Blog contributions are provided exclusively from Luxury Real Estate members throughout the world.
Courtesy of Eric Billingsley of Rodeo Realty
This gated and private East Coast traditional view estate is located in the star-studded Crest Streets of Beverly Hills. Not surprisingly, a long list of celebrities formerly owned the property, including: Christine McVie of the rock band Fleetwood Mac, Joan Collins, and Elton John.
The estate is on more than ¾ acres of lush, park-like grounds. A large motor court entry leads to a majestic home that features flagstone exterior and slate roof. Interiors have wood floors and wonderful spaces for entertaining. The living room features a marble fireplace and French doors that lead to a covered patio overlooking the landscaped grounds and city, mountain and ocean views.
The formal dining room also features French doors that open to a fragrant rose garden. The centerpiece of the home is a gourmet kitchen with center island, breakfast area, pine cabinets, exposed beam ceiling and top of the line commercial stainless steel appliances. An adjacent family/media room with oversized fireplace and built-in bookcase plus separate den/office with fireplace are also featured.
The master suite offers city and ocean views, an oversized fireplace and master bath with dual sinks, spa tub and steam shower with ocean view. Three additional bedroom suites complete the interiors. The lush grounds include several flat grassy areas, a swimmers pool, sun deck and pond with shady gazebo.
Joe Babajian of Rodeo Realty and Judy Cycon of Prudential California Realty are co-listing the property. The price is $7.45 million. For more information visit: www.lloydcrestestate.com.
Courtesy of Gwen Inzer of Choi International
Now more than ever, it's time to recognize those outstanding sales professionals who, through determination and hard work, achieved incredible results in 2009.
The Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends, Inc. are pleased to announce the 2010 Top 400 Real Estate Professionals.
Patricia Choi of Choi International has been ranked #35 in the Top 100 Agents by Sales Volume category with $70,082,950.
During the 27+ years that she has been involved in real estate sales, Patricia has distinguished herself as a leader in regional, national and international real estate organizations. Locally, she was the first recipient of the Aloha 'Aina Real Estate Award as the Realtor's Choice in 1998 for her service to the industry and clients, her professional and ethical conduct, her cooperative business approaches and extraordinary service to all in transactions. She was appointed by the Governor in 1999 to the Real Estate Commission of the State of Hawaii, to which she devoted part of her time as a public service until 2003.
For more information on Patricia Choi please click here
The final rankings were published this morning in The Wall Street Journal Online. Click here for more details
Courtesy of Meghan Barry of Luxuryrealestate.com
I recently received an email from Luxury Real Estate member, Elizabeth Ann Kivlan, Executive Vice President and Director of Sales for Stribling & Associates, Ltd. in New York City. She will be attending our upcoming Fall Conference in Seattle and she asked me for some advice on the best restaurants in Seattle. Here is a list I put together of some of my favorite places.
All Time Favorites
Herbfarm Restaurant (Woodinville) – the ultimate fresh and local destination restaurant, 9 course meals and wine pairings, you never feel stuffed, a total experience, near wineries/breweries for an excursion
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese (Pike Place Market) – if you have every wanted to see cheese made this is your opportunity, best Mac & Cheese ever
Matt's in the Market (Pike Place Market) – Seafood, always have a good chowder on the menu, lively atmosphere, probably my favorite place in the Market
Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream (Capital Hill and other locations) – Salted caramel, Lavender, Balsamic Strawberry, artisan flavors and all the best old standbys, lines out the door
Via Tribunali (Capital Hill and other locations) – Pizza, ingredients flown in from Italy, lively yet brooding atmosphere
Le Pichet (Pike Place Market) - French, simple classic good menu, café vibe
Serious Pie (Downtown) – one of many from Tom Douglas, Pizza, cool combinations of fresh local ingredients, pub-like setting
Campagne (Pike Place Market) – French, have a café below and a restaurant above, both are elegant, I kind of like the café atmosphere better
Salumi (Downtown) – cured meats, Mario Batali family, awesome
Volterra (Ballard) – Italian, neat neighborhood with commercial fishing (just like on that Deadliest Catch show) and fun/upscale boutiques
Steelhead Diner (Pike Place Market) – hearty NW food, cool diner atmosphere
Top Pot Doughnuts (Belltown and other locations) – best doughnuts in Seattle, hand forged
Macrina Bakery (Belltown and other locations) – all kinds of yummy snacky snacks, sandwiches, salads, breakfast
Canlis (Queen Anne) – elegant, great views, a dinner experience
Le Panier (Pike Place Market) - Authentic french bakery, amazing aromas, in pike place market!
Other Favorites
Wild Ginger (Downtown) – Asian, fun atmosphere, neat bar
Red Mill Burgers (several locations) – best burgers in Seattle
Pink Door (Pike Place Market) - Italian-American cuisine, great outdoor seating on the deck, views of Puget Sound
Ezell's Fried Chicken (Central District) – spartan atmosphere, but great food, Oprah’s favorite
Chez Shea (Pike Place Market) – simple and elegant French, great views
Shuckers (Downtown) – a power lunch kind of place, great seafood
Dahlia Lounge (Downtown) – Tom Douglas, a dinner kind of place, International, Seafood
Lola (Downtown) – Tom Douglas, amazing breakfasts, more casual, Greek
Paseo (Fremont) - Caribbean, best jerk chicken sandwich, a little road-side lunch spot
03
Luxuryrealestate.com members featured in REALTOR Magazine top 100 real estate companies for 2010
LuxuryRealEstate.com members have been honored by REALTOR Magazine in the list of Top 100 Real Estate Companies for 2009. These rankings are calibrated by sales, with respect to the sides of the transaction held and the total sales volume for the year. See the list here: http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/files/2010Top100.pdf/$FILE/2010Top100.pdf
LuxuryRealEstate.com members mentioned include:
2009 Transactions Sides Long & Foster, Ebby Halliday, REALTORS/Ellen Terry, REALTORS/Dave, Perry-Miller & Associates, Baird & Warner, West USA Realty Inc., Williams Raveis Real Estate Inc, Prudential Americana Group, REALTORS, Prudential California Realty/Prudential Nevada Realty, Alain Pinel, REALTORS, Houlihan Lawrence Inc., Intero Real Estate Services Inc., Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Masiello Group 2009 Sales Volume Long & Foster, Alain Pinel, REALTORS, Williams Raveis Real Estate Inc., Ebby Halliday, REALTORS/Ellen Terry, REALTORS/Dave Perry-Miller & Associates Baird & Warner, Intero Real Estate Services Inc., Prudential California Realty/Prudential Nevada Realty, West USA Realty, Houlihan Lawrence Inc Pacific Union Real Estate and Morgan Lane Marin, Prudential Americana Group, REALTORS, Prudential Georgia Realty, Keller Williams Beverly Hills/, Hammond Residential GMAC Real Estate, Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, Better Homes and Gardnes Rand Realty, The Keyes Co., McEnearney Associates Inc., Michael Saunders and Co., John R Wood, REALTORS, The Kentwood Co., Gloria Nilson GMAC Real Estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Masiello Group
Also mentioned in the #1 and #2 spots on each ranking were NRT LLC and HomeServices of America Inc.; several of the real estate firms under these brands are also members of LuxuryRealEstate.com.
NAPLES, FL, July 28 – REALTOR Magazine, in its annual report of the nation’s top 100 companies, today announced that John R. Wood Realtors ranked 14th in closed sales per agent. Compiled for the year 2009, the report gave the company an overall ranking of 89th in the nation with $942 million in sales, regardless of company size, number of agents, or geographic location.
“And that number is only for closed sales,” noted Phil Wood, president. “When we include those sales not yet closed at year end, our 2009 total was $1.1 billion, just shy of a three percent increase over last year.” (see Fact Sheet)
Wood cited their award-winning sales and administrative staff for the firm’s “excellent performance in a tough market,” but also credited the company’s ongoing enhancements to its numerous websites and its presence on social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube.
“Buyers need to be able to search all properties, see all open houses, and set up automatic notifications when a hot property comes on the market.”
Founded in 1957, John R. Wood Realtors is Southwest Florida’s oldest real estate firm. The company represents over 2,000 clients annually through its 250 agents and its 100 staff in eight offices, which allow them to serve the areas from Marco Island to Sanibel/Captiva. In addition, the company’s Research Department delivers current market statistics, analysis and projections through its monthly statistical reports to interested parties throughout the nation. Reports are public and are available on request by Emailing customer service at jrw@JohnRWood.com.
JOHN R. WOOD REALTORS FACT SHEET
FOUNDED: 1958 in Naples, FL by John R. Wood
SALES: $1.103 billion (2009)
$1.074 billion (2008)
$1.25 billion (2007)
$1.2 billion (2006)
$ 2.67 billion (2005)
$ 1.8 billion (2004)
$ 1.035 billion (2003)
EMPLOYEES: Total: 250 Sales Associates; 100 Administrative Staff
PERFORMANCE: $2.67 billion (2005) or nearly $9.9 million per agent (270 agents in 2005), almost nine times the national average of $1.12 million. This ranked John R. Wood agents as #1 in North America in sales per agent for 2005.
For 2009, the company achieved its seventh of $1+ billion in sales, ranking 14th in sales per agent in the nation while achieving an overall ranking of 89th with $942 million in closed sales.
OFFICES: John R. Wood Realtors has six offices in southwest Florida serving over __ clients per year from Sanibel/Captiva to Marco Island. Its Administrative Center is located at the corner of Goodlette Road and Immokalee Road in Naples.
SERVICES/
AFFILIATIONS: Comprehensive Residential and Commercial Real Estate Services, marketing through closing.
Affiliation with Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate – a worldwide group of luxury brokers, allowing JRW to attract luxury buyers worldwide.
Exclusive southwest Florida member of Leading Estates, an international network of brokers specializing in luxury properties throughout the U.S.
Realty Alliance – 61 of the largest brokers in the nation. Almost all of the Realty Alliance companies, including JRW, have annual sales in excess of $1 billion.
Member, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (formerly RELO) – world’s largest independent referral network with 5,000 offices, 145,000 agents, and annual sales over $400 billion.
Affiliated with Element Funding, a regional mortgage company with access to hundreds of lenders throughout the nation.
Apprenticeship Program: A John R. Wood exclusive designed to assist new sales agents with ongoing training and mentoring by one of the company’s veteran agents.
Publisher, Estate Lifestyles of SW Florida, a quarterly magazine aimed at the million dollar plus market, with appropriate feature stories and properties.
Publisher, HomeLook - a monthly tabloid , featuring news and trends in the Southwest Florida real estate market.
SALES AGENT
REQUIREMENTS: To become a realtor with John R. Wood, an person must demonstrate a track record of success in residential sales or score well in aptitude tests. This helps maintain a veteran sales force that is particularly experienced in the legal, valuation, and negotiation aspects of the real estate business. On occasion, an experienced person moving to southwest Florida from another state, or even a novice who appears to have outstanding potential, may be offered a sales position. John R. Wood Realtors has a two person training department that works extensively with candidates to help them achieve the same level of knowledge as their veteran colleagues.
COMMITMENT: Realtors from the Wood firm are actively involved in their communities, working for and financially supporting over 75 charities, youth programs, and community organizations throughout the southwest Florida area.
DISTINCTION: Service: One of the oldest residential real estate firms in southwest Florida, John R. Wood Realtors consistently earns a customer satisfaction index of 99 percent, among the highest in the industry nationwide.
Marketing Innovation: John R. Wood Realtors is responsible for numerous innovations in the marketing and sale of southwest Florida properties, including its ownership of dozens of websites, e.g., PortRoyal.net, to promote upscale Naples area properties over the Internet – in addition to its primary company website. They also have specialized web sites, such as one designed to help purchasers locate the ten best values in a given neighborhood on in the entire market, based on price per square foot, www.10MostWanted.com .
In 1982, the company was among the first brokerages in the nation to recognize the strategic value of market specialization, as they focused on the luxury market, using the famous marketing book Positioning, The Battle for your Mind as a guide and role model.
While some companies have property catalogs, the Wood firm took the concept to a whole new level, publishing a full scale magazine devoted to the luxury market. Estate Lifestyles of SW Florida is the only publication of its type in the area and perhaps in the entire U.S.
Technology Innovation: The Wood firm remains on the cutting edge of real estate technology with its IT team focused on training and support as it also explores numerous efficiency methods to make the purchase and sale processes most efficient and effective.
An example is the company telephone system which allows a seamless call transfer environment. For instance, a receptionist at any John R. Wood office can transfer a call to another office, a home, or a cell phone, as if they were using the intercom to send the call to someone sitting 50 feet away in the same building.
The company is in the process of implementing new on-line community software, internal and accessible only for John R. Wood personnel. The new software (from Telligent) will allow agents and staff to share a variety of information, have on-line forum discussions, and help increase professionalism via education and resource consolidation on the system.
The company is already one of the few in the area to offer on-line training for the agents, accessible for them to view at any hour of the night or day.
Leadership: John R. Wood Realtors urges its management and staff to become involved in their community as well as in Realtor leadership organizations with its personnel serving in key leadership positions such as President of the National Association of Realtors, President of the Florida Association of Realtors, President of the local Boards of Realtors, and President of the Women’s Council of Realtors.
SOURCES: National Association of Realtors: www.nar.realtor.com\research
United States Census Bureau: www.census.gov/acsd/www/sub_h.htm
WEBSITE: www.JohnRWood.com
Nestled between Midtown Manhattan and the East River is the upscale enclave of Turtle Bay, home to the United Nations, soaring high-rise buildings and handsome brownstones.
First settled in 1639, the area was an important point of shipbuilding through the 18th century. Brownstones popped up after the Civil War, and the bay, home to railroad piers and wharfs, was filled in and developed by the end of the 1860s, according to the Turtle Bay Association.
For full article please click here
29
Patricia Choi to Receive Luxury Real Estate Lifetime Achievement Award at Fall Conference in Seattle
Posted by Courtney Jackson Mon, 26 Jul 2010
We are honored to announce that the Fall 2010 Luxury Real Estate Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Patricia Choi of Choi International in Honolulu , Hawaii .
This prestigious award is given twice annually to the Luxury Real Estate member who has set an example for the real estate industry, displayed excellence throughout their career and is truly a legend.
Patricia Choi was born in Birmingham, Alabama and moved to Hawaii in 1975 to be an estate, tax and real estate paralegal with the law firm of Torkildson, Katz, Conahan & Loden. There she met her husband, Cedric Choi, who was an associate attorney and licensed real estate agent. In 1981 she started her "boutique" real estate firm, specializing in luxury real estate and commercial properties. During the 32 years that she has been involved in real estate sales, Patricia has achieved over One Billion in sales and has distinguished herself as a leader in regional, national and international real estate organizations.
Locally, she was the first recipient of the Aloha 'Aina Real Estate Award as the Realtor's Choice in 1998 for her service to the industry and clients, her professional and ethical conduct, her cooperative business approaches and extraordinary service to all in transactions. She was appointed by the Governor in 1999 to the Real Estate Commission of the State of Hawaii, to which she devoted part of her time as a public service until 2003. Patricia is also very active as a director and volunteer fund raiser for various charitable institutions such as the Kapiolani Hospital for Women & Children’s capital campaign committee and the Washington Place Foundation for the restoration of the Governor's mansion. Patricia has achieved the coveted designation of CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), held by less than 10,000 of the 1,118,000 realtors in the nation and the international real estate designation of CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist). She has served on the National Association of Realtors International Operations Committee and received an award as the Outstanding International Reciprocal Director to Korea for 2000. Her outstanding performance as a luxury broker has led to her selection as a Board of Regents member for LuxuryRealEstate.com, an exclusive organization of over 800 of the world’s top brokers. In 2006, Patricia was nominated by her peers to be a member of the Board of Regents Executive Committee, which serves as a council and advocate for other Regents members and works to promote as well as expand the Regents program. Pat is also a member of the LuxuryRealEstate.com Billionaire’s Club, in recognition for her outstanding sales achievements. Additionally, Patricia is proud to be a founding member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, a member of LuxuryPortfolio.com and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. With over $200,000,000 in sales in 2005, Patricia was ranked #3 of the Top 200 Brokers in the U.S. and recognized as one of the 35 Most Influential People in Luxury Real Estate. Hawaii Business Magazine's prestigious list of "Who's Who in Hawaii Real Estate" recognized Patricia for three successive years as the #1 Realtor in the State of Hawaii, and recently honored her as Oahu’s #1 Realtor for 2009. Patricia has also been honored as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Women in Real Estate" for 2008 by renown real estate trends expert and best selling author Stefan Swanepoel. Patricia has been the leader in luxury residential sales in Honolulu by dollar volume for the years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and into 2010.
For more information on Choi Realty, please visit www.choi-realty.com. For more information on the 15th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference, visit http://www.luxuryrealestate.com/lounge/events.
Courtesy of Ole Jespersen of IRG International Realty Group
IRG International Realty Group, exclusively represented The World, the only private community at sea. IRG International Realty Group was appointed as the exclusive agent in Portugal to represent The World. The World is the only residential community at sea, arrived on July 5th in Portimão and July 7th in Lisbon, after docking in Spanish ports, Marbella and Cadiz. This ship allows its residents and guests to travel the world without leaving the comforts of a private home. There is an average of 150 adventurous and like-minded explores onboard at onece, travelling to intriguing destinations all over the globe.
This remarkable, 12-deck, 200 meter-long floating home offers an elegant and intimate travel lifestyle with impeccable service and amenities that deliver a personalized and bespoke experience. Discerning travellers can travel in one of the 165 private residences aboard The World or elect to own one of the select homes available for resale. Approaching its eighth year of successful sailing, The World looks ahead at innovative developments in the horizon. In late April 2007, the ship underwent multi-million dollar refurbishments, resulting in new soft goods in public areas including the Lobby/ Plaza area, several of the onboard restaurants and the full-size tennis court as well as the debut of The World Spa by Banyan Tree on the vessel. The World´s Residents are deeply invested in the upkeep of their onboard homes. The private homes onboard the vessel undergo ongoing modifications and enhancements such as wine storage rooms, new technology and other personal touches that ensure Residents feel at home while onboard. In its eight years at sea The World has attended the America´s Cup Races in Auckland, the Louis Vuitton Challenger in Valencia, Carnaval in Rio, the Monaco Grand Prix and the British Open. Due to ots worldwide itinerary, the vessel is able to span the globe every two-to-three years. For more information about the residential sales please contact IRG International Realty Group at the Lisbon Head Office: +351 210 305 022 or info@irgportugal.com
Courtesy of Frederick Peters of Warburg Realty
Here's the update from me and my agents:
- Mint condition is hot. “Needs everything” is not, unless the price REALLY reflects that reality.
- 1 and 2 Bedroom new condos are hot if they are priced at around $1000 per foot or less. if they are much higher, and not at 15 CPW, they are not.
- Prewar apartments and lofts are hot. There are just not very many on the market, and they are still the gold standard for many people. On the Upper East and West Sides buyers are waiting for them.
- Second Avenue is not. That subway will be great some day, but it is making a big mess!
- Classic 6’s for under $2 million are hot. Anything for $25 million is not.
- Priced right is hot. Overpriced is not.
- Rentals are hot (much hotter than they were a year ago.) So no fee apartments are not (they’re gone!)
- New York is literally and figuratively hot. The suburbs are not.
- Smart, educated, analytical brokers are hot. Brokers who don’t really know the maintenance or the Board requirements or the pet policy or how to read the financial statement are NOT.
Here’s our advice: try to stay cool. And use this list to pursue what’s hot!
You can read more on www.warburgrealty.com/blog
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