Luxury Real Estate

Spring is almost here—and so is the Spring issue of our magazine!

The digital version of the Spring issue of LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine is now ready—click here to view.

SEATTLE, WA - (May 2009) - The 7^th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat was recently held Sunday, April 26^th to Wednesday, April 29^th, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. Keynote Speakers were Mary Whipple, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, and Peter Tongue, Metaphysics and Management Consulting Expert.

The Conference was hosted by John Brian Losh, Chairman and CEO of Luxury Real Estate, (LuxuryRealEstate.com and Who’s Who of Luxury Real Estate), a membership-driven luxury brokerage assemblage based in Seattle, Washington. The network includes the most prominent global luxury brokers and meets three times each year, nationally and internationally, to discuss current real estate trends.

The recent conference in Las Vegas covered multiple topics of great interest to those who serve the high net-worth demographic. An ongoing theme, covered at each of the conferences, is the state of the luxury market around the world. In addition, discussions focused on coping with Short Sales and Foreclosures, expanding real estate business through social networking, and being creative and fearless in a down market.

The highlight of the event was a Black Tie Dinner and Awards Presentation, honoring the career of Shari Chase with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award is given twice annually to the Luxury Real Estate member who has set an example for the real estate industry and displayed excellence throughout their career. “Known for high-profile properties and clientele, her firm continues as one of the industry’s pacesetters,” states John Brian Losh. “What others talk about – Chase does.”

About LuxuryRealEstate.com

LuxuryRealEstate.com is the most-viewed luxury real estate specific website in the world. The Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate network includes 1,500 of the world’s finest real estate companies with properties in 98 countries. Participation is strictly invitation-only by CEO/Publisher John Brian Losh. In Ultimate Homes’ 2008 issue, the network represented more than twice the number of top 1,000 most-expensive properties in the country than any other network. The Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate network is governed by the Board of Regents.

By Jim Walberg of Caribbean Islands Realty

The Four Seasons was the venue where Jim Walberg   participated in the 7th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Conference as a panel member of Effective Social Networking & Blogging Tools For Realtors.

Imagine being with some of the brightest and best minds in real estate for three days! Well, that is what the Luxury Real Estate’s Spring conference was like this past week. The sharing of best practices with such a high caliber of professionals and business owners is an enviable experience for any Realtor. I was not only privileged to be a delegate at this conference, I also gathered some incredible business ideas that will continue to improve the customer experience for our clients, and grow our business in this shifting markets.

The featured presentation was the panel on how to use internet tools to dramatically expand your real estate business by increasing your lead generation results - the Strategies & Tactics of Top Real Estate Professionals regarding social networking, blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Victor Lund from the WAV Group was the moderator. Jon Larrance from Perry & Company, Bruce Hiatt from Luxury Realty Group and me from The Bay Area Team, were the panelist. The interaction with the audience demonstrated that it was THE topic that they wanted to explore most in the 2009 world of social networking.

In addition to the various breakout sessions during the conference, one of the keynote speakers was Mary Whipple, the Olympic Gold Medalist from the 2008 Games was the featured presenter before lunch. It was an inspiring presentation about the steps required for the U.S. women’s eight rowing team to prepare and win the gold metal. She translated the attributes to accomplish such a feat to what it takes to have a successful real estate Brokerage.

Tuesday night was the elegant black tie evening honoring Shari Chase, founder and president of Chase International, with the LRE Lifetime Achievement Award presented by John Brian Losh. The impact Shari has made by growing eight real estate offices in the Tahoe, Reno, and now London, has created a result of over a billion dollars of real estate sales through her company. At this evenings elegant evening I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with Jose Ribes from Spain, and with Bente Matdsen from Luxury Real Estate.

The closing session of the conference featured Peter Tongue as the keynote speaker. The subject of his presentation was Heart-Centered Real Estate. Peter’s message was focused on tapping into the acknowledgement of higher energies that attract good things into their lives - embracing abundance, awareness and positive energy. It was another example of how Luxury Real Estate always delivers quality member services.

By Jennifer Schuyler

Seattle is the international headquarters for LuxuryRealEstate.com and best known for its cloudy skies and rain. What many people don’t know is how beautiful our city is during the spring and summer months.

In the spring, the cherry blossom trees and rhododendrons are in full bloom throughout the city. During the summer months, the city is abuzz with outdoor festivals, concerts at the pier, community farmers’ markets, pick-up volleyball games at Golden Gardens and Alki Beach, boating, sailing… you name it, we’ve got it!

If you are visiting Seattle this summer, please stop by LuxuryRealEstate.com’s international headquarters and say hello. Our staff would love to see you!

The following poem sums up many of my feelings. It is by Miles Christian Barth:

Summer
When water flows, and the wind blows.
You can feel the summer breeze,
playing with the autumn leaves.
When clouds are white, and the sun is bright.
You can see the grass grow tall,
next to the river's water fall.
When roses are red, and the weeds are dead.
You can taste the gold, sweet honey,
while the earth is warm and sunny.
When trees are green, and they can't be seen.
You can hear the church boys singing,
while the morning bells are ringing.
When morning turns to night, and the moon's your only light.
You can smell the honeysuckle,
as you stroll along and chuckle.
When summer comes around,
fun and mischief sure abound.

- Miles Christian Barth, USA


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. Summer is definitely awesome, isn’t it? I can’t wait until the summer issue of LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine arrives later this month, I believe. The photo above of the cherry blossoms on the University of Washington campus is from www.flickr.com/photos/mystereys/438434552 and it is the copyright of mystereys on Flickr.

By Jennifer Schuyler

March wind is a jolly fellow;
He likes to joke and play.
He turns umbrellas inside out
And blows men’s hats away.

He calls the pussy willows
And whispers in each ear,
”Wake up you lazy little seeds;
Don’t you know that spring is here?”

-Poet Unknown

Editor’s Note:
The Senior Membership Manager
At LuxuryRealEstate.com
Is named Jennifer Schuyler,
Not Judy, Mary or Tom.

That’s my attempt at rhyming for now. Not quite poetic, but oh well. I hope you enjoy a happy start of spring today!