Former Major League Baseball Player John Smoltz puts Mansion on Market

Retired Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball pitcher, John Smoltz has listed his US$7.2 million mansion with Harry Norman, Realtors sales team, Alex McGraw and Associates. Harry Norman, Realtors is the Christie's International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate in Atlanta, Georgia. 

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The ten-bedroom, twelve-bathroom estate sits on about 20 acres of land in the Greystone community of Milton, Georgia. The property has tennis and basketball courts, baseball and football fields, a jogging trail, 18-hole golf course, and a stocked fishing pond.

Interior highlights include the two-story foyer with floating staircase, Travertine tile floors and domed ceiling with chandelier. The lower level features recreation and fitness rooms, several bar areas and a theater with concession. Upper level provides a four en-suite bedrooms and a long-term guest suite.

John Smoltz enjoyed a prolific career of more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, in which he garnered eight All-Star selections and was honored with the Cy Young Award in 1996. 

Click here to view the listing and pictures of the estate.

About Harry Norman, REALTORS^®

Founded in 1930, Harry Norman, REALTORS ^® is Atlanta’s oldest and largest residential real estate firm with 12 sales offices, various franchise and satellite offices, and more than 1,000 real estate professionals. Harry Norman, REALTORS ^® is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Harry Norman, REALTORS ^® is the exclusive Atlanta affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate. More information is available at www.harrynorman.com.

Favorable Real Estate Tax Benefits and Incentives in Puerto Rico Offered Until June 2012

Trillion Realty Group is the exclusive Affiliate in Puerto Rico

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Favorable tax benefits currently on offer for property buyers and sellers in Puerto Rico will expire on June 30, 2012, reports Christie's International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate in the area, Trillion Realty Group. Incentives for purchasing existing new residential or commercial construction on the tropical archipelago—an unincorporated U.S. territory in the northeastern Caribbean—include:

• No recording fees
• No property taxes for five years
• No taxes on rental income derived from the property for 10 years
• No capital gain taxes on the sale of the property

These benefits will expire on June 30, so sales must close before that date.

Domiciled Individuals, Corporations And Other Legal Entities

Existing legislation, if properly used, can provide up to 100 percent tax exemption to individuals, corporations, LLC’s, partnerships and other legal entities domiciled in Puerto Rico. These exemptions are provided via government’s grants, and are binding and permanent for the period covered once issued.

Puerto Rico offers many benefits which make it very attractive to investors as well as to persons considering investing, living or renting in the island. Major international accounting firms, investment advisors, or attorneys with expertise in Puerto Rico’s taxes code will be able to provide professional advice on these tax exemptions. 

Puerto Rico Key Facts

• U.S. Commonwealth, part of the U.S. – no passport necessary.
• Federal income taxes do not apply
• Federal laws apply (except income taxes)
• Modern developed economy
• U.S. dollar is the local currency
• Excellent medical services with Medicare and Medicaid coverage
• Excellent airlift to and from the U.S. mainland and abroad
• Warm, tropical climate year round

For more information please contact Trillion Realty Group.

Pictured Above: The Residences at the Horned Dorset Primavera in Rincón, Puerto Rico, a property enrolled in the Christie's International Real Estate Bespoke Marketing Program

Tuxedo Park Estate is a Trove of International Designs

Harry Norman, Realtors, is the Christie's International Real Estate Exclusive Affiliate in Atlanta, Georgia

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A world-class estate in Atlanta’s historic and prestigious Tuxedo Park, has been listed by Harry Norman, Realtors, the largest and oldest residential real estate company in Atlanta and the exclusive Affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate in the city. With an interior inspired by internationally acclaimed designers and artists, this classic Buckhead home is listed by Bob Glascock and is offered at US$7.2 million.

Interior highlights include 5 chandeliers designed by Jean Royère, custom vanities and woodwork produced by New York furniture maker Atelier Viollet, and Philippe Stark bath fixtures.

“Each room is treated as an important space, delighting the eye, while inviting you into a fabulous lifestyle,” noted Bob Glascock of Harry Norman’s Buckhead office. “With both intimate settings and grand outdoor spaces designed for entertaining.”

The seven-bedroom, eight-bath residence is warmly accented with contemporary touches, while showcasing the finest architectural details. The formal rooms include a foyer with soaring 28-foot ceiling, a living room with detailed plaster walls and large masonry fireplace, and a dining room with custom butler’s pantry made from cerused oak and produced by Viollet. The terrace level houses a 4000-bottle wine cellar with custom iron doors, a full gym with sauna, a billiard room, media center and a long-term guest suite with access to the covered patio.

The lush landscape offers complete privacy as one enjoys pool and spa or dining al fresco in the outdoor room overlooking the gardens. The loggia—with limestone flooring, Boffi European ceiling fans and an outdoor kitchen—is a perfect space for summer gatherings.

The home’s robust modern conveniences include commercial-grade brands in the kitchen and a Creston home management system that distributes audio, satellite TV/radio and iPod docking stations, a remote controlled HVAC, and security cameras accessible from any TV or from a computer anywhere in the world.

Built in 1990, the residence offers a two-car indoor parking garage, which accommodates four cars and features a full-sized elevator to all four levels.

For more information on 3605 Tuxedo Court, visit www.harrynorman.com/4289526.

December manufacturing and November construction spending rise

CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. manufacturers ended 2011 with their best month of growth since the late spring. And the struggling construction industry spent more on projects for the third time in four months.

The data bolstered hopes that the economy is gaining momentum and helped Wall Street start 2012 with a bang.

Factories hired more workers in December, saw the most growth in new orders since April and ramped up production. U.S. builders spent more in November on single-family homes, apartments and remodeling projects.

The strong reports correspond with other positive signs for the economy. Consumer confidence is up, unemployment benefit applications have tumbled and the unemployment rate is at a three-and-a-half-year low.

Economists caution that Europe's debt crisis will likely slow global growth in the first half of the year.

But on Tuesday, the outlook was mostly positive.

The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said its manufacturing index rose to 53.9 from 52.7 in November. Readings above 50 indicate expansion.

The Commerce Department said spending on construction projects rose 1.2 percent in November. The increase was the largest since a 2.2 percent rise in August.

"The trend for the U.S. economy is most decidedly to the upside," said Dan Greenhaus, an analyst at brokerage firm BTIG LLC in New York.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose by 215 points in midday trading. Broader indexes also climbed. Reports that manufacturing grew in China and India, two of the world's largest economies, also drove markets higher.

U.S manufacturing has expanded for more than two years. Factories were one of the first areas of the economy to start growing after the recession officially ended in June 2009. They faltered over the summer after Japan's March 11 earthquake disrupted auto and electronics supply chains.

The December ISM survey showed many factories have largely recovered from their slump earlier this year

Exports rose despite the trouble in Europe. Growth in new orders means output will likely increase in the coming months. And U.S. factories hired last month at the fastest pace since June, an optimistic sign ahead of Friday's important measure of job growth in December. Read More...