Pick and choose – Madonna’s or J Lo’s home?
Madonna and Jennifer Lopez are stars some people would do everything to be able to get close to, visit them in their homes or at least to get an autograph from. Leon Max of Max Studio was the lucky one because he did not need to climb over a fence and sneak in or make a special appointment. He just bought Madonna’s old 7,700-square-foot-house in Los Angeles.
For “a smoking deal” of $7 million dollars Leon can now indulge himself in the pool, on the way from his TV room overlooking the valley or on his way down to the first floor in his in-house elevator. He now sits almost next to the HOLLYWOOD sign with an idea in mind of what it would be like to be a pop diva or to sit next to her possibly most favourite spot in the house. On the other hand Lopez’s 2,000-square-foot home overlooking downtown Miami with seven bedrooms and ten bathrooms as well as a private dock went off the market for a slightly higher sum of around $14 million. In the end what it comes down to when choosing one property over the other might be whether you would prefer mountain diving or diving into the water from your boat.
Click here to view the original article in the Washington Street Journal.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Facebook Ads versus Champagne
Real estate agents are faced with having to beat out competitors as home sales are declining leading to agents to compete for buyers and opportunities. The agents differentiate themselves and attempt to prove to buyers why they should be chosen when tough economic times are taking a toll on business. Many agents are searching for something unique to stand out from the competition. Everyone is trying hard – including Michael Shvo, real estate “master.”
Opposed to what Des Moines Area Association of Realtors says, “Clients aren’t going to just call you up like a few years ago,” agents have to work hard. Michael Shvo knows how to rule the New York real estate market. No need for Facebook or Twitter advertising; no need to knock on potential buyers’ doors. If you want to get an amazing experience purchasing your property, sipping on your glass of champagne while looking for and getting one of the top places in New York, SHVO is where you want to go. Michael Shvo “has personified the Manhattan real estate bubble,” catering towards the classiness of New Yorkers with his extravagant and legendary development launch parties. In the current rough economic times, it is this strategy, one that gives the buyer the feel that there is no reason not to celebrate, which sets him apart.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The End Of The Gatsby House
The 25-room mansion Land’s End on Long Island in New York has been a staple of luxury and an inspiration for novelist F Scott Fitzgerald’s work The Great Gatsby. Today is last days are numbered because the property is said to have lost its shine, is facing decay and needs to make room for more time appropriate properties. For that matter the owner of the current estate is going to tear down Land’s End and put five new mansions, worth $10 million each, in its place. The Stanford White designed property was built in 1902 and has since been the home to some of history’s greatest cocktail parties in the inspired, but fictional home of Gatsby’s neighbor Daisy Buchanan.
According to landowner and property developer Dave Brodsky the house is not in a state anymore that would enable him to fix and resell it. Costs associated with keeping up the property range around $4,500 a day and are too high to be kept up any longer.
Click here to view the original story.