Luxury Real Estate

By Robert Lockard

Jim Walberg, the co-Owner/Broker of The Bay Area Team in San Francisco, told me something really cool a few days ago. He said, “Bloggers are the most open and sharing community I have found on the Internet. They want every blogger to win!” I have definitely found that to be true.

As a blogger, I often find myself learning a great deal about what is effective and what is not from other bloggers with more experience than me. I have received a lot of positive feedback and support in my blogging from Eric Kodner, a luxury homes Broker with Wayzata Lakes Realty and Madeline Island Realty. Eric is an awesome blogger, and he has more than 110,000 points on ActiveRain.

In addition, I just did a simple search on ActiveRain for “blog tip” and I found a whole bunch of great ideas for improving my own blog posts. I particularly like Ronnie Roach’s Blog Tip of the Week. He confirmed my suspicion that I should use a different term than “blog” to describe each post I write. Another great resource is the Daily Blog Tips Web site.

There are many other examples out there, but these show how helpful and open the blogging community is. Jim is right! He’s been blogging for two years and he currently has two blogs, one called Caribbean Islands Realty and another called East Bay Real Estate. He also contributes many of his blog posts to the Luxury Real Estate Blog, which I appreciate very much.

I appreciate all the people who take the time to let me know when they agree with what I write and those who share their disagreements, too. Feedback is very helpful, and bloggers are often happy to give it. In fact, I hope you feel free to let me know if you think I’m a little naïve on this topic or to share your own experiences with helping fellow bloggers or receiving help from them.

By the way, Jim shared this quote with me as I was writing a news release about his upcoming presentation at the 13^th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference on effective blog strategies and tactics and the positive effects that can come from blogging. This event will be in Philadelphia on October 11-14, 2008 and you're welcome to attend.


Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of Luxury Real Estate’s newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. You can share your blog entries on the Luxury Real Estate Blog by emailing them to me. Thank you very much! The photo of Rosie the Blogger is from www.flickr.com/photos/notionscapital/2493066577 and it is the copyright of Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com.

By Robert Lockard

“Photography is not about cameras, gadgets and gismos. Photography is about photographers. A camera didn't make a great picture any more than a typewriter wrote a great novel.”

So says Ilya Moshenskiy, the Principal Photographer of Ilya’s Photography in Washington state. I love that quote because, as a writer, I can definitely relate to his point about great works being written by people and not by keyboards or computers.

Ilya is an amazing photographer in a variety of fields, including luxury homes, weddings, events and cuisine. He has been the Official Photographer of the past nine Luxury Real Estate conferences and he always produces the finest photographic masterpieces. Just ask Jim Walberg, a LuxuryRealEstate.com member in the Caribbean.

Check out these amazing photos that Ilya took at this year’s Seafair, Seattle’s big summer festival.

To see more of Ilya’s photos from Seafair 2008, click here!

I’ll end with one more quote from Ilya. He uses only the finest photographic tools in his work, but he also notes, “It doesn’t matter what kind of camera you are shooting with; the real issue is who is behind the camera. Great photography requires perfect lighting and composition. It will always be a human behind the viewfinder. High-end photography demands exceptional skill and not every photographer is up to the task.”

Ilya certainly is up to the task. Contact him at ilya at ilyaestate.com or 425.883.2246 today!


Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of Luxury Real Estate’s newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. All of the photos above are the copyright of Ilya’s Photography.

By Yvonne Harvey

I was surprised to see a copy of US Airways Magazine on my desk this week with a sticky note on it saying “Info for Conference.” I was perplexed on what that would have to do with our conference in Philadelphia. Then I saw it. In the top right-hand corner in small letters are the words “Philly’s Best-Kept Secrets.” Well, hello!

I thought I would list them out for you, and maybe you can guess which one really jumped out at me.

1) Center City – It’s dynamic and diverse, but also compact and walkable – offering something for everyone.

2) America’s Most Historic Square Mile – The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, The National Constitution Center.

3) A Lively Arts Scene – Music, dance, theater – whatever calls to you, Philadelphia has it.

4) Tax-Free Shopping for Apparel and Shoes – Enough said.

5) Entertainment & Nightlife – With dozens of trendy nightclubs and other up-to-the-minute hot spots, you’ll be able to party ‘til the wee hours.

6) Great Eats – From cheese steaks to five-star dining, Philadelphia has culinary offerings to satisfy every palette.

7) Room to Roam – Even though Philadelphia is a big city, it also has some great outdoors. Run wild in one of America’s largest urban parks.

8) Easy Access – Philadelphia is a quick Amtrak train ride from Washington, D.C. and New York. The airport offers 1,600 daily departures and arrivals to 122 domestic and international destinations.

9) Rooms for Everyone – We have lots of hotel rooms, meeting spaces, and the Convention Center all in the heart of Center City.

10) Historic Service – The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau sales and service team is one of the most critically acclaimed in the industry.

So, did you guess which one jumped out at me? Wait for it …. TAX-FREE SHOPPING! Can we say Neiman Marcus, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors and Juicy Couture!

As it says above… enough said.

See you in Philly!


Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. It looks like there are now 13 great reasons to attend the Fall Conference in Philadelphia – besides, of course, the networking opportunities, knowledge waiting to be shared, etc. The photo above is from www.flickr.com/photos/vic15/15082596 and it is the copyright of vic15.

By Brian Langhorst

Each year some of the best tennis players in the region and country come to the Seattle Tennis Club on the shores of Lake Washington for the 118th Washington State Open.

John Brian Losh and the Ewing & Clark – Our Distinctive Home Shop team have been one of the headline sponsors for this notable event for over 10 years. Jane Powers, Betsy Losh and John Brian Losh all very much enjoy being a part of the Seattle and Madison Park communities. Together, they sponsor several key events throughout the year.

Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. There are so many positive events like this going on and I’m pleased to hear about all of them. Philanthropy should be an important part of every business that hopes to succeed. People recognize true kindness when they see it and I think it builds trust just as much trust and goodwill as successful track records and financial performance. Be sure to show how much you care!

By John Brian Losh

I am currently watching John Adams on DVD, it is a seven-part biopic miniseries about John Adams and the story of the first fifty years of the United States. The miniseries is based on the book “John Adams” by American historian David McCullough. It is one of best history films I have ever seen, and has received lots of critical acclaim.

It has given me a whole new appreciation for our founding fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States of America. Many of the scenes from this miniseries were filmed in historical sites throughout Philadelphia, like Constitution Hall. Join us this fall in Philadelphia for our conference in October, and see for yourself! It’s a real-life history lesson!


Editor’s Note:
John Brian Losh is the CEO/Publisher of LuxuryRealEstate.com and the President, CEO and Broker of Ewing & Clark, Inc. in Seattle. He tirelessly trots the globe meeting with members of LuxuryRealEstate.com and getting the scoop on industry trends. The Founding Fathers are some of the best people who ever lived. They are some of my biggest heroes, especially George Washington. There’s a great movie about the creation of the Constitution called “A More Perfect Union,” which I highly recommend.

By Brian Langhorst

On September 26th and 27th at the Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate the owners of Chalk Hill and Jackson Family Wines present a wonderful philanthropic event designed to raise money for children. This great event offers notable wines, priceless trips, dinners and much more. To learn more about this event, please visit: www.sonomaparadiso.com/index.html.

Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. There are so many positive events like this going on and I’m pleased to hear about all of them. I find truly remarkable the inherent sense of generosity and justice in many Americans who enjoy such abundant wealth. John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Bill Gates and many other incredibly rich Americans have given back to their fellow citizens in wonderful ways.

By Yvonne Harvey

You are in for some wonderful treats at the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference. We are honored to have Niurka speak at the conference. You know those times when you just feel something is right…? That is how I feel about Niurka speaking to all our members. I know she will empower and entertain all of our conference attendees, and I hope that you will be one of them. Be prepared to be inspired!

An important part of the Fall Conference is the presentation of top industry awards. We are honored to be presenting Lois Schneider, founder and President of Lois Schneider Realtor the Lifetime Achievement Award. We are also introducing several new awards this year to those deserving members on Monday, October 13, 2008.



Making its mark in a spectacular historic building in Center City, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia will host this year’s conference. Walk in the footsteps of America’s forefathers and become a part of history. Stay in one of America’ most venerable cities and absorb the character of American landmarks such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

To sign up for the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference, click here.


Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. This will be an event to remember! It’s not too late to sign up for the Fall Conference, so if you’re a Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate member, contact Yvonne Harvey today to reserve your space.

By Yvonne Harvey

LuxuryRealEstate.com is pleased to announce a key contributor and speaker at the 13th Annual Fall Conference on October 11-14, 2008 in Philadelphia – Niurka. Her name might not sound familiar, but her clients certainly are: Mercedes-Benz, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, World Financial Group and many others. She has also received the prestigious Wall Street Journal Award for her excellence in Business and Finance.

Since 1994, Niurka has devoted herself to mastering effective communication and influence for the purpose of producing immediate and lasting results. She is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, consultant and peak-performance coach. As an entrepreneur, Niurka founded Niurka, Inc. in 1999 to serve the growing demand for customized training, consulting and results coaching solutions.

When Niurka speaks, her audiences are inspired, empowered and entertained. Her style combines step-by-step tactical teachings with humor and vivid storytelling. Her energy and warmth will intimately engage each conference attendee. Participants will not merely observe and listen; they will enthusiastically participate and be driven to action. To view a YouTube video from Mercedes-Benz describing their positive results from working with Niurka, click here. For more information on Niurka, visit her Web site: www.niurkainc.com.

We invite you to join us at the Fall Conference to enjoy Niurka’s contributions, as well as many other breakout groups and top industry panels. Reserve your spot today for the conference.


Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for LuxuryRealEstate.com. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. Niurka sounds like an awesome person, and I’m looking forward to hearing her inspiring words at the Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia this October. Yvonne has done a great job keeping us posted on this conference. We hope to see you there!

By Brian Langhorst

Who would you like to network with at the upcoming 13th Annual Fall Luxury Real Estate Conference in Philadelphia this October?

Networking is one of the main facets that can distinguish top luxury real estate agents from their competition. Who would you like to have dinner with, have a conversation with, or simple meet at our event to help your business?

I look forward to your responses! Feel free to email me at BLanghorst at luxuryrealestate.com.


Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. It’s nice to see another blogger talking about this exciting conference. Events Coordinator Yvonne Harvey has been offering some insightful peeks into Philadelphia and other topics pertaining to the Fall Conference in her blog entries. Be sure to check those out, as well.

By Robert Lockard

I recently read a wonderful story I would like to share. It’s about a 70-year-old Cora Bett Thomas Realty sales associate named Nash McIntosh, who swam for five hours from Tybee Island, Ga. to Hilton Head Island, S.C. I’m about one-third of his age and I can’t imagine swimming that kind of distance. In May, I ran for a little over two hours in my first half-marathon and that left me sore and unable to walk for several days. So five hours of physical exertion seems nearly impossible to me.

I found this story on the Cora Bett Thomas Realty Blog, and they got the story from an article in Savannah Now in the Savannah Morning News entitled “’Forrest Gump’ swims from Tybee to Hilton Head Island.”

The reason why they used Forrest Gump in the title of the article is because McIntosh compared himself to that fictional character who kept working at everything he did, even when it seemed hopeless. McIntosh is just as dedicated and he actually attempted this long swim three times before he finally accomplished it last week. He turned 70 in May, and that apparently motivated him to finally take the plunge and make it the whole way.

He had quite a few adventures along the way, as you can imagine. He bumped into a few not-so-friendly animals during his swim, including a small shark. Yikes! Luckily, nothing bad came of that dangerous encounter. Check out the full story for all of the amazing details about his journey.

To follow my own blogging advice, I’ll point out that the photo of McIntosh above is the copyright of Cora Bett Thomas Realty.


Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of Luxury Real Estate’s newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. This story is also found in the July 8, 2008 Week in Review. Cora Bett Thomas Realty is a member of the Luxury Real Estate Board of Regents.