by Roberta Murphy–I’m not really into the luxury of high maintenance–especially when it comes to cars. But could this this gun metal grey BMW that is otherwise not as the Frozen Gray M3 Coupe be an exception? It’s a sexy, slinky-looking car to be sure, but the exterior maintenance is sure to be a pain. Owners must fill out a special stack of paperwork before taking possession of their new…
by Roberta Murphy–At $600,000 per month, the Beverly Mansion in Beverly Hills, is most likely contender for most expensive luxury rental in the nation. And it’s got an interesting history as well. It was in the Beverly Mansion that the infamous horse-head-in-bed scene was filmed for The Godfather. John F. Kennedy and his bride honeymooned in the Beverly Mansion. Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston filmed scenes for The Bodyguard here. Marion…
Between Rancho Santa Fe and the beaches in Encinitas sits an irreplaceable plot of land that surely belongs to another century. The wide and expansive rear lawn backs up to pasture, wetlands and forest beyond. Family of deer come grazing and cows come to visit when the lawnmower is at work. Late afternoons, it is not unusual to see colorful hot air balloons gliding across the sky–and the stars at…
by Roberta Murphy Would you believe that Swiss homeowners are sitting on a “mountain of debt” and that the Swiss National Bank claims that mortgage credit now represents 103.6 percent of Switzerland’s Gross Domestic Product or GDP? The Swiss are only outdone by the Netherlands with 107.1, according to SwissInfo, who also report that other heavy debtors include the United States at 76.5 percent and Spain at 64. The…
Making Your Home Look Luxurious Without Breaking the Bank When purchasing a home it comes down to price, function and luxury. Most people look for and want as many luxuries as they can get for the right price. In new home purchases, these are often called “upgrades,” and they can run into thousands of dollars. For those who can’t afford a total remodel or who prefer not to spend a…
by Roberta Murphy We’ve written about luxury closets in the past, but these days some are spending up to $500,000 for a luxe master closet that might include a champagne refrigerator, sound system, glass-enclosed display cabinets, wet bar or even a breakfast area. Gone are the simpler days of a luxurious dressing room. The master closet area has become a destination room. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday on four…
by Roberta Murphy Amazing Underwater Hotel Experiences to Become a Reality? It seems underwater hotels are the new rage in bizarre hotel experiences. Finland blew us away with the ice hotel, China with its underground hotel, and now Fiji, Africa and Dubai –and other countries which now have competing underwater hotel experiences for the adventurous and well-heeled. Sites of some current underwater hotels: The Manta Resort in Zanzibar, Africa (Pemba…
by Roberta Murphy When showing homes to buyers in San Diego, one of the first doors that is opened following the front door is…the pantry door. Sometimes the “pantry” is nothing more than a large cabinet that may (or may not) have revolving and pull-out shelves. Hopefully, and regardless of size, the boxes of cereal, canned goods and other kitchen staples are stacked in an orderly fashion. But the ultimate…
by Roberta Murphy We once lived in Big Bear Lake and had a redwood-stained deck that meandered as a set of platforms through the pines. During the warm summer months, we would dine outdoors and savor the quiet setting. The only problem with those decks and the harsh winters that buried them in snow is that we had to have them refinished every couple of years. It was no easy…
Ever wonder how your income stacks up against your neighbors? Within your geographical region? Are you part of the fabled one percent? The New York Times offers an interactive chart where you can see how your income stacks up in various regions of the United States. See the chart here.
