Luxury Real Estate

By Jim Walberg of Caribbean Islands Realty

Jim Walberg is in the residential real estate trenches everyday. For the last few months a “sweet spot” has shown up as the hottest price point in the East Bay housing markets - $729,000 and below!

Remembering that all real estate is “local”, the experience we are having in our San Francisco Bay Area real estate markets is close to a “feeding frenzy” when it comes homes selling in the $725,000 price point and below. In fact, real estate is not just local, it is made up of dozens of “micro-markets” within miles of each other. Yesterday, KCBS 740 AM radio did a feature on this very topic and even asked me to comment about it as a Realtor who has been serving this region for over 30 years.

In the East Bay these “micro-markets” are almost 100% based on the price point of $725,000 and below. The words I would use today is, this slice of the residential real estate market is ON FIRE! These “micro-markets” are not just made up of REOs and Short Sales, they are mostly homes that are gorgeous, and in turnkey condition.

We listed a home for sale in the East Bay two weeks ago for around $675,000. It was the former model home in a beautiful community. It was staged perfectly and in move-in condition. Within two days we had six purchase offers presented to us, and it was in escrow within four days - closed in 25 days! Now that is HOT! Because of these results in our communities, you are seeing a trend that is creating a lack of inventory for Buyers to chose from. Months of inventor in some of these communities are as low as ONE MONTH! And when you look at the East Bay communities with price points over $1 million, they have 10 to 20 months of inventory of homes to sell. Do you see the dramatic difference in what price point can have on a community?

There are many factors that come into play that create this type of Buyer and Seller experience. So, this may not be what is happening in other regions of the country, but it is happening in the East Bay. Some of those key factors related to this price point are; mortgage rates are incredible; FHA, VA, Fanny Mae, and Freddy Mac loans allow for as little as 3.5% down for qualified Buyers; a GREAT community to live and work in; and GREAT schools. These are some of the key ingredients required for HOT MARKET conditions.

One of these key factors will not continue for much longer - attractive mortgage interest rates. They just had a dramatic increase the last few days. And…you can quote me on it, “Mortgage interest rates in the $725,000 and below price points will go UP by the end of year - maybe as high as 7%!” My reason for making this prediction is inflation, our country’s debt, bond prices, and foreign countries not buying the U.S. debt vehicles.

The message to Buyers??? If you are thinking of Buying a home in 2009 contact your real estate professional, and your mortgage loan officer TODAY, lock your loan, and see if you can get into the residential real estate market at one of the best times in our economic history. Please contact me today if you have questions or need any assistance in finding your next home. Until next time…your Bay Area lifestyle detective remains on duty!

By Katie Schaffer and Ann Lindemann

Lake Tahoe, Nev. (April 2, 2009) – Intriguing floating glass stairs beautifully unite multiple levels of a recently built home located in a North Shore neighborhood that epitomizes “Old Tahoe.”

“The floating glass stairs set the tone of this lovely home,” explains Trinkie Watson, Chase International broker and listing agent. “It’s a unique design element, but yet it’s not too extreme. The glass steps are 1-1/8”textured and tempered glass built to support 100 pounds per square inch.”

Designed and built by Gilanfarr & Associates Architecture, this Cinderella-worthy 3,625-foot home is situated in Crystal Bay, Nev. Additionally, it’s just a short walk down to the lake or to nearby gaming, dining and entertainment.

Fellow listing broker and listing agent Kerry Donovan notes the home’s location is ideal.

“Somers Loop is in one of the oldest developments at Lake Tahoe,” Donovan says. “This is classic Tahoe with an eclectic mix of cottages and grand estates surrounded by stunning natural landscape and lake and mountain views.”

Watson agrees adding that the neighborhood, which features stately cedars and huge boulders, has the feel of parts of the lake’s West Shore.

“This is perfect for folks who love that West Shore feeling, but want the benefits of Nevada property ownership,” Watson explains. “It really takes one back to the old days of small vacation cabins and the highlife at the Cal Neva and the Northshore Club.

Augmenting the home’s glass steps, an elevator provides convenient access to each level. The multi-level plan includes a great room on the upper level with a stunning stone-enclosed gas fireplace, deck and powder room. Additionally, the thoughtfully laid out kitchen features a six-burner Bertazzoni stove with two ovens and a wok unit; a microwave, two sinks, stainless steel refrigerator/freezer and a walk-in pantry.

A few glass steps away, the master bedroom is on its own level. This sanctuary includes a fireplace and a bathroom providing spa-like amenities. Down one more glass level, are two guest rooms, laundry room and full bath. The next level offers a two-car garage (with entry from the street level) and below that are a family room, additional bedroom and bath. On the lowest level is the theater/media room.

Watson adds the house abounds with high-quality finishing touches including black slate floors, 100 percent wool bedroom carpeting and tall doors that reflect the home’s high ceilings. Interior finishes include selections of granite enhanced with coordinating glass tiles and plenty of windows and glass door inserts that fill this home with warm Sierra sunshine.

The 30 Somers Loop home is offered at $2,895,000. For more information on 30 Somers Loop, contact Trinkie Watson at 800.783.0722 or email twatson@chaseinternational.com. Also, contact Kerry Donovan at 866.831.8999 or email kdonovan@chaseinternational.com.

Headquartered in Lake Tahoe, Nevada since 1986, with eight offices in the region (Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, Incline Village, Tahoe City, Squaw Valley, Truckee, South Lake Tahoe and Reno) and one in London, England, Chase International and its exclusive affiliations handles a large share of the country’s property. A recognized leader in the world of real estate, Chase International has once again taken the reins of cutting edge technology by launching www.ChaseNation.com, the first interactive social networking website created by a real estate brokerage as a vehicle for direct interaction with consumers online.

With more than 140 professional Realtors® boasting an array of industry certifications and the highest volume per sales agent in the area, Chase International successfully represents homes at all price levels. For more information about Chase International visit www.chaseinternational.com.

By Thierry Journiac of TerraCognita

This truly stunning luxury property is located in Roquebrune Cap Martin in the Monaco Monte Carlo bay, on the French Riviera.

With a total of nine suites, a three-zone living room, three kitchens, stunning terraces, heated swimming pool, access to the beach and parking for over 6 cars. The property of 500 m² is set in a 3,000m² plot, consisting of a main building and a newly built independent guest house. Thanks to the unique position and the exquisite attention to detail by the owner to utilise every architectural choice, the villa offers the feeling airiness focuses on the amazing views of the exuberant Maritime Alps stretching from France in to Italy, passing over the fabulous bay filled with yachts, all the way round to the wide Mediterranean sea.

Inspired by his passion for the sea the owner chose the famous yacht architect Marco Casali (the prized Ferretti group architect) to follow the six years of complete renovation. You can feel this passion for the sea from the first instance you step into the property and many have likened it to being on a super yacht.

The concept of the villa is simple; to have the best combination of comfort, beauty and elegance, all enclosed in a warm but modern style. Floors in wengè wood contrast with the warmth of the maple used throughout for the walls, modern Minotti sofas harmonically combined with the evergreen Poltrona Frau Chester posed upon soft leather carpets, 60" Plasma monitor, can be used for either a business conference or TV. A carefully designed illumination system employed throughout the whole house has been studied to always create the atmosphere you need or desire. Nothing has been left to chance.

The main building has two levels; on the ground floor there is a fully fitted kitchen with Gaggenau appliances for every kind of culinary use. A high ceiling triple-zone living room with an open fireplace, with three large slide away doors on to the spacious loggia with flowing draped linen ceilings and wide rattan sofas offers the perfect place to relax while taking in the views. Back inside the living room, a stylish glass and stainless steel staircase brings you to a mezzanine with a pool room, office and en-suite guest room. Another guest suite completes the ground floor.

On the floor that leads to the garden you find the fabulous 100 m² master suite with its modern ceiling arches, B&B dressing room, king size bed, 32" flat screen, master bathroom with a twin Jacuzzi tub, huge shower, Hamam Turkish bath and an open fireplace. On the same floor there's another suite for guests and staff quarters with bedroom, bathroom, laundry room and finally a fully proofed strong room for the security alarm system.

All bathrooms are in carrara marble and the tiles have been shaped in big pieces to take advantage of the natural veins that flow through the marble.

The independent guest house situated in the lower garden area has 4 suites and a kitchen all in the same style of the main building.

All the rooms in the house have access to SAT TV, wireless internet and independent heating and air conditioning and all facing the sea.

The property has a large garden with maritime pine trees typical of the area and many exotic tropical bushes, plants and trees.