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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Bruce Willis Asks $3.9M for NYC Padhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/04/bruce-willis-asks-3-9m-for-nyc-pad/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/04/bruce-willis-asks-3-9m-for-nyc-pad/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/04/bruce-willis-asks-3-9m-for-nyc-pad/#comments Bruce Willis homeActor Bruce Willis listed his New York apartment just a few days ago for $3.9 million. That's significantly less than the $4.26 million he paid for it in 2008.

"The amount is a very strategic move," David Salvatore of Town Real Estate, who is co-broker with Chris Sileo, told AOL Real Estate. "We wanted it listed under $4 million because this is a property Bruce does not want to be showing on the market. He wants to sell it quietly in a reasonable amount of time and based on a price that is really fair."

Why is Willis, who shot to fame in the 1980s with the hit TV series Moonlighting and followed it with a string of action flicks such as Die Hard and a turn in Quentin Tarantino's cult classic Pulp Fiction, selling his humble Manhattan abode?

(See photos after the jump.)


Salvatore says it's a lifestyle change. "He purchased the apartment prior to getting married to Emma [Hemming], and I think like in any situation they're looking for a new adventure together," he says. "Certainly he's not at a loss for places to live."

At 2,300 square feet, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 17 oversize windows that provide a spectacular view of Manhattan, it's the only unit in the building with 11-foot ceilings. Also included are a master suite with marble bathroom, double sinks, separate shower and jacuzzi tubs, a kitchen with stainless steel appliances, cherry cabinets and granite countertops, pretty much the works.

"This particular property is in the Trump Place building in a great location, steps away from Lincoln Center and other great spots, it's really in its own little world," says Salvatore.

The 6 percent price drop was on direct advisement from the folks at Town. Still, this price is in line with the luxury market in New York City, which remains strong. Salvatore says, "Luxury property is all happening at the same velocity as before the market adjusted. We actually have a shortage of luxury high-end properties in Manhattan."






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]]>bruce willisCelebrity real estateLuxury real estatemanhattan real estateNew York real estateJosie Gulliksen2011-04-04T15:00:00 00:00Frank Lloyd Wright House Moves to the Hamptonshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/01/frank-lloyd-wright-home-moves-to-the-hamptons/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/01/frank-lloyd-wright-home-moves-to-the-hamptons/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/01/frank-lloyd-wright-home-moves-to-the-hamptons/#commentsFiled under: ,,

It's been a long road for architects Sharon and Lawrence Tarantino of Tarantino Architect and their connection to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Bachman Wilson House in Millstone, N.J. After painstakingly convincing the third owners of the house they finally acquired the 3-bed, 4.5 bath, 3,200-square-foot home on two acres along the Millstone River, in 1988. In dire need of repair at that point, the Tarantinos lovingly labored to restore the house to its original glory, all the while keeping the famed architect's original design in mind. After all this, they've decided to find it a new location in Sagaponac, N.Y., in the Hamptons; and it's selling for $5 million.

A little background on the house -- original owners Abraham Wilson and Gloria Bachman (hence the home's name) commissioned Lloyd Wright to design the house in 1954. The structure is an excellent example of the architect's Usonian style, which makes the owner feel at one with nature. The seamless design, open floor plan, horizontal and vertical planes, a wall of glass, seamless flow between the main and guest house and the fact that it's set within the natural surroundings, away from the main road, are all signature features that made the famed architect the respected legend.

It's that legendary style and respect of nature and, unfortunately, the constant flooding problems the home has experienced that played a role in the decision by the Tarantinos to relocate the home to the Hamptons.


AOL Real Estate acquired a private link to the YouTube video from Sharon Tarantino of her presentation at the Architectural Digest Home Show. It explains in detail the issues and reasons for relocating the house.

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She explains that "flooding continues to worsen through climate change and there is also a lack of enforcement of construction regulations related to storm water controls. New Jersey has their own agenda when it comes to development and protecting historic properties is not their priority. On top of that, federal funding for flood protection is now virtually non-existent."

So, "after 20 years of flood mitigation research and finding no feasible plan, we've struggled with the realization that relocating the Bachman Wilson House and finding a buyer with a passion for Frank Lloyd Wright's work would be the best viable solution to secure it's future."

Deciding to relocate to the Hamptons came after reading a New York Times article describing the reviving of a modernist development in the area. The Tarantinos immediately visited Sagaponac and decided it was indeed the ideal location for the home.

Co-broker Amelia Doggwiler of Brown Harris Stevens in the Hamptons told AOL Real Estate "the house is currently in Millstone, New Jersey, and will be relocated, only after we find a buyer, to 21 Forrest Crossing, Sagaponac, New York." The move is significant because "it will be the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in the area."

Charged with the task of rebuilding and incorporating the Tarantino's new elements including new sustainable building technologies of solar energy and geothermal mechanical systems, are custom builders Reinhardt O'Brien and Oza based in Bridgehampton, N.Y.
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]]>Frank Lloyd Wright architectureHamptons real estateNew Jersey real estateNew York real estatePreservationJosie Gulliksen2011-04-01T16:03:00 00:00Chelsea Hotel Going Condo?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/28/chelsea-hotel-going-condo/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/28/chelsea-hotel-going-condo/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/28/chelsea-hotel-going-condo/#commentsFiled under:

chelsea hotelNew York City's Chelsea Hotel going condo may cause as much of an uproar in the arts community as the closing of CBGBs did in the punk community. But at this point, the legendary literary landmark and residential hotel seems destined for a decidedly staid future.

In a recent New York Post article, several possible buyers were listed for the 222 West 23rd Street property, with David Edelstein of Tristar Capital as the front runner. Edelstein has been quite vocal in interviews that if he indeed becomes the owner of the 250-room hotel, which opened in 1883, it will certainly not be run the way it once was.

In the past, the Chelsea was home to musicians, writers and artists, including Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Robert Mapplethorpe, Leonard Cohen, Virgil Thomson, Mark Twain, Arthur Miller, Allen Ginsberg and Larry Rivers, among many others. Science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey in the hotel. Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road there. Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols allegedly stabbed to death his girlfriend Nancy Spungen in one of the rooms.

The hotel no longer accepts long-term residents; the longest guests are allowed to stay these days is 24 nights.

New York firm Corcoran Real Estate Group knows the Manhattan area well and of course is aware of the Chelsea sale. John Felicetti of Corcoran's new development arm Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group told AOL Real Estate, "There is incredible development potential at this site." That's all he would divulge about this sale which is the talk of the town that never sleeps.

With an estimated $100 million asking price, whatever is done to the landmark building, it is sure to lose some of its charm. Paul Brounstein, one of the building's shareholders, was very frank when he said the Chelsea needed some new ideas and fresh blood to keep up the area.

At 12 stories, some of the Chelsea's most recognizable design elements are the red brick exterior, namesake sign and famous staircase. With the same owners the last 65 years, lots of folks have come forward and made offers since the building was put up for sale.

With the condo conversion will likely come upscale prices, no doubt erasing the bohemian feel the Chelsea once had.









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]]>bob dylanChelsea HotelCommercial Real EstateCondo Hotel conversionjanis joplinlarry riversmark twainNew York Real Estatepatti smithsid and nancyJosie Gulliksen2011-03-28T16:31:00 00:00Florida Foreclosure Aid Plans Falterhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/22/florida-foreclosure-aid-plans-falter/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/22/florida-foreclosure-aid-plans-falter/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/22/florida-foreclosure-aid-plans-falter/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Florida Supreme Court continues to devise programs in an effort to help homeowners in foreclosure, or so it would seem. The Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program initiative was announced in 2009 and a Florida Supreme Court Task Force was assigned to implement the program. The 52-page report by the Task Force has all the first source information and fact-finding that led up to them establishing the Mediation Program.

The task force included court administrators and defense people who warned that there was going to be a crisis. Attorney Matt Weidner of Tampa, Fla., who has been instrumental in representing clients during the foreclosure crisis, as well as fighting much of the wrongdoing, told AOL Real Estate:
"The findings of fact are what's leading to the collapse of this mediation program, and we all said from the beginning that this is not going to work. This goes back to us not knowing who owns these properties, so we don't even know who needs to come to the table at these mediations."

The courts were pressured to establish the mediation program at a great expense, and so far there is only a single-digit percentage of success stories. That's because there are relatively few plaintiffs coming to the table. Also, the named plaintiff in these cases isn't the real party in these interests, the party driving this, the investors should be the ones at the mediation table but they're just going through the motions.

"There's a fundamental inability to identify who owns anything," says Weidner. "It all gets back to that."


Attorney Tom Ice, of Ice Legal in West Palm Beach, agrees with Weidner, saying, "In our opinion, the banks merely go through the motions so they can check mediation off their list of required things to do, but are not seriously contemplating a modification."

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The mediation process is mandated for every foreclosure case filed. The banks have to fill out the forms indicating it's a homestead property. One of the requirements of the administrative order is that the plaintiff (the bank) is required to begin the process, which includes hefty fees.

"In virtually every case I've been to in mediation, the banks never provide the proper documents, which again permeates the entire process," says Weidner. "These documents are what shows they have the right to be at the table."

In many cases, the investors will not agree to the modification which is the best business decision because they then do not receive the FDIC or investment money. Weidner says the system is in lockdown because of system failure. These modifications don't address the homes that are vastly underwater or the principal reduction.



Because Ice, like Weidner, has had clients come to him after they were wrongly advised, to those who have not attending mediation, yet he says, "We actually recommend to our clients that they opt of the early mediation program. Nearly all of our successful settlements have occurred outside of mediation."
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]]>florida foreclosure aidflorida foreclosuresFlorida Supreme CourtForeclosure mediationLoan modificationmortgage crisisJosie Gulliksen2011-03-22T11:20:00 00:00Harrison Ford's Former CPW Apartment Sellshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/15/harrison-fords-former-cpw-apartment-sells/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/15/harrison-fords-former-cpw-apartment-sells/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/15/harrison-fords-former-cpw-apartment-sells/#commentsFiled under: ,,

harrison fordHarrison Ford once owned a high-profile unit in one of New York City's grandiose buildings, the 19-story 101 Central Park West, built in 1930 and converted to a co-op in 1953, was on the market for $26 million. Current owner Peter Briger, co-chairman of Fortress Investment Group is moving to San Francisco to open a new office for the asset management firm, according to a blurb in the New York Post. Hillary Landis of the Corcoran Group was the listing agent and according to her recently sold listings on their web site she sold a 6-bed, 6-bath, 14-room, 6,400-square-foot unit in that building.

Originally the building, located between 70 and 71 streets had 101 units but with apartments being joined over the years it is now 96 units and is one of the few buildings in the area that does not have a name like the area San Remo or El Dorado. The building was developed by Abraham Bricken and built by architects Schwartz & Gross, who were responsible for many other towers in the area.

The unit in the 101 building, which includes penthouses, was previously owned by Harrison Ford. At one point deceased ABC newsman Peter Jennings also called this building home. Although the apartments in the 101 Central Park West are considered grand scale with incredible views overlooking Central Park (hence the name), they are very quiet luxury apartments.


Comparing 101 to its contemporaries like the San Remo at 145 Central Park West and El Dorado at 300 Central Park West, where many celebrities and high-profile business folks reside, the price for Briger's unit was on point. The Corcoran site does not list what the unit sold for.

Harrison Ford



















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]]>101 Central Park Westcelebrity real estateco-opharrison fordLuxury real estateManhattan real estateNew York real estatepeter jenningsUpper West Side real estateJosie Gulliksen2011-03-15T12:13:00 00:00Mary J. Blige Lists New Jersey Spread for $13.9Mhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/10/mary-j-blige-lists-new-jersey-estate-for-13-9-million/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/10/mary-j-blige-lists-new-jersey-estate-for-13-9-million/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/10/mary-j-blige-lists-new-jersey-estate-for-13-9-million/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hip hop megastar Mary J. Blige is ready to fly her New Jersey coop, a whopping 18,250-square-foot estate in swanky Saddle River, N.J., after less than three years living there. Perhaps she's seeking a lifestyle with "No More Drama" (see video below).

Blige bought the home in 2008 for $12.3 million, paid in cash. The house was originally put on the market that same year for $17 million, dropped to $13.9 million and then Blige scooped it up for over a million less.

Guess her real estate advisers thought the $13.9 million price from 2008 was a good figure, since that's what the place is listed at now. With 25 total rooms, it seems like the $17 million is a more fitting amount.




Now it definitely gets cold in northern New Jersey, but five fireplaces? That's what's listed.
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Along with 8 bedrooms, 8 full baths and 3 half baths. And we know celebrities like their cars (late-night host Jay Leno's collection is legendary) so it's fitting there's a six-car garage.

The stucco, country French manor on 4.2 acres has enough sprawling room for entertaining, cooking and just relaxing. One of the aforementioned fireplaces is in the beyond oversize gourmet kitchen with two islands, chandelier, marble floors, French windows overlooking the yard as well as French doors.

The entertainment room comes complete with oversize leather recliners to seat 14 guests, a winding staircase leads to an oval hallway although if that's too much work there's always the elevator. Stately columns adorn the foyer and French windows provide the large family room, with fireplace, plenty of light. And for some recreational time, there's an indoor basketball court, fitness center or swimming pool. Change in the full service cabana after a dip.

This Bergen County gem is listed by Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty-Alpine.



Click here for home listings in Saddle River, N.J.

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]]>Celebrity real estateGrammy winnership hop starsLuxury real estatemary j. bligemary+j+blige+home+for+salemary+j+blige+house+for+salemaryjbligehomeforsalemaryjbligehouseforsaleNew Jersey real estateno more dramasaddle river real estateJosie Gulliksen2011-03-10T10:17:00 00:00Julianne Moore's NYC Townhouse for Salehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/08/julianne-moores-nyc-townhouse-for-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/08/julianne-moores-nyc-townhouse-for-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/08/julianne-moores-nyc-townhouse-for-sale/#commentsJulianne Moore's memorable performances have garnered her respect as one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses. And it turns out Moore is no slouch in the interior design department either, judging by interior photos of her West Village townhouse, which is currently on the market for $12.5 million.

Listing agent Debbie Korb of Sotheby's International told AOL Real Estate that the house, built in the 1800s, was a labor of love for the Boogie Nights and Short Cuts star, who in 2005 undertook the massive renovation with the help of brother-in-law Oliver Freundlich from the Brooklyn-based architecture firm Made. Freundlich, a graduate of Yale architecture school, helped his famous sister-in-law achieve the look and feel she desired. It was very easy for her to work with her brother-in-law, and Korb says, "They certainly made beautiful music together."

What they accomplished, Korb says, is nothing short of brilliant since "Julianne has an amazing sensibility and although the house was gutted, the original moldings and floors were maintained yet it has central A/C and 20th century furnishings hand-picked by her and a very modern bathroom at the front of the house. It's the best of old and new. There is nothing shabby about it and it's maintained it's integrity."



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The 6-bed and 6-bath (3 full, 3 half) nearly 5,000-square-foot townhouse had been off the market for a year. Therewere two interested buyers who changed their minds due to the economy. Korb says they were afraid to commit but that fear of commitment is slowly disappearing in the market.

"Now people are really looking and there's a lack of luxury inventory and the West Village is one of the most expensive areas in the country," Korb said. "We put it back on the market just last week and we've been flooded with calls."

As far as townhouses go, it's fairly large and yet very practically done. There's a floor for the grownups, one for the kids and another that incorporates both with a playroom and an office. There's also an incredible garden. "All the elements people are looking for and who don't want to be doing the work themselves," Korb says.

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"It's been very intelligently done, changing the paint colors is about all the new buyer would need to do."

Situated on a quiet block between Washington and Greenwich Streets it's not as close to noisier Bleecker Street, but is closer to the highway. The very quiet West Village block also has a charming cafe, is a block away from the Hudson River Park which is good for running and biking. Conveniently located to the West Side Highway, it's great for folks who want to get away to the Hamptons for the weekend and let's be serious, whoever buys these digs can most likely afford a weekend jaunt there.


There's also a parking garage directly across the street and the attendant brings the car out for Julianne and her husband every day, which is almost like having a valet service. "They like using their car and taking their kids to school," Korb says.

So why are they moving from a home they so lovingly renovated? "They really enjoyed living there but they're ready for a change," Korb says. "It's a really special house and I show a lot of houses but this one has a very special aesthetic all created by Julianne, it's truly reflected in this house."

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]]>boogie nightsCelebrity real estateHomeForSalejulianne moorejulianne+moore+housejulianne+moore+house+for+salejulianne+moores+townhouse+for+salejuliannemoorehousejuliannemoorehouseforsalejuliannemoorestownhouseforsaleluxury townhousesmagnoliaNew York real estateshort cutstownhousewest village new york real estateJosie Gulliksen2011-03-08T12:04:00 00:00Scottie Pippen Lists Ft. Lauderdale Compoundhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/25/nbas-scottie-pippen-lists-ft-lauderdale-compound/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/25/nbas-scottie-pippen-lists-ft-lauderdale-compound/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/25/nbas-scottie-pippen-lists-ft-lauderdale-compound/#commentsFormer Chicago Bulls All-Star and basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and his wife, Larsa, have put their Fort Lauderdale, Fla., waterfront mansion in the exclusive Harbour Beach community on the market for $16 million.

The 6-bed, 7.5 bath 9,782-square-foot home was built by the Pippens in 2004 after lots of searching around South Florida for the right home. They ended up buying more than just this home in the Harbour Beach area. Listing agent Barbara Panton of Panton Realty told AOL Real Estate, "They were purchased as investment pieces."

Pippen -- pictured left with Justin Bieber at last week's celebrity All Star basketball game in Los Angeles -- appears to be living large in Fort Lauderdale. Agent Panton worked directly with Larsa Pippen, formulating the plans for the buildout, making sure the home was built of the best quality possible. It resulted in the perfect home for them to raise their four children. Although no interior photos of the property have been released it features a basketball court, fireplace, French doors, an elevator, swimming pool with slide, built-in grill, open balcony, state-of-the-art kitchen appliances. The double lot also features 215 feet of waterfront with space for a 120-foot boat and a quick five-minute ride to the ocean.

So why sell their home at this exclusive address with a private beach and only 300 homes?

"The reason for the sale is not so much because they had to sell or are going to definitely sell
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because they both love Florida and Fort Lauderdale, it's more a question of them deciding whether they will live here or in Chicago," Panton says. Pippen works for the Chicago Bulls and Larsa's family is also in Chicago. Besides, Larsa is probably either done or almost done wrapping filming the Real Housewives of Miami reality TV show

As far as assessing the value of their home, Panton says it's on par with other properties in the area: "It would be very good for the area and very helpful."

The house has been on the market for less than a year and Panton says she only shows it to a select few who qualify for it. "Right now, they're basically deciding whether it's better overall for what they like to do, and they like it in Chicago too so they can fluctuate from where they want to be."

Sounds like the Pippens aren't in a rush to unload their Florida home, especially since their kids attend school in the area.


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]]>celebrity real estateChicago Bullsfort lauderdale real estateNBA BasketballReal Housewives of MiamiScottie Pippenscottie+pippen+home+for+salescottie+pippen+house+for+salescottiepippenhomeforsalescottiepippenhouseforsaleWaterfront propertyJosie Gulliksen2011-02-25T12:14:00 00:00Robo-Signing Banks Set to Be Punished?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/25/robo-signing-banks-set-to-be-punished/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/25/robo-signing-banks-set-to-be-punished/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/25/robo-signing-banks-set-to-be-punished/#commentsFiled under:

Is the ever-evolving trend of quickie foreclosures, robo-signing, rocket dockets and more that banks have adopted as of late finally going to cause them to get more than a handslap? According to recent reports, the answer is yes.

Tom Ice of Ice Legal who was profiled in AOL Real Estate however, has a different viewpoint pointing specifically to the serious flaw in the investigation. "I have said it from the beginning that this process was going to take much longer than the months they have projected," he told AOL Real Estate. He points out the article in the Washington Post which highlights a group investigation by the federal government and 50 state attorneys general.

The worst part is the attitude of the courts and the attorneys, who in many cases still don't know who owns the loan on any given home. "In every single affidavit we are signing," says Ice, "it states that the plaintiff and the homeowners are the owner of the note."



Still, the courts can't produce the paper for about 500 cases Ice and others are working, and they're saying only a handful of homeowners were foreclosed on wrongly.

"If you say servicers are entitled to foreclose, this is incorrect, because they are rarely the owners and never claim to be the owners," he says.

This threat or handslap, Ice believes, actually serves the banks in their attempt to influence public opinion, sending the message that not all banks are implicated in the scandal.

In essence, banks were accessing the accounts of homeowners before they went through the foreclosure process. Under their watch, they offered a trial period with a suggestion that at the
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end if homeowners made all their modified payments, they would get a permanent modification. That's exactly what happened. However, in the fine print of many mortgage documents, all that is stated is that the lender will consider a permanent modification.

"What I am afraid is that [the mortgage modification initiative] won't really have any permanent effect and will in turn adversely affect the economy if they take it any further," says Ice. "They're going to come up with something great on paper, but no one will ever benefit from it."

And is the practice still going on? Ice says absolutely, because even in the Florida Supreme Court system they have supposedly devised a plan to stop the robo signing that has also been "robotized" where now they're not really checking that the facts in the complaint are true.

"There's a huge resistance to get additional depositions from those who have already been deposed, because they've lawyered up," says Ice. "To me, it's an acknowledgement that there's still a problem."


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]]>bank screwupsforeclosed homesforeclosure crisismortgage crisisRobo signingrobosigning+finerobosigningfineRocket docketsJosie Gulliksen2011-02-25T11:25:00 00:00Miami Rentals Drop, Defy National Trendhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/16/miami-rentals-drop-defy-national-trend/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/16/miami-rentals-drop-defy-national-trend/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/16/miami-rentals-drop-defy-national-trend/#comments The housing market's continual funk may be helping landlords, but not when it comes to Miami rentals. Take Beatriz Carrazana, tenant in Miami's Vue condominium in the Brickell area. She recently re-signed her lease for another year with no raise in rent. And if there's an area that's hot for rentals, it's the trendy, rent-affordable mass of condominiums in affluent Brickell. It's the reason they invented the term location, location, location.

This goes against what a recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported as a trend in rising rents in several markets including foreclosure-filled Las Vegas.

Another tenant I interviewed who rents on Miami Beach, yet another South Florida market that remains desirable, concurred: Her rent remains the same.



Realtor Patrick Jaimez of Coldwell Banker, who works in the Aventura area and owns five- and seven-unit apartment buildings in North Miami, told AOL Real Estate that despite his low vacancy he still gets flooded with calls whenever he advertises one of his units for rent.

"I have yet to see any significant rate increases in my market," he says.

But it's only a matter of time, as demand continues to increase that there
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may be landlords raising their tenants' rent. Since June 2010, Jaimez hasn't seen anything dramatic, nothing where prices are skyrocketing -- yet.

Of course, the most sought-after areas will continue to be the ones with A-rated schools and areas like Miami Beach, Aventura in north Miami-Dade County as well as the consistently sought after Downtown Miami, Upper East Side and trendy Midtown.

"People have been flooding to these areas because they were great bargains and even the owners that have been able to hold on have found their units in better demand," says Jaimez. "Definitely, I don't see the bargains we had out there two to three years ago."


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]]>Brickell AvenueDowntown Miamimiami beachmiami real estatemiami rentalsMiami-Dade CountyMidtown Miami real estateUpper East Side rentalsJosie Gulliksen2011-02-16T16:01:00 00:00Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Cashes In Florida Homehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/11/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-cashs-in-florida-home/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/11/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-cashs-in-florida-home/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/11/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-cashs-in-florida-home/#commentsdwayne the rock johnsonThe Rock is rocking and rolling in the troubled Florida real estate market. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the former University of Miami football player turned Hollywood action hero, motivational coach, and funnyman in movies, can add real estate investor to his varied resume. Johnson sold his home in Davie, Fla., for $1.18 million, below its $1.54 million asking price, but with plenty of upside to spare.

Johnson purchased the house in 2000 for $419,000.

"Dwayne has several properties both in Florida and California and may just be disposing of some assets," Realtor Marsha Edwards told AOL Real Estate. "The timing is right, and he got out with a huge profit."




Located in Davie, Fla.'s upscale Emerald Isles Estates development, the 8,231-square-foot
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lakefront property is loaded with amenities. The 5-bedroom, 5-bath ranch-style home features stucco construction and a barrel-tile roof. The master bedroom has a separate tub and shower, whirlpool spa and dual sinks all of imported marble and granite.

The chef's kitchen is a combination of glass cabinets, wood pantry, breakfast area with a window view, glass top snack bar and counter, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

A wide-open floor plan gives the home a natural flow from the foyer to the dining room with elegant crystal chandelier, wood details and French doors leading out to the pool area. The den and family room is a wide open space with custom made entertainment center, large French style windows and marble floors.

The state-of-the-art home theater features comfortable red leather theater-style seating for eight while the spacious yet cozy studio/office features wall-mounted shelves, a comfortable seating area and French window.

Finally, the pool area with marble patio deck, stainless steel gas grill, lakefront view, shady palm trees, hot tub and enough room for a great oudoor party completes the home's grandeur.

Click here to find home listings in Davie, Fla.

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]]>Broward CountyCelebrity real estatedavie florida real estatedwayne the rock johnsondwayne+johnson+davie+marsha+edwardsdwaynejohnsondaviemarshaedwardsflorida real estatethe rockthe+rock+florida+hometherockfloridahomeWWEJosie Gulliksen2011-02-11T15:29:00 00:00New Condo Offering Plan Service Not So Innovativehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/01/new-condo-offering-plan-service-not-so-innovative/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/01/new-condo-offering-plan-service-not-so-innovative/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/01/new-condo-offering-plan-service-not-so-innovative/#comments An online library containing more than 2,000 condo offering plans and amendments for condos and co-ops in New York City opened for business in fall 2010. Although a New York Times article touted the free service, run by New York-based TitleVest Agency, Inc., as innovative, it turns out the same information can be found with a quick search of online county records.

Attorney Ira Price of Legal Title Services, Inc. in Miami says these can easily be found by searching official county records, searching by declaration of condominium then by the condo's name.

"The plans are already online, however, it appears this service will save time and trouble," says Price. "In order for a condominium to be legal, a complete set of the condo documents has to be recorded in the public records where the condominium is located."

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The search can also be done through a title underwriter where the findings would be the most accurate. It's also key to remember to be careful to find amendements to any of the documents.

Price however has his reservations about the service mentioned in the article because "if the service depends on attorneys and others to provide the documents, I would not rely on the service. I would only rely on the service if the database was the official records," Price said.

However, for basic information during the looking stage, the service might be good. In Florida, every buyer has the right to receive a complete set of condominium documents and review them over a period of time. The right to review and cancel a condo purchase contract is absolute.

As for the subject in the Times article, perhaps he should have asked his advisers how long he had to review the documents and then taken the time to do so. His predicament is a lesson learned to always read the fine print, no matter how tedious or time-consuming.

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]]>Co-opscondo offering plansCondominiumscondosflorida real estatenew york city real estateOnline plansTitle DocumentsJosie Gulliksen2011-02-01T17:22:00 00:00Making Homeownership Dreams Come Truehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/01/making-homeownership-dreams-come-true/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/01/making-homeownership-dreams-come-true/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/01/making-homeownership-dreams-come-true/#comments The dream of homeownership has become a bit harder to achieve in these tough economic times. Now there's a nonprofit organization that's hoping to change that for those families where owning a home is always a far-fetched goal.

Family Services, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in North Charleston, S.C., is helping both the economy and those families by buying and then flipping distressed foreclosed homes and making their hopes a reality.

The program was implemented when FSI saw a need to reinvest in neighborhoods and properties that were foreclosed on the market and were in need of rehabbing. It was the perfect fit for an organization whose mission is to empower families and individuals to become and remain functionally independent. By reinvesting in neighborhoods struck by foreclosures where values have deteriorated and offering a renovated home fit for sale they can assist that neighborhood in regaining its strength and value.

"It is well-noted that strong neighborhoods have reduced crime, strong schools, higher property values and the municipality receives more funding for the infrastructure," FSI executive director David Geer told AOL Real Estate. "This is needed in our community and we believe that we have the resources and management structure to accomplish this task."



Although they've yet to sell the first home in the program, a West Ashley house bought for $38,500, then gave the three-bedroom property a rehab and makeover. The ranch home is now back on the market for $115,000. FSI purchased the home from the Neighborhood Revitalization LLC. The listing real estate company will be CARES real estate sales. The home is open for purchase to any interested parties and will be marketed like any other listed home.

"If a family which has been educated through our first time homebuyer program happens to be

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interested in the home then that family will have all the tools necessary to understand the responsibilities of home ownership. If the family is not educated by FSI then the family will be like any other buyer," Geer said.

In the latter case, FSI will offer post purchase counseling if the family is in agreement but it is not a condition of sale. As with all families who come through the first time homebuyer program the organization will walk hand in hand through the purchase with the buyers and answer any question that the family might have.

Although this is the pilot stage Geer projects that if the program is successful they will purchase additional homes. "It will allow FSI to continue assisting in the reinvestment in neighborhoods but not to the extent that it will impede the financial strength of the agency. We believe that homeownership in a community can be built one home at a time."

An article about this program in the Post and Courier posed the question of a possible conflict of interest which FSI defends noting that it is a common practice for non-profit developers to purchase homes from banks and then rehabilitate the home and place the home for sale.

"Any potential buyer can purchase the home and use any real estate agent they might choose and any lender they might choose," says Geer. "There are no restrictions on anyone and thus no conflict of interest."

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]]>american dreamdistressed propertiesfamily servicesForeclosed homesHomeOwnershiphousing assistancehousing nonprofitJosie Gulliksen2011-02-01T09:39:00 00:00Could Giant Missouri Estate Be Brangelina's New Home?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/25/could-giant-missouri-estate-be-brangelinas-new-home/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/25/could-giant-missouri-estate-be-brangelinas-new-home/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/25/could-giant-missouri-estate-be-brangelinas-new-home/#commentsFiled under: ,

brangelinaSure, the monstrous 72,000-plus-square-foot home going up in Highlandville, Mo., may be registered to one Steve Huff LLC, but the Realtor rumor mill is buzzing that it's the next home of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and their ever-growing brood.

The Huffs are keeping it all in the family, with Steve's brother serving as general contractor and no broker listed for the property. The supersize mansion is located on the east side of Highway 56 on Woods Fork Road in a rugged area in the Ozark Mountains between Ozark and Branson, Mo. The completed residence will be larger than the White House, which is around 55,000 square feet.

Interesting that Brad Pitt hails from Missouri: Perhaps he wants to be closer to family?





Betty Knowles who along with her husband, John, have been Realtors in the area for several years, selling mostly in the Springfield, Ozark and Nixa areas. The Knowleses own five acres not too far from the property, and Betty Knowles blogged about the Brangelina rumor on her web site.

When asked how much truth she feels there is to the rumor she told AOL Real Estate, "It would
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certainly have to belong to someone who not only has the funds to build it, but maintain it. They aren't the owners of record, but I guess they could have it in someone else's name." An article on this site recently discussed how celebrities keep their real estate quiet.

It would take some major dough to maintain not only the grounds but the reported 15 bedrooms including a 1,275-square-foot master, 14 bathrooms and a 1,600-square-foot library for the bookish occupants. According to Knowleses, the home -- built with walls of solid concrete -- has been under construction for about three years and is still only halfway done.

"You can't get anywhere near the home because of locked gates with warning signs. However, you can see the massive home from a distance since it sits on top of a mountain," said Betty Knowles on her blog.

As for when buzz about the actual project began, Betty Knowles recalls hearing about it from a brangelinacolleague in New York about two months ago. Up to that point she was unaware of anything being built in that area, much less who was building it. She immediately went to the site and took pictures of it for the blog.

"The contact in New York is actually the first one that asked us if we had heard of Brad and Angelina building a home in the area," says Knowles, which is most likely how the rumor began.

The Knowleses, being property owners in the area, are excited if the rumor is true. Says Betty, "Maybe [our property] will go up in value now."


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]]>angelina jolieangelina jolie pregnantbrad pittbrangelinacelebrity real estateLuxury real estateMissouri real estateJosie Gulliksen2011-01-25T16:39:00 00:00America's Most Undervalued and Overvalued Citieshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/18/americas-most-undervalued-and-overvalued-cities/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/18/americas-most-undervalued-and-overvalued-cities/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/18/americas-most-undervalued-and-overvalued-cities/#commentsFiled under: ,,,

undervalued overvalued citiesThe housing crisis hasn't affected all areas of the U.S. equally. Some cities are undervalued and others are overvalued, according to research firm Local Market Monitor.

The big news of the survey? Las Vegas is on both the most undervalued and overvalued lists.

Also offering among the worst home values are Long Island, N.Y., Los Angeles and Portland, Ore., while Akron, Ohio, Cleveland, and Warren, Mich., have some of the best housing deals in the nation.

The National Association of Realtors' report on third quarter metro area home prices stated this:

"Even with swings in home sales, prices this year have been changing very little from year-ago readings. Areas with some larger swings in home price reflect the degree of distressed sales in those markets," said Lawrence Yun, the Association's chief economist.

Yun goes on to say that "home sales through the first three quarters of this year are virtually the
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same as year-to-date sales at this time last year, and therefore broadly support home values. However, there are large local market differences with prices rising in job-creating regions like the Washington, D.C., area, the Dakotas and Texas; and also in markets recovering from overcorrection such as California coastal cities."

What's best right now is for consumers to go back to the long-term purchase attitude. People that are in a home 11-15 years had a 40 percent gain. There was a typical homeownership period of about six years where people were staying in their home for 10 years but if more people switch to the long-term view and with the rise in interest rates that should off-set the decline in home prices. But what is holding the market back is the banks.

"The credit is too tight now, banks want more down payment requirements and that is holding the market back," Walter Molony, spokesman for the National Association of Realtors told AOL Real Estate. "We have a big pendulum swing from what it was before the crash in 2008 to this tightness now, and what we need to see to boost the market is a swing back to the middle."

It's projected to take 10 years for homeowners in the bubblish markets to be whole, if sales rise about 8 precent and job growth and mortgage rise at 5.3 percent, as is expected.

Here's how the country breaks down, according to the NAR:

In the condo sector, metro area condominium and cooperative prices - covering changes in 56 metro areas - showed the national median existing-condo price was $171,400 in the third quarter, down 3.9 percent from the third quarter of 2009. Twenty-nine metros showed increases in the median condo price from a year ago and 27 areas had declines; only four metros saw annual price gains in third quarter of 2009.

Regionally, the median existing single-family home price in the Northeast rose 2.5 percent to $253,400 in the third quarter from a year earlier. Existing-home sales in the Northeast fell 27.3 percent in the third quarter to a pace of 693,000 and are 24.4 percent below the third quarter of 2009. Year-to-date sales in the Northeast totaled 638,000, essentially unchanged from 637,000 at this time last year.

In the Midwest, the median existing single-family home price declined 3.0 percent to $145,600 in the third quarter from the third quarter of 2009. Existing-home sales in the Midwest dropped 33.7 percent in the third quarter to a level of 860,000 and are 28.9 percent below a year ago. Year-to-date there were 849,000 sales in the Midwest, compared with 860,000 in 2009.

In the South, the median existing single-family home price slipped 1.9 percent to $157,000 in the third quarter from the same period in 2009. Existing-home sales in the region fell 21.8 percent in the third quarter to an annual rate of 1.64 million and are 16.4 percent below the third quarter of last year. There were 1.43 million sales year-to-date in the South, in contrast with 1.39 million last year.

The median existing single-family home price in the West dipped 0.4 percent to $224,800 in the third quarter from a year ago. Existing-home sales in the West fell 20.7 percent in the third quarter to a pace of 973,000 and are 18.2 percent below the third quarter of 2009. Year-to-date sales in the West totaled 876,000, vs. 889,000 in 2009.

"The bottom line is, 'Can you afford a home and are you a sustainable homeowner?' says NAR's Molony. "If you can answer these questions then you're fine. Mortgages are performing far better than before the housing boom."

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]]>affordable homesBank credithome valueshousing crisishousing market recoverylas vegas real estatelong island real estatelos angeles real estateNational home pricesundervalued overvalued citiesundervalued overvalued homesJosie Gulliksen2011-01-18T13:17:00 00:00Multigenerational Households Save $$$http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/13/multigenerational-households-save/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/13/multigenerational-households-save/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/13/multigenerational-households-save/#commentsFiled under: ,

multigenerational familyMaria Slawson, a Cuban-American, and her Miami-born Anglo husband, Tim, live in a multigenerational household that includes Maria's parents and the couple's two sons, ages 13 and 22. Although multigenerational households are common among many immigrant cultures, the Slawson's current living arrangement grew out of economic necessity.

The arrangement began as a way to help Maria's parents, who were near retirement age and on a fixed income. Plus, Maria and Tim, who had quit work to attend architecture school, could certainly use the financial help, as well.

"My parent's retirement income is very little," Maria Slawson told AOL Real Estate. "Together, they do not even make $19,000 a year. During the past three years, the economy has been suffering plenty -- and we suffered through those times [also]."



The Slawsons are just one of the 15.5 million U.S. households, or 13.2 percent, living this way. In some cultures, multigenerational families living under one roof is a common practice. But since the recession began, the practice has spread in the United States to such an extent that the numbers are significantly impacting census figures.

In a recent New York Times article reported that "of the myriad ways the Great Recession has altered the country's social fabric, the surge in households...where relatives and friends have moved in together as a last resort, is one of the most concrete, yet under explored, demographic shifts."

Before the housing boom, the Slawsons were living with Maria's parents in their tiny rental home in Hialeah while Tim pursued his degree. At the time, they were crammed into the tiny place with her now deceased grandmother, their first child who was four months old. Thinking the situation was temporary they rented out their condo and planned to move to a small place with low rent.

All did not go as planned when Maria realized her job at the University of Miami paid much

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less than she expected after taxes and insurance. Luckily, they were able to find a very inexpensive fixer-upper but of course, felt responsible for her parents who were on a fixed income so they asked them to come and live with them. Now the parents, Maria -- who is now a teacher -- and her husband -- now an architect with very little business -- and two kids, still live under one roof. There is no changing the situation since the economy has definitely affected Tim's job.

They assist each other morally as well as financially. Although her parents financial assistance is not much, the Slawsons have never needed to pay for daycare or summer camps, unless they wanted to.

What is unusual about their situation is that not only that they are three generations under one roof, but that her parents are non-English-speaking Cubans and her husband is a non-Spanish-speaking Miamian whose parents are from New York and Alabama.

Maria says, "Yes, our household sometimes is like the popular Miami-based show from the 1980s Que Pasa USA, where multigenerational living was the show's main theme. In the end, we all respect each other's space and are very much compatible."

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]]>multigenerational homesmultigenerational housingMultigenerationalHomesMultiGenerationalHouseholdsMultigenerationalHousingJosie Gulliksen2011-01-13T16:01:00 00:00How Lindsay Lohan and Others Keep Real Estate Secretshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/11/how-lindsay-lohan-and-others-keep-real-estate-secrets/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/11/how-lindsay-lohan-and-others-keep-real-estate-secrets/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/11/how-lindsay-lohan-and-others-keep-real-estate-secrets/#commentsFiled under: ,,,

Lindsay LohanFor celebs like Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and many others, keeping real estate deals secret can offer an extra level of personal privacy. It can take some maneuvering, but it can be done. In places like Los Angeles, Miami Beach and New York's elite Hamptons -- areas that many celebs call home -- well-known residents are often eager to keep their addresses private, as well as details such as home sale prices.

Esther Percal, who has been selling on Miami Beach's elite North Bay Road, is used to navigating this terrain.

Because most celebrities are very aware of the added value their name and ownership bring to a property, it is a definite positive selling point, Percal told AOL Real Estate: "Most celebrities will not allow their name to be included and used in print but, most will allow you to disclose they are the owner of the property to interested qualified buyers."

Seasoned brokers such as Percal always know the person behind the ownership of a property regardless of how the
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title is recorded in the public records. Most buyers will take title to their property under a corporate entity and that makes it more difficult to find out who the actual property owner is. An example of this was the recent sale of former NBA-star-turned disc jockey Rony Seikaly and the ultimate buyer of his property Raul M. Claure, who used his company MCL Real Estate in the title.

The use of aliases comes in handy when someone is looking on behalf of a buyer who wants to keep his identity private but, in the long run always finds out because ultimately they all physically come to preview the property.

It really all boils down to the home being a haven, even for the ultrarich celebrity, a place for comfort and relaxation and anything that destroys that peace is negative. Famous folks also have to deal with imposters who want to ride their coattails.

"The problem begins when a Realtor[s] or an employee for example, talks to the press and it's announced to the world the client's information," says Percal. "It is disrespectful and overall self-serving and the fastest way for the client to lose respect for that individual."

Lisa Maysonet, Realtor in New York's swanky Hamptons for more than two decades says on her blog: "These days, there are more and more . However, having celebrity clients myself, I know that these people want to keep their personal lives and real estate transactions private."

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]]>ben affleckBenAffleckCelebrityRealEstatelindsay lohanLindsayLohanLuxury Real Estatematt damonMattDamonnicole richieNicoleRichiePrivacyIssuesJosie Gulliksen2011-01-11T13:16:00 00:00'Real Housewives' Realtor Gets a Career Boosthttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/06/real-housewives-realtor-gets-a-career-boost/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/06/real-housewives-realtor-gets-a-career-boost/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/06/real-housewives-realtor-gets-a-career-boost/#commentsFiled under: ,,

real housewives of dc stacie turnerReal Housewives of D.C.'s Stacie Turner says she didn't even want to do the popular Bravo show when first asked. But once she accepted, it turned out to be the perfect platform for the Realtor, entrepreneur and nonprofit director. Turner says she repeatedly turned down offers from the show's producers, but then reluctantly agreed.

"They were very persistent, and I reconsidered once I met them in person," Turner told AOL Real Estate, "and realized it was the perfect marketing platform for both my real estate career as well as my nonprofit."
Turner turned to real estate after a lucrative corporate career kept her traveling almost 85 percent of the time, demanding too much of her time to even consider having a family. But it real housewives of dcwas something she wanted, so she ditched the corporate life and decided to enter the world of real estate.

"I came to real estate in a roundabout way as I was searching for balance in my life. It was a time when the DC real estate market started exploding," says Turner.

She and her husband started investing in real estate, working on condo conversions and consulting. She found immense satisfaction in real estate, so after a year decided to close her consulting business and become a licensed real estate agent. She realized it offered her the flexibility she needed to do what she most wanted at that time -- start a family.

Turner sells for Long and Foster Real Estate, the largest real estate brokerage firm in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Due to the demands of the show, she now has a team of three people who assist her in helping clients.

Real estate is a passion she shares with her husband, but not just selling it. They both enjoy renovating homes and
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have bought two fixer-uppers, their first and their current house -- and completely renovated both. Their current house, built in the 1920s, was their labor of love, a rundown church that had fallen into complete disrepair.

Her other passion that has garnered strong attention due to the show is her non-profit organization Extra-Ordinary Life which she founded in an effort to inspire and mentor teenage girls in foster care. In July 2010 she organized a trip with eight of the teens to South Africa to attend the World Cup. She called it a social, cultural, historical and community-oriented adventure.

As for selling real estate, Turner says the market in D.C. is doing better than the rest of the country, with only a single-digit decline, compared to the rest of the country which is lagging as much as 20 percent.

The small decline is due to a local economy, which has remained strong, and residents still wanting to stay close to the city. Turner says her clients are always disappointed when they're planning a move because home values are still so strong.

"The prices around the area have increased so significantly, it's expensive to live here," Turner says. "[Spending] $300,000 still only gets you a condo, and houses are around $600,0000. The closer in to the city you are the more insulated you are. The outer suburbs of Maryland have experienced some softness but not in D.C. proper."

And because of the show, she has gotten a few high-profile clients, including politicians and other diplomats. "They are so busy, they are very focused on their needs," says Turner. "It also helps that I can talk their language, because I'm not only a Realtor but have a marketing and business background."


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]]>Celebrityluxury real estateLuxuryRealEstatereal housewives of dcRealHousewivesOfDcStacie TurnerStacieTurnerwashington dc real estateJosie Gulliksen2011-01-06T16:51:00 00:00Home Rentals on the Auction Block?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/06/home-rental-auctions-gain-popularity/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/06/home-rental-auctions-gain-popularity/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/06/home-rental-auctions-gain-popularity/#commentsFiled under: ,,

home rentals on the auction blockGoing, going...rented! In the current state of the real estate market, auctioning homes for sale has become quite common, but auctioning rental homes remains unusual. Certainly it seemed unusual to Neal VanDeRee, owner of the VanDeRee Auction Company in Venice, Fla., when his late father, George VanDeRee, who started the company, introduced the idea to him years ago while they stood in front of an unoccupied rental he owned.

"The previous tenants had moved out, and he and I were meeting with some new tenant prospects," VanDeRee told AOL Real Estate. "He said to me 'You know, someday I'd like to try and auction the rent for this house.'... My first reaction was that it did not make any sense."

More recently, VanDeRee decided his father's idea was not so crazy after all.



So he gave it a shot. For the first rental property, a home in Venice, the bidding began at $400 and ended at $900, within $50 of what the owner had hoped for. Eight bidders participated, one by phone. The terms were that the tenant had to have first and last month's rent and security deposit ready at the auction. The keys and rental agreements would be signed and turned over within 24 to 48 hours, after a background and reference check.

VanDeRee's second rental auction is turning into a sale. He is currently in discussions with the high bidder on what he describes as a "somewhat complicated purchase arrangement that will be beneficial to all."

Now that he's found how to successfully auction the home rentals, he hopes to provide the service for Realtors in the area and around the country, as well as clients in need of quick and mutually fair results. He has already had conversations with Realtors on the subject of his unique service and VanDeRee is ready and says, "I have a gavel and I can travel."

The question remains, will enough people be interested in this type of auctioning and will it gain national
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momentum? He is already seeing some interest from nationally franchised real estate companies and is awaiting a phone call on the subject, although he could not elaborate further on the discussions.

"Inasmuch as I am a Realtor as well as an auctioneer, I welcome the idea of working throughout Florida and around the country with other Realtors to help their clients rent properties quickly rather than sitting and waiting for them to become occupied or chasing the rental market as it goes down," VanDeRee says.

If the auction idea takes off, it could have a positive effect on the market by establishing real rental market values, and perhaps lower-priced. As more residential rents are auctioned less properties will be available and both tenants and landlords will be happier with their situations.

"A rented property not only brings instant cash to the investor but it also makes use of the buildings rather than allowing them to go to waste," he said.

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]]>home rental auctionsHomeRentalAuctionsRealEstateAuctionsRealEstateMarketrental tipsRentalPropertiesRentalTipsJosie Gulliksen2011-01-06T11:20:00 00:00Monopoly Board Game Sells for $146Khttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/03/monopoly-board-game-sells-for-146k/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/03/monopoly-board-game-sells-for-146k/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/03/monopoly-board-game-sells-for-146k/#commentsFiled under: ,,

oldest monopoly game sells for $146,500The oldest known Monopoly board game has sold for $146,500. Now that's a real estate deal.

The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y., acquired the antique version of the popular real estate board game as the highest bidders at a Sotheby's auction in late December.
Handmade by unemployed heating engineer Charles Darrow, it features a circular piece of oilcloth drawn on with gouache and pen-and-ink, includes more than 200 pieces including a rules sheet, playing cards and playing pieces like draw-cards, hotels, houses, banknotes and tokens. Darrow crafted around 5,000 copies of the game in
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1933 for a Philadelphia department store before selling the game to Parker Brothers. Based on the Landlord's Game, first patented by Elizabeth Magie in 1904, Monopoly became the bestselling game in the country during the Great Depression.

Curator Nicolas Ricketts of the Strong told AOL Real Estate, "Adding this game to our collection is important because it is the most important game in America -- and the fact that it's already an inductee into the National Toy Hall of Fame is the best example of the wide range collection we have."

Curators at the Strong started eyeing the classic, Hall of Fame game, which they had seen at the Malcolm Forbes Museum in Manhattan, awhile back. They also knew that Forbes's children were selling some of his collection items they no longer had an interest in, and that the museum was closing.

"Of course we had to deliberate long and hard, and knew it would bring a lot of money," says Ricketts of the rare Monopoly game. "We knew this was something we had to do. We have these massive collections, we study the history of play here; and in America, Monopoly is the most popular game and bestselling game of all time."

One of the most important factors about having this particular version of the game in their collection is that in essence this is considered creator Charles Darrow's prototype. It's believed to be shaped in the size of Darrow's dining room table where it is believed he and his family enjoyed playing the game.

Ricketts knew this and went to Sotheby's to bid on the item and luckily only had one other bidder up against him, a phone bidder. "It didn't take a long time because the auctioneers had to move things along so it went pretty quickly, which I expected, because I've some experience at auctioning," Ricketts says.

Immediately after they won, the bidding folks at the museum quickly arranged to have the very delicate and fragile item via a fine art shipper after the New Year. Once it arrives, the piece will be displayed alongside the 65 other Monopoly versions that help tell the story, in a slightly darkened space to protect the cloth and pieces.

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]]>Board gamesmonopoly-gameNew YorkNewYorkreal estate dealsreal estate developmentRealEstateDealsRealEstateDevelopmentstrong national museum of playstrong national museum of plays toy hall of fameStrongMuseumStrongNationalMuseumOfPlayStrongNationalMuseumOfPlaysToyHallOfFameJosie Gulliksen2011-01-03T15:00:00 00:00