Immo News - Property and Real Estate News : lipca 2015

środa, 29 lipca 2015

Rob Thomson Among Top 100 Real Estate Professionals in the U.S. Credits Waterfront Properties’ Team for the Honor

Posted by Gregory T. DuBose

JUPITER, FL – Waterfront Properties and Club Communities (“Waterfront Properties”), today announced Principal Rob Thomson has been named among the 2015 Top 100 Real Estate Professionals by sales volume in the United States, by the Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends, Inc. Rob Thomson ranks 93^rd in the U.S. and number one in his principal market of the Northern Palm Beaches. The list encompasses less than one half of 1 percent of the more than 1 million REALTORS® nationwide.
Commenting on the distinction Thomson states, “The real honor is being a part of the team that makes this success possible. In my mind, we only have 92 spots to go before we reach our ultimate goal. Together, we will do it.”
2015 has thus far been a year of breakouts for Thomson and his Waterfront family of companies. Earlier this year he launched Waterfront Yacht Brokerage, selling sport fishing boats, motor yachts and powerboats from the world’s leading manufacturers. Recently, he opened Waterfront Properties’ Delray Beach office, bringing to five the number of Waterfront Properties’ Florida offices. The company’s headquarters and training campus is located in Jupiter. Waterfront Properties also maintains offices in North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens at BallenIsles, and Stuart, Florida.
Over the last 30 years, Waterfront Properties has grown to be the northern Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast’s dominant luxury real estate company, single-handedly accounting for more waterfront real estate transactions than any other brokerage in the local area. In more than 20 southeastern Florida towns between Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Jupiter and Stuart, Waterfront Properties offers waterfront and club community properties from $250,000 to over $50 million. For more information, contact Rob Thomson at 561-346-1881. Media inquiries, reach Greg DuBose at 561.746.6077.

Noted Westside Real Estate Leader Diane Manns Joins John Aaroe Group as Vice President and Regional Director

Noted Westside Real Estate Leader Diane Manns Joins John Aaroe Group as Vice President and Regional Director

Posted by Max Leonov

John Aaroe, founder and CEO of John Aaroe Group, today announced that respected Westside broker, educator and industry leader Diane Manns has joined the company as Vice President and Regional Director.

Manns is widely known as a successful broker, current President of the Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors (BH/GLAAR), Director for the California Association of Realtors, and will serve as a Director for the National Association of Realtors in 2016-2017. She is the recipient of the BH/GLAAR Realtor of the Year and William May Garland Awards. A skilled educator, she serves as a trained mediator, Pepperdine-certified arbitrator and

Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate Continues Expansion into Hawai’i with Metzler Realty on the Kona Kohala Coast

Posted by Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate

SEATTLE, WA - Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate welcomes Metzler Realty into its prestigious network of fine high-end real estate brokers. A new firm on the gorgeous west side of the Big Island of Hawai’i, with a reach from North Kohala to South Kona, Metzler Realty was opened by Principal Broker Joni Metzler, who brings an exuberance and dedication to real estate that make her a valuable addition to the Who’s Who in the Luxury Real Estate community.

For more than 30 years, Joni has specialized in resort project sales along the Kona-Kohala Coast, representing the most successful development projects while creating a strong and loyal client following along the way. Joni was Principal Broker and Director of Sales at Kohanaiki from its opening in 2013, top agent at MacArthur & Company Sotheby’s International Realty and a top agent at Hualalai Resort from its inception in 1995. Joni is dedicated to representing buyers and sellers with the same enthusiasm, fun, and energy that have become her trademark, and now from a more personal perspective.
Since Joni’s company has been chosen to be a part of the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate network, clients of Metzler Realty will benefit from having their listings on LuxuryRealEstate.com, an award-winning website with several times more content than any near-peer, thus exposing her listings to more qualified buyers both nationally and internationally. To be eligible for membership with Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, brokers & firms must list and sell in the top 10 percent of their market – only the very best companies and individuals are inducted into the network.

Telluride Properties Sells Majestic Home Listed at $6,950,000, with Steve Cieciuch Representing the Seller and O'Neill Stetina Group Representing the Buyer

Posted by Ashley Slater

TELLURIDE, CO - Telluride Properties has closed the sale on a beautiful home in Telluride, Colorado listed at $6,950,000. Steve Cieciuch represented the seller and the O'Neill Stetina Group represented the buyer.
609 E Columbia provides a rare and remarkable interface between a refined outdoor living experience and sophisticated, exquisitely designed interior. Located on the sunny side of East Columbia Ave., affording peaceful living within walking distance to fine dining, shopping and skiing, this 7 bedroom, 9 bathroom, one of a kind residence resides on a double lot. The views simply don’t get much better with direct orientation to Bear Creek Preserve, Wasatch Peak, Ajax and the Telluride Ski Area.
Over 5,500 square feet will provide your family and friends ample room for privacy with beautifully appointed, individually named guest suites or access to their own guest home replete with its own cozy, custom designed interior. Enjoy a unique living experience in this luxurious Telluride Gem situated in a perfect Columbia Avenue location.

Kentwood Real Estate Cherry Creek Schedules December Move to New State-of-the-Art Office in Cherry Creek North

Posted by Douglas E. Lierle

DENVER, CO – Kentwood Real Estate Cherry Creek, one of three top producing offices that comprise Kentwood Real Estate, has announced a December 2015 move to a new state-of-the-art office building in Cherry Creek North. Located at 215 St. Paul Street, the brand new building will showcase the very latest technology in a high profile location in the heart of the popular and very desirable Cherry Creek/Cherry Creek North neighborhood.
Headed by Gretchen Rosenberg, Managing Broker, Kentwood Real Estate Cherry Creek will occupy the building’s second floor in addition to a storefront portion of the office on the street level. The new facility features striking architecture and a beautiful interior offering a stylish décor, artwork, meeting rooms, agent offices, and a very inviting reception area.

“We are thrilled to be moving into the heart of the very neighborhood that is our namesake and to provide a new state-of-the-art facility for our brokers and clients,” said Rosenberg. “Kentwood Real Estate has always been on the cutting edge of technology, including the Internet, our marketing programs, and affiliation with the most prestigious real estate and relocation organizations in the country. This dedication also includes providing our brokers with the best facilities possible in order to help advance their careers while providing home sellers and buyers with the most rewarding, seamless real estate experience possible.”
“We have built a reputation that is unparalleled in the real estate business nationally,” said Peter Niederman, Chief Executive Officer of Kentwood Real Estate. “We were among the first in the country to integrate high definition video drones with Google Glass technology, the Matterport Pro 3D camera technology to capture home interiors, and mobile apps for Apple and Android devices. New, upgraded offices in premier locations is an extension of our emphasis on branding and our image as a leader in the industry.”
For more information, contact Gretchen Rosenberg at 303.336.0325 or via email at gretchen@kentwood.com.
About Kentwood Real Estate
Kentwood Real Estate is dedicated to building on its legacy of being “Colorado’s Premier Real Estate Company” through the highest producing, most knowledgeable, caring and experienced brokers in the country who offer the highest quality customer service experience. Kentwood Real Estate is an innovator known for unparalleled marketing strategies and superior Internet technology that places its clients in the best possible position. The company’s brokers each averaged more than $12 million in sales volume annually, which is ranked number one nationwide by the National Association of Realtors and REAL Trends.
Kentwood Real Estate is comprised of Kentwood Real Estate DTC, Kentwood Real Estate Cherry Creek, and Kentwood City Properties in downtown Denver. For more information, visit Kentwood Real Estate online at www.DenverRealEstate.com.

Platinum Properties Releases Bozeman’s 2015 Real Estate Market Report for 2nd Quarter

Posted by Mike Schlauch and Sally Uhlmann

BOZEMAN, MT - Summer is nearly as hot as the Bozeman real estate market. If you are looking to buy or sell a single family home in Bozeman MLS Areas 1 & 2 in the $500,000 to $750,000 range it is smoking hot. 74 homes have closed between $500,000 to $750,000, with another 33 pending, for a total of 107 properties compared to 20 at the end of the 1^st Quarter 2015. Closed transactions are averaging 135 Days on Market (DOM). Even though inventories in this price point have increased to 86 listings compared to 61 at the end of the 1^st Quarter, it is difficult to find homes meeting buyers’ wish lists, with new homes coming on the market frequently selling in their first week of listing.

Schlauch Uhlmann Platinum Properties (SU Platinum Properties) specializes in single family homes priced $500,000 and above, and residential land, in MLS Areas 1 & 2. MLS Areas 1 & 2 encompass a big circle stretching from the mouth of Gallatin Canyon on the south west corner to Four Corners, then north to Springhill (not Belgrade), into Bridger Canyon and Jackson Creek, over 1-90 to Trail Creek, and from Livingston Pass along the Gallatin Range back to Gallatin Canyon. We know and love this area from its varying ecosystems, amenities, values, inventory, previous sales, and what makes each property unique. This report covers our target market, areas 1 & 2, homes $500,000 and above and residential land listings of 5 acres or more. We compiled the information from data available on Gallatin Association of Realtors’ MLS service on June 29, 2015. Please note: Not all real estate transactions are recorded in the MLS, and the data changes with each listing or transaction. This report should provide those interested with better insight to a fluid and volatile market.
The Bozeman market continues to show its strength. In single-family homes priced $500,000 and above, $83,218,623 has been recorded in closed volume for 2015, with sales averaging a whopping 96% of List to Close Price. 112 properties have closed by June 29^th, with 55 pending sales. 76% of closed transaction are for homes under $1 Million, and 90.5% of closed transactions are for homes priced $1,250,000 or below.
The market cools off for properties priced $1,250,000 and above. However, if previous years' sales trends hold true, the majority of upper end homes go under contract from the late summer to early December. As of June 29^th, only 3 properties over $2 Million have closed, with all 3 of them being South Side properties, with 2 closing right at $2 Million, and both of them having been on the market for many years with significant price reductions. Currently, 2 sales are pending in the $2 M to $3 M range, both South Side properties. The highest closed home this year, at $3.9 Million, was primarily a land sale of 233 prime acres bordering public lands.
The core Downtown Bozeman area, encompassing both North and South Side neighborhoods close to Main Street, continues this year’s trend of being the “hot” zone for sales, posting the highest number of closings—38—with homes averaging 128 DOM. TheSouth Side is a close 2^nd, with 31 closed transactions and the highest volume of closed sales, with $29,779,369 changing hands and home sales averaging $1,014,534. The North Side has 26 sales, with SU Platinum Properties posting the highest sale of $1,225,000. There have been 7 closings in Four Corners, with SU Platinum Properties acting as Dual Agents for the highest sale, which closed at $805,000. Volume for Four Corners of $4,187,494 is below the $4,670,000 volume thus far in 2015 for Bridger Canyon, which has had 5 closings in 2015. Three of the Bridger Canyon closings were under $1 Million, with $1.3 Million the highest closing. Homes in Bridger Canyon are below the average ratio of List-to-Close price, averaging 87% compared to the overall market average of 96%. SU Platinum Properties currently has the highest pending sale in Bridger Canyon for a $1,675,000 listed property.
Inventories have increased! There are currently 220 homes listed in MLS Areas 1 & 2, priced $500,000 and above, up from the 173 listed at the end of the 1^st Quarter 2015 and 145 listings a year ago at this time. However, listed-to-closed inventory ratios have dramatically changed, decreasing from 5.24 listings for each home sold at the end of the first quarter 2015 to only 1.3 homes available for each sale now. The most pressure is in the $500,000 to $750,000 range. There are very few choices. More than ever, buyers need a qualified Realtor to help navigate the market. Market research indicates Bozeman will continue to grow in population while quality homes become costlier and more difficult to find. If you’re considering buying, now is the time!

Vacant land for single family residents on 5 or more acres remains the slowest segment of the real estate market to rebound. Although sales have increased 130% from the end of the 1^st to the 2^nd Quarter 2015, the closed transactions at the end of this 2^nd Quarter are 23% less than they were at the end of the 2^nd Quarter in 2014. The good news is that the ratio of List-to-Closed Price on transactions continues to inch upwards, with it now at 92%, compared to 91% at the end of the 1^st Quarter and 86% at the end of the 2^nd Quarter in 2014.
The 23 closed land transactions this year have totaled $8,099,250 in volume and represent 336.6 acres of land changing hands, averaging $24,062 per acre. SU Platinum Properties sold 2 of our listings, just under 10% of the recorded sales, which is one more than any other agent in the valley.
Bridger Canyon has 39 listings at this time, with combined asking price of $19,195,400. Four properties have closed in the Canyon, with total volume of sales being $1,622,000. The highest land closing in Bridger Canyon is $710,000 ($26,296 per acre) for 27 acres with a barn and a pond.
Gallatin Gateway, the South Side, North Side, and Trail Creek each have between 25 to 27 land listings with Trail Creek being the place to buy if you are seeking comparatively inexpensive land. Five properties have closed in Trail Creek averaging $10,750 an acre.
We believe land in Gallatin Valley is finite and precious and that it will become increasingly valuable and rare. It is a solid investment, and if you are considering buying land in Gallatin Valley, no time is better than now.

There’s Always a Reason to Call Us if you have questions, comments, or real estate needs.

Bob Pedler Real Estate Welcomes Carmelo Graceffa

Posted by Bob Pedler Real Estate Limited-Brokerage

WINDSOR, ON - Bob Pedler Real Estate is proud to announce that Carmelo Graceffa has joined their team of luxury home sales representatives. Carmelo believes that the tools of Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate and

LuxuryRealEstate.com will help him build and expand his luxury home business. He looks forward to connecting with fellow members in this global network.
For more information on Bob Pedler Real Estate, please visit pedlerrealestate.ca. To get in touch with Carmelo, you can contact him via phone at 519.966.3750 or email at carmgrace000@gmail.com.
About Bob Pedler Real Estate
In today’s challenging Real Estate market, your choice of Real Estate Professional does matter! For a greater probability of success you need a dedicated professional, one who can guide you through the process and be counted on to protect your investment! Get to know me, knowledgeable, results-oriented professional. Whether you are purchasing, selling or wish to investigate the possibilities, I care about your needs and will take the time to provide personal attention and 100% client satisfaction. I promise to provide the most professional, ethical and informed real estate services in the Industry. My most important assets are honesty and integrity, whereby my clients become my friends.

Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate’s Global Network Enters Brazil with the Addition of Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty

Posted by Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate

SEATTLE, WA - Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate is proud to welcome Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty into its prestigious network of fine high-end real estate brokers and firms. Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty began with the dream of forming a real estate company able to meet the highest demands of the high standard São Paulo market and with the power of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand backing them, they continue to flourish in São Paulo, Rio De Janeiro cities and beach & country and also the southern coast of Bahia state.
Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate is a true international network, with nearly a third of participating members located in markets outside the United States and listings featured in over 69 countries. The invitation-only network extends membership to high-end real estate brokers and firms that list and sell in the top 10 percent of their market and consistently demonstrate expertise in the marketing of luxury properties. With the induction of Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty into its worldwide network, LuxuryRealEstate.com will add Brazil to its network of properties spanning the globe.
From the beach to the countryside, Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty agents value commitment, integrity, and candor as their foundation for selling homes. Formed by a small handful of quality brokers, Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty started as a boutique luxury real estate company specializing in properties in the most prestigious neighborhoods in São Paulo, but they soon caught the attention of investors who saw the opportunity to build the first luxury real estate company specializing in luxury properties in Brazil. On January 1, 2015, Bossa Nova Real Estate celebrated the joint venture with their new partners Banco Modal, KSM Realty and Integra Investments, and together they created the current company: Bossa Nova Sotheby's International Realty.
Since they were chosen to be a part of the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate network, clients of Bossa Nova Sotheby's International Realty will now have the benefit of having their listings on LuxuryRealEstate.com, exposing them to more qualified buyers than any other website both nationally and internationally.
For more information on Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty, please visit www.bossanovasir.com.br.

Great Estate Group Sells Beautiful Farmhouse

Posted by Maria Letizia Vigorito

Another sale of a beautiful farmhouse in the municipality of Todi (Umbria) for the Great Estate Group.
Today we interview Roberto Biggera who managed the buyers and Stefano Calafà who managed the sellers.
(RB) Can you tell us how long you have managed these particular clients and how did they find out about the Great Estate Group?
The British buyers contacted us via the internet in January 2015, more specifically, through Primelocation/Zoopla, one of the best international real estate portals.
(SC) Could you tell us how long you have been marketing this property and how did you persuade the sellers to entrust the sale to you and the Great Estate Group?
The property was acquired in June 2014. The sellers approached us at their neighbours’ suggestion who had just sold their property.
They immediately understood the great potential of the Great Estate Group and its international network. Their property was certainly very attractive to a foreign market, being within an exclusive gated community with a resident caretaker, swimming pool and tennis court. It was also marketed fully furnished and in a ‘move in’ condition.
(RB) Did your clients have a clear idea of what they wanted?
The clients had a pretty good idea of the type of property they wanted: that is; a small renovated farmhouse or part of a renovated farmhouse with a private garden and swimming pool. The property would ideally be within a village or a wider residential complex, in a countryside setting but near a beautiful historic town in a beautiful prestigious landscape on the Tuscan and Umbrian border.
We had been in contact by e-mail at least once a month, searching and selecting the right properties to view on their next trip to Italy. In the end, we chose 8-9 properties to view in two/three days, the result of a very careful selection specific to their criteria: location, property’s condition, setting, nearby amenities, annual maintenance costs as well as condominium costs.
(S.C) Where are your clients from?
The sellers are Italian and live in Rome; this was their second home for several years before it was sold, their family needs had changed hence their decision to sell.
(RB) What was it like working with Stefano Calafà, who managed the sellers?
Working with Stefano Calafà is always a pleasure with his unbounded professionalism and availability. He had been very efficient ever since the very first selection of properties, always replying quickly and accurately on each property. Even during viewings, he was always on time and continually made himself available at every stage of the negotiations until the notary deed of sale which was signed in June 2015. Stefano is certainly an ideal partner of Great Estate Immobiliare, a methodical and competent professional, both friendly and available to clients, with a basic preparation that is unmatched in our industry. The great results we have achieved together over the past 18 months are proof of that.
(SC) What was it like working with Roberto Biggera who managed the buyers? And collaborating with the Great Estate Group in general?
Working with Roberto Biggera is always an enormous pleasure. He is professional, informative, fair, and clear, Roberto has the ability to listen which is his great strength, and it’s not for nothing that all his clients trust his judgment. He is the quintessential real estate professional, an excellent consultant within the Great Estate Group that offers a level of service generally much higher than the average real estate agency.
(RB) What would you say to those clients who cannot find the right property?
My advice is to choose the right real estate agent who can truly understand their clients’ needs and work with them with a dedicated manner and with constant and positive feedback. A real estate agent’s key requirement is to be part of an experienced and professional real estate agency such as Great Estate, as evidenced by its property plans, clients on their database, numerous offices in the most important tourist sites in Italy (Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Rome, Sardinia, the Northern Lakes and so on), as well as its many high level partnerships both at a national and international level.
(SC) What would you say to those who cannot sell their Umbrian farmhouse?
The presentation of this particular property had always been impeccable, without a hair out of place.
This had undoubtedly helped with the creation of an attractive photograph but above all created a positive mood for visiting buyers as they enter a well cared for, clean and fragrant room, with every attention to detail adhered to. This created the feeling that the property was well loved, and in general had a more relaxed and more open atmosphere.
This aspect is often overlooked by owners who wish to sell their house; and sometimes the decision to sell is a symptom of disaffection, but to present an untidy property, that is dirty or has an unkempt garden certainly has the opposite effect to the above.
For the same price, a tidy and well cared for appearance is certainly of fundamental importance that really makes a difference.
(RB) What type of property was bought and why do you think your UK clients chose to buy this Umbrian farmhouse?
Eventually the clients bought a semi independent farmhouse within a beautifully restored and well maintained village, with communal facilities such as a swimming pool and tennis court. The clients were very much impressed with the quality of the property; its excellent renovation and its ‘move in’ condition, its beautiful garden as well as being finished in every detail and offering panoramic views. This was truly a dream. I think the fact that they bought a ‘key in your hand’ property which was completely furnished both inside and out and moving in without any work to be done, really made a difference in this case. In the end I believe that the English clients chose to buy in Umbria because they fell in love with the village in which they chose their house and the Todi area in general. After studying several options both in Tuscany and Umbria, they found that the beauty of the countryside and their historic centres were very similar, and to buy in Umbria would be more beneficial in economic terms.
(SC) All of us think that English clients want to buy in Tuscany; why do you think they chose to buy this farmhouse in Todi instead?
I totally agree with Roberto that the ‘key in your hand’ condition of the property was certainly the main reason for their decision. Although not well known like nearby Tuscany, Umbria and the Todi area in particular are generally liked by many English clients; its natural green landscapes, small villages, tranquility, castles, towers and abbeys, are all what they are looking for. All in all, this area has much in common with some parts of the English countryside, with the climate being the big difference of course.
(RB) What do you think are the reasons for the Great Estate Group’s great work and its subsequent positive results for its international clients?
I am convinced that the Great Estate Group is able to achieve such brilliant results with international buyers because of its very high level of professionalism that perfectly meets the current foreign buyers’ requirements, as well as being very attentive in trusting professional agencies who can assist to better the whole process of buying a property in Italy from start to finish. I believe that the excellent results in visibility and performance are possible thanks to the immense work carried out by our marketing and publicity department which daily generates an increasing number of enquiries giving us the opportunity to liaise with clients from all over the world who are interested in buying prestigious and beautiful property whether that be in the countryside, at the beach or in historic centres.
(SC) Was the property advertised internationally? And did this have the desired effect?
Yes, this property was advertised at an international level on a shared basis. The results in terms of viewings had been good, certainly in line with our ideal target: that is; 800 hits per month of viewings of the property schedule and one property visit on average per month.
About half of the clients who viewed the property schedule were Italian, the rest were divided between the rest of the world; mainly American, British, Belgian and Dutch. In terms of visits, however, 80% of viewings were with international clients, indicating that the Italian clientele continue to think about a second home investment but have not yet moved onto the next operational phase

Resources Real Estate Welcomes New Associate Tracy Brown

Posted by Deirdre Smith

RUMSON, NJ - Resources Real Estate, northern Monmouth County’s top luxury real estate agency, welcomes new sales associate, Tracy Brown to their team. Founded in 2000 by Carolynn Diakon, Resources Real Estate continues to grow throughout the region, adding an eclectic mix of talented agents to their team, including Brown.
New to the world of real estate, Brown comes aboard with high praise from Diakon, the company’s senior partner and broker of record, who said, “As a business we strive to bring an eclectic mix of professional sales associates to our clients to find the best fit for any and all personalities. I think that Tracy will be a true asset to our company.”

When asked why she chose to join the Resources Real Estate team Brown responded that Diakon had the most influence on her career change and since coming on board has felt very much supported in the transition. “Carolyn and Tom, as well as the staff and team of agents, been wonderful teachers. Resources Real Estate isn’t just a local business. They are a service-oriented, supportive and fun group of professionals that care about their community, their clients and their staff.”
Brown’s enthusiasm to join the Resources Real Estate team gives the company high hopes for her success. “I can see Tracy becoming a big presence here. Our clients are going to love her attitude, her spark and her smarts,” said McCormack. “She is going to add a lot to our company.” 
Beyond real estate Brown is also involved in many community-minded activities. She is on the board several different local organizations and founder of Picture My Smile, an organization that provides a creative outlet and voice to critically ill patients at the Unterberg Children’s Hospital. “Her heart for others and her warmth is part of what makes her a great fit for us,” said Diakon. “She really does put the wants and needs of others before herself and possesses a caring perspective that will help her be a fantastic agent.”
Resources Real Estate welcomes Brown to their team and wishes her the best of luck in her journey with their company.  For more local real estate information, to contact Brown directly, or to inquire about a career in real estate yourself, call 732.212.0440 or visit resourcesrealestate.com.
Resources Real Estate is a full-service independent residential brokerage opened by Carolynn Diakon in 2000. Thomas McCormack, with the company since 2002, joined her as a partner in 2010. Resources Real Estate is located at 112 East River Road in Rumson, NJ, 36 Beach Road in Monmouth Beach, 4A West Front Street in Red Bank, NJ and 65 First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands.

Zephyr Real Estate’s New Office Is Fastest Growing Brokerage in Marin

Posted by Melody J Foster

SAN FRANCISCO - Zephyr Real Estate, San Francisco’s most successful real estate firm, is celebrating the success of its new Marin office, the fastest growing brokerage in Marin. The office, which opened three months ago, has exceeded expectations and continues to flourish.

Several San Francisco-based brokerages have sprung up in recent months, but Zephyr raised the bar by recruiting talented, experienced agents and by garnering a healthy and growing marketshare. For the month of July to date, Zephyr is commanding 3.2 percent of the marketshare based on sales volume, which places them at No. 6 in Marin County. The rate of growth has been increasing steadily each month.

The success is clearly attributable to the exceptionally outstanding agents recruited by Zephyr. In addition, Zephyr's average sales volume per agent is No. 4, well ahead of other brokerages including Bradley Real Estate, Alain Pinel, Marin Modern, Vanguard, Coldwell Banker, Paragon and Pacific Union.

Erinn Millar, Sales Manager of the new Marin office, commented, “The energy is palpable, and the success of one among us is success for all of us. We have an incredible team with like-minded goals and motivations – success breeds success.”

The full-service, full-time office has already grown to more than 20 REALTORS who have chosen to align with Zephyr’s proven track record of success and achievement. The sleek new office at Bon Air Center combines skilled real estate professionals, the latest technology, innovative marketing, luxury expertise and unparalleled agent support.

“This phenomenal growth in an area where there are so many long-established brokerages is truly amazing,” Randall Kostick, President of Zephyr stated. “We felt the time was right to expand into Marin. We have wildly exceeded our goals and are thrilled at our growing success. Congratulations to Erinn and the entire team in Marin.”

Those interested in learning more about Zephyr’s new Marin location may contact Millar at ErinnM@ZephyrMarin.com or 415.328.4143.

About Zephyr Real Estate

Founded in 1978, Zephyr Real Estate is San Francisco's largest independent real estate firm with nearly $2 billion in gross sales and a current roster of more than 300 full-time agents. Zephyr’s highly-visited website has earned two web design awards, including the prestigious Interactive Media Award. Zephyr Real Estate is a member of the international relocation network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World; the luxury real estate network, Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate; global luxury affiliate, Mayfair International; and local luxury marketing association, the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco. Zephyr has six offices in San Francisco, two in Marin County, which include a brand new office in Greenbrae and a small store-front business center in Corte Madera, and two brokerage affiliates in Sonoma County, all strategically positioned to serve a large customer base throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit www.ZephyrRE.com.

Scot Karp of Premier Estate Properties Represented the Transaction for Buyer and Seller of the $1.35 Million Penthouse Sale in Placide

Posted by Morag Alexander

BOCA RATON, FL - Scot Karp, the Director of the Ultraluxury Condominium Division at Premier Estate Properties, represented the transaction for the buyer and seller of the Penthouse sale at the Placide Condominium, located in Boca Raton, Florida. Rare 9-foot ceilings heighten the loft-like living environment crowning Placide, soaring over the Atlantic Ocean and the city. Sleek marble floors and floor-to-ceiling impact-glass walls opening to east and west balconies capitalize on the commanding views, with a floor-plan totaling 2,400± square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2½ baths. Oceanfront window walls open to a balcony stretching all along the immense open-plan living/dining room creating a dramatic entertaining space perfectly suited for today’s lifestyle. Continuing the open concept, the beautiful Downsview kitchen meets the discerning chef’s requirements with fine cabinetry, and granite counters, and adds the convenience of a serving/dining bar, custom pantry storage and an oceanfront breakfast area. Romantic city views are the focus of the luxurious master bedroom suite which features hardwood floors, double-sized walk-in closet, and capacious marble bath with multiple-head walk-in shower. Two more bedrooms, each opening to the city-side views and having a full wall of closets, are served by a hallway bath.
Scot Karp is a real estate professional who is ranked as one of the nation’s top agents by the Wall Street Journal, Scot’s high net-worth clients have relied upon his successful negotiations and specialized expertise to master the complexities and challenges of the transaction process. Scot, as part of Premier Estate Properties, has access to a myriad of resources to accomplish the objectives of his clients.
Scot invites you to view his Current Listings of Ultraluxury Condominium properties in the Boca Raton, Highland Beach, or Hillsboro Beach, Florida areas. Let Scot help you find that perfect “home away from home” for your most valuable clients who are looking to purchase their Ultraluxury Condominium getaway in Sunny South Florida. Contact Scot with any questions you may have regarding Ultraluxury Condominiums in this area, as he would be happy to assist you; he can be reached by phone at 561-910-3579 or via email to scotkarp@premierestateproperties.com.

Realtor at Intero Real Estate Services Named One of the Top 250 Latino Agents by NAHREP

Posted by Teressa Francis

CUPERTINO, CA - Erika Carrasco, an agent with Intero Real Estate Services, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc. has been named as part of the Top 250 Latino Agents by NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals).
A member of Intero’s Silver Creek office is San Jose, California, Carrasco has been ranked #37

with a total 120 transactions completed in 2014. An agent since 2006, her focus is on Spanish speaking and first time home buyers. She shares her knowledge of the market through her Spanish-language radio shows. “Having Erika as part of the Top 250 Latino Agents shows her commitment to her clients and her commitment to being true professional,” said Tom Tognoli, President and CEO of Intero Real Estate Services. “At Intero we see this exchange as so much more than just a generic transaction. We’re helping a family, individual or a couple to accomplish their dreams and own a home they can truly call their own.”
The Top 250 Agent list is compiled of the brightest agents from cities across the country through broker-affirmed, self-nomination reflective of transaction sides closed during the 2014 calendar year. Each candidate brings a unique story of personal triumph, overcoming adversity, devotion to their trade, and work every day in their local market to make homeownership a reality for families. The group represents a total of 20,730 transaction sides in 2014, and over $3.9 billion in total volume. “It’s a true honor to be included in this list,” says Ms. Carrasco. “My goal is to empower the Latino community with the right tools to realize their dream of homeownership. To be recognized for how I do that, makes me even more focused.”
See the full list at nahrep.org
About Intero Real Estate Services
Founded in 2002, Intero Real Estate Services, Inc. has quickly become one of the premier real estate brands in the U.S. In 2004, Intero Franchise Services Inc. began franchising and currently is operating in many of the western states. In 2009, Intero International Franchise Services, LLC embarked on developing territories in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. The companies are private and headquartered in California’s Silicon Valley.

McEnearney Associates, Inc. Launches New Website

Posted by Erica Hawksworth

ALEXANDRIA, VA - McEnearney Associates, Inc. has launched their brand-new website at mcenearney.com.
Below are some new features McEnearney is highlighting on their new website that house hunters will find beneficial.

Property alerts – New listings, price changes, open houses and/or status changes can be viewed up to the hour so consumers are always in the know and can jump on deals faster than other home buyers.
School boundary search – Home listings can be searched within school boundaries so clients can find homes in their desired school districts. The search can be done by school districts or by individual schools.
Metro/VRE/MARC search – Properties can be found within a set radius of the Metrorail, VRE & MARC Stations.
Price My Home – Visitors to the website can evaluate the price of any home with this tool. A McEnearney agent can be contacted for an accurate Customized Market Analysis and can point out any inaccuracies of an evaluated price provided by outside vendors.

About McEnearney Associates, Inc.
For more than 30 years, McEnearney Associates has set standards and earned a highly valued reputation for exceptional service and outstanding performance in the real estate industry. Respect for the quality of his work has always been of prime importance to John McEnearney. Recognizing this, customers, clients and agents have joined with him and have been the major contributors to his success and that of the firm.
That's been our focus since the day we started in 1980. The first ad that John McEnearney created to announce the opening of the firm had this simple message: "To provide a quality of real estate services that is second to none. To earn the respect of our customers and clients and ultimately their recognition as the best."
That remains our mission today. Experience our client-centric approach to real estate and enjoy a professional and personalized experience Built Around You.

Kermit Brown of Churchill-Brown & Associates Sells Prestigious Home Listed at $1,295,000

Posted by Ashley Lacks

EDMOND, OK - Kermit Brown of Churchill-Brown & Associates has closed the sale on a gem of a home in the prestigious Gaillardia Country Club Community with very open and well-designed floorplan for easy living. The property was listed for $1,295,000.
Beautiful One Level Custom by Gary Hale with very open floor plan. Welcoming wide entry with Herringbone hardwoods framed by cast stone columns. High ceilings and spacious hallways throughout. Fireplace in living area that Could be a study or a billiards room. Huge formal dining room allows for easy flow and entertaining. Family room with stone fireplace and handsome wood mantle that opens to kitchen and breakfast area. Kitchen has breakfast bar with seating. Tall windows look to large covered patio and pool with four limestone waterfalls in view.

About Kermit Brown
Over the past four decades, Kermit Brown has enjoyed phenomenal real estate industry success specializing in luxury home sales and marketing. He is recognized and highly respected for his exceptional market knowledge, personalized service, custom marketing plans and powerful negotiating skills. Hundreds of satisfied clients afford Kermit the position of market leader in Oklahoma City area luxury homes.

Zephyr Real Estate’s Matt Fuller Signs on as Realtor in Residence with Amitree

Posted by Melody J Foster

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Matt Fuller, eminent agent with Zephyr Real Estate, was recently invited to serve as Realtor in Residence with Amitree, a real estate technology company founded by Jonathan Aizen, to deliver tools for agents to guide their clients through the often-overwhelming experience of home buying and selling.

Aizen, a well-known and highly respected entrepreneur, has been founding Internet companies for over 20 years including Dapper, which was acquired by Yahoo! in 2010. He met Fuller several years ago around the time when he launched Amitree. At that time, they engaged in a lengthy

discussion about real estate technology. Many of the insights and feedback that Fuller offered stuck with Aizen, so as he was launching the Realtor in Residence program, he immediately decided to call Fuller. Thus began the new relationship.

The role of Realtor in Residence is, according to Aizen, to spend four to eight hours each week over a period of a few months at the Amitree office engaging in casual interactions. This often produces a very different outcome than prescribed feedback sessions. As the relationship develops, ideas, thoughts and visions for the industry can be shared, developed and put into practice. This interaction facilitates collaboration between an active Realtor and an innovative start-up company to build tools for agents and clients.

The position of Realtor in Residence is a new one at Amitree and was created to help develop and create products and methods for consumers working with Realtors.

“We were looking for an agent who is passionate about technology and willing to help a startup,” commented Aizen. “Matt is the ideal choice for this role, and I am delighted that he is as excited to participate as we are to have him on the team.”

Amitree was created to help agents manage the home buying journey for each of their clients, through every step in the process. Zephyr Real Estate was among the first to incorporate the use of Amitree (formerly Closing Time) throughout their entire brokerage.

“I am honored to be asked and pleased to join up with this impressive team,” stated Fuller. “The opportunity to share experiences will help us all better accomplish our mutual goals for helping buyers and sellers of real estate.”

Fuller has been with Zephyr since beginning his real estate career in 2002, and has several advanced industry accreditations, including the GRI (Graduate of the Realtor Institute) and e-Pro designations. Along with his business partner of over a decade, Britton Jackson, he leads the SF Modern Condos team at Zephyr, and can be found online at www.SFModernCondos.com and www.JacksonFuller.com. The SF Modern Condos team at Zephyr has a proven track record of success in the highly competitive San Francisco market and can be reached at team@sfmoderncondos.com or at (415) 275-1745.

Fuller currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the San Francisco Association of REALTORS (SFAR) as well as a Director for the California Association of REALTORS (CAR).

About Zephyr Real Estate

Founded in 1978, Zephyr Real Estate is San Francisco's largest independent real estate firm with nearly $2 billion in gross sales in 2014 and a current roster of more than 250 full-time agents. Zephyr’s highly-visited website has earned two web design awards, including the prestigious Interactive Media Award. Zephyr Real Estate is a member of the international relocation network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World; the luxury real estate network, Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate; and the local luxury marketing association, the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco. Zephyr has six strategically located offices in San Francisco, a business center in Marin County, two brokerage affiliates in Sonoma County, and serves a large customer base throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit www.zephyrrealestate.com.

Virgile Gilabert of Heïades Immobilier Sells Exceptional Equestrian Property in the Southwest of France

Posted by John Brian Losh

TULETTE, FRANCE - Virgile Gilabert of Heïades Immobilier has closed the sale this month on an exceptional property in the southwest of France after receiving a call from a buyer that viewed the property on LuxuryRealEstate.com.
The home overlooks a valley from the top of its 6 hectares of woods and professional equestrian facilities. The beautiful main building greets guests with its wide arched entrance that leads to a large living room with huge fireplace and a beautiful dining room, both open onto the covered terrace with stunning views of the valley. The kitchen is designed by Snaidero and fully equipped, overlooking a sunny wrought iron veranda that plunges directly into the swimming pool. Property includes outbuildings, with five exquisite suites in the main building, a spa and hammam.

For more information on Heïades Immobilier, please visit www.heiades-immobilier.com.
About Heïades Immobilier
Heïades’s dynamic and expert team aims to support you in achieving your real estate projects. To help you to make the best decisions, all of our resources and our partner network are at your disposal for a successful operation. Heïades team insures a strong involvement, responsibility and efficiency.

Linda Miller Sells Largest Gulf Front Lot on Scenic Hwy 30-A in Florida for $3,550,000

Posted by Agnes Keyes

ROSEMARY BEACH, FL - Linda McCraney Miller has sold the largest gulf front lot on Scenic Hwy 30-A, spanning 107' on the gulf. The property sold this month for $3,550,000.
Alongside one of the world's most beautiful beaches, and within a mile of Alys Beach and two miles of Rosemary Beach, this lot is a rare find. There are no covenants or restrictions other than Walton County approval process and with the new sale it is ready for a new family compound along this beautiful, uncrowded beach.

For more information on Linda McCraney Miller and Rosemary Beach Realty, please visit www.rosemarybeachrealty.com.

C&W Welcomes Hospitality & Gaming Industry Veteran

Eric Lewis, Executive Managing Director and Mark Capasso, Executive Director, are thrilled to announce that Elaine Sahlins has joined Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Hospitality & Gaming Group, within Valuation & Advisory, as managing director and a senior member of its U.S. Operations team, based in San Francisco.

“Elaine is passionate about her work, which spans an array of focus areas; she’s highly regarded for her tireless mentorship of up-and-coming valuation professionals, and she truly embodies the client-centric mindset and pursuit of excellence that has made our V&A group one of the largest and most respected in the industry,” said Lewis.

Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Elaine spent more than 15 years at HVS as a Managing Director of the Consulting & Valuation Practice. While there, she was responsible for hotel and gaming valuations, market studies, feasibility reports and hospitality investment analysis. Elaine's professional experience also includes 7 years as a Senior Review Appraiser at Bank of America.

Ms. Sahlins’s experience also includes mixed-use projects, and she is well-versed in the appraisal of general commercial real estate, feasibility studies, appraisal of complex leases, partial interest appraisals, management company valuations, and hotel market analysis.

Ms. Sahlins is a Certified General Real Estate appraiser in the State of California and a Designated Member of the Appraisal Institute. In addition to having appraised or evaluated hundreds of properties in over 40 states and seven countries, she has written numerous articles and publications about hotel and gaming real estate.

A graduate of Barnard College, Elaine also holds a Master’s degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

“Hiring someone of Elaine’s caliber is a differentiator in the market and will allow our Hospitality & Gaming group to provide an even higher level of service and quality to our clients,” said Capasso.

Citigroup Signs 125,000 SF Lease as MiamiCenter Anchor

In one of the largest downtown Miami office lease transactions this year, Cushman & Wakefield and Crocker Partners today announced that Citigroup, the global banking and financial services corporation, has signed for 125,000 square feet at Miami Center. Along with announcing Citigroup’s 15-year lease renewal as anchor tenant, Crocker Partners unveiled plans for a $20 million makeover of the 34-story, 786,267-square foot tower.

Cushman & Wakefield Senior Director Jon Blunk represented Crocker Partners in the transaction. Patrick Duffy of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank represented Citigroup.
Citigroup’s commitment is good news for the market and for Miami Center, the state’s second largest Class A office tower, according to Angelo Bianco, partner in Crocker Partners. “Citigroup shares our excitement in Miami’s future as a world class business center. Locking in a long term lease at today’s rental rates is a wise move. Tenant demand from both organic and new tenant growth is in its 4th consecutive year of expansion. Couple that fact with the limited amount of office development in the pipeline and we have a perfect storm on the 12-24 month horizon for a significant increase in rents.”

The renovations already underway include a makeover of the lobby and exterior plaza, a new entrance and valet, and modernization of the elevators. Miami Center, with unobstructed bay and ocean views, immediate transit access and the adjacent Intercontinental Hotel, is well positioned with the ongoing revitalization of Miami’s CBD. Crocker Partners, Miami’s largest Class A office owner with more than 1.5 million square feet in the market, recently completed a $15 million renovation of its nearby SunTrust International Center.

The Citigroup lease comes on the heels of a 25,000-square foot Miami Center lease renewal by international law firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP.

Mr. Blunk said the recent commitments by large space tenants reflect confidence in Miami’s future as a dynamic global business center, a growing sense of urgency in a tightening market, and the desirability of Miami Center. Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Marketbeat report, he noted, forecasts continued office demand in the urban core, with the market poised for “incomparable growth in the next three to five years.”

Recapitalization Of 125th Street Office Portfolio In New York

Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. announced today that it served as the exclusive advisor to an affiliate of Cogswell Realty, LLC and the City Investment Fund in arranging the recapitalization of 55 West 125th Street and 215 West 125th Street, located in New York, New York. The transaction involved City Investment Fund selling its interest in the properties to Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management, which will own the assets in a joint venture with Cogswell Realty.

“Prospective joint venture equity partners respected Cogswell’s extensive history with the properties and valued their relationships with tenants after repositioning each building in the 1998-2001 time frame,” said Steve Kohn, President of Cushman & Wakefield Equity, Debt & Structured Finance. “The properties are well positioned to benefit from several retail, residential, and office projects in the near vicinity that are further transforming 125th Street,” added Christopher Moyer, Senior Director.

Situated on a thriving retail corridor and offering tremendous views of Central Park views and Midtown Manhattan, 55 & 215 West 125th Street are widely considered to be two of the top three most prestigious and desirable office buildings in Harlem. Home to a multitude of investment grade tenants, the Properties serve as the office of former President Bill Clinton, as well as numerous non-profit and federal, state and city agencies. Both Properties offer prime retail frontage on 125th Street, Harlem’s busiest and most notable office and retail corridor.

The Cushman & Wakefield Equity, Debt & Structured Finance team of Steve Kohn, Christopher Moyer and Alex Lapidus, served as exclusive advisor to Cogswell and the City Investment Fund.

Zoopla sweeps awards as both 'Best' & 'Most Popular' UK property website

Property website Zoopla.co.uk was named ‘Best Website’ and also voted ‘Most Popular Website’ in the Housing & Interior category at the Website of the Year Awards 2013, held in London last Thursday night.
The Website of the Year Awards, billed as “Britain’s most important people’s choice award for websites” received over 88,600 public votes this year for 238 different websites across the 20 eligible categories.
In each category there were two winners awarded based on public votes. The title of ‘Best Website of the Year’ was awarded to the website with the highest average score across four judging criteria - content, navigation, design and recommendation intention. The title of ‘Most Popular Website’ was awarded to the website with the highest number of votes within its category. Zoopla.co.uk picked up both of these awards for the Property (Housing & Interior) category.
Alex Chesterman, Founder & CEO of ZPG said,: "We have won more than our fair share of awards recently and continue to be delighted with this recognition. The ‘Website of the Year’ awards that we picked up last week are particularly pleasing to win as the nominees are selected and voted on by the general public. So it is a great reward for our team to see the public vote for us in such high numbers.”

Zoopla.co.uk reveals most influential agents on social media

Zoopla.co.uk has today launched the Zoopla Property Power 100 - a live leaderboard of the top 100 most influential residential property agents on Twitter.
The list, which will be updated weekly, identifies those agents most active on Twitter with each being scored based on numerous social signals including re-tweets, mentions, followers and replies to create the Zoopla Property Power 100. Further social media activities will be added into the scoring criteria over time.
The purpose of the Zoopla Property Power 100 is to highlight the most active and influential agents on Twitter and to encourage those less active to think about how social media can help to build their brand and develop their profile and reputation in their local markets.
Alex Chesterman, Founder & CEO of Zoopla.co.uk said,, “Social media and property marketing go hand in hand – we’re a nation obsessed with property and using social media to extend this conversation makes perfect sense. Those agents on the Zoopla Property Power 100 are the most active and influential in social media today but that can change overnight with a little effort from others interested in making their presence felt.”
Top 5 Twitter Tips from Zoopla.co.uk for Agents

Don’t auto-feed all your properties to your twitter timeline
Identify and engage with those currently house-hunting in your area
Tweet photos of your best or most interesting properties
Be helpful and tweet useful, relevant links and highlight your local knowledge
Post at least twice a day

Agents who are currently not featured on the Zoopla Property Power 100 can submit their Twitter handle here to see how far up the Zoopla Property Power 100 leaderboard they may feature.
To view the Zoopla Power Property 100 and claim your badge of honour please visit: http://www.zoopla.co.uk/property-power-100/

Zoopla Property Group named one of Britain's fastest growing tech companies

Zoopla Property Group (ZPG), owner of leading property websites Zoopla.co.uk and PrimeLocation.com, has been named as the 6th fastest-growing private technology, media and telecoms (TMT) business in Britain in this year’s prestigious Sunday Times’ Tech Track 100 list.
The list, which is published annually, ranks Britain’s leading private TMT companies by sales growth over the past three years and this year listed Zoopla Property Group in sixth place and as the only property-related business included on the list.
Meanwhile, ZPG along with its founder & CEO Alex Chesterman, are shortlisted for numerous high-profile awards at the moment. ZPG has been named a finalist for both ‘Company of the Year’ (Growing Business Awards) and ‘Europe’s Most Exciting Company of the Year’ (Investor All Stars Awards), and Alex Chesterman is currently in the running for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ in both the National Business Awards and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
This recognition reflects the staggering growth that ZPG has shown since its launch only five years ago with 63% of online house hunters in the UK now using the company’s websites each month to search for a property.
Alex Chesterman, Founder & CEO of Zoopla Property Group said,: “We’re extremely proud of the growth that we’ve achieved and the awards that we’ve been nominated for. They are a welcome reward for the hard work and dedication of our team. We are of course delighted to be featured in the top 10 of this year’s Sunday Times Tech Track list, amongst some other very exciting tech and media businesses.”

Number of British property millionaires hits 300,000

47,024 new property millionaires created in 2012
19% increase in number of property millionaires in 2012
64% of British property millionaires live in London
Kensington is the prime property capital of Britain

Strong demand for prime residential property during 2012 has created 47,024 more British property millionaires over the past 12 months, according to the latest research from property website Zoopla.co.uk.
There are now 300,142 property millionaires in Britain, up 19% from this time last year. The increase in property prices at the top-end of the market during 2012 was notably sharper than the rest of the property market where house prices grew by just 1% overall. House price growth in London and the South East, fuelled by demand from equity-rich buyers and limited supply, helped push the value of a further 47,024 UK properties over £1 million during 2012.
Almost two-thirds (64%) of Britain’s property millionaires live in London. The capital is home to 182,583 property millionaires, with 36,815 more created in the last 12 months, equivalent to 100 new property millionaires being created every day in the capital throughout 2012.
Kensington, W8 in London wears the crown for the most property millionaires in Britain with an average property value currently of £2,186,471 and where a staggering 64% of all homes are currently worth over £1 million. The luxury pads of Kensington are home to Roman Abramovich along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and where the value of the equivalent floor space to an Amazon Kindle (228cm²) is an eye-watering £389.
The most expensive street in the Britain is Kensington Palace Gardens. Dubbed ‘Billionaires Row’, the average home on the street is worth over £25 million. This exclusive address is home to Russian-American businessman Leonard Blavatnik, the UK’s 6th richest man, and to Lakshmi Mittal, the wealthiest man in the UK with a personal fortune of around £9.8 billion.
The London picture The borough of Kensington and Chelsea is home to the most property millionaires with 36,293. Despite being the smallest London borough, covering just 12km², it contains 12% of Britain’s property millionaires. It is followed closely by the borough of Westminster (32,477) which includes the famous areas of Mayfair and Park Lane. In third place is the borough of Camden (18,400), which includes Primrose Hill, home of famous property millionaires such as James Cordon, Daniel Craig, Jamie Oliver and Ed Miliband.
Lawrence Hall of Zoopla.co.uk, said: “The top end of the property market operates seemingly in isolation to the rest of the market. Wealthier buyers are relatively impervious to the economic problems affecting the rest of the market, most notably when it comes to getting a mortgage. Foreign buyers in particular have gravitated towards top-end property in London over the last few years, which has pushed up demand and prices on more expensive property as they try to secure a limited supply of top-end homes in the capital.”

Number of property millionaires in Britain

Rank	Region	No. of property millionaires (Dec ’12)	No. of property millionaires (Dec ’11)	Change over last 12 months
1	London	182,583	145,768	36,815
2	South East England	61,586	57,736	3,850
3	South West England	12,094	9,793	2,301
4	East of England	20,470	19,123	1,347
5	North WestEngland	5,586	4,963	623
6	West Midlands	4,087	3,486	601
7	Scotland	7,264	6,835	429
8	North East England	2,082	1,744	338
9	Yorkshire & The Humber	1,541	1,270	271
10	East Midlands	2,003	1,757	246
11	Wales	844	643	201
	TOTAL BRITAIN	300,142	253,118	47,024

Source: Zoopla.co.uk

Highest proportion of property millionaires

Rank	Area	Avg. property values	£1m+ properties
1	Kensington (W8)	£2,186,471	64%
2	South Kensington (SW7)	£1,830,093	63%
3	Chelsea (SW3)	£1,650,364	49%
4	Westminster (W1)	£1,226,655	42%
5	Barnes (SW13)	£1,079,808	40%
6	Notting Hill (W11)	£1,475,540	39%
7	West Brompton (SW10)	£1,277,950	37%
8	Belgravia & Pimlico (SW1)	£1,178,742	34%
9	Earl's Court (SW5)	£985,327	32%
10	Hampstead & BelsizePark (NW3)	£1,069,623	31%

Source: Zoopla.co.uk

Housing market confidence at highest level in 3 years

74% of homeowners expect house prices to rise by September
Average house price predicted to grow by 4.5% over next six months
Owners in Yorkshire and Humber least confident. London owners most bullish

UK homeowners are expecting house prices to rise by 4.5% over the next six months, a sign of significant confidence returning to the housing market, according to the latest research from property website Zoopla.co.uk.
This is the biggest predicted house price increase by UK homeowners in over 3 years and could signal that 2013 is set to be the best year for the property market since the financial crisis struck.
The proportion of homeowners who think that house prices will increase this year is also at the highest level for almost three years with three quarters (74%) of those surveyed predicting prices in their area will increase, the most since the second quarter of 2010.

Confidence has grown notably over just the past few months as only 65% of owners predicted an increase back in December. And only 13% of owners now expect prices to fall over the course of the next six months, down from 19% at the end of last year.
Owners in Yorkshire and the Humber are the least bullish with only 61% expecting property prices to rise over the next six months. In stark contrast, 89% of London homeowners predict prices to rise by the end of summer making them the most confident property owners in the UK.
Lawrence Hall of Zoopla.co.uk, commented: “The housing market has seen a number of positive events in recent weeks including the Budget and growing confidence from homeowners is a significant step towards a recovery. With first-time buyer lending gradually increasing and mortgages becoming more readily available, there is real belief that the property market is starting to turn a corner and finally drag itself out of the hole since the financial crisis.”
Methodology

Zoopla invited registered users of Zoopla.co.uk to participate in this study.
The survey was fielded from 25th – 29th March 2013.
There were 4,116 total respondents, of which 3,485 were homeowners. Statistics based on a sample of this size are accurate to within less than +/- 1.0% with 95% confidence, if the sample is drawn at random from the population it intends to represent.
These respondents represent the perspective of the Zoopla.co.uk user community, and could be considered to represent the population of people interested in the UK residential property market.
All statistics are based on the full sample unless otherwise noted.

Zoopla.co.uk hands over £53,000 to Midlands charities

At the start of the football season, following the announcement of its headline sponsorship of West Bromwich Albion FC, Zoopla.co.uk pledged to donate £1,000 to local Midlands charities every time The Baggies scored during the 2012/13 Premier League season.
After the thrilling 5-5 draw with Man United in the last game of the season on Sunday, West Brom’s success on the field in their most successful Premier League season ever has provided a windfall for local charities as a result of the generous pledge from Zoopla.co.uk.
Each goal scored by The Baggies this season saw £500 pledged by Zoopla to The Albion Foundation and a further £500 pledged to local charities including Ideal for All, Krunch, Compton Hospice, CLIC Sargent and Macmillan. With 53 goals scored, The Albion Foundation will get £26,500 and each of the other charities will get £5,300 from Zoopla.co.uk.
And in terms of which players helped secure the cash for these charities as a result of their goal-scoring abilities, striker Romelu Lukaku topped the list scoring an amazing £17,000, followed by Shane Long who netted an impressive £11,000 and James Morrison and Peter Odemwingie who added £5,000 apiece to the charity pot from Zoopla.co.uk.
Alex Chesterman, Founder & CEO of Zoopla.co.uk said, "We're delighted to be handing over such a significant sum to each of these charities. They each do great work and have much need of our support. The Baggies have had a tremendous season and we're glad that our Charity Golden Goal initiative has quite literally paid off for the local community."

Property price reductions at lowest level for almost three years

Proportion of discounted properties falls from 34.3% to 30.7% over past year
Average property price reduction (6.1%) at lowest level since November 2010
North still suffering from over-pricing and high level of discounted properties
Sellers feeling less pressure to reduce prices as confidence in market grows

In a further sign of strength in the housing market, research out today from property website Zoopla.co.uk reveals that the number of properties currently for sale that have been reduced in price since first coming onto the market has fallen to its lowest level in almost three years.
The proportion of properties for sale that have had their asking price dropped at least once now stands at 30.7%, down from 34.3% twelve months ago. This marks the third successive quarter where the proportion of reduced price properties has fallen and is the latest sign that confidence is returning to the housing market.
The amount by which asking prices are being discounted on average has also fallen to 6.1%, the lowest proportion since November 2010. But the north-south property divide remains with the top ten areas with both the highest proportion of discounted properties and the biggest asking price reductions all in the north.
Yorkshire has been particularly hit by property price reductions. Six of the ten areas with the biggest proportion of discounted properties are in Yorkshire, including the top three with 42% of properties in Rotherham, 41% in Doncaster and 40% in Wakefield having been reduced in price coming to the market. And Barnsley has the highest average discount in the country to the original asking price at 8.6% followed by Liverpool (8.5%) and Blackpool (8.3%.
London has the lowest proportion of price reductions in the UK with only 24% of properties currently for sale in the capital having had their asking price adjusted downwards. Edinburgh (25%) and Bournemouth (26%) complete the top three. And Edinburgh has the lowest average asking price discount in the UK currently standing at just 4.9% off the original asking price with Swindon (5.3%) and Bedford (5.4%) coming in second and third respectively.
Lawrence Hall of Zoopla.co.uk comments:: “There is a generally positive sentiment in the property market at the moment that reflects a genuine belief that the worst of the economic crisis is behind us and that the housing market is at the early stages of a recovery. These figures show that fewer and fewer sellers are feeling the same level of pressure to reduce prices as over the past couple of years which bodes well for a recovery in house pricing.”

Top 5 Areas with Highest Proportion of Asking Price Reductions

Rank	Area	% of Homes on the Market Reduced	Avg. Price Reduction (%)
1	Rotherham	41.9%	7.79%
2	Doncaster	40.7%	8.33%
3	Wakefield	40.2%	7.52%
4	Barnsley	38.4%	8.57%
5	Sunderland	38.2%	8.33%

Source: Zoopla.co.uk (May 2013)

Top 5 Areas with Biggest Asking Price Reductions

Rank	Area	Avg. Price Reduction (%)	% of Homes on Market Reduced
1	Barnsley	8.57%	38.4%
2	Liverpool	8.51%	35.1%
3	Blackpool	8.34%	28.8%
4	Doncaster	8.33%	40.7%
5	Sunderland	8.33%	38.2%

Source: Zoopla.co.uk (May 2013)

Top 5 Areas with Lowest Proportion of Asking Price Reductions

Rank	Area	% of Homes on Market Reduced	Avg. Price Reduction (%)
1	London	23.5%	6.7%
2	Edinburgh	25.1%	4.91%
3	Bournemouth	26.7%	6.44%
4	Swansea	27.4%	6.43%
5	Gloucester	27.6%	6.39%

Source: Zoopla.co.uk (May 2013)

Top 5 Areas with Smallest Asking Price Reductions

Rank	Area	Avg. Price Reduction (%)	% of Homes on Market Reduced
1	Edinburgh	4.91%	25.1%
2	Swindon	5.27%	31.6%
3	Bedford	5.36%	29.2%
4	Milton Keynes	5.47%	30.3%
5	Derby	5.69%	33.2%

Source: Zoopla.co.uk (May 2013)

Zoopla renews its commitment to local charities this season

Last season Zoopla launched its Golden Goals initiative, pledging to donate £1,000 to local Midlands charities every time The Baggies scored during the 2012/13 Premier League season. As a result of the Baggies most successful Premier League season ever, Zoopla donated £53,000 for local charities at the end of the season.
This year, Zoopla are again committing to support a variety of local charities through its Golden Goals. Like last season Zoopla will donate £1,000 to charity for each goal scored by West Bromich Albion in the Premier League (home and away), but this year each Baggies player represents a certain charity that will benefit the nominated charity of they score. For each goal scored, Zoopla will donate £500 to goal-scorers nominated charity (below) and £500 to the Albion Foundation.
Players and nominated charities:

Sandwell Special Olympics – Olsson, Vydra, Jones, Dawson, Gera
Autism West Midlands – Reid, Lugano, Tamas, Anelka
Sandwell Women’s Aid – Popov, Morrison, Thorne, Dorrans
St. Mary’s Hospice – Ridgewell, Long, McAuley, Berahino
Age Concern, Sandwell – Yacob, Rosenberg, Brunt, Mulumbu

Last season the local charities that benefitted from the Golden Goals were the Albion Foundation, Ideal for All, Krunch, Compton Hospice, CLIC Sargent and Macmillan.
So, the more the Baggies score, the more Zoopla will donate! Boing Boing!

Gap between cost of renting and buying narrows as house prices rise

Owning home still 13% cheaper than renting on average across UK
But buying is now 3.2% more expensive than this time last year
Renting average 2-bed flat is £961 per year more expensive than owning
York is most cost effective to buy whilst Plymouth is cheaper to rent

Although buying a property remains 13% more cost-effective than renting, the gap is narrowing as house prices are on the rise again, according to the latest research by property search website Zoopla.co.uk.
One year ago, renting in the UK was £993 per year on average more expensive than servicing a mortgage, but this gap has now come down by 3.2% to £961 today. As a result, the proportion of towns and cities across the UK where it is cheaper to buy than rent has fallen from 90% to 86% over the past twelve months.
The main cause of the narrowing gap has been that house prices have climbed at a faster pace over the past year than rents with the cost of renting a two-bedroom flat across Britain is now £84 (1.1%) more expensive on average than last year, whereas the cost of servicing an interest-only mortgage on a typical two-bedroom flat has risen £120 (1.7%) on average.
Despite the narrowing gap, it is still 13% cheaper to own than to rent. The average rental payment on a typical two-bedroom flat is £8,006 per year, compared to £7,045 per year to service an interest-only mortgage at a 5% rate. Using a 90% LTV interest-only mortgage at a typical Best Buy rate of 4.39%. , the rental premium is even higher with the average mortgage at £126,817 and interest of £464 per month, saving an owner £2,439 a year (not including cost of deposit).
Weaker house price growth in the north has meant that northern towns dominate the list of places where it is cheaper to buy than rent with York topping the list and where tenants pay a £3,326 (42%) annual premium over owners.
Higher property prices in the south have led to a number of places where it is cheaper to rent instead of buying with Plymouth topping the list and where tenants in the seaside town pay £845 (15%) per year less than owners on average. Despite the high rents in London, property price rises over the past year in the capital have now made renting 6% more cost-effective than buying.
Lawrence Hall of Zoopla.co.uk comments: “Buying remains significantly more cost-effective than renting, but the gap is closing. With increased mortgage availability buyer demand is rising, especially amongst first time buyers, whilst rental demand is falling so house prices are generally rising faster than average rents, although it is clear that large regional differences still exist.”

Top 5 locations where buying beats renting

Rank	Location	Avg. Monthly Rent*	Avg. Asking Price*	Rental Premium**
1	York	£940	£159,079	41.8%
2	Derby	£563	£95,774	41.1%
3	Coventry	£611	£105,578	38.9%
4	Hull	£503	£87,769	37.5%
5	Bradford	£507	£89,173	36.5%

Source: Zoopla.co.uk
* Based on 2 bedroom flats on the market for sale/rent in May 2013
** % variance between average monthly rent and average monthly cost of 5% p.a. interest-only mortgage

Top 5 locations where renting rules

Rank	Location	Avg. Monthly Rent*	Avg. Asking Price*	Rental Discount**
1	Plymouth	£581	£163,207	-14.6%
2	Swansea	£650	£172,914	-9.8%
3	Bournemouth	£776	£205,491	-9.4%
4	London	£2,427	£616,542	-5.5%
5	Stockport	£585	£145,110	-3.2%

Source: Zoopla.co.uk
* Based on 2 bedroom flats on the market for sale/rent in May 2013
** % variance between average monthly rent and average monthly cost of 5% p.a. interest-only mortgage

Zoopla.co.uk Top 50 Rent vs Buy Index May 2013

Rank	City	Av. Monthly Rent	Average Asking Price	Rent / Buy Ratio	Rent / Buy
1	Plymouth	£581	£163,207	1.17	Rent
2	Swansea	£650	£172,914	1.11	Rent
3	Bournemouth	£776	£205,491	1.10	Rent
4	London	£2,427	£616,542	1.06	Rent
5	Stockport	£585	£145,110	1.03	Rent
6	Brighton	£1,101	£266,579	1.01	Rent
7	Wigan	£451	£108,507	1.00	Rent
8	Oldham	£477	£113,525	0.99	Buy
9	Bristol	£732	£170,738	0.97	Buy
10	Edinburgh	£724	£165,969	0.96	Buy
11	Huddersfield	£520	£118,516	0.95	Buy
12	Cambridge	£1,118	£249,829	0.93	Buy
13	Wolverhampton	£503	£111,719	0.93	Buy
14	Lincoln	£529	£116,902	0.92	Buy
15	Dundee	£507	£111,499	0.92	Buy
16	Cardiff	£672	£147,409	0.91	Buy
17	Barnsley	£416	£91,073	0.91	Buy
18	Rotherham	£442	£95,969	0.90	Buy
19	Bedford	£633	£137,144	0.90	Buy
20	Liverpool	£607	£130,480	0.90	Buy
21	Middlesbrough	£520	£111,423	0.89	Buy
22	Southampton	£741	£157,774	0.89	Buy
23	Newcastle	£615	£128,902	0.87	Buy
24	Warrington	£563	£117,056	0.87	Buy
25	Sheffield	£568	£117,958	0.87	Buy
26	Norwich	£654	£135,743	0.86	Buy
27	Bolton	£468	£96,870	0.86	Buy
28	Leeds	£659	£135,748	0.86	Buy
29	Walsall	£490	£99,810	0.85	Buy
30	Manchester	£728	£147,832	0.85	Buy
31	Colchester	£689	£135,724	0.82	Buy
32	Preston	£559	£107,998	0.80	Buy
33	Aberdeen	£854	£164,983	0.80	Buy
34	Doncaster	£494	£94,772	0.80	Buy
35	Ipswich	£607	£114,595	0.79	Buy
36	Leicester	£576	£108,467	0.78	Buy
37	Glasgow	£568	£106,821	0.78	Buy
38	Reading	£1,036	£192,807	0.78	Buy
39	Stoke-on-Trent	£507	£94,316	0.78	Buy
40	Peterborough	£572	£104,689	0.76	Buy
41	Nottingham	£633	£114,698	0.75	Buy
42	Milton Keynes	£789	£142,588	0.75	Buy
43	Northampton	£598	£106,908	0.74	Buy
44	Birmingham	£702	£124,999	0.74	Buy
45	Swindon	£594	£105,430	0.74	Buy
46	Bradford	£507	£89,173	0.73	Buy
47	Hull	£503	£87,769	0.73	Buy
48	Coventry	£611	£105,578	0.72	Buy
49	Derby	£563	£95,774	0.71	Buy
50	York	£940	£159,079	0.71	Buy

Source: Zoopla.co.uk
* Based on 2 bedroom flats on the market for sale/rent in May 2013
** % variance between average monthly rent and average monthly cost of 5% p.a. interest-only mortgage