Luxury Clues

Castle Rock, CO

This fabulous home is designed for the ultimate in entertaining experience.

Listing provided by Point2Homes.

Scottsdale, AZ

A magnificent palatial estate combining European elegance w/ cosmopolitan

Listing provided by Point2Homes

McMansion or Mansion--Do You Know the Difference?

While you can describe your luxury real estate listing as an estate or a mansion, there's another category that virtually no one uses to describe a luxury piece of property--that word is "McMansion."

Depending on where you are in the country, the term "McMansion" can have a number of meanings. For example, it may be a 4000+ tract house that is on a small lot, but packed with amenities. In Beverly Hills, they were tearing down many of the older, more gracious homes and replacing them with 10,000+ square foot monsters that ate up most of the 9,000 to 12,000 square foot lots.

What constitutes a real mansion? Much depends upon your perspective. In terms of my personal definition, it's a home with an incredible lot in a prime location. The house is entirely custom and has unique elements such as a hand carved staircase, hand troweled walls, and a circular drive. In the kitchen, there is a butler's pantry in addition to a regular pantry. There are multiple sinks for food preparation, perhaps a walk-in refrigerator, double dishwashers, etc. If the property is on a lake, it has a boat dock. The house has extensive grounds that include a pool, pool house, outdoor kitchen, and often times, a tennis court.

A great distinction between a McMansion and a mansion, is that the McMansion is generally a big square footage house built with typical construction and some upgraded amenities such as granite countertops, top of the line appliances, and a relatively small lot. A mansion, on the other hand, is top drawer construction, amazing lot, with numerous custom designs and features.

If you're listing a luxury property, it's important to recognize the differences in construction and be able to articulate them to your luxury buyers. Remember, the more expensive the property is, the more important that every aspect of the home is unique.

Posted by Bernice Ross, www.ListenandLearnRealEstate.com, a library of over 78 real estate training podcasts for less than $1.00 per day. If you want the best real estate training in the business, visit us at www.RealEstateCoach.com. No long term contracts--join for one month and see for yourself!

Photos by Robyn Gallagher 

Rank These Florence and Tuscan Restaurants

This weekend we leave for a much awaited trip to Tuscany. We'll be staying in a villa with 14 other family members (6 adults and a truckload of Gen Y's). Some of our well traveled friends made the following recommendations in terms of restaurants. Let us know if you like any of these--your feedback is welcome!

In Florence, Italy

1.  OTTORINO'S, way off the beaten path, hidden within the main area, for the greatest pastas, Tuscan bean, and dessert

2.  Ristorante de  La Posto, has amazing fresh fish, and some of the best crespelli ala Fiorentina.  Both of these places are favored by the locals. 

3.  If you a gelato lover, try Vivoli's behind the Santa Croce church.  (This was a repeated recommendation)

4. Antico Fattore

5. Acqua al Due

6.  Bucca Lapi

7. Oliviero

8. Il Latini

Chianti Restuarants

1. Albergaccio di Castellina

2.  Antica Trattoria LaToree

3. Ristorante Vignale

4. LaCantinetta di Regnana

5. Il Molino

6. Taverna del Chianti

Sienna

10. Osteria Le Logge

11. Osteria da Divo

12. La Taverna di San Giuseppe

Posted by Bernice Ross

Photos by RBradburn, McPig, Gwennypics,

No More Complaints--Are You Up to the Challenge?

My good friend Ricki Gerger gave me a purple bracelet from an organization called A Complaint Free World. She then encouraged me to wear the bracelet and see if I could go 21 days without complaining, criticizing, or gossiping. It's quite a challenge. So far, the maximum number of days I have reached was six. I find it much easier to maintain when I'm at home. I broke my six day string when I complained out loud to another driver, "Find the gas pedal."

What's interesting is that the purple bracelet really lets you spot negative self talk. It's truly amazing. Because I verbally process information (i.e. say what I'm thinking out loud as a way to process information), the key for me in making 21 days will be to change my thoughts, not just what I'm saying.

George Lewis of NBC News shared the history of the purple bracelet on his blog as well as his personal journey in trying to hit the 21 days. Like me, he still hasn't succeeded.

According to the A Complaint Free World Website, here are the rules to follow:

1.  Place the bracelet on either wrist.

2. If you complain, gossip, or criticize anyone else (we all do it), you must switch the bracelet from one wrist and place it on the other. You also have to start back at Day 1.

3.  If another person who is wearing a bracelet complains and you point it out to them, you have to switch wrists and start over.

4.  It's OK to state facts. If your meal is cold, there is nothing wrong with asking the waiter to have it heated up please. Just avoid making an emotional attack.

Are you up for the challenge? I'm starting again today. Let me know if you take this challenge on and are willing to share your progress with our readers.

Posted by Bernice Ross, www.RealEstateCoach.com, Want the best real estate audio training in the business? Check out our Listen and Learn Real Estate Program with over 70 real estate podcasts including great training, great marketing tips, and interviews with the best minds in the industry.

Three Surprising Facts about Luxury Real Estate Clients

If you work the luxury market, it's important to be aware of these three facts that can make or break your luxury business.

1.  The rich are paranoid about their safety: the one thing that can kill your business faster than anything else is gossiping about your clients. Celebrities are particularly concerned about their privacy because of stalkers and kidnappers. This paranoia also translates into fear of illness and germs. When you show a luxury property, it absolutely has to be squeaky clean. Also, don't be offended if they're not willing to shake hands with you. BTW, if you have clients from the far East or from the Middle East, it is inappropriate to touch strangers (or people you know) in public.

2.  I'm bigger and badder than you. According to Robert Frank in his book Richistan, Richistanis (the ultra rich) are extremely competitive. You can't win by competing with your luxury clients. You have to allow them to be the top dog. I did love the story about the agent who was having trouble closing a male client on a house his wife really wanted. The agent said, "I certainly understand if this is not the right house for you. Very few people can afford a house of this magnitude. I'd be happy to show you something in a different price range." The agent got the deal.

3.  Richistanis love collectibles. One of the other important points that Frank makes in his book is that the rich are into collecting things. Some people are into collecting clothes for their pets and others collect everything from civil war memorabilia to chess sets. A smart move is to ask new clients if they have a special collection of items that requires a special room, security, or some other special features. When they tell you what they collect, check it out on Google so you can have a meaningful conversation with them about their passion. It's a great way to create client loyalty.

Posted by Bernice Ross, www.RealEstateCoach.com, Want the best real estate audio training in the business? Check out our Listen and Learn Real Estate Program with over 70 real estate podcasts including great training, great marketing tips, and interviews with the best minds in the industry.

Photo by akaporn

Beyond Starbuck's: A Coffee Drinker's Dream Machines

For those who want the utmost in their cup of Joe, who demand French pressed coffee or capuccino making functions in a single machine, check out the array of these high end coffee makers.

The Clover is a high-priced, commercial grade, single cup coffee maker. This is only for those who are serious about their coffee, since the price is over $10,000.

If you're into bling, then the Nespresso Crystal Coffee Machine from Goldstriker International must be a contender. It retails for a cool £1,995  (about $4,500). It's encrusted with 3100 original Swarovski crystals.

For those of you who have a smaller budget and still want to get a great cup  of coffee, here's a link to the Top 10 Rated Coffee makers. I own the Keurig and love the fact that I can quickly serve guests their favorite type of coffee. Better yet, there's no mess and no clean up.--Love their "k" cups. Great for open houses.

Posted by Bernice Ross, www.RealEstateCoach.com, Want the best real estate audio training in the business? Check out our Listen and Learn Real Estate Program with over 70 real estate training podcasts including great marketing tips, listing strategies, and interviews with the best minds in the industry.

Act Now to Stop High Gas Prices!

The cost of oil cuts across every aspect of our economy. More importantly, it’s hurting millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. I have friends and members of my own family who live on only their Social Security. What scares me for them is how are they going to heat their homes this winter? Are they going to have enough money to buy food and the medications that keep them alive?

    

A few days ago, I was in our local Office Max picking up some copying. I was talking to the young man who was helping me. He said he was saving for a home, but now the money he could have saved was going to pay for gasoline. The high costs hurt our client’s ability to make that first down payment or to stay in the homes that they have already bought.

            

What’s frustrating about this is that we’re begging the folks in the Middle East to produce more oil when we’re sitting on billions of barrels here at home. Did you know that a recent find in North Dakota and Montana has 400 billion barrels available? The largest field in Saudi Arabia only has 50 billion barrels. We have proven reserves off our coasts. China and Cuba are sucking out the oil just 60 miles off the shore of Florida.

      

Another major problem is that we have is that we have not built a new refinery in 30 years. The good folks in South Dakota passed a measure that will allow the building of refineries there.

    

Did you also know that the oil companies make four percent in gross profit and that the government takes 15 percent in taxes?

            

These issues are troubling and they dramatically affect our business. I think that everyone is in agreement that we have to take steps to protect our environment and that alternative energy sources are needed. There’s much that each of us can do in these areas. There is one other thing you can do. If you’re part of the 81 percent of Americans who believe that we should, “drill here, drill now, and pay less,” sign the on-line petition at http://www.americansolutions.com/ to get Congress to take action to do something to help us now.

Posted by Bernice Ross

Photo by Cyfer13

Unique Luxury Closing Gifts & a Guide to Gift Giving

With Father's Day, Graduations, and lots of weddings in June, often it's hard to come up with a great gift. Whether you're looking for a unique closing gift for your real estate clients or something special for a special someone, TheBlueTopHat.com has some of the most unusual gift packages I have found. I loved their "Pampering Body & Soul" package that sends out a gift once a month for twelve months.

Their Ten Tips to Gift Giving is an excellent guide to helping you make smart gift decisions. Here's one of the ten tips that they suggest:

5.  There are an unlimited number of ways to present a gift. 

• beautiful wrapping
• treasure hunt with clues
• surprise them with an unexpected gift and then present your main gift
• play a game where you may trade one wrapped gift for another

Whatever you do, make it fun or romantic or memorable!  It will make your gift that much better.

They also have excellent suggestions to help men discover how to come up with the perfect gift for the women in their lives. Here's one of the tips for men:

1.  A gift is a direct reflection of how you feel about her.  What you choose will speak volumes.  For example buying her a vacuum cleaner says, "I think you need to do a better job cleaning the house."  A bouquet of beautiful flowers says, "I can't stop thinking about you!"

Posted by Bernice Ross, www.RealEstateCoach.com

Tired of all the negative news in the media? Check out www.ListenandLearnRealEstate.com for this week's Positive News for Positive Realtors--it's FREE!

Over 2500 Cities that Have Appreciating Prices

If you're tired of the constant onslaught of negative news, we have a wonderful new resource for you to hear the good news about your local real estate market. If you haven't visited www.Happyrenews.com do so today to see if your area is one of over 2500 cities where the real estate news is good! Prices are appreciating!

The national real estate numbers are essentially meaningless. As one economist put it, it's like having a national weather forecast. Instead, you can have a strong seller's market literally within blocks of a strong buyer's market. Even if your market is in a slump now, watch this site. When you see sales prices starting to get small gains, there's a good chance the worst is in back of you in your area.

Also, don't forget to check Positive News for Positive Realtors(R) each week for the good news about the real estate industry in an pod-cast/MP3 format.

Posted by Bernice Ross www.RealEstateCoach.com Get over 70 different real estate training and interview podcasts at our www.ListenandLearnRealEstate.com site for less than a $1.00 a day.