Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of: Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

Here’s a selection of six stunning locations, all in Europe, where cities and towns are perched precariously, delicately, but neatly on the edge of rock and cliff faces. Taking advantage of volcanic eruptions of millenium’s past, or gorges from wild flowing rivers, many of these locations were initially established for their natural fort-like characteristics.  Today, many of them are tourist Mecca’s.

In the process of researching and writing this article, the number of analogies for “living on the edge” that came into my head was wide.

In the end, however, I thought it best to let the images speak for themselves.

Certainly not for the faint hearted.

The locations featured are:

- Cuenca, Spain: Cuenca is a city in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain, and is one of the country’s largest provinces. It is located across a steep spur, whose slopes descend into deep gorges of the Júcar and Huécar rivers.

- Bonifacio, France: It is located just west of Cap Pertusato, the southernmost point of the island of Corsica. Bonifacio is perched on a narrow limestone peninsula about 1.6km long that parallels the coast and forms a natural harbour. It was for this reason that it was initially founded as a defence against pirates in the 1st Century.

- Castellfollit de la Roca, Spain: Located in Catalonia, the town is situated on a basalt crag, formed by the overlaying of two lava flows, and is over 50 metres high and almost a kilometre long.

- Ronda, Spain: With a population of just over 35,000, Ronda is located in the Spanish province of Malaga. In a very mountainous area, the city was initially settled by the Romans as a fort.

- Manarola, Italy: A very small town, Manarola is located in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy and can trace its origins back to the 14th Century.

- Santorini, Greece: Often described as one of the most stunning places on earth, Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast from the Greek mainland and is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. The earliest human settlement known is the 4th millennium BC.

Courtesy of: Greg Moesser of Rodeo Realty

Following an International Agent Around the World

By Katharine Angelo of Bel Air Magazine

This international agent is not a gun-toting 007; instead he’s a real-estate agent that specializes in worldwide luxury properties. The name is not Bond, James Bond, but Moesser, Greg Moesser, Vice President of the Private Estates division of Rodeo Realty in Beverly Hills, and he’s a man that’s doing something different. Today almost every real-estate company advertises international marketing, but many companies define that as just having a few affiliated international property websites. Agent Greg Moesser’s business model is much more hands-on, bringing on-the-spot knowledge to the worldwide properties he represents. In a recent conversation, Greg revealed his undercover secrets to taking his luxury real-estate business to a global level.

BAM: How long have you specialized in international marketing?

GREG MOESSER: It began about seven years ago when I had two inquiries from my website, one was from a European buyer and the other was a vacation rental request from the Middle East. After specializing in the luxury market domestically, I found that many clients, instead of just moving locally, are often moving between global cosmopolitan cities. The number of foreign buyers in our market has also risen steadily in the last few years. This is even more true today with the weaker dollar and the recently devalued world property markets, such as Spain, Ireland and Dubai, just to name a few. Now I have inquires every month from all over the world on my website www.LAClassicEstates.com.

BAM: Why do you think you have been so successful in this exclusive niche?

GM: The difference is personal networking and connections. Agents and buyers want to work with someone they know and trust. You can’t achieve that by just marketing a property on a bunch of global websites. When an agent from New York, San Francisco, London, Dubai or Paris has a client for Los Angeles, they will call me first, because I have an established personal relationship. My approach takes a lot more effort and planning, but it gets results. It’s also a great advantage to my seller clients, as they get the benefit of both an extensive local and international market representation.

BAM: Where have you been already this year?

GM: In January I attended the International Luxury Real Estate summit conference in Rome, Italy. This is a worldwide group of top agents, owners and presidents of leading firms that meet annually to discuss global property trends and strategies to market luxury properties. In March I attended the MIPIM conference in Cannes, France. The agenda included meetings with top agents, buyers and investors, foreign ministers and even the American ambassador. I was also in Punta Del Estate, Uruguay performing some property research for a client.

BAM:What is the Private Estates division?

GM: The Private Estates division at Rodeo Realty specializes in representing multi million-dollar properties in Southern California’s premier luxury markets. Our specialists are able to provide the highest level of expertise, professionalism, personal attention and discretion that is simply not available at large companies or franchises. Our international database is second to none, including our Luxury Real Estate affiliation with luxury agent specialists in over 60 countries worldwide.

BAM: What’s currently your most interesting property?

GM: I just did a price a evaluation on an extraordinary pre-war, French-style estate in Hancock Park that was featured in one of the first issues of Architectural Digest and should be coming on the market soon. I’m also excited about my latest international project. I’ve been selected as the exclusive U.S. agent for the Residenza Del Lago Azure in Lake Como, Italy. This is a rare new luxury development of 28 villas and apartments and should be completed by early next year.

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Courtesy of: Ruth Kruger of Worldwide Exclusive Properties

It's amazing when my work takes me to great places like Rome and Monaco, makes me joyous that a typical day for me is not in a typical office at all!

The first leg of my latest journey was for a conference hosted by LuxuryRealEstate.com (Check out my LuxuryRealEstate.com page) and where I had a wonderful time with my new friends.

After the Rome journey, I hopped on the train to Venice where I enjoyed spending more time with those from the conference on their way to ski the Dolomites. I unfortunately had to go to work on the French Riviera…

While staying in Monaco, I spent the days touring exclusive villas from Monaco to Saint Tropez. It was truly wonderful work.

Even when my work brings me far away, I am once again reminded that there is always a local connection. Just Friday I had a lovely conversation with commercial retailers looking for retail space in downtown Aspen. Currently they have an outlet in Harrods of London and in Monaco and are looking for the perfect Aspen location. In addition to the commercial requirement, they also have 2 villas they would like to sell an exclusive gated community in Monaco. Keep your eyes on www.Worldwideaspen.com site for 2 new listings with views of the Mediterranean and amenities from heaven!

Please let me know when you would like me to return to find your dream French home.

Courtesy of duPont REGISTRY and duPont REGISTRY Homes Blog's Reynolds Fuller

Thoughts of fairy tales and happily ever after, spring to mind upon arriving at the luxurious Crantzdorf Castle in the land of East Tennessee. Reminiscent of a medieval castle and modeled after the “Palacio dela Magdalena” in Spain, this enchanting estate is unrivaled in its craftsmanship and originality. “It’s really a unique home, and there’s a lot of detail in the house,” says Winston Johnson, broker and owner of LUX Mountain Realty, LLC. “It’s an exceptional house.”

The 20,000-square-foot home boasts nine bedrooms, ten-full bathrooms, three-half baths, private maid’s quarters including a kitchen, four-car garage, indoor basketball court, and luxurious home theater. Theo Kalomirakis, who is referred to as the “Father of Home Theater” and the “Home Theater King,” designed this state-of-the-art theater. Also located within the 13 acres of gated property on Boone Lake are a boathouse, gazebo, large pool, and sixteenth scale racetrack of Bristol Motor Speedway including night racing with Italian racecars.

“There is no other home like this home,” says Steve Grindstaff, owner of Crantzdorf Castle. “It all has great features.” European craftsmen and architects spent more than ten years creating this captivating castle with its soaring ceilings, stained glass, Italian marble floors, and luxury hand-cast moldings. “The ceilings were all hand carved by two craftsmen from Greece,” Grindstaff says. “They worked on them only for three-and-a-half years.”

From the Italian foundation to the original Napoleon bed, the luxury house is rich in antiques from top to bottom. "We searched Red Baron's in Atlanta and private auctions to choose every piece of artwork, furniture, and upholstery to fit the theme of every room,” says Ashley Grindstaff, wife and homeowner. “Our castle is different from other cold and dull castles. Our castle is a warm and inviting home. Decorating is my passion. I enjoyed the hunt to find the right pieces to make our castle colorful. When you walk through our 22-foot tall front doors, from the Music Conservatory in Paris, France, you know you have walked into a home built and decorated with love.”

Although the luxury property has more than enough amenities to keep anyone enthralled, if venturing beyond the property is on the agenda, the estate is within minutes of shopping, entertainment, arts and crafts, excellent healthcare, outdoor activities, and the airport. “You’re within 45 minutes of the ski slopes,” Grindstaff says. “You’re on a lake. You’re secluded but still in the mix.”

Having entertained more than 700 guests at one time, this luxury home is perfect as a corporate property as well as a single-family residence Johnson says. “It’s just a one-of-a-kind, beautiful property with a great view and location.” Offered at $19,500,000. View the luxury listing here.

View this home on the cover of the duPont REGISTRY virtual magazine here.

Pierre-Yves Guillaume with Rive Droite Immobilier

Located in a charming French hamlet at one hour drive from Geneva (Switzerland) and Lyon (France), this breathtaking estate is one of the most prestigious properties currently offered in Europe.

This elegant and refined castle , which can accommodate 100 persons, has just been entirely restored by some of the best European craftsmen. The current owner received the European Union Cultural Commission’s grand prize for a prior restoration.

The entire property is comprised of the main castle, a keep tower, a gardener cottage, the stables and its outbuildings, a workshop, pavilion and barn.

Established as a Barony since 1582, the estate has a surface of 130 hectares including 80 hectares of fenced and lanscaped grounds with a french park, 10 horse paddocks, a covered riding school,15 km of private roads, tennis court.

The castle is divided into 5 levels of living space.

The lower ground floor (150 sqm / 1,625 sq feet) offers a fully equipped kitchen with serving hatch, service room, shower room, toilets, laundry room, and several service rooms.

The ground floor (480 sqm / 5,150 sq feet) is where you will find the large entrance hall decorated by a 16th-century tapestry, the astonishing ball room with a fireplace of sculpted wood, original 1880 tile floors and splendid paneling, a breathtaking round smoking room, a charming Orangerie with views of the park, small dining room, the formal dining room for 40 persons with its Renaissance fireplace, classified as a French historical monument, the elevator, a gallery with wardrobe and toilets for visitors. From the ground floor there is also access to the 3-story tower with a bedroom on the first floor, a large terrace and a second bedroom on the second floor.

The second floor of the castle ( 480 sqm / 5,150 sq feet) is home to an impressive large central reception room with its subtly decorated wooden fireplace, beautiful herringbone parquet floor and painted ceiling, the royal apartment is furnished with a Louis 13th canopy bed, and features a large terrace and an extraordinary round bathroom. The prince apartment, the count apartment and the Baron apartment, all beautifully appointed with the finest details and their own bathroom .

The third floor ( 357 sqm / 3’850 sq feet) holds 8 more bedrooms and bathrooms, including two superb Louis 16th style bedrooms, plus an elegant Egyptian-style reception room and turret.

The fourth level of the castle features 7 additional apartments, a large family room, storage room and the maid¹s room with a small shower. All the bedrooms of the castle are furnished in different styles of furniture that cover all the French historical periods from Louis 13th to Louis-Philippe.

The impressive keep features a wine cellar, a billiard room anorded with a charming balcony, a library with a 17th century fireplace and embellished by an 18th century tapestry, two very charming small apartments with ceilings «à la française» and delightful small bathrooms. The top level is an amazing terrace overviewing the whole estate.

Nice, June 30^th 2009 – Riviera Estates, a leading luxury estate agent on the French Riviera with offices in Paris and Courchevel (French Alps) and an Associated office in Monaco announced today the signing of an agreement with Luxuryrealestate.com.

” We are convinced that Luxuryrealestate.com will be an outstanding marketing support for our company, enabling us to efficiently promote on the internet the best properties of our portfolio to high profile visitors and specialized luxury real estate brokers worldwide. Riviera Estates is continuously exploring new marketing opportunities to take its business to the next level and we believe that Luxuryrealestate.com will be a major contributor to the growth of our sales activities” said Jean Claude Caputo, CEO and Senior Partner of Riviera Estates.

“Joining Luxuryrealestate.com is also a great opportunity to join the community of the best luxury real estate brokers on the planet and to exchange views, ideas and …clients” added Jean-Claude Caputo.

About Riviera Estates

Riviera Estates operates on the French Riviera, from St Tropez to the Italian border. From first class offices located in Nice, Cap Ferrat and Plascassier (near Valbonne), a team of highly qualified and experienced multilingual sales agents actively work in key markets including St Tropez, Cannes, Valbonne, Mougins, St Paul de Vence, Nice, Cap Ferrat, Cap d’Antibes and all other areas where there is a high demand for luxury residences.

Riviera Estates has been the exclusive associate of SAVILLS on the French Riviera for the past 9 years. SAVILLS is the leading property consultancy firm in UK and one of the major worldwide, headquartered in London with 180 offices and associates around the globe. For more information, please visit http://www.savills.co.uk/abroad.

Riviera Estates has an associate company operating in Paris; Paris Estates (http://www.paris-estates.com), an associate company operating in Monaco; JCC Properties Monaco (http://www.monaco-estates.net) and runs a corporate sales office in Courchevel, French Alps (http://www.courchevel-estates.net).

Riviera Estates regularly markets some of the best properties on the French Riviera with sale prices from 700 000€ up to more than 50M€.

Mr. Jean Claude Caputo, CEO and Senior Partner of Riviera Estates, is one the leading professionals in the field of luxury residential real estate in France. His considerable knowledge of luxury real estate niche markets on the French Riviera but also in Monaco, Courchevel and Paris, is a tremendous asset to the company. His highly qualified sales agents are always available to deliver Riviera Estates clients the best possible service, professional, efficient and discreet.

More information about Riviera Estates including some of the best properties for sale on the French Riviera can be found at www.riviera-estates.com

CONTACT: Media: Patrice Rochas (+33 4 93 87 41 15), patrice@riviera-estates.net

By Jason Leach of R.CHAYLA Immobilier

What should you be doing right now if you want to buy property in France? Are prices rising, falling or stabilising? Or should we just stick our finger up and try and decide which way the winds blowing. Having looked at the market long and hard and scratched my head a lot I think I have concluded that serious buyers can strike serious deals with serious buyers.

Prices have reduced in most cases and now the adjustment in prices seems very much more realistic and the serious sellers are being more than reasonable. Do you wait a bit more? Do you take the gamble on sterling rising against the Euro or do you waste your chance and curse your luck the moment the Pound reaches parity with the euro and any advantage you had has just been negated!! I had a client back in August whi had sold up in England and was renting, waiting for the dream house to come along, cash in the bank and in no immediate rush who would blame them. I called them when a new suitable house became available and he informed me that his money had been frozen as it was invested in an Icelandic bank and they could not withdraw there life savings. If this wasn't bad enough the calculation on the exchange rate fell from approx 1.34 to 1.20 reducing his purchasing power by a further 28000.00 euros. Interestingly a large amount of hits on the website are coming from the United States and with the Dollar back to a very good exchange rate it seems the Americans are going to be investing and realising their dreams of owning a house in Europe, it couldn't be a better time for them to buy property.

By Philip Weiser of Carlton International

Evocative place names remind us of the historic appeal of the Côte d’Azur. The Promenade des Anglais, magnificent boulevard bordered by Mediterranean palms, was created by the British residents of the City of Nice early in the 19th century as a footpath for the first tourists to meander along the seaside. 

Queen Victoria spent several winters in the Grand Hotel and the Rothschild family property in Grasse, city celebrated then and now as the birthplace of the world’s finest perfumes.

How impressed Lord Brougham would be today, he who, in 1834, inspired the English aristocracy to follow him to the sunshine of Cannes, to see the sophisticated resort it has now become. Renowned the world over for its beaches, boutiques, Casinos, the Cannes Film Festival, nightspots, restaurants and year round glamorous events.

Between Nice and Cannes, Antibes, once a Greek, then Roman port, today is proud to possess the largest yacht marina in the Mediterranean. Nestled against the ancient stone ramparts of the old city, with its Provencal Market, winding pedestrian streets, it is filled with charm and colour. Juan les Pins, exciting seaside resort, home to all manner of water sports, bright boutiques, cafés and bars. Vallauris on the hills above the sea, former residence of Picasso, is still famous for its ceramics and pottery, museum and at the coast the pretty village of Golfe Juan with beach restaurants and modern marina.

Not far from the coast, in the heart of the Provencal countryside the clash of ancient and modern…the Sophia Antipolis high tech park, centre for research and development in the pharmaceutical and information technology industries, University and International schools, all enveloped in greenery and surrounded by golf courses. Nearby, Valbonne, a charming13th century village overflowing with small restaurants and shops.

The French Riviera coast is peppered with amazing mediaeval hilltop villages such as Mougins, Saint Paul, Eze, Biot and Cagnes.To the west, Saint Tropez with its famous beach clubs, elegant hotels, open air market, port and star studded nightlife.

To the east, a short distance from the Italian frontier and seaside towns of Ventimiglia and San Remo, the Principality of Monaco glitters in the sunshine. The Casinos of Monte Carlo, the Monaco Grand Prix, Somerset Maugham, Grace Kelly, the memories of this world apart are endless.Small wonder that this Côte d’Azur is still so sought after by visitors the world over.

No other destination offers so great a combination of advantages. Superlative sea sports facilities and ski slopes only an hour away. Marinas and golf courses in abundance, the arts, museums, jazz festivals, theatre, opera, English language cinema, the carnival of Nice. A seemingly endless choice of scenery and sights to discover. Perched villages, picturesque Provencal market places, cobbled streets, an ever changing landscape and stunning vistas to the sea. All this in a benign climate and in an environment of political security.

It is evident that the lure of the French Riviera of yesteryear has nurtured the dreams of the world today and with sound advice and straight forward mortgage facilities many will turn their dreams of a home on the Côte d’Azur into reality.

 By Benjamin Pradel of R. Chayla Immobilier

Simply Languedoc Properties (based in Limoux, France) was recently featured by The Irish Times (www.irishtimes.com).

We showcase our properties regularly in the paper’s international real estate section.

Once again, our agency’s international position has been affirmed.

Here is the direct link to the article: Irish Times

Français

Notre branche Simply Languedoc Properties basée à Limoux, est sélectionnée par le très populaire journal Irlandais The Irish Times (www.irishtimes.com).

Nous leur fournissons régulièrement une sélection de propriétés afin d'illustrer leur page internationale sur la thématique immobilière.

Encore une fois, notre agence conforte sa position de référence au niveau international.

Voici le lien direct sur la page des annonces : Irish Times

Par Rodophe Chayla de R. CHAYLA IMMOBILIER

Le marché s'effondre ! les prix baissent ! l'immobilier va mal ! le chômage et les licenciements augmentent !... Nous, nous recrutons, nous allons de l'avant et nous ne souhaitons pas subir cette ambiance morose. Si les journalistes étaient moins focalisés sur ce qui ne va pas et plus attentif à ce qui va bien, le moral des Français serait certainement meilleur. Tous les jours, du matin au soir, nous subissons la pression médiatique... Il est vrai que ce n'est pas le Top des affaires en ce moment mais il y a pire ! regardons les autres Pays, notamment d'Afrique ou d'Europe de l'Est... Bref, nous, nous restons optimistes, vigilants, attentifs, énergiques et motivés !! Bertrand a rejoint notre équipe de l'agence de la rue Barbes à CARCASSONNE, André celle de Trèbes, Diane celle de Limoux et plus précisément pour notre division anglophone "simplylanguedocproperties". Notre négociatrice Sylviane est aussi de retour sur Trèbes suite à une longue absence consécutive à un grave accident de voiture. L'équipe est maintenant au nombre de 30 et chacun est spécialisé dans un domaine, à savoir : la gestion locative - la location - la vente - les biens de prestige - la clientèle internationale - la comptabilité. Si l'immobilier va, tout va.. alors allons-y !!