Luxury Real Estate

By Robert Lockard

There are so many fun one-liners I could use to sum up this story, it’s hard to pick just one. I’ll go ahead and try this one: Elvis has left the building, and now that building can be yours! Yeah, that’ll work.

Elvis Presley’s “Graceland West” estate in Palm Springs, Calif. is now for sale. Talk about a house with some history, this two-acre estate, nestled in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains, is where Elvis (the king of Rock and Roll) lived for almost eight years, recorded eight songs in the living room in 1973 and spent his last birthday. He died on Aug. 16, 1977 at the age of 42.

The seller of the estate is being represented by Honey Brooks of Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate, a member of Luxury Real Estate in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you’d like more information about this historic luxury property, email Honey Brooks or call her at 415.345.2585. You can also read much more about this property in a news release by Karen Monroe on LuxuryRealEstate.com.

By the way, whenever I think of Elvis Presley, the first thing that comes into my mind is the scene from “Top Secret” (1984), one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen, where Val Kilmer sings his hilarious rendition of Elvis’ famous song “Are you Lonesome Tonight?” Thanks to the magic of YouTube, you can watch Val Kilmer’s version and Elvis’ original below. Toward the end of his parody of the song, Val Kilmer sings so well that it’s hard to distinguish him from the king!






Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of Luxury Real Estate’s newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. I was really tempted to call this blog entry “Wake up with the King” Luckily, I refrained. You can share your blog entries on the Luxury Real Estate Blog by emailing them to me. The Elvis Presley portrait is from www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/2491351807 and it is the copyright of dbking.

By Janice Ridge

An historic luxury home has come on the market in Piedmont, Calif., USA. Listed at $3.5 million by Prudential California Realty Fine Homes Specialist and Top-Producing Broker Vickie Robinson, the house is the very oldest house built in the community of Piedmont. It’s located in an enclave of homes in the Oakland Hills known for its excellent public school system, its small-town atmosphere, low crime rate and desirable views of the entire Bay Area.

How old is old? Well that depends. In Piedmont, that is 130 years old or 130 years new, depending on your perspective. Built in 1878, the home is old by Bay Area standards, where the average “older” home was built in the 1920s. This is a vintage luxury home that needs a lot of TLC, so for the price, what you get is a historically significant property in a central Piedmont location with all the amenities that Piedmont has to offer. What you don’t get is a remodeled kitchen and bathrooms!

For more information on this little piece of Piedmont history, contact Vickie Robinson at vickie.robinson at prurealty.com or call her at 510-703-8207.


Editor’s Note:
As the Director of Membership & Relocation at LuxuryRealEstate.com, and herself a licensed REALTOR®, Janice Ridge is devoted to coordinating the efforts of all of the LuxuryRealEstate.com membership and Account Managers, so that each of our members is given superior service. This is a great luxury home for sale. Thanks for pointing it out, Janice! I’d like to know more about this home’s history, like who lived in it, what famous events it’s been through and things like that. Old things fascinate me.

By Brian Langhorst

On September 26th and 27th at the Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate the owners of Chalk Hill and Jackson Family Wines present a wonderful philanthropic event designed to raise money for children. This great event offers notable wines, priceless trips, dinners and much more. To learn more about this event, please visit: www.sonomaparadiso.com/index.html.

Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. There are so many positive events like this going on and I’m pleased to hear about all of them. I find truly remarkable the inherent sense of generosity and justice in many Americans who enjoy such abundant wealth. John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Bill Gates and many other incredibly rich Americans have given back to their fellow citizens in wonderful ways.

By Janice Ridge

Don’t miss the opportunity to advertise in the August 1 issue of The Wall Street Journal! Here’s what other LuxuryRealEstate.com members are saying about the results from advertising in the Journal:

I received two calls from my ad in Luxury Real Estate’s June 27th Wall Street Journal ad. They were both within one week of when the ad ran. One from Arizona and one from Northern California. Both are genuinely interested and are planning to come down to visit.
Trudy Stambook, Centre City Properties
San Diego, CA

Editor’s Note:
As the Director of Membership at LuxuryRealEstate.com, and herself a licensed REALTOR®, Janice Ridge is devoted to coordinating the efforts of all of the LuxuryRealEstate.com Membership and Account Managers, so that each of our members is given superior service. Print is definitely not dead, and it’s actually a very useful way to reach target audiences. Plus, every Wall Street Journal ad we run is also posted online so it’s doubly useful. Check it out!

By Brian Langhorst

Willis Allen Real Estate, the Regent member of LuxuryRealEstate.com in San Diego, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, and Del Mar rolled out the red carpet for the attendees of the 6th Annual Spring Retreat. Our host company picked up about 70 LuxuryRealEstate.com members from the Grand Del Mar Resort in luxury motor coaches and took us to two notable listings in nearby Rancho Santa Fe.

The first listing 5959 Ladys Secret is a perfect estate for entertaining and enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather! We were greeted with Strawberries and Champagne at the first listing, which is in the exclusive area of Del Rayo Estates. This $13.7 million listing featured beautiful views of the ocean, Del Mar and Fairbanks Country Club, and the Del Mar Race Track.

The 2.8-acre estate includes well-manicured gardens, lighted tennis courts, an infinity-edge pool, spa and outdoor entertaining areas. The 2008 renovation of this great listing is evidenced in the details throughout. This was a perfect way to begin our evening. Listed by Willis Allen agent Terry Holladay (www.TerryHolladay.com).

The next stop was within the covenant of Rancho Santa Fe. Sian Welch of Willis Allen enlightened our bus with lots of history and facts of this quaint and intimate community. The covenant of Rancho Santa Fe has very strict architectural guidelines to maintain the history and feel of the specific area of town.

The second and final listing of our tour was Extravagance in the Village at $8.9 million being represented by Willis Allen agent Linda Sansone (www.LindaSansone.com). This listing was once again a big hit among all who attended our cocktail reception/property tour! In perfect style, this 2.85-acre estate blends pleasant living spaces with perfectly designed outdoor areas for gatherings and spending time with family and friends. It is a true find considering the size of the lot and close walking distance to the town of Rancho Santa Fe!

Our property tour was a wonderful introduction into the market of Rancho Santa Fe and the variety of opportunities on the market. Thank you very much to Bud Clark and Peyton Cabano from Willis Allen for putting together such a well-thought-out tour!

There are amazing properties available throughout. I would encourage all interested buyers to speak with any of our qualified members in the San Diego area to see the great investment opportunities for yourself!


Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. There are many opportunities in California and other markets that are seeing price declines. Take advantage of these unique offers while they’re still hot.

By Jennifer Schuyler

The early buzz on the 6th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat, just outside San Diego, has been flowing since the morning of Friday, April 18. Broker/Owner Bob Nathan of RH Nathan & Company, LLC, located in Scottsdale, Ariz., and a frequent attendee of the membership conferences, said this was the “Best of all the LuxuryRealEstate.com conferences to date.”

Mr. Nathan raved about the keynote speaker, economist and actor Ben Stein, stating Mr. Stein was “spot-on and delivered an incredible presentation.” We had no doubt Mr. Stein would captivate his audience! The excitement continued from various attendees regarding the useful and timely content of the variety of breakout sessions that ranged from Marketing, Technology and Referrals to positioning and capturing buyers and international investors in a challenging market.

Also a huge hit was the location itself. Mr. Nathan continued his accolades by letting me know the resort location, The Grand Del Mar located in Del Mar, Calif. “was the most incredible resort I have ever visited.” LuxuryRealEstate.com has three membership conferences annually; two domestic and one in an international locale. The LuxuryRealEstate.com conferences are always held in five-star hotels or resorts for our membership – the Best of the Best.

What more could you ask for than surf, sand & Stein?


Editor’s Note:
Jennifer Schuyler is the Senior Membership Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. She has a remarkable history of meeting and exceeding luxury brokers’ marketing needs. Indeed, what more could you ask? We’ve been hearing nothing but positive remarks from our members who were positively energized by their participation in the Spring Retreat. Wonderful!

By Kimberly Fulwyler

In San Diego on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, the forecast was sunny with a high of 67 degrees. San Diego is the rare city that is almost always perfectly warm. 

What else does this city have to offer besides perfect climate? Beaches, legendary golf courses, and one of the biggest zoos in America are just a few of the attributes that make us love San Diego.

In addition, this fair city is the host of the 6th Annual Spring Retreat held by LuxuryRealEstate.com. So instead of staying home this April, come and join us for learning, networking and some California Dreamin’.


Editor’s Note:
Kimberly Fulwyler is an Account Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com, so she provides customer service and marketing materials to a variety of LuxuryRealEstate.com members. I’ve only been to California once, but I can definitely attest to the state’s beauty based upon that visit. We hope you’ll join us at the Spring Retreat.

By Meghan Barry

Someone has to be the one to mention that today is Valentine’s Day, right?

I noticed this article, simply entitled Happy Valentine’s Day, on Boston.com (I am a Seattle transplant… one of the many).

The National Association of REALTORS® suggests "If you can’t fly to Paris, France this Valentine’s Day, take your sweetheart to Paris, Texas" in a press release, entitled Explore American Towns Sharing Names With the World’s Most Romantic Cities.

Paris, Texas (average home price $84,000); Rome, Georgia (average home price $95,000); Seville, Ohio (average home price $122,000); Venice, California (average home price is a bit higher, $1.3 million… it’s California after all).

There may not be much luxury real estate in these versions of Paris, Rome and Seville, but think of the investment possibilities!


Editor’s Note:
Meghan Barry is the Executive Vice President of LuxuryRealEstate.com. She works closely with CEO John Brian Losh to organize a variety of Luxury Real Estate programs, events and services. What’s in a name, anyway? It might be even more unique an experience to seek luxurious opportunities in little-known areas than looking in the obvious spots. You might even fall in love with these smaller versions of great European cities. Happy Valentine’s Day, indeed.

By Courtney Jackson

Unique Homes is now in the process of compiling the 2008 edition of Ultimate Homes, an annual magazine dedicated to the listing and ranking of the top 1,000 properties currently on the market for purchase. Since 2005, Ultimate Homes has served as the standard for ranking the best in luxury real estate by price.

"We believe a vehicle that ranks and lists the most expensive estates here in America was information that was fractured and incomplete. For the first time, the consumer now has a comprehensive source to compare and contrast by price the most sought after properties currently on the market for purchase," said Nick Antonicello, Director of Sales for both Unique Homes and Ultimate Homes.

As in the past, the publication will not only list the top 1,000 listings by price, but also the top ten listings by price, by state. "This is a twist to the rankings that ensures geographic balance to the information provided. For the most part, the list is dominated by California, Florida and New York. By also offering the top ten properties by state, the consumer gets added insight on smaller markets like Utah, Montana or Idaho," said Antonicello.

Last year the states of New York, California and Florida represented nearly $12.5 billion of the $19.1 billion or 65% of all the homes in the list of 1000 properties. The Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate network (LuxuryRealEstate.com) represented 112 different properties in this exclusive list or nearly 12% of all properties!

Like in past editions, editorial will focus upon the top ten listings as well as the top ten agents with the most listings. In addition there will be breakdowns by companies, networks and organizations who represent the best of the luxury segment here in the United States. The list will feature current listings between $11 million and $165 million. If an agent currently represents an estate property in this price point, they are qualified to advertise the property on a half-page, full-page or two-page basis.

"Ultimate Homes is the ultimate publication for marketing the most expensive properties currently on the market. It will be sent complimentary in a hardbound edition to the agents and sellers whose properties are advertised beyond the list and the magazine will be sold off newsstands in some 80 countries. It is a once-a-year opportunity to truly allow the agent to promote a significant property in a special venue designed to reach high net worth consumers currently in the market," said Antonicello.

For details please contact LuxuryRealEstate.com Print Director Courtney Jackson, Courtney@LuxuryRealEstate.com or 800-488-4066.

By Greg Moesser

While U.S. and global newscasts are reporting on falling real estate markets, the world's wealthiest individuals are taking advantage of these public media reports to capitalize on the exclusive value of the Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Malibu luxury property markets.

Greg Moesser, an Estates Director at Prudential CA Realty reports, “In the last three months alone there have been 17 local sales of properties in the over-$10 million price category. That is approximately 1.5 high-end sales every week! The reason for this demand is that international buyers and savvy investors have been waiting for many years to take advantage of a lower-priced cooling market and now it is also combined with the extraordinary timing bonus of a weak dollar. In addition, they also understand our tremendous land and square-foot value ratio, L.A.’s fabulous weather and celebrity lifestyle, and California’s strong economic growth and stability when compared to the highly priced markets of Hong Kong, Paris, London, Dubai and Manhattan.”

For additional information regarding Los Angles, Beverly Hills and Malibu luxury real estate, please visit www.LAClassicEstates.com or contact Greg Moesser directly at +1 310.770.9014 or viewla@pacbell.net.