the trenches everyday of our real estate markets. My prediction is that we are realistically two or more years away for any sustainable turn around for the $1 million+ real estate markets in the East Bay. What are your thoughts about things you are noticing in your neighborhood? Let me know.

By Sunday A. Barbaro of PGH Marketing.

Wrightsville Beach, NC offers some of the most sought after waterfront property on the east coast. Sandy Overbeck has the perfect property for a buyer seeking the luxury of an architectural masterpiece. Nestled perfectly along the North Carolina Coast, the property includes ownership of an income producing marina and boat slips that provide easy entrance to the Atlantic Ocean. With 17 boat slips ranging in size from 25-60 feet, the marina guarantees to accommodate your special vessel.

Enjoy a 360 degree water view in this one-of-a-kind luxury home! Situated along the Intracoastal Waterway, 2 Marina Street provides a spacious 3200 square feet for living complete with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, spacious custom kitchen, office, carport and a two car garage. Each bedroom has its own private balcony with beautiful views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The “A” frame family room gives this home a unique architectural appeal that is sure to entice even the most discriminating buyer.

Adjoining the main house is an additional 750 square foot condominium. The spacious condo has a private entrance including a master bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms and full kitchen and of course, spectacular views. Use this fabulous addition as a mother-in-law suite or a year-round rental property. Regardless of the usage, this property as a whole is an investment in one of the finest waterfront communities on the east coast. 2 Marina Street is noted as the “crème de le crème” of waterfront properties by celebrities, dignitaries and local boating enthusiasts. For a buyer seeking a truly unique property with endless opportunities, the home at 2 Marina Street will not disappoint.

For more information on this property, visit http://www.twomarinastreetnc.com/, E-Mail 2MarinaStreet@gmail.com or call 910-256-2825. Your personal boating paradise awaits you.

Courtesy of: Carina de Sousa of IRG International Realty Group

As part of our continuous efforts to promote the absolute best in Portugal’s real estate, IRG International Realty Group proudly introduces its very own and exclusive Luxury Property Collection video.

For further information on IRG’s Outstanding Property Portfolio please contact us at +351 210 305 022, e-mail info@irgportugal.com or visit our website www.irgportugal.com

Click here to view the IRG Luxury Property Collection Video

By: Katy Gurley

Southampton - Twenty years ago, the roads of the Hamptons in winter were rolled up, and everything seem to shut down. Many restaurants were closed and the only saving grace was that the movie theaters stayed open.

Then, the Hamptons Film Festival came along to help enliven the beautiful fall here. After the horrendous 9/11 disaster in 2001, people began moving out here in the winter to feel safer.

Today, the Hamptons are vibrant in the winter, with more restaurants open, a lively arts scene active year-round, and, thanks to global warming, the weather is moderate often through December.

And so the Hamptons have become a great destination in the winter, and that means opportunities for winter rentals.

"The Hamptons seem to be becoming a winter destination as well as a summer destination," said Matthew Breitenbach, associate broker for the Corcoran Group. "Christmas and holiday times are a draw, the restaurants have great prix fixes. It's a lot of fun out here in the winter and it's good for people to get away."

Winter rentals in the Hamptons range from $1,500 to $5,000 a month for a moderately-sized house with three bedrooms and two baths, he said. "You get more for your money in the winter," he added.

Robert Westfall, of East Hampton, is marketing his two-bedroom, one-bath house overlooking Three Mile Harbor as a winter getaway. The winter price, from now through April is $1,600 a month. "It's really the type of place where one would come and be alone and have a knockout view any time. You can see land, bluffs, water, rare birds, deer. It's like an ever-changing landscape in the winter. When you come here it almost like taking a pill, you just go 'ahhh'."

Westfall said he hasn't done anything special to the house to make it winter-ready. "I didn't have to do anything. As soon as you enter the house, it just feels warm. It has a new heating system, new roof, new paint and carpeting. This house would be an ideal winter spot for a writer. Last year, I rented it to an artist - a painter." The house, at the end of Harborview Lane, off Three-Mile Harbor Road, is listed on hamptonsrentals.com, and the identification number is 295.

The most popular winter rentals are on the water, according to Tom MacNiven, senior managing director of sales, East Hampton Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate. "The second [most popular] would be village 'walk to everything' homes," he said. The attraction of winter rentals are the peace and quiet of the Hamptons in the winter. Though there are many things to do, the roads are quieter and the crowds in town minimal. "I'm sure many a novel or screenplay gets written here off-season," MacNiven said.

If you want to rent your house out in the winter, and market it as a get-a-way, there are many things you can do to get it rented, says Christine Karpinski, director of Owner Community for HomeAway.com (the online vacation home rental marketplace) and author of "How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner, 2nd Edition: The Complete Guide to Buy, Manage, Furnish, Rent, Maintain and Advertise Your Vacation Rental Investment."

"Obviously, more people vacation during peak season," says Karpinski. "But there are still plenty of people who prefer to travel during the cooler months. Maybe they want to avoid the crowds, maybe they want to take advantage of the lower rates, or maybe they just want a break in the February doldrums. Your mission is to make your vacation home stand out from the many others that are available to potential renters. It's that simple. You have to go the proverbial extra mile."

Here are some of Karpinski's tips for making your vacation property in winter climates appealing:

• First, "winterize" your marketing. It won't matter how perfect your place is for a mid-winter getaway if people don't know about it. If you're like many vacation property owners, you're already listed on at least one "rent by owner" website like HomeAway.com. Make the most of it. Play up features like hot tubs and fireplaces. Add a few "off-season" photos of your property to your website. Photos of the home framed in brilliant autumn leaves or dusted with snow will speak louder than a thousand poetic words.

• Consider off-season specials. Everyone loves a bargain, and in the winter, they expect one. "My favorite off-season booking magnet is 'rent three nights and get one free,'" says Karpinski. "Or, when you get a call from someone looking to book for next spring or summer, offer them a winter special-say, half-price off a weekend stay - so they can come and check out the place early. That would be tough to resist."

• Plan for snow! If guests should happen to get snowed in at your home, you want to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Make sure to have a snow shovel, ice melt, and a windshield ice scraper on the premises. The possibility of inclement weather is a good reason to have a selection of nonperishable foods on hand, as well as movies and books. You certainly don't want a houseful of hungry, stir-crazy, cranky renters who are cursing their vacation experience (and by association, you)!

• Make your home baby and toddler-friendly. Appeal to people with children by including baby and toddler paraphernalia. A high chair and a portable crib should cost less than $150 combined, and can drastically increase your off-season bookings.

• Accept pets. Vacation properties that accept pets increase their occupancy by 10 percent to 50 percent. When you accept pets, it's okay to take an additional $20 to $25/night or $140 to $175/week. This extra (which pet owners would have to spend anyway on boarding fees) is enough to pay for any carpet cleaning that needs to be done.

Not sold on winter renting? Consider it "damage insurance." Winter renting can ward off property damage. "I've heard stories of locked-up properties that have been ransacked by families of raccoons, and of broken furnaces that have led to burst pipes," she says. "Houses that are empty for long stretches of time, especially in freezing weather, tend to have problems. If renters had periodically visited such homes, these issues could have been avoided or at least discovered early, before things worsened."

Courtesy of: The Society

Hidden in southwestern Colorado, Telluride is an exclusive mountain resort attracting VIP clients who desire privacy and exclusivity, guests who wish not to be photographed on the streets of Aspen or isolated at The Yellowstone Club. Telluride is the resort for those desiring the skiing experience of yesteryear coupled with the finest modern amenities and après-ski activities of the new millennium.

The seclusion and relative isolation of Telluride is a component of its desirability. A historic mining town of eight square blocks wedding by aerial tram to the luxurious resort enclave of Mountain Village. This is where you will find Hood Park Manor, a one-of-a-kind ski-in/out estate perched over the Town of Telluride.

Hood Park Manor, the pinnacle of luxury accommodations in Mountain Village is a nine (9) bedroom, ten (10)+ bathroom mountain chalet situated on a 1+ acre lot with southern exposures and adjacent to open space insuring privacy and exclusivity so rare in the rarified echelon of luxury ski resorts.

The custom design embraces the history of the wealth and prosperity of Telluride and the Rocky Mountain West when mining was the economic engine. As guests arrive at the estate, as dusk descends, the home’s illumination is breathtaking. Once guests enter; a world of luxury and opulence awaits.

The interior of the home is a blend of custom stone, tile and wood designs all blended together to provide a formal yet warm and inviting atmosphere. The great room with its cathedral ceilings is dominated by a center-axis fireplace. The direct and indirect automated lighting and sound system can be set depending on mood and desire throughout the home.

Each of the nine bedroom suites has been designed to accommodate a diverse audience from extended families to groups of friends to the corporate retreat. With five (5) expansive master bedrooms (some with vaulted ceilings), all with king beds, guests have a variety of choices. The additional four (4) bedrooms include queen and twin beds offering options for all nightfall configurations. En-suite bathrooms complement the custom designed bedrooms.

For formal meals, the dining room design is reminiscent of the finest mansions in Europe with beamed ceilings and a fireplace, a design which enhances the finest meals served by the available private chef and servers. For casual dining, options include the eat-in gourmet kitchen with breakfast bar and fireplace, perfect for a pre-ski smoothie or a gourmet lunch between runs.

After a day on the slopes or after enjoying the majesty of the mountain summer, some guests may wish to workout in the private exercise room, equipped with the newest cardiovascular and resistance equipment. Others may enjoy a spirited challenge in the game/media room. For those who wish, e-mail can be checked throughout the house via high-speed internet service. For those guests who truly wish to relax and unwind a private masseur may be summoned to the massage room. Others may enjoy a bottle of wine while soaking in the private hot tub underneath the star-lit Colorado sky.

INSIGHTS FOR THE SOPHISTICATED TRAVELER:

Access: Commercial and general aviation options are available into Telluride Airport (TEX) or neighboring Montrose Airport (MTJ). Chauffeur service is available from both airports.

Dining: In addition to an available private chef, provisions can be provided and stocked prior to arrival and/or during one’s visit to Hood Park Manor. From the finest wines and spirits to local specialties including locally procured venison, elk and trout no request is undeliverable.

Considering Dining Out: We suggest 221 S. Oak in the Town of Telluride. This intimate dining establishment consistently ranks as one of the finest restaurants in the Rocky Mountain West. The historic Victorian home is just steps from the gondola. Locals swear by the Elk Short Loin with Shallot Reduction and the Ruby Red Trout with Squash, Mushroom, Chard Ravioli and Caper Brown Butter.

Beyond Hood Park Manor: Telluride and southwestern Colorado is a truly unspoiled enclave within Colorado, one of the most beautiful of the lower 48 states. Beyond skiing/boarding in the winter, there is a wealth of activities including hiking, mountaineering, biking (road and mountain), fishing, hunting, exclusive shopping and of course golf with the added advantage of high-altitude assistance off the tee-box.

RATE: From $21,000 -$52,000 USD/Week

Courtesy of: Shawn Clayton of Clayton & Clayton Realtors

Sandy beaches with miles of Ocean........

A Rare Opportunity! To own one of Mantoloking’s Private Beach Front Properties.

A time to embrace and build the ideal Ocean Front Home, while enjoying refreshing ocean breezes, and sparkling waters. This enclave preserves the quiet serenity of unspoiled beaches surrounded by prestigious Ocean Front Homes. This truly is a prime location! Shawn Clayton of Clayton & Clayton Realtors  is offering this property for $3,950.00. 

Clayton & Clayton Realtors is a full-service Real Estate Company serving both Ocean and Monmouth Counties. A tradition of being the broker of choice, of Luxury Homes & Fine Waterfront Properties, Clayton & Clayton has remained family owned Real Estate Firm for nearly 80 years. Kindly, call Shawn Clayton at 732 295-2222,  512 Main Avenue, Bay Head, New Jersey, 08742 or Kindly visit our website at www.claytonandclayton.com

November 16, 2009, (Splash News) - The on-screen family home of Twilight vampire Edward Cullen is up for sale in real life for a cool $3.3m.

The stunning three-floor Vancouver pad is home to Twilight hunk Robert Pattinson's bloodsucking Cullen clan in New Moon, the latest installment in the hit vampire saga.

The house is the setting for a pivotal scene in the new film, when Cullen's adopted brother Jasper tries to attack Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart).

But now that filming of the third Twilight movie, Eclipse, has recently been completed, the house has been put on the market, priced at $3,298,000.

Real estate agent Jason Soprovich, who is handling the sale, describes the luxury five-bedroom property as "the Cullen House, as seen in the recent world-wide hit saga Twilight: New Moon".

It is understood that the house will not be used as a filming location for future Twilight movies.

Courtesy of: Coldwell Banker Previews International

Coldwell Banker Previews International® and Pacific Union/Christie’s Great Estates Hold the Listing

CALISTOGA, Calif. & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Villa Montana, the magnificent California wine country estate owned by football legend Joe Montana and his wife Jennifer, has come onto the real estate market for $49 million—a fitting price for a property owned by the former 49er. Set on more than 500 acres in Calistoga, the ultra-private property includes a 9,700-square-foot Tuscan-inspired main residence, professional-grade equestrian center, two creeks that run year-round, a private pond, full-sized basketball court, skeet shooting range, caretaker’s residence, guesthouse, pool and spa, gym, Bocce ball court, and a producing olive farm.

The main residence features three bedrooms, three and a half baths, a sitting room/upstairs tower, great room and dining room, loggia, kitchen, breakfast room, media room, office, climate-controlled wine cellar and tasting room, outdoor viewing tower, and two laundry rooms. The home offers a flawless display of authentic Italian art, historic Tuscan-style architecture and ancient craftsmanship while paying tribute to the indoor/outdoor tradition that defines wine country living. From the imported marble floors to the carved Baroque wood portals, no detail was spared in the house.

“Villa Montana was designed to feel as if it was handed down through the generations,” said Jennifer, whose artistic vision can be found in nearly every detail throughout the main residence. “It’s a real celebration of California’s food and wine culture.”

Adding life to the home, the lines between indoor and outdoor spaceshave been masterfully integrated to create the ultimate entertaining home. The loggia opens to the outdoors, letting in natural light and fresh air during the summer. Wine tastings or olive samplings can be enjoyed in the outdoor courtyard with hand-painted frescos, antique statues and fountains. The Montanas have taken particular joy bringing their family and friends to the outdoor viewing tower, which offers 360-degree panoramas of Mount Saint Helena and Knights Valley.

Joe describes the property with equal affection as Jennifer: “We have a lot of great memories here with our friends and family. It’s a home made for entertaining.”

Information about Villa Montana can be found online at www.villamontanaestate.com.

About Coldwell Banker Previews International®

Coldwell Banker Previews International® is Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s luxury real estate program representing the finest homes on the market, typically priced in the top 10 percent. Over 2,000 sales associates market under the Coldwell Banker Previews International® name in Southern California. For more information, please visit www.coldwellbankerpreviews.com.

About Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Greater Los Angeles

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Greater Los Angeles (www.camoves.com), a leading residential real estate brokerage company, operates 37 offices with 2,550 sales associates. The Company is part of NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company. NRT, a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, operates Realogy’s company-owned real estate brokerage offices.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6095512⟨=en

By Maureen Buckley of Buckley & Buckley Real Estate

Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten gives you a private tour of The Kitchen of the Year, that has been in the process over 6 months. Learn about the Kitchen Triangle, what is the best sink, why she uses open cupboards and best of all, put two comfortable chairs in the kitchen!!