Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Eric Billingsley of Rodeo Realty

This gated and private East Coast traditional view estate is located in the star-studded Crest Streets of Beverly Hills. Not surprisingly, a long list of celebrities formerly owned the property, including: Christine McVie of the rock band Fleetwood Mac, Joan Collins, and Elton John.

The estate is on more than ¾ acres of lush, park-like grounds. A large motor court entry leads to a majestic home that features flagstone exterior and slate roof. Interiors have wood floors and wonderful spaces for entertaining. The living room features a marble fireplace and French doors that lead to a covered patio overlooking the landscaped grounds and city, mountain and ocean views.

The formal dining room also features French doors that open to a fragrant rose garden. The centerpiece of the home is a gourmet kitchen with center island, breakfast area, pine cabinets, exposed beam ceiling and top of the line commercial stainless steel appliances. An adjacent family/media room with oversized fireplace and built-in bookcase plus separate den/office with fireplace are also featured.

The master suite offers city and ocean views, an oversized fireplace and master bath with dual sinks, spa tub and steam shower with ocean view. Three additional bedroom suites complete the interiors. The lush grounds include several flat grassy areas, a swimmers pool, sun deck and pond with shady gazebo.

Joe Babajian of Rodeo Realty and Judy Cycon of Prudential California Realty are co-listing the property. The price is $7.45 million. For more information visit: www.lloydcrestestate.com.

Courtesy of: McGuire Real Estate, Alain Pinel Realtors, Hill & Company, Paragon Real Estate, and Morgan Lane/Pacific Union.

For the seventh year running, the Nob Hill Gazette gathered some of the best and brightest of the region’s real estate world to get an inside look at the market. This year also saw the addition participants from related industries outside of real estate—finance and general contracting—to further round out the discussion.

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By Candace Jackson of the Wall Street Journal

Art collector John Traina's landmarked San Francisco property—a converted 1893 firehouse once owned by former California Gov. Jerry Brown—has sold for $3.36 million, about 30% less than its original $4.85 million asking price in September 2007.

Mr. Traina is a retired maritime entrepreneur formerly married to novelist Danielle Steel, with whom he raised seven children. He bought the roughly 4,000-square-foot firehouse in a 2006 private sale. The Pacific Heights estate has three bedrooms, four baths and a guest house. The fire poles remain in the living room, and the original garage door opens into the great room, where fire trucks once parked.

Mr. Traina sold because he was spending most of him time at a Napa Valley ranch he owns, says Greg Lynn of Sotheby's International Realty, who shared the listing with Sotheby's Louis Silcox. Steven Mavromihalis of Pacific Union Real Estate, a Christie's Great Estates affiliate, represented the buyer, a local family.

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Courtesy of: Buckley and Buckley Real Estate

Buckley and Buckley Real Estate is a proud sponsor of the 22nd Annual Bainbridge In Bloom Garden Tour (July 9 & 10), a benefit for the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council (BIAHC), whose mission is "to create an environment on Bainbridge Island in which the arts and humanities flourish." This year's garden tour will feature six outstanding gardens. It will be a drive/shuttle experience, as the gardens are located throughout the island. 

Drive to a parking destination, then walk or take the shuttle bus to the next garden(s). Details are coming soon at www.gardentour.info. Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council is the City of Bainbridge Island's designated advocate and advisor for cultural issues, and has responsibility for implementing the Cultural Element of the Citys Comprehensive Plan. As part of this work, BIAHC oversees the City of Bainbridge Islands process for allocating City funding to individuals, groups, and organizations through the Arts and Humanities Fund (for individual cultural projects), the Cultural Funding Program (for island nonprofit cultural organizations), and the 2% for Public Art Fund. BIAHC also supervises feasibility research and training related to the development of cultural facilities. The Council also offers an array of programs and services. BIAHC Programs include Bainbridge In Bloom, The Bainbridge Island Arts Education Community Consortium, The Celluloid Bainbridge Film Festival, The Great Decisions Discussion Series), and the Student Art Contest. For more information and to get involved, visit: http://www.artshum.org/

Courtesy of: Hurwitz James Company by Unique Homes

In Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, an entertainer’s dream has been reduced by $10 million.

Through private entrance gates, a world of prestige and pleasure are introduced to the discerning buyer. The verdant grounds that surround the 26,000-square-foot home are host to a helipad, championship tennis courts, multiple pools, a par-3 golf hole and a 9-car garage that has space for a limousine.

The main residence, which was re-built nine year ago, is nothing less than impressive. From rare hardwoods and imported marble to granite and custom furnishings, the interior living spaces are opulent and one-of-a-kind.

Whether accommodating a dinner party in the formal dining room or gathering in the living room, breathtaking views of Lake Coeur d’Alene will serve as your backdrop. A well-appointed library, a lounge with an octagonal bar and a guesthouse all serve for entertaining and hosting guests.

Listed by Bob Hurwitz of Hurwitz James Company, the $17.5 million Coeur d’Alene estate is awaiting your arrival.

Learn more about this astounding property on uniquehomes.com and on the Hurwitz James Company Web site.

Courtesy of: LuxuryRealEstate.com

Katrina S. Campins, Founder of The Campins Company, is among the most visible and successful real estate professionals in the country. Headquartered in Miami Beach, Florida, with offices in Chicago and Maryland as well as a proprietary network of brokers called The Campins Clique Nationwide, Katrina’s sales production ranks her among the top ½ percent of realtors’ nationwide. She has been featured in numerous publications including recognition as Realtor Magazine’s ‘Top 30 Under 30’ in 2004, Forbes, USA Today, NY Post, NY Times, Sports Illustrated, Ocean Drive, ESPN, Player Magazine, Variety Magazine, the covers of People Magazine, US Weekly, In Touch an d many more. Katrina continues to leverage her media exposure to further her real estate career and build The Campins brand, thus providing exposure to her properties and clients. Katrina has and continues to appear on NBC, VH1, E!, HGTV, SITV, Topps TV, Fox News, CNN, CNBC, ESPN, MTV, BBC and starred in Bravo’s docu-drama, Miami Social.

Licensed at the age of eighteen, Katrina garnered her first six-figure commission check while still a college student. Katrina launched the Campins Company in 2004 and has constructed an ‘A’ list roster of clientele consisting of celebrities, athletes and entrepreneurs. She formed the Sports & Entertainment division within her company in 2005 in order to better service her celebrity clients with their real estate needs throughout the entire United States. Since 2005, Katrina has personally represented over 160 athletes and/or entertainers in this capacity. The Campins Company’s Project Marketing & Management Division has also sold over $100 million in four exclusive listings (three office condominium projects and one condo-hotel project) since its inception. In total her sales production exceeds $520 million since the launch of her company. Katrina’s business development prowess, negotiation skills, market knowle dge and no-nonsense, results-driven approach make her the powerhouse she has become at a young age.

Katrina graduated from the University of Miami with general honors and a 4.0 grade point average, while majoring in International Finance & Marketing. Her career in real estate began when she ‘flipped’ her first investment property at age seventeen. Katrina believes strongly in giving back to her community and is involved in several charitable organizations. Katrina, a first-generation Cuban-American is fluent in English and Spanish.

To learn more about Katrina Campins, visit her website. For more information on the 8th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat and other upcoming events, visit www.luxuryrealestate.com/conference.

By: Rollie Jordan of The Kentwood Companies at Cherry Creek

The highly anticipated grand opening of the Four Season Hotel and Private Residences Denver is approaching. The building is set to open in September of 2010.

At $350 million, this property is set to be the most expensive building ever built in the Denver area. 45 floors of luxury comprise the building including 102 private residences and 240 guest hotel rooms. Over half the private residences have been sold ranging in price from $ 895,000 to $7.5 million.

The Hotel includes a 24-hour signature Four Seasons restaurant, full service spa and salon, and a 24-hour business center. Private residence owners in the building can expect to receive the same treatment as hotel guests with amenities like full room services and housekeeping.

“Everytime we build a new hotel, we’re able to take it to the next level,” said Thierry Kennel, the new hotel’s General Manager. “This is going to be, bar none, the best looking hotel we have.”

The building will be located in downtown Denver in the Theater District at, 1111 14^th St.

For more information on luxury real estate in Denver or the new Four Seasons residences please contact Rollie Jordan of the Kentwood Company.

By Simon Turner of Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

Not so long ago, every second television show seemed to be about renovating run-down homes. With the current real estate market being less enticing, these shows seem to have dropped off.

The irony is, of course, that now is the time that you’re more likely to find a bargain.

If indeed there are more and more buyer’s markets throughout the world, then for those with finances available, there’s never a better time to get a good deal.

Therefore, we’ve put together four essential factors that you must consider to ensure that you complete the project with as much financial reward as possible.

CONSIDER THESE

1. Purchase Price — The lower price you pay, the more potential there is for profit it at the end. Remember, you generally make the money when you buy, not when you sell!

2. Renovation Expenses – Be as exact (and honest with yourself)as you can for each room that you are renovating, and include some “room-to-move should you be faced with the inevitable surprises (such as dampness, termite problems, legals).

3. Holdings Costs — The longer you own the home, the higher your costs for mortgage, taxes, and insurances will be.

4. Anticipated Sale Price — Be honest with yourself and compare your property like-for-like with others that have SOLD (not that have just been on the market for an eternity).

When undertaking a renovation, take into account how long it will take to complete. From “go to woe”, the market conditions could have changed immensely (for good or for bad) so try and take into account each scenario and what your subsequent actions will be (eg. if the market is worse, what would you do?)

Simply by doing your homework you’ll ensure you reduce the number of surprises.

Good luck!

By Janine Carey of Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

A gala banquet was held at the Atlantis Resort on May 29^th, to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the Bahamas Real Estate Association and its achievements over the years. The President of the Bahamas Real Estate Association, Mr. William Wong, welcomed His Excellency Hon. Arthur D. Hanna, the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham and all the members present. In his key note address, Prime Minister Ingraham spoke in detail about the recently amended Real Property Tax Act.

The Governor General Hon. Arthur D. Hanna, presented awards to the Past Presidents in attendance and gave honourable mention to all the Founding Members of the Association. There were plaques given in recognition of dedicated service to BREA.

George Damianos, President of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty and a BREA Board Member and his sister, Virginia Damianos Premock, Vice President of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty and Treasurer of BREA, were recognized for their long and dedicated service to the Bahamas Real Estate Association.

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, serves the entire Bahamas and is headquartered in downtown Nassau with offices in Lyford Cay; Governor's Harbour and Spanish Wells Eleuthera; Marsh Harbour, Hope Town and Elbow Cay, Abaco; with associates in Treasure Cay, Abaco; Exuma, and Freeport. The Bahamas, offers exclusive Sotheby’s International Realty marketing, advertising and referral services designed to attract well-qualified buyers to the firm’s property listings. In addition, the firm and its clients benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house, which promotes real estate referral opportunities with auction house clientele.

About Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC

Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby’s International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. In February 2004, Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services, entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby’s, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby’s International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system by Realogy’s subsidiary, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby’s auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

By Camille Richardson of Beth Wolff GMAC Real Estate

In our GMAC real estate family, Houston’s Beth Wolff GMAC Real Estate principals, Beth Wolff and Ed Wolff, were sponsors for the It’s My Heart Walk.

Tenley, Ed Wolff’s daughter and Beth Wolff’s granddaughter, and her twin brother Jake were born early at 31 weeks gestation. Jake was fine but Tenley went into congestive heart failure. She was operated on at Texas Children’s Hospital by Dr. Charles Fraser and then spent the first five months of her life in the cardiovascular unit. Thanks to the dedicated team of doctors and nurses at Texas Children’s Hospital, today Tenley is an active child enjoying life as a four year old and participating in It’s My Heart events to help raise awareness for others with similar challenges.

It’s My Heart’s mission is to provide support, spread awareness, educate and advocate for those affected by Acquired and Congenital Heart Defects by creating alliances with fellow families, hospitals, support groups and the community.