Parker CO Homes For Sale, Homes in Castle Rock, and Elizabeth CO Homes Blog: luxury homes

Showing posts with label luxury homes. Show all posts

Sunday, October 26, 2008

What Planet Are These People Living On?

Looked at those fancy magazine inserts from Fuller Towne and Country or Kentwood recently?

The listings in there are mind boggling. Most of those homes are in the upper tiers of the price ranges for the Denver Area, but to me, they look extremely expensive! I cannot believe homw many homes are listing for 2 million, 3 million, 4 million and way more up in Denver! To me, it seems like these people are living in a different world! The luxury home buyer is not stupid these days. The "Greater Fool" theory doesn't apply anymore in my mind, but these people are living in a dream world of their own fantasy.

Just because you spent 1 million on a home 3 years ago and remodeled a bathroom, doesn't mean that same home is now worth 1.8 million! What are these people thinking? Are they blind to the economy? Are they blind to the stock market crash? These people are crazy enough to think that in their price range, buyers don't care because they are probably going to pay cash anyway. The luxury home buyers are not sensitive to pricing and will pay whatever they have to to get the right property. Yeah, right. Those days are over.

The lower pricing tiers have seen a big hit in price, so why should these home be any different? One day over a year ago I was fortunate to show a few homes listed for over 4 million around Cherry Creek, and guess what? They are still sitting there at the same price! What gives? Are these people stupid enough to think that they can "wait until the market catches up to their pricing?" Are they willing to wait say, 9 years?

There is even a home in Parker Colorado listed for 22 million. It's been listed since September 2007 at this price. Do you think they might consider a price drop by now? No! Because those buyers living from another planet are going to swoop down from the heavens and give them their price someday! By the way, what does a price drop look like at that price level? You'd have to come down in increments of 500,000 to make any difference at all. Crazy.

This Blog is dedicated to Parker Colorado Real Estate, Parker Colorado Homes, Elizabeth Colorado real estate, Elizabeth Colorado homes, Franktown Colorado homes, Franktown Colorado real estate, Lone Tree Colorado real estate, Lone Tree Colorado homes, Highlands Ranch real estate, Highlands Ranch homes, Castle Rock real estate, Castle Rock homes, and metro Denver Colorado real estate property listings. Search the Denver MLS directly for properties and homes at http://www.coloradodreamhomes.info/ and access a huge real estate resource at http://www.coloradodreamhomes.net/

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

750 Million Home-What Can That Be Worth Now?

Russian billionaire’s purchase of French villa sets new world record for most expensive home -- $750 million!

Most expensive home on the market in Parker, Colorado is $22,000,000.

The market for the average priced U.S. residence may be soft, but the über rich (especially the Russians) continue to drive prices up at the very top of the world’s luxury market. Case in point -- Villa Léopolda, one of the most historic estates on the French Côte d'Azur, is now under contract by an anonymous Russian billionaire for $750 million (€500m). This three-quarters-of-a-billion dollar sales price sets a new record for the most expensive home sale in the world. The previous record was set earlier this year by Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, with the reported purchase of a London home for his son for an estimated $236 million.
“While the French Villa is a fabulous property, this sale does put into perspective the value U.S. properties represent,” said Jeff Kroll, a luxury home expert with Colorado Dream Properties in Parker Colorado. “The most expensive residence on the market locally is listed for just $22,000,000. Its a 42,471 SF home with 11 bedrooms, 24 baths, 16 car garage, 10 fireplaces, and an indoor pool on 70 acres."

Villa Léopolda, a cream-colored, turreted mansion with two guest houses, is midway between Monaco and Nice overlooking Cap Ferrat, near Villefranche-sur-Mer. The villa was originally built about 1902 by King Leopold II of Belgium. The grounds are regarded as among the most spectacular on the Côte d'Azur. Fifty full-time gardeners look after 20 acres of gardens and terraces, planted with 1,200 olive, orange, lemon and cypress trees.

The property’s new owner is said to be a Russian oil oligarch but not – despite initial rumors – Roman Abramovich, the highly visible owner of Chelsea Football Club, who already owns a €100m mansion near Antibes.

According to the Nice-Matin newspaper, a contract was signed last week to transfer ownership of the villa from Lily Safra, the widow of Edmond Safra, a murdered banking billionaire. Rumor has it that Mrs. Safra held out for months as the persistent mystery buyer kept raising his offering price. The paper also reported that 60 villas or mansions on Cap Ferrat are now owned by wealthy Russians.
The property has a unique history. In 1916, King Leopold’s nephew and heir, King Albert I, turned the villa into a hospital for officers wounded during the First World War. It later passed into the hands of the Agnelli family – Fiat automotive tycoons -- and became the scene in the 1960s for legendary jet-set parties attended by Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan (in his acting days) and other celebrities.
“This sale raises the bar and makes the half dozen or so $100 million U.S. properties on the market seem like bargains,” said Laurie Moore-Moore, Founder of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (www.LuxuryHomeMarketing.com), a US-based organization which trains real estate agents who work in the luxury market and awards the international Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation. “Today’s affluent are citizens of the world and the successful luxury agent must know how to reach them and what lifestyles they are seeking. It’s an exciting and active market for agents at the top.”

Kroll is a member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and has received special training in assisting upper-tier buyers and sellers.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Immerse Yourself in Style and Luxury!

Offering luxurious living in a breathtaking setting, this home features 6 beds, 6 baths, and over 6800 finished square feet. Perfectly sited on 2.63 acres, this home offers surprising views of both Pikes Peak and Mt. Evans, while offering plenty of flat to gently-sloping land to add a barn for horses, or a pool, or sport court, or all three!

This home was originally built in 1982 but completely remodeled top to bottom inside with a 2006 addition (to the tune of over $185,000 in improvements,) which some lucky buyer is going to get for free, since Arapahoe County has the home valued at $1.3 million.

Spectacular features throughout this spacious floor plan include a romantic formal dining room with its own fireplace, and a kitchen with large center island with slab granite, gorgeous Alder cabinetry, oak flooring, and brand new appliances, including 6 burner gas stove and wine cooler. Off the kitchen is an intimate family room with tall vaulted ceiling, which walks out to a 1100 SF stamped concrete patio, offering great views and is shaded by a tall Maple tree in the center of it! The main floor is complete with a main floor master bedroom with hardwood floors, private patio access and exquisite master bath. This space could also be an office or used as a guest bedroom.
Upstairs features a much larger master bedroom with opulent master bath featuring Travertine floor, European shower, Jacuzzi tub and slab granite counters. Two large master closets include one with washer/dryer hookups. The fully finished 2041 SF basement offers 3 separate areas to use for gaming or entertaining, and the furthest space in the back could easily become a closed-in home theater. A stunning wet bar anchors it all, with black granite counters, new appliances, wine cellar, and Hickory cabinets. Rest assured this home is well equipped to meet the needs of the most demanding buyer!

Don’t let someone else live YOUR dream. Come inside and experience this luxurious lifestyle yourself!

Special financing rates apply for this home through Martin Funding. Call Brandon Martin at 720-296-0198.

Call a Chenango Expert! Call Jeff Kroll today for a private showing at 303-717-1492!

More pix are at www.ColoradoDreamHomes.net!

Go to www.coloradodreamhomes.info to search the Denver MLS directly; save searches or set up automatic email alerts yourself. Its simply the most accurate tool you can have for your home search!

Go to www.dreamhomecomps.com to check out recent home sales in your area!

Magnificent Acreage!

Offering peaceful tranquility on 5 acres that is a mere 12 minute commute to downtown Parker (in fact its closer to Parker than it is to Elizabeth,) this gorgeous 2005 custom home features 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2901 finished square feet, and all the high caliber designer finishes you’d expect. Located just over the Elbert County line (where taxes are lower!) this lot fronts dedicated open space, with amazing forested valley views. Although professionally landscaped with many large Maples, Austrian pines, flowering crabapples, flower beds and a garden area, the show stopper of the homes’ exterior is the new flagstone patio and outdoor living space, ideally designed for mega entertaining with professional-grade outdoor kitchen, integrated wet bar, and cozy outdoor fire pit to snuggle up with loved ones during cool evenings.

If you are a discriminating buyer who appreciates quality craftsmanship, you’ll see it everywhere. Anchoring the home is a vaulted great room with built-in entertainment center. The kitchen features 52” upgraded maple cabinets with pewter glaze, Brazilian Rosewood floors, Frigidaire Gallery Series appliances, large pantry, breakfast nook, tile backsplash, and granite countertops. The master bedroom boasts a see-thru fireplace, vaulted ceiling, 2 walk-in closets, and private patio access. The opulent 5 piece master bath features tile floors and countertops, antiqued maple cabinets, and corner Jacuzzi tub.

You’ll revel in the spacious “flex room” above the garage, which could be used for a variety of uses; a home theater, second family room, artists studio, 5th bedroom, executive study...whatever your heart desires! With dormer windows flanking each side and wired for surround sound, it is a unique and special space. Speaking of “flex space”, this home boasts one of the largest walkout basements you will find, which at 2501 SF, could provide for a world of possibilities! It is as open as you could ever want a basement to be...with enough space for another house down there! Its unbelievable.

You'll feel the quality in all the custom Kraft Maid cabinets, built with finger-jointed corners(of course), that also roll effortlessly. So make sure you open all of them up when you are in there!

Other amenities include: dramatic see-thru slate fireplace, formal dining room with large arched window, central vac system (check out the crumb sweeper in the kitchen!!), air (of course), bull nose corners, 10’ ceilings, extra deep 25' three car garage with insulated doors, extra large laundry room loaded with cabinets and built-in ironing board, whole-house water filtration system, 50 gallon hot water heater, 3 phone lines installed, full sprinkler/drip system to all trees, outside 30 amp/120V outlet for RV's and 220V outlet for a hot tub installed, Travertine tile flooring, 6 ceiling fans, covered front Trex deck to soak in the views…the features are endless! Distinctive architecture completes the drama, resulting in a stunning getaway you’ll cherish and value!

Don’t let someone else live YOUR dream. Come inside and experience this luxurious lifestyle yourself!

Special financing rates apply for this home through Martin Funding. Call Brandon Martin at 720-296-0198.

Call Jeff Kroll today for a private showing at 303-717-1492!

More pix are at www.ColoradoDreamHomes.net!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Want to Feel Insignificant and Poor?

Denver Real Estate Statistics for Multi Million Dollar Homes Sales in the Denver Metro Area are more consistent than people realize. Check out the data below. Practically every 3 days a house closes for OVER 2 MILLION DOLLARS!

The below Denver homes sales statistics were gathered from the Denver Metrolist or MLS. The were all homes and or Condo townhouse that were listed and sold within the last five quarters. Under Contracts were used for second quarter projections in 2008.

You can see that metro Denver market conditions in high-end range of homes is hanging at the 2.8M +- price tag. There was a slight dip in the forth quarter of 2007 to 2.45M, however, current under contracts show a list price of 2.9M . Also, you will note the condo sales in the first quarter of 2008 are hanging at 2.8M.

The total number of multi-million dollar total real estate transactions rises and falls per quarter and is expected as seasonal trend. The number of total transactions including homes and condos is UP for the first quarter of 2008. Using the under contract properties for 2008 of 17 units already, seems to be in line to match last year's second quarter total amount of 56.

Metro Denver Multi Million Dollar Home Sales 2007 and 2008

1st Qtr 2007 22

MLS # Sold Date Sold Price City
394758 11-Jan-07 3,100,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
394360 26-Jan-07 2,470,000 CASTLE ROCK
452423 6-Feb-07 2,750,000 CASTLE ROCK
331745 9-Feb-07 3,100,000 CASTLE ROCK
242695 16-Feb-07 2,600,000 CASTLE ROCK
435397 20-Feb-07 4,000,000 BOULDER
403938 20-Feb-07 2,100,000 CASTLE ROCK
425888 22-Feb-07 5,820,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
362554 27-Feb-07 2,498,880 CASTLE ROCK
419527 27-Feb-07 2,750,000 DENVER
274766 28-Feb-07 3,050,000 CASTLE ROCK
359121 9-Mar-07 2,250,000 CASTLE ROCK
459328 12-Mar-07 2,900,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
404128 12-Mar-07 4,500,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
443448 13-Mar-07 2,695,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
394517 14-Mar-07 3,250,000 BOULDER
477524 19-Mar-07 2,300,000 DENVER
488757 22-Mar-07 2,239,213 DENVER
486096 28-Mar-07 2,997,000 DENVER
442020 30-Mar-07 3,725,000 LITTLETON
346057 30-Mar-07 2,187,500 DENVER
424447 30-Mar-07 2,300,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
AVE
2,981,027

2nd Qtr 2007 56

MLS # Sold Date Sold Price City
480588 5-Apr-07 2,650,000 DENVER
346017 5-Apr-07 3,249,719 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
292084 9-Apr-07 2,865,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
418680 10-Apr-07 4,670,000 DENVER
474267 10-Apr-07 2,625,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
472103 11-Apr-07 2,280,000 DENVER
371094 11-Apr-07 3,069,002 DENVER
459346 16-Apr-07 2,025,000 DENVER
470690 16-Apr-07 2,300,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
452413 19-Apr-07 2,200,000 CASTLE ROCK
443440 20-Apr-07 2,100,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
431090 23-Apr-07 3,800,000 BOULDER
476331 27-Apr-07 2,000,000 DENVER
470922 1-May-07 2,600,000 DENVER
443421 1-May-07 2,100,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
272776 4-May-07 2,300,000 DENVER
399863 9-May-07 2,437,500 CASTLE ROCK
431308 10-May-07 2,200,000 LITTLETON
384454 10-May-07 4,500,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
418845 11-May-07 2,200,000 DENVER
479540 14-May-07 2,925,000 LITTLETON
477901 15-May-07 2,500,000 EVERGREEN
440784 17-May-07 2,900,000 BOULDER
422751 17-May-07 2,200,000 CASTLE ROCK
484211 18-May-07 2,350,000 BOULDER
400361 18-May-07 2,250,000 CASTLE ROCK
423629 18-May-07 4,400,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
487453 21-May-07 2,600,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
456581 25-May-07 2,180,250 DENVER
390094 25-May-07 5,636,513 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
499767 29-May-07 3,050,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
440776 30-May-07 2,515,000 BOULDER
469334 30-May-07 2,150,000 DENVER
481566 30-May-07 2,850,000 LITTLETON
468987 31-May-07 4,606,432 NIWOT
462082 31-May-07 4,300,000 DENVER
511706 31-May-07 2,050,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
443414 1-Jun-07 2,000,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
362740 4-Jun-07 2,900,000 CASTLE ROCK
372150 5-Jun-07 2,675,000 CASTLE ROCK
329309 5-Jun-07 2,900,000 LOVELAND
477456 6-Jun-07 3,000,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
483696 7-Jun-07 2,439,336 DENVER
236831 11-Jun-07 3,250,000 CASTLE ROCK
477296 11-Jun-07 3,500,000 DENVER
328916 14-Jun-07 2,635,000 LOVELAND
441951 15-Jun-07 3,975,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
469777 20-Jun-07 2,825,000 BOULDER
462152 20-Jun-07 2,700,000 EVERGREEN
346099 21-Jun-07 2,395,000 CASTLE ROCK
462273 27-Jun-07 2,255,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
492024 27-Jun-07 2,300,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
476548 28-Jun-07 3,250,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
439329 29-Jun-07 2,400,001 BOULDER
497577 29-Jun-07 2,100,000 DENVER
465273 29-Jun-07 3,067,434 DENVER
AVE

2,825,021

3rd Qtr 2007 37

MLS # Sold Date Sold Price City
505008 3-Jul-07 2,150,000 DENVER
477135 12-Jul-07 2,395,000 PARKER
479762 13-Jul-07 2,137,120 DENVER
502572 16-Jul-07 2,700,000 DENVER
412001 18-Jul-07 2,301,200 BOULDER
512790 18-Jul-07 2,500,000 DENVER
515513 30-Jul-07 2,150,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
514375 31-Jul-07 2,050,000 CASTLE ROCK
552438 31-Jul-07 2,298,000 DENVER
501595 31-Jul-07 2,030,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
458049 31-Jul-07 2,450,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
528992 31-Jul-07 2,925,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
522901 31-Jul-07 3,310,085 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
507603 3-Aug-07 3,475,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
365126 9-Aug-07 4,900,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
529221 15-Aug-07 3,200,000 DENVER
514439 15-Aug-07 3,275,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
516397 20-Aug-07 4,900,000 NIWOT
526383 20-Aug-07 2,000,000 DENVER
486532 20-Aug-07 4,250,000 DENVER
398688 24-Aug-07 2,450,000 BOULDER
518911 24-Aug-07 2,400,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
433347 27-Aug-07 2,600,000 DENVER
508299 27-Aug-07 5,000,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
371219 28-Aug-07 4,370,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
533971 30-Aug-07 2,000,000 LONE TREE
457339 31-Aug-07 3,446,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
509947 6-Sep-07 3,000,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
465160 7-Sep-07 2,600,729 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
530827 7-Sep-07 3,238,500 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
544700 11-Sep-07 2,359,000 NIWOT
533213 19-Sep-07 2,750,000 CASTLE ROCK
506290 20-Sep-07 3,800,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
542788 25-Sep-07 2,300,000 ENGLEWOOD
527137 27-Sep-07 2,800,000 DENVER
536828 28-Sep-07 2,225,000 DENVER
529543 28-Sep-07 2,617,000 DENVER
AVE
2,901,423

4th Qtr 2007 38

MLS # Sold Date Sold Price City
353939 1-Oct-07 3,000,000 ELBERT
331194 4-Oct-07 2,400,000 BOULDER
546078 9-Oct-07 2,735,000 CASTLE ROCK
507197 9-Oct-07 2,050,000 DENVER
507470 15-Oct-07 4,350,000 DENVER
532237 22-Oct-07 2,555,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
461954 25-Oct-07 2,965,000 LONGMONT
568268 25-Oct-07 2,150,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
539348 26-Oct-07 2,800,000 BOULDER
537595 29-Oct-07 2,200,000 DENVER
523443 30-Oct-07 2,075,000 EVERGREEN
575092 1-Nov-07 3,900,000 DENVER
456324 2-Nov-07 3,067,253 BROOMFIELD
569934 2-Nov-07 2,299,000 CASTLE ROCK
578539 2-Nov-07 2,448,000 DENVER
565068 2-Nov-07 2,872,500 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
545108 6-Nov-07 2,454,000 PARKER
527245 6-Nov-07 3,750,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
580487 9-Nov-07 3,200,000 DENVER
564991 14-Nov-07 2,350,000 DENVER
558909 15-Nov-07 3,375,000 CASTLE ROCK
308194 19-Nov-07 2,029,260 CASTLE ROCK
584807 20-Nov-07 3,625,000 DENVER
475134 20-Nov-07 2,450,000 ENGLEWOOD
564862 27-Nov-07 2,050,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
502652 30-Nov-07 3,800,000 EVERGREEN
570753 3-Dec-07 3,100,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
559347 3-Dec-07 3,570,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
333253 12-Dec-07 2,035,000 DENVER
635763 15-Dec-07 2,200,000 PARKER
507639 18-Dec-07 2,210,000 LITTLETON
481794 18-Dec-07 2,249,673 DENVER
497558 18-Dec-07 3,611,289 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
514237 19-Dec-07 2,185,000 PARKER
560655 21-Dec-07 2,300,000 DENVER
557479 27-Dec-07 4,475,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
542054 28-Dec-07 3,525,000 DENVER
591933 28-Dec-07 2,356,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
AVE
2,809,657

1st Qtr 2008 21
MLS # Sold Date Sold Price City
531385 4-Jan-08 2,400,000 DENVER
580631 7-Jan-08 2,350,000 DENVER
561495 7-Jan-08 2,020,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
537914 11-Jan-08 3,875,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
566289 17-Jan-08 2,995,000 DENVER
286851 1-Feb-08 2,850,000 PARKER
605085 13-Feb-08 2,450,000 DENVER
576401 13-Feb-08 2,545,000 DENVER
599607 14-Feb-08 2,100,000 PARKER
586049 14-Feb-08 2,502,500 DENVER
566794 22-Feb-08 2,500,000 FRANKTOWN
609414 26-Feb-08 3,000,000 DENVER
604489 28-Feb-08 2,400,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
606355 29-Feb-08 2,225,000 DENVER
603632 11-Mar-08 2,000,000 EVERGREEN
607259 14-Mar-08 2,290,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE
606046 19-Mar-08 2,350,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
572916 20-Mar-08 2,300,000 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
616149 24-Mar-08 2,145,000 DENVER
555639 27-Mar-08 2,000,000 WESTCLIFFE
625300 31-Mar-08 2,300,000 CASTLE ROCK
559394 31-Mar-08 2,100,000 LAKEWOOD
AVE
2,440,795

Metro Denver Multi Million Dollar Under Contract 2008

MLS # Contract Date City Price
532386 1-Apr-08 CASTLE ROCK 2,500,000
618525 3-Mar-08 CASTLE ROCK 2,695,000
477352 27-Jan-08 CASTLE ROCK 3,500,000
629034 18-Mar-08 PARKER 2,200,000
624207 17-Mar-08 LONE TREE 2,850,000
629100 6-Mar-08 DENVER 2,000,000
629730 2-Apr-08 DENVER 2,195,000
625678 26-Mar-08 DENVER 2,499,999
562138 4-Feb-08 DENVER 2,995,000
615547 25-Feb-08 DENVER 2,995,000
617984 31-Jan-08 LOVELAND 3,600,000
612131 2-Apr-08 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE 2,995,000
626274 27-Mar-08 GREENWOOD VILLAGE 3,545,000
633321 23-Mar-08 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE 3,885,000
623802 9-Mar-08 CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE 3,950,000
580762 27-Feb-08 TABERNASH 2,890,000
478788 21-Feb-08 DURANGO 2,300,000
17 total
AVE

2,917,353

Metro Denver Multi Million Dollar Condo Sales 2007 and 2008

1st Qtr 2007 1
MLS# Sold Date Sold Price City
195001 21-Mar-07 2,100,000 DENVER
AVE 1-Jan-00 2,100,000

2nd Qtr 2007 1
MLS# Sold Date Sold Price City
473384 10-Apr-07 2,100,000 KEYSTONE
AVE 1-Jan-00 2,100,000

3rd Qtr 2007 3
MLS# Sold Date Sold Price City
527125 20-Jul-07 2,350,000 DENVER
503880 27-Jul-07 2,075,000 DENVER
543474 21-Aug-07 2,400,000 DENVER
AVE
2,275,000

4th Qtr 2007 2
MLS# Sold Date Sold Price City
571585 22-Oct-07 2,500,000 DENVER
585573 7-Dec-07 2,695,000 DENVER
AVE
2,597,500

1st Qtr 2008 1
MLS# Sold Date Sold Price City
567029 28-Mar-08 2,100,000 DENVER
2nd Qtr 2008 3
MLS# Sold Date Sold Price City
637850 1-Apr-08 3,944,449 DENVER
638375 2-Apr-08 2,312,516 DENVER
293115 4-Apr-08 2,175,708 DENVER
AVE
2,810,891

This Blog is dedicated to Parker Colorado Real Estate and Parker Colorado Homes, Elizabeth Colorado homes and land, Franktown Colorado homes, Castle Rock real estate, and metro Denver Colorado real estate property listings. Search the Denver MLS directly for properties and homes at http://www.coloradodreamhomes.info/ and access a huge real estate resource at http://www.coloradodreamhomes.net/

Monday, January 07, 2008

Only 40 Billionaires Own Homes in Aspen!

Aspen's 2008 economic outlook: Will the rich keep spending?

Brent Gardner-Smith - Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Print This Page Send As Email

Wed 01/02/2008 07:00AM MST

For Aspen's gold-plated economy to continue to purr along in 2008, thousands of wealthy people will need to once again decide to build or buy large expensive homes, entertain lavishly in those homes, purchase luxury goods such as jewelry and art, and continue to spend freely in the local resort marketplace.

While there are signs that some Americans may now be hesitating before making such decisions, there may be other off-setting factors, including the fact that even Aspen's real estate prices may now look like a bargain to European consumers.

Designing, approving, building, selling, buying, maintaining and using large luxury homes in Aspen, Snowmass Village and Pitkin County is the main economic engine for the Roaring Fork Valley.

And one of the leading indicators for that sector of the economy is real estate sales.

It appears as if 2007 will have produced the second largest sum of real estate sales in Pitkin County, just behind 2006.

In 2006, a record $2.4 billion worth of real estate in Pitkin County changed hands.

Through November 2007, there was $2.3 billion in real estate sales recorded, according to Land Title Guarantee Co.

And it appears as if 2008 may bring about a slight chill to the local market, which is still very robust, if not surreal.

Consider that just five years ago, the amount of annual real estate sales in Pitkin County was "only" $1.2 billion.

"We've seen a weakening in the numbers of sales and in dollar volumes compared to where we were in 2006," said Randy Gold, the president and owner of Aspen Appraisal Group Ltd., who recently completed a year-end analysis of the Aspen and Snowmass Village real estate markets. "2006 will probably remain the record year, but so what? It doesn't mean that 2007 was bad and it doesn't mean that 2008 will be bad."

What it may mean, however, is that the rapid increase in the value of local real estate may slow this year.

"Most areas of the market are going to be relatively restrained with respect to appreciation," Gold said.

Conventional wisdom among local real estate brokers is that prices for local real estate don't really ever drop much, they just stop going up as much as they were.

"If history is a guide, even if the Aspen market slows down or flattens, significant price decreases - and specifically 'deals' - will be minimal or unlikely except in rare individual circumstances," writes Tim Estin, a broker with Mason & Morse Real Estate, in what he calls The Estin Report. "If there is in fact a cooling off trend, it should be regarded as a healthy sign. A slowdown is a cyclical interval consistent with Aspen's history of rapid price appreciation followed by market lulls, but not fall-offs."

Estin notes that the external factors that could slow down the market include "credit and debt market problems (that) have led to a reduction in the availability of large mortgages, high oil prices, Iraq/Iran, stock market volatility (and) recession fears."

Philip Verlager, an economist who lives in Aspen's West End, says there are also some other international economic factors that could shape Aspen's local economy in 2008.

"The key question will be the amount of bonuses awarded to people working on Wall Street," Verlager wrote in an e-mail interview. "My guess is that the cash flow over the next year to the people working at investment banks will be down sharply. ...

"Further, the Hollywood types will have less to spend due to the writers' strike. This will put serious downward pressure on prices.

"A key factor will be the unwillingness of banks to lend. I know that many buyers pay cash. However, most cash buyers then borrow. These loans will be cut," Verlager wrote.

Brian Hazen, a broker with Coates, Reid and Waldron who sold more than $100 million in local real estate in 2007, said he has seen a change in potential buyers' attitudes over the last several months due to the downward pressure on home prices in the United States.

"If their home markets are very soft, it can't but help affect how aggressive they might want to be on purchasing second or third homes," Hazen said. "We've had a pretty soft fourth quarter, frankly. There was a loss of momentum."

But while U.S. buyers might be hesitating, some European buyers may see the Aspen market as a bargain due to the current exchange rate, where a Euro is now worth $1.45 (U.S.).

"We could see Europeans and Asians grabbing up Aspen property on the cheap," Verlager wrote.

Gold agrees.

"With the dollar being so weak, there is no question that we are a great buy for a European buyer," he said.

Another factor that could play into Aspen's economy is the growth in the number of very wealthy people in the country and Aspen's popularity with the upper-upper crust.

"Billionaires have done especially well over the past decade," writes Robert Frank, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal who writes "The Wealth Report" and who recently published "Richistan, A Journey Through the American Wealth Boom and the Lives of the New Rich." "The total wealth held by the Forbes 400 has more than doubled since 1995, from $439 billion to more than $1 trillion today."

And the demand for luxury goods - and experiences - appears to be growing.

For example, worldwide demand for champagne has been very strong in 2007.

"If a country's economy is in good shape, there is a good chance that its champagne sales are also growing," notes the Western Europe Food and Drinks Insight information service.

Champagne sales in the United States have been increasing by 10 percent a year since 2005.

And the Financial Times reported on Dec. 27 that orders for Rolls-Royce luxury automobiles are very strong and that cars coming out of the plant in West Sussex, England, were pre-sold through 2009.

Locally, Gold estimates that there are now at least 40 billionaires who own property in Aspen or Snowmass Village and that they have been changing the perception of what exceptional local properties are worth.

"These guys can afford to get whatever they want, and they do," Gold said. "Their influence is being felt at the very upper end of our market."

There were at least three local single-family homes sold for more than $20 million in 2007, including one for $36.5 million, which set a new benchmark.

As an illustration of how much money a billion dollars really is, Gold said that if a millionaire spent a dollar a second - or $3,600 an hour - their money would be gone in just over 11 days. But if a billionaire spent one of his billion dollars every second, their money would still last close to 30 years.

But even billionaires can be price sensitive.

In a Dec. 21 Wall Street Journal column entitled "Predictions for the Rich in 2008," Robert Frank said he was predicting moderation by the rich.

"Don't worry: Conspicuous consumption will continue and we'll still have plenty of oversized boats, homes, planes and parties to make fun of. Yet between the volatility in financial markets, political rhetoric about inequality, concerns about the environment and a bubble in art and collectible prices, I think we'll see a slowdown in spending and price increases at the top."

As the question of whether Aspen's gold-plated economy is bulletproof, the real threat may not come from events related to Wall Street and the global economy, but from events much closer to home.

"The great threat may not be the financial situation, unless it turns into a real disaster," said Philip Verlager. "Instead it may be the demand for labor and the difficulty of finding people to provide these services."

If a billionaire buys a home, he or she is likely to expect a high level of service, from maids to cooks to drivers to ski instructors, Verlager noted.

And if more and more of those service providers can't find their way into the country or decide that commuting through Aspen's daily traffic jam is not worth it, can the resort keep its free-spending "high-maintenance" clientele happy?

"We compete with the Vails and the St. Moritzs and many other really nice places," Verlager said. "And there are lots of towns across the world that were once the playgrounds of the rich. These people are finicky and to remain competitive, we need a really skilled work force."

bgs@aspendailynews.com

For more real estate insights, go to http://www.coloradodreamhomes.net/

Sunday, December 09, 2007

A Canadian Luxury Home Looks Like This...

What's on your wish list? Top 10 must haves for today's multi-million dollar homes - Royal LePage reports on the most unique and sought-after accessories of
luxury homes -

TORONTO, Dec. 4 /CNW/ - Come holiday season, children and adults alike
begin creating wish lists - detailed accounts of everything their hearts
desire. This season luxury homeowners' wish lists are likely to spare no
expense, as the bar just keeps getting higher when it comes to outfitting
one's multi-million dollar pad.

Multiple car garages and lavish walk-in closets are a thing of the past;
indoor car washes and walk-in refrigerators are the new rage. As demand for
luxury homes continues to grow, so do the wants and needs of those looking to
buy.

"The million dollar home is no longer the exclusive domain of the rich.
In fact, many typical middle income Canadian families now own million dollar
residences due to soaring property prices," said Elli Davis, sales
representative, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. "Accessorizing the
property with the hottest must-haves is a natural extension of living a luxury
lifestyle and a way to stand out from the crowd."

With the help of its Carriage Trade real estate agents, Royal LePage
compiled a top 10 list of the most unique and sought-after accessories that
Canadian luxury homes are outfitted with.

<<>

2. Walk-in refrigerators - Professional kitchens akin to what one may
find in a five-star restaurant have taken over luxury homes. With
growing emphasis placed on home entertaining, walk-in refrigerators
and multiple ovens, sinks and dishwashers are the norm for even the
novice gourmet.

3. Spas, gyms and yoga and Pilates studios - The home gym has undergone
a makeover and the focus now is on complete health and wellness
facilities. Professional-style spas complete with steam rooms and
massage rooms overtake the outdated sauna or whirlpool. Yoga and
Pilates studios trump stair climbers, treadmills and rowing machines.

4. Wine cellars and tasting rooms - Grand wine cellars often found in
Rosedale, Forest Hill or Westmount residences are the norm for
today's connoisseur. Individual cellars for red and white wines, as
well as specialized tasting rooms equipped with various sinks and
buckets for wine sampling are becoming all the rage.

5. Concierge services - Concierge services are no longer limited to
condominium owners or hotel guests. Today's luxury homeowners utilize
companies specializing in concierges. From making dinner reservations
to picking up dry cleaning or purchasing opera tickets, concierge
services are now a common trend within many luxury neighbourhoods.
There are several companies that will provide typical concierge
services to homeowners - essentially acting as a live-out butler.

6. Media rooms - Media rooms that rival the local public theatre are as
prevalent in luxury homes as the family room. These windowless rooms
typically boast a theatre-size screen, surround sound and rows of
plush seats to accommodate large groups.

7. Wrapping and sewing rooms - Specialized rooms to accommodate
particular hobbies or tasks, which are completely outfitted help to
keep homeowners organized, are very popular. Dedicated rooms for gift
wrapping boast everything from ribbons to paper varieties to bags and
bows, while sewing rooms have every type of thread, button and zipper
imaginable with tables and machines tailored to the homeowner's
needs.

8. Structured wiring and security - A wireless home is a thing of today.
Many luxury residences feature security capabilities (e.g. door
locking), entertainment options and light settings that can be
accessed remotely throughout a home in various rooms. Some properties
are even equipped to remotely control security features in far away
cottages or second homes. Another innovative perk for those with deep
pockets are security systems that allow property owners to view their
home while at work, at the cottage or on holiday.

9. Home elevators - As homes are increasing in size, and are being built
higher to accommodate several floors, home elevators are becoming an
accessory of convenience as well as necessity.

10. Heated driveways, walkways and garages - Manual snow removal is a
thing of the past for those in exclusive neighbourhoods that favour
heated driveways, walkways and even garages. Built on top of heating
coils, snow melts as soon as it touches these warm surfaces.

Don't think there are many surprises here. The wine cellars, gyms, elevators, and media rooms are old standbys. Heated driveways certainly make sense in snowy climes, but of course we won't find them on the wish-list down in Florida!

It is interesting to note the inclusion of concierge services. Not only do we see these services being offered as a value-add by builders and developers, but increasingly by luxury agents too.

For more luxury home insights, go to http://www.coloradodreamhomes.net/

Sunday, July 15, 2007

These Numbers are Crazy...

MORE THAN A MILLION $5 MILLION-DOLLAR HOUSEHOLDS
Number of Ultra-Affluent households in the U.S. increased 23% in 2006

Increasing wealth drives luxury home market

PARKER, COLORADO (July, 2007) – For the first time in history, there are more than a million households in the United States with a net worth of $5 million dollars or more (not including primary residences), according to an April report released by the Chicago-based Spectrum Group, “Affluent Market Insights 2007.”

The number of Ultra High Net Worth individuals (those with a net worth of $5 million or more, excluding primary residences) grew 23% in 2006, representing the fastest growing sector of the luxury market. These numbers echo trends seen elsewhere indicating that while the rich are getting richer, it’s the ultra-affluent who are experiencing the greatest increase in wealth.

According to the 2006 Forbes list of the Top 400 Richest Americans, each of the 400 individuals has a net worth of at least $1 billion dollars, a first since the company began compiling its list.
There are also now more than 9 million Millionaire households in the U.S. (those with a net worth of $1 million dollars or more, excluding primary residences), an 8% increase from 2005 to 2006. And during the same timeframe, the number of Affluent households in the United States (defined as those with a net worth of $500,000 dollars or more, excluding primary residences) rose 9% to a record 15 million-plus.

“We’ve seen these national trends reflected in the local housing market,” said Jeff Kroll of Colorado Dream Properties in Parker, Colorado, who is also a member of the Dallas-based Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. “There is currently a record of 91 homes priced at a million dollars or more in the Parker, Colorado market.”

Despite the general downturn seen in the housing market throughout much of the nation, the upper-tier continues to chart its own course, particularly where multi-million dollar homes are concerned. While those at the entry level of affluence are more likely to be affected by current market corrections, the upper echelon has traditionally demonstrated its capacity for greater resiliency in the face of economic fluctuations.

Indeed, according to Forbes, two of the three most expensive properties in the world—a spec chateau in England neighboring Windsor Castle, and Donald Trump’s re-vamped Maison de L’Amitié in Palm Beach, Florida—have been vacant for two years. The owners have the resources to wait for the market conditions they desire. For some, luxurious estates are second homes, investments, or simply discretionary purchases.

“At a time when the newswires are filled with stories of sub-prime lending crises and real estate gloom, we’ve simultaneously seen listings for $100 million-dollar homes hit the market, a history-making event in residential real estate,” said Laurie Moore-Moore, founder of the international Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, who has written and taught extensively on the luxury residential real estate market.

Even in Florida, which has witnessed a notable downturn in upper-tier homes and estates, the caveats are quite particular to the market segment—greatly influenced by factors such as an international clientele, dollar valuations, and proposed tax changes. Luxury is not dead; it’s in a holding pattern, waiting for certain changes in market conditions before making a move.
The convergence of a more complex market and an increasing number of affluent homeowners underscores why buyers and sellers of fine homes and estates value working with trusted real estate professionals who have the specialized skills, resources, and experience to help them achieve their lifestyle objectives.

And what about those Ultra High Net Worth individuals? They might be just around the corner.
For current information on the upper-tier market, please contact Jeff Kroll at 303-717-1492 or by email at: jeff@coloradodreamhomes.net.

Jeff Kroll with Colorado Dream Properties is a member of the international Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and has taken specialized training in the selling and marketing of upper-tier homes. He has been in real estate for 8 years and specializes in Parker Colorado. His web site is http://www.coloradodreamhomes.net/

Sunday, May 27, 2007

What Would You Spend 103 million On If You Had It?

Record US residential sale breaks $100 million mark!!

Heiress sells 40-acre "building lot" in New York's Hamptons to financial mogul.

The cloud over the current residential real estate market has a silver lining. The upper-tier market continues to boom, as evidenced by the record-breaking sale of a residential property in East Hampton (NY) for $103 million.

The new sale was supposed to be hush-hush. But, the news was quickly out that Schlumberger Oil fortune heiress Adelaide de Menil and her husband Ted Carpenter had sold the ocean front property to Ron Baron, founder of Baron Funds Investment Company. The transaction breaks the previous record for the most expensive home sold in the US which was set in 2004, by the sale of Revlon Chairman Ron Perelman's Palm Beach estate.

Although the sale in the Hampton's is a new US record, the world record residential sale is still held by Forbes Billionaire Lakshmi Mittal's purchase of a London estate for $128 million.

Parker Colorado is worlds away from The Hamptons, no doubt about it. "By comparison, the most expensive home sold last year in Parker Colorado was on Jakes Ranch Road in Centennial Ranch, for $4,100,000 " according to Jeff Kroll, Broker Owner of Metro Brokers/Colorado Dream Properties in Parker. "That home boasted a 6 car garage, 13,357 finished square feet, and sat on 2.74 acres. But you could have bought 25 of those homes to approach a 103 million purchase price. Kind of hard to justify don't you think?" "

Although the US housing market slipped overall in 2006, the luxury market has continued to boom, as a result of rising wealth at the top of the demographic pyramid," said Laurie Moore-Moore, Founder of the Dallas-based Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. "Sales of homes priced at $5 million and above jumped 18% last year and rose a staggering 31% in the first quarter of 2007, according to new research by DataQuick."

"At least five US sellers are so optimistic that the luxury home market will stay strong that they've priced their homes at more than $100 million," said Moore-Moore. "The chances are good that Baron won't be king of the residential hill for long, we may see a new record in the next 18 months or so."

Leading the pack as the priciest estate is "The Pinnacle," under construction at the members-only Yellowstone Club in Montana, and offered for sale by the club's developer, Tim Blixseth, for $155 million. The four other highest priced homes include Saudi Prince Bandar's estate in Aspen (CO), priced at $135 million; "Fleur De Lys", a Los Angeles (CA) property priced at $125 million; Donald Trump's $125 million Palm Beach (FL) re-do; and the $100 million estate known as "Tranquility," at Lake Tahoe (NV).

The priciest home on the market locally is $6,200,000, again in Centennial Ranch, said Kroll. Actually, there are 11 properties on the market over 2 million at this time in Parker, Colorado.

"One interesting fact about the record-setting New York sale," added Moore-Moore, "is that Baron didn't want the existing homes on the property. So, they were removed for his convenience, leaving him with a fabulous site for building his custom home." The houses were donated to the nearby community for use as city buildings.

To search for luxury homes in Parker Colorado, go to http://www.coloradodreamhomes.net/. Jeff Kroll is one of only9 "Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists" in Douglas County, and personally sells over 12 million in real estate sales annually. He can be reached at 303-717-1492.

Monday, April 09, 2007

What Can you Buy for $155 Million?

Local Listing at 7251 Centennial Drive, Parker, CO 80134

$155 Million Estate Tops List of Country's Most Expensive Homes for Sale

Top Price for a home locally is $6,200,000 in Parker, Colorado.

A “spec home” still under construction in Big Sky, Montana tops the list of the 1000 most expensive homes currently on the market in the U.S., according to the just-released Unique Homes magazine's special issue, Ultimate Homes, 2007. Built by Yellowstone Club developer Tim Blixseth, the “Pinnacle” home sits on 160 acres and comes with four 4,000-square-foot guest houses, security and staff quarters, a retractable helipad (with helicopter and pilot lounge), and an underground garage stocked with a fleet of Suburbans.

By comparison, the most expensive home currently listed in the Parker Colorado MLS is a $6.2 million dollar residence with 25,000 finished square feet. For $155 million, one could buy 25 homes like this in Parker Colorado.

"The home prices on this year's Ultimate Homes list reinforce the fact that the national market in luxury properties has generally remained healthy above the $5 million level," said Laurie Moore-Moore, Founder and CEO of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, a Dallas-based organization whose members have hundreds of millions of dollars worth of the top properties on the list.

There are currently 116 properties in the Parker, Elizabeth, Franktown MLS system priced at a million dollars or more," according to Jeff Kroll, a member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and a Broker/Owner of Metro Brokers. "In this area we sell about 4 million dollar homes per month on average, so that is about a 29 month supply," says Kroll.

"The number of million-dollar-home sales isn't available yet for 2006," added Moore-Moore. "However, the number of million dollar homes sold in the country jumped from 10,000 in 1999 to over 109,000 in 2005, a reflection of the growth in the number of wealthy households. Although many marketplaces are seeing slowing appreciation, higher inventories and longer sales time, the top of the luxury market is outperforming the market in general."

New York leads the Ultimate Homes list with the most properties -- 240. Florida follows closely with a total of 234 properties, up from 183 last year, and California drops from second to third place with 205 properties on the list. Overall, thirty four states have properties that made the list. For more info on million dollar homes in Colorado, go to http://www.ColoradoDreamHomes.net.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

When You Going to Make the List of the Worlds Billionaires?

(home under construction is Dave Liniger's home in Castle Rock Colorado...founder of Remax. Check out the size of it compared to the cheap 600K homes below it)

Forbes says the research that when into compiling the rankings began in early 2006 and ended on Feb. 9, 2007.

1. William Gates III, Washington, 51, $56, Microsoft
2. Warren Buffett, Nebraska, 76, $52, Berkshire Hathaway
3. Carlos Slim Helu, Mexico, 67, $49, telecom
4. Ingvar Kamprad and family, Sweden, 80, $33, Ikea
5. Lakshmi Mittal, India, 56, $32, steel
6. Sheldon Adelson, Nevada, 73, $26.5, casinos, hotels
7. Bernard Arnault, France, 58, $26, LVMH
8. Amancio Ortega, Spain, 71, $24, Zara
9. Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong, 78, $23, diversified
10. David Thomson and family, Canada, 49, $22, inheritance
11. Lawrence Ellison, California, 62, $21.5, Oracle
12. Liliane Bettencourt, France, 84, $20.7, L'Oreal
13. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, Saudi Arabia, 50, $20.3,
investments
14. Mukesh Ambani, India, 49, $20.1, petrochemicals
15. Karl Albrecht, Germany, 87, $20, Aldi
16. Roman Abramovich, Russia, 40, $18.7, oil
17. Stefan Persson, Sweden, 59, $18.4, Hennes & Mauritz
18. Anil Ambani, India, 47, $18.2, diversified
19. Paul Allen, Washington, 54, $18, Microsoft, investments
20. Theo Albrecht, Germany, 84, $17.5, Aldi, Trader Joe's
21. Azim Premji, India, 61, $17.1, software
22. Lee Shau Kee, Hong Kong, 79, $17, real estate
23. Jim Walton, Arkansas, 59, $16.8, Wal-Mart
24. Christy Walton and family, Wyoming, 52, $16.7, Wal-Mart
inheritance
24. S. Robson Walton, Arkansas, 63, $16.7, Wal-Mart
26. Sergey Brin, California, 33, $16.6, Google
26. Larry Page, California, 34, $16.6, Google
26. Alice Walton, Texas, 57, $16.6, Wal-Mart
29. Helen Walton, Arkansas, 87, $16.4, Wal-Mart
30. Michael Dell, Texas, 42, $15.8, Dell
31. Steven Ballmer, Washington, 51, $15, Microsoft
31. Kirk Kerkorian, California, 89, $15, investments, casinos
31. Raymond, Thomas and Walter Kwok, Hong Kong, ages unknown,
$15, real estate
34. Francois Pinault, France, 70, $14.5, retail
35. Suleiman Kerimov, Russia, 41, $14.4, stocks
36. Vladimir Lisin, Russia, 50, $14.3, steel
37. Jack Taylor and family, Missouri, 84, $13.9, Enterprise
Rent-A-Car
38. Vladimir Potanin, Russia, 46, $13.5, metals
38. Mikhail Prokhorov, Russia, 41, $13.5, metals
40. Oleg Deripaska, Russia, 39, $13.3, aluminum
40. Michael Otto and family, Germany, 63, $13.3, retail
42. Carl Icahn, New York, 71, $13, leveraged buyouts
42. Abigail Johnson, Massachusetts, 45, $13, Fidelity
44. Adolf Merckle, Germany, 72, $12.8, drugs
45. Barbara Cox Anthony, Hawaii, 83, $12.6, Cox Enterprises
45. Anne Cox Chambers, Georgia, 87, $12.6, Cox Enterprises
45. Mikhail Fridman, Russia, 42, $12.6, oil, banking
48. Vagit Alekperov, Russia, 56, $12.4, oil
49. Charles Koch, Kansas, 71, $12, oil, commodities
49. David Koch, New York, 66, $12, oil, commodities
51. Silvio Berlusconi and family, Italy, 70, $11.8, media
52. Nasser Al-Kharafi and family, Kuwait, 63, $11.5,
construction
52. Leonardo Del Vecchio, Italy, 71, $11.5, eyewear
54. Alexei Mordashov, Russia, 41, $11.2, steel
55. Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor and family, Britain, 55, $11,
real estate
55. Spiro Latsis and family, Greece, 60, $11, banking
55. Birgit Rausing and family, Sweden, 83, $11, packaging
58. Forrest Mars Jr., Virginia, 75, $10.5, candy
58. Jacqueline Mars, New Jersey, 67, $10.5, candy
58. John Mars, Virginia, 70, $10.5, candy
61. Viktor Vekselberg, Russia, 49, $10.4, oil, metals
62. Serge Dassault and family, France, 81, $10, aviation
62. Charles Ergen, Colorado, 54, $10, EchoStar
62. Michele Ferrero and family, Italy, 80, $10, chocolates
62. Naguib Sawiris, Egypt, 52, $10, telecom
62. Kushal Pal Singh, India, 75, $10, real estate
62. Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, France, ages unknown, $10,
Chanel
68. Susanne Klatten, Germany, 44, $9.6, BMW, drugs
69. Philip Knight, Oregon, 69, $9.5, Nike
69. Sunil Mittal and family, India, 49, $9.5, telecom
71. John Kluge, Florida, 92, $9.1, Metromedia
71. Vladimir Yevtushenkov, Russia, 58, $9.1, telecom
73. Rupert Murdoch, New York, 76, $9, News Corp.
73. Hans Rausing, Sweden, 81, $9, packaging
73. Reinhold Wurth, Germany, 71, $9, manufacturing
76. Ernesto Bertarelli, Switzerland, 41, $8.8, biotech
76. Pierre Omidyar, Nevada, 39, $8.8, Ebay
78. Maria-Elisabeth and Georg Schaeffler, Germany, ages unknown,
$8.7, ball bearings
79. Rafael del Pino and family, Spain, 86, $8.6, construction
80. Donald Bren, California, 74, $8.5, real estate
80. George Kaiser, Oklahoma, 64, $8.5, oil and gas, banking
80. George Soros, New York, 76, $8.5, hedge funds
83. Nikolai Tsvetkov, Russia, 46, $8.4, oil, banking
83. August von Finck, Germany, 77, $8.4, investments
85. Dan Duncan, Texas, 74, $8.2, energy
86. Mohammed Al Amoudi, Saudi Arabia, 61, $8, oil
86. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair and family, United Arab Emirates, 53,
$8, banking
86. Kumar Birla, India, 39, $8, commodities
86. German Khan, Russia, 45, $8, oil, banking
86. Iskander Makhmudov, Russia, 43, $8, mining, metals
86. Sumner Redstone, California, 83, $8, Viacom
86. Shashi and Ravi Ruia, India, ages unknown, $8, diversified
93. Philip Anschutz, Colorado, 67, $7.9, investments
93. Galen Weston and family, Canada, 66, $7.9, retail
95. Enrique Banuelos, Spain, 41, $7.7, real estate
96. Stefan Quandt, Germany, 41, $7.6, BMW
97. Maan Al-Sanea, Saudi Arabia, 52, $7.5, construction, finance
97. Edward Johnson III, Massachusetts, 76, $7.5, Fidelity
99. Sulaiman Al Rajhi, Saudi Arabia, 87, $7.4, banking
100. Donald Newhouse, New Jersey, 77, $7.3, publishing
100. Samuel Newhouse Jr., New York, 79, $7.3, publishing
102. Leonard Blavatnik, New York, 49, $7.2, Access Industries
102. Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, Netherlands, 52, $7.2,
Heineken
104. John Fredriksen, Cyprus, 62, $7, shipping
104. Philip and Cristina Green, Britain, 55, $7, retail
104. Stanley Ho, Hong Kong, 85, $7, gaming
104. Robert Kuok, Malaysia, 83, $7, diversified
104. Ronald Perelman, New York, 64, $7, leveraged buyouts
104. Viktor Rashnikov, Russia, 58, $7, steel
104. Tsai Hong-tu and family, Taiwan, 54, $7, finance
111. Johanna Quandt, Germany, 80, $6.7, BMW
112. Antonia Johnson, Sweden, 63, $6.6, diversified
113. Cheng Yu-tung, Hong Kong, 81, $6.5, real estate
114. Ramesh Chandra, India, 67, $6.4, real estate
114. Curt Engelhorn, Germany, 80, $6.4, drugs
116. Alexei Kuzmichov, Russia, 44, $6.2, oil, banking
116. Eric Schmidt, California, 51, $6.2, Google
118. Ng Teng Fong, Singapore, 78, $6.1, real estate
119. Anacleto Angelini, Chile, 93, $6, energy
119. Eli Broad, California, 73, $6, investments
119. Gustavo Cisneros and family, Venezuela, 61, $6, media
119. Erivan Haub and family, Germany, 74, $6, retail
119. Petr Kellner, Czech Republic, 42, $6, insurance
119. Ananda Krishnan, Malaysia, 68, $6, diversified
119. Lorenzo Mendoza and family, Venezuela, 41, $6, beverages
119. Hasso Plattner, Germany, 63, $6, SAP
119. Joseph Safra, Brazil, 68, $6, banking
128. Klaus-Michael Kuhne, Germany, 69, $5.9, shipping
129. Micky Arison, Florida, 57, $5.8, Carnival Cruises
129. James, Arthur and John Irving, Canada, ages unknown, $5.8,
oil
129. Masayoshi Son, Japan, 49, $5.8, Softbank
132. Steven Jobs, California, 52, $5.7, Apple Computer, Pixar
132. Karl-Heinz Kipp, Germany, 83, $5.7, retail
132. Akira Mori and family, Japan, 69, $5.7, real estate
132. Dmitry Pumpyansky, Russia, 43, $5.7, steel pipes
132. Julio Mario Santo Domingo, Colombia, 83, $5.7, beer,
diversified
137. Alexander Abramov, Russia, 48, $5.6, steel, mining
137. Charles Johnson, California, 74, $5.6, Franklin Resources
137. Esther Koplowitz, Spain, 56, $5.6, construction
137. Eliodoro Matte and family, Chile, 61, $5.6, paper
137. Pallonji Mistry, India, 77, $5.6, construction
142. Robert Bass, Texas, 59, $5.5, oil, investments
142. Michael Bloomberg, New York, 65, $5.5, Bloomberg
142. Terry Gou, Taiwan, 56, $5.5, technology
142. Vladimir Kim, Kazakhstan, 46, $5.5, mining
142. James Packer, Australia, 39, $5.5, media
142. Madeleine Schickedanz, Germany, 63, $5.5, retail
142. Thomas Schmidheiny, Switzerland, 61, $5.5, cement
142. Alisher Usmanov, Russia, 53, $5.5, steel
150. Robert Rowling, Texas, 53, $5.4, oil and gas, investments
150. Roustam Tariko, Russia, 45, $5.4, banking, vodka
152. Leonid Fedun, Russia, 50, $5.3, oil
152. Bradley Hughes, California, 73, $5.3, Public Storage
152. Michael Kadoorie and family, Hong Kong, 66, $5.3,
diversified
155. John Menard Jr., Wisconsin, 67, $5.2, home improvement
stores
155. Charles Schwab, California, 69, $5.2, discount stock
brokerage
157. Y.C. Wang and family, Taiwan, 90, $5.1, chemicals
158. Alberto Bailleres, Mexico, 74, $5, mining
158. Jean-Claude Decaux and family, France, 69, $5, advertising
158. Alicia Koplowitz, Spain, 54, $5, investments
158. Ralph Lauren, New York, 67, $5, fashion
158. Nicky Oppenheimer and family, South Africa, 61, $5, De
Beers
158. Onsi Sawiris, Egypt, 77, $5, construction
158. Samuel Zell, Illinois, 65, $5, real estate, private equity
165. Jorge Paulo Lemann, Brazil, 67, $4.9, beer
165. Edward Rogers, Canada, 73, $4.9, media
167. David Geffen, California, 64, $4.7, movies, music
167. Boris Ivanishvili, Russia, 51, $4.7, steel, banking
167. Nobutada Saji and family, Japan, 61, $4.7, beverages
167. Luis Carlos Sarmiento, Colombia, 74, $4.7, banking
167. Wee Cho Yaw, Singapore, 78, $4.7, banking
172. Rupert Johnson Jr., California, 65, $4.6, Franklin
Resources
172. Frank Lowy and family, Australia, 76, $4.6, malls
172. Andrei Melnichenko, Russia, 35, $4.6, banking, energy
172. Sergei Popov, Russia, 35, $4.6, banking, energy
172. Ricardo Salinas Pliego, Mexico, 51, $4.6, retail, media
177. Giorgio Armani, Italy, 72, $4.5, fashion
177. Otto Beisheim, Germany, 83, $4.5, retail
177. Martin and Olivier Bouygues, France, 54/56, $4.5,
construction, media
177. Lester Crown and family, Illinois, 81, $4.5, investments
177. James Goodnight, North Carolina, 64, $4.5, SAS Institute
177. Herbert Kohler and family, Wisconsin, 68, $4.5, plumbing
fixtures
177. Edward Lampert, Connecticut, 44, $4.5, investments
177. Sean Quinn and family, Ireland, 60, $4.5, real estate,
insurance
177. David and Simon Reuben, Britain, ages unknown, $4.5,
investments, real estate
177. James Sorenson, Utah, 85, $4.5, medical devices, real
estate
177. Ty Warner, Illinois, 63, $4.5, Beanie Babies
188. Saleh Al Rajhi, Saudi Arabia, 95, $4.4, banking
188. Jeffrey Bezos, Washington, 43, $4.4, Amazon
188. Kunio Busujima and family, Japan, 81, $4.4, gaming
188. Henry Ross Perot, Texas, 76, $4.4, computer services, real
estate
188. Bernard (Barry) Sherman, Canada, 65, $4.4, drugs
188. Stef Wertheimer and family, Israel, 81, $4.4, tools
194. Jeronimo Arango, Mexico, 81, $4.3, retail
194. Shari Arison, Israel, 49, $4.3, inheritance, cruise ships
194. Hubert Burda, Germany, 67, $4.3, publishing
194. Walter Haefner, Switzerland, 96, $4.3, software
194. Simon Halabi, Britain, 57, $4.3, real estate
194. Kwek Leng Beng and family, Singapore, 66, $4.3, hotels
194. Leonid Mikhelson, Russia, 51, $4.3, natural gas
194. Johann Rupert and family, South Africa, 56, $4.3, luxury
goods
194. Michael and Rainer Schmidt-Ruthenbeck, Germany, ages
unknown, $4.3, retail
194. Hiroko Takei and family, Japan, age unknown, $4.3, credit
204. Robert Holding, Idaho, 80, $4.2, energy, resorts, ranching
204. Lim Goh Tong and family, Malaysia, 89, $4.2, gaming
204. Ronald McAulay, Hong Kong, 70, $4.2, diversified
204. David Murdock, California, 83, $4.2, investments
204. Jeffrey Skoll, Canada, 42, $4.2, Ebay
204. Nina Wang, Hong Kong, age unknown, $4.2, real estate
210. Matthew Bucksbaum and family, Illinois, 81, $4.1, real
estate
210. William Davidson, Michigan, 84, $4.1, glass
210. Adi Godrej and family, India, 64, $4.1, diversified
210. Lev Leviev, Israel, 51, $4.1, diamonds
214. Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine, 40, $4, steel, coal mines
214. Paul Desmarais, Canada, 80, $4, finance
214. Aloysio de Andrade Faria, Brazil, 86, $4, banking
214. Michael Herz, Germany, 61, $4, coffee
214. Wolfgang Herz, Germany, 56, $4, coffee
214. Shiv Nadar, India, 61, $4, infotech
214. Richard Schulze, Minnesota, 66, $4, Best Buy
214. Harold Simmons, Texas, 75, $4, investments
214. James Simons, New York, 69, $4, hedge funds
214. Andreas Strungmann, Germany, 57, $4, generic drugs
214. Thomas Strungmann, Germany, 57, $4, generic drugs
214. Yitzhak Tshuva, Israel, 58, $4, real estate
226. Antonio Ermirio de Moraes and family, Brazil, 78, $3.9,
diversified
226. Sammy Ofer and family, Israel, 85, $3.9, shipping
226. Nassef Sawiris, Egypt, age unknown, $3.9, construction
226. Hiroshi Yamauchi, Japan, 79, $3.9, Nintendo
230. Anil Agarwal, India, 53, $3.8, mining, metals
230. Richard Branson, Britain, 56, $3.8, Virgin Media
230. Frits Goldschmeding, Netherlands, 73, $3.8, temp agency
230. Stein Erik Hagen and family, Norway, 50, $3.8, supermarkets
230. Eitaro Itoyama, Japan, 64, $3.8, golf courses
230. Jim Pattison, Canada, 78, $3.8, diversified
230. Anton Schlecker, Germany, 62, $3.8, retail
237. Vladimir Bogdanov, Russia, 55, $3.7, oil
237. Alexander Lebedev, Russia, 47, $3.7, stocks
237. Luis Portillo, Spain, 45, $3.7, real estate
237. Leonard Stern, New York, 68, $3.7, real estate
237. Joan Tisch, New York, 81, $3.7, Loews
237. Tadashi Yanai and family, Japan, 58, $3.7, retail
243. Pyotr Aven, Russia, 52, $3.6, oil, banking
243. Charles Cadogan and family, Britain, 70, $3.6, real estate
243. Bernard Ecclestone and family, Britain, 76, $3.6, Formula
One
243. George Lucas, California, 62, $3.6, Star Wars
243. Gordon Moore, California, 78, $3.6, Intel
243. Stephan Schmidheiny, Switzerland, 59, $3.6, investments
249. Bjorgolfur Thor Bjorgolfsson, Iceland, 40, $3.5,
diversified
249. Richard DeVos, Michigan, 81, $3.5, Alticor
249. Kenneth Hendricks, Wisconsin, 65, $3.5, building supplies
249. Hui Wing Mau, Hong Kong, 56, $3.5, real estate
249. Ray Hunt, Texas, 64, $3.5, oil, real estate
249. Manuel Jove, Spain, 65, $3.5, real estate
249. Saleh Kamel, Saudi Arabia, 65, $3.5, diversified
249. Peter Kellogg, New Jersey, 65, $3.5, investments
249. Leonard Lauder, New York, 74, $3.5, Estee Lauder
249. Paul Milstein and family, New York, 84, $3.5, Emigrant,
real estate
249. Reinhard Mohn and family, Germany, 85, $3.5, media
249. Husnu Ozyegin, Turkey, 62, $3.5, banking
249. Stephen Schwarzman, New York, 60, $3.5, investments
249. Patrick Soon-Shiong, California, 55, $3.5, generic drugs
249. Karl Wlaschek, Austria, 89, $3.5, department stores
264. Isak Andic, Spain, 52, $3.4, textiles
264. Heidi Horten, Austria, 66, $3.4, department stores
264. Gerard Louis-Dreyfus and family, France, 74, $3.4,
commodities
264. Rosalia Mera, Spain, 63, $3.4, Zara
264. Melvin Simon, Indiana, 80, $3.4, real estate
264. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, Thailand, 62, $3.4, alcohol
264. Stephen Wynn, Nevada, 65, $3.4, casinos, hotels
271. Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, Denmark, 59, $3.3, Lego
271. Dmitry Rybolovlev, Russia, 40, $3.3, fertilizer
273. William Cook, Indiana, 75, $3.2, medical devices
273. Nicolas Hayek, Switzerland, 78, $3.2, Swatch
273. John Simplot and family, Idaho, 98, $3.2, potatoes,
microchips
273. Friede Springer, Germany, 64, $3.2, publishing
273. Steven Udvar-Hazy, California, 61, $3.2, International
Lease Finance
273. Leslie Wexner, Ohio, 69, $3.2, Limited Brands
279. Nadhmi Auchi, Britain, 69, $3.1, diversified
279. Elena Baturina, Russia, 44, $3.1, construction
279. Khalid Bin Mahfouz and family, Saudi Arabia, 60, $3.1,
banking
279. Edgar Bronfman Sr., New York, 77, $3.1, liquor
279. Albert Frere, Belgium, 81, $3.1, investments
279. Dilip Shanghvi, India, 51, $3.1, pharmaceuticals
279. Michael Ying, Hong Kong, 57, $3.1, Esprit
279. Chaleo Yoovidhya, Thailand, 75, $3.1, Red Bull
287. Abdulla Al Futtaim, United Arab Emirates, age unknown, $3,
auto dealers, investments
287. David and Frederick Barclay, Britain, ages unknown, $3,
media, retail
287. Lee Bass, Texas, 50, $3, oil, investments
287. Sid Bass, Texas, 64, $3, oil, investments
287. Clive Calder, Britain, 60, $3, record label
287. Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, Italy, 64, $3, diversified
287. Steven Cohen, Connecticut, 51, $3, hedge funds
287. Jesus de Polanco, Spain, 77, $3, media
287. Maurice Greenberg, Florida, 81, $3, American International
Group
287. Otto Happel, Germany, 59, $3, engineering
287. Henry Hillman, Pennsylvania, 88, $3, industrialist
287. Indu Jain, India, 70, $3, media
287. Bruce Kovner, New York, 61, $3, hedge funds
287. Ronald Lauder, New York, 63, $3, Estee Lauder
287. Fredrik Lundberg, Sweden, 55, $3, real estate, investments
287. Dietrich Mateschitz, Austria, 62, $3, Red Bull
287. Patrick McGovern, New Hampshire, 69, $3, IDG
287. Arnon Milchan, Israel, 62, $3, New Regency
287. Mario Moretti Polegato, Italy, 54, $3, shoes
287. A. Jerrold Perenchio, California, 76, $3, Univision
287. Cyrus Poonawalla, India, 65, $3, biotech
287. Stefan Schorghuber, Germany, 45, $3, real estate
287. Steven Spielberg, California, 60, $3, movies
287. Teh Hong Piow, Malaysia, 77, $3, banking
287. Tsai Wan-Tsai and family, Taiwan, 77, $3, banking
287. Klaus Tschira, Germany, 66, $3, SAP
287. Peter Woo and family, Hong Kong, 61, $3, real estate
314. Mikhail Goutseriev, Russia, 49, $2.9, oil, real estate
314. Martha Ingram and family, Tennessee, 71, $2.9, Ingram
Industries
314. Lee Kun-Hee and family, South Korea, 65, $2.9, Samsung
314. Hiroshi Mikitani, Japan, 42, $2.9, e-commerce
314. Robert Miller, Canada, 61, $2.9, Future Electronics
314. Quek Leng Chan, Malaysia, 66, $2.9, banking
314. Moise Safra, Brazil, 72, $2.9, banking
314. Bruno Schroder and family, Britain, 74, $2.9, banking
314. Donald Trump, New York, 60, $2.9, real estate
323. Pierre Bellon and family, France, 77, $2.8, food services
323. Carlo Benetton, Italy, 63, $2.8, Benetton
323. Gilberto Benetton, Italy, 65, $2.8, Benetton
323. Giuliana Benetton, Italy, 69, $2.8, Benetton
323. Luciano Benetton, Italy, 71, $2.8, Benetton
323. Barbara Piasecka Johnson, United States/lives abroad, 70,
$2.8, inheritance
323. Richard Kinder, Texas, 63, $2.8, pipelines
323. Victor Pinchuk, Ukraine, 46, $2.8, steel pipes
323. Mitchell Rales, District of Columbia, 50, $2.8, Danaher
Corp.
323. Haim Saban, California, 62, $2.8, television
323. Takemitsu Takizaki, Japan, 61, $2.8, sensors
323. Dennis Washington, Montana, 72, $2.8, construction, mining,
transportation
323. Mortimer Zuckerman, New York, 69, $2.8, real estate, media
336. Juan Abello, Spain, 65, $2.7, investments
336. Riley Bechtel, California, 55, $2.7, engineering,
construction
336. Stephen Bechtel Jr., California, 81, $2.7, engineering,
construction
336. Charles Dolan and family, New York, 80, $2.7, Cablevision
Systems
336. David Gottesman, New York, 80, $2.7, investments
336. Graeme Hart, New Zealand, 51, $2.7, investments
336. Amos Hostetter Jr., Massachusetts, 70, $2.7, cable
television
336. Ann Walton Kroenke, Missouri, 57, $2.7, Wal-Mart
336. Hugo Mann and family, Germany, 93, $2.7, retail
336. Sergio Mantegazza, Switzerland, 79, $2.7, travel
336. Axel Oberwelland, Germany, 40, $2.7, candy
336. Steven Rales, District of Columbia, 55, $2.7, Danaher Corp.
336. Kjell Inge Rokke, Norway, 48, $2.7, shipping, seafood
349. Abdullah Al Rajhi, Saudi Arabia, age unknown, $2.6, banking
349. Heinz Bauer, Germany, 67, $2.6, publishing
349. Chen Din Hwa, Hong Kong, 84, $2.6, real estate
349. Heinz-Horst Deichmann, Germany, 80, $2.6, shoes
349. John Dorrance III, Ireland, 63, $2.6, Campbell Soup
349. Gabriel Escarrer, Spain, 72, $2.6, hotels
349. Masatoshi Ito, Japan, 82, $2.6, retail
349. Henry Kravis, New York, 63, $2.6, leveraged buyouts
349. Lee Shin Cheng, Malaysia, 67, $2.6, agriculture
349. Lui Che Woo, Hong Kong, 77, $2.6, construction, gaming
349. Kalanithi Maran, India, 41, $2.6, media
349. Wallace McCain, Canada, 77, $2.6, food
349. George Mitchell, Texas, 87, $2.6, Mitchell Energy
349. Carl Pohlad, Minnesota, 91, $2.6, banking
349. Grandhi Rao, India, 57, $2.6, infrastructure
349. George Roberts, California, 63, $2.6, leveraged buyouts
349. David Rockefeller Sr., New York, 91, $2.6, Standard Oil,
banking
349. Clemmie Spangler Jr., North Carolina, 74, $2.6, investments
349. Henry Sy, Philippines, 82, $2.6, malls
349. Jaime Zobel de Ayala and family, Philippines, 72, $2.6,
diversified
369. Majid Al Futtaim, United Arab Emirates, age unknown, $2.5,
real estate, retail
369. Khalaf Al Habtoor, United Arab Emirates, 57, $2.5,
construction
369. Roland Arnall, California, 68, $2.5, mortgages
369. Edward Bass, Texas, 62, $2.5, oil, investments
369. Ronald Burkle, California, 54, $2.5, supermarkets,
investments
369. Ray Dolby, California, 74, $2.5, Dolby Laboratories
369. Ennio Doris and family, Italy, 66, $2.5, insurance
369. Wesley Edens, New York, 45, $2.5, Fortress Investment Group
369. David Filo, California, 40, $2.5, Yahoo
369. Leona Mindy Rosenthal Helmsley, New York, 86, $2.5, real
estate
369. Joachim Herz, Germany, 64, $2.5, coffee
369. Paul Tudor Jones II, Connecticut, 53, $2.5, hedge funds
369. Min Kao, Kansas, 58, $2.5, navigation equipment
369. Joseph Lewis, Britain, 70, $2.5, finance
369. T. Boone Pickens, Texas, 78, $2.5, oil and gas, investments
369. Richard Pratt, Australia, 72, $2.5, packaging
369. Richard Rainwater, Texas, 62, $2.5, real estate, energy,
insurance
369. Stephen Ross, New York, 66, $2.5, real estate
369. Evgeny (Eugene) Shvidler, United States/lives abroad, 42,
$2.5, Millhouse Capital
369. Ronda Stryker, Michigan, 52, $2.5, Stryker Corp.
369. John Whittaker, Britain, 65, $2.5, real estate
390. Gianluigi and Rafaela Aponte, Switzerland, ages unknown,
$2.4, shipping
390. Charles Bronfman, Canada, 75, $2.4, liquor
390. Dhanin Chearavanont and family, Thailand, 67, $2.4,
agriculture
390. Yan Cheung, China, 49, $2.4, paper manufacturing
390. Alexander Frolov, Russia, 42, $2.4, mining, steel
390. Victor Fung, United States/lives abroad, 62, $2.4,
distribution

To become your own billionaire search for homes at http://www.ColoradoDreamHomes.net

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Big Time Luxuries

The World's Most Expensive Homes Boast Big Luxuries & Bigger Price Tags
Friday February 23, 2007

Last month we told you about plans to build the world's most expensive home at an exclusive club in Montana. It's value: $155 million.

But until it's actually up, there's only one place on the entire planet that can claim to beat it. It's in Surrey, England and it's called Updown Court (left). And if you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it.

In fact, it's hard to imagine how anyone can.

According to Forbes Magazine, which keeps track of such things, the incredible estate is the priciest place on earth. It's listed for an astounding US$138 million and has 103 rooms.
What do you get for that money? How about a 50-seat movie theatre, your own glass elevator, a 35,000 bottle wine cellar, an indoor squash court, a heated driveway that holds eight limos, several indoor spas and pools and of course, your own helicopter landing areas, in case you want to get away from the place.

But who'd want to?

It may be the penthouse when it comes to shelling out for real estate, but it's by no means an exclusive neighbourhood.

Forbes says the second most expensive home in the world belongs to Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.

His living quarters are located in trendy Aspen, Colorado - whose climate couldn't be more different than his native Saudi Arabia.

The Starwood Estate comes with 15 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, some stables, a tennis court, and an indoor swimming pool. It's a steal at just $135 million.

It seems only appropriate that the man who owns the third costliest domicile in the world made his fortune through real estate - and did it without an apprentice.

Donald Trump bought his Palm Beach, Florida edifice at an auction three years ago for the bargain price of $41 million. It's now worth $125 million.

It has a 100-foot swimming pool and its own ballroom, not to mention 475 feet of beach front.
And because Trump knows a thing or two about the market, it's for sale. We don't even want to think about the mortgage.

Other homes on the Top 10 list include a steel magnate's London digs worth $127 million, a Lake Tahoe, Nevada monster owned by the co-founder of the Tommy Hilfiger clothing chain ($100 million) and a waterfront estate in Istanbul, Turkey (also $100 million).

Some of the real estate comes with unique features - like a $75 million 60-acre Bridgehampton, N.Y. complex that includes its own regulation size golf course.

And then there's a place that's not technically a house at all, but more like the world's most incredible apartment.

The penthouse on top of the Pierre Hotel in New York City occupies three floors, has five master bedrooms, 7 baths, five fireplaces, what's described as the world's most elegant living room and a panoramic view of the big Apple's famed Central Park. It's yours for only $70 million.
No Canadian homes made the list, although most GTA residents would tell you our prices here are already outrageous.

But considering the amount of snow we get, that heated driveway would be a nice touch.

For More Housing Information go to http://www2.blogger.com/www.ColoradoDreamHomes.net

The NEW Worlds Most Expensive Home

The World's Most Expensive Home Will Have 10 Bedrooms & Your Own Private Ski Slope
Monday January 29, 2007

Think Toronto house prices are outrageous? You've obviously never tried to buy one near Bozeman, Montana.

O.K., so the wilderness isn't exactly your idea of a home on - or off - the range. But it will soon be the location of the world's most expensive house.

Real estate mogul Tim Blixseth currently owns the Yellowstone Club, one of the world's biggest members-only residential ski and golf resorts near the Montana city.

He hasn't even laid a brick or a foundation yet, but has already announced plans to put up a home on club property for those who like to live in the lap of luxury. His price for this expensive expanse: an unbelievable $155 million.

If he gets it - and it's bound to go for at least that much - it will officially become the most expensive home ever sold.

Blixeth tells Forbes Magazine this deluxe wood and stone domicile will be 53,000 square feet, take up 160 acres, boast 10 bedrooms, and will allow those living inside it to have their own private chairlift to Yellowstone's oh-so-exclusive ski slopes. It will also have its own built-in movie theatre and a swimming pool that starts indoors and winds up outdoors, when a glass panel slides away to separate nature from the closed off interior.

The fully furnished villa will also come with a completely stocked wine cellar and a driveway that measures just over 2 kilometres long.

Will anyone actually be rich enough to pay the price for this place?

Apparently someone will.

Blixeth admits he's already received a huge response about the property from the well heeled. And the mogul, who grew up poor but made his fortune in the lumber business, admits even he's been taken aback by the interest in the less than humble abode.

"Some of (the world's richest) just have to have the best. Price is not an issue," he told Forbes.com.

It could take another 14 or 15 months before the super exclusive place in the super exclusive club is ready to be listed.

So the next time you go house hunting in Toronto and the price seems a little high, consider relocating to Montana - where the Big Sky is clearly not the limit.

The asking price for this majestic mansion tops the previous record. That was set by a place called Updown Court in Windelsham, England. That location could be had for a paltry $139 million. But good luck paying down the mortgage.

For More Housing Information go to http://www2.blogger.com/www.ColoradoDreamHomes.net

Saturday, January 27, 2007

5 Home Trends We Never Saw Coming

5 home trends we never saw coming

Some unusual items that more and more home buyers have on their wish lists. Plus: What's out.
By Les Christie, CNNMoney.com
December 5 2006: 11:26 AM EST

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Some of the latest trends in homebuilding and remodeling were not too hard to spot. Is anyone surprised that Americans, already living in monster homes, want even bigger ones?

But there were some developments we never saw coming.

Heated patios are a hot trend.

Here's a few that Mark Nash, author of Real Estate A-Z for Buying and Selling a Home, has gleaned from a survey he conducted questioning 923 real estate agents, brokers and industry executives.

Upscale garages: Who knew that those smelly, greasy spaces overstuffed with junk and empty boxes would morph into showplaces for Home Improvement types?

"Today's owners want [garages] decked out with cabinet and storage systems, matching refrigerators, air conditioning and residential looking flooring," says Nash.

The Web site contractor.com reports a garage remodeling starts at around $7,500 and goes up, sometimes steeply, from there depending on size and just how nice you want it.

Nash, a real estate broker himself, says he has had home sellers so infatuated with their upscale car storage unit that they become livid when house hunters get a bit of dirt on the floor.

Caving: People want more personal space - for both mom and pop. Apparently, married people often like time alone. Who knew?

So, an amenity of choice these days is "personal, dedicated space for one person in a household to go and work on projects or simply 'chill,'" says Nash.

Rejuvenation rooms: No, This is not simply to work out in. These are one-stop sites for exercising, meditating, yoga, sauna and fancy steam showers.

"This is kind of a new age, serenity room where you do these quiet exercise things and then jump in the spa," says Nash.

First you get your head together, then your body and then you steam off the sweat you expended doing it.

Heated patios: (See outdoor living rooms) Northerners want to reduce their winter workouts shoveling snow, according to Nash, so they're installing heated patios, walkways and driveways.
Plus they want to "add a couple of weeks of outdoor enjoyment in spring and fall," he says, and the warmth radiating off these outdoor surfaces makes the diffrences between just comfortable and "Let's go inside."

Snoring rooms: Husband (never wives) have often been banished for excessive snoring but it must be a lonely feeling to trudge out of the master bedroom suite and down to the living room couch. Now they don't have to.

The huge master suites being installed in upscale housing typically come with large sleeping areas, a big walk-in closet and a gigantic bath. More and more now, they'll be equipped with another room entirely, a 12' by 12' or so space with a double bed and chair that will spare the innocent sleeper from the worst ravages of the noisy snorer.

It's not just for dad, according to Nash. "The first person to start snoring has to make the exit," he says.

On the way out

In addition to up-and-coming trends, Nash also identified a few destined for the trash heap of home-design history. These include:

Spiral staircases, which were once the rage, are now death to the home seller. Aging boomers don't care to climb them and they're tough on pets and small children. Nash advises sellers to remove and replace them before putting a home on the market.

Bamboo floors are also out. The early reviews are in and owners have found them to be easily scratched and prone to warping.

Hardwood laminate flooring is also a no-go. "They don't stand up to multiple sandings to change color or remove stains," says Nash.

Lastly, he advises sellers to never smoke in the house. Buyers hate the stale smoke odors.

Get more Trends at www.ColoradoDreamHomes.net

Monday, January 08, 2007

Million Dollar Home Count Soars!

Million-Dollar Home Count Soars: Census Bureau Study reveals almost 100% jump from 2000 to 2003
ATLANTA, Georgia (November 21, 2005.) – One in every one hundred single family homes in the US is worth a million dollars – at least according to their owners. A new Census Bureau report estimates that in the three years from 2000 to 2003, the number of single family homes worth at least a million dollars virtually doubled, from 0.5% to 1.0%. The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) is based on homeowners’ estimates of the value of their homes.
The jump in the number of pricey homes doesn’t surprise Laurie Moore-Moore, Founder and President of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, an organization which trains Realtors who work in the upper-tier market and awards the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation. “Even if some homeowners are overestimating the value of their homes,” says Moore-Moore, “there’s no question but that the number of million dollar homes has soared. More important, the million dollar segment has continued to grow in the eighteen months since 2003.”
Cassandra Black, a Keller Williams, Atlanta Classic, Realtor in the Atlanta, GA area said the report prompted her to attend The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing training at the prestigious Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, last week. "The training provided new insight about the upper tier market, helped me polish my skills, and provided valuable networking contacts with other agents across the country and abroad who specialize in luxury properties," said Black. "In addition, I discovered new and creative tools for promoting expensive homes and estates and new resources for finding buyer prospects." Ms. Black went on to say she's creating a new, luxury website, complete with Podcasting capability for her affluent prospects. "Clients will be able to download or listen to real estate listing descriptions in earnest on their computers anytime at their convenience. It's really old technology, but a new phenomena that's taking the real estate industry by storm, especially with so many affluent clients on the go," Black said.
Moore-Moore credits rampant appreciation (especially on the coasts), increasing wealth, the movement of money from stocks and bonds into real estate, and low mortgage rates coupled with adjustable rate and interest-only loans as helping to drive the rise in luxury properties and in luxe property sales.
“Since 2000, real estate has been the energizer for the economy and the luxury market has been one of the hottest real estate segments. The affluent are buying and selling in record numbers as property values continue to soar,” she says. “From 1999 to 2004, million dollar home sales increased almost 500 %. Real estate agents who understand this market niche and are prepared to meet the high service expectations of the wealthy are prospering.

Search the Denver MLS directly for properties and homes at http://www.coloradodreamhomes.info/ and access a huge real estate resource at http://www.coloradodreamhomes.net/