by Roberta Murphy Investment in high end real estate markets can be a challenge for most buyers. If the price of the real estate does not intimidate, then the low cap rate, or return on investment, will. In fact, carrying costs v income on luxury real estate investments are often negative for many years, or until the property is sold. With real estate investors in our expensive San Diego market,…
by Roberta Murphy [youtube]LGcYkSnvVDM[/youtube] Much has been written and said about Microsoft’s new surface computing technology. It is the WOW technology of the year. Sooner than many of us thought possible, this technology will first become a defining feature in luxury homes, and as adoption increases and prices drop, it will likely appear as a builder option in many tract subdivisions. Imagine interactive coffee tables that wirelessly download photos from…
by Roberta Murphy Several months ago, in an interesting discussion with Marc LaChance, I was introduced to off-the-grid homebuilding. Marc has a plan and the means to build homes where electrical, telephone, gas, water and sewer lines do not run. I saw some early plans for his homes, and was highly impressed with their beauty, functionality and earth-friendliness. It seems when one door opens in the mind, it leads to…
by Roberta Murphy I just heard from Eric Carlsen that he and Online WalkThru were going to be hosting the new Vox One weekly video webcast. This program will center on the luxury home market, luxury mortgages and lending, new home and real estate technologies, top luxury real estate agents and changes taking place in the luxury home market. I have always been a fan of their luxury home video…
by Roberta Murphy This may arguably be the most expensive and tallest private residence ever built. Indias wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, 50, is slated to begin construction of a billion dollar glass and steel skyscraper home in Mumbai City, the financial capital of India. The 27 story building will be designed to house his family of six and staff of 600, with six floors dedicated to the storage and parking…
by Roberta Murphy Imagine a world uplugged! That future has quietly arrived with the first successful resonant transfer of wireless power over a span of seven feet and carrying enough power to brighten a 60W light bulb. This humble beginning leads ambitious minds to think of a luxurious home where cell phones, laptop computers, lamps, Roombas and even hair dryers would need no cords to operate. The Genius behind this…
by Roberta Murphy The Butler is back in demand-and in short supply. The worlds growing number of plutocrats with their enormous mansions and expansive lifestyles are actively seeking household managers to oversee the care of their luxury homes and lifestyles. These enormous residences require ongoing care, along with coordination of property and grounds service providers ranging from pool service technicians, to dog groomers and trainers, to maids, gardeners and arborists….
by Roberta Murphy Here is an updated blog roll of our favorite luxury and real estate blogs and sites from around the world. Charlotte Real Estate Manhattan Real Estate Michigan Real Estate St Paul Real Estate Cleveland Real Estate News Manhattan Beach Real Estate Long Beach Real Estate San Diego Real Estate Sacramento Real Estate Voice Luxury Clues Unusual Life KristalSellsDenver.com Transparent Real Estate 360 Digest The Real View Phoenix…
by Roberta Murphy Lily Tomlin, where are you??? We’d take your nasal whining anyday over the ubiquitous prompting voices that tell us to tap 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and then 1, 2, 3, 5, 5, 6, or 7 for another computerized menu. Well, fellow agitators, it’s about time we took control of our telephone calls: For those times when you would like to bypass computer-managed calls and SPEAK TO A…
by Roberta Murphy This is an issue that should trouble many real estate professionals…. Some months ago, I met with clients and wrote an offer (at buyer’s request) that was substantially below the listed price (599,000 list price:475,000 offer). It was a rare Carlsbad, CA beach condo property with no recent comparable sales. In prior markets, I might have urged clients to target their offer into an acceptable range to avoid the risk of an…
