Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of: Turpin Real Estate Inc.

Turpin Real Estate Inc. this month opened a new office at 186 Main St. in Chatham.

"It's exciting to announce that we are opening a new office at a time when other real estate agencies are closing and consolidating across the state," said John D. Turpin, president of the family owned business, who also will serve as the Chatham branch manager.

Turpin, which also has offices in Oldwick, Mendham, Bernardsville and Far Hills, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this June. Turpin is affiliated with Christie's Great Estates and the world's-largest relocation network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. To learn more, visit www.Turpinrealestate.com.

Turpin Real Estate Inc. is a member of Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate.

By Jim Walberg of Caribbean Islands Realty

The Adventuras Club is a new luxury condominium resort built at the private seaside resort community of Puerto Adventuras in the Riviera Maya of Mexico!

Yes, the Caribbean real estate community includes the Riviera Maya on the cost of Mexico from Cancun to Belize. I first discovered this part of the Caribbean in 1995 and even had the opportunity to purchase an acre beach front lot with a new Spanish style home for $120,000. There was no financing available at that time I didn’t have the cash. I missed one of the best real estate opportunities in purchasing that Caribbean home.

Fast forward to 2009. The Mayan Riviera has exploded in value, population, and as a world class tourist destination. This region has over a 100 miles of mash potato coral sand, palm trees, turquoise blue water, and the typical 85+ degree weather. Plus, you have the cultural experience of Mayan culture and the amazing international treasures - the many Mayan ruins in this region with Tulum right on the coast.

The three main regions of the Mayan Riviera as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Adventuras - which is right in the middle of the region. The Aventuras Club is a new fractional interest condominium resort built within Puerto Aventuras. The Private Residence Club offers three distinctly different locations with luxurious vacation home villas situated on the Marina, the Lagoon and the Beach. The resort offers elegantly appointed one, two and three bedroom villas that are lavishly furnished, decorated and supplied with all you need. The beautiful resort community offers diving, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, biking, golf, swimming with the dolphins, shopping, fine dining and much more.

And, it is a very short drive to my favorite street in the Mayan Riviera - La Quinta Avenida or the famous 5th Avenue in Playa Del Carmen. This charming cobblestone pedestrian passage offer Mexican Art, crafts, jewelry, high end shops, designer boutiques, restaurants and night life and only a block from the beach that would remind you of the south of France. In fact, I generally find more Italian, French, German, and visitors from other countries than the locals in this region. Playa del Carmen is the location of the ferry to the island of Cozumel.

The Adventuras Club has two and three bedroom condos starting at $105,000 to $128,500 for 1,500 square feet to 2,500 square feet at the Marina, Lagoon, or the Beach. This allows you a 1/8 ownership of the condo and a minimum of six weeks a year at your Caribbean resort community. I have enjoyed many of the restaurants and shopping in this region, so contact me if you want more information about the opportunities awaiting you. Until next time…your Caribbean real estate and lifestyle detective is on duty.

By George Damianos of Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

Nassau, Bahamas. (Feb. 9, 2009) – Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced it grew the office count within its network by more than 10 percent in 2008, ending the year with 10,750 sales associates located in more than 500 offices in 39 countries and territories worldwide.

“According to the National Association of Realtors^®, for all of 2008 existing-home sales were 13.1 percent below the transactions recorded in 2007, which is the lowest volume since 1997. In this environment, the Sotheby’s International Realty^® brand actually grew its office count by 10.7 percent, demonstrating a true demand for our services in the global arena,” said Michael R. Good, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “As well, we welcomed an additional 1,726 sales associates, which reflects our strength and appeal as a brand. I also am very proud that we received two industry honors in 2008, underscoring the value consumers and our affiliates place on the Sotheby’s International Realty brand and what it has to offer.”

Last year saw the addition of 19 firms across 10 states: New Jersey, Utah, Massachusetts, Washington, California, Colorado, Florida, Delaware, New York and North Carolina. As well, 30 Sotheby’s International Realty affiliated companies expanded by opening new offices to widen their market coverage.

Internationally, the brand expanded into Germany, Slovakia, Vietnam, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Gibraltar with the openings of Hamburg Sotheby's International Realty in Hamburg, Germany; NRW Immobilien Sotheby’s International Realty in Northern Westphalia, Germany; Corpia Sotheby’s International Realty in Slovakia; Vietnam Sotheby’s International Realty; Greece Sotheby’s International Realty; Terra Sotheby’s International Realty in Limassol, Cyprus; Venice Estates Sotheby’s International Realty; and Kristina SzekelySotheby’s International Realty in Gibraltar. The brand also signed a long-term licensing agreement for the Czech Republic, with an office scheduled to open this year.

Finally, in April 2008 Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC won Franchise Business Review’s Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction award, was named to their top 50 for client satisfaction and was No. 5 for all franchise categories with more than 200 locations. In August, the brand also was rated the most prestigious real estate company by high net-worth consumers in the Luxury Institute’s 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index survey.

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.