Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Shawn Shackelton of Ventana Fine Properties

This luxury home in the gated golf community of Silverleaf in North Scottsdale, Arizona sold for $3.2 million within 1 week of this noteworthy news feature. Phoenix, Arizona news station FOX 10's reporter Diane Ryan showed off the home and incredible amenities in this news feature.

Click here to view the video.

Cool House - 5/16/11: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

Courtesy of Don Pilotte of Prudential Montana Real Estate

Both nationally and locally real estate brokers have noticed an increase in the number of cash transactions.

For example, between January 1, 2010 and late March 2011 of 166 transactions in Big Sky, 72 or 43 percent have closed with cash. According to a recent article in the San Francisco Examiner in January 2011, 28.7 percent of the sales closed with cash. Also in January, 2011, 46 percent of real estate transactions in Toledo, Ohio were cash sales. The MLS of Central Oregon that tracks sales in the Bend, Oregon area noted that 32 percent of the sales in February were cash transactions.

The National Association of Realtors noted that 54.2 percent of the sales in Miami, 45.9 percent in Las Vegas, 44.9 percent in Tampa and 35.6 percent of the sales in Phoenix were cash transactions. These four cities were all hit pretty hard by the recent recession and prices were dramatically reduced due to numerous foreclosures and short sales.

While there are a number of reasons for this increase in cash sales, such as foreign investment, cashing out equity in other properties or investments or using cash and a quick close as a negotiation strategy, there is also another potential reason: the return of the investment buyer.

Investment buyers look for opportunity; the combination of motivated sellers, short sales and foreclosures combined with a lot of inventory creates an almost ideal situation for those investment minded buyers. This also could be a signal that many buyers believe that we are close or at the bottom of the market. Already in Big Sky we are seeing significant market absorption in certain areas and price ranges.

By Brian Langhorst

For those of you looking for some prime investment opportunities, look no further than Phoenix, Arizona. This haven for warm weather, world-class golf and renowned spas has some excellent residential real estate on the market.

LuxuryRealEstate.com is a perfect resource for finding real estate for sale in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Chandler and all surrounding areas. We feature the industry’s best of the best with REALTORS® from companies such as:

Arizona Best,
Equitable Sotheby’s International Real Estate,
Realty Executives,
RH Nathan,
Scottsdale Fine Properties,
The Walt Danley Group, and
West USA Gallery Collection

Look for yourself at some of the spectacular homes, estates, ranches and condos on the market. Value is very high for buyers, and rates are at historic lows, presenting a perfect investment opportunity.


Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. Buy low and sell high. It’s a classic economic principle. Even though we keep hearing about the housing downturn, that means that prices are great right now for buyers in markets like these. Have faith that things will turn out all right.

By Allyson Metters

My favorite football team (which shall remain nameless to avoid upsetting my LuxuryRealEstate.com co-workers and the whole city of Seattle) did not make it far in the playoffs this year. My family and I will be watching the Super Bowl from home. But, according to a recent article in The New York Times, fans making the trip to Arizona can enjoy not only the biggest football game of the year, but also the finest luxury services during their stay.

Phoenix-area luxury homeowners are offering their homes for the weeks surrounding the February 3rd game. Spacious properties in exclusive valley communities, complete with plasma televisions, heated pool, and gourmet kitchen, are being rented for as much as $250,000 per week. Of course, with a price like that, you know there are world-class perks that go along with these stays. Some homeowners are offering housekeeping, chef service, airport transportation or the use of a private golf club and golf cart. One owner is even allowing renters to use his 2007 H2 or Cadillac STS for the week.

Even if your favorite team didn’t make to the Super Bowl, you can certainly make it there in style!


Editor’s Note:
Allyson Metters is the Relocation Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. She helps people who are moving to find a perfect broker to meet their needs in their new area. This is a great example of an interesting idea that I probably wouldn’t have thought of adding to the blog. Thank goodness for Allyson’s unique perspective!