Luxury Real Estate

At an annual awards dinner, the Greater Boston Assoc. of Realtors' (GBAR) honored several Boston-area Realtors for their service in the industry.

John Ranco, a broker for Hammond Residential Real Estate in Boston's Back Bay was named the GBAR 2010 Realtor of the Year.

Ranco has been a member of GBAR for the past decade, according to a statement. The award honors members for their volunteerism and industry work over the past 18 months in three specific areas: participation and service to the Realtor organization on the local, state and national levels; community involvement, including volunteerism in community service projects and membership and support of civic and charitable organizations; and outstanding business and real estate industry accomplishments.

"Over the past decade, John has distinguished himself as one of the most knowledgeable, fair and hard-working members of our association and has led by example in connecting Realtors with the communities they serve," said John Dulczewski, GBAR executive director.

Ranco is the immediate past president of GBAR. Currently, he is the chairman of the nominating committee and sits on the board of directors for GBAR, the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB), and the Massachusetts Assoc. of Realtors, according to a statement.

Laurie Cadigan, broker and owner of Barrett and Co. in Concord, was presented with the Andrew F. Hickey distinguished service award.

The Andrew F. Hickey distinguished service award is presented annually to one local Realtor for his or her lengthy and dedicated service to GBAR and the GBREB, according to a statement.

"Laurie is a natural-born leader who has enthusiastically supported the mission and goals of the Realtor organization and Greater Boston Real Estate Board for more than a dozen years," said GBAR Executive Director John Dulczewski. "She has earned the respect of her peers for her honesty, optimism and activist nature, as well a unique ability to build consensus on association governance matters and industry issues of political sensitivity."

Cadigan became a member of GBAR more than 20 years ago. She is a former two term president of GBAR and previously served as clerk of GBREB in 2008, according to a statement.

Bill Dermody, sales manager for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage on Chapel St. in Needham, has won the GBAR 2010 good neighbor award.

The good neighbor award is modeled closely after that given by the National Assoc. of Realtors and recognizes real estate professionals for their community activism, according to a statement. Recipients of the award have made an extraordinary commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities through volunteer work.

"It was a great honor just to be nominated as Realtor of the Year," said Dermody. "I never expected to receive another award. It was like the icing on the cake. I was in total shock and disbelief."

Dermody has been a GBAR member since 1995 and is a long time member of the Needham Exchange Club, according to a statement. He has volunteered hundreds of hours of his personal time to work on local civic projects and community groups.

Nik Ligris of Ligris + Assoc. in Brookline, was awarded with the first ever GBAR affiliate member of the year award.

The affiliate member of the year award was created to acknowledge the involvement of industry product and service providers for their active participation in GBAR programs and activities, and for their general support of the association, its mission and the Realtor membership, according to a statement.

Ligris has been a consistent presence at GBAR events since 2008. He serves as a member of the GBAR business development committee and has made a sincere effort to engage with GBAR members and to promote the value of affiliate memberships to other industry vendors, according to a statement.

Bruce Klemer, manager of the Century 21 Commonwealth office in Framingham, was presented with the first ever Realtor spirit award.

The Realtor spirit award was created to acknowledge individuals who make a difference in the lives of their colleagues, clients and customers, according to a statement. They have strong professional ethics, a cooperative spirit and a willingness to share personal knowledge, industry experience and personal time to help others succeed in their careers.

"I have always felt that Realtors should try to give back to their community and the organizations that help further their careers," said Klemer. "I feel that GBAR has always helped me and I'm glad to be a part of the work they do. Being part of a professional organization and always striving to improve and help others is what it is all about for me."

Klemer has been a member of GBAR since 1985, according to a statement. He is the current chairman of the GBAR professional standards committee, and held this title in 1997 and 2009 as well.

New York City’s luxury real estate leader Jacky Teplitzky of Prudential Douglas Elliman was recently featured on Univision.com discussing the residences of the rich and famous. The Univision website receives over 460,000 visits per day, US and globally (source: Quantcast.com).

To view the full story click here.

Courtesy of John Butzko of Michael Saunders & Company

Beyond the crystalline waters, world-class beaches and swaying palm trees lies a rarely discovered world involving historical significance, cultural importance and natural exploration. It is among these unique charms that one truly discovers what our area is all about, and why those of us who live here are fortunate to call this slice of paradise home.

Walk above the trees at the Myakka Canopy. Photo courtesy of 511enews.com.

Here are the top 10 fun facts and places off the beaten path here in the Sarasota area:

1. Burns Court – Nestled away in downtown Sarasota, in the middle of historic Burns Square, is a small raspberry-colored theater that many people consider a landmark of the surrounding area. After opening its doors in 1993, Burns Court Cinemas has continually proven to be the best place around to find first-run, hand-picked foreign language, independent, and art films. Fun fact: Money Magazine has called Sarasota the best small city in the U.S., and has named Burns Court one of the best places to live in Sarasota. Click HERE to see what’s playing today.

2. Myakka Canopy – One of only about a dozen worldwide where you can walk along the treetops, the Myakka Canopy Walkway puts you 25 feet above the ground and extends 85 feet through the tree tops above the Myakka floor. Fun fact: Completed in June of 2000, it is the only one in the world in a subtropical forest. Click HERE for more information.

3. Paul Rudolph Houses - Take a rare look into one of Florida’s most influential architects and view the early residential works of Paul Rudolph, which were widely published at the time of conception and played a significant role in the culture of mid-twentieth century American design. Fun fact: Rudolph’s Sarasota time is now part of the period labeled Sarasota Modern in his career. Learn where to find them HERE.

4. Blackburn Point Park – Enjoy one of the best bay views in the county here on Little Sarasota Bay, offering some of the finest shallow water fishing in the area (a bait shop is located nearby). This is also a good spot for bird and manatee watching. The park provides canoe/kayak launch points for the South Creek Paddle Trail and Neville Marine Preserve Trail. Be sure to check out the historic one lane swing bridge. Fun fact: The original Blackburn Point Park on the north side of the road is primarily spoil from ICW dredging in the 1960s. Learn more HERE.

5. Sharks’ Teeth – Discover exactly why Venice is considered the Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World at the beautiful, quiet Caspersen Beach. Easily one of the most enjoyable shelling beaches in the area and an exceptionally good place to find prehistoric sharks’ teeth Caspersen also features a serene nature trail through a coastal hammock. The southern two thirds of beachfront were left in its natural state and offer a more secluded experience. Fun fact: The property was originally deeded to Sarasota County by the Caspersen family in 1968, with a stipulation that the land would revert back to the family in 20 years.

6. Historic Spanish Point – Travel back in time by exploring this fascinating 30-acre historical, archaeological and environmental museum on Little Sarasota Bay. Experience prehistory inside A Window to the Past, an archaeology exhibit where you step inside a 15-foot-high shell midden – created by prehistoric people as they discarded shells, animal bones and other refuse. Historic Spanish Point is a significant environmental site, and the museum has worked diligently to remove invasive exotics and restore native habitats. Fun fact: In 1976 Historic Spanish Point became the first site in Sarasota County to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more HERE.

7. Indian Mound Park – Enjoy the scenic view of Lemon Bay and meandering nature trails through Indian Mound Park, where the property show off Florida’s native flora and fauna, as well as views of a prehistoric Indian mound site dating back to 1000 B.C. For kayakers, an easy paddle to the south takes you through mangrove islands that offer wonderful bird viewing. Enjoy other activities such as boating, birding, fishing and walking. Fun fact: Indian Mound Park, also known as the Paulsen Point Site, was first recorded as an archaeological site in 1953 by Dr. John Goggin with the University of Florida’s Archaeological Laboratory.

8. Mary Thaxton Memorial Preserve – Discover a slice of “Real Florida” within a natural wilderness, complete with wildlife and solitude. Nature lovers will enjoy over five miles of marked trails offering wildlife viewing and bird watching. The preserve is considered the “Crown Jewel” of the Sarasota County Habitat Conservation Plan, with Sarasota County’s Oscar Scherer Buffer Park to the east. Fun fact: The park is honorably named after the mother of the person who dedicated his time and effort to make it a reality, County Commissioner Jon Thaxton.

9. Phillippi Estate Park and Edson Keith Mansion – Located on the shores of Phillippi Creek, the park includes Indian middens dating back 2,000 years, providing proof of human activities in prehistoric times with shells, animal bones and other refuse. The site also includes the Edson Keith Mansion, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Take a leisurely stroll along the Phillippi Creek shoreline or on nature trails, and be sure to visit the beautiful rose garden adjacent to the Edson Keith Mansion. Fun fact: The second owner of the estate, Mae Hansen Prodie, owned the Mae Marie Company and created the concept of a wardrobe for Barbie dolls.

10. Towles Court – Considered a hidden gem of Sarasota, Towles Court is an artist colony near downtown. Just south of Main Street, you’ll find galleries, artists’ studios, gift shops and Old Florida-style homes. You can grab a bite to eat, take an art class or purchase an original piece. Towles Court also hosts Third Friday Art Walks, a series of events featuring studio and gallery openings, where refreshments and music are provided. Fun fact: The venerable moss-draped oak trees of Towles Court have shaded and protected this historic enclave of bungalows and cottages for nearly a century. Find out more HERE.

Courtesty of Whistlerheather of seatoskynation.com

Now we completely expected the market in Whistler to cool during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic period of February and March. We also expected that January would be slow due to infrastructure that still needed to be realized; and of course April to start cleaning up after the party… May and June are known as the shoulder months so a slight slow down was also expected during this period. That would bring us right through to the third quarter 2010.

However looking at the number of sales year to date we can clearly surmise that January – May & June have been consistant in terms of sales. By the end of June it appeared Whistler was well on its way to a great summer in real estate. Then July finished and our balloon had a slow leak… No pun in tended. Trying to figure out why was not hard…

For full article click here

Courtesy of Meghan Barry of Luxuryrealestate.com

LuxuryRealEstate.com member J.P. King will be auctioning Vendovi Island, located among the San Juan Islands. Members of the LuxuryRealEstate.com staff will attend the auction event in Seattle on September 30^th.

Vendovi Island is a private 216 +/- acre island in the San Juan archipelago which lies across Samish Bay from mainland Skagit County and seven miles north of Anacortes, Washington. Boasting 13,000+/- feet of shoreline with six beaches, the island is one of the premier private islands in the area and has numerous dramatic vistas as well as gorgeous natural scenery. Long used as a seasonal residence, the island includes a caretaker/owner’s home as well as various outbuildings and structures. 

The cozy home is complimented by picnic and fireplace structures, garage, workshop, wood shed, oil shed, generator building with 400-gallon fuel tank, sawmill building, and treehouse. Accessible by private boat or floatplane, Vendovi Island has a protected harbor with a rock breakwater and a 52’x8’ pier with a 40’x4’ metal ramp and an 84’x7.5’ floating dock. The San Juan Islands has long been a tourist destination with sea kayaking and Orca whale watching as primary attractions. The serenity, beauty, and lifestyle associated with these islands continually draw many looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. For more information on the property or the auction being held on September 30^th, please visit the property listing on LuxuryRealEstate.com.

Courtesy of: Wilshire International Realty

By: Worth Avenue Association 

The property owners, the Town of Palm Beach and the merchant’s association (Worth Avenue Association, Inc.) have collectively partnered to breathe new life into the hardscape and landscape of the world-renowned shopping destination, Worth Avenue.

The rich history of the Avenue began in 1918 when Addison Mizner brought his unique sense of architecture to the island, building the elegant Everglades Club at the west end of the street, which set the pace for the prestige that this strip of real estate would one day command.

For full article click here

Trinity Properties Hawaii Is Pleased To Announce Top Producing Agent, Annie Kwock, Recently Listed Among Hawaii Business's Prestigious Top 100 Realtors in Hawaii! MAHALO to my incomparable team whose dedication to excellence shines through in every transaction! MAHALO to our wonderful clients for 22 fabulous years sharing our love of Hawaii Real Estate with you! Your trust in our service inspires us to strive to exceed your expectations every day! We look forward to many more rewarding years of service to YOU!

According to British journalist, Stuart White, there are numerous reasons to visit Valencia (we could have told him that long ago) but he eventually managed to restrict himself to a Top 10.

Describing Valencia as “Spain’s third largest, most exciting and wonderfully diverse city”, White starts out by singing the praises o paella, a local dish that most now realise originated in the city, the world famous Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias and the imagination of Santiago Calatrava and the Turia Gardens. This 10km stretch of former riverbed, created when the Rio Turia was diverted out of the city, sports a network of wonderful nature paths, popular with walkers, joggers, dog owners and skateboarders. 

The marvellous sandy beaches also merit a mention, along with Valencia’s historic Mercado Centrico. Covering 8,000m2, this bustling market is a splendid introduction to the best of valenciano produce; from the scent of roasted nuts and spices to the heady aroma of fresh fish it clearly enchanted Stuart White. City traditions also feature strongly on his list. His examples of civic excellence are wide, from the coat of arms to the local tipples, horchata and Agua de Valencia. The fallas merit a mention of their own, the combination of fire and fireworks exciting the author a much as it does the locals.

Rounding off the list are three very disparate elements of Valencian life: White praises the historical aspects of the city, paying particular attention to its medieval highlights, from the gothic city gates to the Water Court, he also mentions La Catedral de Valencia as the final home of the Holy Grail and rounds off his list with sport. Starting with the Plaza de Toros (Spain’s largest) White name-checks Valencia’s Formula One street circuit, the Marina Real Juan Carlos I and the city’s beloved football team. There’s no publicity like free publicity and Stuart White’s article, covering so many aspects of valenciano life, is a particularly welcome boost to the city’s profile in the UK.

WINTER PARK, FL---When Winter Park Realtor® Scott Hillman finished compiling statistics for the 2010 Mid-Year Hillman Report, the results showed existing home sales were up, inventory was shrinking, and prices were beginning to stabilize in some areas over a comparable period last year.

“Despite a very challenging economy that drove Greater Orlando’s real estate market to rock bottom in March 2009, we’re starting to see a silver lining as a great many distressed properties have been moved off the books, inventory is slowly being reduced, and prices are beginning to stabilize in some areas, especially in older established neighborhoods,” said Hillman, president of Fannie Hillman + Associates, the 29-year-old independent real estate firm that compiled The Hillman Report based on information in the Orlando Regional Realtor MLS database.

“The existing home market certainly isn’t as bad as some doomsayers would have us believe, but it will only continue to improve provided the industry continues to adjust by flushing out and reducing the inventory of distressed properties,” he said.

According to The Hillman Report, single-family home and condominium sales in Greater Orlando in price ranges from under $200,000 to over $1 million were up 45 percent for the first six months over a comparable period last year.

Of particular note was the sale of 105 homes over $1 million which was up a robust 84 percent. They fetched an average price of $1,641,102 while the sale of 192 homes in the $500,000 - $750,000 price range was up a lofty 50 percent, bringing an average price of $596,952.

Overall, single-family home sales in Greater Orlando were up a very respectable 33.4 percent while condominium sales, which have fallen off considerably in recent years, were up an eye-popping 77.8 percent.

The spike in condominium sales was due primarily to an 11 percent decrease in the average sale price of condos priced under $200,000, resulting in an 80 percent uptick in sales in that price range,” said Hillman.

“On the other hand, condos priced over $500,000 showed increases of 13 and 30 percent, respectively, in average and median prices,” he said. “That’s the good news. The fact that there were only seven sales in this category is a sign that we still have a lot of inventory to be purchased to really feel good about the high-end condo market.”

Average and median prices of single-family homes were down slightly or unchanged in all price ranges, except the $300,000 and under category where they were down nine and 10 percent, respectively.

As for overall plus performance in a particular zip code, Hillman said the neo-traditional neighborhood of Baldwin Park (zip code 32814) showed gains across the board in single-family home sales after a down year in all categories last year. The sale of 68 homes represented a 15 percent increase, the average sales price of $522,331 was up 10 percent, the median sales price of $430,567 was up five percent, and both the average and median price per square foot were basically unchanged.

The Hillman Report also showed the following positive housing trends in specific Greater Orlando zip codes (32751, 32789, 32792, 32801, 32803, 32804, 32806 and 32814):

* Greatest increase in non-lakefront single-family home sales---74 percent in Winter Park (32789)

and 73 percent College Park (32804).

* Greatest increase in condominium sales---133 percent in Winter Park (32789) and 113 percent in

Maitland (32751).

* Greatest increase in media price per square foot---single-family lakefront homes (not on the

Chain of Lakes) up 30 percent to $154.83 in Winter Park (32789).

For a copy of The Hillman Report, contact Scott Hillman at (407) 644-1234, or visit the company’s web site at www.fanniehillman.com for a comprehensive look at The Hillman Report.

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Courtesy of Chiara L. Gajar of Lawrence Realty

Ron and Chiara Gajar of Lawrence Realty in Squaw Valley, California attended the Saks Fifth Avenue Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show and Luncheon to benefit the League to Save Lake Tahoe. The 41st Annual Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show was at the private Fritz Estate, a gorgeous lakefront property on the shores of Lake Tahoe in early August. This event is the annual fund raiser for the League to Save Lake Tahoe, a nonprofit organization whose mission and motto is to Keep Tahoe Blue. This year the event raised approximately $500,000, the second highest amount in the history of the event…amazing given the current economic times. For more details, here is the article from the local Sierra Sun newspaper in which Chiara and Ron were named as fashionistas and friends in attendance.