Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Waterstone Resorts

A Bonita Springs vacation offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation and adventure. The gorgeous soft white sands and sparkling gulf waters provide the perfect backdrop for a calm day of lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun and splashing around in the warm gulf waters.

Waterstone Resorts offers numerous Bonita Springs vacation rentals from condominiums to vacation homes. When you’re ready to get out and play, the area’s championship golf courses, tennis courts and water sports are ready to accommodate you. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing, and kayaking in the maritime wilderness of the area’s state parks and nature centers.

Now through March 31^st, get 20% off rentals with Waterstone Resorts. Check out all available specials including “Book 1 Week, Get the 2^nd Week ½ Off”, “A Month at Bonita Beach and Tennis for only $2,999”, and more.

Bonita Beach is the ideal location for a mini-vacation. These beach and tennis units are perfect for staycations or weekend trips.

Visit WaterstoneResorts.com for vacation rentals in Bonita Springs, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Naples and Sanibel Island this spring and summer.

Courtesy of Frederick Peters, President of Warburg Realty

Officially our recession is over. That said, there was more to our recent economic woes than bad mortgages. Too much borrowing by everyone - the Federal government, investment banks, individuals -, a NIMBY attitude towards any sort of economic pain inherent in realigning debt with equity, and the difficulty of competing with incredibly cheap third world labor in our globalized marketplace, all have their part in bringing us to our current economic identity crisis. And we are seeing a similar scenario play out in other nations around the world. So what does this mean for our local real estate marketplace?

First, condos, especially the prime buildings and locations, will be more in demand than ever. The US is still seen as a safe place for money, and buyers from all over the economically destabilized world want to park money here. The recent sale at 15 CPW for $10,000 per foot is only one of numerous examples, although the price is unique. But large units in ultra luxury condo buildings all over town are seeing multiple offers as Russian, Korean, Chinese, European and South American buyers compete for them. Alongside this phenomenon we still see an overhang of smaller condo units from the overbuilding of the last few boom years. Increasingly these units are moving from the rental market, where the developers had parked them while there were no purchasers to be found, back into the sale inventory, where they are being absorbed when properly priced. Increased sales activity in FiDi, Harlem, and the East 20s attests to this. This market for smaller units is at least as likely to be domestic as foreign, and buyers are shopping price point more than anything else. My prediction is that this inventory will be substantially absorbed within 12 to 18 months, and then what? The city’s population is growing but very little is being built. We will move from glut to scarcity – the only condos for sale will be resales. That will put upward price pressure on the existing condo housing stock.

We are already seeing that upward price pressure in the co-op market, especially at the higher end. Admittedly there has been enormous price capitulation in the past two years. But here too the excess inventory has mostly been absorbed and buyers have returned to the marketplace, eager to take advantage of the new pricing. And very little is for sale. Each appropriately priced new listing, whether 7 rooms or 12 rooms, receives a flood of visitors and often multiple offers in the first few weeks. There is far more demand than supply. That said, the dynamic of this process is very different from 2007. Almost no-one pays more than the asking price. Buyers are cautious and care a lot about value, even in the most expensive properties. I do not expect that this situation will change much as 2011 unfolds. Buyers will continue to be astonished throughout the year that there isn’t more to look at.

In 2011 we need to begin to get our national and individual debt/equity ratios back under control, so banks will lend money and creditworthy buyers will have access to it. We need to incentivize our developers to build so we can accommodate the growing population of our city. We need appropriate taxation, Federal, state, and local, which will pay for what we need but will not drive business and opportunity away from New York. We need inventory to sell, and purchasers to buy. And, of course, brokers to manage the process!

Courtesy of Jay Gould of Vail Valley Getaway

Presidents' Weekend is around the corner, stay 5 nights and receive special pricing for our valued guests. Special offer for the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bachelor Gulch. Rates to low to publish so please call us to discuss details, 888-617-3687. Open to all Vail and Beaver Creek condos and homes. Book now to ensure availability and be sure to ask about our list of Concierge Services to meet your vacation rental needs. See you on the slopes this winter!

11A Castlepeak  
Arrowhead, Colorado

Looking for that perfect ski home?  Look no further.  Wet bar, 2 fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, community pool & hot tub access. 

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4.5
Sleeps: 10

33 Holden Place
Beaver Creek, Colorado

Experience views of the grandiose mountains through floor to ceiling windows & sheer grandeur you have to see to believe.

Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 5.5
Sleeps: 12

27 Golf Terrace
Vail, Colorado

Spacious in a great location- newly remodeled end unit. Large windows, sky lights & open floor plan. Comes with guest access to Vail Cascade Club & Spa.

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.5
Sleeps: 10

Courtesy of Frederick Peters, President of Warburg Realty

Last week I wrote about the advantages of living in a co-op. This week I want to say more about the process of becoming a co-op owner. Buyers at every financial level feel trepidation about assembling a strong, coherent Board package which they must submit to the building’s Board of Directors for approval, and in my opinion many agents do not give enough guidance. So below I have put together a number of tips for making sure your Board package, whatever the specifics, is clear, concise, and doesn’t leave you tearing your hair out:

· Figure out up front if you really want to live in a co-op. Co-ops require FULL financial disclosure, a number of reference letters, and a willingness to adhere to the Board’s rules about renovation, carpeting etc. If this isn’t for you, buy a condo or a townhouse!

· Once you find the co-op of your dreams, make sure your attorney alters your purchase contract to give you at least 15 business days, not 10 as in the standard printed form, to prepare your Board submission. Two weeks is not an adequate amount of time to prepare a good package.

· Remember that the package is your calling card; it is introducing you and your family (if you have one) to a group of strangers. Try to make it as informative as possible.

· Most buildings are looking for at least four social letters of reference. Use those letters to let your friends really give some information about who you are and what you care about. What leisure activities do you enjoy? What sort of family background do you have? What are your philanthropic pursuits? If you have kids, what are they like? The more diverse information the social letters provide, the better. And the best letters come from other co-op dwellers, ideally members of their own Boards of Directors, ideally in the neighborhood of the property you are buying. Always get more letters than you need. At least one of them is bound to be only two sentences long and therefore not of much use.

· The business letters, of which two are usually requested, should be similar: as much career history as possible, combined with the traits which make you a successful and outstanding exemplar of the work you do.

· The most complex part of the Board package is always the financial statement. Most buyers do not keep a running tally of all their assets and liabilities, so assembling them all can be daunting. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Pick an “as of” date. All of your financial information will be compiled as of that date – it should usually be the end of the most recent month (so you can get back up bank and brokerage statements).

2. Begin to compile ALL your liquid assets and liabilities as of your chosen date. Make sure that EVERY number you enter onto the financial statement has a bank or brokerage statement to back it up. The numbers on the bank or brokerage statement must match EXACTLY the numbers you place on the financial statement.

3. Stock options or Restricted Stock Units MUST be vested to be counted.

4. All real estate assets should include either a broker’s letter or an appraisal confirming value.

5. Personal property, such as art, jewelry, or furniture, should be confirmed by insurance binders declaring the insured value.

These pointers, and a knowledgeable real estate agent, should have you well on your way to creating a seamless Board presentation. Every buyer is different, and creating your Board package is an opportunity to tell your story in the most flattering possible light!

E3Escapes was featured on PRnewswire.com this week:

“Rusty Wallace, legendary NASCAR driver, ABC/ESPN commentator, sports analyst and E3Escapes owner would like to personally invite the next owner and up to four (4) of their closest family and/or friends for a complementary, "once in a lifetime experience" to spend the day racing with him in "The Blue Deuce" Advanced Racing Experience at the Auto Club Speedway in California.

Prescott, AZ (Vocus/PRWEB) (January 25, 2011)– E3Escapes, the world's first 3-dimensional shared vacation home ownership concept, announced famed NASCAR Champion Rusty Wallace, an E3Escapes Quartershare owner, wants to challenge you to "Race with Rusty", as the next owner of E3Escapes' ultra-luxury fractional ownership program in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Wallace, who spends a large portion of each year on the road as an ABC/ESPN commentator and sports analyst, said the E3Escapes ownership concept is perfect for those seeking the perks of a world-class ownership opportunity in Mexico without the price tag and commitment of owning the property outright. He was also instrumental in creating the current Quartershare model to provide his family and business the time they need, along with the ability to (1) select their planned vacation weeks in advance, (2) rent their designated time as desired and (3) use all their remaining time on a "first-come, first-serve" Space Available basis, at a fraction of the cost of whole vacation home ownership. Unlike traditional fractional and Private Residence Club (PRC) Use Plans, this shared ownership program provides owners the ultimate in value and flexibility.”

To read this PRnewswire.com news release in its entirety, click here:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/e3escapes/rusty-wallace/prweb8083537.htm

Courtesy of Stephen Udoff of Pritchett-Rapf & Associates

Jack Pritchett and Jim Rapf of Prichett-Rapf & Associates in Malibu, California are proud to represent Malibu's Newest Luxury Community Development.

The showcase "MariSol Estate," masterfully designed by Barry Berkus, A.I.A., recognized for decades as one of the Country's most influential and innovative residential architects, sets the benchmark of design excellence for the entire community.Located on a spectacularly landscaped one-acre oceanfront estate site in the middle of MariSol's private bluff with 360° pristine white water, island and mountain views, it is an extraordinary example of Malibu living.

Incorporating Berkus' dramatic and contemporary design aesthetic as well as his penchant for sustainable design principles and materials, the estate presents an exceptionally healthy and eco-friendly living environment. With nearly 10,000 square feet of single story indoor-outdoor living space, the home features a 60-foot-wide great room with 14-foot-high ceilings, a fully equipped wet bar, twin master bedrooms with towering oak ceilings and views of surfers right below, two spacious other bedrooms with mountain views, a state-of-the-art theater, open chef's kitchen, a breakfast room, a refrigerated wine cellar, a gym, an office and beautifully landscaped grounds with an infinity-edge lap pool, 3 patios, a state of the art barbeque and outdoor dining pavilion, an ironwood deck on a 4,000 square foot bluff top "beach," a water wall of rock quarried from the site set in a magical fern and oak garden and a driveway of cobblestone hand hewn from native rock and parking on site for 10 cars (3 garaged).

 All electronics are centrally controlled by a Crestron smart system; 10 video cameras (including an HD rooftop controllable zoom camera directed at the point break) and other systems provide optimum security; window coverings are electronically controlled Lutron black out and sunshades.

Interiors were superbly designed by William Heffner, AIA, whose revered sense of style is repeated in the elegant designer furnishings and the exotic finishes from Beverly Hills' finest proprietors. In every exceptional detail, from its rare Brazilian slate roof tiles and exquisite French limestone floors and rift-sawn oak ceilings and floors, to the impeccably designed landscaping, the MariSol Estate is an entertainer's delight.

The MariSol Showcase Estate is priced at $17 million.

Courtesy of Joe Averett of Summit Sotheby's International Realty

The Film Industry has taken over Park City! Once again the Sundance Film Festival descends upon our cozy little ski town with films, fashion and food. The 2011 festival has proven to be a smashing success and Summit Sotheby’s is right there in the mix of things. With the support of 4 of our agents; Paul Benson, Shane Herbert, Karen Keating and Team Schlopy, Summit Sotheby’s has become the presenting sponsor of the wildly popular Chefdance. An event lasting 5 nights, hosted under the most historic night club in Utah, Harry O’s. This party draws people from all parts of the industry and features famous chef’s and their cuisine from all over the world. Chefdance has gotten huge publicity this year as “the party” of Sundance welcoming celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, James Franco, Shawn White, Andie MacDowell, Julia Orman, Slash, Parker Posey and Rob Lowe. Summit Sotheby’s International Realty is honored to be a part of this amazing event.

Courtesy of Marci Tyldesley of Jack Cotton of Sotheby's International Realty

Osterville, Mass (January 25, 2011) – Jack Cotton, a Luxury Real Estate Agent with over 35 years of experience selling high-end properties on Cape Cod, has released his third in a series of recent books about the real estate industry. 12 Secrets Luxury Home Sellers Know That You Can Use Today shares twelve strategies that anyone can apply when selling a home at any price point. This book is a companion to his recently released 12 Secrets Luxury Home Buyers Know That You Can Use Today.

Through his decades of working with buyers and sellers of luxury real estate, Cotton has uncovered what he calls the “best practices” of selling a property. Cotton believes that by applying the strategies he sees wealthy sellers routinely apply, an individual will be equipped to sell their home in the shortest time, for the highest price and with the least aggravation.

His tips cover the entire selling process -- from asking the right questions and finding the right agent, to understanding how to market a home, to final negotiations. While Cotton’s clients are often selling million dollar-plus homes, Cotton says that the tactics they employ are universal and just as applicable to someone selling a home in any price range.

The 96-page paperback book includes 12 chapters, each devoted to a different broad “secret” including:

· The finance principle that Einstein said should be the eighth wonder of the world.

· Questions to ask a real estate agent to make sure you hire the right one, including the one question that no one ever asks.

· How to use the three most effective negotiation strategies of luxury home sellers.

“In today’s challenging real estate market, sellers need to take advantage of every competitive edge,” said Cotton. “This book presents tried and true strategies that have stood the test of time. Many of the secrets are just good old fashioned common sense, but the book presents them in a practical reference for anyone who wants to sell their home.”

Twelve Secrets Luxury Home Sellers Know That You Can Use Today is available through JackCotton.com for $19.95. Cotton will also be speaking and signing books at events throughout the country over the next year. For more information on the book or speaking engagements, visit www.jackcotton.com or www.12luxurysecrets.com, follow him on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Jack-Cotton/1390278959) or Twitter (@jackcotton), or email jack@jackcotton.com.

Cotton, CRS, CRB, has one of the most successful luxury real estate track records in the country. As one of the leading experts in the field, he frequently speaks at real estate conferences nationwide and is a “go to” source for media reporting on the industry. This is Cotton’s fourth book. His first, A Dog’s Guide to Life: Lessons from “Moose”, was published in 2006. In October of 2010, he launched Selling Luxury Homes, a definitive resource for real estate agents. In November of 2010, he published Twelve Secrets Luxury Home Sellers Know That You Can Use Today. He works and lives in beautiful Osterville, Massachusetts (Cape Cod).

Courtesy of Luxury Homes by VAPF

According to the well-known ‘A Place in the Sun’ magazine, Spain has once again come top as the favourite British destination for buying a holiday home, ahead of neighbouring France, Portugal, Italy, Florida, Turkey and other Mediterranean locations.

The results of the study carried out by the British publication, specialized in overseas properties, situate the Spanish coast as the most popular location for second homes, having carried out a worldwide research on the standards of living and the property options available in each country. Hundreds of the magazine’s readers and visitors to the exhibitions they organize have pointed out their reasons for purchasing their dream hideaway home in Spain and the survey also reveals the costs involved in buying and owning a house in this sunny country. The result is that Spain tops the chart of the best places to buy abroad in 2011, with all the right ingredients: a great transport network that makes travelling to and from Spain extremely easy, an extensive cultural offer, well-established infrastructure and, of course, the fundamentals, sun, sea and siesta!

France comes on the list as a close second, followed by the other European countries of Portugal and Italy. Florida has dropped to 5^th position from 2010’s second place, then its back to the European continent to Turkey, in 6^th place, Greece, in 7^th, and the Mediterranean island of Cyprus in 8^th position. Finally, the 9^th and 10^th places are taken by two new entries, Malta (which officially is the most crowded country in Europe) and Egypt, with countless new developments bordering the Red Sea.

Don’t miss out on the trend of owning a luxury seaside villa in Spain and take a look at the kind of properties that you can enjoy in 2011’s ideal destination by logging on to the Luxury Homes by VAPF website, www.luxuryhomesinspain.com.

Courtesy of Robert Kenyon of Willis Allen Real Estate

Although not great, certainly not painless and unlikely to improve dramatically, the path to closing on a property in a short sale has made strides and those sales are likely to lead the market in 2011. With short sale negotiators putting out their shingles in droves, it behooves those who are considering a sale or for those in position to buy to carefully study the options before making their choice regarding who will represent them during the process. Recently some banks have transitioned to an automatic, computer driven process, where-in no longer can one call to discuss where the file might be in the stack of things. E-mail transmissions become the source of information and they are curt and to the point. Either the sale is moving forward or it is not. The best short sale negotiators have a banking background, knowing who to call, even circumventing the computer-driven process and as importantly, knowing how and when to push, manage the deal and bring the process into a successful closing. Nearly to a person, Realtors who work with short sales will confirm that having the right short sale negotiator not only relieves them of the headaches involved with the process, but also adds great promise to the possibility that the deal will ultimately make its way through escrow with success.

Visiti My Blog.

Visit My Profile.