Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Shawn Shackelton of Ventana Fine Properties

This luxury home in the gated golf community of Silverleaf in North Scottsdale, Arizona sold for $3.2 million within 1 week of this noteworthy news feature. Phoenix, Arizona news station FOX 10's reporter Diane Ryan showed off the home and incredible amenities in this news feature.

Click here to view the video.

Cool House - 5/16/11: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

Courtesy of Judy Sweetland of Private Trade Winds

Travel Agents have weathered the perfect storm of catastrophic events over the last few years – an economy that hit rock bottom collided with a wave of “book-it-yourself” internet sites, and I’m happy to say they have not only managed to survive through the wreckage, but rather to thrive.

I just returned from a training seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona where I had the privilege of speaking in depth with Travel Agents from all over the U.S. and Canada, and I have to tip my hat to them. What a great bunch of people to be surrounded by. Travel Agents illuminate customer service, and it’s evident even in short conversations. They’re friendly, helpful, and willing to go the extra mile. I’m the person that walks out of a store in the mall and can’t remember which way I just came from. I asked one of the Travel Agent attendees if he knew where the Starbucks was located inside the resort, and he not only told me how to get there, but walked me in and had a cup of coffee with me. That’s a Travel Agent.

While it is true that sites like Travelocity and Orbitz have cut into the business share of Agents, a steadfast client base has been maintained. Why, you ask? Because people want people. Travel Agents are service-oriented by nature, and they have that gene that makes you feel cared for and protected. They not only want to book a great trip for you, but they want to ensure a great experience. They care about your security and somehow manage to stay current on the ever changing policies at the airports. Try to get that from a computer booking!

So, I’d just like to take this opportunity to say, “thank you” to all the Travel Agents that weathered the storm and came out the other side with a smile on their face. I’d like also like to thank our own Travel Agents for representing Private Trade Winds with the best in service, integrity and care. You make me proud to work for this Company. And I’d also like to thank “Ed” for a great cup of coffee.

Courtesy of Don Pilotte of Prudential Montana Real Estate

Both nationally and locally real estate brokers have noticed an increase in the number of cash transactions.

For example, between January 1, 2010 and late March 2011 of 166 transactions in Big Sky, 72 or 43 percent have closed with cash. According to a recent article in the San Francisco Examiner in January 2011, 28.7 percent of the sales closed with cash. Also in January, 2011, 46 percent of real estate transactions in Toledo, Ohio were cash sales. The MLS of Central Oregon that tracks sales in the Bend, Oregon area noted that 32 percent of the sales in February were cash transactions.

The National Association of Realtors noted that 54.2 percent of the sales in Miami, 45.9 percent in Las Vegas, 44.9 percent in Tampa and 35.6 percent of the sales in Phoenix were cash transactions. These four cities were all hit pretty hard by the recent recession and prices were dramatically reduced due to numerous foreclosures and short sales.

While there are a number of reasons for this increase in cash sales, such as foreign investment, cashing out equity in other properties or investments or using cash and a quick close as a negotiation strategy, there is also another potential reason: the return of the investment buyer.

Investment buyers look for opportunity; the combination of motivated sellers, short sales and foreclosures combined with a lot of inventory creates an almost ideal situation for those investment minded buyers. This also could be a signal that many buyers believe that we are close or at the bottom of the market. Already in Big Sky we are seeing significant market absorption in certain areas and price ranges.

By Mike McFadden of The Society

Arizona vs. Philadelphia! The biggest and most surprising news to happen in the playoffs! And Arizona is playing host!

The Society and our partner Bella Palazzo has assembled a last minute package to bring you to the game and make the experience a one of a kind!

Camelback Vista is a spectacular 9,000 sq. ft. home with, with a one-of-a-kind heated triangular shaped negative edged pool/spa soaring into the skyline, and is the perfect spot to base yourself for the weekend. The outside grill island has a sit-up bar, refrigerator, fireplace, heaters, loungers and outside flat-screen TV. Inside you will find two huge kitchens, wet-bar, and downstairs media room with 60” flat-screen TV. Upstairs is a mans kingdom with a huge theater butted against the red rocks of Camelback Mountain with seating for 12! Adjacent to the theater is a two-story rock climbing wall, and an exercise room with sauna.

This package is for four privileged individuals with lower bowl seats in University of Phoenix Stadium, the use of Camelback Vista for three days and two nights (check in after noon on Friday, and out by noon on Sunday). Care to play 18 at one of the spectacular courses available in Scottsdale on Saturday (expected high temperature is 72!) Need dinner reservations, or choose an exotic rental car? Take advantage of our full service concierge. Private chefs, massage, cigars, and libations are all available, and we can pre-stock the refrigerator with your favorite beer and Tequila!

Desert nights are cool, and the sun in the daytime will turn you many shades of red, so bring a sweater and some sun screen, and get ready for some fun in the sun!

Camelback Vista NFC Championship package for four $12,000 US dollars.

All concierge charges, additional activities, and other amenities listed are additional.

Next Steps:

• Email The Society today and reserve your weekend. info@thesociety.com
• If you already have tickets and just need accommodations send us an inquiry with your request. We have just under 100 rentals in the area.
• Other Travel Resources: Check out www.Kayak.com and www.Southwest.com for airfare prices. Plenty of deals left.

By Brian Langhorst

For those of you looking for some prime investment opportunities, look no further than Phoenix, Arizona. This haven for warm weather, world-class golf and renowned spas has some excellent residential real estate on the market.

LuxuryRealEstate.com is a perfect resource for finding real estate for sale in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Chandler and all surrounding areas. We feature the industry’s best of the best with REALTORS® from companies such as:

Arizona Best,
Equitable Sotheby’s International Real Estate,
Realty Executives,
RH Nathan,
Scottsdale Fine Properties,
The Walt Danley Group, and
West USA Gallery Collection

Look for yourself at some of the spectacular homes, estates, ranches and condos on the market. Value is very high for buyers, and rates are at historic lows, presenting a perfect investment opportunity.


Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. Buy low and sell high. It’s a classic economic principle. Even though we keep hearing about the housing downturn, that means that prices are great right now for buyers in markets like these. Have faith that things will turn out all right.

By Terri MacDonald

The Real Estate Top 200 rankings were announced this month at the National Association of REALTORS’® Annual Conference & Expo in Las Vegas at a gala awards presentation and dinner.

The Walt Danley Group, a LuxuryRealEstate.com member in Phoenix, Arizona, achieved a closed sales volume of $245,638,856 and is ranked sixth among real-estate teams nationwide by sales volume. Although sales units closed were down nearly 20 percent in 2006, the nation’s top 200 real estate professionals were within 5 percent of the record they achieved in 2005.

The Paradise Valley real-estate team is led by Walt Danley, who last year achieved a No. 3 ranking among 126,000 Coldwell Banker sales associates worldwide. Danley was named one of the “35 Most Influential People in Luxury Real Estate” in 2006, along with such names as Donald Trump and Jack Nicklaus. This is also the fourth consecutive year Danley has been ranked as the top Coldwell Banker agent in Arizona. Danley sold more luxury real estate than any other real-estate agent in the State of Arizona during 2006, regardless of company affiliation.

“Becoming a member of The Real Estate Top 200 is no small feat, considering these accomplished professionals are competing against more than one million real estate agents nationwide,” said Anne Randolph, publisher of lore Magazine. “It is an elite group, and this national recognition is our way of saluting the hard work and accomplishments of America’s top real estate agents like Walt Danley.”


Editor’s Note:
We welcome stories from LuxuryRealEstate.com members for posting on our blog. They are the experts in their local luxury real estate markets, so they can give us great insights that we might not otherwise see. Plus, it’s nice to hear good news.

By Allyson Metters

My favorite football team (which shall remain nameless to avoid upsetting my LuxuryRealEstate.com co-workers and the whole city of Seattle) did not make it far in the playoffs this year. My family and I will be watching the Super Bowl from home. But, according to a recent article in The New York Times, fans making the trip to Arizona can enjoy not only the biggest football game of the year, but also the finest luxury services during their stay.

Phoenix-area luxury homeowners are offering their homes for the weeks surrounding the February 3rd game. Spacious properties in exclusive valley communities, complete with plasma televisions, heated pool, and gourmet kitchen, are being rented for as much as $250,000 per week. Of course, with a price like that, you know there are world-class perks that go along with these stays. Some homeowners are offering housekeeping, chef service, airport transportation or the use of a private golf club and golf cart. One owner is even allowing renters to use his 2007 H2 or Cadillac STS for the week.

Even if your favorite team didn’t make to the Super Bowl, you can certainly make it there in style!


Editor’s Note:
Allyson Metters is the Relocation Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. She helps people who are moving to find a perfect broker to meet their needs in their new area. This is a great example of an interesting idea that I probably wouldn’t have thought of adding to the blog. Thank goodness for Allyson’s unique perspective!