by Roberta Murphy

A couple of years ago we were buzzing about the possibility of Slumburbias–where Baby Boomers were abandoning cul de sacs, suburbs and the McMansions battled for a decade ago. Instead, they wanted something smaller, something in a walkable neighborhood, something that didn’t require 100 square feet devoted to lawn mowers, clippers and tools.

They still long for the freedom to lock and go, the freedom to travel, the freedom from having to care and climatize square footage they don’t even visit for weeks at a time. Kids have either moved on or are hanging on and something without a grand staircase sounds mighty inviting to knees that remember prior injuries.

Today, CNBC reports that the McMansions, Starter Castles, Garage Mahals and Faux Chateaus–or whatever you want to call them —are history. These days, few are seeking 4000 square foot  two-story boxes that sit 15 feet from their neighbor’s Plan II Tuscan with 3800 square feet–each with granite and stainless kitchens, epoxied garage floors and mind-numbing sameness. The article goes on…

Just 9 percent of the people surveyed by Trulia said their ideal home size was over 3,200 square feet. Meanwhile, more than one-third said their ideal size was under 2,000 feet.

“That’s something that would’ve been unbelievable just a few years back,” said Pete Flint, CEO and co-founder of Trulia. “Americans are moving away from McMansions.”

We are seeing much the same in our San Diego real estate practice. There is great demand for single story homes, neighborhoods where one can walk to a store, where life can be simpler and more easily managed.  And, of course, it also helps if this downsized San Diego home has the luxury of sitting on the beach–or fronting the golf course at La Costa, Fairbanks Ranch or Rancho Santa Fe.

You may also wish the read:

7 Bargaining Secrets for Luxury Home Buyers

Homes for Baby Boomers: What Do They Want?

by Roberta Murphy

We are making reservations now to attend the National Association of Realtors NAR NARDIGRAS, which will logically be held in New Orleans, November 4 through November 8.  We are arriving a couple of days early to attend a two day Cyberprofessional meeting and will spend the balance of our time in unspecified meetings–but will additionally be taking photos and reviewing lodging, restaurants and local “catches.”

Time will understandably be limited.

Can any of our readers suggest an interesting Bed and Breakfast or small Inn in the French Quarter or Garden District in New Orleans? Something picturesque? Maybe even something haunted?

Mostly, Scott and I are seeking something to capture in the viewfinder–and some stories to tell. Reviews are guaranteed!

We welcome your suggestions and will happily publish relevant links.

by Roberta Murphy

It’s interesting to study living costs in the most expensive cities in the world–at least as tabulated for 2009. According to Mercers, who tabulate these statistics for expatriate living, the 10 most expensive cities (based on housing, food, entertainment, clothing and transportation) are:

1. Tokyo

2. Osaka

3. Moscow

4. Geneva

5. Hong Kong

6. Zurich

7. Copenhagen

8. New York

9. Beijing

10. Singapore

Mercer’s, in their studies for expatriate cost of living, tabulates these costs for 143 cities in 65 continents and published their results each year. New York is used ars the base city and is given a score of 100. Using that base, Tokyo, for example, scores 143.7 and is almost three times as expensive as Johannesburg, which has an index of 49.6 and is one of the most reasonable places to live.

The top 5 most expensive cities in the Americas are New York City (8), Caracas, Venezuela (15), Los Angeles (23) White Plains (31) and San Francisco (34), while Asia and Europe dominate the worldly top ten list.

Now, we await the Mercer;s Most Expensive Cities list for 2010–especially in light of volatile currency swings.

by Roberta Murphy

When first entering this newer San Diego luxury home, we were amazed by its wall and ceiling finishes. Walking slowly from room to room, one can run fingers over the cool burnished walls and the gray stone door arches. The touch is smooth and cool. Even the ceilings and dome gave the impression that we had indeed been transported to a Venetian villa.

Had we not known the artisan responsible for this masterpiece, we would never have guessed an underlying truth: These walls were nothing more than standard drywall that had been transformed by a clever Polish home painter and artist who specializes in exquisite surface finishes.

Greg Sieminski explains that Europeans have been creating beautiful walls for centuries utilizing limestone plasters softly colored with natural elements. He studied these walls in Mediterranean countries, and wondered how the rich, aged patina could be duplicated in fine San Diego homes. It took several years, but Greg was able to perfect his replications of fine Venetian plaster to the delight and amazement of his clients.

So just how is Venetian plaster made? Greg explained that the 1300 year-old process starts with the selection of special limestone from Italian quarries and rivers. The limestone is then fired in a large and very hot kiln, which causes chemical changes within the limestone itself. The result? The super-heated stones turn to putty when placed in water. The painter goes on to describe how this putty is wet-seasoned for up to a year before being processed as a finishing plaster.

The end result, says Greg, is a finely milled limestone putty that is even finer than face powder. This cultivated material can be further embellished with finely-ground marble, which yields an ancient building material that can be burnished to a low sheen or rubbed to a high polish. Additionally, he will occasionally add granular material so that he can recreate stone finishes.

Venetian plaster, he explains, is not œfaux painting, as hobbyists commonly refer to this style of painting. œThe product is not paint. It is an old finishing technique that works well in contemporary homes. He adds that Venetian plaster can be used outdoors as well, with few limitations.

Just yesterday afternoon Real Estate Rainmaker Lani Anglin wrote on this blog, and spoke of her grandmother who had sold her home and earthly possessions so she could go help the less fortunate in an African orphanage. This was in response to our underwear plea for children in a Kenya orphanage.

Not long after that blog response, April Groves at R.E. Revealed says Lani received word that her younger brother had been killed in a car crash on his way over to visit her. In the car were his wife and their two babies.

Lani’s younger brother, 24 year-old Aaron Anglin is survived by his wife Aleisha Anglin, 25 and their two babies, Eleanor, 1 and McKenzie, just 6 weeks who is still reported to be in ICU at this writing.

Lani relayed this message via R.E.Revealed earlier today:

“To me, the important thing to know is that the crazy kid in the funny video is my newly 24 year old little brother Aaron who died yesterday on impact. He was driving to my house (to make another silly video) and was driving with his wife (Aleisha Anglin, 25) and their two babies (Eleanor who turns 1 THIS week and McKenzie who is only 6 weeks old). Aleisha & Eleanor should be released today and McKenzie is in the ICU in improving condition. We have tons of family surrounding us and St. Thomas More parish is providing food this week for our entire family! Aaron was awesome and his marketing work can be found at http://benaaronanglin.carbonmade.com. He was confirmed in the Catholic faith last week, laughed his butt off at ICanHasCheezburger.com with me this week. We were born 18 months apart (Irish twins) and grew up as best friends with so many lame stories.”

Lani, writing to April, further explains:

My brother and his wife are not rich by any stretch of the imagination and Aleisha has a very hard time ahead- if you or anyone else can think of any way to aim finances at her, she really needs it. Assisting in an optometry office is a great profession but pays very little- certainly not enough to cover a funeral, medical bills for three people and a life ahead as a single mother.

The green icon is a link that will help guide you to assistance for this young mother who very unexpectedly became a widow yesterday afternoon,

The story was additionally reported by Greg Swann at The Bloodhound Blog, and was followed up by Brian Brady on Active Rain. Once again, donations are being sought to help tide over a young mother and her two fatherless babies.

Again, please follow your heart.