Luxury Real Estate

By Robert Lockard

“Photography is not about cameras, gadgets and gismos. Photography is about photographers. A camera didn't make a great picture any more than a typewriter wrote a great novel.”

So says Ilya Moshenskiy, the Principal Photographer of Ilya’s Photography in Washington state. I love that quote because, as a writer, I can definitely relate to his point about great works being written by people and not by keyboards or computers.

Ilya is an amazing photographer in a variety of fields, including luxury homes, weddings, events and cuisine. He has been the Official Photographer of the past nine Luxury Real Estate conferences and he always produces the finest photographic masterpieces. Just ask Jim Walberg, a LuxuryRealEstate.com member in the Caribbean.

Check out these amazing photos that Ilya took at this year’s Seafair, Seattle’s big summer festival.

To see more of Ilya’s photos from Seafair 2008, click here!

I’ll end with one more quote from Ilya. He uses only the finest photographic tools in his work, but he also notes, “It doesn’t matter what kind of camera you are shooting with; the real issue is who is behind the camera. Great photography requires perfect lighting and composition. It will always be a human behind the viewfinder. High-end photography demands exceptional skill and not every photographer is up to the task.”

Ilya certainly is up to the task. Contact him at ilya at ilyaestate.com or 425.883.2246 today!


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. All of the photos above are the copyright of Ilya’s Photography.

By Brian Langhorst

Rollie Jordan, our longtime member in Cherry Creek, Colorado is hosting an open-house charity cocktail reception at one of her listings in the Denver Country Club. All of the proceeds, including a suggested donation, benefit TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (www.TAPS.org). Please contact Rollie Jordan at rolliejordan@aol.com or 303.336.0336 for more information. Click the link below to view the full invitation in a PDF.

By Scott Rudolph

I’ve been a fan of Forbes since I helped usher in our first “Best of the Web” and “Forbes Favorite” awards back in the year 2000. Since then, we’ve continued to earn “Best of the Web” status and I continue to tune in. Recently, I noticed an analysis of America’s Recession-Proof Cities by Joshua Zumbrun.

Don’t fret if your community is not listed in this particular article, there are many more:
Rebecca Ruiz files a special report after extensive research regarding America’s Best Cities For The Outdoors and while we choose to provide our high net worth private clients some privacy, Lauren Sherman satisfies the curiosity of those insatiable for scoop regarding their favorite stars in Second Homes Of The Stars. The list goes on and on of course. At the end of the day, I find there are talking points and real estate opportunities everywhere. Remember, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: all real estate is global.


Editor’s Note:
Scott Rudolph is the Director of Business Development for LuxuryRealEstate.com. He works with a variety of luxury-focused companies to expand the LuxuryRealEstate.com influence. These Forbes lists are great for us to review and enjoy. Check them out!

By Jason LeMoine

We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better...stronger...faster.

Your home may not be as cool as Lee Majors, but it has the potential. Why settle for a modern home when you can have a home of the future? Home automation—the process of creating “smart homes”—is becoming increasingly prevalent in the real estate market. Smart homes allow homeowners to control everything from lighting to security to entertainment all with the touch of a button. These systems can be controlled from any room in the house and even remotely via a computer with an internet connection.

Want your lights on a timer while you’re out of town? No problem. Hate shoveling that driveway? Have it automatically heated. One of my friend’s parents actually wired several of their rooms to a central karaoke system for parties (be careful before implementing this one—you may regret it).

Home automation doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg either. Many smart features can be implemented yourself with a trip to the hardware store and a little “do it yourself” spirit. For more complex features, installation is available for reasonable prices, and the return on investment is more than worth it. Automating certain aspects of your home can increase the resale value, add piece of mind while away, and help lower energy bills.

The next time you’re contemplating a home project, consider automation. We have the technology, and it won’t cost you six million dollars.


Editor’s Note:
Jason LeMoine is a Technical Account Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. He is responsible for many of the advanced features you find on www.LuxuryRealEstate.com, as well as the sites we’ve built for members.

By Meghan Barry

I admit it, I’m nosey.

I have always been a frequenter of Open Houses, long before being employed with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am certain there are many of you like me out there, because every time I attend an Open House in my neighborhood, I see the same sheepish faces of my neighbors.

I derive great inspiration from the homes I see. Many of the rooms in my house are painted colors I discovered at Open Houses (apparently you can paint a deep purple color called “Tannin” on the walls of a 1918 Dutch Colonial).

It is difficult to admit this among my fellow luxury real estate professionals, because many of you may think that “Open House Voyeurs” are a waste of your time. But I have heard that the best clients can often be the ones who are not intending to make a purchase. After all, impulse buys are usually a quick sell!


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. I can second Meghan’s suggestions. Open Houses can definitely work to your advantage, even if you think that people are just coming in to compare your house to theirs. Many “Open House Voyeurs” have family members seeking a house just like yours. Referrals can be well worth the effort. By the way, the Summer 2007 issue of LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine has an editorial on Open Houses that I highly recommend.

By Jason LeMoine

WADSWORTH
One of us slipped through the same secret passage—

PEACOCK
Again...?

WADSWORTH
Of course! Back to the study!

As a child, “Clue” was one of my favorite movies, and back then I could think of few things more essential to a home than a series of secret passageways. I would design elaborate floor plans of mansions with square footage rivaling the Louvre (modest for an eight-year-old), and be sure I had easy access from my palatial bedroom to my 1,000-seat movie theater.

However, despite their frequent appearance in fiction (and eight-year-olds’ imaginations), secret passages have a very real history. Since ancient times, secret passages and rooms have been used for everything from evading persecution to smuggling to playing key roles in revolutions. Secret passageways were used in Egyptian pyramids to deter grave robbers. Pope Clement VII used the Passetto di Borgo to escape the Vatican City during the Sack of Rome in 1527. Anne Frank and her family evaded capture for two years during World War II by using a hidden room in her father’s office building.

These days, whether you want to escape intruders or tiresome dinner conversation, secret passages and rooms are making a big—albeit, less grand—comeback. Several companies such as Creative Home Engineering provide the chance for home owners to install and customize their own passages and rooms. Store game room accessories out of the way, protect your family and other valuables in case of emergency, or just get away for awhile—the possibilities are nearly limitless, and they’re almost certain to raise the resale value of your home.

Whether for convenience or security, a secret passage or room could be a valuable addition to your home—and your kids will think it’s cool.


Editor’s Note:
Jason LeMoine is a Technical Account Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. His ideas and hard work have helped create many innovative and effective Web sites for LuxuryRealEstate.com and its members. By the way, can you imagine how cool it would be during an open house to turn a candlestick in the study and see the fireplace twist, revealing a secret passage to the kitchen? Now I’m starting to feel like an eight-year-old.

By Charlene Meenan

Great success should always inspire people to achieve more in their lives and professional careers. At Chase International, success is praised and shared with the entire company. It does not matter if it is your first sale, just a sale or a company best. I think that lays the groundwork to make you want to be your best and to understand that there are no limits on what you can achieve unless you put them there.
 

When you see your fellow agents achieve what you are just dreaming of it wakes up the dream inside you and makes you say, “I can do that.” The best part is that Chase International believes in each of their agents and knows that through hard work, dedication and focus the sky is the limit for each of us. As for me, I am inspired by success. I want to be around successful people who give back to society and are thankful for their abundance. Successful people attract success therefore I know that even greater success is coming to me today and every day.

I firmly believe there is lots of room at the top if you just go for it!