AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/'Facebook Effect': Palo Alto Home Prices Up, Inventory Downhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/05/03/facebook-effect-palo-alto-home-prices-up-inventory-down/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/05/03/facebook-effect-palo-alto-home-prices-up-inventory-down/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/05/03/facebook-effect-palo-alto-home-prices-up-inventory-down/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mark Zuckerberg may have been content renting a modest bungalow, but chances are the coming wave of Facebook millionaires have something more grand in mind. At least that's the thinking behind the so-called "Facebook effect"-- the anticipated demand for high-end housing following the company's May IPO. Since the beginning of the year, prices have climbed more than 10 percent in Palo Alto, Calif., where the company is headquartered.

But while prices have gone up, inventory has declined by a whopping 57 percent. Some brokers suggest that potential home sellers are holding onto their houses, waiting for the IPO to pop so that they can list for higher prices. The increased demand can also be attributed to non-Facebook buyers trying to get into the market before it gets even more crazy expensive. According to Altos Research, the median price for a single-family home in the neighborhood is just over $2 million.

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But is this localized housing boom just the beginning of another bubble? Broker Michael Dreyfus warns that if Facebook's IPO doesn't go as well as hoped, the Palo Alto housing market can face "a great big crash." And fears were rekindled when Facebook reported that revenue fell between the fourth quarter of 2011 and the first of 2012.

Meanwhile, check out this gallery of some of the high-end Palo Alt homes where Facebook's newly rich might be living.

See also:
Home Sales See Best 1st Quarter in 5 Years, Realtors Report
Buying a Home Won't Get Much Cheaper

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Common Home Buying Mistakes

 

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]]>facebookfacebook effectFacebook IPOhousing bubblePaloPalo AltoPalo Alto homes for salePalo Alto housing marketPalo Alto Real EstateHarris Effron2012-05-03T16:45:00+00:00House of the Day: Texas Hill Country Home With City Outlookhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/04/26/house-of-the-day-hill-country-home-with-austin-city-views/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/04/26/house-of-the-day-hill-country-home-with-austin-city-views/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/04/26/house-of-the-day-hill-country-home-with-austin-city-views/#commentsFiled under: ,



Sprawling on the hilltops of West Lake Hills, Texas, is an ultra luxurious 6,435-square-foot mansion. For sale at $6.8 million, this contemporary home features everything a multimillionaire could ask for.

Panoramic windows throughout the house provide breathtaking views of Austin's skyline. And if you really can't get enough, the skyline can also be seen from its outdoor 40-foot-plus infinity pool and accompanying hot tub. When done swimming, dry off in the covered outdoor sitting area with its own fireplace, and then visit the outdoor dining area equipped with its own grill.

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Back inside, relax in the large, exquisitely finished living room, or enjoy a round of billiards in the game room. If you have guests, don't worry about making space. This property has a separate apartment, complete with elevator, full kitchen, washer/dryer and a living room. And there's probably room for their vehicles, too, in the six-car garage.

Mary Hickey of Keller Williams Realty has the listing.

Click on the images below to see more homes for sale in West Lake Hills, Texas.



See more Houses of the Day on AOL Real Estate.

Got a tip for House of the Day? Know of an exceptional or unusual property currently listed for sale? Please email krisanne.alcantara@huffingtonpost.com with your suggestions and be sure to include links to listing details and photos. (Due to the volume of response, we unfortunately are unable to reply to each submission.)

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]]>Austin homes for saleAustin luxury real estateAustin real estatehome of the dayHouse of the DayMary Hickey Keller Williams Realtythis contemporary home features everything a multimillionaire coWest Lake Hills homesWest Lake Hills real estateHarris Effron2012-04-26T07:00:00+00:00It's Safe to Sell Your Home Againhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/04/20/its-safe-to-sell-your-home-again-9-steps-to-take-now/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/04/20/its-safe-to-sell-your-home-again-9-steps-to-take-now/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/04/20/its-safe-to-sell-your-home-again-9-steps-to-take-now/#commentsFiled under:

By Lisa Gibbs

Given everything they knew about the lackluster housing market, Meghann and Cort Battles didn't expect much when they listed their four-bedroom home in Centennial, a Denver suburb, for sale in January. So they were taken aback by the onslaught of interest.

Meghann, at home on maternity leave with their two sons, juggled 32 showings in the first month. "It's so exhausting trying to find somewhere to go for an hour two or three times a day," she says. The Battles even installed a special front-door handle to text them when buyers enter and exit so that they can return as soon as possible. "It's just crazy," she says.

Wait, isn't the real estate market still supposed to stink after five straight years of falling prices?

Turns out that while analysts debate when the market will hit bottom, for a surprising number of cities the turnaround has already begun. In December, prices rose in 109 of the 384 metro areas tracked by the data firm CoreLogic. Scrub out foreclosures, and that figure climbs to 169.

If you think that recovery means a return to the boom's double-digit price increases, forget about it. "The market won't suddenly snap back," warns CoreLogic economist Sam Khater, who has studied past housing busts.

And for harder-hit areas such as central Florida and the Rustbelt, improving may simply mean things are less bad than they were two years ago.

No matter where you live, though -- or where you want to live next -- the strategies you employ to sell your home must change to reflect the realities of what's now a healing market.

1. The higher your price, the more patient you must be.

Cheaper homes are affordable to more buyers and appealing to investors, so recoveries usually start there. Two years ago Denver properties above $210,000 were still falling. At the end of 2011 it was homes above $315,000. Also, jumbo mortgages that aren't government-guaranteed -- loans above $417,000 and up to $625,500 in high-cost areas like New York -- not only charge higher rates, they come with tougher underwriting standards, further slowing things down.

2. Screen your buyers.

Working only with buyers pre-approved for a sufficient mortgage has long been standard advice. But with more offers rolling in, a good agent will call loan officers for more information. There's an incentive for borrowers to grant their loan officer permission to talk. "If I'm going to speak with a listing agent to advocate on my borrower's behalf, I clear it with the borrower first," says mortgage consultant Kym Poladsky. "Most borrowers who are competing want you to help get their offer accepted."

3. Strike the right balance on pricing.

While you don't have to placate low-ballers anymore, you can't shoot for the moon either.

Adele Work and Jennifer Caldwell can attest to that. The couple have lived in their 1910 home in the desirable Washington Park neighborhood near downtown Denver for the past 12 years. They weren't thinking of selling their place, until they happened upon a farm in northern Colorado last August while visiting their son in college.

They wound up buying that property and put their Washington Park "baby" on the market in October for $734,999 -- even though their agent lobbied for a lower price. Sure enough, the buyers' feedback started to come in: "Love the house, but slightly overpriced." So they cut the price tag to $714,000. In February they dropped it again, to $699,000. "If we had priced our house lower to begin with we maybe would have sold it before the end of the year," Caldwell says. Adds Work: "We've let our heart lead us a bit."

4. Get it right the first time.

Set a realistic price from the get-go so your house doesn't look like a throwback to lousy price-slashing times. To do that, think like an appraiser. Analyze comparable sales for price-per-square-foot and see how long competing homes have been on the market.

Scouting active listings is also crucial, says appraiser Matthew George. "You have to know what you're competing against," he says. Arm yourself with a simplified evaluation of your home, called a summary or restricted-use appraisal, before listing ($150 to $200). To find professionals in your area, go to appraisalinstitute.org.

5. If you think you erred in pricing, act quickly and decisively.

Are you getting lots of showings but still no offers after 30 days on the market? Cut the price by at least $10,000, says Justin Knoll, chairman of the Denver Realtors organization. At that point, you can hold firm on price and try to negotiate offers up.

6. Let your home's value dictate the price.

This advice may seem self-evident, but owners may have lost sight of it during the bust. On the one hand, some sellers clung to the false hope of a return to boom prices, so they set prices unrealistically high. Others may have gone too far the other way -- by setting the price on their higher-end home below jumbo loan levels simply to draw more interest. In an improving market, that type of thinking isn't really necessary.

7. Understand that you're no long competing with gutted foreclosures.

Buyers are tired of looking at worn-down, neglected, distressed properties and often don't have much extra money to do a lot of fixing up. "Clients tell me all the time, 'I'll spend a little more for something that's ready to move into,' " says Knoll. "Sellers need to take advantage of that."

8. Take care of structural and cosmetic necessities -- but not much more.

In lean times, forking over $50,000 on a new kitchen may have seemed like a necessary move to stand out. That's probably the wrong thing to do now, says George, the appraiser. Instead, stick with basics like paint and flooring. And fix things that will come up in inspection. For instance, Kathy and Bruce Frank, of Golden, Colo., recently spent $1,600 to repair a sunken driveway before they put their house on the market.

In their 28 years there, the Franks -- she's a retired elementary school principal; he works at the University of Colorado -- have done a little of this and a lot of that. "Finished the basement, popped the top on the garage and added a master suite, new hardwood floors, moved the laundry room to the top floor, new roof," she says.

When the empty nesters listed their home, they focused on small stuff, like decluttering and packing up their personal stuff. They also brought in a stager to set the kitchen and dining room tables. The Franks' agent, Buss, says the house is shipshape but admits it reflects the longtime owners' tastes. "Blue," he says. "The house is very blue."

9. Respond quickly to feedback.

If an issue arises over and over in buyers' reactions, it needs to be addressed immediately. Buss, for instance, planned on giving the Franks 10 days or 10 showings. If buyers complained about the blue, he was going to have them paint. It turned out not to be necessary. Just three days after listing, the Franks had a full-price offer: $375,000. They're under contract.

Things aren't moving quite as fast back in Centennial, where Meghann Battles sits in her car, e-mailing on her iPad and playing the waiting game. Meghann is waiting for lots of things -- for her 32nd showing to end, for would-be buyers to realize how few homes are for sale in the neighborhood, and for families hoping to move in the summer to start searching. As husband Cort reminds her, though, "It takes only one showing for it not to be a waste of time."

More from CNNMoney
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10 Fastest Growing U.S. Cities
Should You Buy a Home in 2012?

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]]>home selling tipshomebuying tipshow to buy in current real estate markethow to sell your homereal estate marketrules for the real estate marketsafe to sell homeselling home in down markettip for buying homeCNNMoney2012-04-20T18:00:00+00:00NAR: February's Pending Home Sales Up Sharply From 2011http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/26/nar-pending-home-sales-dip-in-february-but-are-much-higher-tha/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/26/nar-pending-home-sales-dip-in-february-but-are-much-higher-tha/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/26/nar-pending-home-sales-dip-in-february-but-are-much-higher-tha/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Contract signings for home sales dipped slightly in February from January, but were significantly higher than February of last year, continuing a recent statistical trend that suggests a real estate recovery may be underway.

The National Association of Realtors pending home index fell 0.5 percent in February 2012 from January, but last month's index number, 96.5 percent, is still 9.2 percent above February 2011, when it was 88.4 percent.

"The spring home buying season looks bright because of an elevated level of contract offers so far this year," NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said. "If activity is sustained near present levels, existing-home sales will see their best performance in five years."

The moderately positive data comes on the heels of other numbers that hint that the housing market is finally slogging toward a recovery. Home sales have risen by 13 percent in the last six months, according to Capital Economics, and home builders confidence is at its highest level since 2007.

A recent study also found a leap in real estate agent confidence, with the number of agents who say they expect home values to rise in the next six months more than doubling in just one quarter.

Follow Teke Wiggin on Twitter (@tkwiggin), follow @AOLRealEstate, or connect with AOL Real Estate on Facebook.

See also:
Home Value Survey Sees Sharp Rise in Realtor Optimism
Homebuilders Survey: More Confidence About Housing Sales

More on AOL Real Estate:
Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
Find homes for sale in your area.
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Home Sales: Buy Now, Says Investor

 

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]]>economist Lawrence YunNARnar february home salesnar home sales downnar pending home salespending home sales februaryTeke Wiggin2012-03-26T11:15:00+00:00Open Houses of the Week: March 23-24http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/23/open-houses-of-the-week-march-23-24/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/23/open-houses-of-the-week-march-23-24/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/23/open-houses-of-the-week-march-23-24/#commentsFiled under: ,

There's nothing quite like the lure of an open house sign. Granted, you might not be in the neighborhood (or tax bracket) for many of these outstanding properties, but there's still plenty to admire -- even from the comfort of your swivel chair.

From coast to coast, and everything in-between, we lay down the welcome mat at some of the most enticing open houses in the nation. So wipe your feet at the door and scroll right on through.



Open Houses for March 23-24


Phoenix



Open house: Sun., March 25
Location: Phoenix
Price: $699,000
Property details: This three-bedroom, Spanish-style home overlooking the Phoenix Mountain Preserve blends beautifully into its desert landscape. Decked out in warm earth tones, the 2,990-square-foot home boasts vaulted, wood-beamed ceilings, custom stone fireplaces and domed stained-glass windows. Enjoy gorgeous mountain and desert views as you relax on the enormous covered patio that wraps around the home, or take a dip in your sprawling, palm-flanked swimming pool.

See inside this property.

See more Phoenix homes for sale.

Edwards, Colo.



Open house: Sat., March 24
Location: Edwards, Colo.
Price: $1.225 million
Property details: Snow bunnies, this home's for you! Nestled in the Vail Valley, just west of the famous ski and resort towns of Vail, this picturesque four-bedroom located in the prestigious Alcazar enclave is mere minutes away from world-class skiing. Outdoor perks aside, the 3,400-square-foot home offers breathtaking views over the Game Creek Bowl. It also boasts flawless hickory floors, marble details throughout, and a huge outdoor wood patio with a gas fireplace.

See inside this property.

See more Edwards homes for sale

Malibu, Calif.



Open house: Sun., March 25
Location: Malibu, Calif.
Price: $4.15 million
Property details: If you'd prefer sandy beaches to powdery ski slopes, this striking four-bedroom contemporary may just be perfect for you. Located on pretty Las Tunas Beach, you can enjoy endless blue views from Palos Verdes to Point Dume. Sparkling panoramas aside, the home boasts fine craftsmanship, from its custom tile design, hardwood floors, and granite, marble and onyx details. We love that gorgeous outdoor deck right on the water, perfect for watching those million-dollar Malibu sunsets.

See inside this property.

See more Malibu homes for sale.

Edina, Minn.



Open house: Sun., March 25
Location: Edina, Minn.
Price: $1.75 million
Property details: Located in the historic, well-heeled neighborhood of East Edina, this stately four-bedroom home is perfect for families. Situated by abundant parks and schools, and boasting a sprawling green lawn in addition to various indoor and outdoor playspaces, the property offers plenty for families with school-age kids and rambunctious tots. Meanwhile, grownups can enjoy the many posh amenities the home includes, such as an in-home gym.

See inside this property.

See more Edina homes for sale.

Austin, Texas



Open house: Sun., March 25
Location: Austin, Tx.
Price: $1.350 million
Property details: This stunning 2,783-square-foot home, situated on a huge 1.97-acre-lot that gently slopes into the main body of Lake Travis, is a nature-lover's dream. You get idyllic lake and hill-country views from the large deck over the courtyard, and the entire property is flanked by mature trees. The luxurious pool and spa (with firepits!) overlook the sloped garden that leads down to the lake and boat ramp.

See inside this property.

See more homes in Austin for sale.

Atlanta



Open House: Sun., March 25
Location: Atlanta
Price: $1.275 million
Property details: Columned porches, sweeping staircases, majestic French doors, and exquisite tiered moldings make this plantation-style Atlanta mansion an absolute dream. With interiors reminiscent of a bygone, "Gone With the Wind" era, the five-bedroom beauty is a rare find. We especially love those outdoor porches equipped with rocking chairs, boasting views of willowy green trees and endless lawns.

See inside this property.

See more Atlanta homes for sale.

Kaneohe, Hawaii



Open house: Sun., March 25
Location: Kaneohe, Hawaii
Price: $1.295 million
Property details: Homes on Oahu can have an unfair advantage: They are nestled in one of the world's most beautiful beach landscapes, making them desirable by default. This brand-new plantation-style home is no different. Built in 2011, the stunning property offers sweeping ocean and mountain views from all rooms (naturally). It's spread over 2,758 square feet and has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a state-of-the-art kitchen.

See inside this property.

See more Kaneohe homes for sale.

Miami Beach, Fla.



Open house: Sun., March 25
Location: Miami Beach, Fla.
Price: $1.45 million
Property details: This white-hot, 3,460-square-foot contemporary isn't shy about its luxury amenities. With its soaring ceilings, Jacuzzi, open terraces, pools and Miele appliances, it's your quintessential Miami Beach mansion, and that ain't a bad thing! Featuring three spacious bedrooms, four bathrooms and "walls of glass" offering views of the pool, patio and backyard, you can enjoy resort-style living all year-round.

See inside this property.

See more homes in the Miami Beach area for sale.

Follow AOL Real Estate reporters Teke Wiggin (@tkwiggin) and Krisanne Alcantara (@krisannetraz) on Twitter (@aolrealestate).

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]]>Atlanta open houseAustin open houseEdina Minn open houseEdwards Colo open houseKaneohe open houseMalibu open houseMiami Beach open houseopen houses of the weekPhoenix open houseAOL Real Estate Editors2012-03-23T06:00:00+00:00Home Selling SEO: 6 Tips to Get Buyers in a Twitterhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/14/home-selling-seo-6-tips-to-get-buyers-in-a-twitter/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/14/home-selling-seo-6-tips-to-get-buyers-in-a-twitter/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/14/home-selling-seo-6-tips-to-get-buyers-in-a-twitter/#commentsFiled under: , ,

twitter birdBy Seth Price for InmanNext

When was the last time you sold a house for $135,000 above the asking price? An Australian man recently made headlines by doing just that -- selling his home on Twitter.

With the help of digital marketer John Newell and real estate agent Hocking Stewart, Kurt Oprey was able to sell his home in Northcote, a Melbourne suburb, for $135,000 above the asking price by employing social media in the six weeks leading up to its auction. Though his strategy was a bit more complicated than the headlines suggest, it's definitely simple enough for anyone with basic social media competence to employ and illustrates the future of real estate marketing in action. Here are six lessons "the Northcote house" can teach you about using social media to sell a home.


1. Start by targeting specific keywords.

Oprey's first step was to determine the keywords that would be "perfectly aligned with the most common search phrases used by people searching for real estate in Northcote." He and John decided on "Northcote, house, sale, auction" and used those everywhere, including the URL for the property's WordPress blog, www.northcotehouse.com.au. The reason this is important is that all of the content that is created surrounding this online marketing campaign needs to be aligned with the consumer in mind. This is SEO 101.


2. Create a microsite on WordPress.

A microsite helps you tell a unique story and serves as a platform for search engine optimization (SEO) and lead conversion. WordPress is one of the most flexible and widely used platforms out there; it allows you to quickly create a professional-looking website. It's SEO-friendly and it also supports all types of media, including images, video, documents and social media widgets.


3. Build campaigns for every major medium and service.

Oprey didn't stop at a Twitter account and blog. He also created a Facebook page, a YouTube channel, and Flickr, Picasa and Posterous accounts for the Northcote house. By creating multiple sources of photo, video and written content, Oprey ensured that the Northcote house would show up in any kind of search and on just about any website or service. Oprey also devoted enough time to each channel to make sure they all ranked No. 1 for his keywords in Google.


4. Collaborate to make it personal.

Traditionally, sellers and buyers are discouraged from personal contact in order to prevent any interactions that could jeopardize the deal. But social media provides a certain amount of distance between people, allowing you to use a more personal touch in highlighting the features of a property. The agent took advantage of this by working with the owner to capture personal stories about the home for use on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the blog.

This made the house stand out and gave the campaign content that the agent would have been hard-pressed to create on his own. A blog post was created, with the title: "Why you might want to live here by people who have," and the owner's personal stories, photos and videos about the Northcote house were also posted.

This communication with the owner allowed him to share what he loves about the house: inside, outside, what's great about living there, the change of seasons, what's nearby, the community -- everything from the owner's point of view. The house, in this way, can become more than a collection of rooms -- it becomes a home in a buyer's eyes.


5. Share and share often.

Woody Allen said, "Eighty percent of success is showing up." When talking about social media, I think "80 percent of success is being consistent." Posting regularly helps you build interest and followers over time, and ensures you remain at the top in searches for your keywords. Oprey, for his part, posted stories daily "on a range of subjects designed to inform potential buyers about the house and increase their interest in the property."


6. Don't do this alone.

Owners might be tempted to think that they don't need a real estate agent, and agents might be tempted to think that they don't need marketing help. Oprey worked with an agent and a marketer on the Northcote house for good reason: Creating compelling content on multiple platforms is a time-consuming endeavor and needs to be agile to be effective.

The future of real estate marketing will have all parties playing their part in the process: owners sharing stories to personalize and add emotional content about their home; marketers tying the online efforts together in ways that drive interest and leads; and the agent, orchestrating the entire process, connecting all the right dots to serve the customer and bring a successful deal to a close.

If this seems like a lot of work to you, it is. But it's no different than the mountain of work that you are already doing to sell a house. It's just a matter of focusing on where the customers are spending their time: online. Use these six steps as a checklist.

And look at your latest listing. Have you done what it takes to get an offer well above the asking price? Tell us about your own special tricks by commenting below.

More from InmanNext:
Pinterest for Real Estate: Why It Matters
How to Get Started With Facebook Timeline
Your Social Week, in 4 Minutes
Rise Above the Noise With Facebook Groups

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Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
Find homes for sale in your area.
Find foreclosures in your area.
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How to Have a Real Estate Sales Flyer

 

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]]>digital marketer John Newellhome buyinghome sellerhome sellinghow to sell a homeKurt Oprey Northcotereal estate agent Hocking Stewartreal estate auctionsreal estate marketingsell homeselling real estate with social mediaseosocial media marketingInmanNext2012-03-14T15:20:00+00:00Pending Homes Sales: Outlook Brightest in Nearly 2 Yearshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/02/27/pending-homes-sales-outlook-brightest-in-nearly-2-years/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/02/27/pending-homes-sales-outlook-brightest-in-nearly-2-years/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/02/27/pending-homes-sales-outlook-brightest-in-nearly-2-years/#commentsFiled under: , ,



WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in January to the highest level in nearly two years, supporting the view that the housing market is gradually coming back.

The National Association of Realtors said Monday that its index of sales agreements rose 2 percent last month to a reading of 97. That's the highest reading since April 2010, the last month that buyers could qualify for a federal home-buying tax credit and the last time the reading was above 100.

A reading of 100 is considered healthy.

The Realtors' group also released revised data for 2011. That lowered November's initial 19-month high of 100.1 to 96.9. But contracts have been markedly up since the summer when some feared a second recession loomed.

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Contract signings typically indicate where the housing market is headed. There's a one- to two-month lag between a signed contract and a completed deal.

A sale isn't final until a mortgage is closed. One-third of Realtors complain that they've had at least one contract scuttled in January, December, November and October, according to the Realtors' group. That's up from 18 percent of Realtors in September.

Nonetheless, the gain in signed contracts supports other evidence of improvement in the housing market.

Pierre Ellis, an economist at Decision Economics, said home sales and building is in the midst of "ongoing general, but gentle, progress."

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Builders are growing more optimistic after seeing more people express interest in buying this year. Sales of previously occupied homes are at their highest level since May 2010. More first-time buyers are making purchases. And the supply of homes fell last month to its lowest point in nearly seven years, which could push home prices higher.

Homes are the most affordable they've been in decades. And mortgage rates have never been cheaper.

Much of the optimism has come because hiring has picked up. More jobs are critical to a housing rebound.

"Easier mortgage lending criteria, very low rates and the improving labor market are all contributing to the beginnings of a real upturn in home sales, if not yet prices," said Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics.

Sales may also be rising because of an April deadline for higher mortgage application fees for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed home loans. The government-controlled mortgage buyers own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages and 90 percent of new loans, and have been telling customers to submit their applications now.

Analysts caution that the damage from the housing bust is deep and the industry is years away from fully recovering.

Potential buyers are holding off for a number of reasons. High unemployment and weak job growth have deterred many potential buyers. Loans are harder to come by. Lenders are requiring bigger down payments and strong credit scores to qualify.

Even those with good credit and stable finances are hesitant to buy out of concern home prices will keep falling.

Also see:
New Home Sales Dip, But Beat Expectations
30-Year Mortgage Rate Up, But Still Under 4%


US Stocks Pare Weakness and Pending Home Sales Data Improves

 

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]]>2 year high in home salesHomeBuildersNAR home sales reportNAR pending home salesNational Association of Realtorsupbeat housing dataUS pending home salesThe Associated Press2012-02-27T13:00:00+00:00House of the Day: Ride Out Armageddon in a Space Stationhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/16/house-of-the-day-space-station-home-built-for-armageddon/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/16/house-of-the-day-space-station-home-built-for-armageddon/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/16/house-of-the-day-space-station-home-built-for-armageddon/#commentsFiled under: ,



This year, the Apocalypse is again predicted to arrive, but you might improve your chances if you throw down $2.95 million on this nuclear-bombproof, Armageddon-resistant, space-station home.

The Jamesburg Earth Station in Cachaua Valley, Calif., is a unique, securely-fenced 160-acre property that comes part-and-parcel with a three-bedroom house, a 20,000-square-foot building, a helipad, and a 10-story satellite dish and antenna. You know -- the basics.

The home was constructed by NASA in 1968 to receive transmissions from Apollo moon landings and, the Los Angeles Times reports, it was responsible for transmitting some of the very first images of the Apollo 11 moon landing. History aside, this incredible, sprawling property can apparently withstand a 5-megaton nuclear hit.

"It makes a great place for Armageddon," property owner Jeffrey Bullis tells the Times. Since it's sheltered from the winds and includes its own self-contained air system, the Jamesburg Earth Station would be able to survive a biological or nuclear attack. Which is good to know.

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If you're not into all the Armageddon hoopla, that's fine, too. The property, which was tipped off to us by Curbed, is located next door to a family vineyard and situated on 160 acres of rolling, tillable land, is only 20 miles from stunning Monterey, Calif. So it seems to be a fine one whether, you're buying it for self-preservation or not.

Couldn't afford the pricey $2.95 million price tag to (literally) save your life? That's OK, there's still the missile silo home for only $750,000.

Bert Aronson from Keller Williams Realty has the listing.

Click on the images below to see more homes for sale near Cachaua Valley, Calif.



See more Houses of the Day on AOL Real Estate.

Got a tip for House of the Day? Know of an exceptional or unusual property currently listed for sale? Please email ann.brenoff@huffingtonpost.com with your suggestions and be sure to include links to listing details and photos. (Due to the volume of response, we unfortunately are unable to respond to each submission.)

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]]>Bert Aronson Keller Williams RealtyCachaua Valley homesCarmel Valley real estatehome of the dayHouse of the DayJamesburg Earth StationKrisanne Alcantara2012-01-16T06:00:00+00:00House of the Day: Not Your Typical Farmhousehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/09/house-of-the-day-not-your-typical-farmhouse/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/09/house-of-the-day-not-your-typical-farmhouse/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/09/house-of-the-day-not-your-typical-farmhouse/#commentsFiled under: ,



Though the name "Oldfield Farm" may conjure images of a charming, rustic property complete with barn, hayloft and livestock, the Oldfield Farm in Greenwich, Conn., is anything but.

This grand, Palladian-style mansion, currently on the market for $39.6 million, is about as far from down-home living as you can get. Featuring eight bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, the 15,000-square-foot manse includes a theater, a wine cellar, a billiard room, seven fireplaces, six powder rooms, a sunroom, a fitness room and a sauna. The entire estate was designed by architect Robert Lamb Hart and decorated by Mark Hampton.

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For those who insist on having the traditional rural elements, however, the grounds do offer some provincial features. Sort of. There are twin stables with 39 horse stalls, generous paddocks and lush meadows, a greenhouse, a polo field and a gazebo. Oh, and a huge heated swimming pool and tennis courts. Really, who needs to rough it?

Greenwich Fine Properties has the listing.

Click on the images below to see more homes for sale in Greenwich, Conn.



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Got a tip for House of the Day? Know of an exceptional or unusual property currently listed for sale? Please email krisanne.alcantara@huffingtonpost.com with your suggestions and be sure to include links to listing details and photos. (Due to the volume of response, we unfortunately are unable to reply to each submission.)

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]]>Connecticut homes for saleConnecticutRealEstateFarm propertyFarmland for saleGreenwich Fine PropertiesGreenwich homes for saleGreenwich real estateOldfield FarmKrisanne Alcantara2012-01-09T06:00:00+00:00Advice From America's 'Top Real Estate Photographer'http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/06/advice-from-americas-top-real-estate-photographer/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/06/advice-from-americas-top-real-estate-photographer/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/06/advice-from-americas-top-real-estate-photographer/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A quick flip through any glossy magazine will reaffirm the reliance that selling has on good pictures. Selling houses is no different than selling products. In fact, homeowners and Realtors are perhaps even more dependent on high-quality images to not only sell their homes, but to sell them at the best price.

This is why real estate photography has flourished into a powerful and lucrative little industry. While it's still lesser-known than fashion photography, real estate photography has seen a transition from a mere "commodity business" to an increasingly prestigious craft that has earned many photographers professional prestige and, well, big bucks.

To separate the wheat from the chaff, the Photography for Real Estate (PFRE) organization annually awards an outstanding photographer the honor of being the "Top Real Estate Photographer" of the year. For 2011, peers and the PFRE blog's readers recently voted to give Dave Rezendes of Honolulu that honor.

And it's not hard to see why. Rezendes' images highlight the uniqueness of a home and the beauty of its natural surroundings. His popular image of a home in Honolulu designed by architecture and design firm Long and Associates (left) was voted the winning image on PFRE by a large margin.

Not too shabby, considering that Rezendes has only been working as a dedicated real estate photographer for four years.

In an interview with AOL Real Estate, Rezendes admits that he stumbled upon the business "by chance," initially shooting photographs as a hobby. It was only after shooting his first property that Rezendes saw real estate photography as a promising career. He was right. It's proved rewarding in ways that stretched far beyond simply taking beautiful images.

"I love getting a phone call from a happy client letting me know that their property has sold much faster than expected," Rezendes says. "I like feeling like I can use my skills to contribute to their success."

Property Photographs: Do's and Don'ts

Whether you're an amateur real estate photographer, a Realtor, or a homeowner who wants to try shooting your own listing pictures, Rezendes has a few tips for getting the best photographs of a home (and to ensure that your photos don't end up like these train wrecks):

o. Don't assume that wider is better. Sometimes a particular vignette or architectural detail will better convey the feeling of a house and give a stronger effect.

o. When staging a photo, keep perspective in mind. It may be necessary to move furniture slightly to compensate for lens distortion and keep your photo looking realistic, especially in wider shots.

o. Mind your verticals. Shooting at a downward or upward angle can skew the vertical lines of the photo, making them no longer parallel. Most photo editing software has the capability to correct this in post-processing.

o. Keep an eye on your staging. A crooked pillow or messy bedskirt can take a minute to fix on location but hours to fix in post-processing.

o. Avoid any clutter in your shots. Any exposed power cords, personal items, or even too much staging material can negatively affect the image. Keep your photos neat but not sterile.

o. Avoid photographing exterior views in direct, midday sun. Try to cover that in the morning or early evening for the most complimentary natural light.

o. Before you take a photo, double-check to see that neither you nor your equipment is visible in mirrors or window reflections.

On Going Pro

PFRE's Top Real Estate Photographer of 2011 also offers this advice for those who are looking to break into the trade:

o. Be prepared to have your pricing ready for a potential client. It will be one of the first questions they ask when considering taking you on to shoot a property.

o. Invest in some off-camera flash units to balance the light inside a space.

o. A basic understanding of good photo-editing software can go a long way toward improving your final image.

o. Understand and manage your client's expectations regarding the time that a shoot will take and how the photos should be used. Shooting for a web-based MLS gallery is different than shooting cover shots for a print-based magazine.

Also see:
Cheeky House Tour Takes Marketing to the Next Level
Newest Home-Staging Trend: 'Placement Pets'
Real Estate Broker Warms Up Cold Listings With Hot Models

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]]>Dave Rezendeshome sellinghome selling tipshome staginghome staging secretsHome Staging TipsPFREPhotography for Real Estatereal estate photographyTop Real Estate PhotographerKrisanne Alcantara2012-01-06T08:00:00+00:00Open Houses of the Week: Jan. 7-8http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/06/open-houses-of-the-week-jan-7-8/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/06/open-houses-of-the-week-jan-7-8/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/06/open-houses-of-the-week-jan-7-8/#commentsFiled under: , ,

open houses of the weekThere's something about that "Open House" sign that acts like a magnet. Whether you're looking for a new place to live, keeping tabs on real estate in your neighborhood, or just angling for a sneak peek at someone else's private domain, the lure of an open door is strong indeed.

Kick off the new year with a bang, as we crisscross the country in search of some of the most interesting open houses around. From a modern marvel in Miami to a sprawling mansion near Minneapolis, we skim the cream of the crop in our first feature of the year. Come along for the ride!



Open Houses for Jan. 7-8


Ann Arbor, Mich.



Open house: Sun., Jan. 8
Location: Ann Arbor
Price: $435,000
Property details: Nestled among vibrant perennial gardens at the end of a scenic tree-lined lane, this delightfully quaint four-bedroom home is straight out of a classic storybook. The charming house has glossy hardwood floors, a spacious living room with wood-burning fireplace, a regal formal dining room, and a unique circular sun room with slate flooring and panoramic views of a landscaped backyard and its gorgeous mature trees.

See inside this property.

See more Ann Arbor homes for sale.

Atlanta



Open house: Sun., Jan. 8
Location: Atlanta
Price: $950,000
Property details: You can enjoy the classic beauty of this traditional, "clean-lined" Americana architecture with all the contemporary trimmings in this picturesque Sagamore Hills home, located on a sprawling 1.3 acre lot. The open floor plan features five bedrooms and spacious living areas, including a stunning great room and a formal living room with fireplaces, a gourmet chef's kitchen, a wet bar and wine fridge, and generous children's suites.

See inside this property.

See more Atlanta homes for sale.

Boston



Open house: Sun., Jan. 8
Location: Boston
Price: $619,000
Property details: A colorful, two-bedroom home filled with character in a renovated brownstone that's perfect for couples or small families. The upper level's spacious open layout has gleaming hardwood floors, and a state-of-the-art kitchen with granite countertops and a breakfast bar. On its lower level are marble floors and spacious bedrooms. There are plenty of places to relax, including a generous living room with wood-burning fireplace, a stunning private rear deck and sunken patio -- or in that lovely Jacuzzi tub. This wistfully romantic, beautifully-redone, four-bedroom brick home on Lover's Lane is perfect for twosomes; with its pair of balconies, antique chandeliers and cozy, rustic detailing throughout, this home is an homage to old New England beauty.

See inside this property.

See more Boston homes for sale.

Des Moines, Iowa



Open house: Sun., Jan. 8
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Price: $260,000
Property details: This two-story brick beauty in the idyllic Waterbury neighborhood is the epitome of classic, understated Des Moines style. Rolling green lawns, gardens and leafy shade trees offer delightful views from your porch, where you'll find yourself easily thinking that you're living in the picturesque countryside. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home includes a stunning fireplace, elegant natural woodwork and solid hardwood floors throughout.

See inside this property.

See more Des Moines homes for sale.

Edina, Minn.



Open house: Sun., Jan. 8
Location: Edina, Minn.
Price: $1.975 million
Property description: This sprawling mansion features timeless architectural craftsmanship on the outside, and luxurious, state-of-the-art 21st century amenities inside. Redefining the art of "row house" living, this custom-built home offers an English-style courtyard and the shops at 50th and France. Perfect for house hunters looking for move-in ready features with Old World charm.

See inside this property.

See more homes for sale near Edina.

Miami



Open House: Tues., Jan. 10
Location: Miami
Price: $5.495 million
Property description: This award-winning, four-bedroom, waterfront contemporary offers wide, unobstructed bay views from almost every room. It's luxury manifested -- with floor-to-ceiling windows, a heated infinity pool, elevators to all three floors, rooftop terraces and a boat dock with a large boat slip and lift. Need we say more?


See inside this property.


See more Miami homes for sale.

San Francisco



Open house: Sun., Jan. 8
Location: San Francisco
Price: $3.3 million
Property description: This beautifully-renovated corner home on Liberty Hill was designed to capture the eastern, southern and western lights. Make this stunning mansion your home and enjoy daily, unobstructed views of the bay, hills and valley from your south-facing view garden and deck (cocktail in hand, perhaps?). Cook up a storm in your high-end chef's kitchen decked out with Gaggenau appliances, catch a movie or two in your massive media room, or simply relax with a glass of wine by the fireplace. Yes, this home truly has something for everyone.

See inside this property.

See more San Francisco homes for sale.

Oro Valley, Ariz.



Open house: Fri.-Sat., Jan. 6-7
Location: Oro Valley, Ariz.
Price: $795,000
Property description: Enjoy quiet privacy coupled with stunning panoramas of city lights and five mountain ranges from this captivating 3.97-acre retreat at the end of a remote cul-de-sac. This glamorous yet refreshingly intimate four-bedroom hilltop home features polished and scored concrete floors, a designer chef's kitchen with stainless steel commercial appliances, and a luxurious pool and hot tub that can be accessed from a lavish master suite.

See inside this property.

See more homes for sale in the Oro Valley area.

More great AOL Real Estate galleries:
Buy a Decent Home for Less Than $10,000
Midcentury Modern Homes: The Cool That's Still Hot
Million-Dollar Foreclosures

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More on AOL Real Estate:
Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
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]]>Ann Arbor real estateatlanta real estateBoston real estateDes Moines real estateEdina real estateMiami real estateopen house of the weekopen housesopen houses of the weekOro Valley real estateSan Francisco real estateAOL Real Estate Editors2012-01-06T07:00:00+00:00House of the Day: 'Sound of Music' Views in Vail Villagehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/27/house-of-the-day-sound-of-music-views-in-vail-village/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/27/house-of-the-day-sound-of-music-views-in-vail-village/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/27/house-of-the-day-sound-of-music-views-in-vail-village/#commentsFiled under: ,



Oh, Vail. With your sweeping vistas of the Gore Mountain Range and your sprawling homes all sporting flawless European craftsmanship and impeccable detailing, you're almost infuriatingly perfect.

Take this immaculate, 11,771-square-foot European masterpiece in the heart of Vail Village, for instance. Newly listed for $18.5 million, the home is the epitome of classic Colorado luxury with breathtaking "Sound of Music" views.

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The six-bedroom home features a library, a "dramatic" indoor pool and spa, a game room with fully equipped bar, outdoor heated terraces and a soaring great room boasting spectacular views of the Gore Range. Though it may feel like you're hidden deep in the Colorado wilderness (or in the Austrian Alps), the house is actually mere steps away from all the restaurants and offerings of the bustling Vail Village.

Caroll Tyler from Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate has the listing.

Click on the images below to see other homes for sale in Vail, Colo.



See more Houses of the Day and other homes for sale on AOL Real Estate.

Got a tip for House of the Day? Know of an exceptional or unusual property currently listed for sale? Please email krisanne.alcantara@huffingtonpost.com with your suggestions and be sure to include links to listing details and photos. (Due to the volume of response, we unfortunately are unable to respond to each submission.)

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]]>Caroll Tyler Slifer Smith Frampton Real Estatecolorado real estateHouse of the Dayluxury homesski real estatevacations homesVail real estatevail villageKrisanne Alcantara2011-12-27T06:00:00+00:00House of the Day: Extreme 'Glamping' at Florida 'Fish Camp'http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/21/house-of-the-day-extreme-glamping-at-florida-fish-camp/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/21/house-of-the-day-extreme-glamping-at-florida-fish-camp/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/21/house-of-the-day-extreme-glamping-at-florida-fish-camp/#commentsFiled under: ,



"Give a man a fish and you feed him for the day," the old Chinese proverb goes. "Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Well what if you give a man a whole fishing compound? Professional angler or not, we're sure he'll still get a lifetime's worth of seafood, one way or another.

The $12.9 million estate affectionately known as the "Fish Camp" estate in Marathon, Fla., boasts one very rare feature that few (if any) other Florida mansions are lucky enough to have -- its own private fishing compound. Surrounded by water on three sides, with over 190-foot-deep water dockage and direct ocean access to the Atlantic ocean, the estate is nothing short of a fisherman's glam paradise.

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But wait, there's more: apart from the standard eight-bedroom, 10-bathroom offerings of a typical Florida manse, the sprawling, 11,674-square-foot main house features a theater, bar, entertaining room, pool with spa and waterfall, a tennis court and a chef's kitchen that would make Jamie Oliver proud.

That proverb should really say something about teaching a man to cook, too.

Kim Thaler from Ocean Sotheby's International Realty has the listing.

Click on the images below to see in other luxury homes for sale in Florida.



See more Houses of the Day on AOL Real Estate.

Got a tip for House of the Day? Know of an exceptional or unusual property currently listed for sale? Please email krisanne.alcantara@huffingtonpost.com with your suggestions and be sure to include links to listing details and photos. (Due to the volume of response, we unfortunately are unable to reply to each submission.)

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]]>Fish Camp estateFish Camp MarathonFla.Florida luxury real estatehome of the dayhouse of the dayKim Thaler Ocean Sothebys International RealtyMarathon FL real estateKrisanne Alcantara2011-12-21T06:00:00+00:00House of the Day: Waterfront Palace in Miami Beachhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/20/house-of-the-day-waterfront-palace-in-miami-beach/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/20/house-of-the-day-waterfront-palace-in-miami-beach/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/20/house-of-the-day-waterfront-palace-in-miami-beach/#commentsFiled under: ,



Florida is no stranger to swanky homes, but this one takes swanky to kingly heights.

This sprawling, 19,000-square-foot home in Miami Beach resembles a palace more than a "home." That is, if typical palaces had waterfront access, an in-house theater and bar, a sunken outdoor pool with poolside cabana and their own private dock.

But wait there's more: The 11-bedroom, 13-bathroom home also boasts a three-story grand living room (that's right, a three-story living room), flanked by towering balconies. Throughout the property, classic wood paneling mixed with luxe marble flooring gives the masterpiece home a subtle mixture of earthy elegance and unabashed opulence.

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Think you could see yourself living in this regal abode? Well, dig deep, because listing agent Brett Harris confirms that the house is on sale for an equally kingly $20 million.

Brett Harris has the listing.

Click on the images below to see more homes for sale in Miami Beach, Fla.



See more Houses of the Day on AOL Real Estate.

Got a tip for House of the Day? Know of an exceptional or unusual property currently listed for sale? Please email krisanne.alcantara@huffingtonpost.com with your suggestions and be sure to include links to listing details and photos. (Due to the volume of response, we unfortunately are unable to respond to each submission.)

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]]>Brett Harris real estatehome of the dayhouse of the dayMiami Beach homesMiami Beach housesMiami Beach luxury homesMiami Beach real estateKrisanne Alcantara2011-12-20T07:00:00+00:00House of the Day: Where Utah's Hills Meet Hollywood'shttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/14/house-of-the-day-where-utahs-hills-meet-hollywoods/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/14/house-of-the-day-where-utahs-hills-meet-hollywoods/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/14/house-of-the-day-where-utahs-hills-meet-hollywoods/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



One look at this sprawling contemporary and you can't help but think Hollywood. Floor-to-ceiling windows, marble-tiled floors, wet/dry bars, a huge jetted tub, swimming pool and even meditation area -- so LA, right? Think again.

This 8,100-square-foot stunner is located in the charmingly small community of Arlington Hills in Salt Lake City, Utah. Although Utah is not particularly renowned for its cutting-edge modern homes, this $2.9 million property may be at the forefront of a new trend: bringing swanky, California-style contemporaries to the Beehive State (check out this similar $6.9 million glass-and-steel masterpiece designed by California architect Guy Dreier, and this 10,211-square-foot, $2.15 million contemporary, both in Salt Lake City).

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Best of all, this five-bedroom, 3½ bathroom contemporary boasts sweeping views of Salt Lake City and the mountains, and is located very close to parks, walking trails and the University of Utah. Plus, it's just minutes away from New City Creek Center, where you can take in jazz shows, go shopping, or indulge in some art and fine dining.

California luxury without moving to Hollyweird? Sounds good to us.

Lee White at Summit Sotheby's International Realty has the listing.

Click on the images below to see other homes for sale in Salt Lake City, Utah.



See more Houses of the Day and homes for sale in Salt Lake City, Utah, on AOL Real Estate.

Got a tip for House of the Day? Know of an exceptional or unusual property currently listed for sale? Please email krisanne.alcantara@huffingtonpost.com with your suggestions and be sure to include links to listing details and photos. (Due to the volume of response, we unfortunately are unable to reply to each submission.)

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]]>Arlington Hillscontemporary architectural homescontemporary design homeshome of the dayhouse of the daySalt Lake City architectural homesSalt Lake City real estateUtah real estateKrisanne Alcantara2011-12-14T06:00:00+00:00Sale Pending? Brad Pitt's Malibu Home Pulled Off Markethttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/09/brad-pitt-malibu-home-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/09/brad-pitt-malibu-home-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/09/brad-pitt-malibu-home-sale/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Brad Pitt's house in Malibu, Calif., was withdrawn from the market, according to the MLS. In the world of celebrity real estate deals, this generally happens when the seller has reeled in a buyer and the ink on the deal is just about dry. So far, there's been no recorded sale, but since a moving company was spotted at the house, removing its contents, our radar says the deal is all but done.

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For the record, listing agent Ellen Francisco of Coldwell Banker Malibu says Pitt's house was not sold. Her office received a request from the business manager asking that the listing be withdrawn. You say "to-ma-to," I say "to-mah-to." A house is not legally sold until escrow closes. That, or she's right and I'm not.

Pitt's house, listed at $13.75 million, came on the market in August. It has four bedrooms in 4,088 square feet and sits on 1.26 acres atop an ocean view bluff.

See the full story on The Huffington Post Los Angeles.

Click on the images below to see other celebrity real estate recently on the market in Malibu and beyond:



See more celebrity real estate and homes for sale in Malibu, Calif., on AOL Real Estate.

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]]>beach homesbeach housesBrad Pitt homeBrad Pitt housecelebrity homescelebrity real estateEllen DeGeneres houseMalibu homesMalibu real estateAnn Brenoff2011-12-09T13:00:00+00:00Open Houses of the Week: Dec. 10-11http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/08/open-houses-of-the-week-dec-10-11/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/08/open-houses-of-the-week-dec-10-11/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/08/open-houses-of-the-week-dec-10-11/#commentsFiled under: , ,

open houses of the weekThere's something about that "Open House" sign that acts like a magnet. Whether you're looking for a new place to live, keeping tabs on real estate in your neighborhood, or just angling for a sneak peek at someone else's private domain, the lure of an open door is strong indeed.

This week, we take a tour through the most eye-catching listings in some of the most popular cities. Remember to click the listing details to see dozens of additional photos!



Open Houses for Dec. 10-11


Atlanta



Open house: Sun., Dec. 11
Location: Atlanta
Price: $2.299 million
Property details: This French chateau-style home includes 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms and 8,225 square feet of European elegance. Designed by Bill Harrison, the house boasts oak hardwood floors and fireplaces across three finished levels. There's even a pool and spa flanked by a linear fire feature to keep you toasty warm while taking a dip during those Georgia cold snaps.

See inside this property.

See more Atlanta homes for sale

Austin, Texas



Open house: Sun., Dec. 11
Location: Austin
Price: $1.125 million
Property details: If you're big on family gatherings, this may be the perfect home for you. A wide, spacious design, coupled with warm stone and stucco highlighting the home's unpretentious and simple aesthetic, make this property ideal for entertaining. If that doesn't get you, then the country hill views and luxe swimming pool surely will.

See inside this property.

See more Austin homes for sale.

Los Angeles area



Open house: Sun., Dec. 11
Location: Malibu
Price: $17 million
Property details: The Pacific Coast Building Conference awarded MariSol the 2011 "House of the Year" award and it's no wonder. This strikingly modern blufftop estate is the epitome of California luxury: a trophy home in the middle of a restored native coastal garden that overlooks a popular surfing beach, with spectacular whitewater, island and mountain views.

See inside this property.

See more Los Angeles homes for sale.

Miami area



Open house: Sun., Dec. 11
Location: Pinecrest
Price: $1.95 million
Property details: This isn't your run-of-the-mill Miami McMansion -- we're talking character to boot! Soaring 20-foot ceilings. Floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning ocean views. An outdoor oasis featuring flowing fountains and tropical landscaping. Plus, with five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a deep, covered brick patio, it's the perfect home for entertaining in luxury.

See inside this property.

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Denver



Open house: Sun., Dec. 11
Location: Denver
Price: $515,000
Property description: It's not just a pretty face: this stunning, three-bedroom, 2,283-square-foot contemporary boasts LEED certification, is solar-energy equipped and was designed with sustainability in mind... So, you can breathe easy while you're lounging around on your spacious deck, enjoying gorgeous panoramic views of downtown Denver.

See inside this property.

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St. Louis area



Open House: Sun., Dec. 11
Location: Town and Country
Price: $1.25 million
Property description: This 5,722-square-foot masterpiece is the perfect fusion of contemporary and classic. With an exceptional, winding three-story staircase and soaring ceilings, this Town and Country home is an homage to traditional American beauty. Yet you also get an in-house theater, billiard room, game room, bar and patio. What more could you ask for?

See inside this property.

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Paradise Valley, Ariz.



Open house: Sun., Dec. 11
Location: Paradise Valley
Price: $1.5 million
Property description: If you love the outdoors, then this one is for you: The elegant Spanish-style home boasts wondrous views of Camelback Mountain from every room and is flanked by stunning botanical landscaping. Step inside, and you can enjoy soft, Santa Fe architectural detailing that includes vaulted ceilings with peeled-pole beams and charming fireplaces. A true testament to natural Arizona beauty, sprawled across 4,181 square feet.

See inside this property.

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Edina, Minn.



Open house: Sun., Dec. 11
Location: Edina
Price: $1.289 million
Property description: If contemporary isn't your thing and you're yearning for a slice of classic Americana, then you'll love this handsome, five-bedroom home. This grand, 4,000-square-foot Tudor boasts beautiful woodwork throughout, polished hardwood floors, fireplaces and a year-round sun room featuring a generous bay window. Located on a charming, tree-lined street and boasting a sprawling lawn, this idyllic Edina home is perfect for families with children.

See inside this property.

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More great AOL Real Estate galleries:
Buy a Decent Home for Less Than $10,000
Midcentury Modern Homes: The Cool That's Still Hot
Million-Dollar Foreclosures

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]]>Atlanta open housesAustin open housesDenver open housesEdina open housesLos Angeles open housesMalibu open housesMiami open housesOpen Houses of the Week:Paradise Valley open housesPinecrest open housesSt Louis open housesTown and Country open housesAOL Real Estate Editors2011-12-08T15:25:00+00:00House of the Day: Nestled Into a Bay Area Hillsidehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/07/house-of-the-day-nestled-into-a-bay-area-hillside/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/07/house-of-the-day-nestled-into-a-bay-area-hillside/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/07/house-of-the-day-nestled-into-a-bay-area-hillside/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Many architects strive to marry man-made and natural beauty so that the two, like mom and pop of an enduring mom-and-pop store, bring out the best in each other. Franklin Lloyd Wright was a huge fan of the idea.

"No house should ever be on a hill or anything. It should be of a hill. Belonging to it," he proclaimed.

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This stunning contemporary, listed for a whopping $22.25 million in Belvedere, Calif., hits the jackpot in that regard. It truly seems to "belong" to its waterside perch on 220 square feet of prime California coastline. The site's trees, reaching over the home's roof, nearly envelope it while shrubs and rocks line paths that weave about the property. Stunning panoramas of San Francisco, the city's bay and Mount Tamalpais can be viewed through the home's glass walls or from its seaside terrace.

Sitting on 1.2 acres, the residence offers seven bedrooms, six bathrooms and 8,000 total square feet. Two of those bedrooms are in a separate guesthouse. Special features include a spa and wine cellar.

William Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Decker Bullock Sotheby's International Realty have the listing.

Click on the images below to see other stunning waterfront mansions in Belvedere, Calif.:



See more Houses of the Day and other homes for sale Belvedere, Calif., on AOL Real Estate.

Got a tip for House of the Day? Know of an exceptional or unusual property currently listed for sale? Please email teke.wiggin@teamaol.com with your suggestions and be sure to include links to listing details and photos. (Due to the volume of response, we unfortunately are unable to reply to each submission.)

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]]>Belvedere homesBelvedere mansionsBelvedere real estateDecker Bullock Sothebys International Realtyhome of the dayhouse of the daySan Francisco Bay homesSan Francisco Bay housesSan Francisco Bay real estateWilliam Bullock Lydia Sarkissian Decker Bullock Sothebys InternaTeke Wiggin2011-12-07T06:00:00+00:00Detroit Mom Trades $96,000 House for Used Minivanhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/06/detroit-mom-trades-96-000-house-for-used-minivan/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/06/detroit-mom-trades-96-000-house-for-used-minivan/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/06/detroit-mom-trades-96-000-house-for-used-minivan/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A disabled mother of six who took to Craigslist last month to swap her family home for a car has finally gotten what she wanted: trading her four-bedroom house in the Detroit neighborhood of Russell Woods for a 6-year-old minivan.

The city values the house (pictured above), located in an area where Diana Ross and the Supremes once lived, at $96,000. The vehicle valuation company, Kelley Blue Book, puts the worth of this kind of van, a silver 2006 Chevrolet Uplander with 85,000 miles, at between $5,000 and $8,500.

Despite a number of perhaps better offers that flooded in from across the nation -- including a 1996 Chevrolet Corvette and a 1996 Bentley Brooklands -- LaWanda Flake, 36, said that she made the decision from her heart.

"I took one of the first offers I got because I felt like it helped us both," Flake told The Detroit News. "They needed the house more than anyone I spoke with. I really feel like I made a good decision."

Though some might beg to differ, it seems that the unique deal may have worked for Flake, whose "desperation" for a vehicle to drive her kids around in led her to post the Nov. 7 Craigslist ad. Additionally, though Flake had purchased the 2,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom home for a mere $3,500 at a tax foreclosure sale, she claimed that she had no more money to invest in the repairs and renovations necessary for the home.

Flake says that the new owners are "excited" to begin renovating the house, which lacks a water heater and furnace.

Since the swap, Flake and her family have moved into another house in Detroit, a three-bedroom which she picked up on a bargain $4,000 land contract.

Also see:
Detroit Mom Offers to Trade Her House for a Car
Vacant House Yields Late Owner's Stash of Cash
Vacant Home Targeted By Squatters, Scammers and Thieves

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]]>Detroit Mom Trades House for Used MinivanDiana Ross and the Supremeshouse for carHouse for Used Minivanhouse swapLaWanda FlakeLaWanda Flake trading house for carKrisanne Alcantara2011-12-06T12:38:00+00:00Man Sells Sister's Home as She Was Cloistered in Nunneryhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/05/man-sells-sisters-home-while-she-was-cloistered-in-nunnery/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/05/man-sells-sisters-home-while-she-was-cloistered-in-nunnery/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/05/man-sells-sisters-home-while-she-was-cloistered-in-nunnery/#commentsFiled under: ,

Teresa Nadia PedullaSibling rivalry is one thing, but swindling this sort of sister crosses the line.

Teresa Nadia Pedulla, an Australian homeowner who had been living abroad with an order of Italian nuns, is being awarded $3.8 million by the New South Wales government after her brother illegally sold her estate, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Pedulla, who had left her Sydney home for more than five years to live in cloisters with the nuns, discovered that her brother and two accomplices had taken out several mortgages against the home in her absence, and finally sold it for $3.8 million in March of this year.

The brother, Fernando Rene Panetta, and his wife Anna Lam each made off with $684,890.92, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. They left the country on separate flights and their whereabouts remain unknown.

A third accomplice, Lewis Fineman Yee, is charged with fraudulently claiming to be Pedulla's attorney and helping to illegally transfer the property to her brother for the nominal fee of $1.

As if the circumstances of the theft were not sensational enough, it was revealed in court that Yee has had a long-term intimate relationship with Anna Lam, who has presumably absconded with her current husband and co-conspirator, Fernando Panetta.

And while the details of the Pedulla case may seem outlandish, title deed fraud is becoming increasingly common, especially in the hardest-hit states of America. In Florida, homeowners are especially prone to a scheme known as "quitclaim fraud."

The combination of a vast inventory of vacant homes, coupled with Florida's very public property records, allows scammers to forge signatures, steal personal information, and ultimately claim ownership before the bona fide owner is even notified of the transfer. Learn how to protect yourself from quitclaim fraud in this post from AOL Real Estate.

While Sydney's legal system may have intervened on this victim's behalf, justice is not always so swift back stateside.

See also:
'Quitclaim' Foreclosure Scam Could Cost You Your Home
Victims of 'Robo-Signing': Fight the Machine!

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]]>Anna Lambrother cheats nunbrother sells nuns homebrother steals nuns homeFernando Rene PanettaLewis Fineman Yeenew south walesnun fraudnunsquitclaim fraudsydneyTeresa Nadia Pedullaweird newsStefanos Chen2011-12-05T15:15:00+00:00