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Friday, December 23, 2011

Maui, Lahaina - Great Place in America

History and community make Front Street great

BY MARK VIETH - EDITOR


LAHAINA - There are few streets in the United States that can match Front Street - what David Allaire calls "the heartbeat of Lahaina."

Front Street's history, incredible oceanfront setting, people of diverse cultures and architecture all make the area special and worthy of recognition as one of the American Planning Association's 2011 "Great Streets in America."

Lahaina Restoration Foundation (LRF) held a ceremony last week Thursday afternoon at the Baldwin Home to honor the Lahaina community for this achievement and unveil a bronze plaque designating Lahaina's focal point as a "Great Street" for 2011.LRF Executive Director Theo Morrison said the Lahaina community deserves credit for preserving the history and integrity of Lahaina Town.She called Front Street a collage of Lahaina's fascinating history, with the King's Taro Patch; Spring House, the primary source of water supplied to the whaling ships docked in the Lahaina Roadstead; missionary home of Rev. Dwight Baldwin; and sugar plantation-era buildings all within sight of her podium.

LRF President Allaire said the "Great Street" honor belongs to the whole town and the 500-900 block of Front Street.

He said the historic corridor on the seaside is a "wonderful place" with great weather, eclectic architecture reflecting the town's cultural and historical eras, and fantastic people from Lahaina and all over the world.

Lahaina has its characters, but the town is full of good people that are kind and love their family and community, Allaire commented. Read more...

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Stocks Surge On Strong Housing, Europe Reports

Encouraging signs out of Europe and a surprisingly strong report on the U.S. housing market drove the Dow Jones industrial average up more than 300 points Tuesday. It was the best day for stocks this month.
The Dow gained 337.32 points, or 2.9 percent to close at 12,103.58. It lost 100 points the day before.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 35.95 points, or 3 percent, to 1,241.30. Only six stocks in the index fell. The Nasdaq composite index rose 80.59, or 3.2 percent, to 2,603.73.
The Spanish government pulled off a successful debt auction and gauges of business and consumer confidence in Germany rose unexpectedly. Both helped ease worries about Europe's debt crisis. The dollar fell against the euro and U.S. government bond prices dropped as traders shifted money out of the safest assets.
Borrowing costs for the Spanish government plunged at an auction of short-term debt, a sign that investors are becoming more confident in the country's ability to pay. Read more...

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

THE MOST VALUABLE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF JEWELS SOLD AT AUCTION


CHRISTIE'S RECORD BREAKING EVENING SALE OF LEGENDARY JEWELS FROM THE COLLECTION OF ELIZABETH TAYLOR $115,932,000/ £74,196,480/ €89,267,640 MARKING THE FIRST SALE IN THE FOUR-DAY SERIES: 13-16 DECEMBER
 
7 WORLD AUCTION RECORDS, INCLUDING A PEARL JEWEL, AN INDIAN JEWEL, AN EMERALD JEWEL, PRICE PER CARAT FOR A COLORLESS DIAMOND AND FOR A RUBY
 
La Peregrina
Estimate: US$2,000,000-$3,000,000
Price Realized: US$11,842,500
New York - The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: The Legendary Jewels Evening Sale achieved $115,932,000 (£74,196,480/€89,267,640), becoming the most valuable jewelry auction in history and setting the tone for Christie's highly anticipated four-day series of landmark auctions devoted to the iconic collection of Elizabeth Taylor (13-16 December 2011). A tribute to the discerning eye of this celebrated film star, fashion icon, and humanitarian, the sale was 100% sold by lot and 100% by value, with 24 of the 80 jewels fetching over $1 million and 6 jewels over $5 million. 7 new world auction records were established: price per carat for a colorless diamond and for a ruby; a pair of natural pearl ear pendants; a pearl jewel; an Indian jewel and an emerald jewel.

The top lot of the sale was the legendary 16th century pearl La Peregrina which realized $11,842,500 (£7,579,200/ €9,118,725), setting two world auction records: for an historic pearl (against the previous record of $2.5 million set by La Regente at Christie's Geneva, 2005) and for a pearl jewel (surpassing the $7 million record paid for The Baroda Pearls at Christie's New York, 2007). A gift from Richard Burton in 1969 (having been bought for $37,000 at auction), this remarkable pearl of 203 grains in size is equivalent to 50 carats. Discovered in the 1500s in the Gulf of Panama, it became part of the crown jewels of Spain and ranks as one of the most important historic pearls in the world. Elizabeth Taylor designed the Ruby and Diamond Necklace with Al Durante of Cartier to offset what she called "the most perfect pearl in the world."
  
The sales continue December 14, with a treasure trove of 190 additional jewels, including personal mementos and beloved gifts. The eagerly anticipated sale of The Icon and her Haute Couture will also take place on the evening of December 14, starting at 7pm. 
  

Jewel of Kahana - Maui Oceanfront Estate - Major Price Reduction

Jewel of Kahana - Maui Oceanfront Estate - Major Price Reduction


The sellers of West Maui’s most prime oceanfront estate have recently reduced the price from $15.9M to $11.9M.  As the listing agent, I have been encouraged to submit all offers.

Please see the link below for more details.  I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the property, comparable sales and oceanfront market conditions.


The property is like no other on West Maui:
·         Over ½ acre in size
·         Living area over 9,700 square feet
·         Over 250 feet of ocean frontage
·         Beach access just steps away
·         Oceanfront Suites
·         Accommodations for up to 16
·         Offered turnkey

Please contact me or your agent for additional information.



MARY ANNE FITCH
Owner & Principal Broker®
Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)



Maui Estates International LLC
272 South Ulukoa Place
Lahaina, HI 96761

Cell Phone    (808) 250-1583
Home Office (808) 661-1583
Home Fax     (808) 661-2083
E-mail            sold@maui.net
Website          www.soldmaui.com
$500 Million In Maui Real Estate Sales Since 1988


Monday, December 12, 2011



Christie's Elizabeth Taylor sales, which have captured headlines around the globe, will kick off tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13, with the Legendary Jewels Evening Sale in New York. The ensuing four days of sales, in addition to the Online-Only Auction, will create historic exposure and heightened global esteem for Christie's auction house.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Stone Canyon Ranch is a State-of-the-Art Equestrian Mecca in Pristine San Benito County

Financier George Roberts transformed this ranch into a horseman’s utopia



Paicines, California — Commanding more than 10,000 acres of prime vineyard, agricultural, and grazing land in the San Benito River Valley, Stone Canyon Ranch has been lovingly developed into one of California’s premier equestrian ranch properties.


Financier George Roberts acquired the ranch in the 1990s expressly for his late wife, Leanne, who was an award-winning equestrian and horse breeder, and the property’s many amenities reflect the highest standards in landscaping, construction, and facilities for the horseman.
Stone Canyon was gloriously brought to life through the vision of noted San Francisco architect Ugo Sap, who designed this transcendent compound to provide stunning views, maximum seclusion, and a true communion with nature. Sited atop a prominent ridge line with commanding panoramic views of the property and surrounding valley, the main residence of the Upper Compound spans 7,900 square feet of living space and features a very open single-story floor plan dominated by a large open foyer at the center of the residence. To one side of the foyer are a dining room, modern kitchen, breakfast area, screened-in informal dining room, laundry room, and basement wine cellar. The other side of the foyer leads to the living room, library, and a large master-bedroom suite that includes two bathrooms and a study. 
Adjacent guest quarters occupy more than 4,500 square feet and boast a patio with built-in barbeque and limestone floors. Three separate 1,000-square-foot guest suites, each with a private entrance, are part of the guest quarters complex, and each guest room is characterized by a vaulted ceiling with stone fireplace and a modern bathroom. Also located in the upper residential compound are a large 20-by-60-foot swimming pool, tennis court, pool house, garage, and landscaped yards with modern sculptures. Elsewhere on the vast property are three singlefamily residences that can serve as homes for a ranch caretaker and staff.
“What distinguishes Stone Canyon Ranch are its structures, which are characterized by a minimalistic, resort-style architecture and are oriented to maximize privacy and views and foster a oneness with the natural surroundings,” says Steven Mavromihalis of Pacific Union International. “Most of the ranch buildings consist of heavy steel frames, poured concrete posts, and construction material imported from around the world,” he says. The ranch’s slate roof tiles are from France, limestone flooring is from Italy, and the trellises are of Alaskan cedar. The exterior includes stone walls and solid mahogany doors and window casements. The interior finish of the main residence and guest quarters includes limestone floors, high ceilings, extensive low-voltage lighting, custom cabinetry, stone fireplaces, and numerous windows, including a dome-shaped window in the formal dining room.
“With five separate horse barns, two riding arenas, two training arenas, and a hay barn, Stone Canyon Ranch is truly a trophy property for the horse lover,” says Zackary Wright of Christie’s International Real Estate. Wright notes that the ranch’s equestrian facilities are situated on two separate compounds—the Lower Compound and River Compound—and reflect modern construction and design principles. Built in 2000, the main horse barn is a 14-stall structure with two living quarters, and is made with a steel frame, wood siding, and composition shingle roof.
The barn’s interior has rubber tile floors, wood-partitioned stalls, and a wood ceiling. The second horse barn is a five-stall isolation barn with outside pens, and the third barn exceeds 5,000 square feet, features steel frame, wood-siding construction, and is divided into three storage areas, a three-stall horse barn, tack room, incubator room, and a one-bedroom apartment. The riding area is a 150-by-220-foot pre-engineered steel frame building with metal panel sides and roof. The training arenas include one steel-pole, 68-foot-diameter circular pen with a metal roof, and a 44-by-44-foot steel frame pole barn with a panelled 40-foot diameter arena. The ranch’s vast acreage has been used as vineyards, cattle-raising, and farming, and much of the landscaped residential grounds are graced with fine-art sculpture. Stone Canyon Ranch is listed at US$32,000,000.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Christie's - The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor Online Only Auction




Featuring more than 950 lots of Fine Jewelry, Fashion & Accessories, Costume Jewelry and Decorative Arts & Memorabilia. Online bidding begins 3 Dec through 17 Dec.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

High-End Hits the Auction Block

Long associated with desperate sellers and foreclosed homes, auctions are now selling mansions and luxury estates.


By CANDACE JACKSON

Calabasas, Calif.

Last Friday, about 60 people gathered at a 10,300-square-foot French Chateau-style home in a gated community of this wealthy suburb of Los Angeles. Nibbling on fruit salad and croissants, the visitors meandered through the home's large kitchen, checked out the view of the rolling hills or peeked into the movie theater with stadium seating while it played "Pretty in Pink."

They had all gathered to see this seven-bedroom, seven-bath mansion, which was rented by singer Britney Spears between roughly 2008 and 2010, sell to the highest bidder. The home had previously been on the market for as much as $10.8 million; bidding would start at $4.5 million.

"I'm starting to get butterflies," confessed Regina Leon, who owns the home with her husband Jose "Pancho" Leon, a builder and founder of a money-order company. After several of her girlfriends mentioned they were coming by, Ms. Leon had decided at the last minute to cancel her hair appointment to stay to watch the action unfold. Mr. Leon said he wasn't worried, though he admitted he'd gotten only about four hours of sleep the night before.

Once considered a last resort for desperate sellers or for banks unloading foreclosed properties, home auctions are increasingly being used to sell penthouse apartments, waterfront mansions and grand country estates—many of them languishing in an uncertain market after significant price cuts. At Premiere Estates Auction Co., founded 10 years ago, the average price of a home the company auctions is up nearly 40% from a year or so ago, says auctioneer Anthony Fitzgerald. Gadsden, Ala.-based auction company JP King, in business since 1915, has seen inquiries for home auctions above $10 million so far this year double from a couple of years ago, said Craig King, the company's president. In 2010, the company had 11 inquiries for homes above $10 million; so far this year it's had 24. Read more...

Deal to build smart grid on Maui signed

By AUDREY McAVOY; The Maui News and The Associated Press


HONOLULU - Hawaii and Japan signed off on a project Tuesday to build a smart grid on Maui to demonstrate how solar, wind and other renewable energy sources can be integrated into an electrical grid.
The project aims to overcome one of the obstacles that prevent communities from using more renewable energy and create a model for others around the world to follow.
The experiment will involve smart utility system controls in homes and businesses in Kihei, although some electric vehicle charging stations involved will be placed on other parts of Maui.
The Japanese-government-sponsored New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, or NEDO, will invest $37 million in the experiment. The state of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric Co. and other companies are providing their experience and facilities.
NEDO is an arm of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Read more...

Sunday, November 20, 2011

BRICS AND MORTAR


The newly minted super-rich are propping up the prestige property market – and this time their motives aren’t just financial
By Robin Bowman

In 15 years of selling in London, estate agent Ben Morris has never been so busy. Sales of super-luxury property in London are booming, fuelled largely by ultra-wealthy foreigners. “Typically I’ll get a call from a buyer who says they’ll be passing through London for 48 hours and they want to see some properties,” says Morris. “I’ve even known people actually buy a multimillion-pound property in that time.” Last year foreign investors pumped £3.3bn into luxury London dwellings. They now make up 27% of buyers, and own some 40% of the city’s prime real estate. These buyers, mainly from BRIC countries, are increasingly eager, it seems, to grab a trophy property. Morris works for Savills in London’s upmarket Knightsbridge. “2011 has been phenomenal. We’re selling lots of properties in excess of £10m (€11.5m),” he says. “Business has come right back following the financial crisis. We’re seeing buyers from Russia, India, Eastern Europe and China – in that order.” In the three months to mid-September, luxury property consultants Barnes reported a 60% rise in foreign enquiries in London.
The UK capital is exceptional for the proportion of foreign buyers it attracts, but two other cities – Paris and New York – also stand out. In the Big Apple, some agents report prices at or near their peak of the second quarter of 2008. In just one week this summer three residences, all priced over $25m, came to market in Manhattan – the most expensive being an 18-room, five-bed apartment for $29m at 640 Park Avenue.
Jonathan J Miller of New York agents Miller Samuel says the proportion of foreign buyers has certainly increased, particularly as the dollar has declined. Over the company’s 25-year history, such investors have accounted for an average of 15% of sales. That has risen to 25% this year. “The activity is originating largely from Europe and Asia but there’s a growing interest from South America, especially from Brazil,” he says. “Russian investment tends to be at the very high end of the market in trophy properties – and Indian investment seems to be gaining. Chinese investment has also shown gains.” Read more...

Friday, November 18, 2011

Sales of Distinction - Kapalua, Maui

Highest Sold Price in Pineapple Hill, Kapalua since 2007



110 Woodrrose Place closed today for $3M. At $1,000/sq. ft. this is the highest sold price for a home in Pineapple Hill neighborhood since 2007. This superb residence was completely remodeled in 2010 and the layout's changes grandly emphasize the magnificent ocean view. Pineapple Hill is a 99 lots subdivision developed in the mid 80s by Maui Land & Pine. The home was originally built in 1989. The owner decided to go for a total makeover, using the finest material, and the result is stunning.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Isleworth Hosts Another Successful Collegiate Invitational

Isleworth Realty is the Christie's International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate in this luxurious golfing community


Each year, Isleworth is a proud host to the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational hosted by Texas Tech and the University of Central Florida, an annual amateur golf event recognized as one of the leading college golf competitions in the nation. October marked the luxury residential golf community’s eighth Isleworth Collegiate Invitational featuring 15 of the finest college teams, including this year’s champion the Texas Longhorns. Texas found itself atop the leaderboard on the final day of the three-day competition and claimed its second Isleworth Collegiate Invitational win. Beyond landing the nation’s strongest teams, the tournament has attracted amateur golf’s best individual talent. During their collegiate careers, current touring professionals Bud Causley, Rickie Fowler, J.B. Holmes, Chris Kirk, Jamie Lovemark, Pablo Martin, Webb Simpson and Jhonatthan Vegas all had the pleasure of playing in the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational.
Created in 2004, Isleworth welcomes the best teams in collegiate golf inside its gates each fall for an experience rivaling that of a real major championship. The tournament combines exceptional hospitality, a challenging tournament field and one of the best conditioned courses in the world. Isleworth's magnificent greens, fairways and lakes are a sight to behold, but beyond its beauty lies a golf challenge unlike any other. A par-72, 7,544-yard championship course originally designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay and later redesigned and enhanced by Steve Smyers, Isleworth consistently ranks as one of the longest and most difficult courses in Florida and is home to a number of world-renowned PGA professionals. Besides taking on one of the most trying courses, Isleworth Collegiate Invitational players get to compete in front of their idols.
For host schools Texas Tech and UCF, the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational is an important recruiting tool for their top-ranked golf programs because potential recruits look to play in the best tournament schedules on the most challenging courses available. For Isleworth Realty, the collegiate tournament serves as an opportunity to form relationships with up-and-coming golfers who will need a quality training ground once they turn professional.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Clinton vowing to ‘lock in’ investment in Asia-Pacific

By JAYMES SONG, The Associated Press


HONOLULU - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday vowed to expand U.S. engagement in the Asia-Pacific by building trade ties, reinforcing alliances and continuing to press for democratic reforms in authoritarian nations like China and Vietnam.

In a nearly hourlong outdoor speech, Clinton addressed a few hundred invited guests including Hawaii's political leaders, heads of a dozen Pacific island nations and senior U.S. military officials. Clinton was in Hawaii to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, calling the event's host state "America's gateway to Asia."

"It is becoming increasingly clear that in the 21st century, the world's strategic and economic center of gravity will be the Asia-Pacific, from the Indian subcontinent to western shores of the Americas," Clinton said. "One of the most important tasks of American statecraft over the next decade will be to lock in a substantially increased investment - diplomatic, economic, strategic and otherwise - in this region."

Clinton spoke at length about China and the need for the two nations to work together to ensure "strong, sustained and balanced future global growth." But China first needs to take steps to reform, she said, such as ending unfair discrimination against the U.S. and other foreign companies, allowing its currency to appreciate more rapidly and ending measures that disadvantage or pirate foreign intellectual property.

"We believe that making these changes would provide a stronger foundation for stability and growth - for China and for everyone," she said.

She also declared her "alarm" over the recent self-immolation of 11 Tibetan monks and nuns in protest of Chinese policy. It was the strongest U.S. wording so far on these incidents.

"We have made very clear our serious concerns about China's record on human rights," she said.

Clinton said it was critical to "engage and seize new opportunities" in the Asia-Pacific, which has nearly half of the world's population, several of the largest and fastest-growing economies and some of the busiest ports and shipping lanes. She also talked about the challenges, such as military buildups, concerns about nuclear weapons, natural disasters and greenhouse gas emissions.Read more ...

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Classic Wine-making Bijou Château in the World-famous City of Bordeaux

This spectacular estate is offered for sale at more than €11.2M by Christie's International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate, Maxwell Storrie Baines


Château de Seguin enjoys a very private position with gated access amidst the beautiful rolling countryside, close to the city of Bordeaux. Situated on 172 hectares of land, of which 93 hectares are planted with vines, this amazing vineyard estate is set around a circa-1780 château complemented by various wine-making and storage facilities. Updated with many modern amenities, this property is designed for gracious entertaining.
The estate, with its impressive number of buildings, affirms a long history devoted to agriculture and wine production. The main residence includes seven bedrooms plus an independent apartment. Several buildings are set around the central courtyard, including a fascinating wine-making museum with rare pieces that stand witness to times gone by. Other buildings comprise acuverie, wine tasting and reception rooms with an adjacent kitchen area ideally suited for hosting larger receptions, a hangar for the machinery, a bottle storage area, and a large barrel chai.
The pale stone used for the construction of the estate is typical of the Entre-Deux-Mers region. The main part of the château with its pointed turrets and long cellars was built in 1780. However, the estate’s history goes as far back as 780, when the Count of Seguin, administrator to the Emperor Charlemagne, resided there.
Michael Baynes from Maxwell Storrie Baynes says, "It is not every day that an opportunity arises to purchase a property that dates back to 780, and one with a pedigree such as this. Notwithstanding its noble past, today it is a large state-of-the-art Bordeaux vineyard, producing some of the most exquisite wines in the region."
The grounds of the estate, which includes a small lake, is composed from a mosaic of different soils, typical of the viticultural geology of the Entre-Deux-Mers region. Limestone ridges under clay form the majority of the landscape, providing stony subsoil and often well-drained slopes. Including its leased vines, the Château de Seguin vineyard extends over 135 hectares of productive plantings, growing mainly red grapes from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. This vineyard has been reconstituted thanks to patient replanting and various acquisitions in the neighborhood. Due to its size and especially the quality of its vines, the property has become a model vineyard whose production comprises a variety of colors and appellations.
Giles Hannah, Christie’s International Real Estate Director of Sales for Europe says, "This is a historic vineyard estate, producing some of the best quality wines in the region. Château de Seguin is the ideal property for those attracted to the vineyard lifestyle and who are serious about winemaking on a significant scale."
The surrounding land with its vines, parkland, woods, and meadows paints a beautiful picture of different natural rural colors, and yet is only 20-minute drive from the city center of Bordeaux. TGV rail links and the international airport are also both less than 30 minutes away from the estate.

CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK POST-WAR AND CONTEMPORARY ART EVENING SALE REALIZES $247,597,000 (£153,510,140 / €178,269,840)

NEW YORK, 8 NOVEMBER

ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923-1997)

I Can See the Whole Room!...and There's Nobody in it! 
oil and graphite on canvasPainted in 1961Price Realized: $43,202,500

WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR THE ARTIST


Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale, including the first part of the Peter Norton Collection, achieved $247,597,000 (£153,510,140/ €178,269,840) demonstrating the continuing appeal of this category among collectors worldwide. Thirty-three works sold for over the $1 million mark and 16 new world auction records were established for artists including Roy Lichtenstein, Paul McCarthy, Charles Ray, Louise Bourgeois, among others.

The top lot of the sale was Roy Lichtenstein’sI Can See the Whole Room…and There's Nobody in It!, which set a new auction record of $43,202,500 (₤26,785,550/€31,105,800). Painted in 1961, it is one of the earliest and most important of Lichtenstein's Pop Art pictures, formerly in the collection of the pioneering collectors Emily and Burton Tremaine. The previous record for a Lichtenstein work was for Ohhh ... Alright..., 1964, sold at Christie’s New York in November 2010 for $42.6 million. Read more...

Monday, November 7, 2011

The Lago Bueno Estate in Patagonia—A Paradise for Outdoor and Adventure Enthusiasts

This spectacular retreat is offered for sale at US$12.9 million by Christie's International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate, ReMind Group


Patagonia, Argentina—Spanning 6,040 acres in the heart of South America’s southernmost region, the Lago Bueno estate is a glorious lakefront retreat nestled on the easterly slopes of the Patagonian Andes. With an ample main house, a charming guest house, and two cabins for staff, the property can host large numbers of guests who can enjoy the finest in both mountain and lakefront amenities.
The Lago Bueno estate is among the rarest of offerings in Patagonia, comprised of a 2,444-hectare (6,040-acre) mountain field with 1,360 hectares of magical Las Lengas forest. The heart of this storybook setting reveals a 100-hectare (247-acre) lake that is home to a large number of rainbow trout—highly prized in the fishing world. Thriving under the careful stewardship of its current owner, the land has been maintained at the highest levels of ecological sensitivity. Specialists from Esquel’s Forest Administration and the General Continental Fish Administration have devised a sustainability management plan for both the lake and the forest to ensure that the rugged beauty of the land is preserved for future generations.
Framed by breathtaking views of the lake and mountain, the 850-square-meter stone-and-wood main house is rich in character and valued amenities. Heated through two engine rooms, the residence enjoys in-floor radiant heating and is outfitted with a wealth of modern conveniences including wireless satellite Internet, DirectTV, and a 40kVA gas-powered emergency generator. Set beside a charming stone fireplace, the indoor swimming pool has access to one of the five high-quality audio systems throughout the residence. Walls of windows surround the main bedroom and living room, providing panoramic vistas.
Offering further comfortable accommodation on the estate is the fully equipped 180-square-meter guest house. Also on the property are the San Francisco de Lago Bueno Chapel and an 80-square-meter marina, which provides four tracks and storage space for nautical equipment. A special breakwater has been developed in which the floating marina can be assembled and disassembled according to the season.
Recreational activities on the Lago Bueno estate are beyond compare. Adventure options are as varied as the terrain and include kayaking, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding, mountaineering, fishing, fly-fishing, windsurfing, mountain biking, and para-gliding.
“The vast landscape of the Lago Bueno estate is replete with crystal blue waters and abundant wildlife—on the land, the sea, and in the sky,” says Rick Moeser, Senior Vice President of Christie’s International Real Estate. “This picturesque property offers the finest in the outdoor Patagonian lifestyle.”
Located 25 kilometers from the city of Esquel, this gem of Patagonia is only 45 kilometers from Esquel Airport, which provides easy access to Buenos Aires in just over two hours. This majestic estate is offered at US$12.9 million byReMind Group, with international marketing services provided by Christie’s International Real Estate.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Halloween in Lahaina: No nightmares on Front St.

Large crowd but little sign of trouble as county-sanctioned event returns


November 1, 2011
By CHRIS HAMILTON - Staff Writer (chamilton@mauinews.comThe Maui News
LAHAINA - After years of declining numbers for the Front Street Halloween party, the people were back Monday - thousands of them in costume and perhaps just as many not, just sitting and watching.
By early evening, despite forecasts of rain, the revelers packed a closed-off Front Street. Absent were any signs of protesters.
That battle was fought earlier, with sign-waving and court challenges, but groups who called the party an insult to Native Hawaiian culture in the historic district had said they would not protest on the night, and they did not.
"I think it's awesome," said Zeke Kalua, executive assistant to Mayor Alan Arakawa. "There's already twice as many people in the keiki parade. It's everything we hoped it would be and exactly what we needed." Read more ...

Thursday, October 27, 2011

LAHAINA, MAUI - HALLOWEEN IS BACK ON FRONT STREET


Halloween is "Back on Front" and festivities kick off at 4:30pm with the 33rd Annual Lahaina Halloween Keiki parade sponsored by the Soroptimist of West Maui, Rotary Clubs of Lahaina and Lahaina Sunrise. Is your costume ready yet for Halloween in Lahaina? Following the Keiki Parade, join us for Halloween in Lahaina in Campbell and Banyan Tree Park for live music featuring Eighteen Ten and the Sounds of Addiction in addition to keiki activities and the Honu Seafood & Pizza sponsored Halloween in Lahaina costume contest with a thousand dollar grand prize. "Back on Front" t-shirts and ono grindz will be available for purchase. The County of Maui and LahainaTown Action Committee support a fun and safe, family friendly Halloween in Lahaina event. Join us on Front Street for Halloween in Lahaina and respectfully enjoy the richness of our streets and historical sites. Mahalo to the Maui Police and Fire Departments. For Halloween in Lahaina, Front Street will be closed from three thirty to midnight for Halloween in Lahaina.  Read more...

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Flying Ridge—A 33-acre Estate Featuring Its Own Private Airstrip


Flying Ridge is a 33 acre estate in Newtown, Connecticut, located approximately 80 miles outside of New York City by car. However, one of the property’s most salient features is that it has its own airstrip, the only private airstrip in Fairfield County, Connecticut, grandfathered into the property by the fact that it was registered in the 1940s, before permits were prohibited for such a thing. Because of this, as this video demonstrates, it offers its owner a unique way to bridge the gap between a rustic and quiet Connecticut home and the energy and buzz of Manhattan’s Wall Street.
The fact is, Flying Ridge is just 49 nautical miles from the Wall Street Heliport, and the travel time by helicopter can be done in as little as 22 minutes. As demonstrated by the clip, the view, certainly at takeoff, also offers a breathtaking way to start every morning.
The home, on the market with exclusive Affiliate Barbara Cleary’s Realty Guild, offers an ideal country life in bucolic Connecticut. Newtown is an unspoiled, charming community with excellent services and schools. Flying Ridge itself sits atop a ridge, with farmlands to its east and wetlands to its west.
The property’s provenance is also quite unique. It is owned by the family of the late Robert Edison Fulton, Jr., an inventor, adventurer, and pilot who made several aviation-related inventions on the property, among his 70 patents. His aviation-advances included the "Gunairstructor,” the world’s first fixed-aerial gunnery trainer, used to train allied fighter pilots in aerial combat during World War II, an invention credited with improving their scores by over 400%. After the war, he designed and built the “Airphibian,” an airplane that converted into an automobile. While not a commercial success, it was the first flying car ever to receive an air worthiness certification from the FAA, was flown by Charles Lindbergh in 1950, and is now on permanent display at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center. He subsequently developed, on the property, during the 1950s and 1960s, the Fulton “Skyhook” Surface-To-Air Rescue (“Star”) System, used by the U.S. military to retrieve downed pilots from remote areas, without landing the pick-up airplane.
Mr. Fulton also is famous for his 18-month solo journey around the world on a motorcycle in the early 1930s—an adventure he chronicled in his 1937 best-selling book, “One Man Caravan.”
For more information on this property, please contact Barbara Cleary’s Realty Guild at +1 203 966 7772.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Kapalua, Maui - XTERRA World Championship 2011


Congratulation to Michi (Wiki Miki) Weiss from Austria and Marvin Gruget from France! What a race it was! The weather was absolutely perfect and the Ritz Carlton setting, simply gorgeous.  Kapalua will never be the same.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

XTERRA World Championship invades Kapalua

Kapalua, Maui - 650 qualified participants will demonstrate their skills this coming Sunday on the Kahuna's XTERRA World course. Check the XTERRA website here to preview the course. I knew that Lance Armstrong was a celebrity on the road, but seeing him here on Maui to run the famous triathlon is just amazing. Watch a short preview of the bike course.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Long & Foster Real Estate Lists US$12 million Estate in Washington, D.C.

Located near Embassy Row, the property ranks as second-highest priced in the city

Long & Foster® Real Estate, Inc., the largest independent residential real estate company in the United States and an exclusive Affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate, today announced it has, as part of its extensive number of current listings, the second-highest priced property in Washington, D.C. The property, located in the Massachusetts Heights area in Northwest Washington, is listed by Samu Qureshi, a sales associate with W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtors®, a Long & Foster Company.
In July, Long & Foster sold Washington’s most expensive property, Evermay, which was listed at $25.9 million. The Evermay estate was enrolled in the Christie's International Real Estate Bespoke Marketing Program.  
“We are very excited about this latest listing. To represent two of the highest-priced properties in one market area is reflective of our position as the number one seller of luxury properties in the Mid-Atlantic region, and of our exclusive affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate,” said Gary Scott, president of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
“Sellers and buyers of high-end properties are increasingly recognizing the power of the global spotlight Long & Foster, with its affiliations, provides to properties such as these, as well as the value of the luxury homeownership experience we offer them,” added Scott.
According to Qureshi, this extraordinary home exudes warmth and comfort, but it also offers a majestic setting replete with opulent spaces and a fantastic flow, ideal for hosting large or small events both indoors and out. It features a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen with a butler pantry, as well as a second main-level catering kitchen with a separate entrance.
The three-level hexagonal tower offers private hideaways and look-outs, as well as a view of one of the largest and most mature cherry blossom trees in Washington. Located on Benton Place, N.W., notable properties in the small neighborhood include the Washington National Cathedral and Observatory Circle, residence of the U.S. vice president. The home is just one of four located on a street that is a quiet oasis just a block off Massachusetts Avenue, and sits next to the former home of the late book tycoon, Herbert Haft, and a stone throw from the woods of Rock Creek Park.
“The property was originally two houses, built in 1918, on quarter acre lots. In 2001, they were joined together seamlessly by nationally-recognized builders Escobar & Robb,” said Qureshi. “Virtually the entire interior was rebuilt, resulting in a palatial estate reminiscent of a grand Mediterranean villa. It truly is one of the most magnificent homes in Washington,” he added.
The home’s main level features two one-bedroom suites, one of which has access to the second kitchen and lower tower breakfast room. The upper level has a total of six bedrooms, including the ultimate master suite comprised of two bedrooms, two lavish baths, a sitting room and three walk-in closets. The home also features 10 full baths and three half baths.
A stunning two-story grand foyer features a one-of-a-kind custom-built S-shaped staircase, polished marble floors and two chandeliers with motorized light lifts for cleaning. A magnificent living room features glass-covered, lighted arched display niches, elegant sconces and silk damask roman fabric window treatments with fringed valences.
The family room includes huge hand-hewn wooden ceiling beams, upholstered beaded cornices with a Moroccan flair, motorized drapes, and a custom designed cast stone mantle over the fireplace.  In addition, the family room offers magnificent views of the estate. Beyond the galleria, the custom-designed library contains  floor-to-ceiling hand-crafted maple built-in bookcases.
Outside, the property features a pool surrounded by a large patio area, a fountain and landscaped gardens. A self-enclosed pool house includes a full bath, a separate changing room, and a full sized refrigerator, sink, counters and cabinets.
In addition, slate steps leading to the front entrance are heated to prevent ice or snow accumulation in the winter months, and an elevator from the four-car garage transports residents to the main floor and on to the upper level entrance of the double master suite.
“This really is one of the most beautiful homes in Washington, D.C., cloistered amidst the splendor of Rock Creek Park and just five minutes from downtown and the White House,” said Qureshi. “With a price well below its assessed value, it is also an attractive investment,” he added.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Vintage Estates Realty Opens New Office In Myrtle Beach

The boutique firm is the exclusive Affiliate in South Carolina's coastal communities of Pawleys Island, Georgetown, and Myrtle Beach


South Carolina’s premier tourist destination, the picturesque Myrtle Beach, is home to Vintage Estates Realty’s newest office, which opened last month. The boutique office opened with six well-respected local realtors and is led by Don Thomas, a Director on the 2012 Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors Board of Directors. Thomas is the Broker-in-Charge for both of the firm’s offices.

An exclusive Affiliate since 2008, Vintage Estates Realty is now able to offer buyers and sellers of high-end properties in the Myrtle Beach community access to the combined marketing efforts of Christie’s and Christie’s International Real Estate.

"From the beginning our affiliation with Christie's has produced great results and helped propel our company into the forefront in the luxury real estate market in this coastal area of South Carolina,” says Chuck Cooper, well-respected community leader and businessman in the Pawleys Island area and principal of both Vintage Estates Realty offices. “Now with two boutique offices in the area, we are poised for even greater success and can provide more comprehensive service to our clients. It's important to get the word out to other affiliates that Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island offer some most beautiful and highest-quality properties for vacation and second homes anywhere in the world."

Adds Keith Hellmer, invited principal in the Myrtle Beach office: "Vintage Estates Realty is thrilled to bring Christie's International Real Estate Estate into the coastal South Carolina marketplace, serving Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island along with the rest of the Grand Strand. A wealth of residential and commercial properties is available and offers an incredible opportunity to purchase real estate with truly phenomenal values. The Grand Strand features 60 miles of coastline in a temperate, semitropical climate and offers a variety of lifestyle opportunities that include primary and second homes along the oceanfront and creek-front environs, golf course communities, marina-front properties, hunting tracts and large farms, plantations, and riverfront estates... Let us show you the charm of these fine coastal communities, this place, and our famed Southern hospitality."

Widely known for its beautiful beaches, challenging golf links, and world-class seafood restaurants, Myrtle Beach is often referred to as the “Grand Strand” and offers a range of luxury oceanfront homes, classic Southern estates, and golf course properties. One of the most talked-about homes in the heart of the Grand Strand is the magnificent Ocean Estate, which has recently been listed by Vintage Estates Realty’s new Myrtle Beach office. Offered for sale at US$4.495 million, the five-acre property enjoys over 1,000 feet of unobstructed ocean views and is Vintage Estate Realty’s first property to be enrolled in the Christie’s International Real Estate Bespoke Marketing Program.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Sales of Atlanta Luxury Homes Jump in 2011 as Inventory Shrinks

Buckhead-area dollar sales of all homes priced $1 million and above are up 62.4% in the first eight months of 2011 compared to the same period last year, reports exclusive Affiliate Harry Norman, Realtors in Atlanta, Georgia. And unit sales of those luxury properties are up 41.2% for the period, according to TrendGraphix, the real estate industry’s data tracking resource. 

Total sales of such Buckhead homes totaled nearly $486 million from January through August 2011 vs. $299 million in 2010.

In the six-county metro Atlanta area (Cherokee, Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett counties combined), 2011 sales of $1 million-plus homes are up 19.4% over January through August 2010 and unit sales are up 9.2%.

Moreover, inventory rates of luxury properties are down 34.2% in Buckhead and 29.8% in the six-county area for January through August 2011 vs. 2010. In August, there were 177 $1 million-plus homes for sale in Buckhead vs. 273 last August. The six-county metro area had 243 such homes listed this August vs. 346 a year earlier.

“The increase in luxury home sales in Atlanta and especially in Buckhead, reflects a global strengthening of the high-end market,” states Harry Norman Realtors CEO Dan Parmer, who weighed in on the Atlanta market for Christie’s International Real Estate’s new “State of the International Luxury Real Estate Market” report issued in London in September.

In the report, based on a survey of 129 Christie’s-affiliated brokerages worldwide, 67% of the luxury-property brokers reported an increase in buyer activity for the first eight months of 2011 compared to 2010.

“The improvement in Atlanta’s luxury real estate market is substantial,” states Parmer. As sellers increasingly realize that their home will not command 2007 prices, home prices are adjusting and sales are increasing. The price adjustments are spurring buyers to act, with many seizing the opportunity to buy up. And in this market, building a new luxury home isn’t a viable option for most people. “You can’t build an estate at the price you can acquire one today,” says Parmer.

“The decrease in Atlanta high-end inventory signals pricing stabilization,” explains Parmer. In Buckhead, the August 2011 inventory of closed sales of $1 million-plus properties stood at 12.5 months, compared to 36.6 months in August 2010. In the six-county area, that luxury inventory has dropped to 31.5 months compared to 45.6 months a year earlier.

The high-end market is coming back faster than the low or middle end,” states Parmer. In Buckhead and North Fulton-Forsyth, for example, “we’re finding pockets where a particular price point is doing so well that we’re running out of inventory.”

Through August 2011, the average price of a Buckhead-area luxury home was $1.84 million vs. $1.59 million in 2010, January through August. The most expensive home sale in Buckhead in the past two years closed in August for $9 million. The home listed for $12 million in 2009 and then for $10 million.

Worldwide, Christie’s reported that the largest upticks in high-end sales were in London, Paris, Hong Kong, New York City and Beverly Hills, CA. One surprise is the continuing strong recovery of Florida.

“Our market is edging close to normalcy,” says Michael Saunders of Michael Saunders & Company in Sarasota, Florida. “Ours was among the first to feel the downturn, the first to take the corrective measure of lowering prices and now is among the first to enjoy a sustained recovery. Buyers who arrive today expecting to find a glut of properties to choose from will be shocked to discover a growing shortage of well-priced, well-maintained properties that are in move-in condition.”

"I honestly don’t know how an international buyer in Florida can’t be optimistic,” says Ron Shuffield of Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell in Miami. “Prices are the lowest they’ve been in four years; then, on top of that, they are essentially being awarded an extra 30 percent-off coupon with the currency exchange rate.”

The State of Luxury Market report examines the prevailing mood of buyers and sellers, how market activity is trending worldwide, and how transactions are handled in the upper levels of the market. For example, when it comes to buying, the preferred means of payment is cash, said 87 percent of brokers. In Atlanta, most high-end real estate purchases are financed, but the use of cash is increasing.

“High-end buyers have the cash and with interest rates at historic lows and mortgages more difficult to obtain, many are opting to put their own assets into real estate,” says Parmer. At his firm, the percentage of buyers using cash has jumped from 10.5% in 2007 to 25% this year.

Harry Norman, Atlanta's oldest real estate firm, continues to lead Buckhead and metropolitan Atlanta in sales of homes priced $1 million and above, with 26.3% of the Buckhead luxury home market sales through August in 2011 and 24.8% of metro Atlanta sales.

Spanning more than 40 countries with a combined estimated annual sales volume of $100 billion, Christie’s International Real Estate focuses exclusively on properties valued above $1 million.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Christie's International Real Estate Strengthens Position in Hawaii With the Addition of a New Affiliate in Maui

Maui Estates International LLC Joins Leading International Network of Luxury Real Estate Brokers

New York, New York—Christie’s International Real Estate, the world’s leading luxury real estate network, has awarded Affiliate status to Maui Estates International LLC. The firm has two branch offices, located in Kapalua and Wailea Resorts, and will exclusively represent the Christie’s brand on the islands of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai, including the international destinations of Kapalua, Kaanapali, Lahaina, Wailea, Makena, Hana, and all of Upcountry.

Wholly owned by Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, Christie’s International Real Estate is represented in more than 40 countries. Maui Estates International LLC joins this carefully selected organization of brokerages with proven records of success in both high-end property sales and exemplary client service.

"Maui Estates International has established a reputation for integrity, discreet client service, and exceptional professionalism that has won the company respect beyond the Hawaiian shores," says Zack Wright, Senior Vice President of Christie's International Real Estate. "The brokerage is comprised of an exceptional team of Maui's top real estate professionals, each of whom has extensive domestic and international marketing and sales experience. We are delighted to welcome Maui Estates International to the Christie's International Real Estate network."

Maui Estates International LLC Owner and Principal Broker Mary Anne Fitch states, "We look forward to our affiliation with Christie's and the tremendous exposure it will generate for the clients we represent. Maui Estates International and Christie's share the common goal of providing the highest possible level of service to our clientele. Together, we believe that we will exceed client expectations in every transaction."

Bob Hansen, Broker-In-Charge (Wailea Office) of Maui Estates International LLC adds, “The Hansen Ohana Team is very pleased to be affiliated with Christie’s. We look forward to this mutually beneficial and wonderful opportunity for us to introduce Christie’s luxury clientele to the many beautiful and unique features and facets our islands have to offer. Whether buying or selling, our multi-generational top-performing team looks forward to this new opportunity to provide the unsurpassed service and experience that our clients know and expect to those considering making their Maui dreams reality.”

ABOUT MAUI ESTATES INTERNATIONAL, LLC

Mary Anne Fitch’s team and the Hansen Ohana Team have successfully closed over $1 billion in sales on Maui, primarily in the luxury estate market. Their clients benefit from strong negotiation skills and unsurpassed knowledge of the Maui real estate market to enhance client service satisfaction.

For additional information on Maui Estates International LLC listings, please contact:

Mary Anne Fitch +1 808 250 1583 or visit soldmaui.com or Bob Hansen +1 808 283 9456 or visit mauirealestate.net