Many real estate agents, home sellers and home buyers roll their eyes and shrug their shoulders when the subject of variable or value range pricing for homes is discussed. This value range property pricing strategy has been successfully used in the San Diego real estate market since the mid-1990s. In those days, it was an innovative vehicle used to bridge the gap between sellers wanting yesterdays prices and buyers demanding…
The Self-Service Spa?
by Roberta Murphy In an emerging trend, more and more upscale spas are offering a self service option. Perhaps they are hoping to appeal to the spa-shy or those who might see the spa visit as a social opportunity, where friends or significant others can apply treatments to each other. Wrap your pampered brain around this scenario reported by The Wall Street Journal: At Manhattans Townhouse Spa, you can receive…
For Those Speechless Moments….
by Roberta Murphy Hallmark, you’ve done it again. All right. You must have known that I suffer from occasional bouts of bumbling wordlessness when: Someone confesses to being diagnosed with cancer. When infertile friends share they are considering adoption after years of infertility. A family friend shares his Alzheimers diagnosis. Our neighbors announce their divorce. My brother-in-law loses his job. Life surprises. It appears Hallmark Cards is going to allow…
Are Buyers Liars?
by Roberta Murphy I attended a San Diego real estate luncheon today and was handed a booklet with identical questions posed to agents along with their printed answers. The questions were solid and most of the answers made sense. But I nearly choked on a piece of broccoli when I read this statement from a well-known agent in our area: œBuyers are still and always will be liars. Dont talk…
Luxury Home Digest a Carnival Winner!
We didnt win dinner out, but a dozen roses were awarded for our recent real estate Home Pricing Dangers article. The Real Estate Carnival was hosted by the Pittsburgh Homes Daily and offers up some juicy real estate reading. A deep thanks from us all to PHD editor Robert Melton, who spent hours during a raging snow storm going through the competing real estate articles. If such things were possible,…
Vasectomies and Sleep Apnea Linked to Dementia?
by Roberta Murphy As dementia cases are on the rise nationwide, we find ourselves looking for causes and ways to possibly prevent this horrid disease. Could it be diet, a vasectomy, alcohol abuse or even cycicism? Forgive me, but weekend mornings allow time to look over news and tidbits of interest. And sometimes these findings have absolutely nothing to do with real estate and luxury homes, but may have much…
Redfin: Reservation Agents of Real Estate?
by Roberta Murphy I have had enough of this nonsense comparing the traditional realestate industry to the travel industry and its ultimate demise.The comparison is both absurd and ill-conceived. A travel agent sits behind a desk, makes travel arrangements and collects a commission that is likely split in several directions. Itwas a task easily assumed by consumers with a computer. They could sit behind a desk, make travel arrangements online…
The Valentine Winner: Long Lasting Roses
Last night I wrote about Kohler’s $6000 overflowing bathtub that has been added to my Dream List, but now have a more practical and traditional suggestion for Valentine’s Day. How about some award-winning and long-lasting flowers? Our friend, Marian Meyers with the infectious smile and impeccable taste in wine and food, owns FlowerGram, an online service that just took top honors in beauty and lasting floral freshness. It was a War of the Roses contest conducted by New York’s…
The Ultimate Valentine Bath
Proposed by Roberta Murphy It’s probably unrealistic to wish for one of these on Valentine’s Eve, but it never hurts to dream (or hint!). I love the sexy looks of Jan Puylaaert’s illuminated tub, but Kohler with its patented SOK Tub for Two probably takes the honors. Note how it can be filled from an overhead fixture—and how champagne bubbles are generated with the touch of a switch. Kohler’s exquisitely designed and…
The Cooktop that Cannot be Ignored
I am seasoned enough to have had more than a few stoves and cooktops in my cooking life. There have been the ones I hate (Frigidaire’s electric/glass cooktop, for example) because they have no self control—and allow little from me. Favorites have included a great big commercial Garland with six burners, large oven, a salamander and a spacious grill. Those were the days! But the hands down favorite cooktop of my life…
