La Costa Dream Home

by Roberta Murphy Its no secret that I am a fan of the Chopra Center and of the La Costa Resort and Spa or that I am a Realtor living in this coastal Carlsbad paradise. I have a special affection for the old Rancho La Costa and for the legendary homes surrounding the La Costa golf course. And we just obtained a listing for a very special La Costa property….

April 2, 2007
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Private Golf Course for Sale?

A San Diego Golfer’s Dream Once upon a time, a renowned San Diego golf teaching pro decided to create his very own practice course. The setting had to be bucolic and a magnet for native birds, wildlife and outrageous sunset views. The home was to be a custom one–a sprawling single story full of gentle archways and warm, inviting hues. The climate could be nothing other than perfection: San Diego…

March 20, 2007
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Updated Luxury Blogs

by Roberta Murphy The Luxury Blog Directory (or L-List), started by the inimitable Paul Johnson, continues to grow and re-seed itself in separate locations. I have tried to pull the listings together once again. This time, to make sure all are included, it might be wise to make sure your luxury blog is included below and if its not, add it (as long as it is luxury-oriented). And if there…

March 16, 2007
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Gotta-Haves and Upgrades for Luxury Homes

Luxury Closet
March 1, 2007

by Roberta Murphy Upgrades anyone? Last night, I spent a fun evening with an interesting Carlsbad Realtor who probably set a world record in San Diego luxury home upgrade sales in the late 1990s into 2003. Shara’s experiences in new luxury home sales will be an article for another time, but I thought it might be important to peer into the current hot items being demanded for new luxury homes….

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The Snoring Room

Snoring Room
February 28, 2007

by Roberta Murphy While going through a luxury home in Del Mar recently, our client was surprised to discover a snoring room off the opulent master suite. It measured perhaps 8 by 10 feet, and was furnished with a simple twin bed, a lamp and an easy chair. The room bore no resemblance to the larger bedroom, and at first glance might have been perceived as the proverbial dog house…

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Variable and Value Range Pricing for Homes

Value Range Pricing
February 26, 2007

Many real estate agents, home sellers and home buyers roll their eyes and shrug their shoulders when the subject of variable or value range pricing for homes is discussed. This value range property pricing strategy has been successfully used in the San Diego real estate market since the mid-1990s. In those days, it was an innovative vehicle used to bridge the gap between sellers wanting yesterdays prices and buyers demanding…

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Prestige Index: San Francisco

The San Francisco real estate market is almost one unto itself. But that is another article for another day. What we are reporting on is First Republic Banks Prestige Index, which covers the huge California real estate market. And this final article in the series focuses on the results for upscale home in the San Francisco metropolitan real estate market. The perpetually hot (huh?)San Franciso Bay area rose a slight…

February 7, 2007
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Prestige Index: Los Angeles

by Roberta Murphy With a drumroll, lets reveal and discuss the results of First Republic Banks Prestige Index for Los Angeles, California. Our earlier article about San Diegos Prestige Index offered some interesting data. Hopefully our report on the Los Angeles luxury home market wont disappoint! As might be expected, the pace of luxury home appreciation in Los Angeles has cooled somewhat, but is far from being in the tank….

February 5, 2007
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The Prestige Home Index

by Roberta Murphy First Republic Bank has created the first statistical model The Prestige Home Index that measures changes in home values in excess of $1 million in key California markets. What are some of the common features of these indexed homes? They have at least 3000 to 6000 feet, three to six bedrooms and three to six bathrooms, according to the study. Many are substantially larger. Digested reporting of…

February 4, 2007
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Neverland for Sale? Or Not?

                                                                                  by RobertaMurphy There was lots of year-end buzz about pop singer Michael Jackson selling his 2800–acre Santa Barbara County Neverland Ranch. Rolling Stone first reported that Jackson was trying to market the Santa Ynez ranch to soccer luminary David Beckham and his wife Victoria (Posh Spice). Those rumors had hardly been quieted, when another started making the rounds about Jackson selling Neverland on the Bravo television reality show, Million Dollar Listing: Hollywood—with…

February 3, 2007
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